arn to speak all sorts of foreign languages. After
some years with this master, Bobino returned to his home.

One evening, as he and his father were walking in the garden, the
sparrows in the trees above their heads began such a twittering, that
they found it impossible to hear each other speak. This annoyed the
merchant very much, so, to soothe him, Bobino said: 'Would you like me
to explain to you what the sparrows are saying to each other?'

The merchant looked at his son in astonishment, and answered: 'What can
you mean? How can you explain what the sparrows say? Do you consider
yourself a soothsayer or a magician?'

'I am neither a soothsayer nor a magician,' answered Bobino; 'but my
master taught me the language of all the animals.'

'Alas! for my good money!' exclaimed the merchant. 'The master has
certainly mistaken my intention. Of course I meant you to learn the
languages that human beings talk, and not the language of animals.'

'Have patience,' answered the son. 'My master thought it best to begin
with the language of animals, and later to learn the languages of human
beings.'

On their way into the house the dog ran to meet them, barking furiously.

'What can be the matter with the beast?' said the merchant. 'Why should
he bark at me like that, when he knows me quite well?'

'Shall I explain to you what he is saying?' said Bobino.

'Leave me in peace, and don't trouble me with your nonsense,' said the
merchant quite crossly. 'How my money has been wasted!'

A little later, as they sat down to supper, some frogs in a neighbouring
pond set up such a croaking as had never been heard. The noise so
irritated the merchant that he quite lost his temper and exclaimed:
'This only was wanting to add the last drop to my discomfort and
disappointment.'

'Shall I explain to you?' began Bobino.

'Will you hold your tongue with your explanations?' shouted the
merchant. 'Go to bed, and don't let me see your face again!'

So Bobino went to bed and slept soundly. But his father, who could not
get over his disappointment at the waste of his money, was so angry,
that he sent for two servants, and gave them orders, which they were to
carry out on the following day.

Next morning one of the servants awakened Bobino early, and made him get
into a carriage that was waiting for him. The servant placed himself on
the seat beside him, while the other servant rode alongside the carriage
as an escort. Bobino could not u