John of the Woods

tain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge

o, taking tender care of the boy and giving him medicine made from wonderful herbs which he had found in the woods. Often he knelt in a corner of the hut, before a

s and the dizziness from his head. He awoke with a long sigh, and for the first time since he lay do

. Against the wall was a bench, beside a table made of a tree-stump, and on the table lay a great black book. Opposite the bed was the Cross

ndow. The raven hopped into the doorway and stood looking saucily at Gigi, with head on one side. It was all so peaceful, so quiet, so different from anything which Gigi had known, that he thought it must be a dream. He sighed again, and turned over, stretching

ng a cool hand upon Gigi's forehead. "Ah

ou?" he asked. He had never been taught manne

y animals, as you see. I pass the days in prayer and meditation,

away from men?"

t's face

They love to slay the innocent animals for sport. In their kingdoms is no lo

know you?" asked

riends with them all,"

e and understand an

arly overflowed, a strange medley of creatures,-hares, mice, birds, kittens, squ

a muscle. He had been trained not

udden movement and do not speak. They know my voice, and they will learn y

mit, some springing upon his shoulders and

. "Oh!" thought he, "if I could only do this, what

man dismissed them to the outdoor sunshine, so that he was alon

lly injure one of them. God's creatures?-But now, my son, tell me about yours

Gigi simply, in answer

tory as he had told it

. "Men have been cruel to you, also. You have no home, no

Teach me to be good and wise, too. Take me into your animal kingdom, and teach me to make them

y animals made ridiculous for money. I came here to be a hermit. I vowed to have nothing more to do with h

rned the look, and the brown spot on his ey

gs than tricks. Perhaps I can make you a disciple and a Christian. If you are teachable, I can make you wise with the knowledge of herbs and healing. If I sen

from his head, looked up at the Hermit, and smiled his own strange smile. "I think you

e rocked to and fro with pleasure in Gigi's little joke. Then he be

nge! About nine years old, he is. Nine years ago-" He paused, gazing at Gigi, and mu

e his green doublet, and drew out a flat piece of silver of str

his?" asked the Herm

rn it always. Not even Cecco dared take it from m

all stay with me until the time is come. But you wear the Cross, a blessed emblem. I shall call you no more by that heathen Gypsy name. You shall bear the beloved Christian n

d he began his new life as one of the Hermit's animal kingdom by hugging close ol