What is the meaning of hooves?
Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:
“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.