Extra Credit Questions

[RJNorton]

The following is a story told about Abraham Lincoln. As Lincoln was walking to work one day he was approached by an agitated animal. Lincoln put his face to the animal's face and said what is below. What kind of animal was it?

"Now there isn't any good reason why you should want to harm me; and there isn't any good reason why I should want to harm you. The world is big enough for both of us to live in. If you behave yourself as you ought to, and if I behave myself like I ought to, we will live in peace and harmony like good neighbors."

[Eva Elisabeth]

A dog?

[L Verge]

I'm going to guess either a skunk or raccoon.

[Gene C]

Since Eva guessed a dog, Fido and I are going with a horse

[Eva Elisabeth]

My other guess would be a hog.

[RJNorton]

Eva, Laurie, and Gene - all good guesses - but none correct yet.

Hint #1: The story is in Carl Sandburg's "The Prairie Years."

[LincolnToddFan]

Was it a wolf, Roger?

There is a similar story-almost identical in fact-about Francis of Assisi encountering a wolf!

[RJNorton]

I am sorry, Toia, but it was not a wolf.

[LincolnToddFan]

Hmmm...how many types of agitated animals could have been roaming the streets of 19th century Springfield......was it a goat? A possum?

[RJNorton]

Kudos, Toia! It was a goat. According to the story the neighborhood boys were riling up the goat and trying to get the goat to butt people as they walked by. Mr. Lincoln walked by and got hold of the goat's horns and told the goat what I stated in the question. The story is on p. 313 in volume II of Sandburg's "The Prairie Years."

I know you do not live near Chicago, but if you ever visit that city you have won a free meal of your choice here.

[LincolnToddFan]

Yayyyy!! I have always wanted to try Chicago DEEP DISH PIZZA!! Thanks Roger!

[RJNorton]

Although the entire story may be more myth than fact, where was Abraham Lincoln when the following description of him was made?

"The pathos that was written upon Lincoln's face, the almost inhuman sadness that was in his eyes as he looked upon us, and above all an indescribable sense of his complete isolation - the sad solitude which is inherent in all true grandeur of character and intellect...."

[Eva Elisabeth]

Walt Whitman?

[RJNorton]

Excellent guess, Eva, but it wasn't Whitman. Someone was describing Lincoln when he was in a certain place.

[JB Banning]

Gettysburg?