And the child smiled on the Giant , and said to him , `` You let me play once in your garden , to-day you shall come with me to my garden , which is Paradise . '' And when the children ran in that afternoon , they found the Giant lying dead under the tree , all covered with white blossoms . THE DEVOTED FRIEND One morning the old Water-rat put his head out of his hole . He had bright beady eyes and stiff grey whiskers and his tail was like a long bit of black india-rubber . The little ducks were swimming about in the pond , looking just like a lot of yellow canaries , and their mother , who was pure white with real red legs , was trying to teach them how to stand on their heads in the water . `` You will never be in the best society unless you can stand on your heads , '' she kept saying to them ; and every now and then she showed them how it was done . But the little ducks paid no attention to her . They were so young that they did not know what an advantage it is to be in society at all . `` What disobedient children ! '' cried the old Water-rat ; `` they really deserve to be drowned . '' `` Nothing of the kind , '' answered the Duck , `` every one must make a beginning , and parents can not be too patient . '' `` Ah ! I know nothing about the feelings of parents , '' said the Water - rat ; `` I am not a family man . In fact , I have never been married , and I never intend to be . Love is all very well in its way , but friendship is much higher . Indeed , I know of nothing in the world that is either nobler or rarer than a devoted friendship . '' `` And what , pray , is your idea of the duties of a devoted friend ? '' asked a Green Linnet , who was sitting in a willow-tree hard by , and had overheard the conversation . `` Yes , that is just what I want to know , '' said the Duck ; and she swam away to the end of the pond , and stood upon her head , in order to give her children a good example . `` What a silly question ! ''
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Linnet Water-rat afternoon canaries drowned heads india-rubber morning pond way