Cries Tom, in the bath, "I'm a seal at the Zoo."
Says Ted, on the rug, "Then I'm glad I'm not you."
"Ah, but, Ted," answers Tommy, "you know you're my brother;
And if _I_ am a seal, why, you _must_ be another!"
[Illustration]
[Illustration: OUR POST-OFFICE BOX.]
We want to tell you a little story, by way of introducing the letters
this week. The other day three boys we know went off for an afternoon's
skating. The ice was as smooth as glass, and they flew over it like the
wind, sometimes describing great circles, sometimes spinning around like
tops, then cutting all sorts of pretty fancy figures, and again racing
along as fast as their skates could go.
After a while Fred paused for breath. On the bank of the pond he saw a
schoolmate, who was watching the sport with wistful eyes.
"I declare, boys," said Fred to Harry and Phil, "I don't believe that
fellow has had a chance to skate this winter. He hasn't any skates, I'm
sure."
"Skates?--not he. A good many days, I'm afraid, he don't get any
dinner," answered Harry, as he finished a splendid pigeon-wing.
"Well"--Fred smothered a little sigh as he spoke, but he spoke
bravely--"I think it's mean for us to have so much fun while he has
none, and here goes! I say, Dan," he shouted to the boy on the bank,
"come, take a turn on the ice. I'll lend you my skates awhile."
Dan needed a little urging, but the other boys, who liked their comrade
none the less because he happened to be poorer than themselves,
insisted, and the rest of the time he was among the skaters instead of
Fred.
They all went home happier than usual, for those who do kind things are
always repaid by the double delight they feel, and those who accept
kindness gracefully are the happier for it too. How many of you boys and
girls are enjoying the luxury of helping others along the way? We like
to think that every day some of you are making the world gladder by
simply doing the best you can wherever you happen to be. Do not wait for
the chance to distinguish yourselves by great deeds, but seize the
little opportunities as they come. It may be only amusing a fretful
child, or helping a dull one to learn a hard lesson, or sewing a rip in
an unlucky brother's gloves, or, as these three little fellows did,
loaning a pair of skates, but believe me no unselfish action is ever
done in vain.
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