A RAT TALE.

Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1489, 18 November 1874, Page 5 (Supplement)

A RAT TALE.

The intelligence occasionally displayed by dumb animals is only equalled by then' good feeling, and even the most loathsome creatures will sometimes exhibit a 'thoughtful tenderness for each other that may well put Christians to the blush. The " Christian Union," an American paper, vouches for the truth of the following story respecting some rats. A young rat had fallen into a pail of pig-feed. Six friends or relatives —the latter is most probably the case—witnessed the distressing incident, and were seen holding a consultation as to the best means of extricating the infant rat. So earnest were there deliberations that they entirely ignored the presence of several persons who were watching their proceedings with deep interest. At last the rats decided on an ingenious scheme, which they immediately carried into effect. Entwining their feet together the six rats formed* a chain over the edge of the the foremost rat, " supposed to be the mother," then tenderly grasped the drowning little rut in her arms, and both were drawn out on to the floor. The end of the story is melancholy in the extreme. The infant rat was, on examination by its rescuers, found to be dead. After gazing at it for some moments in mute despair, the six elderly rats gave it at last a fond look, wiped the tears from their eyes with their fore-paws, and departed without making any attempt to resuscitate it. Hats who "flying from a falling house" arc generally supposed to bo devoid of sympathy, but probably if the truth were known, many a London rat is mourning over the destruction of Northumberland House from a sentiment that the Metropolitan Board of Works could not feel if they would.— "Pall Mall Gazette."