deven367/babylm-100M-cbt · Datasets at Hugging Face

text stringlengths 1 1.38k
Well , it arrived at last .
There was a very hot summer !
It began to be hot in March .
All the rivers were dried up .
The grass did not grow .
The corn did not grow .
The thermometers exploded with heat .
The barometers stood at SET FAIR .
The people were much distressed , and came and broke the palace windows -- as they usually do when things go wrong in Pantouflia .
The king consulted the learned men about the Court , who told him that probably a FIREDRAKE was in the neighbourhood .
Now , the Firedrake is a beast , or bird , about the bigness of an elephant .
Its body is made of iron , and it is always red-hot .
A more terrible and cruel beast can not be imagined ; for , if you go near it , you are at once broiled by the Firedrake .
But the king was not ill-pleased : `` for , '' thought he , `` of course my three sons must go after the brute , the eldest first ; and , as usual , it will kill the first two , and be beaten by the youngest .
It is a little hard on Enrico , poor boy ; but anything to get rid of that Prigio ! ''
Then the king went to Prigio , and said that his country was in danger , and that he was determined to leave the crown to whichever of them would bring him the horns -LRB- for it has horns -RRB- and tail of the Firedrake .
`` It is an awkward brute to tackle , '' the king said , `` but you are the oldest , my lad ; go where glory waits you !
Put on your armour , and be off with you ! ''
-LCB- `` Put on your armour and be off with you ! ''
: p18.jpg -RCB- This the king said , hoping that either the Firedrake would roast Prince Prigio alive -LRB- which he could easily do , as I have said ; for he is all over as hot as a red-hot poker -RRB- , or that , if the prince succeeded , at least his country would be freed from the monster .
But the prince , who was lying on the sofa doing sums in compound division for fun , said in the politest way : `` Thanks to the education your majesty has given me , I have learned that the Firedrake , like the siren , the fairy , and so forth , is a fabulous animal which does not exist .
But even granting , for the sake of argument , that there is a Firedrake , your majesty is well aware that there is no kind of use in sending me .
It is always the eldest son who goes out first and comes to grief on these occasions , and it is always the third son that succeeds .
Send Alphonso '' -LRB- this was the youngest brother -RRB- , `` and he will do the trick at once .
At least , if he fails , it will be most unusual , and Enrico can try his luck . ''
Then he went back to his arithmetic and his slate , and the king had to send for Prince Alphonso and Prince Enrico .
They both came in very warm ; for they had been whipping tops , and the day was unusually hot .
`` Look here , '' said the king , `` just you two younger ones look at Prigio !
You see how hot it is , and how coolly he takes it , and the country suffering ; and all on account of a Firedrake , you know , which has apparently built his nest not far off .
Well , I have asked that lout of a brother of yours to kill it , and he says -- '' `` That he does not believe in Firedrakes , '' interrupted Prigio .
`` The weather 's warm enough without going out hunting ! ''
`` Not believe in Firedrakes ! ''
cried Alphonso .
`` I wonder what you do believe in !
Just let me get at the creature ! ''
for he was as brave as a lion .
`` Hi !
Page , my chain-armour , helmet , lance , and buckler !
A Molinda !
A Molinda ! ''
which was his war-cry .
The page ran to get the armour ; but it was so uncommonly hot that he dropped it , and put his fingers in his mouth , crying !
-LCB- The page crying : p21.jpg -RCB- `` You had better put on flannels , Alphonso , for this kind of work , '' said Prigio .
`` And if I were you , I 'd take a light garden-engine , full of water , to squirt at the enemy . ''
`` Happy thought ! ''
said Alphonso .
`` I will ! ''
And off he went , kissed his dear Molinda , bade her keep a lot of dances for him -LRB- there was to be a dance when he had killed the Firedrake -RRB- , and then he rushed to the field !
But he never came back any more !
Everyone wept bitterly -- everyone but Prince Prigio ; for he thought it was a practical joke , and said that Alphonso had taken the opportunity to start off on his travels and see the world .
`` There is some dreadful mistake , sir , '' said Prigio to the king .
`` You know as well as I do that the youngest son has always succeeded , up to now .
But I entertain great hopes of Enrico ! ''
And he grinned ; for he fancied it was all nonsense , and that there were no Firedrakes .
Enrico was present when Prigio was consoling the king in this unfeeling way .
`` Enrico , my boy , '' said his majesty , `` the task awaits you , and the honour .
When you come back with the horns and tail of the Firedrake , you shall be crown prince ; and Prigio shall be made an usher at the Grammar School -- it is all he is fit for . ''
Enrico was not quite so confident as Alphonso had been .
He insisted on making his will ; and he wrote a poem about the pleasures and advantages of dying young .
This is part of it : The violet is a blossom sweet , That droops before the day is done -- Slain by thine overpowering heat , O Sun !
And I , like that sweet purple flower , May roast , or boil , or broil , or bake , If burned by thy terrific power , Firedrake !
This poem comforted Enrico more or less , and he showed it to Prigio .
But the prince only laughed , and said that the second line of the last verse was not very good ; for violets do not `` roast , or boil , or broil , or bake . ''
Enrico tried to improve it , but could not .
So he read it to his cousin , Lady Kathleena , just as it was ; and she cried over it -LRB- though I do n't think she understood it -RRB- ; and Enrico cried a little , too .
However , next day he started , with a spear , a patent refrigerator , and a lot of the bottles people throw at fires to put them out .
But he never came back again !
After shedding torrents of tears , the king summoned Prince Prigio to his presence .
`` Dastard ! ''
he said .
`` Poltroon !
Your turn , which should have come first , has arrived at last .
You must fetch me the horns and the tail of the Firedrake .
Probably you will be grilled , thank goodness ; but who will give me back Enrico and Alphonso ? ''
`` Indeed , your majesty , '' said Prigio , `` you must permit me to correct your policy .
Your only reason for dispatching your sons in pursuit of this dangerous but I believe fabulous animal , was to ascertain which of us would most worthily succeed to your throne , at the date -- long may it be deferred !
-- of your lamented decease .
Now , there can be no further question about the matter .
I , unworthy as I am , represent the sole hope of the royal family .
Therefore to send me after the Firedrake were -LCB- 25 -RCB- both dangerous and unnecessary .
Dangerous , because , if he treats me as you say he did my brothers -- my unhappy brothers , -- the throne of Pantouflia will want an heir .
But , if I do come back alive -- why , I can not be more the true heir than I am at present ; now can I ?
Ask the Lord Chief Justice , if you do n't believe me . ''
These arguments were so clearly and undeniably correct that the king , unable to answer them , withdrew into a solitary place where he could express himself with freedom , and give rein to his expression .
CHAPTER IV .
How Prince Prigio was Deserted by Everybody .
Meanwhile , Prince Prigio had to suffer many unpleasant things .
Though he was the crown prince -LRB- and though his arguments were unanswerable -RRB- , everybody shunned him for a coward .
The queen , who did not believe in Firedrakes , alone took his side .
He was not only avoided by all , but he had most disagreeable scenes with his own cousins , Lady Molinda and Lady Kathleena .
In the garden Lady Molinda met him walking alone , and did not bow to him .
`` Dear Molly , '' said the prince , who liked her , `` how have I been so unfortunate as to offend you ? ''
`` My name , sir , is Lady Molinda , '' she said , very proudly ; `` and you have sent your own brother to his grave ! ''
`` Oh , excuse me , '' said the prince , `` I am certain he has merely gone off on his travels .
He 'll come back when he 's tired : there are no Firedrakes ; a French writer says they are ` purement fabuleux , ' purely fabulous , you know . ''
-LCB- `` My name , sir , is Lady Molinda , she said . ''
: p29.jpg -RCB- `` Prince Alphonso has gone on his travels , and will come back when he is tired !
And was he then -- tired -- of me ? ''
cried poor Molinda , bursting into tears , and forgetting her dignity .
`` Oh !

Well , it arrived at last .

There was a very hot summer !

It began to be hot in March .

All the rivers were dried up .

The grass did not grow .

The corn did not grow .

The thermometers exploded with heat .

The barometers stood at SET FAIR .

The people were much distressed , and came and broke the palace windows -- as they usually do when things go wrong in Pantouflia .

The king consulted the learned men about the Court , who told him that probably a FIREDRAKE was in the neighbourhood .

Now , the Firedrake is a beast , or bird , about the bigness of an elephant .

Its body is made of iron , and it is always red-hot .

A more terrible and cruel beast can not be imagined ; for , if you go near it , you are at once broiled by the Firedrake .

But the king was not ill-pleased : `` for , '' thought he , `` of course my three sons must go after the brute , the eldest first ; and , as usual , it will kill the first two , and be beaten by the youngest .

It is a little hard on Enrico , poor boy ; but anything to get rid of that Prigio ! ''

Then the king went to Prigio , and said that his country was in danger , and that he was determined to leave the crown to whichever of them would bring him the horns -LRB- for it has horns -RRB- and tail of the Firedrake .

`` It is an awkward brute to tackle , '' the king said , `` but you are the oldest , my lad ; go where glory waits you !

Put on your armour , and be off with you ! ''

-LCB- `` Put on your armour and be off with you ! ''

: p18.jpg -RCB- This the king said , hoping that either the Firedrake would roast Prince Prigio alive -LRB- which he could easily do , as I have said ; for he is all over as hot as a red-hot poker -RRB- , or that , if the prince succeeded , at least his country would be freed from the monster .

But the prince , who was lying on the sofa doing sums in compound division for fun , said in the politest way : `` Thanks to the education your majesty has given me , I have learned that the Firedrake , like the siren , the fairy , and so forth , is a fabulous animal which does not exist .

But even granting , for the sake of argument , that there is a Firedrake , your majesty is well aware that there is no kind of use in sending me .

It is always the eldest son who goes out first and comes to grief on these occasions , and it is always the third son that succeeds .

Send Alphonso '' -LRB- this was the youngest brother -RRB- , `` and he will do the trick at once .

At least , if he fails , it will be most unusual , and Enrico can try his luck . ''

Then he went back to his arithmetic and his slate , and the king had to send for Prince Alphonso and Prince Enrico .

They both came in very warm ; for they had been whipping tops , and the day was unusually hot .

`` Look here , '' said the king , `` just you two younger ones look at Prigio !

You see how hot it is , and how coolly he takes it , and the country suffering ; and all on account of a Firedrake , you know , which has apparently built his nest not far off .

Well , I have asked that lout of a brother of yours to kill it , and he says -- '' `` That he does not believe in Firedrakes , '' interrupted Prigio .

`` The weather 's warm enough without going out hunting ! ''

`` Not believe in Firedrakes ! ''

cried Alphonso .

`` I wonder what you do believe in !

Just let me get at the creature ! ''

for he was as brave as a lion .

`` Hi !

Page , my chain-armour , helmet , lance , and buckler !

A Molinda !

A Molinda ! ''

which was his war-cry .

The page ran to get the armour ; but it was so uncommonly hot that he dropped it , and put his fingers in his mouth , crying !

-LCB- The page crying : p21.jpg -RCB- `` You had better put on flannels , Alphonso , for this kind of work , '' said Prigio .

`` And if I were you , I 'd take a light garden-engine , full of water , to squirt at the enemy . ''

`` Happy thought ! ''

said Alphonso .

`` I will ! ''

And off he went , kissed his dear Molinda , bade her keep a lot of dances for him -LRB- there was to be a dance when he had killed the Firedrake -RRB- , and then he rushed to the field !

But he never came back any more !

Everyone wept bitterly -- everyone but Prince Prigio ; for he thought it was a practical joke , and said that Alphonso had taken the opportunity to start off on his travels and see the world .

`` There is some dreadful mistake , sir , '' said Prigio to the king .

`` You know as well as I do that the youngest son has always succeeded , up to now .

But I entertain great hopes of Enrico ! ''

And he grinned ; for he fancied it was all nonsense , and that there were no Firedrakes .

Enrico was present when Prigio was consoling the king in this unfeeling way .

`` Enrico , my boy , '' said his majesty , `` the task awaits you , and the honour .

When you come back with the horns and tail of the Firedrake , you shall be crown prince ; and Prigio shall be made an usher at the Grammar School -- it is all he is fit for . ''

Enrico was not quite so confident as Alphonso had been .

He insisted on making his will ; and he wrote a poem about the pleasures and advantages of dying young .

This is part of it : The violet is a blossom sweet , That droops before the day is done -- Slain by thine overpowering heat , O Sun !

And I , like that sweet purple flower , May roast , or boil , or broil , or bake , If burned by thy terrific power , Firedrake !

This poem comforted Enrico more or less , and he showed it to Prigio .

But the prince only laughed , and said that the second line of the last verse was not very good ; for violets do not `` roast , or boil , or broil , or bake . ''

Enrico tried to improve it , but could not .

So he read it to his cousin , Lady Kathleena , just as it was ; and she cried over it -LRB- though I do n't think she understood it -RRB- ; and Enrico cried a little , too .

However , next day he started , with a spear , a patent refrigerator , and a lot of the bottles people throw at fires to put them out .

But he never came back again !

After shedding torrents of tears , the king summoned Prince Prigio to his presence .

`` Dastard ! ''

he said .

`` Poltroon !

Your turn , which should have come first , has arrived at last .

You must fetch me the horns and the tail of the Firedrake .

Probably you will be grilled , thank goodness ; but who will give me back Enrico and Alphonso ? ''

`` Indeed , your majesty , '' said Prigio , `` you must permit me to correct your policy .

Your only reason for dispatching your sons in pursuit of this dangerous but I believe fabulous animal , was to ascertain which of us would most worthily succeed to your throne , at the date -- long may it be deferred !

-- of your lamented decease .

Now , there can be no further question about the matter .

I , unworthy as I am , represent the sole hope of the royal family .

Therefore to send me after the Firedrake were -LCB- 25 -RCB- both dangerous and unnecessary .

Dangerous , because , if he treats me as you say he did my brothers -- my unhappy brothers , -- the throne of Pantouflia will want an heir .

But , if I do come back alive -- why , I can not be more the true heir than I am at present ; now can I ?

Ask the Lord Chief Justice , if you do n't believe me . ''

These arguments were so clearly and undeniably correct that the king , unable to answer them , withdrew into a solitary place where he could express himself with freedom , and give rein to his expression .

CHAPTER IV .

How Prince Prigio was Deserted by Everybody .

Meanwhile , Prince Prigio had to suffer many unpleasant things .

Though he was the crown prince -LRB- and though his arguments were unanswerable -RRB- , everybody shunned him for a coward .

The queen , who did not believe in Firedrakes , alone took his side .

He was not only avoided by all , but he had most disagreeable scenes with his own cousins , Lady Molinda and Lady Kathleena .

In the garden Lady Molinda met him walking alone , and did not bow to him .

`` Dear Molly , '' said the prince , who liked her , `` how have I been so unfortunate as to offend you ? ''

`` My name , sir , is Lady Molinda , '' she said , very proudly ; `` and you have sent your own brother to his grave ! ''

`` Oh , excuse me , '' said the prince , `` I am certain he has merely gone off on his travels .

He 'll come back when he 's tired : there are no Firedrakes ; a French writer says they are ` purement fabuleux , ' purely fabulous , you know . ''

-LCB- `` My name , sir , is Lady Molinda , she said . ''

: p29.jpg -RCB- `` Prince Alphonso has gone on his travels , and will come back when he is tired !

And was he then -- tired -- of me ? ''

cried poor Molinda , bursting into tears , and forgetting her dignity .

`` Oh !