CHAPTER IX
“Hurry, hurry!” said Papa Roly-Poly, after they had rested for a while. “We must get home.”
“We are so hungry,” said Freddie.
“We are so thirsty,” said Teddie.
“Keep a stiff upper lip,” said Humpty Dumpty.
Then they all rolled out of the hay and found a path that led to the woods.
“Oh, oh!” cried Teddie and Freddie.
“Oh, see the raspberries!” cried Humpty Dumpty.
Sure enough, there were bushes in the woods full of raspberries.
All the Roly-Poly family had a fine feast.
They had walked on a little way when they saw some one coming down the path.
It was an old gentleman.
“Hurrah!” cried Teddie, waving his cap.
“Hurrah!” cried Freddie, waving his pocket-handkerchief.
“Hurrah!” cried Humpty Dumpty, dancing a jig.
All the Roly-Polys cried, “Hurrah for Grandpa Grimes!”
There, sure enough, was Grandpa coming down the path toward them.
When Grandpa Grimes heard the noise, he dropped his suit-case and he dropped his umbrella and cried:
“Can I believe my eyes, or is this a new fairy story?”
Then Mama Roly-Poly shook his hand and Papa Roly-Poly kissed him and all the little Roly-Polys said:
“We did not know we were near home. We thought we were lost in the woods.”
Then Grandpa Grimes sat down on a stone and he laughed until he cried.
At last Grandpa Grimes said, “We are lost in the woods! I have been traveling for two weeks to find you!”
Then everybody began to talk at the same time and ask questions. Grandpa said he had been so lonely that he was going to beg the Roly-Polys to come back.
Papa Roly-Poly began to gather up branches while they were talking.
What do you suppose he was going to do?
He was going to make a wigwam so that they could rest in the woods at night.
All the Roly-Polys helped and they went into the woods and got more berries before evening.
They had a fine supper and went to bed.
Next morning, early, Mama Roly-Poly said, “How shall we get home?”
Grandpa Grimes shook his head.
Papa Roly-Poly shook his head.
All the little Roly-Polys shook their heads.
Just then some one came tripping down the path, singing:
Who goes singing on her way?Little Red Riding Hood.Who has a heart so light and gay?Little Red Riding Hood.
Who goes singing on her way?Little Red Riding Hood.Who has a heart so light and gay?Little Red Riding Hood.
Who goes singing on her way?Little Red Riding Hood.Who has a heart so light and gay?Little Red Riding Hood.
Who goes singing on her way?
Little Red Riding Hood.
Who has a heart so light and gay?
Little Red Riding Hood.
“Who is that singing?” asked Freddie.
“Who is that singing?” asked Teddie.
Humpty Dumpty said, “I believe it is Red Riding Hood.”
They ran a little way down the path.
“I see a red hood,” said Freddie.
“I see a red cape,” said Teddie.
“I see a basket,” cried Humpty Dumpty. “Oh, oh, oh! It surely must be Red Riding Hood!”
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD TUCKED ALL THE ROLY-POLYS INTO HER BASKET
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD TUCKED ALL THE ROLY-POLYS INTO HER BASKET
Red Riding Hood came in sight, and her pretty song was interrupted by a shout, for all the Roly-Polys begged to be taken home.
Red Riding Hood set down her basket. She said:
“Guess what I have in the basket. Each of you may have one guess.”
Papa Roly-Poly said, “You have a pat of butter.”
Red Riding Hood shook her head.
Mama Roly-Poly said, “You have some cake.”
Red Riding Hood shook her head.
Freddie said, “You have some ginger-bread.”
Teddie said, “You have some ginger-snaps.”
Still Red Riding Hood shook her head.
Humpty Dumpty rolled over and said, “I guess cookies!”
Humpty Dumpty was right.
Red Riding Hood had cookies in her basket.
She gave the Roly-Polys the cookies and my! how they did enjoy them!
What do you suppose happened next?
Little Red Riding Hood tucked all the Roly-Polys into her basket and took them safely home.
Now when you close this little book,Just open it again and look,To see if Humpty Dumpty fellFrom out the basket. (I can’t tell.)
Now when you close this little book,Just open it again and look,To see if Humpty Dumpty fellFrom out the basket. (I can’t tell.)
Now when you close this little book,Just open it again and look,To see if Humpty Dumpty fellFrom out the basket. (I can’t tell.)
Now when you close this little book,
Just open it again and look,
To see if Humpty Dumpty fell
From out the basket. (I can’t tell.)