St. Nicholas Volume 34, PT. 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ...did before and it was funny. You know people's skins turn pale but a Lion's skin is covered with hair and you can't see it, so his hair has to turn pale or else you would never know he was turning pale at all. This Lion's hair was a beautiful tawny golden color to begin with and first his whiskers turned white and then his big mane and then his paws and then his body, and last his long, splendid tail with the huge fluffy tuft on the end of it. Then he stood up and his tail hung down and he said weakly: "I do not know the answer to that riddle. I will go and lie down in my Cave. I do not believe I have one friend in this world." And he walked into his Cave and lay down and sobbed bitterly. He forgot I was inside his ear and that he carried me with him. But I can tell you I had given him something to think of and that was what he needed. This way of feeling that nothing in the World but a Lion has a right to be comfortable--just because you happen to be a Lion yourself--is too silly for anything. I flew outside his ear and boxed it a little. "Come " I said. "Crying won't do you any good. Are you really lonely--really--really--really--so that it gives you a hollow feeling?" He sat up and shook his tears away so they splashed all about--something like rain. "Yes," he answered, "to tell the truth I am--I do like Society. I want friends and neighbors--and I don't only want them for dessert. I am a sociable Lion and I am affectionate in my nature--and clinging. And people run as fast as they can the moment they hear my voice." And he quite choked with the lump in his throat. "Well," I snapped, " what else do you expect?" That overcame him and he broke into another sob. "I...