THE CAT AND THE HAWK. 43

she had not been present at dinner-time; and thus the mystery
was explained, and Pussy was rewarded by having her supper
brought to her at once.

Instead of sitting down and crying when in a difficulty,
think, like sensible Pussy, of the best way to get out of it.
Instead of wringing your hands, RING THE BELL.

 

THE CAT AND THE HAWK.

Cats often show great courage, especially in defence of their
young.

A cat had led her kittens out into the sunshine, and
while they were frisking around her they were espied by a
hawk soaring overhead. Down pounced the bird of prey
and seized one in his talons. Hindered by the weight of the
fat little creature, he was unable to rise again before the
mother cat had seen what had happened. With a bound she
fiercely attacked the would-be thief, and compelled him to
drop her kitten in order to defend himself. A regular fight
now began, the hawk using beak and talons, and rising some-
times on his wings. It seemed likely that he would thus
gain the victory ; still more when he struck. his sharp beak
into one of Pussy’s eyes, while he tore her ears into shreds
with his talons. At length, however, she managed what had
been from the first her aim—to break one of her enemy’s
wings. She now sprang on him with renewed fury, and
seizing him by the neck, quickly tore off his head. This
done, heedless of her own pain, she began to lick the
bleeding wounds of her kitten, and then, calling to its