THE PIG BROTHER
AND
OTHER FABLES AND STORIES
A SUPPLEMENTARY READER FOR THE FOURTH SCHOOL YEAR
CONTENTS
PAGE
The Pig Brother 1
The Golden Windows 5
The Coming of the King 11
Swing Song 15
The Great Feast 17
The Owl and the Eel and the Warming-pan 20
The Wheat Field 21
About Angels 24
The Apron String 29
The Shadow 32
The Sailor Man 34
“Go” and “Come” 37
Child’s Play 39
Little John Bottlejohn 42
A Fortune 44
The Stars 46
Buttercup Gold 48
The Patient Cat 57
Alice’s Supper 60
The Quacky Duck 62
At the Little Boy’s Home 65
New Year 67
Jacky Frost 71
THE PIG BROTHER
T
HERE was once a child who was untidy. He left his books on the floor, and his muddy shoes on the table; he put his fingers in the jam-pots, and spilled ink on his best pinafore; there was really no end to his untidiness.
One day the Tidy Angel came into his nursery.
“This will never do!” said the Angel. “This is really shocking. You must go out and stay with your brother while I set things to rights here.”
“I have no brother!” said the child.
“Yes, you have!” said the Angel. “You may not know him, but he will know you. Go out in the garden and watch for him, and he will soon come.”
[2]
“I don’t know what you mean!” said the child; but he went out into the garden and waited.
Presently a squirrel came along, whisking his tail.
“Are you my brother?” asked the child.
The squirrel looked him over carefully.
“Well, I should hope not!” he said. “My fur is neat and smooth, my nest is handsomely made, and in perfect order, and my young ones are properly brought up. Why do you insult me by asking such a question?”
He whisked off, and the child waited.
Presently a wren came hopping by.
“Are you my brother?” asked the child.
“No indeed!” said the wren. “What impertinence! You will find no tidier person than I in the whole garden. Not a feather is out of place, and my eggs are the wonder of all for smoothness and beauty. Brother, indeed!” He hopped off, ruffling his feathers, and the child waited.
By and by a large Tommy Cat came along.
“Are you my brother?” asked the child.
