102 Domestic Animals 



"He is not as large as the horse, nor of the same 

 color, for a donkey is nearly always gray with a 

 darker stripe down his back, and often one over 

 his shoulders. 



"He has a keen smell, good eyesight, and excellent 

 ears, perhaps because they are. so big. Now, see if 

 you can find out anything about donkeys at home 

 and tell me to-morrow." 



Knowing that donkeys were rather unfamiliar 

 animals, the next day Miss Clare borrowed a little 

 toy one of a shop-keeper down town. It was an 

 excellent model, of just the right color, and when 

 one moved its head, it gave forth a most realistic 

 bray, to the great delight of the little folks. After 

 it had been duly admired, William said, "See if it 

 can tell us a story, Miss Clare." So after a long 

 delightful bray, it began as follows: 



"I hope my voice does not frighten you little 

 people. It is only a donkey's way of saying, 'I am 

 glad to see you,' and 'Good morning.' It is not a 

 very pleasant voice, I admit, and so thought a great- 

 uncle of mine who lived long, long ago. He didn't 

 like the sound of his voice, and one day, hearing 

 some grasshoppers chirping out in the meadow, he 



