Inhaltsangabe
This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1921. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII THE CRICKET THE HOUSEHOLDER THE Field Cricket, the inhabitant of the meadows, is almost as famous as the Cicada, and figures among the limited but glorious number of the classic insects. He owes this honour to his song and his house. One thing alone is lacking to complete his renown. The master of the art of making animals talk, La Fontaine, gives him hardly two lines. Florian, the other French writer of fables, gives us a story of a Cricket, but it lacks the simplicity of truth and the saving salt of humour. Besides, it represents the Cricket as discontented, bewailing his condition! This is a preposterous idea, for all who have studied him know, on the contrary, that he is very well pleased with his own talent and his own burrow. And indeed, at the end of the story, Florian makes him admit: "My snug little home is a place of delight; If you want to live happy, live hidden from sight!" I find more force and truth in some verses by a friend of mine, of which these are a translation: Among the beasts a tale is told How a poor Cricket ventured nigh His door to catch the sun's warm gold And saw a radiant Butterfly. She passed with tails thrown proudly back And long gay rows of crescents blue, Brave yellow stars and bands of black, The lordliest Fly that ever flew. "Ah, fly away," the hermit said, "Daylong among your flowers to roam; Nor daisies white nor roses red Will compensate my lowly home." True, all too true! There came a storm And caught the Fly within its flood, Staining her broken velvet form And covering her wings with mud. The Cricket, sheltered from the rain, Chirped, and looked on with tranquil eye; For him the thunder pealed in vain, The gale and torrent passed him by. Then shun the world, nor take your fill Of any of its joys or flowers; ...
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