Only look upon our faces,
On our more than human graces,
And observe the many traces
Of our kinship with our noble brother, Man!
—Song of the Ambitious Monkeys.
The great round, soft, brown eyes of Dozel, most slender-limbed and graceful2 of the herd3 of Indian deer, were fixed4 on the face of the little Limping Boy. There seemed to be a look of pity in their depths. She licked Toots' fingers, and the Princess tried in vain to attract her attention.
[Pg 28]
"Do you suppose the sparrow has already told her of Mahmoud's command?" asked the Princess.
"I don't know," answered Toots; "I think so, but I haven't quite made up my mind yet."
"Dozel seems more affectionate toward you than ever," argued the Princess. "Yesterday she licked my hand, but to-day she has eyes only for you, Toots."
"It must be so, then," said the little Limping Boy. "You remember that when the elephant ordered Pwit-Pwit to go and tell all the Menial People that I stood between the two worlds, and that no harm should befall me, the sparrow flew away immediately. But, look! here comes Pwit-Pwit now. He and Dozel are going to have their morning chat. Keep quite still, and I'll tell you what they say."
The Princess put her finger on her lip and looked significantly at Toots, as the sparrow perched herself on the top rail of the yard, within a foot of Dozel's ear, and began to chirp6. The Princess saw the familiar, dreamy look come into Toots' eyes, as he began to translate the gossip of the sparrow and the deer.
"Why are you so sad this morning?" asked Pwit-Pwit. "The weather is simply perfect."
But Dozel merely sighed, and turned her gaze wistfully in the direction of the Elephant House. Nothing so delighted her as the loud trumpetings of Mahmoud and his mate, and she always let her eyes roam in their direction when anything unusual was on her mind.
"You ought to be happy," continued the [Pg 32]sparrow; "you certainly never looked handsomer, with your brown skin so soft and velvety8 that the little white spots scattered9 over it look like snowflakes, and your eyes so clear and tender—tut, tut, now Dozel, my dear. The idea of your crying on a morning like this!"
"I can't help it," whimpered the beautiful creature. "It's enough to make any one weep."
"And I'm blest if you're not limping, you, of all people in the world!" said the sparrow, in astonishment11.
"It's out of sympathy," sighed Dozel. "When I think of my own legs, so straight and slender and swift, I can't help thinking of the little Limping Boy and his poor, crooked12 leg, with the iron on it. There he stands now. Isn't it pitiful? Oh, dear, oh, dear!"
[Pg 33]
"True, it is very sad," said Pwit-Pwit, soberly; "but what can't be cured must be endured, you know."
"The worst part of it," said the deer, "is that there is something about the little Limping Boy's walk that reminds me of those chattering13, screaming monkeys I remember so well in the jungle. There are some of them over in a corner of the Lion House. I can't bear them."
"Hello!" chirped14 the sparrow, jubilantly. "So that's your opinion of 'em, too, is it, Dozel, my dear? Well, that's too good to keep. I'll go straight to the monkeys with that, and when they know that it comes from you direct, they'll have a bad half-hour, I can tell you. They won't be any happier than you are then, my dear. Do you know, the impudent15 creatures actually claim to be related to the birds! As a [Pg 34]general thing, I pay no attention to 'em, but this is different. They feel so sure of your good opinion, you're so sweet and sedate17 with everybody. My, oh, my, but won't it make 'em wild! I'll go straight to that idiot, Mr. Kelly. Just listen, and you'll hear him jabber18 himself blue in the face."
With this, the malicious19 little bird flew straight into the Lion House, and to Mr. Kelly's corner, Toots and the Princess following as fast as their legs could carry them, the iron on the little Limping Boy's leg clanking all the way.
Now, Mr. Kelly is a very learned monkey, having enjoyed the society of men for quite a number of years. He had had breakfast, and was leisurely20 picking his teeth. Pwit-Pwit perched himself on the rail just out of reach of his nimble fingers. Truth to tell, the sparrow was so startled at Mr. [Pg 35]Kelly's resemblance to the man who carried the plaster when the bear's den16 was being repaired, that he was quite civil at first.
"Good morning, Mr. Kelly," he said politely, "are you feeling quite well?"
"So-so," answered the monkey, eying the sparrow with much deliberation. "Except for my neuralgia and a touch of the gout I'm in my usual health, thank you. You don't happen to have a cigar about you, I suppose?"
"Had my cigar after breakfast every morning when I was acting22 in a theater over in the Bowery," said Mr. Kelly. "Seems [Pg 36]that smoking isn't allowed here. These blue laws are beastly, aren't they?"
"Do you find it hard going without?" asked Pwit-Pwit, unable yet to assume his accustomed air of superiority.
"If they would let me taper23 off I wouldn't mind so much," answered the monkey, with a yawn; "but this stopping all at once is rather trying on the nerves."
Toots shifted his position in front of the monkey's cage, which caused the iron on his leg to jingle24. This attracted the attention of Mr. Kelly, who threw away the straw he had been using as a toothpick and came close to the wire netting that surrounded him.
"You heard the command of Mahmoud to all the Menial People touching25 the little Limping Boy," said the sparrow. "Well, here he is."
[Pg 37]
Instead of replying, Mr. Kelly began twisting his features into the drollest shapes imaginable.
"Mahmoud's command has made a great stir everywhere," continued Pwit-Pwit. "It has affected26 Dozel to tears. I left her just now weeping over the misfortunes of the little Limping Boy."
At this Mr. Kelly began to snivel and moan, while two tears rolled down his hairy nose.
"Hello, there! What's the matter with you?" demanded Pwit-Pwit.
The monkey made no reply, but began limping around his cage, moaning and shedding tears, as though heart-broken.
"Oh, I see," said the sparrow, "you're sorry for the little Limping Boy, too."
[Pg 38]
"I have a fellow-feeling for him," answered Mr. Kelly, and went on with his moaning.
The sparrow would have said more but for the sudden change in Mr. Kelly's manner. The monkey had come back to the front of his cage, and was touching the side of his head with the forefinger29 of his right hand.
"What are you up to now?" he demanded.
"Saluting30 my unfortunate distant relation," said Mr. Kelly, who then went on moaning and weeping worse than before.
For a moment the sparrow's indignation was such that he seemed to be deprived of speech. He looked at Mr. Kelly, and then at the little Limping Boy, and then at the monkey again. Then he ruffled31 up the [Pg 39]feathers of his neck angrily, and said:
"Do you mean to say that you believe yourself to be related to this boy, who will grow into a man some day?"
That's the tradition in our family
"That's the tradition in our family," said Mr. Kelly, "and you doubtless know that tradition is the basis of all history. Besides, that's what a very celebrated32 man once said in a lecture at the theater where I acted, and he had me on the stage with him for an illustration—so he said. Any one can see that there isn't much difference between a monkey and a man, except the clothes. Look for yourself."
And Mr. Kelly placed his right elbow in his left hand, and rested his chin on his right hand, just as the little Limping Boy was doing.
[Pg 40]
Pwit-Pwit looked from one to the other, and the resemblance was so startling that for a moment he was at a loss what answer to make. Then he caught sight of the monkey's tail, which Mr. Kelly was trying hard to conceal33 behind him.
"Aha!" chirped the sparrow, exultantly34; "what about the tail?"
"None of your business, you meddlesome35, gossiping little wretch36!" screamed Mr. Kelly, in a passion. And he made a grab for Pwit-Pwit through the wires of his cage, but could not quite reach him.
"Be careful," warned the sparrow. "Remember the Law."
"Know this once for all, you insignificant37 bearer of tales," snarled38 Mr. Kelly. "Mahmoud himself has said that he was in doubt whether I was of the Menial People, or whether I stood between the two worlds. Ere [Pg 41]long I shall compel him to proclaim that I am neither the one nor the other, but that I am of the Master People. So beware!"
But Pwit-Pwit nearly burst his sides with laughter.
"Do you know what Dozel says about you?" he said finally; "the beautiful young Indian doe at whom you have been making eyes through the wires of your cage ever since she arrived?"
Mr. Kelly suddenly turned very pale. Noticing this, the sparrow went on relentlessly39:
"She says that you and all your tribe are chattering, screaming nobodies."
For a moment the blow seemed almost more than Mr. Kelly could endure.
"Aha, Mr. Kelly," said the sparrow, [Pg 42]insolently, "chattering, screaming nobodies! What do you say to that?"
At this taunt41 Mr. Kelly nearly exploded with passion. He clenched42 his hand and shook it at the sparrow, and screamed at the top of his voice:
"Jocko! Jocko! Do you hear? This meddlesome wretch of a sparrow says we are chattering nobodies."
long-tailed monkeys with black caps
Jocko, the tottering43 old baboon44 in his cage on the other side of the Lion House, turned blue in the face with anger.
"Catch him and pull out his tail feathers!" he screamed. "Never mind the Law."
[Pg 43]
But Pwit-Pwit kept well out of Mr. Kelly's reach. By this time, the little, long-tailed monkeys with black caps and high-pitched voices, living next door to Jocko, were chattering and shrieking45 at a fearful rate. The sparrow flew about from one cage to another, hurling46 taunts47 at the enraged48 creatures, enjoying himself immensely.
When, at length, the monkeys had chattered50 and shrieked51 themselves hoarse52, Mr. Kelly commanded them to be silent while he arranged for a final settlement of the dispute. He walked in a dignified53 manner about his cage until he had recovered his breath, and then said sternly to Pwit-Pwit:
"You are only a foolish little bird, with a great deal to learn. While we care very little for your opinion, it is well that this matter should be settled. Is there any one among all the Menial People whose word [Pg 44]you will accept as the eternal truth?"
"Yes," answered the sparrow, promptly54. "There is Caliph, the old hippopotamus55. He is very old and very wise, and he always tells the truth—which is more than can be said of monkeys."
"Very well," said Mr. Kelly, calmly, "go and ask Caliph if it is not true that the first man and the first monkey were made out of the same lump of clay long, long ago on the banks of the river Nile. Tell him to lift up his voice when he answers, so that all can hear."
"Agreed," said Pwit-Pwit; "and when you hear old Caliph's answer prepare to hang crape on your door-knob, for it will mean the death of your absurd ambition."
Then, while Mr. Kelly continued to walk about his cage in a dignified manner, the [Pg 45]sparrow, followed by Toots and the Princess, flew quickly to the Hippopotamus House. Straight up to the edge of the deep pool in which Caliph lay, with only an island of black back and his two bulging56 nostrils57 showing above the surface of the water, hopped Pwit-Pwit.
"What, ho! Caliph!" chirped the sparrow, "come forth58 from thy meditations59 and give ear to a matter of consequence concerning all the Menial People."
At first Caliph only blinked his small eyes. Pwit-Pwit bobbed his head at the monster with evidence of vast respect, and said in a louder voice:
"Greeting, O master of the deep! It is concerning the general welfare that I come to disturb thy reflections on the glorious past. The pretensions60 of the monkeys have grown past all bounds, so that there is menace to the general peace. The trouble [Pg 46]happened in this wise: Mr. Kelly, who is only a poor sort of monkey, at best, claims kinship with the Master World, whereat there is much discontent and not a little jealousy61. He avers62 that the first monkey and the first man were made out of the same lump of clay on the banks of the Nile. Is this the truth? Speak, I pray you, in tones that may be heard by all, that the trouble which threatens us may be averted63."
While the sparrow thus spoke64, Caliph raised his head slowly out of the water. Seven times did he open and close his enormous mouth. At length, in a voice that rang throughout the Menial World, he spoke as follows:
"Harken unto me, all ye Menial People. As to the first monkey, it was in this wise: When the first man had been made, his shadow fell upon some very poor clay that [Pg 47]had been thrown away. And it came to pass that when the first man walked, and his shadow walked after him, the poor clay upon which the shadow rested rose and ran shrieking into the forest. And, lo! it was a monkey. Behold, I have spoken."
When Caliph had sunk beneath the water again, Pwit-Pwit, with his head on one side, listened eagerly for the comments of the other Menial People, and Toots, with his hand placed warningly on the Princess, listened, too. First, Mahmoud trumpeted65 his acquiescence66:
"It is true. I heard it from my father in the Jungle one day when these insolent40 chatterers were particularly annoying. The monkeys are but as chips that fall from the hewn log."
"Behold, Caliph's words are the words of wisdom," said Sultan, patriarch of the [Pg 48]lions, in his deepest roar. "I, who was born in the shadow of the great pyramids, had it from my father, who had it from the father of Caliph when he went down to the Nile to drink. Lo! the monkeys are as the chaff67 when the wheat is winnowed68."
Pwit-Pwit
"I am not of that country," said the old dromedary from the plains of Arabia; "but my cousins, the camels, known to all the world as ships of the desert, brought the news to my people. By the fat in my hump, I swear that Caliph speaks the truth."
"My grandmother had it from an aged49 crocodile who crawled up on the bank of the Nile to sun herself, just as she was laying in the hot sand the egg that hatched my mother," screamed the old cock ostrich69. "The monkeys are of no more consequence than straws blown by the wind."
And no voice among the Menial People [Pg 49]was silent. Those who had no testimony70 to add to that of Caliph, roared and screeched71 and howled their approval of it. But the monkeys did not remain long abashed72 at the verdict against them. When Pwit-Pwit, followed by Toots and the Princess, returned to observe its effect upon them, they found Mr. Kelly sitting cross-legged on his overturned water bucket, with his chin in his hand, meditating73 deeply.
"Well," chirped Pwit-Pwit, "did you hear the verdict of old Caliph?"
"Eh?" said Mr. Kelly, raising his head abstractedly. "Hum, ah, oh, yes, I heard it."
"And the corroboration74 of all the other Menial People?"
"All my expectations were verified," said [Pg 50]Mr. Kelly, complacently75. "Malice76 and prejudice were so apparent that every logical mind will at once class the statements of Caliph and his satellites as perjured77 testimony. My contention78, therefore, is sustained."
Too perplexed79 and astonished to make any reply, Pwit-Pwit flew away to his favorite perch5 on the rim80 of Mahmoud's ear, where he sat, crestfallen81, for fully7 three and a quarter minutes.
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1
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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2
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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3
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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4
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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5
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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chirp
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| v.(尤指鸟)唧唧喳喳的叫 | |
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7
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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8
velvety
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| adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的 | |
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9
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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10
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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11
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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12
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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13
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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14
chirped
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的过去式 ) | |
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15
impudent
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| adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的 | |
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16
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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17
sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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18
jabber
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| v.快而不清楚地说；n.吱吱喳喳 | |
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19
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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20
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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21
astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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27
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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28
ruffling
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| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
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29
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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30
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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32
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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34
exultantly
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| adv.狂欢地，欢欣鼓舞地 | |
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meddlesome
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| adj.爱管闲事的 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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insignificant
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| adj.无关紧要的，可忽略的，无意义的 | |
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snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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relentlessly
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| adv.不屈不挠地；残酷地；不间断 | |
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insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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41
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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42
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tottering
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| adj.蹒跚的，动摇的v.走得或动得不稳( totter的现在分词 )；踉跄；蹒跚；摇摇欲坠 | |
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44
baboon
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| n.狒狒 | |
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shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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hurling
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| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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51
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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53
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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54
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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hippopotamus
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| n.河马 | |
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56
bulging
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| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
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nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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pretensions
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| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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avers
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| v.断言( aver的第三人称单数 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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63
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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64
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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65
trumpeted
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| 大声说出或宣告（trumpet的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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66
acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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67
chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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68
winnowed
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| adj.扬净的，风选的v.扬( winnow的过去式和过去分词 )；辨别；选择；除去 | |
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69
ostrich
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| n.鸵鸟 | |
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70
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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71
screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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72
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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74
corroboration
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| n.进一步的证实，进一步的证据 | |
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75
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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76
malice
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| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
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77
perjured
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| adj.伪证的，犯伪证罪的v.发假誓，作伪证( perjure的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
contention
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| n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张 | |
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79
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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80
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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81
crestfallen
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| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
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