JOHN WAS PROTECTED BY POWERFUL FRIENDS
HE STROKED THE SOFT BALL OF FUR
I WISH I COULD DO IT MYSELF
JOHN URGED THE CLUMSY FELLOW TO DANCE
TO ME, MY BROTHERS!
THE KING AND PRINCESS CAME TO VISIT HIM




JOHN OF THE WOODS

I

THE TUMBLERS

It was late of a beautiful afternoon in May. In the hedges outside the
village roses were blossoming, yellow and white. Overhead the larks
were singing their happiest songs, because the sky was so blue. But
nearer the village the birds were silent, marveling at the strange
noises which echoed up and down the narrow, crooked streets.

"Tom-tom; tom-tom; tom-tom"; the hollow thud of a little drum sounded
from the market-place. Boys and girls began to run thither, crying to
one another:--

"The Tumblers! The Tumblers have come. Hurry, oh, hurry!"

Three little brothers, Beppo, Giovanni, and Paolo, who had been poking
about the market at their mother's heels, pricked up their ears and