How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat
by Carl Sandburg (excerpt)
"Would you be so kind as to tell us the way to the union depot," the chairman asked a policeman. It was the first time a flongboo ever spoke to a policeman
on the streets of Philadelphia.
It pays to be polite," said the policeman.
"May I ask you again if you would kindly direct us to the union depot? We wish to ride on a train," said the flongboo.
"Polite persons and angry persons are different kinds," said the policeman.
The flongboo's eyes changed their lights and a slow torch of fire sprang out behind where his tail used to be. And speaking to the policeman, he said, "Sir, I
must inform you, publicly and respectfully, that we are The Committee of Sixty Six. We are honorable and distinguished representatives from places your
honest and ignorant geography never told you about. This committee is going to ride on the cars to Medicine Hat near the Saskatchewan river in the
Winnipeg wheat country where the blizzards and chinooks begin. We have a special message and a secret errand for the Head Spotter of the Weather
Makers."
"I am a polite friend of all respectable people that is why I wear this star to arrest people who are not respectable," said the policeman, touching with his
pointing finger the silver and nickel star fastened with a safety pin on his blue uniform coat.
12
Select the correct asnwer.
Reread an excerpt from "How the Animals Lost Their Tails and Got Them Back Traveling from Philadelphia to Medicine Hat." What is the most likely
reason the author focuses on politeness in this passage?
A. to describe why animals should never speak to humans
B. to show how focusing on formalities can be unproductive
C. to discuss the history of etiquette in American society
D.
to demonstrate that people in Philadelphia are less polite than elsewhere