(hap py)
rap
doc tor
words
door
[Illustration]
An old cat lived near a bird house.
Every day he saw the birds flying in and out.
Every day he said to himself, “How I wish I had one of those nice fat
birds for my dinner!”
[Illustration]
One day he heard that the birds were ill.
“Now is my time,” he said. “I will get a bird to eat to-day.”
So he put on a tall hat and a coat.
He took a cane in one hand and a box of pills in the other.
Then he went to the bird house and rapped at the door.
“Who is there?” asked an old bird.
“It is I, the doctor,” said the cat. “I heard that you were ill. So I
have come to see you. I have some pills that will make you well. Open the
door.”
The old bird looked out.
“Your words are kind,” he said, “like the words of the good doctor. Your
hat, coat, cane, and box of pills are like his. But your paws are those
of the old cat. Go away! We will not let you in. We do not want your
pills. We are more likely to get well without your help than with it.”
Then all the birds flew at him.
They pecked at his eyes; they pecked at his ears.
[Illustration]
They tore his coat.
Away flew his high hat; away flew his cane; away flew his box of pills.
Then away flew the old cat himself, and he never went back.