THIRD READER. 79
asked Teddy, who was a quiet, thoughtful boy
3. "There was the difficulty," said his mother. "The wise
and learned men of the court stroked their long beards, and
talked the matter over, but no one found out how to weigh
the elephant.
4. "At last, a poor old sailor found safe and simple means
by which to weigh the enormous beast. The thousands and
thousands of pieces of silver were counted out to the people;
and crowds of the poor were relieved by the clever thought
of the sailor."
5. "O mamma," said Lily, "do tell us what it was!"
6. "Stop, stop!" said Teddy. "I want to think for myself--
think hard--and find out how an elephant's weight could be
known, with little trouble and expense."
7. "I am well pleased," said his mother, "that my little boy
should set his mind to work on the subject. If he can find out
the sailor's secret before night, he shall have that orange for
his pains."
8. The boy thought hard and long. Lily laughed at her
brother's grave looks, as he sat leaning his head on his hands.
Often

80 ECLECTIC SERIES.



she teased him with the question, "Can you weigh an
elephant, Teddy?"
9. At last, while eating his supper, Teddy suddenly cried