Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-12-14
WHY is A JELLY-FISH?

BY F. w. REMY.

lou lttle cnlldren OF today, who
are so wise in school-room lore, may
object to the title of my story, "Why
is jelly y-fsh?" 1 hear you say in
scoffing tones, "Why, because it is,
of course, Just like a clam or an
oyster; it just is Jelly fsh?"
But am going to give you the
answer that the japanese fairy-tales
give to the brown-eyed little ones of
old Japan. You know how very old
Japan is-so it is quite likely that in
her past history she would have seen
the very beginning of many things;
and she says that the jelly fish was
not always the helpless, quiv ering
mass that you see lying helples $
among the bright hued shells and
shining pebbles on the seashore.
Years and years ago, when the
world was very young, the Japenese
fairy tales tell us that the jelly fish
was far more active and spry than any
of his tinny brothers; for he, besides
his fins and tail, had tiny feet, which
enabled him to walk upon the land
with the utmost ease and grace.
do not myself believe that his brain
was very active; for l think that any
fish-yes, even clam-would today
be wise enou~ to escape the horrible
fate by VIII one silly jelly-t fish
ruined whole race of active, agile
creatures. For just see what
happened.
The old king of the dragons, who
had for many years been a cross,
cranky old bachelor, fell in love with
and married beautiful young
dragoness. So lovely was she, with
sea green eyes, coral lips, and yellow
hair, that it was no wonder the old
king adored her. Great was the re-
ioicing throughout all the kindgom at
the marriage festivities. Every fish
that could swim, from the least to the
seatest, came bearing beautiful gifts.
But the clans and the oysters were
considered in those days the wise
men of the kingdom; and royalty even
deferred to them, waiting for hours at
time for them to open the I mouths
On grave questions of state. So, they
lever left home, but received in great
ceremony in their own domains. To
hem, attended by long train of
.ourtiers, composed of the finest
,cholars in all the schools Of fish,
vent the dragon king and his win
Iome bride;and so everyone in Dragon
Lana welcome the sovereign, and all
was JOY. But, a'as! this happine IS
vas too great to last! At the zenith Of
he honeymoon the sweet young
lragon queen became mysterlously
ii; aid in spite of constant care from
The best doctors in the realm, she
oined away, and seemed about to die.
One day, in voice as soft as a fish s
breath, she said to her husband: "In
dream / learned of what will cure
NE. Fetch me the liver of live
monkey, and your little periwinkle"
for so the king had often called her
in tender moment-"w get strong
again" ''The liver of live monkey,
periwinkle of my heart!" cried the
astounded king. "Why, monkeys
live far away, among the great forests
on the land! They, poor things, can
not swim nor live in thu water
kingdom of the dragons Hearts
periwinkle you must be madw
Then the young queen moaned and
sobbed: ''Ah! it is true what man ma
sa d. You never loved me! One
little thing 1 ask, to save my life; and
you will not give it to me. Go away!
Disport among fairer and young er
dragonessesp' In great distress the
dragon king sought counsela among tbe
scholars of the jeily-fish school, and.
after listening to the strange fancy OF
their idolized queen, the bravest
among them said:
Listen, o dragon king! I will
swim across the waters, and climb the
forest hills; and so sweetly will sing
of the beauties and delights of Dragon
Land that will entice the monkeys
from the tree tops, and they will all
clamor to return with me. But 1 will
choose the plumpest and the youngest
and bring him on my back to youl
august dragonship.
''Do this" said the dragon king,
and the choicest coral house, inlaid
with pearl, and the most radiant
dragoness in the kingdom shall be
yours" So the gallant jelly-fish started
en- his oliver Quest" He swiftly
always favors the brave-just where
he happened to land stood grove OF
trees, and up in the top of one he saw
beautiful young monkey. He knew
by the monkeys cheerful face, and th,
enjoyment with which he was eating
nuts, that his liver was in good shape
So he commenced his beguiline
talk:
20 Mr.. Monkey, jump down from your tree
Come, cross the beautiful water with me!
There shall you see a beauteous land,