again. But the children, who
had had nothing to eat since their father had left them, came rushing
towards him, waving knives in their right hands and forks in their left,
and crying, 'Give us dragon's flesh; we will have dragon's flesh.'

At this dreadful sight the dragon waited no longer: he flung down his
sacks where he stood and took flight as fast as he could, so terrified
at the fate that awaited him that from that day he has never dared to
show his face in the world again.

(Adapted from Rumanische Marchen.)

THE TWO FROGS

Once upon a time in the country of Japan there lived two frogs, one of
whom made his home in a ditch near the town of Osaka, on the sea coast,
while the other dwelt in a clear little stream which ran through the
city of Kioto. At such a great distance apart, they had never even heard
of each other; but, funnily enough, the idea came into both their heads
at once that they should like to see a little of the world, and the
frog who lived at Kioto wanted to visit Osaka, and the frog who lived at
Osaka wished to go to Kioto, where the great Mikado had his palace.

So one fine morning in the spring they both set out along the road that
led from Kioto to Osaka, one from one end and the other from the other.
The journey was more tiring than they expected, for they did not know
much about travelling, and half way between the two towns there arose a
mountain which had to be climbed. It took them a long time and a great
many hops to reach the top, but there they were at last, and what was
the surprise of each to see another frog before him! They looked at each
other for a moment without speaking, and then fell into conversation,
explaining the cause of their meeting so far from their homes. It was
delightful to find that they both felt the same wish--to learn a little
more of their native country--and as there was no sort of hurry they
stretched themselves out in a cool, damp place, and agreed that they
would have a good rest before they parted to go their ways.

'What a pity we are not bigger,' said the Osaka frog; 'for then we could
see both towns from here, and tell if it is worth our while going on.'

'Oh, that is easily managed,' returned the Kioto frog. 'We have only got
to stand up on our hind legs, and hold on to each other, and then we can
each look at the town he is travelling to.'

This idea pleased the Osaka frog so much that he at once jumped up and
put his front paws on the