advantage of its weakness, I picked it up, and held it in the palm
of one hand, whilst I stroked it with the fingers of my right.
'Poor little mouse,' said I, 'who can be afraid of such a little
object as this? Do you not feel ashamed of yourself, Joe, to fear
such a little creature as this? Only look at it, observe how small
it is, and then consider your own size, and surely, my dear, you
will blush to think of being no more of a man than to fear a
mouse! Look at me, Joe,' continued I, 'see, I will kiss it, I am
not at all afraid that it will hurt me.' When, lifting it up
toward my face, I heard it say, in the faintest voice possible,
'Do you not know me?' I instantly recollected my little friend
Nimble, and rejoiced at so unexpectedly finding him. 'What, is it
you, little Nimble,' exclaimed I, 'that I again behold? Believe
me, I am heartily rejoiced once more to find you; but tell me,
where have you been, what have you done, whom have you seen, and
what have you learned since you last left me?' 'Oh!' replied he,
in a voice so low I could scarcely hear him, 'I have seen many
things; but I am so faint and weak for want of food and fresh air,
that I doubt I shall never live to tell you; but, for pity's sake
have compassion on me, either put me out of my present misery by
instantly killing me, or else give me something to eat; for, if
you knew my sufferings, I am sure it would grieve your heart.'
'Kill you!' returned I, 'no, that I will not: on the contrary, I
will try by every method to restore you to health, and all the
happiness a mouse is capable of feeling.' I then instantly sent
for some bread, and had the satisfaction of seeing him eat very
heartily of it, after which he seemed much refreshed, and began to
move about a little more suitable to his name; for, in truth, when
I first found him, no living creature in the world could appear
less deserving of the appellation of Nimble. I then fetched him a