The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts: Large Print

EVERY one has heard of Bridget, the little girl saint of Ireland. Her name is almostas well known as that of Saint Patrick, who drove all the snakes from the Island.Saint Bridget had long golden hair; and she was very beautiful. Many wonderfulthings happened to her that are written in famous books. But I suspect that younever heard what she did about the King's Wolf. It is a queer story.This is how it happened. The King of Ireland had a tame wolf which somehunters had caught for him when it was a wee baby. And this wolf ran around as itpleased in the King's park near the palace, and had a very good time. But onemorning he got over the high wall which surrounded the park, and strayed a longdistance from home, which was a foolish thing to do. For in those days wild wolveswere hated and feared by the people, whose cattle they often stole; and if a mancould kill a wicked wolf he thought himself a very smart fellow indeed. Moreover, the King himself had offered a prize to any man who should bring him a dead wolf.For he wanted his kingdom to be a peaceful, happy one, where the children couldplay in the woods all day without fear of big eyes or big teeth