that you are likely to make.

[Illustration: Seventeen Gestures Currently Used in the Sign Language]

TALE 64

Sign Language

All men, especially wild men, and some animals have a language of signs.
That is, they talk to each other without making any sounds; using
instead, the movements of parts of the body. This is "eye talk," while
words are "ear talk."

Among the animals, horses bob their heads when they are hungry and paw
with a front foot when thirsty or eager to be off. Dogs wag their tails
when pleased, and cows shake their heads when angry.

Policemen, firemen, railway men, and others use signs because there is
too much noise to be heard. School children use signs because they are
not allowed to talk in school. Most children know the signs for "yes"
and "no," "come here," "go away," "hurry up," "you can't touch me,"
"hush!", "shame on you!", "up," "down," "word of honour," "swimming,"
etc.

The traffic policeman is using signs all day long. By a movement of the
hand he signals:--stop, go on, come here, hurry up, wait, turn around,
go by, stay back, over there, you look out, right here, and one or two
others.

How many signs can you add to these two lists?

TALE 65

The Language of Hens

Yes; Hens talk somewhat as we do; only they haven't so many words, and
don't depend on them as we have to.

There are only ten words in ordinary hen-talk.

The _cluck, cluck_ of the mother means "Come along, kiddies."

The low _kawk_ of warning, usually for a hawk.

The _chuck, chuck_ of invitation means, "Good food."

The _tuk-ut-e-ah-tuk_ means, "Bless my soul, what is that?"

The _cut, cut, get your hair cut_, of a Hen that has just laid and is
feeling greatly relieved; no doubt, saying, "Thank goodness, that's
done!" or maybe it is a notice to her mate or friend that "Business is
over, let's have some fun. Where are you?"

The soft, long-drawn _tawk--tawk--tawk_, that is uttered as the Hen
strolls about, corresponds to the whistling of the small boy; that is,
it is a mere pastime, expressing freedom from fear or annoyance.

The long, harsh, _crauk, crauk_ of fear when captured.

The quick _clack, clack, clatter_ when springing up in fear of capture.

The _put, put_ of hunger.

And, of course, the _peep, peep_ of chickens and the
_cock-a-doodle-doo_, which is the song of the Rooster.

Some Hens may have more; but these given here are hen-talk for
mother-love, warning, invitation, surprise, ex