Cobwebs from an Empty Skull

Three animals on board a sinking ship prepared to take to the water.  It was agreed among them that the bear should be lowered alongside; the mouse (who was to act as pilot) should embark upon him at once, to beat off the drowning sailors; and the monkey should follow, with provisions for the expedition—­which arrangement was successfully carried out.  The fourth day out from the wreck, the bear began to propound a series of leading questions concerning dinner; when it appeared that the monkey had provided but a single nut.

“I thought this would keep me awhile,” he explained, “and you could eat the pilot.”

Hearing this, the mouse vanished like a flash into the bear’s ear, and fearing the hungry beast would then demand the nut, the monkey hastily devoured it.  Not being in a position to insist upon his rights, the bear merely gobbled up the monkey.

[Illustration]