, lookingjustlikealotofyellowcanaries, andtheirmother, whowaspurewhitewithrealredlegs, wastryingtoteachthemhowtostandontheirheadsinthewater.“Youwillneverbeinthebestsocietyunlessyoucanstandonyourheads,” shekeptsayingtothem;.“Whatdisobedientchildren!” criedtheoldWater-rat; “theyreallydeservetobedrowned.”
“Nothingofthekind,” answeredtheDuck, “everyonemustmakeabeginning, andparentscannotbetoopatient.”
“Ah! Iknownothingaboutthefeelingsofparents,” saidtheWater-rat; “, Ihaveneverbeenmarried, , , Iknowofnothingintheworldthatiseithernoblerorrarerthanadevotedfriendship.”
“Andwhat, pray, isyourideaofthedutiesofadevotedfriend?” askedaGreenLinnet, whowassittinginawillow-treehardby, andhadoverheardtheconversation.“Yes, thatisjustwhatIwanttoknow,” saidtheDuck; andsheswamawaytotheendofthepond, andstooduponherhead, inordertogiveherchildrenagoodexample.“Whatasillyquestion!” criedtheWater-rat.“Ishouldexpectmydevotedfriendtobedevotedtome, ofcourse.”
“Andwhatwouldyoudoinreturn?” saidthelittlebird, swinginguponasilverspray, andflappinghistinywings.“Idon’tunderstandyou,” answeredtheWater-rat.“Letmetellyouastoryonthesubject,” saidtheLinnet.“Isthestoryaboutme?” askedtheWater-rat.“Ifso, Iwilllistentoit, forIamextremelyfondoffiction.”
“Itisapplicabletoyou,” answeredtheLinnet; andheflewdown, andalightinguponthebank, hetoldthestoryofTheDevotedFriend.“Onceuponatime,” saidtheLinnet, “therewasanhonestlittlefellownamedHans.”
