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THE PARABLES OF PILJOSH
127
Had anyone met the Red Herring in the sea and foretold that he would one day be pursued by Hounds across a difficult country, the Herring would have accounted him but a vain babbler.
Yet so it fell out!
- Note.—I shrewdly suspect that my young friend has made the rather natural mistake of substituting the word "Red Herring" for "Flying Fish."
- It is not absolutely incredible that one of the latter department should fly inland and be chased by Dogs—but even Piljosh should be aware that no Herring could pop off in such a way.—H. B. J.
An Officious Busybody, perceiving a Phœnix well alight, promptly extinguished her by means of a convenient watering-pot.
"Had you refrained from this uncalled for interference," said the justly irate Bird, "I should by this time be rising gloriously from my ashes—instead of presenting the ridiculous appearance of a partially roasted Fowl!"
- Note.—I can offer no explanation of this allegory, except to remind the reader that the Phœnix is the notorious symbol for a fire insurance.—H. B. J.
