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Show Fairy TalC&j Bonner liiV CHAMELEON CHROCODILE "I belong to the great lizard family," said the American Chameleon to some of the other lizards around him, "and I am glad of It." "That's good," said the other lizards, liz-ards, as they wriggled about. "I am a Chameleon and I change color. If you would be interested In hearing, I will tell you some of the times when I change my colors and what makes me do so." "We'd be most Interested hearing," said the other lizards. "I think I told you some time ago," commenced the Chameleon, "that I did not change color when put on different colored objects. "For instance, some people think that if I am put on something green, I change to a green color, and that If I am put on something brown, I change to a brown color. "That is not true. I care most for different shades of brown and green. But I do not change colors as some people thiuk. "When I am feeling quiet, I am apt to wear brown, a nice shade of brown. "That's a good color when one feels quiet and restful. When I sleep, however, how-ever, I am usually pale' green, but oh, If I am angry, I become a very, very bright green. "Yes, when I get angry or when I become excited, or when some one or something frightens me, I become a very bright green shade. I can change quickly from one color to another, from green to brown, from brown to yellow. "Early in the morning and when the twilight comes I am a' yellowish gray color, if there is nothing around to excite me. "So you see I pay attention to the weather, to the sunshine, and to whether wheth-er I am angry or happy and quiet as regards my change of color, and not to the color of the object upon which I am put." . "You tell us what we are interested In hearing." the lizards said. And then they all took a nap. But just then the crocodiles were awaking from a nap which, they had been taking. - "I am an American Crocodile," said Charlie, the Crocodile, "nd I am very "We'd Bo Most Interested Hearing," Said the Other Lizards. much pleased with myself and very glad that I am not an alligator." "So am I," said his brother. "What makes you so especially glad, though? Have you some reason for being pleased with yourself? I know that I am glad that I am not an alligator, but I haven't any special reason for being glad." "Yes," said Charlie, "I have several reasons. In the first place as you know, we have, as a family, such nice heads. "The heads of the alligators are so square and ugly. We aren't like that. A crocodile's head is long and pointed and distinguished looking according to a crocodile's viewpoint. "That is my first reason, and my second reason for being so glad that I am not an alligator is that my teeth are longer and more pointed. "Ah, Brother Crocodile, it makes me happy and pleased when I think that i my teeth are so long and so very ' strong. Two of my lower teeth show above my lower jaw, near my handsome hand-some nose." "My dear Charlie Crocodile," said his brother, "it is all very well for you to say you're very fine, but you shouldn't say you have a handsome nose. You should call It a snout." j "Oh, all right," said Charlie, "but I like the word nose better. Who wouldn't? It sounds less like a pig. Snout sounds so like a pig, and I am no relation to the pig family." "Except," said his brother, "that you are greedy and selfish." "Oh, to be sure," said Charlie. "But as I was saying I feel so pleased that I am a crocodile, and I think you should call me Contented Charlie Crocodile, for I am so contented and satisfied with life." "You're satisfied because you have strong teeth and can look after yourself, your-self, even if you hurt others. That's a funny way to be contented." "Funny or not," said Charlie, "It's the way a crocodile would be contented, content-ed, Isn't It?" |