With a soft lead-pencil trace the frog (Fig. 449) on tracing-paper; then transfer it to a very soft, pliable piece of white cotton mull or any white cloth that will stretch readily when pulled, for stretch it must, or the frog will not jump. Turn the square of cloth so that it will resemble the ace of diamonds in a pack of playing-cards, having one point up, one down, one at the right and one at the left hand. Fasten the cloth over a piece of white paper on a smooth[265]
[266] board or table with thumb-tacks or strong pins. Very carefully place the tracing-paper, on which you have drawn the frog (Fig. 449), over the cloth, allowing the head to come under the top point of the square and the feet to extend toward the lower point. Mr. Frog may then be drawn exactly on the bias weave of the cloth. When you have finished the tracing, go over the lines again with a soft lead-pencil to make the markings clear and distinct.

Look at the frog to be sure he is correctly drawn; then remove the pins and, allowing the cloth to remain on the table over the piece of smooth white paper, spread both of your hands out on the cloth, one at each side of the frog, and, keeping your eyes on the drawing, move your hands gradually outward, at the same time moving the mull with them. The stretching of the bias material will cause the frog to flatten out until he crouches for a spring (Fig. 450). Cautiously raise your hands up and off the cloth and place them down again in a different way; put one above and the other below his Frogship, and, still keeping your eyes on the figure, suddenly move your hands, stretching the square up and down, when the frog will give a quick leap and spring straight upward in the most unexpected manner (Fig. 451).

Cut the squares of material large enough to be easily handled; if made too small your hands will slip off the edges.

Have you ever seen little young birds in their nest? How they huddle together with their large yellow mouths open wide watching for their mother to return with their dinner! Trace the drawing (Fig. 452) on bias cloth and you can make these little birds move and really stretch up their heads for their dinner as you slowly pull the cloth upward and downward (Fig. 453). Watch them. Then stretch the cloth out sidewise and see the birdlings quietly settle down in their nests with a "Thank you" and "Good-by." (Fig. 454).

Trace the girl and boy (Fig. 455) on bias cloth as you did the frog. Fig. 455 shows how the children appear when they meet. Pull the cloth sidewise and their faces change expression (Fig. 456); they do not seem to enjoy their chat. Now pull the cloth in the opposite direction, and in an instant their faces show surprise and dismay (Fig. 457).

I wonder if you ever attended a concert where the tenor had difficulty in reaching his high notes, where he fairly seemed to rise up on his toes in his efforts to attain the notes as his voice ran up the scale, and everyone in the audience sympathized to such an extent that they, too, felt like rising and stretching up their heads in search of the difficult note. Such a tenor is shown at Fig. 459. Trace him on bias cloth and pull the cloth out sidewise (Fig. 458); then, beginning with the lower note, do, slowly sing the scale as you leisurely pull the cloth upward and downward at the same time. When you come to sol the face should be like Fig. 459, and as you continue singing and stretching the cloth, the tenor should resemble Fig. 460 when you reach your highest do. Though not a very high note it is the best he can do, and he looks very comical while his face is changing, his eyes and mouth opening wider and wider and his hair rising up straight on the top of his head.

The objects which are here illustrated may be replaced by others with equally amusing results; any animals, such as goats, rabbits, camels, hounds, may be drawn on the cloth and then manipulated so as to afford the greatest amusement.

You can have any amount of fun with the moving figures on your magic cloth if you will remember the important points, which we will repeat to be sure you understand. Have the squares of cloth for all the drawings sufficiently large to be easily manipulated. Draw the design clearly and distinctly. Draw it on the exact bias of the cloth; move the two sides of the cloth at precisely the same time. Move the cloth always with both hands spread out flat on top of the cloth. Place the cloth over a large piece of white paper that the picture may be plainly seen. Care should be taken to obtain soft cloth that will stretch readily. These diversions will afford fine sport for a quiet evening and will be enjoyed by the entire family. If painted the designs will be still more comical.