The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-04-03
History OF a Misunderstanding the
Wonderful end Instructive Legend Of
MediO-pOliitO.
A STORY FOR CHILDREN.

Wonderful end Instructive Legend 0
I Medic Pollit0.
A STORY FOR CHILDREN.
Translated from the Spanish Of Fernan Cabal
Zero.
There was once upon time handsom
hen who lived very comfortably in a court
yard surrounded by her numerous family
among whom there was one chicken tina
was both lame and ugly. Now, this wa
the very one that the mother loved best 0
all, for that is the way with mothers.
This cripple had been Matched from
very tiny little egg He was, indeed, NJ
more than half chicken. for had onl,
one eye, one wing, and one claw; and for
all that, he gave himself more airs thai
his father did, who was the handsomest
and bravest, and most gentlemanly cocl
in all the fowl yards for sixty miles round
This chick thought himself the Ph@ni,
of his race If the other cock laughed a
HIN, he thought it was out of envy; ant
if the hens did, he said it was out Of anger
because ofthe little attention paid them.
One day he said to his mother:
"Look here, mother. The country wor
ries me; have made up my mind to g
to Court. | want to sec the King ant
! Queen.
Thepoor mother began to tremble whel
i she heard these words.
! My son." she exclaimed, 'who should
have put such nonsense into your head
Your father has never once been outside
OF his own domain. and he is the pride Of
his race. Were would you find such !;
court yard as you have here? Or where .
grander manure heap? Where would you
find better OF more plentiful food a war
mer hen-roost, or family that loves you
more dearly?"
'..Ncyo,' said Medic. Pollito in Latin.
for he set up to be great scholar My
brothers aud my cousins are all ignorant
clowns"
But, my son. continued his mother
'-haye you never looked at yourself in the
glass ? Have you not found our that you
have got one eye and one claw less than
other people?'
May, if you begin upon that" replied
| Medic Pollito, II shall answer that you
| ought to fall down dead for shame at see
ing me in such state 1t is your fault,
and nobody else What's sort ofan egg
did come out of, pray? Was it laid by
an old cock Z"
mo, my son, ;" said the hen; 'sfor old
basilikes come out Of those eggs. You
were Matched from very wee little egg
but, indeed, that was no fault of mine"
Perhaps" said Medic Pollito, his comb
turning as red as scarlet, Il shall meet
with SOME clever surgeon who will put on
my missing limbs. Anyhow, my mind is
made up off 90"
When the poor hen saw that there was
no way OF turning him from lis purpose,
She SAID :
AT least, my son, hearken to the coun-
sci OF a loving mother. Take care not to
pass by any churches where there is IA sta
tue Of st. Peter: for that saint is not at
all ford OF cocks, and still less OF their crow
Avoid, also, certain men whom there are
i'll theworll called cooks; they are our mort
al enemies, will wiring your neck as soon as
look at you. And now, my son, St. Ra-
phael, the patron saint of travellers, be
your guide. 60 and ask your father S
blessing.
o-Pollito approached the venerable
author OF his existence, and, STOPPING to
kiss his claw, begged his Blessing The
worthy old cock gave it to him with more
dignity than affection Tor he was by no
means fond OF him, on account OF his
| peeyish temper But his mother vas 50
much moved that she was obliged to wipe
away her tears with a wlthered leaf.
linen Medic Pollito began his march,
clapping his wings and growing three times
as II signal Of departure.
As he arrived-at the banks Of stream
that was almost dried up-tor it was sum-
merit SO happened that the slender
thread OF water Was hindered from flowing
| by Il few branches that had fallen across its
| bed.
On seeing the traveller, the stream said /:
',Ihou seest, friend, how weak l am.
Scarcely can move step, and | have not
strength to push aside these branches that
block upmy way. Neither can make !,
round TO avoid them, for it would exhaust
me. Thou couIdst easily get me out oi
this difficulty by parting the branches with
thy beak. IN return, thou mayst not only
quench thy thirst III my current, but reck-
ou on my services as soon as the rains oi
Heaven snail have restored my strength"
HE chicken replied:
II could, but don't choose Do you
think l look like the servant OF dirty lit
| Tie streams Z"
Thou wilt remember me when least
thou thinkest, nurmured the stream ia
a 1alnting voice.
sit 5 very fine of you to boast return
ed Medio-I olllo, lhockingIy. Why, one
would think you had just drawn prize III
the lottery. Or could be sure OF help from
the waters OF the deiuge.'
| A little farther on he met with the
Wind, lying faint and helpless on tie
ground. "Dear Medic Polnto,' he said
| in this world we have I'LL need one an
other. Come near and look GU me- Seest
| thou what the heat otsummer has done to
me! to me, SO strong, SO mighty to me,
who raises the waves, who lays waste the
fields, whose power none can withstand
This midsummer day has killed me. tell
asleep, intoxicated by the perfume of the
flowers with which | was playing, and
here thou seest me swooning. Ii thou