THE BEGINNING OF THE ARMADILLOS
THIS,OBestBeloved,isaoryoftheHighandFar-OffTimes.IntheverymiddleofthosetimeswasaStickly-PricklyHedgehog,andhelivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazoingshellysnailsandthings.Andhehadafriend,aSlow-SolidTortoise,wholivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazoinggreeudthings.Andsothatwasallright,BestBeloved.Doyousee?
Butalso,andatthesametime,inthoseHighandFar-OffTimes,thereaintedJaguar,andhelivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazontoo;aeeverythingthathecouldcatch.Whenhecouldnotcatchdeerormonkeyshewouldeatfrogsales;andwhenhecouldnotcatchfrogsaleshewenttohisMuar,aoldhimhowtoeathedgehogsandtortoises.
Shesaidtohimeversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,Myson,whenyoufindaHedgehogyoumustdrophimintothewaterandthenhewilluncoil,andwhenyoucatchaTortoiseyoumustsoutofhisshellwithyourpaw.Andsothatwasallright,BestBeloved.
OifulnightonthebanksoftheturbidAmazon,PaintedJaguarfoundStickly-PricklyHedgehogandSlow-SolidTortoisesittinguhetrunkofafalleheycouldnotrunaway,andsoStickly-Pricklycurledhimselfupintoaball,becausehewasaHedgehog,andSlow-SolidTortoisedrewinhisheadaohisshellasfarastheywouldgo,becausehewasaTortoise;andsothatwasallright,BestBeloved.Doyousee?
Nowattendtome,saidPaintedJaguar,becausethisisveryimportant.MymothersaidthatwheaHedgehogIamtodrophimintothewaterandthenhewilluncoil,andwheortoiseIamtosoutofhisshellwithmypahichofyouisHedgehogandwhichisTortoise?because,tosavemyspots,Ittell.
AreyousureofwhatyourMummytoldyou?saidStickly-PricklyHedgehog.Areyouquitesure?PerhapsshesaidthatwhenyouuncoilaTortoiseyoumustshellhimoutthewaterwithascoop,andwhenyoupawaHedgehogyoumustdrophimontheshell.
AreyousureofwhatyourMummytoldyou?saidSlow-and-SolidTortoise.Areyouquitesure?PerhapsshesaidthatwhenyouwateraHedgehogyoumustdrophimintoyourpaw,andwhenyoumeetaTortoiseyoumustshellhimtillheuncoils.
Idontthinkitwasatalllikethat,saidPaintedJaguar,buthefeltalittlepuzzled;but,please,sayitagaiinctly.
WhenyouscoopwaterwithyourpawyouuncoilitwithaHedgehog,saidStickly-Prickly.Rememberthat,becauseitsimportant.
But,saidtheTortoise,whenyoupawyourmeatyoudropitintoaTortoisewithascoop.Whytyouuand?
Youaremakingmyspotsache,saidPaintedJaguar;andbesides,Ididntwantyouradviceatall.IonlywaoknowwhichofyouisHedgehogandwhichisTortoise.
Ishanttellyou,saidStickly-Prickly.butyouseoutofmyshellifyoulike.
Aha!saidPaintedJaguar.NowIknowyoureTortoise.YouthoughtIwouldnt!NowIwill.PaintedJaguardartedouthispaddy-pawjustasStickly-Pricklycurledhimselfup,andofcourseJaguarspaddy-pawwasjustfilledwithprickles.Worsethanthat,hekickly-Pricklyawayandawayintothewoodsandthebushes,whereitwastoodarktofindhim.Thehispaddy-pawintohismouth,andofcoursetheprickleshurthimworsethanever.Assoonashecouldspeakhesaid,NowIkTortoiseatall.But--andthenhescratchedhisheadwithhisun-pricklypaw--howdoIknowthatthisotherisTortoise?
ButIamTortoise,saidSlow-and-Solid.Yourmotherwasquiteright.Shesaidthatyouweretoseoutofmyshellwithyourpaw.Begin.
Youdidntsayshesaidthataminuteago,saidPaintedJaguar,sugthepricklesoutofhispaddy-paw.Yousaidshesaidsomethingquitedifferent.
Well,supposeyousaythatIsaidthatshesaidsomethingquitedifferent,Idoitmakesanydifference;becauseifshesaidwhatyousaidIsaidshesaid,itsjustthesameasifIsaidwhatshesaidshesaid.Oherhand,ifyouthinkshesaidthatyouweretounewithascoop,insteadofpawiodropswithashell,Ithelpthat,I?
ButyousaidyouwaobescoopedoutofyourshellwithmypaaintedJaguar.
IfyoullthinkagainyoullfindthatIdidntsayanythingofthekind.Isaidthatyourmothersaidthatyouweretoseoutofmyshell,saidSlow-and-Solid.
WhatwillhappenifIdo?saidtheJaguarmostsniffilyandmostcautious.
Idontknow,becauseIveneverbeenscoopedoutofmyshellbefore;butItellyoutruly,ifyouwanttoseemeswimawayyouveonlygottodropmeintothewater.
Idontbelieveit,saidPaintedJaguar.YouvemixedupallthethingsmymothertoldmetodowiththethingsthatyouaskedmewhetherIwassurethatshedidntsay,tillIdontknowwhetherImonmyheadormypaiail;andnowyoueandtellmesomethingIderstand,anditmakesmemoremixythanbefore.MymothertoldmethatIwastodroponeofyoutwointothewater,andasyouseemsoanxioustobedroppedIthinkyoudontwanttobedropped.SojumpintotheturbidAmazonandbequickaboutit.
IwarnyouthatyourMummywontbepleased.DonttellherIdidnttellyou,saidSlow-Solid.
Ifyousayanotherwordaboutwhatmymothersaid--theJaguaranswered,buthehadnotfihesentencebeforeSlow-and-SolidquietlydivedintotheturbidAmazon,swamuerforalongway,andcameoutonthebaickly-Pricklywaswaitingforhim.
Thatwasaverynarroe,saidStickly-Prickly.IdontribPaintedJaguar.Whatdidyoutellhimthatyouwere?
ItoldhimtruthfullythatIwasatruthfulTortoise,buthewouldntbelieveit,andhemademejumpintotherivertoseeifIwas,andIwas,andheissurprised.NowhesgoellhisMummy.Listentohim!
TheycouldhearPaintedJaguarrupanddownamoreesandthebushesbythesideoftheturbidAmazon,tillhisMummycame.
Son,son!saidhismothereversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,whathaveyoubeendoingthatyoushouldnthavedone?
Itriedtosethingthatsaiditwaobescoopedoutofitsshellwithmypaw,andmypawisfullofper-ickles,saidPaintedJaguar.
Son,son!saidhismothereversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,bythepricklesinyourpaddy-pawIseethatthatmusthavebeenaHedgehog.Youshouldhavedroppedhimintothewater.
Ididthattotheotherthing;andhesaidhewasaTortoise,andIdidntbelievehim,anditwasquitetrue,andhehasdiveduheturbidAmazon,aeupagain,andIhaventanythingatalltoeat,andIthinkwehadbetterfindlodgingssomewhereelse.TheyaretoocleverourbidAmazonforpoorme!
Son,son!saidhismothereversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,nowattendtomeandrememberwhatIsay.AHedgehogcurlshimselfupintoaballandhispricklesstickouteverywhichwayatohisyoumayknowtheHedgehog.
Idontlikethisoldladyolebit,saidStickly-Prickly,uheshadowofalargeleaf.Iwonderwhatelsesheknows?
ATortoisetcurlhimselfup,Muarwenton,eversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail.Heonlydrawshisheadandlegsintohisshell.Bythisyoumayknowthetortoise.
Idontlikethisoldladyatall--atall,saidSlow-and-SolidTortoise.EvenPaintedJaguartfetthosedires.Itsagreatpitythatyoutswim,Stickly-Prickly.
Donttalktome,saidStickly-Prickly.Justthinkhowmuchbetteritwouldbeifyoucouldcurlup.Thisisamess!ListentoPaintedJaguar.
PaintedJaguarwassittingonthebanksoftheturbidAmazonsugpricklesoutofhisPawsandsayingtohimself--
tcurl,butswim--
Slow-Solid,thatshim!
Curlsup,buttswim--
Stickly-Prickly,thatshim!
HellneverfetthatthismonthofSundays,saidStickly-Prickly.Holdupmy,Slow-and-Solid.Imgoingtotrytolearntoswim.Itmaybeuseful.
Excellent!saidSlow-and-Solid;andheheldupStickly-Pricklys,whileStickly-PricklykickediersoftheturbidAmazon.
Youllmakeafineswimmeryet,saidSlow-and-Solid.Now,ifyoulacemyback-platesalittle,IllseewhatIdotowardscurlingup.Itmaybeuseful.
Stickly-Pricklyhelpedtouoisesback-plates,sothatbytwistingandstrainingSlow-and-Solidactuallymaocurlupatiddyweebit.
Excellent!saidStickly-Prickly;butIshouldntdoanymorejustnow.Itsmakingyoublatheface.KindlyleadmeintothewateronceagainandIllpracticethatside-strokewhichyousayissoeasy.AndsoStickly-Pricklypracticed,andSlow-Solidswamalongside.
Excellent!saidSlow-and-Solid.Alittlemorepracticewillmakeyularwhale.Now,ifImaytroubleyoutounlacemybadfrontplatestwoholesmore,Illtrythatfasatihatyousayissoeasy.WontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!
Excellent!saidStickly-Prickly,allwetfromtheturbidAmazon.Ideclare,Ishouldntknowyoufromoneofmyownfamily.Twoholes,Ithink,yousaid?Alittlemoreexpression,please,anddontgruntquitesomuch,orPaintedJaguarmayhearus.Whenyouvefinished,Iwanttotrythatlongdivewhichyousayissoeasy.WontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!
AndsoStickly-Pricklydived,andSlow-and-Soliddivedalongside.
Excellent!saidSlow-and-Solid.AleetlemoreattentiontoholdingyourbreathandyouwillbeabletokeephouseatthebottomoftheturbidAmazon.NowIlltrythatexerciseofputtingmyhindlegsroundmyearswhichyousayissopeculiarlyfortable.WontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!
Excellent!saidStickly-Prickly.Butitsstrainingyourback-platesalittle.Theyarealloverlappingnow,insteadoflyingsidebyside.
Oh,thatstheresultofexercise,saidSlow-and-Solid.Ivenoticedthatyourpricklesseemtobemeltingintooher,andthatyrowingtolookrathermorelikeapinee,andlesslikeachestnut-burr,thanyouusedto.
AmI?saidStickly-Prickly.Thatesfrommysoakingier.Oh,wontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!
Theywentonwiththeirexercises,eachhelpiher,tillmcame;ahesunwashightheyrestedanddriedthemselves.Thentheysawthattheywerebothofthemquitedifferentfromwhattheyhadbeen.
Stickly-Prickly,saidTortoiseafterbreakfast,IamnotwhatIwasyesterday;butIthinkthatImayyetamusePaintedJaguar.
ThatwastheverythingIwasthinkingjustnow,saidStickly-Prickly.Ithinkscalesareatremendousimprovementonprickles--tosaynothingofbeingabletoswim.Oh,wontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!Letsgoandfindhim.
ByandbytheyfoundPaintedJaguar,stillnursinghispaddy-pawthathadbeenhurtthenightbefore.Hewassoastohathefellthreetimesbackwardoverhisownpaiailwithoutstopping.
Go!saidStickly-Prickly.Andhowisyourdeargraummythism?
Sheisquitewell,thankyou,saidPaintedJaguar;butyoumustfivemeifIdonotatthisprecisemomentrecallyourname.
Thatsunkindofyou,saidStickly-Prickly,seeingthatthistimeyesterdayyoutriedtoseoutofmyshellwithyourpaw.
Butyouhadntanyshell.Itrickles,saidPaintedJaguar.Iknowitwas.Justlookatmypaw!
YoutoldmetodropintotheturbidAmazonandbedrowned,saidSlow-Solid.Whyareyousorudeandfetfulto-day?
Dontyourememberwhatyourmothertoldyou?saidStickly-Prickly,--
tcurl,butswim--
Stickly-Prickly,thatshim!
Curlsup,buttswim--
Slow-Solid,thatshim!
ThehcurledthemselvesupandrolledroundandroundPaintedJaguartillhiseyesturrulycart-wheelsinhishead.
Theofetchhismother.
Mother,hesaid,therearetwonewanimalsinthewoodsto-day,ahatyousaidcouldntswim,swims,ahatyousaidcouldntcurlup,curls;andtheyvegonesharesintheirprickles,Ithink,becausebothofthemarescalyallover,insteadofonebeingsmoothaherveryprickly;and,besidesthat,theyarerollingroundandroundincircles,andIdontfeelfy.
Son,son!saidMuareversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,aHedgehogisaHedgehog,andtbeanythingbutaHedgehog;andaTortoiseisaTortoise,andeverbeanythingelse.
ButitisntaHedgehog,anditisntaTortoise.Itsalittlebitofboth,andIdontknowitspropername.
Nonsense!saidMuar.Everythinghasitspropername.Ishouldcallit"Armadillo"tillIfoundouttherealone.AndIshouldleaveitalone.
SoPaintedJaguardidashewastold,especiallyaboutleavingthemalothecuriousthingisthatfromthatdaytothis,OBestBeloved,hebanksoftheturbidAmazonhasevercalledStickly-PricklyandSlow-SolidanythingexceptArmadillo.
ThereareHedgehogsandTortoisesinotherplaces,ofcourse(therearesomeinmygarden);buttherealoldandcleverkind,withtheirscaleslyinglippety-lappetyoheother,likepine-escales,thatlivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazonintheHighandFar-OffDays,arealwayscalledArmadillos,becausetheyweresoclever.
Sothat;allright,BestBeloved.Doyousee?
IVEneversailedtheAmazon,
IveneverreachedBrazil;
ButtheDonandMagdelana,
Theygotherewhentheywill!
Yes,weeklyfromSouthampton,
Greatsteamers,whiteandgold,
GorollingdowntoRio
(Rolldown--rolldowntoRio!)
AndIdliketorolltoRio
SomedaybeforeImold!
IveneverseenaJaguar,
anArmadill
Odilloinginhisarmour,
AndIsposeIneverwill,
UnlessIgotoRio
Thesewoobehold--
Rolldown--rolldowntoRio--
RollreallydowntoRio!
Oh,IdlovetorolltoRioSomedaybeforeImold!松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
Butalso,andatthesametime,inthoseHighandFar-OffTimes,thereaintedJaguar,andhelivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazontoo;aeeverythingthathecouldcatch.Whenhecouldnotcatchdeerormonkeyshewouldeatfrogsales;andwhenhecouldnotcatchfrogsaleshewenttohisMuar,aoldhimhowtoeathedgehogsandtortoises.
Shesaidtohimeversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,Myson,whenyoufindaHedgehogyoumustdrophimintothewaterandthenhewilluncoil,andwhenyoucatchaTortoiseyoumustsoutofhisshellwithyourpaw.Andsothatwasallright,BestBeloved.
OifulnightonthebanksoftheturbidAmazon,PaintedJaguarfoundStickly-PricklyHedgehogandSlow-SolidTortoisesittinguhetrunkofafalleheycouldnotrunaway,andsoStickly-Pricklycurledhimselfupintoaball,becausehewasaHedgehog,andSlow-SolidTortoisedrewinhisheadaohisshellasfarastheywouldgo,becausehewasaTortoise;andsothatwasallright,BestBeloved.Doyousee?
Nowattendtome,saidPaintedJaguar,becausethisisveryimportant.MymothersaidthatwheaHedgehogIamtodrophimintothewaterandthenhewilluncoil,andwheortoiseIamtosoutofhisshellwithmypahichofyouisHedgehogandwhichisTortoise?because,tosavemyspots,Ittell.
AreyousureofwhatyourMummytoldyou?saidStickly-PricklyHedgehog.Areyouquitesure?PerhapsshesaidthatwhenyouuncoilaTortoiseyoumustshellhimoutthewaterwithascoop,andwhenyoupawaHedgehogyoumustdrophimontheshell.
AreyousureofwhatyourMummytoldyou?saidSlow-and-SolidTortoise.Areyouquitesure?PerhapsshesaidthatwhenyouwateraHedgehogyoumustdrophimintoyourpaw,andwhenyoumeetaTortoiseyoumustshellhimtillheuncoils.
Idontthinkitwasatalllikethat,saidPaintedJaguar,buthefeltalittlepuzzled;but,please,sayitagaiinctly.
WhenyouscoopwaterwithyourpawyouuncoilitwithaHedgehog,saidStickly-Prickly.Rememberthat,becauseitsimportant.
But,saidtheTortoise,whenyoupawyourmeatyoudropitintoaTortoisewithascoop.Whytyouuand?
Youaremakingmyspotsache,saidPaintedJaguar;andbesides,Ididntwantyouradviceatall.IonlywaoknowwhichofyouisHedgehogandwhichisTortoise.
Ishanttellyou,saidStickly-Prickly.butyouseoutofmyshellifyoulike.
Aha!saidPaintedJaguar.NowIknowyoureTortoise.YouthoughtIwouldnt!NowIwill.PaintedJaguardartedouthispaddy-pawjustasStickly-Pricklycurledhimselfup,andofcourseJaguarspaddy-pawwasjustfilledwithprickles.Worsethanthat,hekickly-Pricklyawayandawayintothewoodsandthebushes,whereitwastoodarktofindhim.Thehispaddy-pawintohismouth,andofcoursetheprickleshurthimworsethanever.Assoonashecouldspeakhesaid,NowIkTortoiseatall.But--andthenhescratchedhisheadwithhisun-pricklypaw--howdoIknowthatthisotherisTortoise?
ButIamTortoise,saidSlow-and-Solid.Yourmotherwasquiteright.Shesaidthatyouweretoseoutofmyshellwithyourpaw.Begin.
Youdidntsayshesaidthataminuteago,saidPaintedJaguar,sugthepricklesoutofhispaddy-paw.Yousaidshesaidsomethingquitedifferent.
Well,supposeyousaythatIsaidthatshesaidsomethingquitedifferent,Idoitmakesanydifference;becauseifshesaidwhatyousaidIsaidshesaid,itsjustthesameasifIsaidwhatshesaidshesaid.Oherhand,ifyouthinkshesaidthatyouweretounewithascoop,insteadofpawiodropswithashell,Ithelpthat,I?
ButyousaidyouwaobescoopedoutofyourshellwithmypaaintedJaguar.
IfyoullthinkagainyoullfindthatIdidntsayanythingofthekind.Isaidthatyourmothersaidthatyouweretoseoutofmyshell,saidSlow-and-Solid.
WhatwillhappenifIdo?saidtheJaguarmostsniffilyandmostcautious.
Idontknow,becauseIveneverbeenscoopedoutofmyshellbefore;butItellyoutruly,ifyouwanttoseemeswimawayyouveonlygottodropmeintothewater.
Idontbelieveit,saidPaintedJaguar.YouvemixedupallthethingsmymothertoldmetodowiththethingsthatyouaskedmewhetherIwassurethatshedidntsay,tillIdontknowwhetherImonmyheadormypaiail;andnowyoueandtellmesomethingIderstand,anditmakesmemoremixythanbefore.MymothertoldmethatIwastodroponeofyoutwointothewater,andasyouseemsoanxioustobedroppedIthinkyoudontwanttobedropped.SojumpintotheturbidAmazonandbequickaboutit.
IwarnyouthatyourMummywontbepleased.DonttellherIdidnttellyou,saidSlow-Solid.
Ifyousayanotherwordaboutwhatmymothersaid--theJaguaranswered,buthehadnotfihesentencebeforeSlow-and-SolidquietlydivedintotheturbidAmazon,swamuerforalongway,andcameoutonthebaickly-Pricklywaswaitingforhim.
Thatwasaverynarroe,saidStickly-Prickly.IdontribPaintedJaguar.Whatdidyoutellhimthatyouwere?
ItoldhimtruthfullythatIwasatruthfulTortoise,buthewouldntbelieveit,andhemademejumpintotherivertoseeifIwas,andIwas,andheissurprised.NowhesgoellhisMummy.Listentohim!
TheycouldhearPaintedJaguarrupanddownamoreesandthebushesbythesideoftheturbidAmazon,tillhisMummycame.
Son,son!saidhismothereversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,whathaveyoubeendoingthatyoushouldnthavedone?
Itriedtosethingthatsaiditwaobescoopedoutofitsshellwithmypaw,andmypawisfullofper-ickles,saidPaintedJaguar.
Son,son!saidhismothereversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,bythepricklesinyourpaddy-pawIseethatthatmusthavebeenaHedgehog.Youshouldhavedroppedhimintothewater.
Ididthattotheotherthing;andhesaidhewasaTortoise,andIdidntbelievehim,anditwasquitetrue,andhehasdiveduheturbidAmazon,aeupagain,andIhaventanythingatalltoeat,andIthinkwehadbetterfindlodgingssomewhereelse.TheyaretoocleverourbidAmazonforpoorme!
Son,son!saidhismothereversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,nowattendtomeandrememberwhatIsay.AHedgehogcurlshimselfupintoaballandhispricklesstickouteverywhichwayatohisyoumayknowtheHedgehog.
Idontlikethisoldladyolebit,saidStickly-Prickly,uheshadowofalargeleaf.Iwonderwhatelsesheknows?
ATortoisetcurlhimselfup,Muarwenton,eversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail.Heonlydrawshisheadandlegsintohisshell.Bythisyoumayknowthetortoise.
Idontlikethisoldladyatall--atall,saidSlow-and-SolidTortoise.EvenPaintedJaguartfetthosedires.Itsagreatpitythatyoutswim,Stickly-Prickly.
Donttalktome,saidStickly-Prickly.Justthinkhowmuchbetteritwouldbeifyoucouldcurlup.Thisisamess!ListentoPaintedJaguar.
PaintedJaguarwassittingonthebanksoftheturbidAmazonsugpricklesoutofhisPawsandsayingtohimself--
tcurl,butswim--
Slow-Solid,thatshim!
Curlsup,buttswim--
Stickly-Prickly,thatshim!
HellneverfetthatthismonthofSundays,saidStickly-Prickly.Holdupmy,Slow-and-Solid.Imgoingtotrytolearntoswim.Itmaybeuseful.
Excellent!saidSlow-and-Solid;andheheldupStickly-Pricklys,whileStickly-PricklykickediersoftheturbidAmazon.
Youllmakeafineswimmeryet,saidSlow-and-Solid.Now,ifyoulacemyback-platesalittle,IllseewhatIdotowardscurlingup.Itmaybeuseful.
Stickly-Pricklyhelpedtouoisesback-plates,sothatbytwistingandstrainingSlow-and-Solidactuallymaocurlupatiddyweebit.
Excellent!saidStickly-Prickly;butIshouldntdoanymorejustnow.Itsmakingyoublatheface.KindlyleadmeintothewateronceagainandIllpracticethatside-strokewhichyousayissoeasy.AndsoStickly-Pricklypracticed,andSlow-Solidswamalongside.
Excellent!saidSlow-and-Solid.Alittlemorepracticewillmakeyularwhale.Now,ifImaytroubleyoutounlacemybadfrontplatestwoholesmore,Illtrythatfasatihatyousayissoeasy.WontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!
Excellent!saidStickly-Prickly,allwetfromtheturbidAmazon.Ideclare,Ishouldntknowyoufromoneofmyownfamily.Twoholes,Ithink,yousaid?Alittlemoreexpression,please,anddontgruntquitesomuch,orPaintedJaguarmayhearus.Whenyouvefinished,Iwanttotrythatlongdivewhichyousayissoeasy.WontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!
AndsoStickly-Pricklydived,andSlow-and-Soliddivedalongside.
Excellent!saidSlow-and-Solid.AleetlemoreattentiontoholdingyourbreathandyouwillbeabletokeephouseatthebottomoftheturbidAmazon.NowIlltrythatexerciseofputtingmyhindlegsroundmyearswhichyousayissopeculiarlyfortable.WontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!
Excellent!saidStickly-Prickly.Butitsstrainingyourback-platesalittle.Theyarealloverlappingnow,insteadoflyingsidebyside.
Oh,thatstheresultofexercise,saidSlow-and-Solid.Ivenoticedthatyourpricklesseemtobemeltingintooher,andthatyrowingtolookrathermorelikeapinee,andlesslikeachestnut-burr,thanyouusedto.
AmI?saidStickly-Prickly.Thatesfrommysoakingier.Oh,wontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!
Theywentonwiththeirexercises,eachhelpiher,tillmcame;ahesunwashightheyrestedanddriedthemselves.Thentheysawthattheywerebothofthemquitedifferentfromwhattheyhadbeen.
Stickly-Prickly,saidTortoiseafterbreakfast,IamnotwhatIwasyesterday;butIthinkthatImayyetamusePaintedJaguar.
ThatwastheverythingIwasthinkingjustnow,saidStickly-Prickly.Ithinkscalesareatremendousimprovementonprickles--tosaynothingofbeingabletoswim.Oh,wontPaintedJaguarbesurprised!Letsgoandfindhim.
ByandbytheyfoundPaintedJaguar,stillnursinghispaddy-pawthathadbeenhurtthenightbefore.Hewassoastohathefellthreetimesbackwardoverhisownpaiailwithoutstopping.
Go!saidStickly-Prickly.Andhowisyourdeargraummythism?
Sheisquitewell,thankyou,saidPaintedJaguar;butyoumustfivemeifIdonotatthisprecisemomentrecallyourname.
Thatsunkindofyou,saidStickly-Prickly,seeingthatthistimeyesterdayyoutriedtoseoutofmyshellwithyourpaw.
Butyouhadntanyshell.Itrickles,saidPaintedJaguar.Iknowitwas.Justlookatmypaw!
YoutoldmetodropintotheturbidAmazonandbedrowned,saidSlow-Solid.Whyareyousorudeandfetfulto-day?
Dontyourememberwhatyourmothertoldyou?saidStickly-Prickly,--
tcurl,butswim--
Stickly-Prickly,thatshim!
Curlsup,buttswim--
Slow-Solid,thatshim!
ThehcurledthemselvesupandrolledroundandroundPaintedJaguartillhiseyesturrulycart-wheelsinhishead.
Theofetchhismother.
Mother,hesaid,therearetwonewanimalsinthewoodsto-day,ahatyousaidcouldntswim,swims,ahatyousaidcouldntcurlup,curls;andtheyvegonesharesintheirprickles,Ithink,becausebothofthemarescalyallover,insteadofonebeingsmoothaherveryprickly;and,besidesthat,theyarerollingroundandroundincircles,andIdontfeelfy.
Son,son!saidMuareversomanytimes,graciouslywaviail,aHedgehogisaHedgehog,andtbeanythingbutaHedgehog;andaTortoiseisaTortoise,andeverbeanythingelse.
ButitisntaHedgehog,anditisntaTortoise.Itsalittlebitofboth,andIdontknowitspropername.
Nonsense!saidMuar.Everythinghasitspropername.Ishouldcallit"Armadillo"tillIfoundouttherealone.AndIshouldleaveitalone.
SoPaintedJaguardidashewastold,especiallyaboutleavingthemalothecuriousthingisthatfromthatdaytothis,OBestBeloved,hebanksoftheturbidAmazonhasevercalledStickly-PricklyandSlow-SolidanythingexceptArmadillo.
ThereareHedgehogsandTortoisesinotherplaces,ofcourse(therearesomeinmygarden);buttherealoldandcleverkind,withtheirscaleslyinglippety-lappetyoheother,likepine-escales,thatlivedonthebanksoftheturbidAmazonintheHighandFar-OffDays,arealwayscalledArmadillos,becausetheyweresoclever.
Sothat;allright,BestBeloved.Doyousee?
IVEneversailedtheAmazon,
IveneverreachedBrazil;
ButtheDonandMagdelana,
Theygotherewhentheywill!
Yes,weeklyfromSouthampton,
Greatsteamers,whiteandgold,
GorollingdowntoRio
(Rolldown--rolldowntoRio!)
AndIdliketorolltoRio
SomedaybeforeImold!
IveneverseenaJaguar,
anArmadill
Odilloinginhisarmour,
AndIsposeIneverwill,
UnlessIgotoRio
Thesewoobehold--
Rolldown--rolldowntoRio--
RollreallydowntoRio!
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