The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-04-01
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR.
THE KING AND THE GEESE.

There was once upon time king
who wandered away from his cour-
tiers into his garden, and taking a
book from his pocket, straightway fell
asleep. On waking, he determined to
drive away further drowsiness by TAX
ng walk.
He came to sunny meadow, barred
sloped down to a large pond. When
he came to the margin of the pond he
remembered that he had left his book
behind. He would be sorry to lose
the book, but he did not wish to 90
back after it, SO he looked around for
some one to send. He presently spied
tall, lank, ignorant looking boy, TAX
ing care Of flock of geese
He called the boy to him.
ION bench under a great ash in
The park you will find book. Go and
oring it to me, and | will give you a
DORM"
The boy did not know the king. But
he knew that strolling people were
not apt to offer forms for slight serY-
ices.
DO you take me for an IDIOT" ask
ed he.
What makes you think | am iok-
ing?" asked the king.
Because money does not come so
easy as that. You must be one of the
gentlemen from the castle"
We'll, what of that? Here is the
form. Go for the book"
The boys eyes sparkled The mon
ey was almost as much as he received
for taking care of the flock of geese
for a season. Yet he hesitated.
Well" said the king. why don't
you go?"
The boy took off his hat and rubbed
the side of his head.
q would if l could; but the geese
you little dolt! | will take care Of
the geese"
"You!" exclaimed the boy. ''You do
not look as though you knew enough.
If they fly through the fields. while l
am gone, | shall have the damage to
pay, and may lose my place, and then
[ would be ruined entirely. You see
that one with a black head? 1t is a
sly bird, and will be sure to lead the
flock astray while | as gone"
The king smiled
Il know how to manage men, and /
think | can manage a goose"
He babe the boy go at once. The
latter hesitated, but finally consented,
giving the king whip to crack in
case the geese should begin to dis
perse.
But the winged subjects of the mon
arch soon perceived that their master
was gone, and began to cackle and an.
nounce the news to each other most
jubilantly. The black-headed bird be-
gan to march and counter march, and
the whole flock, under his generalship,
scattered, each separating from the
other and forming a line, which grew
longer and longer. The king issued
his commands in loud voice, and
tried to crack the whip, but all his eff
forts we're for nothing. The geese
SoOSCo IhC OIuSAo VI IuS Sduu6I. II
The king ran hither and thither but
the line of geese only grew longer and
more diverse.
'Shoo! said the king. 1t was the
only goose. language he knew
"Honk." said the gander and the
geese rose into the air and flew into
the fields. The king, bathed in per-
spiration, sat down in great svexation
to find that his royal authority was
of so little account in the goose king
dom.
Presently, the boy returned, and saw
what had happened. He was in great
terror and distress. s$i @,'s
did not tell you that you did not
know enough to take care of geese :?
Now you must help me find them
again"
The king consented, and late in the
day the flock was gathered
I'll never go away again." said the
boy; mot for the king himself
The king returned to the castle,
quiet and thoughtful 1t was easier,
after all to manage a kingdom than
to out-general an old gander-a
thought which was hardly flattering
to the king. ~
FITTED EpnMSA rAr