The Washington times., 1913-03-11
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
WICKED THOUGHT.

AROLD did not like to go to
~ school, and one day. when he
was on his way a wicked
thought came to him, Run
away and go into the woods where
the birds are singing and the squirrels
are running about. They do not have
to go to school. Why should you?"
Yes. why should To- thought Harold
caught at once by Wicked Thought.
/ That is what / say said Wicked
Thought again, go along and take
your comfort: no one will know.
So off went Harold to the woods as
Wicked Thought had suggested. 1t was
beautiful in the woods: the trees were
full of green leaves and the birds were
singing in the branches. a squirrel ran
along In the path in front of him and
Harold was glad Wicked Thought had
suggested running away from school.
He had a book in his pocket, so he
seated himself under a tree and began
to read. Suddenly he listened A bird
was singing over his head a minute be-
fore. but now it was talking to another
bird just like person.
YES. this Is the 10y under this tree"
Harold heard the bird say. "He ran
away from school and he thinks no one
will know IT.
What a bad boy" said the other
bird. II wonder why he did it? lie
doesnot look like a bad boy" ...-.
Let us ask the owl in the next tree"
said the first bird He Will know"
oh, Mr.. OWL they called, why did
this boy under our. tree run away from
SCHOOL,"
wicked Thought told him to-" sai0
The owl. THAT Wicked Thought gets
bows into all sort of trouble. He makes
them think they are abused when they
have to go to school and puts the
thought Of running away into their
minds in such L way that the boys think
II is quite right they should take day
off when they like
Two squirrels stopped to look at Har-
old, and though he tried to scare therI
away. he could not make a motion and
they came closa and looked at him.
1T is too bad. isn't it?'' said one.
That Wicked Thought does get some
nice boys to do his bidding
Yes" said the other squirrel This
hoy looks like a good boy, but he Is
completely In the power of Wicked
HDuehl, WIN ~ IL %
so easy to get these boys to work for
him. This boy ran away from school" +"
The birds in the trees above him and
On all sides began to sing:
From school he ran away
To work for Wicked Thought,
But those who go his way
Surely will be caught.
Then the squirrels ran about him say
ing the same thing. rabbit running
along stopped to hear what was going
on.
He ran away from school," a squir-
rel said, and he thinks no one will
know it,"
"Oh. the foolish boy" said the rabbit;
Il suppose he is working for Wicked
Thought and does not rea.ze IL. II Is
too bad; | must go and tell my friend
the raven: he knows a great deal"
"Oh, dear, | WISH | had not listened
to Wicked Thought Harold was think
ing when the rabbit came back with his
friend the raven.
"Oh. he" croaked the raven, 80 you
are working for Wicked Thought. are
YOU? Well you will always be in trou-
ole IL you listen to him"
~ wish | hadn't. said Harold, who
found he could speak and be heard,
much to his surprise. II really never
thought was working for Wicked
Thought, and truly he made me think
II was quite all right that | should have
g.. dav all to myself"