Page 236 of 274

A Man once bought a Parrot and gave it the run of his house. It

revelled in its liberty, and presently flew up on to the

mantelpiece and screamed away to its heart's content. The noise

disturbed the Cat, who was asleep on the hearthrug. Looking up at

the intruder, she said, "Who may you be, and where have you come

from?" The Parrot replied, "Your master has just bought me and

brought me home with him." "You impudent bird," said the Cat,

"how dare you, a newcomer, make a noise like that? Why, I was

born here, and have lived here all my life, and yet, if I venture

to mew, they throw things at me and chase me all over the place."

"Look here, mistress," said the Parrot, "you just hold your

tongue. My voice they delight in; but yours--yours is a perfect

nuisance."

THE STAG AND THE LION