At the approach of a storm some spiders take in a reef or two of their webs, so as to be less at the mercy of the wind.

Beavers will erect walls, and construct houses more skilfully than our ablest architects.

Chimpanzees have been known spontaneously to sit themselves down, and perform the operation of shaving." "Stop, Jack," cried Mrs.Wolston; "I must yield to such a deluge of argument, and admit that Toby may have acquired the art of embroidery with or without a master, only I should like to see some other specimen of his skill." "Probably you will by-and-by," replied Jack, laughing, "if you keep your eyes open." Here Sophia came into the room leading her gazelle.
"Ah, just in time," said Mrs.Wolston; "here is another animal that probably has something to say." "Wrong, mamma," replied Sophia; "my gazelle is as mute as a mermaid.
Very provoking, is it not, when all the other animals in the house talk ?" "You had better apply to Master Jack; he may, probably, be able to hit upon a plan to make your gazelle communicative." "Will you, Master Jack ?" "Certainly, Miss Sophia.

The plan I would suggest is very simple.

Feed him for a week or two with nouns, adjectives, and verbs." Here Sophia, addressing her gazelle, said, "Master Jack Becker is a goose." Meantime Fritz was leaning on the back of Mary's chair.
"Miss Wolston," said he, "did you not tell me that you had brought Toby up, and that you were very fond of him ?" "Yes, Fritz." "Then it would be unfair in me to withdraw his allegiance from you now, and, consequently, I must refuse your present" "But where would have been the merit of the gift if I did not hold him in some esteem?
Besides, I thought you were fond of Toby." "So I am, Miss Wolston." "Then you will not be indebted to me for anything--I owe you much." "No such thing; you owe me nothing." "My life, then, is nothing ?" "Oh, I did not mean that; I must beg your pardon." "Which I will only grant on condition you accept my gift." "Well, if you insist upon it, I will." "I can see him as before; the only difference will be that you are his master, in all other respects he will belong to us both." "May I know what your knight-errant is saying to you, Mary ?" inquired Mrs.Becker.
"Oh, I have been so angry with him; he was going to refuse my present." "That was very naughty of him, certainly." "He has, however, consented, like a dutiful squire, to obey my behests." "Yes, mother, Toby is henceforth to be divided between us." "Divided ?" "Yes; that is, he is to be nominally mine, but virtually to belong to us both.