Babies Ride Storks!

THE STORKS.

From the story “The Storks.”

Andersen’s Fairy Tales.

Henry Altemus Company: Philadelphia. Ca 1920.

The New King of Birdland!

“BLESS ME!” HE EXCLAIMED, “WHOM HAVE WE HERE?”

. . . The Stork looked up in surprise as the wonderful stranger approached.

“Bless me!” he exclaimed, “whom have we here? I thought I knew all Birdland, but I never before saw such a freak as this!”

“I am the King. I am to be the new King,” announced the Crow. “Is there any bird more gorgeous than I?”

The Curious Book of Birds.

Written by Abbie Farwell Brown.

Illustrations by E. Boyd Smith.

Houghton, Mifflin & Company: Boston & New York. 1903.

Peeking Is A Serious Crime!

“On each side of him were growing six crimson and gold tulips”

The Chief Justice sat on the throne, and on each side of him were growing six crimson and gold tulips with their blossoms tightly closed.

“Let the prisoner be brought in,” said the Chief Justice; and as he spoke the twelve tulips slowly opened and in each sat a little man. These were the jury-men, who had never seen the light of day until the tulips opened, so they made excellent jury-men, as they knew absolutely nothing.

Then there was a great whirr-rr-rr—and the Great White Stork flew in, carrying in his bill a little girl who looked very scared.

“What has this child done?” asked the Chief Justice.

“She was playing hide-and-seek, and she peeked,” said the Stork.

“That is a dreadful thing. Can you bring any witnesses that saw her peek?” said the Chief Justice.

 

In The Miz.

Written by Grace E. Ward.

Illustrations by Clara E. Atwood.

Little, Brown, & Co.: Boston. 1904.

 

 

Was She Lonely?

Mr. Stork and Miss Heron

. . . “a nice dry house which I should be glad to have you share with me. Come, Miss Heron!  Here I am a lonely old bachelor, and here you are a lonely old maid” –

“Lonely old maid, indeed!” screamed the Heron interrupting him.  “I don’t know what it is to be lonely.  Go along with you!” and she splashed water on him with her wings, she was so indignant.

Poor Mr. Stork felt very crestfallen at this reception of his well-meaning invitation.  He turned about and stalked away towards the nest upon the roof, without so much as saying good-by to the lady.

But no sooner was he out of sight than Miss Heron began to think.  He had said that she was lonely; was she lonely?  Well, perhaps he ought to know better than she, for he was a very wise bird.  Perhaps she was lonely, now that she came to think of it.  However, there was no reason why she should go to live in that stupid, dry, old nest on the house-top.  Why could he not come to dwell in her lovely, mushy-squshy, wady-shady swamp?  That would be pleasant, for he was a good sort of fellow with nice long legs; and there were fish enough in the water for two.  Besides, he could then do the fishing for the family; and, moreover, there would then be two to admire her reflection in the water.  Yes; her mind was made up.  She would invite him.  She glanced down at her reflection and settled some of the feathers which her fit of temper had ruffled out of order.  Then off she started in pursuit of Mr. Stork.

The Curious Book of Birds.

Written by Abbie Farwell Brown.

Illustrations by E. Boyd Smith.

Houghton, Mifflin & Company: Boston & New York. 1903.