THE ANIMALS
While their mother went to the river to get baby sister a drink of
water, the brother and sister played among the trees.
As they ran to and fro they stopped to listen to the call of the birds
and to watch the squirrels as they frisked about.
“What is that, Rago?” said Goni, pointing to something very near.
“They are wild hogs,” said Rago.
“See how the young ones gather close to their mother.”
[Illustration]
“They are afraid to leave her.”
“Their mother is digging into the earth among the roots of the tree.
She is looking for food for her children,” said Rago.
“I wonder what those black things are that they are digging for,” said
Goni.
“Shall we see?” asked Rago, as he picked up his club and threw it
toward the wild hogs.
This frightened them and they dashed away, the young pigs following
their mother to the underbrush not far away.
When they had gone, Rago and Goni ran to the place where the mother hog
had been digging.
“See!” said Rago, “they were digging for truffles. Here is one, Goni,
eat it.”
Goni bit into the rough black truffle with her sharp teeth.
It was white inside. “I like it,” said Goni, as she ate the truffle.
“I have never eaten a truffle before.”
“Look, Goni!” cried Rago, “I think there must be a bee’s nest in that
hollow stump.”
“I should like some honey,” said Rago.
“But the bees might sting you,” said Goni.
“I won’t mind a bee’s sting,” answered Rago.
So Rago went toward the hollow stump. He looked in. It was filled with
sweet wild honey.
Rago put in his hand and filled it with the honey.
[Illustration]
The bees didn’t like their nest being robbed.
They buzzed about Rago and stung him badly, but he didn’t care because
he was used to being hurt.
“Goni, come and eat some honey,” called Rago.
“No, no, Rago, I am afraid of the bees.”
“Then stay where you are and I will bring you some,” called Rago.
So Rago filled his hand again with honey and ran with it to Goni.
“Thank you, Rago,” said Goni, “I wish I were as brave as you are.”
“Some day you will be,” said Rago. “You are not as old as I am, Goni.”
“Come, let us go back.”
Rago picked up his club, because he felt safer when he carried it.
The brother and sister started back.
As they ran along they shouted, “Mother, we are coming.”
Suddenly they stopped. “Hush!” said Rago, as a little rabbit scampered
across their path.
“I shall catch that rabbit for dinner.”
“Let us be very quiet, Goni, and it will come back.”
“Come, crouch down so that the rabbit will think we are logs.”
“Now watch,” whispered Rago.
Soon the little rabbit scampered out of its hiding place.
[Illustration]
Rago crept up quietly behind it.
Then he raised his club and with one sharp blow the little rabbit was
dead.
“See, Goni!” said Rago, holding up the rabbit, “won’t we have a fine
dinner!”