44 



THE SWALLOW 



Why the Swallow has a Forked Tail 



A Legend of France 



After the Deluge the animals, as they 

 left the Ark, bethought themselves to look 

 about in the world for a food which would 

 please them, each according 

 to his taste. The wily 

 serpent sent out the 

 mosquito with in- 

 structions to find 

 out, by tasting. 



which one of all living creatures had the 

 sweetest blood. When the mosquito, who 

 found the blood of man better than that of 

 the animals, came back to render account, 

 of his mission, the swallow with one peck 

 plucked out his tongue. The serpent was 

 furious at the affront and seized the poor 

 swallow by the tail to devour her. But only 



