AUNT ESTHER'S RULE. [Footnote: Published by Ticknor & Fields, 1867]
One of Aunt Esther's rules for the care of animals was "Never frighten
an animal for sport." I remember that I had a little white kitten, of
which I was very fond, and one day I was amusing myself with making her
walk up and down the key-board of the piano, and laughing to see her
fright at the strange noises which came up under her feet. It never
occurred to me that there was any cruelty in it, till Aunt Esther said
to me: "My dear, you must never frighten an animal. I have suffered
enough from fear to know that there is no suffering more dreadful; and a
helpless animal, that cannot speak to tell its fright, and cannot
understand an explanation of what alarms it, ought to move your pity."
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.
[Illustration: THE LION AT HOME From a Painting by Rosa Bonheur]
LION STORIES.
A large lion was once to be seen in a cage in London. He was so big and
fierce that many persons came to have a peep at him.
One day his keeper opened the cage door and put in a little black dog.
Everybody wondered what the lion would do. As for the little dog, his
heart beat fast with fright and he cowered against the side of the cage.
Pages:
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64