Дні мрій
The Reluctant Dragon
Buthislittleson,whenhewasn’thelpinghisfather,andoftenwhenhewasaswell,spentmuchofhistimeburiedinbigvolumesthatheborrowedfromtheaffablegentryandinterestedparsonsofthecountryroundabout.Andhisparentswereveryfondofhim,andratherproudofhimtoo,thoughtheydidn’tletoninhishearing,sohewaslefttogohisownwayandreadasmuchasheliked;andinsteadoffrequentlygettingacuffonthesideofthehead,asmightverywellhavehappenedtohim,hewastreatedmoreorlessasanequalbyhisparents,whosensiblythoughtitaveryfairdivisionoflabourthattheyshouldsupplythepracticalknowledge,andhethebook-learning.Theyknewthatbook-learningoftencameinusefulatapinch,inspiteofwhattheirneighbourssaid.WhattheBoychieflydabbledinwasnaturalhistoryandfairy-tales,andhejusttookthemastheycame,inasandwichysortofway,withoutmakinganydistinctions;andreallyhiscourseofreadingstrikesoneasrathersensible.
