Part 6 (1/2)

For some time Puss, Jr., traveled with the circus, but at last, finding that he could make better time if he traveled alone, he said good-by and started off by himself. Perhaps he remembered the old saying, ”He travels faster who travels alone.” At any rate, he made up his mind on this point and set bravely out by himself.

But he was not lonely, for he was continually seeing new sights and new people.

One morning as he trudged along a road bordered by green meadows he saw at some little distance ahead a large apple-tree. As he drew near a p.u.s.s.y-cat ran up the trunk.

Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree, Up went p.u.s.s.y-Cat, and down went he; Down came p.u.s.s.y-Cat, away Robin ran; Said Little Robin Redbreast, ”Catch me if you can!”

Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall, p.u.s.s.y-Cat jumped after him, and almost got a fall; Little Robin chirp'd and sang, and what did p.u.s.s.y say?

p.u.s.s.y-Cat said, ”Mew,” and Robin flew away.

”What are you trying to do?” asked Puss in Boots, Jr., stopping in front of the tree and looking up at the p.u.s.s.y-cat, who sat upon the wall, looking after the robin, who had flown away.

”I'm not trying to do anything,” replied the p.u.s.s.y-cat, crossly, ”but I was wis.h.i.+ng I had wings.”

”They would be very nice,” replied Puss, Jr., reflectively; ”they would be most convenient at times.”

”Indeed they would!” answered the p.u.s.s.y-cat; ”they'd be lots better even than red-topped boots.”

Puss looked down at his feet. ”Perhaps,” he answered, ”but I have found my boots most helpful. Do you know,” he continued, ”if people would be a little more contented with what they have I think they'd get more.”

The p.u.s.s.y-cat did not answer for a few minutes. Then she said: ”What you say is very true. I suppose I ought to be thankful that I have such nice strong claws. It's not hard work climbing trees, and, as far as running goes, my legs carry me very well. Perhaps I don't need wings, after all.”

”Well, I never saw a flying cat,” admitted Puss, Jr., ”although I've seen some remarkable things since I started out to find my father, Puss in Boots.”

”So you are a traveler,” said the p.u.s.s.y-cat, jumping down from the wall and walking up to Puss. ”How long have you been seeking your father?”

”A long, long time,” replied Puss, Jr. ”Do you know, sometimes I almost get discouraged, for this is a big world and at times I feel so very, very small.”

”Well, you come home with me,” said the p.u.s.s.y-cat, ”and get a good rest.

I think you're tired out.” This was the truth, for he had traveled far that day.

PUSS MEETS MOTHER GOOSE

”Oh, my pretty c.o.c.k, oh, my handsome c.o.c.k, I pray you do not crow before day, And your comb shall be made of the very beaten gold, And your wings of the silver so gray.”

Puss, Jr., opened his eyes sleepily to find himself in Mother Goose's arms. They were seated on a gander's back, who was flying along as if such a thing as traveling with two pa.s.sengers was nothing at all. As Mother Goose finished her little verse, the gander alighted on the roof of a big red barn on which a weatherc.o.c.k sedately turned this way and that in the early morning breeze. The sun was just coming up, for it was early, very early. Puss rubbed his eyes and sat up. ”And how's my little p.u.s.s.y-cat?” asked Mother Goose, stroking him kindly. ”Did he have a good night's sleep?”

”Yes, indeed, thank you,” answered Puss, now thoroughly awake and remembering how he had met Mother Goose the previous day, and how fortunate it was that she had agreed to take him back to Mother Goose Land.

”c.o.c.k-a-doodle-do!” said the weatherc.o.c.k.

”Crow as much as you like,” said Mother Goose. ”Now that Puss is awake you can make all the noise you wish. At first I thought we were not going to stop on your barn, Sir Chantecler, and that was the reason I asked you to delay your early morning crow so that we could be far away before you commenced. Puss is in need of all the sleep he can get, for in a few days he will be on his feet again. He has still a long ways to go ere he finds his famous father, Puss in Boots.”

”Well,” answered the weatherc.o.c.k, ”I didn't crow before day, so kindly give me a gold comb and silver wings.”

”That I will,” answered Mother Goose, ”this very evening.”

”And who will bring them?” asked the weatherc.o.c.k, for he was very vain, and is sometimes called a weather-vane, perhaps for that reason. ”Who will bring them to me, and how am I to know that a gold comb will be becoming or that silver wings will suit my complexion?”