"WELL, well!" said Puss to himself as he left Bobby Shafto and the
little girl. "To think I should see an airship in Mother Goose country!"
By and by he heard a little bird singing:
"Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,
Up went pussy cat, and down went he;
Down came pussy cat, away robin ran;
Said Little Robin Redbreast, 'Catch me if you can!'
Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall,
Pussy cat jumped after him, and almost got a fall;
Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did pussy say?
Pussy cat said, 'Mew,' and Robin flew away."
"What are you trying to do?" asked Puss, Junior, stopping under the tree
and looking up at the pussy cat.
"I'm not trying to do anything," replied the pussy cat, crossly. "I was
wishing I had wings."
"They'd be very convenient at times," said Puss, with a grin.
"Indeed they would," answered the pussy cat. "I'd rather have them than
red-topped boots."
"Perhaps," answered Puss. "But I have found my boots most helpful. Do
you know," he continued, "if people would be a little more contented
with what they have I think they'd get more."
[Illustration]
The pussy cat looked ashamed of herself. "What you say is very true. I
suppose I ought to be thankful that I have such strong claws. It's not
hard work climbing trees, and as for running, my legs carry me very
well. Perhaps I don't need wings, after all."
"Well, I never saw a flying cat," admitted Puss, Junior, "although I've
seen some remarkable things since I started out to find my father, Puss
in Boots."
"So you are a traveler," said the pussy cat, jumping down from the wall
and walking up to Puss. "How long have you been looking for your
father?"
"A long, long time," replied Puss, Junior. "Do you know, sometimes I
almost get discouraged, for this is a big world and at times I feel so
very, very small."
"Well, you come home with me," said the pussy cat. "You need a good
rest. I think you're tired out."