prickly pear. Joyce called to him to be careful, but it was too late;
he came down right in the middle of the cactus plant. The long thorns
pierced him like sharp needles; and although he tried to be brave, he
could not keep back the tears.

There was nothing to do but pull out the thorns one by one, and it took
Grandma quite a while to do that. And although Don turned many somersaults
afterward, he was always careful to keep away from the prickly pear.

When story time came, Grandma, gently rocking back and forth, began: "I
shall tell you tonight about a bee that it is very necessary to have in
the home; and it is also much needed by those who have anything to do
with animals. Its name is Bee Gentle. Have you ever noticed how gentle
Grandpa is with all his animals?"

"Yes, I have noticed it," said Joyce. "And the horses love him for it,
too. Whenever he goes to the pasture, they trot up to him and begin to
nose about his pockets."

"He usually carries something in his pockets to give them," said Grandma.
"He has raised all his horses from little colts; and he has always treated
them kindly. Some men think they must treat animals roughly, to make
them obey; but that is not so.

"Jake and Jenny were a brother and sister who loved each other dearly,
but they were quite different in disposition. All the animals about the
place were afraid of Jake, for he treated them roughly, and sometimes
beat them. But they loved Jenny because she was gentle with them. The
dog would follow her about, and the cat would curl up on her lap and
purr itself to sleep. When she went to the pasture, the horses would