And the cat said，“Can you arch your back，purr，or give off sparks？”
“No.”
“Then you had better keep your opinions to yourself when people of sense are speaking！”
The duckling sat in the corner nursing his ill humor.Then he began to think of the fresh air and the sunshine，and an uncontrollable longing seized him to float on the water.At last he could not help telling the hen about it.
“What on earth possesses you？”she asked.“You have nothing to do.That is why you get these freaks into your head.Lay some eggs or take to purring，and you will get over it.”
“But it is so delicious to float on the water，”said the duckling.“It is so delicious to feel it rushing over your head when you dive to the bottom.”
“That would be a fine amusement！”said the hen.“I think you have gone mad.Ask the cat about it.He is the wisest creature I know.Ask him if he is fond of floating on the water or diving under it.I say nothing about myself.Ask our mistress herself，the old woman.There is no one in the world cleverer than she is.Do you suppose she has any desire to float on the water or to duck underneath it？”
“You do not understand me，”said the duckling.
“Well，if we don't understand you，who should？I suppose you don't consider yourself cleverer than the cat or the old woman，not to mention me！Don't make a fool of yourself，child，and thank your stars for all the good we have done you.Have you not lived in this warm room，and in such society that you might have learned something？But you are an idiot，and there is no pleasure in associating with you.You may believe me：I mean you well.I tell you home truths，and there is no surer way than that of knowing who are one's friends.You just set about laying some eggs，or learn to purr，or to emit sparks.”
“I think I will go out into the wide world，”said the duckling.