Borrowed Feathers
Many good, attractive people spoil the merits they have by trying to be something bigger or showier. It is always best to be one’s self.
A rooster one morning was preening his feathers
That glistened so bright in the sun;
He admired the tints of the various colors
As he laid them in place one by one.
Now as roosters go he was a fine bird,
And he should have been satisfied;
But suddenly there as he marched along,
Some peacock feathers he spied.
They had beautiful spots and their colors were gay–
He wished that his own could be green;
He dropped his tail, tried to hide it away;
Was completely ashamed to be seen.
Then his foolish mind hatched up a scheme-
A peacock yet he could be;
So he hopped behind a bush to undress
Where the other fowls could not see.
He caught his own tail between his bill,
And pulled every feather out;
And into the holes stuck the peacock plumes;
Then proudly strutted about.
The other fowls rushed to see the queer sight;
And the peacocks came when they heard;
They could not agree just what he was,
But pronounced him a funny bird.
Then the chickens were angry that one of their kind
Should try to be a peacock;
And the peacocks were mad that one with their tail
Should belong to a common fowl flock.
So the chickens beset him most cruelly behind,
And yanked his whole tail out together;
The peacocks attacked him madly before,
And pulled out each chicken feather.
And when he stood stripped clean down to the skin,
A horrible thing to the rest,
He learned this sad lesson when it was too late–
As his own simple self he was best.
By Joseph Morris
Recall of Toy Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Flexitoys Monster-Size Vehicles
Units: About 6,000
Distributor: International Playthings Inc., of Parsippany, N.J.
Hazard: Small parts can detach, which pose a choking hazard to young children.
Incidents/Injuries: No injuries or incidents have been reported.
Description: The recalled Flexitoys Monster-Size vehicles are plastic toys that measure approximately 5 1/2-inches in length. Models included in the recall are: dump truck (model 9000-1), race car (model 9000-2), tractor (model 9000-3), SUV (model 9000-4), fire truck (model 9000-5) and digger truck (model 9000-6). The name and model numbers are stamped on the underside of the plastic vehicles.
Sold at: Specialty toy stores nationwide from May 2005 through September 2005 for about $4.
Manufactured In: China
Remedy: Consumers should contact International Playthings for information on how to return the product to receive a free replacement item of similar value.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact International Playthings at (800) 445-8357 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.intplay.com
Media Contact: Sue Tice at (973) 316-2500 Ext. 232 or email at sue.tice@intplay.com
To view this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product(s), please go to: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06034.html
Recall of Oscillating Electric Tower Fans
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Oscillating Electric Tower Fan
Units: About 150,000
Distributor: Haier America Trading LLC, of New York, N.Y.
Manufacturer: Metropolitan Electrical Appliance Co. Ltd., of Hong Kong
Hazard: Internal electrical arcing in the fan can cause a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: Haier has received eight reports of fires or flames associated with this electric fan, including minor property damage and one report of minor burns.
Description: This recall involves a Haier oscillating electric tower fan, model FTM140GG. The gray tower fan has three speed settings and a 120-minute shut-off timer. “Haier” is printed on a silver label near the top of the front of the tower. The model number is printed on the lower back of the fan. No other Haier fans are included in this recall.
Sold at: Discount department stores nationwide from February 2004 through November 2005 for between $20 and $30.
Manufactured In: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the tower fan and call Haier for instructions on how to obtain a $30 coupon redeemable for the purchase from Haier of any available product. Consumers who previously received a $10 mail-in rebate will get a $20 coupon.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Haier toll-free at (866) 601-8073 anytime or email the firm at productinfo@haieramerica.com
To view this recall on CPSC’s web site, including a picture of the recalled product(s), please go to: cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06037.html
