They
render the brief intervals of peace almost endurable to both parties.
But the difficulty is, there are so many excellent reasons why these
relatives should live in peace, that they won't have time to state
them all before the next fight."
CII.
A woodpecker, who had bored a multitude of holes in the body of a dead
tree, was asked by a robin to explain their purpose.
"As yet, in the infancy of science," replied the woodpecker, "I am
quite unable to do so. Some naturalists affirm that I hide acorns in
these pits; others maintain that I get worms out of them. I
endeavoured for some time to reconcile the two theories; but the worms
ate my acorns, and then would not come out. Since then, I have left
science to work out its own problems, while I work out the holes. I
hope the final decision may be in some way advantageous to me; for at
my nest I have a number of prepared holes which I can hammer into some
suitable tree at a moment's notice. Perhaps I could insert a few into
the scientific head."
"No-o-o," said the robin, reflectively, "I should think not. A
prepared hole is an idea; I don't think it could get in."
MORAL.--It might be driven in with a steam-hammer.
CIII.
"Are you going to this great hop?" inquired a spruce cricket of a
labouring beetle.
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