The Pilots of Pomona: A Story of the Orkney Islands

re very hard. But the little boy had never heard any other kind, and he was very fond of hearing his grandmother sing. He was lying on the stove, watching her spin, for it was still snowin

ry day in Russia. The big chi

ut Master Reinecke, little grandm

e grandmother. "Let me see

THE FOX, AN

ittle boy. "Do t

randmoth

er them. Now a little Fox got wind of the matter, and he thought to himself, "Aha! there's a fine breakfast f

t to the Bird, which was singing g

nd how sweet is your song! But still more enticing are

if you are thinking of eating these tiny birds! They would not make you a mouthful

, and Reinecke went off in

Reinecke, in fact-telling him that he had nothing to do but hide in the bushes on the appoin

comes, do you beg him to let you sing one last song. Then perch yourself on a twig and sing out loud and clear. Tha

ived Reinecke came gleeful

irds are righ

am, my G

sip, how

have promised I will perform; I have only one last boon

are," answered Reinecke

n Reinecke, but the Master was on the alert and took to flight, with the Dog close upon his heels. At la

to talk to himself,

feet, how hav

feet; "we did our very

raise! And you, my good ears,

tently to know whether that dre

! And how did you behav

n every direction to d

ou." Then Reinecke looked

you, my beautiful,

ng so unmercifully, dragging me through bush and brier, that I am miserably scrat

ll the others are faithful; you alone would willingly have betrayed me. Out with

s teeth, dragged the Fox out of his retreat, tore him in pieces, and was thu

eat little birds," said the little boy

ishment another time,"

oy eagerly. "Won't you tell me tha

story is a short one," said the gr

X AND T

tree. Every year, about the time when her young ones were beginni

them down to me of your own accord, o

would throw down the young birds.

flew up and asked why she was so sad and down-cast. And the Dove answer

bid your good friend to please give himself the trouble to come after them. Then you'll

d himself, the Dove said to him, "If you want meat for

mpty he asked the Dove who had counsell

at has a nest yonde

rated with that Great Bird for building his nest in so ex

ws from the right I turn to the left; when

hen it blows from all

ow he did it. But quick as a wink, when the Great Bird stuck his hea

ounsel to others, but n

ate

d, "Grandmother, why did that Great Bird say that Reinecke cou

andmother. "It is a story from another mir, where my m