CALOWELL Univ. of California Withdrawn GIFT OF RAINBOW STORIES Other Books by the same Author: LEGENDS of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LEGENDS of SAN FRANCISCO ORIENTAL RAMBLES THE WIZZYWAB Cit-t/h RAINBOW STORIES By GEORGE W. CALDWELL, M. D. Illustrated by JANE JEFFERSON FLIPPEN Published by Phillips & Van Orden Co. 509-521 Howard Street. San Francisco Copyright 1919 by GEORGE W. CALDWELL, M. D. Printed by Phillips & Van Orden Co. San Francisco, California In the preface, it jjbn't matter If I write a bit of chatter, Incidentally to mention That my really, true intention When I wrote each little fable Was that Mother might be able To avoid a lot of bother Turning questions o'er to Father. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The stories, Tom, The Prince Courageous, and The Little Blackman of Winkieland were suggested by tales related by Miss Katherine Rosetta Hawthorn, a seven-year- old story-teller of remarkable genius. The writer thanks Miss Katherine for the privilege of making use of some of her many original ideas, and predicts for her a brilliant literary career. Dr. George W. Caldwell. The Flight to Fairyland 17 The Fairies in the Flowers 31 Sleepy Eyes 33 How the Stars Came in the Sky 37 Boomaroar, and the Rainbow 41 Boomaroar, and the Sea Shells 43 The Music in the Sea Shells 45 The Fairy Blackbird 51 How the Rabbit Lost His Tail 55 The Discontented Elephant 59 Tom, The Prince Courageous 63 The Little Blackman of Winkieland 73 The road to Fairyland, it seems, Winds through the magic Land of Dreams; The children love to wander there, To build their castles in the air. Imagination How it grows When we are young, and where it goes When we grow up nobody knows. THE FLIGHT TO FAIRYLAND JOHNNIE BOB put aside his book of Fairy Tales, and stretched out on the grass. "I wonder if there really are Fairies," he mused sleepily as he studied the changing forms of the fleecy clouds. He could imagine in them armadas of ships sailing across the sky, or columns of cavalry, or Roman chariot races, or distant seas with islands and moun tainous shores, but nowhere could he make out anything that looked at all like a Fairy. "Perhaps they only appear when one is asleep. If I close my eyes and keep very still, one may come and talk to me." He was silent for a long time, but all he could hear was the sighing of the breeze in the branches overhead. "I wonder if I could understand the Fairy language." "I am afraid not," chirped a Cricket who was sawing down a grass stem nearby. "Babies use some Fairy words, but they forget them when they grow up. To learn it well one must go to the Fairy school." "Do Fairies have to go to school too? I thought they were always happy." "They like it. They don't need to study. The teacher tells them stories." [17] 18 : " J&a.i.nbGW Stories "Oh! I would like that. May I go to the Fairy school?" "Perhaps it can be arranged. Climb on my back, and I will take you to Fairyland to see the teacher." "Be careful, Johnnie Bob." A Rabbit interrupted in a warning voice. "No doubt he means well, but you are much too large to ride on a cricket. For one carrot I will take you there in a night and the fur of my back will keep your feet warm." "In that case we had better be going," Johnnie Bob replied, "for the night will be very dark." "Very dark. Very dark," echoed a mysterious voice from the tree overhead. Johnnie Bob looked up. A grey Owl perched on a branch was regarding him solemnly. "Beware. Beware," continued the Owl, lift ing one foot in appropriate gestures, "Rabbits fall into holes, and are hunted by Men. Who sees best at night? The Owl, of course. I will take you to Fairyland. I know the way. Did you ever wonder where the Owls go to in the daytime ?" He closed one eye and whispered confidentially, "Fairyland. And furthermore, I work a little magic here and there, now and then. How would you like a nice, new pair of feather wings, so that you could fly all by yourself ? You would ? Then stand up and wiggle your nose while I do the magic." The Flight to Fairyland 19 The Owl braced his legs well apart, and, puffing out his chest with a deep breath, hooted : "Hoo-o, hoo ! Hoohoo, hoo-oo ! Hoo-o, hoo ! Hoohoo, hoo-oo !" There was a sharp rustle of feathers as a pair of wings spread out from the sides of Johnnie Bob's arms. After flapping them a few times to be sure they were on securely, he arose in the air with the Owl, and to gether they flew away towards the far, far East where, as everyone knows, is to be found the best kind of magic. A wise old bird is the Owl, my dears, His tongue is remarkably short, my dears, But he has a pair of pointed ears, And his eyes are big and blinking! The less he talks, the more he hears ; The more he looks, the more appears; So he is wise beyond his years, For he does a lot of thinking. As they soared higher and higher, the earth seemed to unroll below them like a great map. They could see meadows laid off in squares, rivers meandering through the plains, highways tracing a network over the country. The cities, villages and towns seemed to pass beneath them as they winged their way along. 20 Rainbow Stories "You soon will fly as well as I If you will keep on trying," The Owl remarked, "and I deny There's better fun than flying. How slow the autos seem to us How still the ocean shipping. I wouldn't ride a motor bus ; I like the fun of dipping. It is a rather reckless thing, But there's no greater pleasure Than sliding down on slanting wing, To right myself at leisure. We watch the people stop and stare With envy in their faces, But few, I think, will ever dare To try to take our places." The Flight to Fairyland 21 "I have never been afraid of falling," Johnnie Bob replied, "for In my wonderful dreams I can fly If I try. When dangers assail me I spring in the air As light as a feather With never a care; And flapping my wings To get used to the things, I fly over rivers And over the seas Above the green medows And forests with ease, And when I would rest At the close of the day I float like a bubble. It's really no trouble Escaping from Injuns, Or tigers, or men, Who swiftly pursue Me in anger, and then They can't beat me, nor eat me, Nor cheat me, and when They see me escape In that curious way, 22 Rainbow Stories They stop and they stare Right up in the air And, my, how they glare With their bad, cruel eyes Opened wide in surprise. But that doesn't fret me, They never can get me For I know they can't fly. They don't even try, And that may be why, No matter who chases, I laugh in their faces In my wonderful dreams I can fly. I never knew I could fly Till one night I dreamed that a Tiger pursued, And in fright I ran through the forest As fast as I could. The Tiger got nearer So on through the wood I lengthened my stride To steps a mile wide; The Flight to Fairyland 23 But faster and faster That Tiger Cat came. He really was hungry And I was his game ; So, faster and faster I ran till I found I could jump over houses And light on the ground With only the tiniest Jar from the leap It's strange how much lighter One is when asleep. Then I came to a cliff At the top of a hill, But I never stopped, I jumped with a thrill Of delight to escape From that terrible Cat, Who thereafter sat On the top of the hill, And yodeled and spat. Then I found I could fly By just flapping my arms, And sail like an Eagle Away from alarms. [24] The Flight to Fairyland 25 And later that night When I woke up in bed I hid in the blankets And covered my head. In the morning I said To my Mother, 'I know Why Birds are so happy And sing as they go. I know so much more Of the dear little things Than I did, and I know They're so proud of their wings That the melodies burst In a flood from their throats, And fill all the heaven With musical notes. I'll tell you a secret There's joy in the sky Dear Mother, I know, For in dreams I can fly.' The hours passed in pleasant conversation, and in the proper time, which is in the rose colored dawn, they came to the Land of Dreams. 26 Rainbow Stories There's a beautiful, wonderful Land of Dreams Of Childhood Ideals Where everything seems So vivid and perfect, We feel very sure The Castles of Hope That we build will endure- Where friendships are lasting, Unselfish and strong, And not bought for money, Nor sold for a song; Where Love doesn't die Isn't killed by a word That is spoken in anger; Where lies are not heard Where Love is not balanced By jewels and gold; Where all things are given For Love and not sold ; Where only the welfare Of others is sought, And we joy in the giving, And cherish the thought That Love is perfection And all else is naught In that beautiful, wonderful Land of Dreams. The Flight to Fairyland 27 They flew under a rainbow, and perched in a Curlicue tree in the Fairies' Garden of True Love. It was a peaceful spot. No weeds with thorns or prickles were allowed to grow. Only the flowers of Good Thoughts and Kind Wishes were planted there, and they were cultivated with patience and forbearance, watered with the tears of sympathy, and often warmed by the sunny smiles of forgiveness. In that enchanted land above That Land of Smiles and Friendly Love The soul destroying acid, Hate, Turns honey sweet ; and there the gate To friendship's garden stands ajar, And in it thornless roses are. No vain regrets, nor dull despair, Nor torturing grief can enter there ; For no one wants what is another's, Nor helps himself by hurting others. When Johnnie Bob looked around the magic garden he was speechless with wonder. The first thing he saw was a Fairy school teacher standing on a sunflower ringing a blubell to call the Fairies to school. Just beyond was the beginning of a rainbow up which the Fairies were running because the school room was at the top. Johnnie Bob jumped down from the curlicue tree and tried to join them, but the 28 Rainbow Stories rainbow kept moving away. "Hoot, hoot!" called the Owl. "Come back at once. You cannot climb the rain bow unless you wear the magic sandals." Johnnie Bob hurried back and was introduced to the Fairy school teacher. The Owl explained that he was a good boy, that he never took things that did not belong to him or told an untruth, and that he was willing to be punished when he did wrong, and was generous to his playmates. The teacher replied : "If you are as good as your playmates say You may join the school for a single day; So put on these magic sandals and Run up the rainbow as fast as you can." "Now," said the Owl, "you are safe in Fairyland, and I will fly back to my pine tree before it gets too light. If you don't mind, I will trouble you for the magic wings." The wings suddenly vanished. After saying good bye the accommodating Owl flew away. Johnnie Bob buckled on the magic sandals as the teacher directed, and joined the throng of Fairies who were running up the rainbow. When they reached the very top they all sat down on the edge and let their feet hang over. The Flight to Fairyland 29 School began as usual with a song: When the evening shades are falling And the twinkling stars unveil, Children hear the Fairies calling Calling them to Fairydale; Fairydale, that place in Dreamland Where the Mother fondly leads them When she reads a Fairy tale. "Now I will answer your questions," said the teacher, "by telling a story. When I am telling a story please do not interrupt because that spoils everything. No one expects things to be reasonable in Fairyland. What are the questions for the day?" [30] THE FAIRIES IN THE FLOWERS Said Johnnie Bob, "I'd like to know Why it is that flowers grow Red or yellow, blue or white, And why their petals close at night." "T will answer that," the Fairy replied, "by telling JL the story of how the flowers came." Once upon a time long before time the Fairies lived in a coral cave in the sea. They were not very happy be cause the water was too cold, so, one day they climbed out on the shore to warm themselves in the sun. They spent the day playing among the grasses, and swinging in the cobwebs, and enjoyed it so much that they asked the Queen of the Fairies if she would build them a house, and let them stay on the land always. The Queen replied that she would be pleased to do so, and that she would build them many houses of such beauty that Mortals would never be able to equal them. Then she waved her magic wand over the plants, and flower buds began to grow out of them, and as they opened she painted them in marvelous colors red, blue, [31] 32 Rainbow Stories yellow, in all the tints and mixtures, but some she allowed to remain pure white. Each Fairy selected the flower and color she preferred, and went in, and made herself at home. Every morning they opened their shutters to let the warm sunlight in. At night those who lived in the roses, and pansies, and many other kinds left their shutters open, because they delighted in going out to dance in the moonlight. But the Fairies who lived in the poppies closed their shutters up tight, right after supper, because they were very, very sleepy little Fairies. SLEEPY EYES "Teacher dear, can you devise A way to close a baby's eyes In gentle slumber when they weep So much that Father cannot sleep?" "TV/T OTHERS and children everywhere agree that IV J. there is nothing better for that purpose than a lullaby song," said the Fairy. "I will tell you the story of Sleepy Eyes." Once upon a time there was a little girl called Sleepy Eyes. After an unusually exciting day, when bed time came, strange to say, she was not sleepy at all. Her mind was wide awake and her eyes would not stay closed. Everything that had happened to her during the day recurred to her thoughts time and time again. Try as she would she could not sleep. So the Mother took her little girl in her arms and made herself comfortable in the big rocking chair. She pressed her lips to the child's forehead for a few mo ments in silent prayer, and then began softly : [33] 34 Rainbow Stories Dear little baby mine close your sweet eyes, Angels are watching from up in the skies. Mother is guarding you, sleep baby dear, No harm shall come to you, Mother is near. Lullaby, lullaby, sleep, baby sleep. Sleep, little baby mine, snuggle and rest. Mother will sing you to sleep in your nest. Safe in her loving arms, nothing to fear, Sleep, little baby mine, Mother is here. Lullaby, lullaby, sleep, baby sleep. Sleep, little baby mine, rest your dear head Close to your Mother's heart making your bed. Fairies will give you a smile for a tear, Sleep, little baby mine, Mother is near. Lullaby, lullaby, sleep, baby sleep, Lullaby, lullaby, sleep, baby sleep Sleep, baby sleep. Sleepy Eyes 35 Sleepy Eyes snuggled her cheek against her Mother's breast. She was such a tired baby. Her eyelids were too heavy to be lifted her hands and feet too comfortable to be moved. Her rose-bud lips parted in a faint smile. Her Mother's voice, so sweetly soothing, sounded further and further away. Her eyelids grew heavier, and heavier. Her feet grew heavier and heavier. Her arms relaxed and fell away from her Mother's neck. It was so sweet to rest. She was so drowsy and sleepy. She was sink ing sinking sinking in a downy cushion. She was so drowsy and sleepy so sleepy so sleepy sleepy asleep. Her Mother laid little Sleepy Eyes tenderly in her bed, and went out on tiptoes. [36] HOW THE STARS CAME IN THE SKY "Please, Fairy teacher, tell me why At night the stars come in the sky, And is it true the Fairies keep The babies smiling in their sleep?" "'T* O answer that," the Fairy replied, "I must tell you A certain facts about babies that are extra special Fairy secrets, not to be mentioned to anyone." Once upon a time long before time the Fairies lived in the roses and poppies, and other flowers, and ate honey all day long. Some of them ate so much honey that they grew bigger and bigger, and sweeter and sweeter until they came into the world of mortals as little babies. The Fairies who did not grow up took delight in playing with their brothers and sisters who had become babies. They would dance on their necks, and wiggle their toes to make them laugh so that the Gigglums could not get them. Did you ever hear about the Gigglums? No? Well, they were distant cousins of the Fairies, and lived next [37] 38 Rainbow Stories door to Fairyland. They were jolly little Gnomes round as jelly rolls and always laughing. In fact, they laughed so much that their eyelids grew together. They had big wiggly ears, and wore pillows on their feet so the children would not hear them coming. Nothing amused a Gigglum as much as a crying baby. Whenever a child began to cry the Gigglums would ap pear one by one. Where they came from no one knows, but they would stand in a line and wiggle their ears and listen. If the child cried again they would wiggle their ears, and trot nearer on their pillow feet, and listen. If the child cried again they would wiggle their ears, and trot nearer, and listen. Every time the child cried they would wiggle their ears and trot nearer, guided only by the sound, because their eyelids were grown together. If they could find the crying baby they would giggle until they jiggled like jelly, and then they would toss that cry baby up and down up and down up and down until it laughed with them. Well, after a time, the babies who had been called back up into heaven wanted the Fairies to go up and play with them; so, the Queen of the Fairies told Mothers and Fathers, and Aunts and Uncles, and Nurses how to take care of the babies, and especially, how to tickle their necks and wiggle their toes and to make them laugh so the Gigglums wouldn't get them; and then all the Fairies flew up into heaven. But the Fairies do not forget the children who are How the Stars Came in the Sky 39 on the earth. Every evening, about an hour after sun set, they go up to the other side of the blue curtain that is spread over the sky to keep the glories of heaven from shining through, and try to look down to the earth. But the curtain is so thick that they can't see very well, so, they tear little holes in the curtain, and then by putting their eyes up close they can see you, and watch over you all night while those who love you and care for you in the day time are sleeping. Grown people call them stars, but children know they are the twinkling eyes of Fairies peeping at them through the blue curtain of heaven. 140] A BOOMAROAR AND THE RAINBOW Said Johnnie Bob, "I'd like to know The meaning of the bright rainbow. And do the rain-clouds dry their tears For happiness when it appears?" ND the Fairy answered : Once upon a time long, long before time there was a Giant called Boomaroar. He was King of the Storms. When he was angry he would go roaring across the skies, flashing lightning from his eyes, and blowing great rain clouds before him. One day he filled his buckets and went booming over the land in a terrible thunder storm. He dashed the water in great floods upon the flowers, and tossed them about with the wind of his breath until the Fairies who lived in the flowers were nearly drowned. They called to the Queen of the Fairies to protect them; so, she spread a great arch over the land to keep the rain from falling through, and then she painted it red, and yellow and blue. When Boomaroar saw it he said, "It is a Rainbow," [41] 42 Rainbow Stories and hurried away as fast as he could, because he knew the sun would soon come out. BOOMAROAR, AND THE SEA SHELLS "I walk with Mother on the shore And ask her questions by the score, But though I ask, she never tells Me why there are so many shells." ">T^ HAT is a difficult question even for a Mother to A answer," the Fairy replied, because it is a special and particular secret which only the Fairies know. I will tell you some of the story, but I cannot tell it all because it is such a very special secret." Once upon a time- long time before time Booma- roar, King of the Storms, lived far out in the ocean where he splashed around playing with the whales. He was a gruff and rude sort of a giant. He did not like the Queen of the Fairies very well, because she made the rainbow. One spring day, while she was sleeping in a meadow, he tried to cover her up with water. He slapped the ocean with his big hands, spattering the water into the sky, so that it fell in showers for days and days. Then he bounced up and down in the ocean to [43] 44 Rainbow Stories make the waves roll over the land, but the Queen of the Fairies heard the floods coming, and flying into the mountains, stood on her tiptoes on the highest peak. The rains fell harder and harder, and the waves dashed higher and higher. Boomaroar was so amused that the sound of his rumbling rolls of thundering laughter was heard for miles and miles. The Queen had to do something to protect herself and the little Fairies from such a bad giant, so she picked an enormous basketful of shells out of the rocks, and poured them over the head of Boomaroar until he was almost covered up in the ocean. He was so surprised that he hurried back to his home, and never annoyed the Fairies again. Then the Queen spread sand along the seashore to keep the salt water in the ocean, and lying down, finished her nap, but she never would tell in what kind of rock sea shells are found. That is for children to find out. THE MUSIC IN THE SEA SHELLS "I held a sea shell to my ear, And heard the music, sweet and dear. Why is there music in a shell? I'd like to know, if you will tell." "<npHERE is music in everything, dear child, if we JL are friendly, and fine enough to hear it," the Fairy replied, and then continued: Once upon a time, a long time ago, long before time, on the white sandy beach of an ever-so-far-away island the Fairies came out of the briny, wavy ocean to dance in the moonlight. The Fairies danced on the wet sand, while the Fid dling Crabs fiddled, and the Drum Fish beat the drums, and the Moon looked down with a broad smile on her face, and so, that made everything all right for a long time. But directly, after a long time, the Fairies said they were tired of dancing and wanted to sing, and the Fiddling Crabs said they were tired of fiddling and wanted to dance, and the Drum Fish said they were [45] 46 Rainbow Stories tired of drumming and wanted to go home, and the Moon did not say anything, but went behind a cloud without even excusing herself. Everybody stopped doing what everybody was doing except the Moon, and she doesn't count, because she went behind a cloud with out even excusing herself, and wasn't playing anyway, and so, that made everything all wrong. Well, about that time, or perhaps a little later, a very wise Lobster came strolling along the beach, stroking his round and very long mustache, like this. He saw at once that everybody had stopped doing whatever they had been doing, and that everything was as wrong as it could be, and that there was an excellent oppor tunity for him to use some of his very best wisdom ; so he folded his tail carefully and sat down upon it, cleared his throat and said, "Good evening." Thereupon and immediately everyone stopped doing nothing very suddenly, and appealed, all together, to the very wise Lobster. The Fairies said they were tired of dancing and wanted to sing, and the Fiddling Crabs said they were tired of fiddling and wanted to dance, and the Drum Fish said they were tired of drumming and wanted to go home, and the Moon didn't say anything at all, because she had gone behind a cloud without even excusing herself, and wasn't playing anyway. The very wise Lobster folded and unfolded his legs nervously several times, and stroked his round and [47] 48 Rainbow Stories very long mustache. Then his little black eyes twinkled like new shoe buttons, and he said, with great wisdom: "Let the Fairies sing if they want to, and the Crabs dance if they want to, and the Drum Fish go home if they want to, and the Moon can do as she pleases, because she hasn't said what she wants to do, and she went behind a cloud without even excusing herself, and she isn't playing anyway; and so, that will make every thing all right again." Everyone seemed surprised that they had not thought of that before, and agreed that it was a good idea, except the Moon, and she didn't say anything, because she had gone behind a cloud without even excusing herself, and wasn't playing, anyway. So the Drum Fish started swimming for home through the briny, wavy ocean, wiggling their tails as fast as they couW, and never looking back at all. The Fairies picked up sea shells, which they found on the shore, and began singing into them, because it made their voices louder; and the Crabs began to waltz around, and around, and around; and, after a time, the Moon came out from behind the cloud where she had gone without even excusing herself, and that made everything all right again, just as it was in the first place. Then the Sun came up very suddenly out of the briny, wavy ocean, and the Fairies dropped the sea shells, with their voices still echoing in them, and dashed The Music in the Sea Shells 49 into the breakers, swimming for home so swiftly that some of them lost their white caps of sea foam. The very wise Lobster continued his stroll along the beach, and everything was all right for everybody, ex cept for the Crabs, who were so dizzy from waltzing around, and around, and around, that when they started for home they ran sideways, and have been doing so ever since. The Fairies' white caps of sea foam may still be seen floating on the waves when the wind is blowing; and if you hold a sea shell to your ear, and there is music in it, you may be sure it is the identical shell that one of the Fairies was singing into when the Sun came up so suddenly out of the briny, wavy ocean on the white sandy beach of the ever-so-far-away island in the long, long ago. [50] THE FAIRY BLACKBIRD "Please teacher, will you kindly tell About the strange thing that befell The little boy who threw a stone, And wouldn't let the birds alone." "'"" HAT is a story that every boy should know," the JL Fairy remarked, "and I hope Johnnie Bob will pay special attention." Once upon a time a long time before time there was a little boy who threw stones at birds. He was not a really bad boy, but he did not understand birds. One day when he was playing Indian, he saw a black bird sitting in a tree singing the only song it knew, and trying to make people cheer up. At least, it looked like a blackbird, but it was really a Fairy policeman wearing a black feather coat with red stripes on the shoulders. The boy picked up a stone and threw it, not thinking it was a cruel sport. The Fairy flew away to Fairyland, and told the other Fairies what the boy had done. They decided to teach him to be more kind to the birds. They put on black feather coats, and led by the Fairy police man, flew down to the earth. Circling about over the boy's head they worked their charm by singing: [51] 52 Rainbow Stories "We sing and we chatter The magical words To punish the bad boy Who bothers the birds. Come, Queen of the Fairies, And lend us your charms ; Come, King of the Fishes, And take off his arms ! Put scales on his stomach, And also we wish To smooth out his features To look like a fish. When half a red snapper, And half just a boy, He won't hurt the blackbirds, Nor Fairies annoy; So, take off his eyebrows, His ears, and his chin And make him confess When his Father comes in." He beard them chattering, but, thinking it was only another flock of birds, he was stooping to pick up a stone when a strange thing happened to him. His Mother, looking out of the window, saw his face when it first began to change. It grew longer and longer. His eyes grew rounder and rounder. His mouth grew wider and wider, and kept opening and closing as if he The Fairy Blackbird 53 were trying to say Mamma! Mamma! but not a sound could he make. She called him into the house. When he saw his face in the mirror he was so ashamed that he went into a corner and stood with his face to the wall until his Father came home. Then he told his Father all about it, and promised not to harm the birds any more. As soon as he had said that the charm was lost, and he changed back to a boy again just as he was before, excepting, that forever after, he was a good friend to the birds. He learned that happiness soon turns to sorrow if obtained through causing anguish to others. 154] HOW THE RABBIT LOST HIS TAIL "I wonder why the Rabbits fail To grow a proper length of tail. Was it lost, or left about To sit upon, and so worn out?" HAT is a really sad story," the Fairy remarked, "especially for the Rabbit. This is the way it happened" : Once upon a time a long time before time there was a Mrs. Rabbit who lived in a hollow stump. She earned her living by doing the washing for the Hedge hog family. No one else would do it because they used so many pins in their clothes instead of buttons. She was a patient little Mother. One morning before she went to work she told her little boy Jack that he was not to go out of the house until she returned. She left him a carrot, which as everyone knows, is the best kind of a lunch for a Rabbit. Well, at four o'clock in the afternoon, or, possibly a quarter past four, Jack, being lonesome, ventured into the front yard, thinking his Mother would never know 156] 56 Rainbow Stories anything about it. After playing there for some time, and finding it so pleasant outside, he hopped cautiously into the road. No one was to be seen in either direction. He went a little further and lifted up his ears, but could hear nothing but the chirp of the crickets, and the songs of the birds. Then he hopped down the road without fear. After a time he came to a grove, and in the shade of a big tree he found a cloth spread on the grass. On it were all sorts of good things to eat. How the Rabbit Lost His Tail 57 Jack's eyes brightened, and his nose wiggled in antici pation. He waved his tail in delight. I should have mentioned before that he was very proud of his long fluffy tail, and brushed it carefully every night. Jack sat down before a plate, and nibbled at an ear of corn. He did not care much for that. He had corn at home. At the next plate he ate a sandwich. At the next plate he ate a big slice of chocolate cake ; and then, I am sorry to say he ate up every bit of the vanilla ice cream. He wiped his lips with a napkin, rubbed his round tummy, and felt so satisfied and drowsy that he hopped into the grass and fell asleep. 58 Rainbow Stories When the people came back from hunting, and saw what had happened, they groaned in dismay. "O o o ! Who has been eating our luncheon?" This awakened Jack, but he was so soggy with choco late cake, and so oozy with vanilla ice cream, that he only lazily lifted one ear. When he heard their angry words he opened his eyes, and seeing strange people, he realized at once that his Mother was right; so, he jumped up and bounded for home. One of the hunters saw him, and raised his gun. Jack jumped sideways as quickly as he could, as his Mother had taught him to do under such circum stances, but his long, fluffy tail was shot right off. He did not stop to pick it up, but dashed home to his Mother who wrapped up the stump in corn silk. If, someday, you should happen to see a Rabbit with a short tail one just long enough to wiggle you will know it is probably the same Rabbit who ran away to play in the road. THE DISCONTENTED ELEPHANT "Although I try, I really can't Comprehend the Elephant. Will you tell me why he grows So short of legs and long of nose?" have been many explanations and apolo- JL gies for the elephant," remarked the Fairy. "He knows he is not gracefully built and it causes him to appear embarrassed and self-conscious. Once upon a time, a long time ago, Elephants were as handsome and graceful as any other animal. They had nice kind faces like Pigs, slender bodies, and long thin legs like Nanny Goats. It was a pretty sight in those old days to see the Ele phants dancing in the meadows, or leaping from crag to crag in search of the delicatessens on which they fed. Well, among them was one petulant baby elephant who was extremely discontented. Nothing pleased him. He always wanted something else. He couldn't make up his mind what it was, but he was sure it was something else. In fact he couldn't make up his mind on anything, or at least, it wouldn't stay made up. [59] 60 Rainbow Stories He was constantly changing his mind. If he started forward he would change his mind and step backward. He was so restless that his Mother suspected adenoids. He had no strength of character, and his feet hurt. His Father warned him that if he did not stop moving forward and backward, he would have to give him an extra head so he could see where he was going. However, I am sorry to say, this baby Elephant paid no attention to advice; so, one day after he had tipped over the piano by backing into it, his Father took off his tail and put a head in its place. It is really not wise to interfere so much with Nature, and in this case it nearly caused a sad tragedy, for the baby Elephant started forward from each end at the same time and pulled his body out like a measuring worm. His Father was so afraid he would pull himself apart, that he hastily took off the extra head and put back the tail. Then he squeezed him up together as tightly as he could in fact, he rather overdid the matter, for the Elephant has appeared to be too short and thick ever since. This baby Elephant had another unpleasant habit that of lifting up one foot and then the other, and swinging from side to side. This, of course, made a lot of noise, for up to that time Elephants had long, graceful legs with hoofs on their feet like horses. The noise annoyed the oysters who lived in the flat below so much that they turned over and over in their "i"*~ - j GEJLl^I 1 *Wf?,~~^? ** % *'rX/ [61] 62 Rainbow Stories beds. The Sword Fish became so vexed, because he could not sleep in the day time, that he went up and sawed the baby Elephant's feet right off with his nose. Ever since then Elephants have had to go around walk ing on stumpy legs with pads on the bottoms instead of feet, but they don't make any noise at all. I purposely have avoided mentioning the Elephant's nose, because he is so sensitive about it. It was not originally such a long nose a little longer, perhaps, than the Camel's, but not really noticeable. Curiosity was what made it grow, especially curiosity about where his Mother kept the peanuts, cookies doughnuts and jam. I suppose there never was a child who was as curious about such matters as this baby Elephant which after all is very fortunate, indeed, for us. TOM, THE PRINCE COURAGEOUS. ''Please teacher, it's a long time since You told a story of a Prince Who fought the Giants with success And rescued Maidens in distress." "vrERY well," replied the teacher, "I will tell you \ about the adventures of Tom, the boy who was not afraid." Once upon a time, a long time ago, in a vine-covered cottage, in the middle of a meadow, in a far-away coun try lived an old man and his son Tom. They were employed by a mysterious Giant, who lived in a mysterious castle on a mysterious hill nearby. Every morning at sunrise this mysterious Giant ap peared on the wall of his castle to see if his fields were being properly cultivated, but no one was able to see his face because he always wore a long black gown and a black mask. Tom had helped his father from childhood, but on the very day when he was twenty-one, as they were work- [63] 64 Rainbow Stories ing in the fields, he asked his father to tell him about the mysterious Giant. "Hush," said the old man, looking over his shoulder in a frightened way. "You must not ask such a ques tion. I only know he is a great Magician, and that our orders and our pay are brought by an ugly black dwarf, and that those who have ventured into the castle seek ing to learn its secrets have never returned." "Then they are held as prisoners," Tom replied. "Perhaps I can rescue them. Tomorrow I will enter the castle and face the Giant and find out what he has done with our neighbors." "No, no, you must not. We have been warned never to pass through the castle door. You must not, you dare not go." Tom made no reply, but determined he would learn for himself the secret of the castle. The next morning, before sunrise, he walked up the shadowy path under the drooping willows to the castle door, and finding it wide open, walked boldly in. He walked through long gloomy corridors. The rough stone walls were dripping with moisture, and spotted with mould. Frogs croaked from their hiding places in the crannies of the rocks. Rats scampered ahead of him and bats flew about his head. Owls blinked at him from the niches in the walls, and through the iron grated openings came sound of clank ing chains, yet Tom walked on, and at length came to Tom, The Prince Courageous 65 a lofty room whose walls were covered with pure silver between columns of the blackest marble. At the end of the room hung a life size portrait of a beautiful girl. Tom noticed that the hair on one side of her head was black as jet, while on the other side it was as white as snow. Over the portrait was the inscription : "WHO IS BRAVE ENOUGH TO RESCUE ME?" "How very strange," thought Tom as he contem plated the picture, trying to decide whether the white or the black hair was the more becoming to the lovely face. He was aroused from his deep thought by the blow of a heavy hand upon his shoulder. The Giant in the black gown and mask stood beside him. "How dare you enter this castle?" he demanded in a rumbling voice. "I am looking for the Lord of the castle," Tom replied. "Have you not been warned never to pass through my door?" "Yes, but I am here, I have come to rescue those you have imprisoned. Who is the lady of the picture?" "Ugh, I was waiting for that! For your imper tinence you shall be chained in a dungeon. The girl re fuses to be my wife. She has a white and a black na ture. One side of her heart is warm, the other side 66 Rainbow Stories cold. Monday she is good, Tuesday, bad; Wednesday she is good, Thursday, bad, and so on through the weeks. Today she is bad and no one can see her." "But I must see her." "Ugh, I was waiting for that. Now out come your finger nails," and raising his voice he roared, "Bring me the pinchers." Dwarfs came clattering over the marble floor drag ging great pinchers and rattling chains. "Still I shall rescue the lady," Tom persisted. "Ugh, I was waiting for that," the Giant growled, "Now your fingers shall be burned off. Bring me the fire pots." More dwarfs came in dragging a kettle of glowing coals. "I must touch the picture before losing my fingers," said Tom, moving toward the portrait. "Ugh, I was waiting for that," the Giant groaned, putting his hands to his head as if in pain. "Saw off his legs," he shouted. More dwarfs came in dragging a huge saw. "My arms are strong," Tom replied, "and I will fight for the lady." "Ugh, I was waiting for that," the Giant roared, "now off comes your arms." "I shall save the lady," Tom replied defiantly, "then kill me if you can. I will do right and fear nothing." Tom, The Prince Courageous 67 When the last words were uttered the mask and cloak of the Giant fell to the floor, and out of the folds stepped a great green Parrot. "Now see what you have done, see what you have done!" shrilled the Parrot, ruffling his feathers. "See what you have done with your magic words, 'Do right and fear nothing.' Now I am your slave." The Dwarfs suddenly changed into mice and scurried away down the dark hall, squeaking in terror. Tom advanced and kissed the hand of the portrait. Instantly the portrait became a living maiden. Her eyes smiled upon him and her lips moved. "Help me down," she whispered. Tom lifted her from the frame, and she stood beside him. "At last one has come who is brave enough to rescue me," she said. "Many have attempted it, but they all have weakened with fear at the second threat of burn ing. The Giant Magician has changed them to some thing else. Your courage has saved me. Now I beg you to search for my sister and bring her to me." Tom promised to obey her command, and escorted her to a throne of black and white satin to await his return. Again Tom entered the dismal corridor, and after searching several rooms which he found quite vacant, he at last came to a gorgeous room, the walls of which were encrusted with red coral and sparkling blue sapphires. 68 Rainbow Stories At the far end of the room, on an elevated platform, stood a white marble statue of a beautiful maiden, but curiously enough, her eyes were as red as the corals, and her hair as blue as the sapphires. While Tom was lost in admiration of the beautiful features and wonder ing what could be the reason for the strange color com bination, a heavy hand was laid roughly on his shoulder and he heard a deep voice in level tone, "I was waiting for you." Tom turned around and faced a Giant, who was wearing a long white rubber gown and a pink mask, and carrying on his shoulder a great meat cleaver. "I was waiting for you," the Giant repeated, taking a fresh grip on Tom's shoulder. "Why were you waiting for me?" Tom inquired. "Because I have run out of cattle, and I need some one to kill." "Not me, I hope." "Yes, you, if you ask the question that is in your mind." Tom paid no attention to the warning, but asked boldly, "Why are the eyes of the statue red, and why is the hair blue ?" "Ugh, I was waiting for that. Now you shall die," the Giant snarled between his clenched teeth as he raised his cleaver. "If you are going to kill me you may as well be Tom, The Prince Courageous 69 polite about it and answer a civil question," Tom sug gested. "Well, that sounds reasonable," the white rubber Giant replied, laying down his cleaver. "Since it is all agreed that you are going to die anyway, we may as well be polite to each other. You see I am the son of the Black Giant, and I am just learning the Magician busi ness. There are some things I cannot understand yet. Perhaps you can help me. For one thing, I can't com prehend why the young lady refused to marry me. She got so melancholy over the idea that her hair chang ed from red to blue, and she wept so much that her eyes changed from blue to red, and that made Father so angry that he changed her into a marble statue. Now you know the secret. Is it all right to kill you now?" "Just a minute," said Tom, holding up his right fore finger, "is the statue the sister of the portrait?" "Now how can a statue be a sister to a portrait?" the Giant argued, leaning on his cleaver. "I am only a young Giant and I never went to school a day in my life, but I believe there is something wrong with your grammar, or logic, or arithmetic or something, and be sides you are too curious for one who is going to be kill ed anyway. You know curiosity killed a cow." "You mean a Cat," Tom interrupted. "It was a Cow," the Giant insisted. 70 Rainbow Stories "It was a Cat." "It was a Cow." "If that is a joke, laugh at it," said Tom as he poked his finger between the Giant's ribs. "Stop. Don't do that," the Giant begged, "or you will puncture me." "Plop!" went the rubber gown. As the air escaped the rubber bag collapsed on the floor, and out of the gown hopped a white rabbit with pink eyes. "Now you have spoiled everything," blubbered the Rabbit, through his cleft palate and hare lip. "You have punctured my air bag and ruined my figure. Now I am afraid of you and I am going to run away." In three leaps the Rabbit bounded out of the room. Tom advanced and touched the hand of the statue, whereupon it moved its feet, stretched its arms and yawned, "I'm so glad that's over. I've been in that trying position for years. Please help me off this plat form so I can run around and stretch my legs. You are brave and you have saved me. My lover came to rescue me but he begged for his life and the White Giant turned him into a Rat, and ever since he has been running around the castle gnawing holes in the beams until the place is nearly ready to fall in. Try to change him back to a man." A Rat who had been watching from a dark corner came timidly forward and looked pleadingly at Tom. Tom, The Prince Courageous 71 "So, you are the Rat," said Tom. "Well, the Giants of Fear are dead. Say the magic words, 'I will do right and fear nothing," and you will become a Man again." The Rat squeaked the words and instantly became a handsome young Prince kneeling at the feet of the Maiden, imploring her forgiveness. The Maiden placed her hand upon his head caressingly, and as a smile of happiness beamed upon her face, her eyes changed from red to sapphire blue, and her hair changed from blue to auburn. Then they went to the black and white room where the lady of the portrait was waiting for them. Tom noticed with amazement that her hair had become entirely black. "Where are those who were brave enough to enter the castle but weakened before the Giants of Fear?" asked Tom. "Wherever you are you may change back to men if you will say the magic words, "I will do right and fear nothing." There was a murmuring sound all through the dark corridors as the Owls and Frogs and the Bats and the Rats became Men again and gathered in the black and white room. Then they all went out of the castle to gether and locked the door forever. "Now," said the sisters to Tom and the young Prince, "you will take us to our home." They approached a great castle and Tom was surprised to find that it was 72 Rainbow Stories the Palace of the King. The Court was in deep mourn ing for the loss of the two Princesses and, of course, there was great rejoicing at their safe return. The King was so grateful to the rescuer of his daughters that on that very day he declared that Tom should be given castles and lands, and be thereafter known as Tom, The Prince Courageous, and on that very even ing there was a double wedding in the Palace when with great pomp the Princess of the Statue was mar ried to Prince Timid, and the Princess of the Portrait was married to Tom, The Prince Courageous, and they lived their long lives happily. The King ordered to be emblazoned upon the shield of Prince Courageous the magic words "I will do right and fear nothing," and all who are descendents of The Prince Courageous are en titled to inscribe that motto on their shields, and to use those magic words whenever confronted by the Giants of Fear. THE LITTLE BLACKMAN OF WINKIELAND. "You know adventures, strange and wild, Are gently soothing to a child; So, Teacher will you tell to me A thrilling tale of mystery?" "T T will be a pleasure," the Teacher replied, and be- A gan: "Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a little Blackman named Ebony who lived in Winkieland, a sleepy country in the very center of darkest Africa. You cannot find Winkieland on the map because the line of the equator hides it, and besides, it is not dis covered yet, being known only to the wisest Magicians. This little Blackman was very fond of gingerbread, and he ate so much of it that he grew very fat so fat that he was always exactly three feet high, no mat ter whether he was standing up or lying down. His friends called him Eb. One day he looked all through his hut but not another piece of gingerbread could he find. His Mother said [73] 74 Rainbow Stories a spell had been cast on their garden and the ginger bread trees were moulting. 'Ah thinks/ said the little Blackman, 'this heah will be a good time for me to go out and hunt fo' adventure, and when Ah've found ma fo'tune Ah kin buy all the gingerbread we wants.' His Mother consulted her dream book and, finding the signs favorable, agreed to let him go. She warned him repeatedly, 'Wherever yo go, Chile, look out dat de Goblins don't git ye. Dey's powerful spry.' That being decided, Eb started out on his adventures, taking only one crust of gingerbread which his Mother had been able to find at the last moment. After a time he came to a place where the path divided. The main path was marked with the sign: THIS WAY TO THE VILLAGE. SAFE AND QUIET.' The other path \vas little used, and pointing to it was the sign: THIS WAY TO THE ENCHANTED FOREST. VERY VENTUROUS. BEWARE OF GOBLINS.' 'Well,' said the little Blackman, 'Ah's huntin' fo' ad ventures, and Ah shu wants 'em wild!' He turned into the path leading to the Enchanted Forest, whistling a merry tune. As the forest got more dark and dismal The Little Blackman of Winkieland 75 his tunes grew less gay, and finally ceased altogether. The forest grew constantly more damp and gloomy. Long white moss draped from the tree branches and swayed among the shadows. Eb showed more and more of the whites of his eyes. He was alert but not afraid. He was a brave little Blackman. Suddenly a young Goblin in a red cloak over a green velvet uniform, leaped from the bushes and barred the way. He was also black, short, and fat, but not quite as round as Eb. Each was surprised because they looked so much alike. At length the Goblin declared: 'This is MAH forest. It is all enchanted en every thing, and Ah don' allow no huntin' !' 'Who's huntin'?' 'Yo is.' 'Ah is? What's Ah huntin' fo?' 'Yo all's huntin' fo adventure.' 'Well, Ah reckon Ah don' need no license fo dat.' 'In this heah forest yo needs a license fo everything, en yo cain't do nothin' notime. Yo goes back, lil Blackman.' 'Ah does not. Git out'er mah way, Goblin.' 'Yo goes back, lil Blackman.' 'Yo git out'er mah way, Goblin.' By this time the fat little Goblin and the fat little Blackman had come in contact and were pushing each other about the path. They grappled and soon were 76 Rainbow Stories rolling over the ground. Rolling was just what the little Blackman liked; it was easy for him because he was as round as a ball. They rolled over and over each other, and when the Goblin began to flatten out a bit his red cloak came off. They rolled back and forth back and forth until the Goblin was almost as flat as a pancake. Then the Goblin said, 'Croak/ and out of the green velvet uniform hopped a great green Frog with nothing on him but a cold perspiration. 'Croak, croak/ the Frog repeated as he hurriedly hopped under a bush. The green uniform was now quite flat, and on ex amining it the little Blackman found it empty. 'These must be magic garments/ he thought. 'I will put them on and see what will happen.' As soon as he had made the change he looked under the bush where the Frog had gone and there, carefully concealed, was the opening to a cave. 'Croak, croak/ said the Frog and fled into the cave. The little Blackman followed, but the Frog managed to escape in the darkness. Determined to explore the cave thoroughly the little Blackman wandered on for some time, and finally emerged from another opening and found himself in the courtyard of a castle on the mountainside. 'This must be the Enchanted Castle/ thought Ebony. ' 'en Ah shu will find adventure there.' He walked The Little Blackman of Wmkieland 77 boldly up the steps. Footmen, in green livery with yellow turbans, bowed low and opened the doors. He entered a hall of noble proportions built of green marble and ornamented with great yellow topazes. A serving man in green livery with yellow turban came before him and bowing low said, 'Will yo Majesty ride the royal Elephant to the throne room, or does yo choose to 'spect the castle?' 'Where is I?' the little Blackman inquired in a dazed way. 'Yu shu is in yo own castle/ the serving man replied with a grin. 'Don yo know you old valet? Yo shu always did like yo funny jokes. Ya, ha, ha, but scuse me, yo Majesty shu has grown mo adipose round de circumference during you trabels. Shall Ah ordah same as befo fo yo royal luncheon, de royal buttermilk?' This remark so annoyed the little Blackman that he exclaimed 'Oh, Gingerbread!' and snapped hs ringers, snap, snap, just like that. As if in response to an un derstood signal, footmen, butlers, and valets came run ning into the room and prostrated themselves before him. The little Blackman suspected by this time that he was being mistaken for the King Goblin whose uniform he was wearing, and determined to play the part and see what would happen. So, striking a dignified and haughty pose he announced: 'Befo Ah rides de 78 Rainbow Stories royal Elephant, Ah reckons Ah will 'spect mah castle. Lead de way.' He had added the command as a pre caution for, as a matter of fact, he did not know the way himself. The first room was of onyx and glass. The sunshine streamed in, sparkling upon tinkling fountains of rose water. Mocking birds sang among the jasmine, butter flies fluttered among the orchids, and on the mosaic floor were strewn silken rugs and lion skins. The second room was of alabaster, with pillars of gold studded with scintillating diamonds. The little Blackman walked slowly through this room, dragging his feet along the white marble floor, but when they entered the third room he stopped, spellbound with awe, wonder, and delight. The room was made en tirely of gingerbread, supported by striped candy pil lars, and trimmed with dripping and generously over flowing strawberry ice cream cones. 'Stop de procession ! Stop de procession !' the little Blackman commanded. 'Which is mah domicile?' he asked, swallowing rapidly. 'All of them/ the serving men replied in chorus. 'Ah wishes to be alone,' the little Blackman said, waving his hand in a dignified gesture of dismissal. The whites of his eyes were rolling as he glanced from cupboard to cupboard, for upon them were such signs The Little Blackman of Winkieland 79 as 'Hot Fried Chicken with Cream Gravy,' 'Hot Roast Possum and Sweet Potatoes,' 'Hot Pumpkin Pie/ 'Ice Cold Watermelon/ The servants bowed themselves out, walking back ward most respectfully. Then the little Blackman ate his way from cupboard to cupboard. After a time he began to notice that there were other things in the room. Around the room was a row of chests. On one was written, 'Here sleeps the sweetest Princess in this room.' He lifted the cover and saw such a sweet and lovely creature that he was tempted to ask her then and there to be his wife, but on second thought decided that he would look at the others first. After looking in all the other chests he concluded that the first Princess was the sweetest, but on going back to her he found that after all, she was only a gingerbread girl. His surprise was so great that he exclaimed again 'Oh, Gingerbread !' and snapped his fingers, snap, snap, just like that, whereupon a million mice scampered in and began to gnaw down the room. The little Blackman, in alarm, ran into the gold and diamond room and closed the door. Around that room also, there were many chests, but they were of deeply carved gold and thickly set with diamonds. On one was written, 'Here sleeps the richest Princess in this room.' He lifted the cover and there was a lady with two 80 Rainbow Stories chins quietly sleeping, entirely surrounded with bushels of diamonds. He lifted the cover of the other chests, but found all the Princesses in them had more chins and less diamonds, so he went back to the first Princess. 'Ah's out to seek mah fortune, en Ah think Ah done found it/ he said as he touched her hand. The hand was ice cold. He drew back, and on looking carefully found that after all the lady was only a figure of gold entirely surrounded by cracked ice. The little Blackman fled into the sunny room and closed the door tightly to keep out the draft. After sunning himself until the chill wore off, he looked about and noticed a chest upon which was written in sapphires, 'The Wishing Box.' He lifted the cover, and there sat a wizened-up little old Wizard. 'What do you wish for most?' the Wizard asked. The little Blackman hesitated. 'Come, speak up smart and save my time. I can't stand that draft. What do you wish for most, Ebony?' 'How come yo all knows mah name?' 'That's a part of the Wizard business. I mention names, give dates, locate lost articles, tell the past, present and future. Satisfaction guaranteed. What do you wish for, Ebony?' 'Ah wishes to be a shu 'nough Prince in a purple velvet suit, en-en-en- 'And what, and what?' the Wizard snapped impa tiently. The Little Blackman of Winkieland 81 'En mebby, not so fat.' 'A Prince in purple velvet you shall be, but as for getting thin tut, tut, don't wish it! It makes wrinkles. I was fat, and wished myself thin, now look at me.' He traced his bony fingers over his face and squeaked 'Wrinkled like a washboard! Prince Ebony you are, but, if you are greedy back you go to be Eb, the little Blackman.' Then the Wizard pulled a string, and down fell the cover with a bang. Ebony caressed his new purple velvets with pride, then he looked at the next chest. On it was written in pearls, 'Here sleeps the best and most beautiful Princess in all Africa.' He lifted the cover, and there sweetly sleep ing was the most lovely maiden he had ever seen. On her breast were scattered tiny white lilies to form the words, 'Who kisses me, awakens me.' Prince Ebony kissed her on the forehead. The Princess opened her eyes and smiled. 'My Prince has come at last,' she murmured. Taking his hand she stepped from the chest. For a moment Ebony held her in his arms, but over her shoulder he spied other chests marked with the names of other Princesses; a rose- colored chest marked Romance, a crimson chest marked Adventure, and a black chest marked Experience. Leav ing the beautiful Princess he went over and stood be fore the chest marked Experience. The Princess in alarm cried, 'Do not open that!' but 82 Rainbow Stories Ebony lifted the cover, and stooping far over, peered into the depths. At that moment the lid of the Wish ing Box flew open. The Wizard popped up his head, shouted, 'Greedy,' and slammed down the cover. Prince Ebony tumbled into the chest of Experience head first, and the lid snapped closed. There seemed to be no bottom to the chest and, as Prince Ebony fell, he realized that he had changed back to Eb, the fat little Blackman. Down he fell down and down and down. Ofi the sides of the shaft were shelves piled with gold coins. 'Wherever Ah goes Ah needs money/ he thought, as he reached for a handful. Below the gold were shelves of sapphires. Dropping the gold he seized a handful of the precious stones. Below the sapphires were shelves of diamonds. 'Um, um!' he said, 'Dey is de best of all.' Dropping the sapphires he reached for the diamonds, but they changed in his hand to thistles. The little Blackman was still pulling out thistles and muttering to himself when he reached the bottom of the shaft, and fell with a resounding thump upon an immense spring mattress which tossed him into the air again and again. While he was bouncing up and down he was able to see that he was in a sort of throne room in a cave. Hundreds of Gnomes in green uniforms were standing before a throne on which sat a great green Frog wearing only a cold perspiration. The Little Blackman of Winkieland 83 When Eb made his sudden appearance the Frog stood up and shouted, 'There he is now the little Blackman who took my clothes.' Howling with rage the Gnomes started for the mat tress upon which Eb was still bouncing, but with les sening force. By a great effort he was able to fall off on the opposite side where, under the protection of the great mattress, he threw off the red cloak; then he ran around and mingled with the throng, howling with them, 'Where is the little Blackman?' but keeping his face covered with his arm. In the distance Eb saw the moonlight shining into the cavern entrance. He ran for it as fast as he could go. The King Frog saw him and shouted in a high voice : 'Where's he goin' ?' Where's he goin' ?' then as he realized the situation he croaked in a deep bass tone, 'Out, out.' The Frog leaped from his throne and led the pursuit. The little Blackman saw with dismay that the en trance was barred by gates, and that two sentries were on guard. 'Make way fo de King,' he shouted, waving his arms. 'Make way fo de King! Open fo de King! Open for de King!' The sentries sprang to the gates and began to open them, but they discovered the trick and were closing them again when Eb dashed through. 'Now close fo de little Blackman,' he jeered. 84 Rainbow Stories The heavy gates clanged together almost striking the nose of the King Frog who stopped the pursuit so sud denly that the mob of Gnomes, who were close behind, tumbled over him and piled up against the gates. When they got themselves disentangled they found the poor Frog badly hurt. Wailing a melancholy lament, the Gnomes carried their King back into the cave. Eb continued to run along the path until he believed himself safe from pursuit, then he curled up against a tree trunk and went to sleep. The moon was still shining brightly when he was awakened by two Gnomes who were carrying a heavy signboard. 'Help us carry this to the castle/ said one of them. 'But we cannot pay you,' the other one added. 'Oh, dat's all right,' Eb answered cheerfully, 'Ah done lost mah fortune by being greedy.' He stepped in between the two Gnomes and raising his shoulder against the heavy signboard carried his share of the weight easily. As they walked along the path Eb cheer ed up his melancholy companions by singing fragments of jungle songs. The Gnomes finally became so in terested that they even joined in the refrain, 'Shine on, moonlight,' of one of them. It went something like this: The Little Blackman of Winkieland 85 At night, when de jungle monkeys sleep, Shine on, moonlight, Ah finds mah Liz in de jungle deep, Shine on, moonlight, By de whites of her shining' eyes dat roll In a face as black as a lump of coal, Fo mah gal's all black except her soul Shine on, moonlight. Deep in de jungle lives mah maid, Shine on, moonlight, With her hair done up in a monkey braid, Shine on, moonlight; Ah courts her when de moon am riz, An Ah whispers, "Is you mah honey, Liz?" An she goo-goos back, "O' cose Ah is." Shine on, moonlight. Oh, the jungle life is the life for me, Shine on, moonlight, Where the bread tree grows and the fruit is free, Shine on, moonlight; Ah'll marry mah Liz with the goo-goo talk, An de kinkey hair, and de cotton smock, An de love-me-eyes, as white as chalk Shine on, moonlight. 86 Rainbow Stories In the dim light of the early morning they reached the gateway of a great castle that terraced up the mountainside for a great distance. When the Gnomes had lashed the sign to the bars of the gate this is what the little Blackman read: NOTICE. THE KING IS DEAD. UPON THE ROOF OF THIS CASTLE IS A VACANT THRONE. THE PRINCE WHO SHALL BE IN THE THRONE WHEN THE SUN RISES SHALL BE KING AND WED THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL PRINCESS IN ALL WINKIELAND; BUT THOSE WHO ARE FOUND ON THE STAIRCASES WHEN THE SUN RISES SHALL BE SLAVES. LONG LIVE THE KING! The little Blackman read the notice over again, then remarked to the Gnomes, 'Well, Ah done come out to hunt fo adventure and to seek mah fortune about how far do you reckon it is to de top?' 'It will be ten more staircases for ten staircases, then ten more staircases for thirty more staircases, then ten more staircases.' Eb rubbed his head thoughtfully. 'That sounds like The Little Blackman of Winkieland 87 a powerful lot of staircases. 'Bout how many does yo reckon they is?' 'Count them,' the Gnomes replied. 'Are you a Prince ?' 'Well, not exactly a Prince today, but Ah was yes terday, and Ah may be again that is if I can find that Wishin' Box.' The Gnomes looked at each other knowingly, then they tiptoed over very close to the little Blackman and, after looking around cautiously, whispered in unison: 'Count forty, then turn to the right.' Eb closed his eyes and began to count. 'No, no, not now,' the Gnomes interrupted, 'use your judgment.' The Gnomes ran away laughing. The little Blackman watched them until they disap peared up the path. Still puzzling over their meaning, he walked through the castle gateway, across a paved courtyard to the beginning of a broad white marble staircase. Leaping two steps at a time he made rapid progress, although the stairs were remarkably long. At the head of the staircase was a sign : THERE ARE TEN MORE STAIRCASES. TURN BACK AND SAVE YOURSELF. The little Blackman continued to climb. At the head of the second staircase there was a sign like the first one, and one also at the head of every staircase for ten Rainbow Stories staircases. The little Blackman continued to climb rapidly and passed many Princes who were sitting on the steps to rest. The same sign was at the head of every staircase, and when he had climbed ten more he began to meet many tired Princes who, having become discouraged, were coming down more rapidly than they went up. Still the little Blackman continued. At the head of every staircase was that discouraging sign : THERE ARE TEN MORE STAIRCASES. TURN BACK AND SAVE YOURSELF. When he had counted forty staircases he remembered the mysterious warning of the Gnomes, 'Count forty and turn to the right.' Looking to the right-hand side of the corridor he saw a small door. Going near it he was able to find a small golden plate on which were the words outlined in sapphires: SUNSHINE ROOM. The little Blackman opened the door and walked in. It was a room of onyx and glass. He heard the tinkling of water falling in crystal fountains, and caught the perfume of rose water and of jasmine flowers. 'The very same room,' he declared, and going quickly to the Wishing Box, lifted the cover. 'So here is Eb again/ said the wizened-up little old Wizard. 'What do you wish for today?' The Little Blackman of Winkieland 89 'Ah'll take same as yesterday, an Ah won't be greedy no mo'. 'All right. Prince Ebony in purple velvet you are, but if you are greedy, back you go to be Eb, the little Black- man.' The Wizard pulled a string and down went the cover. The new-made Prince quickly lifted the cover of the chest where the beautiful Princess had been sleeping, but found it empty. No one was to be seen in the room. Hurrying into the corridor he ran up the stairs faster than ever to make up for lost time. He saw no more signs and when he had counted ten more stair cases he came out on the roof of the castle. On a platform of white marble was a golden throne. Prince Ebony ran to it, and had no more than seated himself squarely upon it than the first rays of the rising sun gleamed upon the golden crown that supported the canopy of purple velvet. Then he saw standing beside him the beautiful Princess whom he had awakened with a kiss. 'My brave Prince,' she said as she smiled and extend ed her hand. 'Mah beautiful Princess shall be the Queen,' he re plied as he gallantly raised her hand to his lips. The roof was now thronged with the brilliantly cos tumed Ladies and Gentlemen of the Royal Court of Winkieland. 90 Rainbow Stories Bells rang out their merry chimes and the people cheered, 'Long live King Ebony of Winkieland !' That very morning in the Sunshine Room King Ebony was married to the best and most beautiful Princess in all Africa by the wizened-up little old Wizard who came out of his Wishing Box for that very purpose, and they lived and ruled their Kingdom happily for many years. At the wedding breakfast King Ebony asked for gingerbread, and issued a royal edict that every young person in all his Kingdom was justly entitled to have two pieces of gingerbread every day, and as long as that law was obeyed peace reigned in the Enchanted Forest of Winkieland." "That will be the last story for the day," said the Teacher, dismissing the school. "Be careful in going down the rainbow." Johnnie Bob arose to his feet. The dampness had made the rainbow slippery and he began to slide. Faster and faster he fell. He could faintly hear the Teacher's warning voice calling, "Johnnie Bob! Johnnie Bob!" When he struck the ground he sat up suddenly to look around. He was back home again in his own back yard, and his Mother was calling him to supper. THE END L 006 784 942 2 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL .LIBRARY FAC LITY A 001 422 672 4