"This is a story we geese don't often tell, and if Mr. Crow should get
hold of it everybody around here would know how foolish some of our
grandparents were. Our family prides itself on having saved Rome once
upon a time, and it would never do to let people know how silly a few of
us have been since then. Of course you won't whisper it to Bunny Rabbit,
or old Mr. Turtle!
"One day a flock of geese, who had never seen a crane, were feeding in
the meadow when two strangers came up, and asked the way to the nearest
pond. They were fine-looking birds, and acted like strangers in our part
of the country; besides, they didn't speak exactly as we do.
"The leader of the flock was an old, bald-headed gander, who believed he
knew more than all the rest of the world put together, so when the
strangers asked the question, some of the geese wanted to know how they
should answer.
[Illustration: The Cranes asking the way to the nearest pond.]
"'They look to be birds of importance,' Mr. Gander said, 'and may think
we are of little account if we show ourselves willing to talk with
strangers, so the best way is to hold our tongues. When the proper time
comes I will show them that we are no fools.'
"So all the geese held their tongues, while Mr. Gander stood back a
little and looked wise. Then the strangers asked the question again,
without paying any attention to the inquisitive geese who were staring
at them from head to foot. This time Mr. Gander thought he might venture
to speak, and he said, talking way down in his throat as he had heard
Mr. Man:
"'The nearest pond is our private property, and we do not care to have
strangers there until we know if they are birds of quality.'
"'Indeed, sir,' one of the strangers said. 'May I ask whether you are
any one in particular?'
"'We are Cranes,' Mr. Gander replied, 'and when I tell you so you will
understand that we like to be by ourselves.'
"The strangers looked at each other in surprise a moment, and stepped
back as if not knowing what to do, which made old Mr. Gander think he
was wise in claiming to be something better than a common goose. Finally
one of the visitors asked:
"'Are all the cranes in this country like you?'
"'Why shouldn't they be?' Mr. Gander said gruffly.
"'There is no reason that we know of, being strangers here; but the fact
is that we also are cranes, who have just come over from Africa, as you
can tell by our black faces, and it surprises us to find such a
different looking family here.'
"Just then two real cranes, who had been feeding on the shore of the
pond, rose in the air, and, seeing the strangers, one of them cried:
"'Hello, brothers, why are you spending your time with those silly
geese? Come over to the pond where you'll find decent company!'
"The cranes from Africa didn't stay with the geese any longer, and, of
course, they told what old Mr. Gander had said. Since that time the
cranes and the swans won't let one of our family come anywhere near
them, even though the swans are our cousins, and all because that
foolish old Mr. Gander was willing to tell a lie in order to make it
appear that he was more important in the world than a common goose. I
have no patience with a bird who is always trying to make himself out a
little better than he really is. It's behavior that counts in this
world, and whether you come from one family or another, you'll be
treated well if you deserve it."
"You are right, Mrs. Goose," your Aunt Amy said decidedly. "Be contented
in this world, and you are well off indeed."
"So Mr. Pig thought," Mrs. Goose replied with a laugh. "If Mr. Man had
been satisfied with a little, Mr. Pig would most likely have been
killed."