Part 37 (1/2)

”It is an old saying, that women's counsel is always worth having, and that there is a cure and physic for everything but death. 'But, after all,' said the sheep to himself, 'there may be a cure even for death this time.'

”So he ate till he was ready to burst; and when he was crammed full, he b.u.t.ted out the door of the pen, and took his way to the neighbouring farm. There he went to the pigsty to a pig whom he had known out on the common, and ever since had been the best friends with.

”'Good day!' said the sheep, 'and thanks for our last merry meeting.'

”'Good day!' answered the pig, 'and the same to you.'

”'Do you know,' said the sheep, 'why it is you are so well off, and why it is they fatten you and take such pains with you?'

”'No, I don't,' said the pig.

”'Many a flask empties the cask; I suppose you know that,' said the sheep. 'They are going to kill and eat you.'

”'Are they?' said the pig; 'well, I hope they'll say grace after meat.'

”'If you will do as I do,' said the sheep, 'we'll go off to the wood, build us a house, and set up for ourselves. A home is a home be it ever so homely.'

”Yes! the pig was willing enough. 'Good company is such a comfort,' he said, and so the two set off.

”So, when they had gone a bit they met a goose.

”'Good day, good sirs, and thanks for our last merry meeting,' said the goose; 'whither away so fast to-day?'

”'Good day, and the same to you,' said the sheep; 'you must know we were too well off at home, and so we are going to set up for ourselves in the wood, for you know every man's house is his castle.'

”'Well!' said the goose, 'it's much the same with me where I am. Can't I go with you too, for it's child's play when three share the day.'

”'With gossip and gabble is built neither house nor stable,' said the pig, 'let us know what you can do.'

”'By cunning and skill a cripple can do what he will,' said the goose.

'I can pluck moss and stuff it into the seams of the planks, and your house will be tight and warm.'

”Yes! they would give him leave, for, above all things piggy wished to be warm and comfortable.

”So, when they had gone a bit farther--the goose had hard work to walk so fast--they met a hare, who came frisking out of the wood.

”'Good day, good sirs, and thanks for our last merry meeting,' she said, 'how far are you trotting to-day?'

”'Good day, and the same to you,' said the sheep; 'we were far too well off at home, and so we're going to the wood, to build us a house, and set up for ourselves, for you know, try all the world round, there's nothing like home.'

”'As for that,' said the hare, 'I have a house in every bush--yes, a house in every bush; but, yet, I have often said, in winter, 'if I only live till summer, I'll build me a house;' and so I have half a mind to go with you and build one up, after all.'

”'Yes!' said the pig, 'if we ever get into a sc.r.a.pe, we might use you to scare away the dogs, for you don't fancy you could help us in house building.'

”'He who lives long enough always finds work enough to do,' said the hare. 'I have teeth to gnaw pegs, and paws to drive them into the wall, so I can very well set up to be a carpenter, for ”good tools make good work,” as the man said, when he flayed the mare with a gimlet.'

”Yes! he too got leave to go with them and build their house, there was nothing more to be said about it.

”When they had gone a bit farther they met a c.o.c.k.