Book 3-Lesson 04

LESSON 4
TIT FOR TAT
A BOY was one day sitting on the steps of a door. He had a broom in one
hand, and in the other a large piece of bread and butter, which somebody had
kindly given him. While he was eating it, and merrily(1) humming(2) a tune, he
saw a poor little dog quietly sleeping not far from him. He called out to him,
"Come here, poor fellow!"
The dog, hearing himself kindly spoken to, rose, pricked up his ears, and
wagged his tail. Seeing the boy eating, he came near him. The boy held out to
him a piece of his bread and butter. As the dog stretched out his head to take it,
the boy hastily drew back his hand and hit him a hard rap on the nose. The poor
dog ran away, howling most dreadfully,(3) while the cruel(4) boy sat laughing at
the mischief(5) he had done.
A gentleman, who was looking from a window on the other side of the
street, saw what the wicked boy had done. Opening the street door, he called him
to cross over; at the same time holding up a sixpence between his finger and
thumb.
"Would you like this?" said the gentleman.
"Yes, if you please, sir," said the boy, smiling; and he hastily ran over to
seize(6) the money.
Just at the moment that he stretched out his hand, he got so severe(7) a rap
on the knuckles, from a cane which the gentleman had behind him, that he
roared out like a bull!
"What did you do that for?" said he, making a very long face, and rubbing
his hand. "I didn't hurt you, nor ask you for the sixpence."
"What did you hurt that poor dog for just now?" said the gentleman. "He
didn't hurt you, nor ask you for your bread and butter. As you served(8) him I
have served you. Now, remember(9) dogs can feel as well as boys, and learn to
behave kindly towards dumb animals in future.(10)"

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(1) Merrily, in a happy way.
(2) Humming, singing without words.
(3) Dreadfully, very much; full of fear.
(4) Cruel, unkind; wicked.
(5) Mischief, naughty trick.
(6) Seize, lay hold of.
(7) Severe, sharp; sore.
(8) Served, did to; treated.
(9) Remember, keep in mind.
(10) Future, time to come