THE OLD COCKROACHES

[Illustration]


Children, here is a cockroach.

It was one of the first insects that came to live on the earth;
cockroaches were here before people, and they are here yet.

You do not think it is pretty?

Neither do I.

I don't know anybody who thinks a cockroach pretty.

Oh, no, it won't bite you.

It will only get into your pantry and eat your food.

It will walk around in the night and frighten you if you go suddenly
into the kitchen.

It will not frighten you on purpose, but when it hears you coming, it
will run, and then maybe you will scream and run too.

What is that, May? You've a good mind to scream and run as it is?

Very well, scream and run if you want to; the cockroach won't care.