THE CHILDREN OF THE SEVEN FAMILIES ARE SENT AWAY
One day all the seven fathers and the seven mothers of the seven
families agreed that they would send their children out to see the
world.
So they called them all together, and gave them each eight shillings and
some good advice, some chocolate-drops, and a small green morocco
pocket-book to set down their expenses in.
They then particularly entreated them not to quarrel; and all the
parents sent off their children with a parting injunction.
“If,” said the old parrots, “you find a cherry, do not fight about who
should have it.”
“And,” said the old storks, “if you find a frog, divide it carefully
into seven bits, but on no account quarrel about it.”
And the old geese said to the seven young geese: “Whatever you do, be
sure you do not touch a plum-pudding flea.”
And the old owls said: “If you find a mouse, tear him up into seven
slices, and eat him cheerfully, but without quarreling.”
And the old guinea-pigs said: “Have a care that you eat your lettuces,
should you find any, not greedily, but calmly.”
And the old cats said: “Be particularly careful not to meddle with a
clangle-wangle if you should see one.”
And the old fishes said: “Above all things, avoid eating a blue
boss-woss, for they do not agree with fishes, and give them a pain in
their toes.”
So all the children of each family thanked their parents, and, making in
all forty-nine polite bows, they went into the wide world.