Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-05-06
THE TURTLE AND THE FROG.
An Improbable Tale with II Very Good
Suggestion.

An Improbable Tale with u Very Good
Suggestion.
All the negro stories in which the
rabbit and the fox are brought forward
as characters have been told by Uncle
Remus, and they have been told in so
simple and charming manner that all
people who read English must applaud
their literary directness. But there is
one piece of animal Dialogue" which
have not seen in print. As child |
often heard it from an old negro. and
without attempting to recall his pecu-
liar accent shall reproduce his story:
A turtle was laboriously trudging
along dusty road. when he came upon
u frog. sitting under Il dock leaf
''flowdy do" says the frog, ducking
his head with as much politeness as he
could get out of his awkward shape.
''Only tolcrable. the turtle says.
stopping and scratching himself with
his hind foot: and then he asks: Have
you got any cool water handy"
Mighty sorry" replies the frog. hut
] haven't drop. | had some of the best
drank i, up. l;y the way, which way
are You going?'
Over the creek" says the turtle.
SLOW far is it,
''Oh. it's right smart chance of a
walk. especially ON Il hot day. What
are You going to do over there
''Going over there to live"
"Glad to hear it, live over there
myself, and have Just come over here on
a visit. so, if You don't mind. Ill go
along with YOU
III be mighty pleased to have you"
says the turtle. and away they went
along the dusty road. Mr. Frog he'd
mop and get ahead of the turtle and
rest under the shade of something until
poor old Mr.. Turtle would catch up.
You're not much of walker, Mr..
Turtle
No. walking isn't my strong point.
hut put me in the water and ] can out
float most anybody YOU ever saw"
YES. ! should think so. but tell me,
does it tire you much to walk?'
Not much
81 am glad to hear it. We are not
built to walk together and I'm sorry.
for doappreciate your society so much.
Wait minute: have thought of Il plan.
Now. as you've got to go over the creek
any way. and as it wouldn't tire YOU to
carry just little more weight. suppose
YOU let me sit on your back so can lis
ten to you talk as we go along. for ]
think you've got the sweetest voice
ever heard"
Mr.. Turtle said that somehow this
idea didn't catch hold of him. but Mr..
Frog was more and more tickled as he
thought about il. You do this" he
saws. and it will shorten the journey:
and after we get oyer to the creek Ill
sing You song and they do say that
In the best singer in the country"
And without further argument Mr..
Frog hops upon Mr.. Turtles back. The
turtle couldn't shake him off. so away
they went. The sun came down hotter
and the turtle scrambled along. The
old frog dozcd and nodded. and once he
rolled off but he jumped back.
HOW uucil iurtncl - IT, tiic WI ec
asked.
"Oh. not much.
"Well. | want to tell you that I'm
getting pretty tired"
Don't let that worry You. Mr. Tnr-
tie. just think of that fine song | am
going to sing" and on they went. the
old turtle scrambling along the road.
1t was nearly shutdown when they
got to the creek and the turtle was
about worn out. but the frog was as
fresh as ever. They got down into the
cold water. and after while the tur-
tie. who was keeping close eye on the
frog. says:
IF you'll get me something to eat
I'll let you off with that song"
Il should think you would. Mr.. Tur-
tie but music is handler than food. so
I'll sing to you" and he pulled up his
throat to sing, but the old turtle
grabbed him and ate him.
Looking back over this. am little
uncertain as to the moral. but think it
must be that it is dangerous to sing to
the hungry.-Opie Read. in Chicago
Journal.