78 NEIGHBORS WITH CLAWS AND HOOFS. 



But all sorts of things and weather 



Must be taken in together, 



To make up a year 



And a sphere, 



And I think it no disgrace 



To occupy my place. 



If I'm not so large as you, 



You are not so small as I, 



And not half so spry. 



I'll not deny you make 



A very pretty squirrel-track ; 



Talents differ ; all is well and wisely put ; 



If I can not carry forests on my back, 



Neither can you crack a nut.' " 



1. THE rat is not without kindred near at home. Be- 

 sides the mice, it has a rodent cousin in the trees, with the 

 same bright eyes, gnawing teeth, and quick motions. 

 This is the squirrel, that makes our visits to the groves so 

 delightful by his gambols and chatterings. The squirrel, 

 however, does his work of gathering corn and nuts during 

 the day, and, like an honest man, sleeps at night contented 

 and happy, while the rat is prowling about pantry and 

 granary to plunder and destroy. The tail of the rat is a 

 hand to reach into a jar of sweetmeats and draw out its 

 contents, and a staff to steady himself by, while the tail 

 of a squirrel curled over his back is an umbrella by day 

 and a blanket at night. 



2. Squirrels are at home in the forest. Their agility 

 is extreme, and they never seem to rest. If seen for a 

 moment in one place, like a flash of light they appear to 

 flit to another. We see them passing incessantly from 

 branch to branch, from tree to tree, or again they jump 

 to the ground from so great a height as to threaten their 

 destruction. But these leaps do not injure them, for they 

 continue their play as if nothing had happened. The 



