  F our hares were at dinner one day— The sweetest of herbage was theirs— And as they all nibbled away They seemed to be rid of their cares; For the grass was so green and the sky was so blue, They had plenty to eat and nothing to do. The sun shone so brightly that day, They did not think danger was near; The hunters and dogs were away, There was nothing around to cause fear. A something which made their poor hearts give a jump. Poor Fred was knocked backward at once, And Charlie fell flat on the ground, While Peter stretched out his long legs And fled without making a sound; But Tom, who was boastful, cried, 'Stop! Don't you see, It is only a kite from its string broken free! 'Just let me catch hold of that boy, I'll give him a box on the ear— I'll teach him to fly his old kite Beside us, to cause us such fear.... Why, there is the boy! After all, I will wait— I must hurry off home, it is getting quite late!' Then off with a rush went brave Tom, His heart beating loud with dismay; While Charlie, and Peter, and Fred Cried, 'Isn't Tom valiant to-day?' And the boy shook with laughter to see Tom in flight, For he knew that fine words never drive away fright! D. B. M. "After all, I will wait— I must hurry off home, it is getting quite late!" "After all, I will wait— I must hurry off home, it is getting quite late!" |
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