5.  In a menagerie at Brussels, there was a cell where a large lion, called Danco, used to be kept.  The cell happened to be in need of repair, and the keeper, whose name was William, desired a carpenter to come and mend it.  The carpenter came, but was so afraid of the lion, that he would not go near the cell alone.

6.  So William entered the cell, and led the lion to the upper part of it, while the other part was refitting.  He played with the lion for some time; but, at last, being wearied, both he and the lion fell asleep.  The carpenter went on with his work, and when he had finished he called out for William to come and see it.

7.  He called again and again, but no William answered.  The poor carpenter began to be frightened, lest the lion had made his dinner of the keeper, or else crushed him with his great paws.  He crept round to the upper part of the cell, and there, looking through the railing, he saw the lion and William sleeping side by side as contentedly as two little brothers.

8.  He was so astonished that he uttered a loud cry.  The lion, awakened by the noise, stared at the carpenter with an eye of fury, and then placing his paw on the breast of his keeper, as if to say, “Touch him if you dare,” the heroic beast lay down to sleep again.  The carpenter was dreadfully alarmed, and, not knowing how he could rouse William, he ran out and related what he had seen.

9.  Some people came, and, opening the door of the cell, Contrived to awaken the keeper, who, rubbing his eyes, quietly looked around him, and expressed himself very well satisfied with his nap.  He took the lion’s paw, shook it kindly, and then retired uninjured from the cell.

Definitions.—­l.  Ma-jes’tic, royal, noble. 3.  Prowls, wanders in search of prey.  Un-a-wares’, unexpectedly.  Rum’ble, a low heavy sound. 5.  Men-ag’er-ie, a collection of wild animals. 6.  Re-fit’ting, repairing. 8.  He-ro’-ic, bold.

Exercises.—­Describe the lion’s appearance.  What is said of his strength?  His teeth?  Describe the lion’s home and habits.  To what age do lions live?  Can they be tamed?  Relate the story about the lion Danco.

XXIV.  STRAWBERRIES. (71)

By John Townsend Trowbridge, who was born at Ogden, N. Y., in 1827.  He is a well-known author, and has written much for children both in poetry and prose.

1.  Little Pearl Honeydew, six years old,
   From her bright ear parted the curls of gold;
   And laid her head on the strawberry bed,
   To hear what the red-cheeked berries said.

2.  Their cheeks were blushing, their breath was sweet,
   She could almost hear their little hearts beat;
   And the tiniest, lisping, whispering sound
   That ever you heard, came up from the ground.

3.  “Little friends,” she said, “I wish I knew
   How it is you thrive on sun and dew!”
   And this is the story the berries told
   To little Pearl Honeydew, six years old.