The man found the house quiet, so he went into the kitchen to strike a
light.
Seeing the great fiery eyes of the cat, he thought they were live coals
and held a match to them.
Puss was so angry that he flew up and scratched the man's face. This
gave the robber a great fright, and he ran for the door.
As he went by, the dog sprang up and bit him in the leg.
In the yard the robber ran into the donkey, who gave him a great kick.
The cock on the beam was waked by the! noise, and cried,
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!"
The man ran as fast as his legs could carry him back to the robber
chief.
"Ah!" he cried. "In that house is a wicked witch, who flew at me and
scratched my face with her long nails.
By the door stood a man with a knife, who cut me in the leg.
[Illustration]
Out in the yard lay a great black giant, who struck me a blow with his
wooden club.
Upon the roof sat the judge, who cried, 'What did he do? What did he
do?'
When I heard this I ran off as fast as I could."
The robbers never went near the house again.
The four friends liked the place so well that they would not leave it,
and so far as I know, they are there to this day.
WILLIAM AND JACOB GRIMM
LITTLE BIRDIE
What does little birdie say,
In her nest at peep of day?
Let me fly, says little birdie,
Mother, let me fly away.
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