Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant Part 17

"Here she is!" cried one. "Bring up the cage!"

The tiger's empty cage was wheeled under the tree, and the door was open. Inside was put a nice piece of meat, such as the tiger loved, and she was very hungry now.

"You had better go down in your cage and behave yourself," said Tum Tum.

"No, I will not!" snarled the tiger. But when the circus men snapped their whips, and fired off guns, and brought blazing torches, Sharp Tooth was afraid. Besides, she was very hungry, and as the lion had not run away with her, she was afraid she could never get to the jungle alone.

[Ill.u.s.tration: He stayed under the tree where the tiger was, for he knew that soon the circus men would come to hunt for Sharp Tooth. Page 120]

"I guess I had better go down in my cage," said the tiger. "But," she added to Tum Tum, "if ever I get a chance to scratch you, I will."

Into the cage she jumped, and the circus men slammed the door shut. The tiger was caught again.

"Good old boy, Tum Tum!" called the elephant's keeper to him, as they were going back to the animal tent. "You saved the tiger from getting away, and that was a good thing, for Sharp Tooth might have bitten someone. You are a very good elephant!"

This made Tum Tum feel quite happy, more happy even than did the nice big lumps of sugar, and loaves of bread, he was given for his supper as a reward.

For you know animals like to be spoken kindly to, as well we do, boys and girls. You just try it with your dog. Speak harshly to him, or scold him, and see how he cringes down, and tucks his tail between his legs.

He knows when you are not kind to him.

And then try speaking nicely. Tell him what a good dog he is, and how much you like him, and see what a change there is.

He will jump up, and wag his tail, and bark, he is so glad because you are speaking kindly to him. And, if you let him, he will try to kiss you with his red tongue. Oh, yes, indeed, animals know a great deal more than most persons think they do.

So that was how Sharp Tooth got out of her cage, and how Tum Tum helped to catch her again. After that the animals' cages were never left open, even for a second.

"Did you get very scratched?" asked Tum Tum of Maggo, when everything was once more quiet in the animal tent.

"No, not much," answered the lady elephant.

"I'm sorry I was not quick enough for the tiger," said Tum Tum. "Never mind, it is all over now."

Then the two elephant friends stood side by side in the tent and ate hay and talked to each other in elephant language.

And now my story of Tum Tum is drawing to a close. I shall tell you one more thing that happened to him, and then I am finished.

One day the circus was showing near a large city, and great crowds of people came out to see it. There were boys and girls--more than Tum Tum had ever seen before. The big tent was full.

Tum Tum did all his tricks as best he could. He stood on his head, and on his hind legs. He sat up at the table, and made believe eat a meal.

In this trick Mappo, the merry monkey, had a part, for he sat up with Tum Tum, and they both ate.

When the circus was almost over, and Tum Tum had played soldier, and marched out of the ring carrying Mappo on his back, while Mappo waved a flag, the little monkey, who could see out of the top of the tent said:

"Tum Tum, we are going to have a big thunder shower. I can see the lightning and the black clouds."

"Well, it will not hurt us," said Tum Tum. "We often used to have thunder storms in the jungle, and here we are under a tent."

Then, suddenly the storm came. It grew very black, and the thunder and lightning frightened the big crowds in the circus tent. It rained very hard, too, so that some of the tent ropes were made loose and slipped.

"Run out, quick!" suddenly called a man. "The tent is going to fall on us! Run, everybody!"

"No! Sit still! Keep your seats!" the circus men cried, but the crowd was frightened and ran.

Just then, one of the big poles of the tent began to fall.

"That pole must not fall!" cried Tum Tum's keeper. "But how can I hold it up? I am not strong enough."

Then he looked at Tum Tum, the big elephant.

"Ha! Tum Tum will hold up the pole, until all the people get out of the tent!" cried the circus man. "Here, Tum Tum," he called. "Hold up this pole."

Tum Tum knew what was wanted of him. He pushed his strong head against the pole, and it did not fall over. Tum Tum held it up, and the tent did not come down.

"Tum Tum, you are a fine elephant!" cried his master. "I love you!"

The rain was soon over, and that night, after the evening performance, the circus went on to another town.

That brings me to the end of Tum Tum's adventures. But I have some stories about other animals, and in the next book I'll tell you about "Don, a Runaway Dog; His Many Adventures."

As for Tum Tum, he lived in the circus for many, many years, growing older and stronger and wiser every day, and everybody thought he was the jolliest elephant in all the world.

THE END

STORIES FOR CHILDREN (From four to nine years old)

THE KNEETIME ANIMAL STORIES

BY RICHARD BARNUM

[Ill.u.s.tration]

In all nursery literature animals have played a conspicuous part; and the reason is obvious for nothing entertains a child more than the antics of an animal. These stories abound in amusing incidents such as children adore and the characters are so full of life, so appealing to a child's imagination, that none will be satisfied until they have met all of their favorites--Squinty, Slicko, Mappo, Tum Tum, etc.

1 SQUINTY, THE COMICAL PIG.

2 SLICKO, THE JUMPING SQUIRREL.

3 MAPPO, THE MERRY MONKEY.

4 TUM TUM, THE JOLLY ELEPHANT.

5 DON, A RUNAWAY DOG.

6 DIDO, THE DANCING BEAR.

7 BLACKIE, A LOST CAT.

8 FLOP EAR, THE FUNNY RABBIT.

9 TINKLE, THE TRICK PONY.

10 LIGHTFOOT, THE LEAPING GOAT.