Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-21
FABLES OF TOYLAND.
The Rocking Horse That Was Too Speedy
BY w. L. LARNED

The Rocking Horse That Was Too Speedy
BY w. L. LARNED.
When every one else in the nursery was
inclined to be drowsy and to drop off for
an afternoon nap the Rocking Horse de-
clared his rights and set up such CATER
ing racket that it was impossible to rest
at all.
On one occasion. after he had been very
hilarious. the Mechanical Doll came over
to him. resolved to see what result an ar
gument might have upon the wild horse.
1T seems to me that your consideration
for others might sometimes allow Won to
Sleep" he began. winding himself up. Here
you gal.op up and down for hours. while
we poor beings who are not gifted with
rocker-shod feet must lie in our corner
giving vent to only occasional grunts Do
you not think that you are carrying your
gift Of action too far?"
The Rocking Horse slowed down to a can
ter and shifted the air contemptuously
Il am the swiftest thing In the nursery"
he said at last, land having this honor It
behOoves me to display my ability at
periods I myself shall choose. What is the
good Of possessing a virtue il you do not
exercise It? Am 10 stand silently on my
feet blinking at the cobwebs while you in
dolent creatures warm comfortable spots
on the nursery floor? Well, | guess not
There Is no doubt hut that am the prime
favorite of this household, and It is my
privilege to make as much as little noise
as 1 please"
The Mechanical Doll gathered all of the
toys In circle. and in concert they i'm
plored Mr.. Rocking Horse to stop his after
noon trots that turned the peaceful quiet
OF the nursery into an uproar that might
only be equaled on a race track
Hr
Silly dots!'' he cried, 1T has been your
misfortune to be born without any pos
sibe power OF locomotion-that u.s. with you
excepted bowling to the Mechanical Doll,
who felt the sarcasm, in that his cogs had
not been in working order for months
Life with you consists of one long sit
whereby you become chronically dyspeptic
and growl to an alarming extent. As for
myself. I shall race around the nursery
until 1t pleases me to stop. I want you to
understand that my speed Is my power.
and may there be no diminishing Of the
power!''
Having delivered himself OF this egotis-
tical speech. Mr.. Rocking Horse gripped
the bit in his mouth and was off again.
running back and forth until the floor VI
brated.
On the following morning Baby Boy de-
cided that he would trot about thirty miles
across to some distant shore, and as he
was filled with the natural recklessness OF
small years his driving was not alto
gether wise. Mr.. Rocking Horse, winking
at his toy comrades, went riCkety-split,
faster than he had ever gone before,
til snap went the rockers: and Baby Boy.
having rocked too far back. pitched off on
his dear little head. There he sat, with
woeful, tear-stained face, crying loudly,
until his father rescued him from the tangle
Of horse and lines.
This Is a dangerous toy for you to play
with Baby Boy" declared his father,
frowning at the horse. Il am afraid you
will hurt yourself seriously some time
think 1t will be best to store 1t in the at
tic"
And sure enough. poor Mr. Rocking Horse
was banished to the home OF the rat tribe.
Moral: 1t Is better to be a little slow
than famousy fast, especially when you
are taking care of babies.