| The Rats Wedding |
| Written by Administrator | ||||
Page 5 of 6 -My good sir,- laughed the handsome young bride, -I can-t squeeze into that little hole!- The Rat coughed; then after a moment-s thought he replied, -There is some truth in your remark–you are overgrown, and I suppose I shall have to build you a thatch somewhere. For to-night you can rest under that wild plum-tree.- -But I am so hungry!- said the bride ruefully. -Dear, dear! everybody seems hungry to-day!- returned the Rat pettishly; -however, that-s easily settled–I-ll fetch you some supper in a trice.- So he ran into his hole, returning immediately with an ear of millet and a dry pea. -There!- said he, triumphantly, -isn-t that a fine meal?- -I can-t eat that!- whimpered the bride; -it isn-t a mouthful; and I want rice pottage, and cakes; and sweet eggs, and sugar-drops. I shall die if I don-t get them!- -Oh dear me!- cried the Rat in a rage, -what a nuisance a bride is, to be sure! Why don-t you eat the wild plums?- -I can-t live on wild plums!- retorted the weeping bride; -nobody could; besides, they are only half ripe, and I can-t reach them.- -Rubbish!- cried the Rat; -ripe or unripe, they must do you for to-night, and to-morrow you can gather a basketful, sell them in the city, and buy sugar-drops and sweet eggs to your heart-s content!- So the next morning the Rat climbed up into the plum-tree, and nibbled away at the stalks till the fruit fell down into the bride-s veil. Then, unripe as they were, she carried them into the city, calling out through the streets– -Green plums I sell! green plums I sell! Princess am I, Rat-s bride as well!- |
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