Osra

Osra, who was an African ostrich, had his full share of pride and conceit.

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

Once, as they were striding across the plain, they saw a stranger approaching, and although Osra was somewhat suspicious, he yet had sufficient curiosity to let him come quite close, and even among them.

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

Osra and his wives paced slowly about for some time, and after a while were joined by their little ones, who were worn out and exhausted by the long run.

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

"Osra and his wives took up the chickens one by one, and swallowed them whole"

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

Away they went, taking no thought or heed of the young ones so that they got away, and when they had been racing for some time at the rate of twenty miles an hour, Osra was surprised to find himself and his wives back at the very same spot!

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

And so the stranger was allowed to come into their very midst, and just as Osra was thinking of inspecting him more minutely, for he did not approve of strangers, there was a fearful noise, a blaze of fire and smoke, and one of his wives and two or three of his children fell dead.

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

But just as they were going out of the gate of the farm Osra suddenly saw, in a sort of paddock, another ostrich, and stayed behind to say something to her.

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

There had been a time when Osra had some very exciting fights, but this had been when he was selecting his wives.

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

In some curious way the gate of the paddock opened, and Osra -- proving, with all his high opinion of himself, how extremely stupid he could be on occasion -- walked gravely in.

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin

Osra, at this time, was a very important bird indeed, for he possessed six wives, and, as all these wives had been laying eggs lately, he had had a very busy time.

Rataplan, a rogue elephant; and other stories Ellen Velvin