piccolissima by follen, eliza lee cabot, 1787-1860

8/14/2019 Piccolissima by Follen, Eliza Lee Cabot, 1787-1860

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PICCOLISSIMA

BY

MRS.FOLLEN

WithillustrationsbyGammattBillingsandothers

PREFACE.

ThislittlestoryIhavetranslatedfromtheFrenchofMademoiselle

Montgolfier.IfchildrenenjoyitasmuchasIhave,andthinkitaspretty,theywillnotregretthatIhavepreferredittoanythingIcouldwriteforthem.

MademoiselleMontgolfiersaysinherprefacetothelittlebook,"Notwithstandingthefancifulcharacterofthisstory,itis,infact,simplyalittlelessoninNaturalHistory,"andthat"shewouldengageforthetruthofallthatPiccolissimarelatesofthemannersandcustomsoftheinsectswithwhomshemakesacquaintance."

Itmayalsointerestouryoung,and,perhaps,ourmoreadvancedreaders,toknow,thatMademoiselleMontgolfieristhedaughterof

thecelebratedMontgolfierwhoinventedballoons,andmadethefirstascension.Ihad,wheninFrance,thepleasureofseeingthisveryinterestinglady,andknowheraffectionforchildren;andIamsurethatitwillpleasehertoknowthathertinynaturalistiswelcomedbytheAmericanchildren.IthereforefeelaparticularpleasureinintroducingthewonderfullysmallPiccolissimatotheiracquaintance,andrecommendinghertotheiraffectionateregard.

E.L.F.


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BROOKLINE,October,1857.

PICCOLISSIMA.

Piccolissimawasdescendedonthefather'ssidefromthefamousTomThumb,sowellknowntoallchildren.Onthemother'sside,herlineagewasnolessdistinguished.MignonetteLittlepin(thiswasthefamilynameofMadamTomThumb)wasthegreatgranddaughterofthewonderfulPrincess,whooncelodgedinaspectaclecase,outofwhichshecamesosplendidlyattiredthatthebrilliancyofherlittlepersonilluminatedallsurroundingobjects.AtrustworthybiographertellsusthatnothingoccurredinthehistoryofMr.andMrs.TomThumbtodisgracetheirillustriousparentage,andtheywereconsiderednonethelessgoodcitizensbecausetheywererathersmallerthanotherpeople.

Inthemeanwhile,however,ourhumblecouplebecamesuddenlycelebratedbythebirthofourheroine;thissmallcreaturewassodelicate,soexquisite,sopretty,andsolivelyandfullofspirit,thatfromtheageoftwoyearsshebecametheobjectofgeneral

admiration.Shewasnotmorethanoneinchinheight,andhermother,whohadpreparedthecradleandbabylinenforachildoftheusualsize,waspuzzledtoknowwhattodo.Finally,thehalfofacocoanutshell,lined,andfurnishedwithsoftcushionsofthistledown,madeagoodbedforthelittlewonder;andthenurserymaid,wifeofaneighboringclockmaker,andapersonofingenuity,conceivedtheadmirableideaofsuspendingthecocoanutcradlefromthependulumofagreatclock,inorderthattheinfantmightberockedallthetime.MadamTomThumbwasenchantedwiththeinvention.Sheadheredtotheold-fashionednotions,andcouldnotsupposeitpossiblethatherlittleonecouldsleepwithoutrocking.Whatthegoodlittlemotherfoundthemosttroublefrom,intheextremesmallnessanddelicacyofthelimbsofhernew-borndoll

baby,wastheimpossibilityofswathinganddressingit.Soshewasforcedtoresignherselftodoingasthebirdsdo,andbringupherlittleoneonabedofmossanddown.Shehardlydaredtoputuponthelittlearm,smallerthanherownlittlefinger,alittleshiftmadeofthefinewhiteskinoftheinsideofaneggshell.Thebootsofthelittleonehadsolescutoutoftheinsidehusksofthecorn;apoppyleafmadeheranamplebonnet.Thespider'swebwhichthedewwhitens,andthewindwindsupinballs,seemedtoocoarsetooweavehersheetswith,andthecupofanacornwasbigenoughforPiccolissima.Herparentsobtainedallherwardrobe,andallthesmallfurnitureforherusefromthosethousandsofskilfullaborers,soadroit,andyetofwhomwethinksolittle,whohidethemselvesinallthewalls,intheleavesofthetreesturnedup

likehorns,underthebarkofthetrees;inshort,thatarefoundinallthecornersandcrevicesofcreation.

Mr.andMrs.TomThumbwerenotpeoplewhocouldbeastonished.Simplethemselves,everythingappearedsimpletothem.Mrs.Mignonettewasatfirstalittledisconcertedatfindingthatadrawerofbabylinenwhichshehadtakensomuchpainstomakewasofnouse,andthatoneofthestockingswhichshehadknitwasbigenoughforherchildtogetinto.But,whenshewasconvincedthatthebabycoulddojustaswellwithoutstockings,andthatthe


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cushionsofthistledownweresufficienttokeepitwarm,shewasnolongertroubled,andshesaidtoherneighbors,whowereeagertoseeherlittlewonder,"Itisverynaturalthatthelittleoneshouldbesoverydelicate;fromthefirstwecalleditPiccolissima;then,neitherMr.TomThumbnorIareverylarge;andIamtoldthatourancestorswerestillmoredelicatelyformed;whatthenismorenaturalthanthatthislittleoneshouldbesuchaweeweething?"

ThetranquillityofMrs.TomThumbhadthisgoodeffect;itappeasedthecuriosityoftheneighbors.Atlast,likeher,theycametotheconclusion"thatitwasverynaturalthatthechildwassmallerthanthemother."andallwentonasusualaroundourheroine,whileshewasquietlyrockedbythepassinghours,andwasamusedwiththesoundofthesilverclockbell.When,however,Piccolissimawastwoincheshigh,andlivelyasagrasshopper,shebecamerestlessinhercocoanutshell;shewasdesiroustogetoutofit,towalk,andtojump,andshenotonlyderangedtheclock,butshewasinrealdanger.

Shewasnowasmuchassevenyearsold,andsheamusedherselfwithallsortsoflittlepranks,andlovingways,withoneofherbrotherseighteenmonthsold.Thegreatboy,inasortofecstasyatsomeofthedrolleriesofhislittlesister,seizedherandputher

inhismouth,takingintoitnearlythewholeheadofthepoorlittlething.HercrywassoshrillthatthebabyboyopenedhisjawsandlettheunfortunatePiccolissimafallonthefloor.Shedidnotrecoverforalongtimefromthisfall.Anothertime,alargecat,agreatmouser,ranafterher,anditwaswithdifficultytheyrescuedPiccolissimafromtheclawsofRaminagrobis.Thefather,Mr.Thumb,couldnotrepresssomeanxietyaboutthefateofhisamiabledaughter,whohadmorethancommonintelligence,andwho,byherextremesmallness,wasexposedtosomanydangers.

Piccolissimadidherbesttoacquireknowledge.Shehadthebestintentionsintheworld;shedesiredineverythingtopleaseallwhoapproachedher;butherextremerestlessnessledherawayin

spiteofherself.Oneeveningshelostherselfinthesolitudeofadrawerinwhichwaskeptsometobacco;shecameneardyingfromtheeffectofit.Onceshewasneardrowninginasuperbsaladdishoffrothedeggs,whichshemayhavetakenforsnowmountains.Shehadapassionfordiscovery,shehadaprodigiousactivityofmindandbody,andyettheycouldfindnothingforhertodo,"because,"theysaid,"sheissolittle,sodelicate."Shecouldnotplaywithchildrenofherownage,shewasnotallowedtorunabout,andwithoutobject,withoutemployment,withoutmeansofstudying,withnocompanions,nosympathy,thepoorlittlethingwasindangeroffallingintoastateofapathy,moretobefearedthantheaccidentsfromwhichtheywishedtopreserveher.

Oneday,towardstheendofFebruary,Piccolissimahadbeenplaceduponthemantelpiece.Hermotherhadgoneout;herfather,whodidnotwishtohavethetroubleofwatchingoverallhislittledaughter'smovements,seatedheruponapincushioninwhichtherewerenopins,andputtingthedictionaryasasortoframpartbeforeher,hegaveherastickofbarleysugartoentertainherselfwith,andaftertheusualadmonition,lefthertoherdreams.Leavingthesugartoslipdownbyherside,sheremainedlostinmelancholyreflectionsfromwhichshewasdrawnbyalightmurmur,suchasonehearssometimesinthesilenceofthenightwhenpersonsare


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speakinginalowvoiceinadistantpartofthehouse.Piccolissimalistenedwithdeepattentionforsometime.Usuallyshedislikedthesoundofconversation;itstruckharshlyonherorgans,andseemedasortofmimicthunder;butthesesoundshadnothingdiscordant,nothingdisagreeableinthem,toherear.AsPiccolissimahadbeenforcedtoobserveratherthantoact,herfacultiestookanewdirection,andadevelopmentofwhichshewasunconsciousherselftookplace,andherjoyandhersurpriseweregreatwhenshefoundthat,inwhathadatfirstappearedtoheraconfusedmurmur,shedistinguished,asshelistenedattentively,intelligiblewords.

"Itwashardlyworthwhile,"saidasmall,sharpvoice,"itwashardlyworththetroubleitcostmetoleavemycradle.Ihavecomeintotheworldwhereallisdeadaroundme.Ah!ifIhadonlyknownthatthisworldwassocoldanddull,Ishouldnothavemadeeffortswhichalmostdestroyedme,tobreaktheroofandleavemynarrowhouse."

"Patience,"repliedanothervoice,alittlequieter,butmuchliketheother;"Ihavelivedlongerthanthou,whoartonlyafewsecondsold.Ihavelearnedthatoneminutedoesnotresembleanother;thatcoldisneartoheat,thatlightisneartodarkness,andthatsweetfollowsbitter.Itisnowtwohundredandtwenty-onethousand,sevenhundredandsixty-oneminutes,andtwenty-four

seconds,sinceIbrokemyshell.Thissun,whichyounowseesopaleinthedusk,glowedthenwithmorefervor,andsenteverywheremoreraysandsparklesthanIcancountsecondsinmylonglife.Iwasallwetasyouarenow--poor,helplessthing;butIturnedmyselftosomeofthosebrilliantrays,andmywingsdirectlybecamestrong,asyounowseethem,embossedandpaintedwithsevendifferent,changingcolors,reflectionsoftheraysofthesun.See!thereisoneoftheseraysnow;comeforth;spreadthymoistwing,alreadyshrunkandchill;thoushalttakethypartintheblessingswhichcomefromonhigh."

Piccolissima,allattentionandfullofcuriosity,lookedaroundher,andsawcomingoutfromthewindowframetwoflies,who

appearedtobetalkingtogether.Thewingsofoneofthemremainedstucktogetheronitsback,anditmadeagreatefforttoextendthem.Delightedatthediscoveryofcompanionsinhersolitude,companions,too,whoselanguageshecouldunderstand,Piccolissimawaseagertomaketheiracquaintance;sosheofferedthemherstickofcandy.Oneoftheflies--itwastheelder--havingfixeduponthelittleprodigyoneofthethousandfacesofhisbrown,sparklingeyes,surroundedwithgoldeneyelashes,hethenplaced,onebyone,hislittleblackfeetuponthestickofsugarcandy,stretchedforthhistrunk,andbegantosuckwitheagerness.

Piccolissimahadnowtimeenoughtocontemplateabeingwhoseorgansshethoughtwerelikeherownintheirweakness.Shefoundpleasure

inexaminingtheextraordinaryformofitsalmostcylindricalbody,dividedintothreeparts,andaheadwiderthanitwaslong,anirregularglobesurmountedbytwohorns,orantennae,astheyarecalled.Theeyesmostexcitedhercuriosity.Sheattemptedtocounttheirnumerouslittlefaces,soregular,sofinelycutintohexagons,morepolished,morebrilliantthandiamonds.WhenPiccolissimahadcountedonehundred,shedrewfromaverysmallbox,whichwasafamilytreasure,someminikinpins,andstuckoneofthemintothecushiononwhichshewasseated,intendingthustomarkeveryhundredthatshecounted;butshehadnotcountedthus


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halfathousand,beforeshefoundthatbreathandknowledgefailedher;intruth,shedidnotknowenoughofarithmetictocounttheeyesofafly.Intheveryfirstgroupwhichsheundertooktocount,thatontherightsideofthefly,shehadnotcountedasixteenthpart.Piccolissima,fromhereducation,resembledthefliesalittletoomuchtoboastofherperseverance.Soshegaveupherproject.

Whilebendinghersmallheadovertheseeyes,shedistinguished,atthebottomofthesecrystals,amovingdarkspot,andthousandsoflittlePiccolissimas,oneaftertheother,smileduponherfromtheselittlemirrors.O,wonderful!thesethousandsofcrystalgroupsoneachsideoftheheadwerenotall;atriangleofthreediamondscrownedtheforeheadofthefly.Piccolissimadidnotknowthenametheygivetothesesmalleyes,northatawriteronthesubjecthadsaid,thatthediademoftheflyoutshinesthatofqueens,butshecouldnotrefrainfromsayingaloud,"O,mylittlefriend,praytellmewhatyoudowithsomanyeyes?"

"WhatdoIdowiththem,indeed!why,Ilook,"answeredthefly,alittlevexedatbeingdisturbedinhisrepast."Aretherenotfingers,nails,pins,pincers,jaws,claws,beaks,whichmenacemeoneveryside?DoInotwanteyestoseeatadistance,andeyestoseenear?Anddoyounotknowthatmyheadisbetterputonthanyours,whichcannotturntoallpointsofthecompass?"

"What!canyoulookbehindyouwithoutturningyourhead?"repliedPiccolissima,withanairwhichprobablyappearedtotheflynotverysensible;for,shrugginguphisrightwingdisdainfully,hereturnedtohissugarcandy.

Afteralittlereflection,shelookeddownagain,andperceived,tohergreatastonishment,uponthestickofcandy,whichwasofanambercolor,adropofwater.Shewassure,however,thatshehaddonethecivilthingtotheflies,andgivenittothemfirst.How,then,wasthecandymoist?thoughtshe;butshedidnotdareagaintoaskquestionswhichexcitedsucharudebuzzinginreply.Sosherestedhertwolittleelbowsonherknees,andhersmallheadupon

oneofherhands,andcontinuedtoexaminethefly."Isithisnose?"saidshe,inalowvoice,(for,havingveryrarelyanyonetotalkwith,shehadahabitoftalkingtoherself,)"isithisnosethathestretchesoutthusuponmysugar?Ihaveheardpapasaythatthereareanimals,muchlargerthanhe,andwhichtheycallelephants,Ithink,whotakeupwiththeirnosesallthefoodtheyputintheirmouths,andthattheycallthisnoseatrunk.Perhapsthisisalittlepersonofthefamilyofelephants."

Piccolissimahadhardlyutteredthesewords,whenthefly,whoseantennaewerelongerthanusual,andwereturnedtowardsthelittleprattler,gavesuchaleapthatMademoiselleTomThumbtrembled.Thewingsoftheinsectfluttered,andmadealittlesharpnoise,which,

however,hadnothingterribleinit,andPiccolissimaperceivedthathercompanionwaslaughing.Itwasevidentthattheflymustlaughwithhiswings,becausehecouldnotlaughinanyotherway.Itwaswithhisantennaethathehadlistened;theyevidentlyservedhimasears;and,whenherecoveredhisgravity,heflewonthelittlegirl'shand,andbegantotalkwithher;thenPiccolissimaobservedhimmoreintelligently.

"Itappearstome,littlepet,"saidthefly,"thoumustbeverygreentocomparemydelicatetrunk,thisinstrumentsonicelymade,


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withtheenormousandcoarsecylinderuponwhich,inhotweather,Ihaveoftentravelled.HowcananyonesupposethatIhaveanyrelationshiptothedeformedandgiganticmonsterofwhichyouhavejustnowspoken?"

Piccolissimathoughtthatthelittlepersonwasnotwantinginvanity,and,whiletheflywastakingbreath,observedthatthetrunkhaddisappeared,andthattherewasnopossibilityofdiscoveringwhattheinsecthaddonewithit.Thelook,gloomy,andalittlesullen,ofthefly,recalledsomewhatthefunnymaskofaharlequin,andPiccolissimawasonthepointofshowinghowonelaughswiththelips,bylaughinginthefly'sface,whenthelatterforcedairslightlythroughthebreathingholeswhichopenunderthewings;thetwolittledoublescales,thewinglets,whichunfoldatbirth,begantovibrate;andPiccolissima,whojustnowremarkedthatthiswasthemethodthathernewacquaintancetooktoemitsounds,waseagertolistentowhathemightsay;soshemadeanefforttocommandherself,andbecameserious.

"Doyounotsee,withyourdullhumanintelligence,thatmytrunkisapump,ahollowtube,aninstrumentforsuckingwhichIstretchoutanddrawinatmypleasure?"

Whilespeakingthus,theflythrusthalfwayoutfromthecavityin

themiddleofhishead,justunderhiseyes,atrunkwithtwoorthreejointsinit;attheendwasanopeningliketwoblacklips,foldedover,withgroovesorlittlehollows.Thefly,thusurgedtoshowtheuseofhistrunk,or,moreprobably,forgettingthesequelofadiscourseuponwhichhehadenteredinsuchapompousstyle,flewuponthesugar,andsethimselfagaintosuckingit.

Piccolissimaagainobservedthelittledropsfallwhichshehadnoticedbefore.Itseemsthatthefly,beingonlyabletotakeupliquidsthroughhistrunk,wettedanddissolvedthesugarthathemightsuckitup.Itwasapleasantthingtoseehislipsswellout,andpress,handle,andknead,asitwere,theambersurfaceofthesugarinordertomakeitmeltsooner,andenablehimtodrawitup

faster.Afterhavingexaminedalltheseproceedingsforsometime,withgreatamusement,thelittleapprenticenaturalistcriedout,"Well,mylittleguesthasaremarkabletalentforeatingbarleysugar."

Theotherfly,timid,wet,andwithhiswingsfolded,sothatheseemednaked,remainedbehindupontheframeofthewindow."Come,poorlittlewetchickenasthouart,"criedtheelderfly;"thouwastcomplainingjustnowofhavingfoundinlifeonlydiscomfortandcold;dostthounotseetheseraysofthesun?dostthounotperceivetheperfumeofthisdeliciousfood?"Theyoung,inexperiencedflywasdisposedtotakePiccolissima,thedictionary,andthebarleysugarforachainofmountains.However,whenthe

littlegirlturnedhergentle,child-likefacetowardshim,theinsectfeltthepleasantwarmthofherbreath;itreanimatedhim,andgavehimcourage,andwithoneboundheflewuponthearmofPiccolissima.Withasuddenfamiliarityhemurmuredinalowvoice,"Artthou,perhaps,aneldersisterofmine?Thouwarmestme.Artthouplacedinthesuntostrengthenthywings?Relatetome,quickly,thymetamorphosiswhilstIdrymyself.Letussee,hastthoubeenacaterpillar,aworm?Howmanyfeetdidstthouoncehave?Iwilllayawagerthoudidstnothaveany.Forme,Ihadthreerowsoffeet,forty-twoinall,atleast.Come,then,speak,andtellme;


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answermyquestion."

UsuallyPiccolissimadidnotrequiretobeurgedtospeak;butthesequestionswereofsuchanextraordinarynature,sounexpected,thatthelittlegirlremainedsilent."WhetherIhavebeenacaterpillaroraworm?Aqueerquestionatthecommencementofanacquaintance."

Inthemeantimethequestionerwassilent.Occupiedwiththecomfortofexposingallhislittlepersontothesun,heextendedhiswings,which,intersectedwithnerves,becameeverymomentmoresubstantial,withoutlosinganyoftheirdelicacy.Thistransparentnetwork,dividedlikestainedglasswindows,bydarklines,resembledisinglass,sometimesdecomposingthesun'srays,andshowingthecolorsoftherainbow.

Theheadoftheinsect,asitdried,becameshinylikesatin;theeyes,ofareddishbrown,glowedinacircleofsilver.Overalittlejetband,onthetopofhishead,threelittlesofteyespeepedoutlikethosewhichtheyoungobserverhadalreadynoticedintheotherfly.Thebrowntrunkofthisoneseemedmoredelicate;hisbronzecorselet,reflectinglikeemerald,wasgarnishedwithfinehairs,likethedownwhichthefreshmorningspreadsoverbeautifulfruits.Thebellyoftheinsect,whichshoweditselfbetweenandthroughthetransparentwings,wasofabeautiful

shiningblacksetoffbysixwhitecrescents,symmetricallyplacedontherightandleft.ThelegsappearedtoPiccolissimabrown,andverydelicate.Assheexaminedthem,sherememberedthattheyoungboasterhadvaunteditselfofhavingforty-twoofthem;andshewasuponthepointofventuringtoinquirewhathadbecomeofthesuperfluousones,whenthelivelyfly,findingitselfdryandstrengthened,raisedtwoofitslegsandexaminedthemveryclosely,andcrossingthemwithgreatdexterityrubbedthesolesofhisfeetoneagainsttheother.Piccolissimawastemptedsotocallthetwoballsoffleshcoveredwithhair,andarmedwithtwonailswhichterminatedthefootbones.Thefly,havingcleanedhisbrushesorsponges,--fortheywereasmuchlikeoneastheother,--employinghistrunkveryskilfully,begantorubthemoverandunderhis

wings,andoverhislittleface,hiseyes,andhisantennae.Hecombed,brushed,sponged,andcleanedhimselfallover.Hardlyhadhefinishedonesidebeforehebeganupontheother,usingthoseofhissixfeetwhichwerethemostconvenient.Atlast,heseemedwearyofbeingwatchedbyPiccolissima;and,shakinghimself,hejustgrazedtheeyelidsofthelittlegirlwithhiswings,andallofasuddenflewaway,andalightedonthewindowpane,wherehemarchedbackwardandforwardwithhisheadnowup,andnowdown,quiteindifferenttothelawsofgravity.

Piccolissimafollowedhimwithhereyeswithlesssurprisethancuriosity;notbeingabletocontainherselfanylonger,shedeterminedtospeaktotheoldfly.

"Howdoesyourcompanioncontrivetowalkwithhisheaddowninthatway?"

Theoldfly,satiatedwithsugar,turnedhalfroundtotheright,andwithonespringplacedhimselfoppositethelittlegirl,andstaredatherwithsuchastupefiedlook,thatPiccolissima,althoughhergoodsenserefusedtobelieveit,thoughtforamomentthatthetenortwelvethousandeyeswereallfixedonher,forgetting,inherconfusionatbeingthusstaredat,thatthough


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eacheyehadthousandsoffacestomirrorallsurroundingobjects,stilltherewasbehindthemallonlyonepowerofseeing,onlyonefly.

"Whatmattersit,inthenameofallthatissweetintheworld?Ofwhatconsequenceisit,whenonewalks,whethertheheadisononesideortheother,upordown?Poorinfirmcreaturethatthouart,"saidthefly;"dostthouseeanydifference?"

Piccolissima,somewhatmortifiedathavingalwayswalkedwithherheadupward,remainedstupenedandsilent.Itseemsnecessary,thoughtshe,thateverysurface,inwhateverdirectionitisplaced,shouldhavethesamepowertoattractandsupportthefeetofthefliesasthegroundandthefloortoretainmine.

Ignorantasshewas,thelittlegirlhadnotyetheardofthegummyliquidwhichthewiseoneshadatonetimesupposedtobeplacedinthespongesoftheflies,norofthevacuum,bymeansofwhichthelearnedofthepresentdaysupposetheselittlecushionscanadheretothemostpolishedsurfaces;andshehadnotyetseenfliesenoughtoformanyopinionforherself.

"Isee,"saidthelittlegirl,inasmallflutevoice,"thatyouknowmuchmorethanI;donotrefuse,then,toinstructme.Icannot

explainhowitisyouspeakandbreathe.Sinceyouhavekeptyourtrunkinitscase,Iperceiveaboveityourlipsclosed,andIdonotseethemmove."Piccolissima,fearingshemightbelaughedat,didnotdaretoadd,thatshehadsupposedthatthevoiceoftheflycamefromunderhiswings.

"Ispeakasallwell-formedpeoplespeak,"answeredthehaughtyinsect,"withfourvoices;"andfourpuffsofairissuedfromtheovalbreathingholesonbothsidesofhisbreast,givingatremulousmotiontohistwolittleegg-shellwings,histwobalancewings,andtherootsofhistwootherwings."Ibreathethroughtheseopeningsofmycorselet,andIhave,inordertoenablemetotakeintheinspiringairwhichwascreatedtobearmeup,asmanymouthsas

ringstomycorselet."

Hethenswelledoutwithaproudairhisbrownabdomen,whichseemedformedofringsofshell;andwhilehewasindulgingintheadmirationofhimselfandhispowers,thesharpeyesofPiccolissimadiscoveredthatthesecircleswerenot,asweshouldsay,solderedtogether,butwerelyingonaflexiblemembrane,orthinskin,whichheldthemintheirplace,andwhichwasfoldeduporextendedatthewilloftheinsect.Oneitherside,betweeneachring,therewasinthismembranealittleovalhole,smallerthanthosewhich,nearthecavitiesofthecorselet,emittedandmodulatedthebuzzingsoundwhichPiccolissimahadjustheard;theseopeningsenabledtheinsecttobreathe.

"Youhavemanywaysofspeaking,"thelittlegirlsaidatlast,withasigh;"butcoveredasyouarealloverwithbrilliantarmor,howcanyoutouchanything?"

Thefly,whowasatthismomentdigestinghisdinner,andwhodidnotlikeanyinterruptioninanyofhisaffairs,putforthhistrunkwithoutmakinganyreply,shookalittlethesmallbeardthatgrewuponit,didthesamewithhisantennae,roundedattheendslikelittlecushions,andfurnishedwithfeatheryhair;thenstretched


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forthhislegs,asifyawning.Piccolissimacomprehendedthatthetwolittlecushionswhichornamentedtheextremeendofthefootofthefly,inwhichshecountedfivejoints,mighteasilypossessthesenseoftouch,andthatthisalsorenderedthemmoreusefulformotion,andforthetoilet;itwaslikesomanyintelligentbrushes,allreadytoperceiveandsweepawaytheleastgrainofdust.Thelittlebeardsshealsothoughtmighthavethepoweroftaste,liketheantennae,atthesametimethattheylistenedtosounds.

"Thisyoungflyisdoubtlessyourson,"saidPiccolissimatotheinsectwhichhadtakenhisplaceonherneck,inorderthatthewarmthmighthelpdigestion,withoutaskingwhetherornothisnailsmightticklethelittlegirl.

"What!hastthounotseendirectlythatwewerenotrelations?butIseehowitis;Ipityyou,poorimperfectbeingwithonlytwoeyesandonemouth,andnotrunk,"answeredthefly."Itisnaturalthatthouhastonlyasuperficialknowledge.Thislittleupstartwhodevoursthesugarasifhedidnotmeantoleaveanyofitforanyoneelse,thislittleperson,whohasbutafewminutesagoescapedfromhisshell,yethangingtoadeadroseleaflongsinceforgottenasitlaythereonthewindow,hasnot,asIhave,fourbeautifulblackstreaksonhiscorselet.Thewhitespotsonhisbackoffendtheeye;Ipreferthemodestcolorofmybrownrings,andthesoft

shadeofthecolorofthefadedleafonaportionofmywingsdoesnotcontributelesstothemajestyofmyaspectthanthecoloredfeatherswhichornamentmyantennae.Asforme,Iamthedomesticfly."

"Iwaswrongnottohaveremarkedthedifferenceswhichstrikemenow,"saidthechild;"butwhatdoesthisyoungscapegracemeanbywhathesaysofmetamorphoses,andcountlesslegs?"

"Yes,yes;thatiswellknown;hisracelivesuponhairyprey;inmyopinionthereisnothingtoboastofinthat.Althoughthouknowest,itseemstome,veryfewthings,stillIthinkthouartnotignorant,ofcourse,thatparentsplacetheiroffspringwhereitis

best.Themotherofthisflyoftherosebushlaidheregginthemidstoftheflockwhichwastonourishherlittleone.Thisonecameintotheworldintheshapeofaworm."

"Whydostthoushudder?"grumbledangrilythefly."Thisformisasgoodasanyother;callthiswormlarvaifitsuitsthyfancy;hehasstilltoeachofhisfourteenringsthreelittlefeet;buthehasnotsuchelegantmembersasmine,ahaunch,athigh,aleg,andaninstepwithfivejoints."Whilespeaking,theoldflydisplayedpompouslyoneofhislegs,whichhebeganimmediatelytocaresswiththeedgeofhislips,becausehesawagrainofdustononeofthesmallhairs.

"But,"perseveringlyaskedPiccolissima,whowishedtohearthehistoryoftheflytotheend,"whoaretheselittleflocksinthemidstofwhichyourfriendhaspassedhisearlydays?"

"Theyarethelittleredorgreengrubswhichinfesttherosebush;thesehepiercesandgrindsupwithhisteeth,andsucksthemupwithhisstrangemouthoneafteranotherashemovesslowlyamongthemuponthoseforty-tworootsoffeet,ofwhichheissovain,forImaintainthattheycannotbecalledlegs,oranythinglikelegs."


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"You,then,"saidthelittlegirl,"havebetterformedmembers."

Thefly,whorememberedthathehadnotatallbetterlimbs,lookedsuddenlyweariedwiththeconversation,andshakinghiswings,flewawaytothewindow.

"Ofwhatcolorwereyouformerly?"askedthelittlegirlofheronlyremainingcompanion;"you,whoarenowofsuchaprettyshadeofbrilliantgreenandbronze?"

"Me!Iwasofaprettytendergreen.Wearyoflivingontheground,Itooktheresolutiontoretirefromtheworld.Ishutmyselfupinmyskin,whichsoonbecamehardenoughtoserveformyretreat.Myhousewascarried,Iknownothow,tothatspotnotfarfromyou;Iknownotwhatartificialheatactedonme.Icametothebeliefthatthetimehadcomeformetospreadmywings,andIuncoveredtheroofofmyhouseinorderthatImightknowwhathadbeendoneduringmyabsence.Theycallmetherosefly."

Ashefinishedsayingthesewords,thefly,quitesatisfied,joinedhiscompanioninthewindow.Piccolissimawasgrievedthatshecouldnotfollowthem;shelistenedattentivelytothenoisetheymadeinflying,andcoulddistinguishmusicaltones.But,fatiguedatlastbythislongtensionofhermind,graduallyherideasbecamevague

andwandering,herlittleblondheadfelluponherarms,andshedroppedasleepanddreamed.

Shedreamedthathertwonewfriends,theflies,returned,accompaniedbyaninnumerabletroopofwingedinsects.Eachonecarriedsomething,oneabladeofgrass,anotherastalkofaplant,anotherapetal,anotherapistil.Twolargebeetles,withimmensehornsortalons,draggedalongsmallbranchesloadedwithflowers,suchasPiccolissimahadneverseen.

Allthistroopsetthemselvestoworkandconstructedthemostcharming,thelightestlittleaerialcarthatonecanpossiblyimagine.Agreatfly,bristlingwithfinehairs,extendedfour

strongwings,andraisinghisvoice,invitedPiccolissimatomount,andatthesametimepolitelyofferedherhispaw.

Thelittlegirlacceptedtheinvitation,andfoundherselfimmediatelytransportedintothecorollaofabeautifulwhitelily.Thereshefoundathronepreparedforher.Veryskilfullittlepawslightlytickledherarms,andthenherfeet,inordertocallherattentiontothelaborsofinvisiblewaitingmaids,whowereaboutdressingherinarobeofwhitevelvet,cutoutofthepetalsofawhitecamellia,confinedroundthewaistbyaturquoiseclasp,borrowedfromthemyosotis.

Astamenofthelilyservedherforasceptre;shetookherseat;a

roseleafhungforacanopyoverherhead;thebellsofthelilyofthevalleyandthecampanulasentforththeirjoyouschime.Thebladdersennafilledtheairwiththenoiseofitsburstingpetards.Theartilleryofthepricklyfurzeplayedonbothsidesofthethroneasthenationsoffliesapproachedtopaytheirhomagetothequeen.

Tothecriesofvivat,utteredwithenthusiasm,Piccolissimarepliedbyinclininghersceptre;agoldenrainfellfromit,andwaseagerlygatheredupbythesurroundingcrowdsofhummingcourtiers,


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whoseshoutsandacclamationsfilledtheair.

Theyoungsovereignthenhadtoendurealongandgravediscoursefromafatdronebeewhodidnotunderstandhimself.

Erelongthelittlequeenlearnedthatherempirewasindanger.Dreadfulenemiesmenacedthefrontiers."Theyarespiders,"saidtheflies."Theyarethelarvaeoftherosebushes,"saidthegrubs."Theyaretheichneumons,"criedacrowdofwingedinsects.

Everyoneaccusedsomeotherone.Piccolissimadidnotknowwhattounderstand,butshehastenedtoarmherself.Twobees,asherbodyguard,placeduponherheadforhelmetaflowerofthesnapdragon.Twowasps,redoubtablehussars,broughtherforashieldapieceofthegoldbronzewingshellofabeetle.

Atlast,sheextendedherhandtoseizeherlance,whenaclapofthundershookthelily,dispersedthecourt,andthearmy,andPiccolissimaawoke,andfoundherselfinthehandsofhermother,Mrs.ThomasThumb,whosaid,verygently,"Tellme,dearlittleone,areyounotveryweary?"

"Itisstrange,"saidMr.TomThumb,somemonthsafter,"thatIalwaysfindnowmyballofsoapinitsrightplace."

"ItisbecausePiccolissimanolongerrollsitintothecornersforaplaything,"repliedMrs.TomThumb."Thelittlecreatureimproves--growsreallyintelligent."

"Iamgladofit,"said,alittlewhileafterwards,oneoftheeldersistersoftheminiaturewoman;"Iamnolongerobligedtohuntfromplacetoplaceformythimbleandmyscissorstheyarenowalwaysinmyworkbox."

"Thereasonis,Piccolissimadoesnotnowmakeawellofyourthimble,noraspadeofyourscissors,"answeredherbrother;"shehasbecometiresome;shenolongerfrisksaroundmewhenIreturn

home;shehasnolongeranydrollfancieswhichonceamusedmesomuch;sheisnowagenuinedoll;Ireallybelievethatthisminikinisputtingonairs."

"Holdyourpeace,Monsieur,"answeredthebusychambermaid,inascoldingtone,whileshecleanedtherunnelsofachair,uponwhichthefeetoftheyoungmanhadleftagoodportionofthesoilofthegarden;"IshouldliketoseethedaywhenyouareaswellbehavedasMademoisellePiccolissima.ItwasonceMademoiselleTouch-every-thing.Sixmonthsago,noonedaredtoleaveadrawerinthehouseopen;noweverythingremainsquietinitsplace;sheisneithermorenorlessthanareasonablebeing;sheisawaxenimage,Itellyou."

"DidIsayanythingelse,MadamScold?"answeredtheschoolboy;"sheisarealLiliputianstatue,fitfornothingbuttowatchthefliesfly.Ah!come,Piccola,Piccolissima!"hecriedtothelittleone,whowasbehindtheshutterofahalf-openwindow,absorbedinthecontemplationofagnatwhowasupthewindow,singingalittleairthroughhisnasaltrumpet,"tellus,Piccola,alittleofwhatthefliessaytoyou."

Piccolissima,whowasalwaysalarmedatabigvoice,trembling,


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turnedroundandstaredatherbrother,who,shoutingwithlaughter,madeapirouette,jumpedoverthebalcony,whichwasneartheground,intothegarden.

ThecomplaintsofPiccolissima'sbrotherwerenotquitewithoutfoundation;shehadbecomemorereflecting,moreobserving;shewaslessrestlessandlesscommunicative;moreamused,butlessamusing.Shedidnotdaretorepeattohersistersherconversationwiththeflies,lesttheyshouldlaughather,andshebecamemorefrequentlyoccupiedwithherownthoughts,andmoresilent.Hersilvervoicewasheardnolongerineverycornerofthehouse;shewasnolongerundereveryone'sfeet;thefragmentsofherdresswerenolongercaughtbythenailsinherbrothers'shoes,underthelegsofhersisters'chairs,orunderthecastorsofthefurniture;andhermother,whohadahabitofsaying,"Thislittlewildthinggivesmemoretroublethanallherbrothersandsisters,"saidnow,"Truly,ifshedoesnothelpme,shedoesnothinderme."AsforMr.TomThumb,wholovedtocompletearemarkbyaproverb,insteadofexclaiming,"Itisnotstrangethatshedoesnotgrow,--arollingstonegathersnomoss,"murmured,rubbinghishands,"WhoeverliveswillseewhatIhavealwayssaid:Itisonlyweedsthatgrowfast."

InordertoemploytheactivityofPiccolissima,herfatherhadatonetimegivenhersomepotsofflowers;foralongtime,nothing

cameofthem,forsheturnedovertheearthincessantly,andkeptlookingattherootstoseeiftheybegantosprout.Nowthatshenolongeraskedtenquestions,oneaftertheother,withoutwaitingforananswer,andthatsheleftherplantstogrow,andnolongertookthemuptolookattheirroots,shehadinhergarden,justunderthewindow,onefootofpotatoes,threefeetofhemp,abean,andastrawberryplant,inpots.Herbrother,injumpingoutofthewindow,hadbrokenoffsomeripestrawberries,whichthelittlegirlhadcherishedforhermother,andPiccolissimawentsorrowfullytoexaminethehavoc,andpickupthefruit.

Shenolongersupportedherselfupontheflexiblestalksofthenasturtiumsandtheconvolvulus,whichMr.TomThumbcultivated,and

whomorethanoncehadcomplainedatfindingthembroken.Shenolongerseatedherselfonthebranchesofthemignonette,andthenletthewindblowheratitswill,backwardsandforwards,adangerousandmonotonousamusement,whichsoonwearied.Now,withherelbowrestingontheedgeofthepotofstrawberries,undertheshadowofthePersianlilac,sheremainedincontemplation.

Sheobservedrunningaboutsomelittlecreaturesthatshehadneverseenbefore,andwhichappearedtohersowildthatshedarednotbeginaconversation.

"O,whatisthat?"shesaidatlast,stoopingdownandrestingherheadonherhand,andforgettingherlostharvestofstrawberries;

"hereissomethingverycurious.Theyaresmallerthantheflies.Amyosotiscouldaccommodateanumberoftheminitsdelicatecup;theirheadsarewiderthantheyarelong,andoneachsideIperceiveasortoffineleg,whichhasasortofelbow,andwhichtheinsectdoesnotuseinwalking;thebodyisinthreeparts,allofashiningblack;theheadhasthesetwothreads,whicharealwaysmoving,andwhichareofalightercolorattheends;thecorseletissmaller,rounder,andmorebrilliantthanthatoftheflies;andthebellyiscoveredwithblackscales.Buttheselittlebeaststrotaway,scamperawaysofastwiththeirnimblelegs,thatonecannot


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seethem.Whatdelicateformstheyhave!theymusthaveworncorsetswhentheywereyoung.Ah!thereisasortofknotinthisthreadwhichfastensthecorselettothebelly.Wait,littlefellow,waitwhileIlookatyoualittlenearer!"Thesmall,thinfingerofPiccolissimacaughtoneofthelittlecreatures,butshefoundsomedifficultyinholdinghim.

"Ah!atlastIhaveyou!"Sheheldbetweenherthumbandfingerthetwohindlegsoftheinsect,whostretchedhimselfoutstiffandwithoutmotion,justasifhewassittingforhisportrait.Shethensawabovethearmsandhandsofthehead,(thusshechosetocalltheantennae,)twoshiningeyes,liketwoblackbuttons--naturalistsdiscoverthreewithamicroscope."Hehasnotrunk,"saidPiccolissima,asshelookedataformidablemouth.Atthismoment,theinsectdisengagedoneofhislegs,andtwistinghimselfwithfury,andbitingthefingerwhichheldhim,heshowedtwojaws,whichworkedlikeapairofpincers.Piccolissimawasnotsufficientlyhardenedtonaturalhistory.Sheshookherhandviolently,andutteredacrythatbroughtherbrothertoherinamoment.

"Ha!ha!thegreatbody,"criedhe,ashesawthetrouble,andthecauseofit;"thisisnotaworthyenemy;itisonlyoneofthesmallestants.Whatwouldyousayifyouhadtocontendwiththe

herculeanwoodborer?Yourferociousanimalisonlyamodestfuliginosa,MadamPiccola;itisFormicafuliginosa,Latinwords,whichmeansoot-coloredant."

"IshouldmuchpreferthattheyshouldbecalledatoncebyanamethatIcouldcomprehend,'littleblackeys,'insteadoftheselongwords,thatitalmosttakesawayyourbreathtopronounce."

"Thisisbecauseyouareignorant,sister;butforthat,youwouldlovetheLatinnames,becausetheyaresofinesounding,andcanexpresssomanythings.Forexample,formica;canyouguess?O,no,youwillneverguess,"addedhe,withaknowingtone."Verywell!formicameanscrumbcarriers,becausethelittlecunning

beastscarryallsortsofknickknacks."

Piccolissima,whooncehadonlyfriskedandfrolickedaroundherbrother,andinwhoseeyesshehadbeenhithertoasortofamusingplaything,listenedtohimnowwithanairofintelligenceandsatisfaction,withwhichhewassecretlyflattered."Besidestheherculeanborer,"hecontinued,"thereisanotherantintheforests,muchlargerthanyourenemy,andwhobuildsmountains.Theycallhimrusa,whichmeansrusset.Itishewhoproducestheformicacid,apoisonwhichheshedswithhisabdomenintothebitewhichhemakeswithhismandiblesorjaws,whichmakesthewoundalittlered,andmakesititchandburnalittle."Hewasgoingontoaddthatmandibulasignifiedjawbone;abdomen,meantbelly.Hemight,

perhaps,whilehewasinthismood,havedeclinedallthesenouns,buthislittlesisterhadceasedtolisten;shewasfollowingwithhereyeafileofhersmallblackants,andshesawthemgoandcomeverybusilyuponasmallstickwhichsupportedheronlybeanstalk.DoubtlessthewindhadblownintoPiccolissima'sgardenoneofthewhitecottonytuftswhichenfoldtheseedsofthepoplar,foritwasayoungshootofpoplarwhichservedassupporttotheplant,andasagardenfortheants.Uponthewhitecottonystemwasanassemblageoftheselittleanimals,green,brown,yellow,andtransparent,allplump,singularlyalike,grave,immovable,likeaRomansenate.


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Certainactivelittlecreatureswithfineshapeswalkedamongthem,aroundthem,overthem,withoutappearingtohurtthem,ordisturbingtheirgravity.Theantscarriedtheireasymannersstillfarther;theystrucklightly,rapidly,alternately,withtheirtwoantennae,thebacksandthesidesofthesepeaceableanimals;theyevenwentsofarastoturnthemoverwiththeirforepaws,andallthewhiletheotherinsectsdidnotmove,andallowedthemtodoastheypleased.

"Look!look!"criedPiccolissima.

"Beautifullittlewonder,"answeredherbrother,"thesearegrubs,that'sall;andwhodoesnotknownowadays,thatthesearethecowsoftheants?"

"Theircows!"repeatedthelittlegirl;andsheremainedabsorbedinherexamination.Theantsstillcontinued,inaplayfulandirregularmanner,tostriketheirlittlecows,whosetrunksPiccolissimasawwerethrustintothebarkoftheaspen.Sometimesanantgavealittlekick,andalwaysonewasathand,withhisjawsextended,andhismouthopen,readytoreceiveadropofsirup,whichtheeyeofPiccolissimaatlastdiscoveredfallingfromtheextremityofthebodyofthegrub."Isee,Isee!"sheexclaimed;"itistheirwayofmilking.Othefunnylittlepastoralpeople!"

Whilstshewasinthisecstasy,theantwiththeendsofhisantennaetookthetransparentlittledropintohismouth;andthencarefullycleansedwiththebrushesofhisfeetthesugaredantennsewhichhadservedforforkandspoon,orratherforfingers.

"Ishouldliketotalkwithhim,"saidPiccolissima,asshesawtheantmakinghistoilet,"buttheseareaverysilent,averyreservedpeople;perhapstheyaredumb."

Theant,whohadjustswallowedthedropofsirup,nowquietlydescendedtheaspenwalk;hisbellywaswellstuffedandshining,andhestoppednowandthentorest,andwashhisface.Hemet,ashewentdown,anantwhowasascendingthepath.Thenewcomerran

uptohimastoanintimatefriend,assoonashesawhim,andeagerlystruckhimwithhisantennae.Themotionwasveryrapid;theantreturneditbyshakinghisantennae,butmoregently,andbyopeninghismandibles."Aretheygoingtodispute,andtobiteeachother?"thoughtPiccolissima.Notatall.Theantwhohadreceivedthesirupupontheendofhistongue,nowofferedalittledropofittotheonewhowashungry,whoreceivedituponhistongue,whilehecontinuedtocaresswithhisantennae,andevenwithhislittlepaws,thefriendwhoofferedit.ThejoyofPiccolissimawassogreatatthesightofthismutualkindness,thatshemadeoneofheroldleaps,andshookthefrailstalk.Immediatelytherewasaviolentcommotionamongtheants,whoingreatcrowdsblackenedtheendofthetwig.Theyranhitherandthitherinthegreatestterror,

strikingtheirantennaeoneagainsttheother.Manyofthemcaressedthegrubsmoreeagerly,inaviolentandimpetuousmanner,asiftourgethemtosomeexertion.Someofthegrubssubmittedtobetakengentlyintothejawsoftheants;others,withtheirtrunksinthewood,lookedasiftheyweretoolazytoconsenttomove.

Theywerehowever,atlast,(whethertheywouldornot,)allcarriedrapidlyaway.Eachant,loadedwithhercow,randownthetree,and,followingalittlenarrowpathintheground,reachedasmall,deephole,intowhichtheants,oneaftertheother,alldisappeared.


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"OMimi!OLinette!OFifine!"criedPiccolissima,runningfromherbrothertohersisters,"theyhavecarriedawayalltheircows.Eachanthashiscowbetweenhisteeth;oneholdsherbythebelly,theothersbythewings;comesee!comesee!"

"Cowswithwings!"criedtheastonishedlittlegirls.Mimi,whoknewallthis,startledhislittlesisterbysaying,"Thepetisright;shehasgoodeyes;therearemanygrubswithwings;come,come,mysmallsister,itappearstomethatyouarediscoveringmanythingsalreadyknown.Myladies,theants,oughttochooseyoufortheirqueen."

Thesameday,MadamTomThumb,whobegantofeelsomeconfidenceinthereasonofPiccolissima,carriedherintothegarden,tothegreatjoyofthelittlecreature.Itwasadeliciousplace;therewereinitlongcoveredalleys,andevenasmallwood,whereonemightenjoyasweetfreshnessintheheatoftheday.Aroundagreathall,coveredwithfoliage,wereseatsofsoftgreenmoss.ItwastherethatMadamTomThumbusedtoembroiderwithherelderdaughters;andtheresheplacedPiccolissima,allowinghertorunatlarge,onlyrecommendingtoherprudenceanddiscretion.

Thechild,whowasformerlyidleandwearyofeverything,wasina

fairwaytobecomeahappyyounggirl,thankstotheattentionshebegantogivetoeverythingshesaw,andtotheinterestwhichthewondersaroundherexcitedinhermind.Shewasenchantedwiththethousandplantswhichembellishedandcoveredtheearth,andformedinthesmallestfloweranobjectofadmirationwhichfilledhersoul.Verysoonshemetoneofthosebeingswhoexcitedinheralivelycuriosity,--anantmuchlargerthanthelittleblackonesoftheshepherdrace.Thefineantennae,thethreeeyes,thetopofthehead,thelegs,thebellyofthisonewereblackish,butlessglistening,anditwasbythesuperiorityofhisshape,abovemiddlesize,andaboveall,bythereddishcolorofapartofhisbody,thatPiccolissimarecognizedtherussetantofwhichherbrotherhadspoken.Theinsectcarriedverylaboriouslyasticktenortwelve

timesaslongashimself;ahillockofearth,whichhemetonhisroad,stoppedhimforsometime,andPiccolissima,whowaseagertohelphimthroughhisdifficulties,andwhowastormentedwithadesiretoenterintoconversationwithhim,tookitintoherheadtoassisttheinsect,andhopedthustorenderherselfagreeabletohim.Sheseizedoneendofthelittlerafterhewascarrying,andinatonewhichshetriedtomakeassoftaspossible,shesaid,"Willyouallowme,littleone,tohelpyou?"

Theant,clingingtotheearthwithhishindlegs,stoodupstraight,andthrewouthisantennaewithaterribleexpression.Piccolissimawassofullofkindfeelingthatsheneverthoughtofexcitinganyanger;shethoughtthatitwasonlyalittlestruggle

ofhispoliteness;thereforesheinsisted,takingfirmlyholdofthebitofwood,andrepeated,"Iassureyouitisapleasuretome,anditwillnotfatigueme."Forcedtoloosenhisburden,theantopenedhisjawsfullofformidableteeth,andadvanceduponPiccolissima,walkingonhishindlegs;thetwoothersstretchedoutinfront,aswellashisantennae,insignofdefiance;hisbodyallbent,exhalinganodorofvinegarsopungentthatPiccolissima,lettinggothelittlestick,ranawayasfastasshecould,sneezingviolently,andshuttinghereyes.Whensheopenedthemandreturned,thinkingtheantwasatherheels,shefoundherterribleadversaryhadagain


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seizedhisbigstickbyoneend,andhadsliditoverthelumpofearthbymeansofastone,whichservedhimasapointofsupport.Shesawhimsometimespushitbeforehim,andsometimesdragitafterhim,walkingbackwardstillhereachedtheflatground,whenhepursuedhiswayveryfast.

Piccolissima,whodidnotforgetthathermotherhadrecommendeddiscretiontoher,followedatadistance.Asshewentoncarefully,shesawlongtrainsofantsresemblingherenemy;eachoneofthemwaschargedwithaburdenmoreorlessheavy.Allofthemtooktheirwaytowardsamountainshapedlikeacone,fulloflittleopeningswhich,fromadistance,appearedtobesemicircularvaults;RomanarchitecturePiccolissimawouldhavethoughtifthemultiplicityofdetailsoflittlearchitecturalornaments,allofwoodwork,hadnotgivenhertheideaofanoldGothicfortress.Therapidandviolentmotionsofthewildmountaineersdidnotfrightenher;shewalkedupslowly,hardlytouchingherfeettotheearth,holdingherbreath,observingeverything,andshewassoonconvincedthatthislittle,busypeopletooknonoticeofher.Shecamenearerandnearertotheplacewheretwogreatroads,coveredwithants,terminated.Sheheardaconfusednoise,likethehumofagreatcity,orasthesoundoftherainamongtheleaves.

"Ithoughttheyspokeonlybysignswhichtheymakewiththearms

thatcomeoutoftheirheads,"saidPiccolissima,stillgoingnearer;"why,then,thisnoise?"

Thelittlegirlwassoonconvincedthatthisnoisewasproducedbythenumerousandbusyfootstepsofasolemn,austere,andpreoccupiedcrowdofants.Notawordwassaid,buteveryoneranratherthanwalked,andtheyseemedlikeathousandindividuals,allactuatedbyonepurpose.Supportedonthelowerbranchofachestnuttree,Piccolissimaplacedherselfalittlehigher,butverynearthecitadel,whichwasonelivingmountain.

Howcanwerelatewhatshesawthen?Itwouldtakevolumes.Therewouldbeasmanyhistoriesasindividuals.Herattentionwas

attractedbytheperseveranceofoneantwhocarriedaburden;byanotherwhowasstrivingtogetoversomeobstacle.Shesawthemfeedthosewhoarrivedladenandoutofbreath;shesawthosewhorepairedthedoors,whoopenedandshutthewindows,whichwerenotglazedlikeours;othersshesawassentinels,standingontheirhindlegs,chargedtowatchoverthegeneralsafety.Thebusiestcarriedintheirmandibles,caressedwiththeirlegsandtheirantennae,lickedwiththeirdelicatetongues,exposedtothesun,orcarriedquicklyintotheshadecertainwhiteballswhichPiccolissimatookatfirstforgrainsofwheat,becausetheyhadtheformandsize;butshewassatisfiedatlastthatthesewerethechildrenoftheantsinswaddlingclothes.Piccolissimawassoanxioustocomprehendthemysterioustalk,andthepantomimeofall

thisinnumerablecrowd,thatshebecameyetmoreattentive.Thenursescaressedwiththeirantennaeinapeculiarwaythoseeggswhichwerebeginningtoshowlife,andthelittleobserversawtheslightmovementoftheincompletebeingwho,assoonashewasbidden,raisedhishead,whichwasalmostimperceptibleeventomicroscopiceyes,toreceivetheofferedmouthful.

WhilstPiccolissimaobservedallthisnurserywork,anantcameandplacedbeneathher,inordertofillupasmallhole,asortofbundleoflittlesticks,whichrolledawayassoonassheleftit.


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Theanttookholdofitagain,carriedittoitsplace,andarrangeditsoastomakeitfirm;then,satisfiedwithherwork,shewentaftersomethingelsetodo.Shortlyafterthis,ahead,thensomelegs,thenhalfofthebodyofacaterpillarcameoutofthelivinglittlefagotwhichtheanthadmendedherhousewith.Itwasadeadleafinwhichanegghadbeenlaidandnicelyrolledupbytheparent,andwhichmyladyanthadtakenforabeam,orsomethingofthesort,andthevexedhermitscamperedaway,carryinghishousewithhim,notcaringatallfortheholewhichheandhishousehadbeenintendingtomend.

Muchamusedatthis,Piccolissimatriedtofindoutwhatagreatnumberofants,allwithburdens,werecarrying.Shewas,withpainfulastonishment,soonconvincedthatthesewerethecarcassesofallsortsofinsects."Itisanationofhunters,"shesaid,"moresavagethanthosewhichfeedtheirflocksonmyaspen."

Atthismoment,agreatantattractedtheattentionofthechildtowardsthelowerpartofthemountain.Anenormousgrubofthecockchaferrace,agreatwhiteworm,rolledhimselfover,tryingtoliberatehimselfandtocrushtheants,whosenumberincreasedoneveryside,andwhotoreoffhistransparent,softskin,andpulledhimineverydirection.Theyclimbedbackwardupthesideoftheircitadel,andinspiteofhisdesperatestruggles,carriedthepoor

insect,writhingwithtorture,tooneoftheirlittleairholes.Piccolissimasawuponhiswoundssomedropsofthesharppoisonthrownbytheseterriblehunters,andthecrowdsofantssoonhidthesuffererfromhereyes,whichshegladlyturnedawayfromsuchasight.

Withherheartoppressedwithfearandpity,thelittlegirlcollectedherstrengththatshemightglidedownfromherbranchandrunaway,whenasuddenalarmattractedawholesquadronoftheinsectstotheplacewhereshewasabouttoputherfoot.Sheimmediatelyregainedherplace,andtriedtounderstandwhatimportantandterriblenewswasbeingcommunicatedfromantennaetoantennae,drawingtogethersuchanumberofinsects,withtheir

frightfuljawsallopened.Thepenetratingodorreachedthefrightenedlittlegirl;presentlysheperceivedaverylargeant,nearlysixlinesinlength,veryblack,veryshining,doubtlessaHerculeswhowasdefendinghimselfagainstawholearmy.Hisenemiesfastenedthemselvesontoeachofhislegs,buthestillfought;abrownantjumpeduponhisbackandtriedtobreakhisbrilliantcuirass;another,withhisbodybentdouble,coveredhimwithpoison.TheHerculesstillfought.Atlast,threeofthefiercestoftheantsworkedwiththeirsharpteethuponthemiddleofhisbody,andatlastcuthimintwo.TheterribleheadoftheHerculesstillheldinhisjawstwoofhisdeadlyenemies.Piccolissimascreamed,andputtingherhandbeforehereyes,sheperhapswouldhavefallenintothemidstofthisnationofsavages,ifhermother,whowas

anxiousabouther,hadnottakenherinherarmsandcarriedheraway.

Fromthistime,Piccolissimabecameoneofthehappiestlittlecreaturesintheworld.Herbrother,insteadofconsideringheronlyasatoytoplaywith,begantorespecther.Shehadnomoreconversationswiththeflies,tobesure.Hermindgrew,andshelearnedthat,smallasshewas,shewassuperiortothebestinformedfly.Shestudiedthehabitsanddoingsoftheants,andlearnedagreatdealabouttheirdifferenttribesandnations.


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Sometimesherbrotherwouldtakehissister'stoiletcushionandputitonthetablebeforehim,andseatingPiccolissimauponit,saytoher,"Now,Piccola,dear,listenwithbothofyourlittleearstomybigwords,andIwillreadsomewonderfulstoriestoyou."OncehereadGulliver'sTravelstoher."O!"sheexclaimed,ashereadoftheLilliputians,"O,good!good!IamaLilliputian,andyouareallgreat,bigBrobdignagians.Whydidyounottellmethisbefore?"Soshebegantodanceandskipabout,likeajack-o'-lantern.Herbrother,whowasdelightedathergambols,whistledatuneforhertodanceby.PresentlyPiccolissimabegantosing,withhersmall,finevoice,thissong,whichshemadeasshedanced:--

Merrily,merrily,danceaway!Merrilylaugh,andmerrilyplay!ThoughIamatinything,Icandance,andIcansing;Icanhear,andIcansee;Idon'tcarewholaughsatme;Icanlearnallthingstoknow;Sosingmerrily,merrily,O!

Themorningwaslovely;theblueshadows,extendingoverthefields,madetheleavesofthechestnuttrees,wetwiththemorningdew,stillmorebrilliant.Agitatedbyalightbreeze,theyglistenedin

theraysoftherisingsun.Everybladeofgrasslifteditsdewyheadassoonasarayfelluponit,andeachinitsturnwascrownedwithitshaloofdiamonds.

Theflowers,insweetaccord,sentuptheirperfumetowardsheaven.Alreadythelarkhadsalutedthedaywithhisbrilliantsong,eternalhymn,everrepeated,neveromitted.Everylittlebirdsentuphisclearnoteandhisjoyoussongfromhisnest;theinsectswerebeginningtohum.Thesoundofthevoiceofman,slowtojoininthemorningprayerofthewholecreation,wasnotyetheardwhenPiccolissima,alreadyawake,enteredthegarden.

Shehadobtainedpermissiontodosotheeveningbefore.Her

mother'sconfidencehadincreasedwiththegrowingprudenceandgoodsenseofthelittlegirl;qualitieswhichahabitofobservationhastheeffectofstrengtheningrapidly.

Thechildwasdesiroustowitnessthemorninglaborsoftheants,andtoseehow,whenthedewhadpreparedtheirmortar,theybuilttheirlonggalleries.Theycommencedtheirworkatthetop,andPiccolissimawouldhavelikedtoseethemagainraiseandmaketheirwalls.Shewas,however,disappointedinherpurpose,eitherthattheearthdriedtooquick,asthesunwasnowhighabovethehorizon;orthetinyrepublicans,withsixfeet,wereemployedintheirinteriorhalls,inbringingouttheyoungants,andwerebusytearingofftheveilsofsilkwhichconfinedthelarvae,andin

developingthewingsofthemalesandfemales;or,whatevermightbethecause,theanthillsweredeserted.

Thelazyamazonsdidnotappear.Nowandthenasingleminermightbeseenwanderingaloneattheentranceoftheirsubterraneandwelling.

Seateduponapieceofturfneartheparterre,thelittlegirlfollowedwithhereye,allalongthestemofaplant,twoorthreebrownantswholedtheirflockofgrubstopasture,whenamurmuring


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soundnearher,whichseemedtospreadalloverthebedsofmignonette,attractedherattentiontosomelargeflies,ofadullcolor,whowhirledaboutamongtheflowers,dartingfromonetotheother,andseemedverybusy.

"Canthesebeanyofmyoldacquaintances?"saidshe;butshecouldnotbesatisfiedwiththisidea;thenewcomers,muchlarger,hadalsoaverydifferentphysiognomyfromthatofheroldfriends.Theyhadovaleyes,withanetworkoverthem;aprotrudingjaw;antennaeoftwelveolivescales,terminatedbyabutton.Theirbrowncorseletscoveredwithatawnyfur;theirbrilliantcuirasses,andtheirlegsofunequallength,--allthesethingsattractedtheattentionoftheyoungobserver.

Shesawthesefliesrollingthemselvesoverinthebosomoftheflowers,withajoyousactivitywhichamusedherverymuch,andthereasonofwhichshedesiredtounderstand.

Therewas,however,intheirappearanceandmanners,somethingrepulsivewhichpreventedfamiliarity.Eachoneofthemcausedtovibratefourgauzewings,twolargeandtwosmallones.Intheirrapidandmeasuredmotions,thesewingsproducedsound,andtheair,issuingfromlittlebreathingplacessituated,asinthecommonfly,oneachsideofthecorselet,producedasortofasong.

Asifattractedbythesong,theseinsectsflewinswarmstotheflower-bed.Verysoonitwasevidentthattheywereheavierwhentheywentawaythanwhentheycame.Twolarge,round,redandyellow,orrathergoldenballsloadedtheirbrilliantbrownthighs.Someofthemplungedintothebosomofalily.Raisingherselfontiptoe,Piccolissimakepttheminview.Shesawtheirslantingteeth,whichformedthepointoftheirtriangularhead,openandcloseliketwostrongpincers,andshakethetopsofthestamens.Shehadnevernoticedbefore,butnowsheperceived,attheendofthesixthreadsinthecentreoftheflower,asortoflittlegreenbox;thiswastheanther.Thesefliespresseditandpulledit,tillitopenedandscatteredaquantityoflittleyellowpellets,which

coveredtheinsectssothoroughly,thattheyandtheflowersseemedtohavechangedgarments,socompletelyweretheyclothedwithit.

Piccolissimacouldcontainherselfnolonger.Shecriedouttohersister,whomshesawcomingtowardsher:

"O,come,comequickly!Seethefliesputtingontheirballdresses,andmakingtheirtoiletinthecupofaflower."

Linette,stillatadistance,didnothastenhersteps,notwithstandingtheexclamationsofhersister;andbeforeshecame,Piccolissimawasconvincedthatthefliesdidnotthinkmuchoftheirbrillianttoilet.Shesawthempushoffalltheirfineryby

meansofthebrusheswithwhichtheirlegswerefurnished.Theseexcellentlittlesquarebrusheswereplacedontheirhindlegsmostly;theyhadbrownhornbacks,andshort,stiffhairs,rangedregularly.Thesebrushesdidtheirworksowell,thatinlessthanamomenteveryflyhadresumedhismodestlivery.

Butwhathadbecomeoftherichyellowpowder?TheinsecthadtakencaretobrushhimselfsorapidlythatPiccolissimacouldbutjustseethedusthehadcollectedpassfromonepartofhisbodytoanother,tillthewholecametothethirdpairofhislegs,andwas


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collectedtogetherinalittleovalcavity,surroundedbyathickcircleofskinwhichclosedinuponit.Everyflyusedhismiddlelegsafterwardtopressandrollupintohisbaskethislittlestore.

"Hastthouforgottenhowtowalkfasterthanasnail?"saidPiccolissimatohersister."Thesegreatflieswerejustnowdressedwithacloakofgold,andnowtheycarrytheirtoiletinabundle;lookatthethirdjointoftheirlargestlegs,whichtheyjointogetherandlethangbehindthemwhentheyfly."

"Nonsense!Iknowallaboutthem,"saidLinette,asshesawthemflyawaywiththeirburden;"thesearebeeswhomakehoney,suchasIhavebroughtyouforyourbreakfast;"andtheyounggirlputintohersister'shandadoublesliceofbreadandhoney.

Withoutnoticingherbreakfast,Piccolissimaeagerlytastedofwhatremainedoftheyellowdustofthestamensofthelily.

"But,Linette,"saidshe,"thisdoesnottastelikehoney."

"Verytrue;itisforthebeestoentitleittothatname,andnotforme.AllthatIknowis,thattheycallthemhoneybeesbecausetheymakehoney.Theyalsomakewax;andIhaveoftenseenthem

carryawaylittleballsofthedustofflowers.Whethertheymakeitafterwardsintohoneyorwax,istheirbusiness.Youhaveonlytoaskthem."

Piccolissimameanttodothisassoonasshehadcourage.Meanwhile,sherubbedinherfingersthedustofthelily,yellowedtheendofhernoseinsmellingofit,herlipsintastingofit,stillwithoutfindinginittheconsistencyofwax,orthetasteofhoney.

"Howdothefliesdoit?"saidshe."Ihavetastedatthebottomofthetubeofahoneysuckle,orofajasmine,somethingmorelikehoneythanthispowder."Whilespeaking,shewasgoingtoherbreadandhoney,whensheperceivedsomeonehadgotthestartofher.A

numberofbeeswereontheedgeofit,andweresobusilyemployedthatPiccolissimahadanopportunityofexaminingthemcloselywithoutfearofdisturbingthem.Itwasapleasuretoseethem.Fromundertheirchinsprotruded,asfarastheirteeth,alittlecaseofshell,openingwithtwolittleleaves,whenceprojectedasecondlittlecase,polishedandshining,halfopen,fromwhichwasthrustatransparenttongue,coveredwithhairs.Thistonguewasstretchedoutandplungedintothehoney,andwasthenmovedroundandroundandsoakedinit;soonitwascontracted,andnowagainitbecamelarger;theinsectseemedtoenjoyallthesevariousmovements.Throughthehairsandtheopeningpores,Piccolissimasawtheliquidascend;andbetweentheteethofthebee,aboveitsadmirabletrunk,shesawaprettylargemouthopentoreceivethehoney.

Thelittleobserverwaswillingtogiveupallherbreakfasttothelittlewingedgormandforthesakeofthesatisfactionshereceivedfromseeinghowhemanagedtoeat.

"Donotletallyourhoneybeswallowedbythosegreedyflies,"saidLinette,whowastheeconomistofthefamily.

"O,itisonlyjustthattheyshouldhavepart,iftheyhavemadeit,"saidPiccolissima,stillwatchingthem."Thesearelargerthan


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thoseotherbeeswhocarryawaythegoldenpowder.Aretheynotsatisfied?Howtheirantennaecomedown!Doesitnotseemasiftheyweretastingthustheperfumeofthehoneywhichtheirwonderfultrunksdrawup?"

"Theyarejustthesameflies;theybelongtoourneighborThomas;oneisnotlargerthananother.IhaveseenthemeversinceIwasborn.Idon'tseeanythingwonderfulinthem,"saidLinette."Itisbecauseyouaresolittlethatyouareastonishedateverything."

"OLinette,itistruethateverythingIseeseemstomeeverydaymorecurious.AllthatIlookatseemstogrowmorewonderfulandbeautifulasIlookatit;butsurelythesefliesthatareeatingmybreakfastarelargerthanthosethatareopeningtheboxesofsweetmeatsintheflowers.Ah,look!thereisonestillbiggerthantheothers,sofunny,sohairy,socross,andhescoldsandhumsallaroundthissweetpea."

"Thatisadrone;wemustchasehimaway;heisgoodfornothing;henevermakesanyhoney."AndLinettedroveawaytheshaggydronebee.

Justatthismoment,thegreedyflieswhowereeatingthehoney,andtheirmoretemperatecompanionswhoweregatheringtheharvestofthepollenoftheflowers,allflewawayatonce,asifbycommon

consent.

"Ah,youhavedriventhemallaway!"saidPiccolissima;andwithoutperceivingthattheskyhadcloudedover,shefollowedtheinsectswithhereyes.Presentlytherebegantofallsomelargedropsofrain.

"Itrains,itrains!thereisashowercoming,"criedLinette.

"Canitbethatthesecunningbeeshaveforeseenit?"askedPiccolissima.

"Whatthereisnoquestionofis,"saidLinette,"thatmypoorfrock

willbespoiled.Itisgoingtorainpitchforks.Therewillbewaterenoughtodrownyoubeforewereachthehouse,andyourmitesofshoeswillbelost;butcomealong.There,doyouthinktheleafofthatcabbagewilldoforashelterforyou?"

"Sorores,sorores!"saidathunderingvoice;andinamomentMimiwasbetweenhistwosisters,whomheshelteredunderalargeumbrella;takingupPiccolissimaandhidingherlittlefeetinhiswaistcoatpocket,andaskingashewenttowardsthehouse,whathadkeptheroutsolong.

"Iknowwhatyouhaveseen,"saidhe,withtheairofaprofessor."Insectsoftheorderhymenopteres;ifyoueverlearnGreek,

Piccolissima,youwillknowthatthatmeansinsectswithmembranouswings.ImaginewhatafinethingitistounderstandGreek.Everywordcontainsinitselfmanyothers.Forexample,honeybeeshaveanamestilllongerthantheothers;theyarecalledmellificae.Whatdoyousaytothat?Theyalsocallthemanthophilai,whichmeansloversofflowers."

"Yournewfriends,inparticularthedomesticbees,wereamongtheEgyptianstheemblemofroyalty.Areyounotpleasedwiththat,Piccolissima?TheancientkingsofFrancehadthemontheirarms;


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beeswereembroideredontheirshields,andontheirstandards;anditwasveryproperthattheyadoptedthem.Havetheynottheroyalprerogative--honeyandasting?Theyamasstreasures,andtheyknowhowtokeepthem.IntruthIagreewithyou,sisterkin;Ilovebeesandhoney;finishyourbreadandhoneyorIshalleatit."

FromthisdayPiccolissimadreamedeverofbees;hermostearnestdesirewastogoandseeakingdomofapismellifica,whichherbrotherMimitoldherwasinthepossessionoftheirneighborThomas,whokepttwentybeehives.

EndofTheProjectGutenbergEtextofPiccolissima,byElizaLeeFollen

piccolissima by follen, eliza lee cabot, 1787-1860

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