Chapter 4 Leopard from afar

Telfina and Marinette were lying side by side on the pasture, studying the same geography book.A duck huddled between the little sisters' heads, craning its necks to read the maps and illustrations in the book.The duck was beautiful, with blue head and neck feathers, a rust-coloured crop, and blue and white wings.Because he could not read, the little sisters explained to him the meaning of the illustrations and told him the countries whose names were marked on the map. "This is China," said Marinette. "In this country people have yellow heads and creases at the corners of their eyes."

"The ducks have all yellow heads too, do they have creases at the corners of their eyes?" "Of course. It's not in the book, but it goes without saying." "Hey! A geography book is a fine thing. . . . But travel is even better. I am eager to travel, and if you know..." Marinette giggled, and Telfina said: "But, Duck, you are too young to travel." "I'm young, it doesn't matter, but I'm smart." "Besides, if you go on a journey, you will have to leave us. Are you unhappy with us?" "Ah! happiness," answered the Duck, "no one loves you so much as I do."

He rubbed his head against the heads of the little sisters, lowered his voice and said: "I can't say that about people, like your parents. Well! Don't think I want to speak ill of them. I'm not so bad-bred. But, well, I'm afraid of their caprice. Thinking of the poor old horse." The two little sisters raised their heads, sighed repeatedly, and looked at the old horse grazing in the middle of the pasture.The poor animal was so old that you could count his ribs even at a distance, and his legs were so weak that he could barely stand.He is still one-eyed, and he often stumbles when walking on bad roads, and his knee joints are bulging.He saw with his good eye that other people cared about him, and he approached his friends.

"Were you talking about me just now?" "Yes, it's about you," Delfina replied. "We said that you look good recently." "You three are kind-hearted," said the old horse. "I'd like to believe what you say. Unfortunately, the master doesn't think so. They say I'm old and can't even earn my own fodder. I am really old and tired." Yes. How long have I been working for people... You know, you little sisters, I watched you be born. I still remember that when you were first born, you were about the size of your dolls. At that time, I carried you I don’t feel anything when I go uphill, I pull the plow to top two oxen, and I’m happy every day... Now, the main thing is that I can’t breathe, and my legs are not stable, but that’s all... A useless old horse, why, This is what I am now."

"No," Duck disagreed, "I'm telling you, you are thinking wildly." "I have evidence. This morning, the master is going to sell me to the slaughterhouse. If the little sisters don't try their best to protect me and say that I can still do a lot of work in summer, then my fate is not obvious." "What's more, the matter is just pushed back. They decided to sell me at the market in September at the latest." "I wish I could help you a little," sighed Duck. While talking, the parents of the children came to the pasture, found the horses talking, and shouted:

"Look at this useless old horse, still showing off! I left you here in the grass, not to make you talk poorly!" "He's only been here for five minutes," Delfina said. "Five minutes is too long," retorted Mom and Dad. "He'd better eat some worthless grass for the time. He eats here, and saves the hay in the shed. But, the damned beast That's how stubborn it is. Hmph! Why didn't you sell him this morning? If I could go back on my word..." The old horse ran away quickly, and he raised his hoof as high as possible to show that he was still energetic, but his legs and feet were not flexible, and he tripped several times.Fortunately, the master didn't pay attention to him any more.When they saw the duck in front of them, they immediately felt better.

"That's a fat duck," they said. "You can tell he's eaten a lot. Really, it's a pleasure to look at. When I see him, I think Uncle Alfred is coming on Sunday." Have a meal……" As soon as the master said this, he left the pasture and whispered something among each other.Duck didn't quite understand what he had just heard, but it felt wrong.Marinette took him on her lap and said to him: "Duck, just now you said you were going on a trip..." "Yes, Telfina and you don't seem to like my idea very much." "Well, on the contrary!" Delfina exclaimed, "you can even say that if I were you, I would start tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow morning! How to say... how to say..." The duck was very excited at the thought of leaving so soon.He spread his wings, jumped on Marinette's blouse, and made out somehow. "That's right," Delfina said again, "why don't you procrastinate? If you have a plan, you have to do it right away. Otherwise, you know what's going on, always talk, talk , the matter dragged on for several months, and suddenly one day it was no longer mentioned." "That's a good word," said Duck. Duck decided to go on a trip, and studied geography with the little sisters before dark.Rivers, cities, oceans, mountains, roads, railways, he memorized them all.When he went back to bed, he had a terrible headache and couldn't sleep.When he was about to fall asleep in a daze, he thought again: "Uruguay, what is the capital?...God, I forgot the capital of Uruguay..." In the middle of the night, fortunately, he fell asleep peacefully. Light up and be in good spirits.

All the animals in the house gathered in the yard to see him off. "Goodbye, duck, don't stay out too long," said the hen, pig, horse, cow, and sheep. "Goodbye, don't forget us." The cattle, cats, calves, and turkeys also said. "Best trip." All the animals said in unison. Several of them shed tears, such as Lao Ma, who thought he would never see his friend again. The duck set off quickly without looking back. Since the earth is round, after three months, he returned to the starting point.He's not one, though.Who accompanied him back?It is a beautiful leopard, he has a pair of golden eyes, wearing a yellow leather robe with black spots.Just at this time, Telfina and Marinette came to the yard. When they first saw the beast, they were terrified, but when they saw the duck, they immediately regained their composure.

"Hello, little sisters!" said the duck loudly, "I tell you that my trip was very good, and I will tell you about it later. As you can see, I am not alone, but with my friend Leopard. back." Leopard nodded to the little sisters and said kindly: "Ducks often mention you to me, I seem to have known you for a long time." "The thing is," explained the duck, "I came across this leopard one evening when I was crossing India. What do you think, he wants to eat me..." "But it's true." Leopard sighed and lowered his head. "However, I didn't panic, as many ducks are quite calm when they encounter me. I said to him, 'You're going to eat me, I'm afraid you don't even know the name of your country!' Of course he couldn't tell. So , I told him that he lived in India, in Bengal. I also told him about rivers, cities, mountains, and other countries... He wanted to know everything, but I answered his questions and talked all night. By morning the two of us had become good friends, and have been inseparable ever since. Indeed, for instance, you may believe that I had taught him very severely!"

"At that time, I should have been punished," Leopard admitted. "What can I do? I don't know geography..." "What about our country, what do you think?" Marinette asked. "Your country is very lovely," answered the Leopard, "and I shall be very happy to stay here. Ha! I look forward to arriving every day after hearing what the Duck tells about the little sisters and all the animals on the farm. . . . How about the good old horse?" Hearing this question, the little sisters began to sob, and Telfina narrated while crying: "Mom and Dad can't even wait for the market in September. They decided to sell it in Chinese today. In the morning, someone will come and take him to the slaughterhouse..." "There is such a thing!" the leopard roared. "Marinet spoke for the horses, and so did I, but it didn't help. They scolded us and gave us no sweets for a week." "It's outrageous! Your parents, where are they?" "in the kitchen." "Good! Let them see... But, little girls, you must not be afraid." The leopard stretched its neck, raised its head high, opened its mouth wide, and let out a roar.The duck was very proud. He looked at the two little sisters and couldn't help feeling elated.At this time, the children's parents rushed out from the kitchen.The leopard didn't allow them to inquire where the roar was coming from, so it jumped across the yard and rushed in front of them. "If you dare to move, I will tear you apart," Leopard said. It can be imagined that the two of them were silent, trembling all over, and dared not even turn their heads.The leopard's golden eyes gleamed fiercely, and its everted lips showed giant fangs. "What did I hear just now?" he roared. "You're selling the old horse to the slaughterhouse? Aren't you ashamed? A poor animal who's worked for you all his life! That's what he's paid for a lifetime of hard work!" Really, I don't know why I haven't eaten you... It's just that people won't say, you have worked for me all my life..." The child's parents chattered their teeth in fright, and began to consider whether the idea of ​​sending the old horse to the slaughterhouse was too cruel. "It's the same with the little sisters," Leopard said again. "I heard that you won't let them eat sweets for a week just because they spoke for the horse. Are you demons? I can tell you in advance that I'm here , things have to change, and the rules of the family have to be changed. First of all, I cancel the punishment for the little sisters. Well, you seem to be mumbling something? Maybe you are not satisfied?" "Oh! No... on the contrary..." "That would be great. As for the old horse, of course it can't be sent to the slaughterhouse. I ask you to take good care of him and let him end his life peacefully." Leopard also talks about the other animals on the estate and ways to improve their lives.His tone of voice softened, as if trying to counteract any bad impression his initial brusque manner might have left.The children's parents began to calm down a bit, and then they dared to say to the leopard: "All in all, it's good that you want to live here; but, have you ever thought about how we can live if we worry about being eaten all the time? Not to mention that the poultry and livestock we raise are also eaten. You understand that it is of course a great thing to prevent the owner from killing pigs and chickens, but we have never heard of leopards living on vegetables..." "I understand your concerns," said the leopard. "There is no doubt that when I don't know geography, no matter whether it is a person or an animal, as long as it falls under my claws, it is my delicious meal. However, since I know ducks , my diet is just like cats, and ducks are here to prove it. Now I only eat mice, mice, voles, and other vermin. Well! Of course, it’s not like I don’t go for a walk in the forest every now and then. Anyway Well, the animals on the farm don't have to be afraid of me." The leopard lived on the estate, and the children's parents quickly got used to it.As long as they don't punish the little sisters too much and don't cruelty to animals, Leopard is always kind to them.Even that Sunday, when Uncle Alfred came to visit and served a chicken for nothing, the leopard turned a blind eye.It should be admitted that the chicken was born a bad thing, trying to harass his friends and play pranks all day long.No one regretted that he was eaten. In addition, leopards can also help with things.For example, if the house has guards, everyone can sit back and relax.Not long afterward, something happened to prove this point: one night, the wolf wandered around the stable, and had already opened the door a crack, thinking of a good meal, he licked his lips greedily, but the unlucky guy didn't understand it. What happened, he was eaten in one bite, leaving only two front paws, a tuft of hair and a tip of an ear. Leopards are also useful for shopping.If there was a shortage of sugar, pepper, or clove buds in the house, one of the little sisters would jump on the leopard's back, and the leopard would run, and in no time he was at the grocery store.Sometimes, he was even sent to go shopping alone, and the grocer would not get any cheap money if he deliberately gave less change. Since the leopard moved in, life has completely changed, and there is no more whining.The old horse had never been so happy, so naturally, everyone else felt happier.The life of animals is now safe, and people are not as disturbed as they used to be because they ate poultry and livestock.The master loses his habit of shouting and threatening, and labor becomes a joy to all.Also, Leopard loves to play very much. If he is playing a game of jumping sheep or catching a cat, he will accompany him at any time.He has no shortage of playmates, and compels not only animals but parents of children to participate.The first few times they played, the two adults still muttered: "How can you think of it, we are all at this age! What will Uncle Alfred think if he sees us?" However, their bad mood didn't last for three days. Afterwards, they played so happily that they couldn't stop playing.As soon as they had some free time, they yelled in the yard: "Who wants to play with sick radishes?" They took off their clogs and moved more flexibly; they started chasing cows, or pigs, or leopards; You can hear their laughter.Delfina and Marinette have little time to study and complete homework. "Come and play," Mom and Dad said, "Do your homework next time!" Every night after dinner, a large-scale game of tag was played in the yard.Parents, daughters, leopards, ducks, and all poultry and livestock were divided into two groups.There had never been such hearty laughter in the manor.Ma was too old to participate, so he just watched the excitement from the sidelines, but he was as interested as everyone else.When disputes arise, he is responsible for mediating between the parties.Once, the pig accused an owner of cheating, and the horse had to say he had no reason.The pig was not bad, but he was very suspicious and got angry when he lost, because he had several violent quarrels, which made the leopard very bad.But in general, this kind of turmoil is relatively rare, and it will subside soon.As long as there is a little moonlight, the game of tag will be played until late at night, and no one is in a hurry to leave. "Hey, hey," said Duck, who was a little more sensible than the other playmates, "don't forget to sleep..." "Another quarter of an hour," pleaded the parents of the children, "Duck, another quarter of an hour..." Sometimes, everyone plays "folding hands", "thief", "sole", and hide-and-seek. It is always the parents of the children who work hardest. Even when eating, everyone is not dull. The duck and the leopard tell about their travels, and the countries they pass through are very novel and endless. Early one morning, the pig went out for a walk.He greeted the old horse in the yard affectionately, nodded and smiled at a chicken, but he didn't say hello to the leopard when he passed by.The leopard also didn't say a word, watching the pig go away.They got into an argument last night while playing tag.Pigs are too annoying, making everyone unhappy. In a fit of anger, he declared that he would no longer play games with leopards, and went back to the pigsty alone. Before leaving, he added: "I'm a big fan of tag, but if I have to rely on a wayward outsider, I'd rather go back to sleep." The leopard went for a walk in the forest almost every morning. This time, it left the manor at about eight o'clock and did not return until almost eleven o'clock.He looked languid and heavy-footed, his eyelids flickering.A little white hen pointed this out to him, and he replied because he had run a long way in the woods.After speaking, he walked into the kitchen, lay down there and fell asleep soundly, sighing from time to time in his sleep, sticking out his tongue and licking his lips. At noon, Mom and Dad returned from the field and complained that the pig hadn't come back yet. "This is the first time for him. He must have forgotten the time." They asked the leopard if they met a pig this morning. The leopard shook his head, then turned his head away again.When eating, he doesn't talk much to people. I haven't seen the pig back in the afternoon.The owner was very disturbed. At night, there was still no sign of the pig.Everyone gathered in the yard, but they didn't want to play tag.The owner began to look at the leopard suspiciously.The leopard was lying on the ground with its head between its paws, as if indifferent to the worries of its friends.The little sisters, even the duck and the old horse, were deeply surprised by his attitude.The master observed for a long while before pointing out: "You're fatter than usual, and your belly is so heavy, it seems like you've eaten too much." "Yes," replied the Leopard, "I ate two young wild boars this morning." "Humph! There are so many prey today. Who doesn't know that at dawn, wild boars don't have the habit of wandering around the edge of the woods, they have to go to the dense forest to find..." "That's right," said the little white hen, who saw the leopard come back. "He ran a long way in the woods. He told me this morning when he came back." "Impossible!" cried a calf, who, listening to the argument, could not understand what was going on. "I've been in the pasture, and I saw him pass by the river at nine or ten o'clock in the morning." "Oh, oh..." the master questioned. Everyone turned their eyes to Leopard, anxiously waiting for him to order.At first he was tongue-tied, but at last he said: "The little calf saw it wrong, but I'm not surprised that it happened. He was just three weeks old, and his eyes are still blurry for such a small calf. Anyway, what are you trying to do with such a thorough investigation?" "Last night, you quarreled with the pig, and in order to get revenge, you found a corner and ate him up." "I'm not the only one who quarreled with him. If he was eaten, why couldn't he be eaten by you, the owner of the pig? Listen to your tone, as if you have never eaten a pig! Ever since Since I got here, have you seen me bullying or threatening any animal on the farm? Without me, how many chickens and ducks would have gone into the pot, how many livestock would have gone into the slaughterhouse? This is not counting the wolf and the two Foxes, if I hadn't stopped them from stealing from the barn and chicken coop..." There was a whisper of trust and gratitude from all the animals. "The pig is lost anyway," muttered the master, "I hope it doesn't happen to other animals." "Listen," interposed Duck, "it's no reason to think pigs are eaten. Maybe he's just gone on a trip. How can it be impossible? I'm not the same. I left in the morning, you see, I am not coming back properly. Just wait, I believe he will come back..." However, the pig never came home, and everyone still didn't know his whereabouts.It is unlikely that he set off on a journey.He has little imagination, is not willing to take risks, and likes a stable life with three meals a day.Besides, he didn't know a word of geography, and he never wanted to ask.If it was eaten by leopards, that's another matter.The testimony of a three-week-old calf is, after all, unreliable.Besides, it may be assumed that the pigs were taken by tramps and cooked and eaten.This situation exists. In spite of this unfortunate event, which was often recalled, life resumed on the estate.After a while, even the owner forgot about the pig.They played tag again; to be fair, they had a lot more fun since the pigs were gone. Telfina and Marinette had a very pleasant summer vacation this year.The two of them rode on the back of the leopard and wandered far away through the woods and plains.Moreover, almost every time he took the duck and let him ride on the leopard's neck.In two months, the little sisters were completely familiar with every corner of the 30-kilometer radius.Leopards sprint like the wind, no matter how bad the road is, they will not slow down. The summer holidays passed, and there were still some sunny days, but soon it began to rain; entering November, the cold rain and chills hit.The wind blows the dead leaves off the remaining trees.The leopard didn't have such a mental head anymore, and felt stiff all over.He doesn't like to go out anymore, he has to be persuaded before he is willing to play in the yard.Every morning, he still goes hunting in the forest, but he is not very interested; usually, he seldom leaves the kitchen, and always stays by the stove.The ducks always come to keep him company for hours.Leopard complained about bad solar terms. "The plains, the woods, everything is so desolate. In our country, whenever it rains, we see the trees grow and the leaves grow, and everything becomes greener. Here the rain is cool, and everywhere is desolate and gray." "You'll get used to it," said the duck, "it won't rain all the time, and soon it will snow, and then you won't be able to say that the moor is all gray... The snow is like white down, fine as a duck's down, Cover everything up." "I really want to see snow." Leopard sighed. Every morning, he leaned over the window and looked out.However, winter seems to insist on raining, and everything is still gloomy. "Won't it ever snow?" Leopard asked the little sisters. "It's too soon this time, and the sky may change at any time." Telfina and Marinette looked at the sky anxiously.Since the leopard stayed listlessly by the fire, the house became deserted again, and no one wanted to play games anymore.The children's parents were yelling again, sometimes whispering, and staring hard at the poultry and livestock. One morning the Leopard woke up shivering and feeling colder than usual, so he went to the window and looked out as he did every day.It was white outside the window, the courtyard, the garden, and the endless plains were all white, and it was still snowing heavily.The leopard roared happily and ran into the yard.His paws dug into the soft snow without making a sound; the flakes were so thin and light that they fell on the fur almost without feeling.He seemed to see the bright sunshine of the summer morning again, and regained his former energy.He started running and jumping in the pasture, playing with snow balls with his two paws.Sometimes he stopped, rolled in the snow, and galloped off again.After playing for two hours, Sa Huan stopped to catch his breath and began to shiver. He couldn't help feeling a little uneasy. He raised his eyes to look for the house where he lived, and found that he had run far away.The snow had stopped, but a bitter cold wind was blowing.The leopard wanted to rest for a while before going back, so it lay down in the snow.He had never slept on such a soft bed, but when he was about to get up, his limbs were numb and he was trembling all over.He felt that the house was too far away, and the wind that swept across the plain was bitingly cold, so he didn't have the courage to run again. At noon, the little sisters did not see the leopard, so they followed the duck and the old horse to look for it.Several snow tracks had been covered, and the leopard was not found until three or four o'clock.The leopard was trembling, its limbs were already frozen. "I feel cold in my fur." ​​He murmured when he saw his friends coming. The old horse used his breath to warm the leopard's body, but it was too late, and no amount of rescue would help.The leopard licked the hands of the little sisters and let out a cry, but the sound was softer than a cat's meow.Duck heard him murmur: "That pig...that pig..." The leopard closed its golden eyes.