Part 3 (1/2)

”I'm thinking,” said he, with a grave, philosophical air, ”about those two stones, one big and one little; the little one does not go up, nor does the big one go down.”

The lion and the hyena, having stopped to look at the stones, could only say, ”Why, really, it's singular; but it's just as you say;”

and they all resumed their journey, the rabbit being by this time well rested.

When they had gone some distance the rabbit stopped again.

”Aha!” said Feesee; ”Keeteetee has stopped again. Now he must be eaten.”

”I rather think so,” a.s.sented Simba.

”Well,” said the rabbit, ”I was thinking again.”

Their curiosity once more aroused, his comrades begged him to tell them his think.

”Why,” said he, ”I was thinking this: When people like us put on new coats, where do the old ones go to?”

Both Simba and Feesee, having stopped a moment to consider the matter, exclaimed together, ”Well, I wonder!” and the three went on, the rabbit having again had a good rest.

After a little while the hyena, thinking it about time to show off a little of his philosophy, suddenly stopped.

”Here,” growled Simba, ”this won't do; I guess we'll have to eat you, Feesee.”

”Oh, no,” said the hyena; ”I'm thinking.”

”What are you thinking about?” they inquired.

”I'm thinking about nothing at all,” said he, imagining himself very smart and witty.

”Ah, pshaw!” cried Keeteetee; ”we won't be fooled that way.”

So he and Simba ate the hyena.

When they had finished eating their friend, the lion and the rabbit proceeded on their way, and presently came to a place where there was a cave, and here the rabbit stopped.

”H'm!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Simba; ”I'm not so hungry as I was this morning, but I guess I'll have to find room for you, little Keeteetee.”

”Oh, I believe not,” replied Keeteetee; ”I'm thinking again.”

”Well,” said the lion, ”what is it this time?”

Said the rabbit: ”I'm thinking about that cave. In olden times our ancestors used to go in here, and go out there, and I think I'll try and follow in their footsteps.”

So he went in at one end and out at the other end several times.

Then he said to the lion, ”Simba, old fellow, let's see you try to do that;” and the lion went into the cave, but he stuck fast, and could neither go forward nor back out.