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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:13:45 -0700 |
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diff --git a/24590-h/24590-h.htm b/24590-h/24590-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6a65785 --- /dev/null +++ b/24590-h/24590-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3558 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Tale of Ferdinand Frog, by Arthur Scott Bailey. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + text-indent: 1.25em; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + img {border: 0;} + .tnote {border: dashed 1px; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + ins {text-decoration:none; border-bottom: thin dotted gray;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } +table.backcover {width: 500px; text-align: center; background-image: + url("images/backcover.jpg"); background-repeat: no-repeat;} + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: justify;} + .blockquot2{margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify;} + + .bbox {border: solid 2px; margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .unindent {margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + .right {text-align: right;} + .poem {margin-left: 30%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: left;} + .u {text-decoration: underline;} + + .hang1 {text-indent: -3em; margin-left: 3em;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Tale of Ferdinand Frog, by Arthur Scott Bailey + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Tale of Ferdinand Frog + +Author: Arthur Scott Bailey + +Illustrator: Harry L. Smith + +Release Date: February 13, 2008 [EBook #24590] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TALE OF FERDINAND FROG *** + + + + +Produced by Joe Longo, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="250" height="400" alt="Cover" title="Cover" /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 525px;"> +<img src="images/frontendpapers1.jpg" width="525" height="800" alt="Front Endpapers Left" title="Front Endpapers Left" /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 509px;"> +<img src="images/frontendpapers2.jpg" width="509" height="800" alt="Front Endpapers Right" title="Front Endpapers Right" /> +</div> + +<h1>THE TALE OF<br /> +FERDINAND FROG</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> +<div class='bbox'><h2>SLEEPY-TIME TALES</h2> +<div class='center'><small>(Trademark Registered)</small><br /> + +<small>BY</small><br /> +ARTHUR SCOTT BAILEY<br /> +<br /> +AUTHOR OF<br /> +<b>TUCK-ME-IN TALES</b><br /> +<small>(Trademark Registered)</small><br /> +————————</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Tuck-Me-In Tales"> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Cuffy Bear</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Frisky Squirrel</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Tommy Fox</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Fatty Coon</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Billy Woodchuck</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Jimmy Rabbit</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Peter Mink</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Sandy Chipmunk</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Brownie Beaver</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Paddy Muskrat</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Ferdinand Frog</span></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Tale of Dickie Deer Mouse</span><br /><br /></td></tr> +</table></div> + +</div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 278px;"> +<img src="images/illus-f.jpg" width="278" height="400" alt="Mr. Frog Bows to Aunt Polly Woodchuck" title="Mr. Frog Bows to Aunt Polly Woodchuck" /> +<span class="caption">Mr. Frog Bows to Aunt Polly Woodchuck</span> +</div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='center'><i>SLEEPY-TIME TALES</i><br /> +<small>(Trademark Registered)</small><br /> +————————</div> + +<h1>THE TALE OF<br /> +FERDINAND<br /> +FROG</h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>ARTHUR SCOTT BAILEY</h2> + +<div class='center'><small>Author of</small><br /> +"TUCK-ME-IN TALES"<br /> +<small>(Trademark Registered)</small><br /> +<br /><br /> +<small>ILLUSTRATED BY</small><br /> +HARRY L. SMITH<br /> +<br /><br /><br /><br /> +NEW YORK<br /> +<big>GROSSET & DUNLAP</big><br /> +PUBLISHERS<br /> +<small>Made in the United States of America</small></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span></p> +<div class='center'><small>Copyright, 1918, by</small><br /> +<small>GROSSET & DUNLAP</small></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 75px;"> +<img src="images/spine.jpg" width="75" height="115" alt="Spine" title="Spine" /> +</div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Contents"> +<tr><td align='left' colspan='2'><small>CHAPTER</small></td><td align='center'><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>I</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Pretty as a Picture</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>II</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Dangers of Travel</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>III</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mr. Frog's Double</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_19">19</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mr. Crow Loses Something</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_25">25</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>V</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mr. Frog's Secret Sorrow</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_31">31</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Tired Tim Does a Favor</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Singing-Party</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_42">42</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>VIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Missing Supper</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>IX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Mysterious Stranger</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_51">51</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>X</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Catching Up with Mr. Frog</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mr. Frog Is In No Hurry</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_61">61</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Bad Blunder</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_66">66</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Sixty-Inch Meal</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span>XIV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">An Unpleasant Mix-Up</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_77">77</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XV</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Everyone Is Happy</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Stop That!</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_87">87</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">A Long, Sharp Bill</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_92">92</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XVIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Making Button-Holes</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XIX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">The Swimming Teacher</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_103">103</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XX</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Disturbing the Neighbors</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_109">109</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXI</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mud Baths</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Holding His Breath</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='right'>XXIII</td><td align='left'><span class="smcap">Mr. Frog Runs Away</span></td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_124">124</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<h2>THE TALE OF<br /> +FERDINAND FROG</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>I</h2> + +<h3>PRETTY AS A PICTURE</h3> + + +<p>There was something about Ferdinand +Frog that made everybody smile. It may +have been his amazingly wide mouth and +his queer, bulging eyes, or perhaps it was +his sprightly manner—for one never +could tell when Mr. Frog would leap into +the air, or turn a somersault backward. +Indeed, some of his neighbors claimed +that he himself didn't know what he was +going to do next—he was so <i>jumpy</i>.</p> + +<p>Anyhow, all the wild folk in Pleasant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +Valley agreed that Ferdinand Frog was +an agreeable person to have around. No +matter what happened, he was always +cheerful. Nobody ever heard of his losing +his temper, though to be sure he was +sometimes the means of other peoples +losing theirs. But let a body be as angry +as he pleased with Mr. Frog, Mr. Frog +would continue to smile and smirk.</p> + +<p>Of course, such extreme cheerfulness +often made angry folk only the more +furious, especially when the whole trouble +was Ferdinand Frog's own fault. +But it made no difference to him what +blunder he had made. He was always +ready to make another—and smile at the +same time.</p> + +<p>Really, he was so good-natured that +nobody could feel peevish towards him +for long. In fact, he was a great favorite—especially +among the ladies. When<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span>ever +he met one of them—it might be +the youngest of the Rabbit sisters, or old +Aunt Polly Woodchuck—he never failed +to make the lowest of bows, smile the +broadest of smiles, and inquire after her +health.</p> + +<p>That was Ferdinand Frog—known far +and wide for his elegant manners. Every +young lady declared that he wore exquisite +clothes, too; and many of them +secretly thought him quite good-looking.</p> + +<p>But people as old as Aunt Polly Woodchuck +seldom take heed of what a person +wears. As for Mr. Frog's looks, +since Aunt Polly believed that "handsome +is as handsome does," she admitted +that Ferdinand Frog was—as she put it—"purty +as a picter."</p> + +<p>When Ferdinand Frog heard that, he +was so delighted that he hurried straight +home and put on his best suit. And then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +he spent most of a whole afternoon smiling +at his reflection in the surface of the +Beaver pond, where he was living at the +time.</p> + +<p>So it is easy to see that Ferdinand +Frog was a vain and silly fellow. He +was even foolish enough to repeat Aunt +Polly's remark to everybody he chanced +to meet that night, and the following day +as well.</p> + +<p>There was no one who could help grinning +at Ferdinand Frog's news—he +looked so comical. And old Mr. Crow, +who was noted for his rudeness, even +burst out with a hoarse <i>haw-haw</i>.</p> + +<p>"You're pretty as a picture, eh?" he +chuckled. "I suppose Aunt Polly means +that you're as pretty as one of the pictures +that the circus men have pasted on +Farmer Green's barn. . . . I believe——" +he added, as he stared at Ferdi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>nand +Frog——"I believe I know which +one Aunt Polly means."</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" cried Mr. Frog, swelling +himself up—through pride—until it +seemed that he must burst. "Oh, which +picture is it?"</p> + +<p>"It's the one in the upper left-hand +corner," old Mr. Crow informed him solemnly. +"And if you haven't yet seen it, +you should take a good look at it soon."</p> + +<p>"I will!" Ferdinand Frog declared. +"I'll visit Farmer Green's place this +very night!"</p> + +<p>And he opened his mouth and smiled +so widely that old Mr. Crow couldn't +help shuddering—though he knew well +enough that Ferdinand Frog could never +swallow anyone as big as he was.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>II</h2> + +<h3>THE DANGERS OF TRAVEL</h3> + + +<p>It was a long way to Farmer Green's +from the Beaver pond where Ferdinand +Frog made his home. But he felt that +he simply <i>must</i> see that picture which +Mr. Crow said looked like him. So he +started out just before sunset.</p> + +<p>One thing, at least, about his journey +pleased him: he could make the trip by +water—and he certainly did hate travelling +on land.</p> + +<p>Luckily the stream that trickled its +way below the Beaver dam led straight +to Swift River. And everybody who +knew anything was aware that Swift<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +River ran right under the bridge not +far from the farmhouse.</p> + +<p>So Mr. Frog leaped spryly into the +brook and struck out downstream.</p> + +<p>He was a famous swimmer, having +been used to the water from the time he +was a tadpole. And now he swam so +fast, with the help of the current, that he +reached the river by the time the moon +was up.</p> + +<p>As he looked up at the sky Ferdinand +Frog was both glad and sorry that there +was a moon that night. The moon would +be a good thing, provided he reached the +end of his journey, for it would give him +a fine clear view of the picture on the +barn, which he so much wanted to see. +On the other hand, he would have preferred +a dark night for a swim in Swift +River. There were fish there—pickerel—which +would rather swallow him than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +not. And he knew that they were sure +to be feeding by the light of the moon.</p> + +<p>If Mr. Frog hadn't always looked on +the bright side of life no doubt he would +have waited a week or two, until there +was no moon at all. But he remarked +to himself with a grin, as he hurried +along, that he had never yet seen the +pickerel that was quick enough to catch +him, and furthermore, he never expected +to.</p> + +<p>But those words were hardly out of +Ferdinand Frog's mouth when he turned +and made for the bank as fast as he +could go. He had caught sight of a dark, +long-nosed fish lying among some weeds. +And he decided suddenly that he would +finish his journey by land.</p> + +<p>"It would be a shame——" he told +himself, as he flopped up the steep bank——"it +would be a shame for so hand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span>some +a person as I am to be eaten by a +fish."</p> + +<p>"But you wouldn't object to a bird, +would you?" said a voice right in Ferdinand +Frog's ear—or so it seemed to him.</p> + +<p>He made no answer—not even stopping +to bow, or say good evening—but +turned a somersault backward and hid +himself under the overhanging bank.</p> + +<p>It was Solomon Owl who had spoken +to him. There was no mistaking the +loud, mocking laughter that followed Mr. +Frog's hasty retreat.</p> + +<p>"Solomon Owl is a great joker," Mr. +Frog murmured with a smile. "He was +only teasing me. . . . Still, he might be +a bit hungry. So I'll stay here out of +harm's way for a while, for it would be a +shame for so handsome a person as I am +to be eaten by an old, rascally bird like +Solomon Owl."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>One can judge, just by that remark, +that Ferdinand Frog was not quite so +polite as his neighbors supposed—<i>when +there was no one to hear what he said</i>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>III</h2> + +<h3>MR. FROG'S DOUBLE</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Frog waited until it was broad +daylight before he left his hiding place +beneath the bank of the river. He knew +that by that time Solomon Owl must have +gone home to his hemlock tree to get his +rest. So Ferdinand Frog felt quite safe +again.</p> + +<p>Having made up his mind that he +would finish his journey to Farmer +Green's place by land, he started briskly +across the cornfield, travelling in a +straight line between two rows of young +corn.</p> + +<p>He had not gone far before a hoarse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +voice called to him. But this time he was +not alarmed.</p> + +<p>It was only old Mr. Crow, who seemed +greatly pleased to see him.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, young fellow!" said Mr. Crow. +"If you're on your way to the barn to +look at that picture, I'll fly over there +myself, because I'd like to see it again."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you afraid of meeting Farmer +Green?" Ferdinand Frog asked him.</p> + +<p>"Afraid?" Mr. Crow snorted. "Certainly +not! We're the best of friends. +He set up this straw man here, just to +keep me company. . . . Besides," he +went on, "at this time o' day Farmer +Green is inside the barn, milking the +cows. And we'll be outside it, looking at +the circus pictures."</p> + +<p>"We can call to him, if you want to +say good morning to him," Ferdinand +Frog suggested cheerfully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" his companion said quickly. +"I wouldn't want to do that—he's so +busy."</p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog smiled. And for +some reason old Mr. Crow seemed displeased.</p> + +<p>"What's the joke?" he inquired in a +surly tone. "Something seems to amuse +you. Why are you grinning?"</p> + +<p>"It's just a habit I have," Ferdinand +Frog explained.</p> + +<p>"I'd try to break myself of that habit, +if I were you," Mr. Crow advised him. +"Some day it will get you into trouble, +for you're likely to grin when you +oughtn't to. There's a wrong time and +a right time for everything, you know."</p> + +<p>"Just as there is for planting corn," +Mr. Frog chimed in.</p> + +<p>"Exactly!" Mr. Crow returned.</p> + +<p>"And for eating it!" Mr. Frog added.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + +<p>But old Mr. Crow only said hastily +that he would be at the barn by the time +Ferdinand reached it. And without another +word he flapped himself away +across the field.</p> + +<p>"He's a queer one," said Ferdinand +Frog to himself. "It seems as if a person +couldn't please him, no matter how +much a person tried." Then he untied +his necktie, and tied it again, because he +thought one end of the bow was longer +than the other; and that was something +he couldn't endure.</p> + +<p>Then he resumed his jumping. And +after exactly one hundred and thirty-two +jumps he reached a corner of Farmer +Green's great barn, where he found old +Mr. Crow waiting for him.</p> + +<p>"Still smiling, I see," the old gentleman +observed gruffly. "Maybe you'll +laugh out of the other corner of your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +mouth after you've seen the pretty picture +that you look like."</p> + +<p>"I hope so! Where is it?" Ferdinand +Frog asked him eagerly. "Show me the +pretty one!"</p> + +<p>"Come with me!" said old Mr. Crow. +And he led the way around the barn, +stopping before the side that faced the +road.</p> + +<p>"There!" he cried. "It's in the upper +left-hand corner, just as I told you." +And he chuckled as loud as he dared—with +Farmer Green inside the building, +milking the cows.</p> + +<p>As Ferdinand Frog gazed upward a +shadow of disappointment came over his +face. And for once he did not smile.</p> + +<p>"Do I look like that?" he faltered.</p> + +<p>"You certainly do," old Mr. Crow assured +him. "See those eyes—don't they +bulge just like yours? And look at that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +mouth! It's fully as wide as yours—and +maybe a trifle wider!"</p> + +<p>"The face does look a bit like mine, +I'll admit," Ferdinand Frog muttered. +"But no one could ever mistake one of us +for the other. . . . What's the name of +this creature?"</p> + +<p>"It's called the <i>hippopotamus</i>," old +Mr. Crow replied. "I heard Johnnie +Green say so. And he ought to know, if +anyone does."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>IV</h2> + +<h3>MR. CROW LOSES SOMETHING</h3> + + +<p>The picture of the hippopotamus on +Farmer Green's barn did not please Ferdinand +Frog. But in a few moments he +began to smile again.</p> + +<p>"You've made a mistake," he told old +Mr. Crow with a snicker. "When Aunt +Polly Woodchuck said I was as pretty +as a picture she never could have had +this one in mind."</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Mr. Crow inquired. +"The eyes and the mouth——"</p> + +<p>"Yes! Yes—I know!" Ferdinand interrupted. +"But this creature has a +tail! And tails are terribly out of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +fashion. I haven't worn one since I was +a tadpole."</p> + +<p>That was enough for old Mr. Crow. <i>He</i> +had a tail——or tail feathers, at least. +And he at once flew into a terrible rage.</p> + +<p>"You've insulted me!" he shouted.</p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog knew then that he +had blundered. So he hastened to mend +matters.</p> + +<p>"There, there!" he said in a soothing +tone. "Having a tail is not so bad, after +all; for you can always cut it off, if you +want to be in style." And he was surprised +to find that his remark only made +Mr. Crow angrier than ever.</p> + +<div class="figleft" style="width: 275px;"> +<img src="images/illus-1.jpg" width="275" height="400" alt="Old Mr. Crow Plays a Joke on Mr. Frog" title="Old Mr. Crow Plays a Joke on Mr. Frog" /> +<span class="caption">Old Mr. Crow Plays a Joke on Mr. Frog</span> +</div> + +<p>"Cut off my tail, indeed!" the old gentleman +snorted. "I'd be a pretty sight, +if I did. Why, I wouldn't part with a +single tail-feather, on any account." He +continued to scold Ferdinand Frog at +the top of his lungs, telling him that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +was a silly fellow, and that nobody—unless +it was a few foolish young creatures—thought +he was the least bit handsome.</p> + +<p>Now, old Mr. Crow was in such a temper +that he forgot that Farmer Green +was inside the barn. And he made so +much noise that Farmer Green heard +him and peeped around the corner of +the barn to see what was going on.</p> + +<p>A moment later the old shot-gun went +off with a terrific roar. Ferdinand Frog +saw Mr. Crow spring up and go tearing +off towards the woods. And a long, +black tail-feather floated slowly down out +of the air and settled on the ground near +the place where Mr. Crow had been +standing.</p> + +<p>After shaking his fist in Mr. Crow's +direction, Farmer Green disappeared.</p> + +<p>"That's a pity," Mr. Frog thought.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +"Mr. Crow has parted with one of his +tail-feathers. And I must find him as +soon as I can and tell him how sorry +I am."</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Frog turned to look at the +other pictures, which covered the whole +side of the big barn. He beheld many +strange creatures—some with necks of +enormous length, some with humps on +their backs, and all of them of amazing +colors.</p> + +<p>But whether they were ringed, streaked +or striped, not one of them was—in Mr. +Frog's opinion—one-half as beautiful as +the hippopotamus.</p> + +<p>"Even he——" Mr. Frog decided——"even +he couldn't be called half as handsome +as I am. For once old Mr. Crow +certainly was mistaken."</p> + +<p>And he began to laugh. And while he +was laughing, Farmer Green came out of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +the barn with a pail of milk in each hand.</p> + +<p>Then Ferdinand Frog had a happy +thought. Why not ask Farmer Green +to shoot off the tail of the hippopotamus? +The loss of that ugly tail would improve +the creature's looks, and make him appear +still more like Mr. Frog himself.</p> + +<p>At least, that was Mr. Frog's own +opinion.</p> + +<p>And he called to Farmer Green and +suggested to him that he step out behind +the barn and take a shot at the tail of +the hippopotamus.</p> + +<p>"Try your luck!" Mr. Frog coaxed. +"It's plain to see that you need practice, +or you'd have made Mr. Crow part with +all his tail-feathers, instead of only one." +And he laughed harder than ever.</p> + +<p>But Farmer Green paid little heed to +Ferdinand Frog's wheedling, although he +did smile and say:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I declare, I believe that bull frog's +jeering at me because I missed the old +crow!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>V</h2> + +<h3>MR. FROG'S SECRET SORROW</h3> + + +<p>Ferdinand Frog always looked so cheerful +that no one ever suspected that he +had a secret sorrow. But it is true, +nevertheless, that something troubled +him, though he took great pains not to +let a single one of his neighbors know +that anything grieved him.</p> + +<p>His trouble was simply this: he had +never been invited to attend the singing-parties +which the Frog family held almost +every evening in Cedar Swamp.</p> + +<p>Now, Ferdinand Frog loved to sing at +night.</p> + +<p>Indeed, he liked nothing better than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +to go to the lake not far from the Beaver +dam and practice his songs among +the lily pads near the shore. He had +a deep, powerful bass voice, which one +could hear a mile or more across the +water on a still evening.</p> + +<p>Often he dressed himself with the +greatest care and went to the lake alone, +where he stayed half the night and sang +so loudly that a good many of the wild +folk who lived in the neighborhood +thought him a great nuisance. Not caring +for music, they objected to being +forced to listen to Ferdinand Frog's favorite +songs.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you go over to Cedar +Swamp, if you want to make a noise?" +one of the Beaver family who was known +as Tired Tim asked Mr. Frog one evening. +"You have come here for nine +nights running; and your racket has up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span>set +me so that I haven't done a stroke of +work in all this time."</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog had puffed himself up and +had just opened his mouth to begin a +new song. But upon being spoken to so +rudely he closed his mouth quickly and +swallowed several times. For just a second +or two he was speechless, he was so +surprised. And then presently he began +to giggle.</p> + +<p>"I believe you," he said. "I believe +that you haven't done a stroke of work +for ninety nights." He knew—as did +everybody else—that Tired Tim was the +laziest person for miles around.</p> + +<p>"I said nine—not ninety," Tired Tim +corrected him.</p> + +<p>"Oh! My mistake!" Mr. Frog replied.</p> + +<p>"You haven't answered my question," +Tired Tim reminded him with a wide +yawn. "I asked you why you didn't at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>tend +the singing-parties over in Cedar +Swamp. You could croak your head off +there and no one would stop you."</p> + +<p>But Mr. Frog shook his head. And at +the same time, he sighed.</p> + +<p>"No!" he said. "I'd rather sing here +on the border of the lake. The trouble is, +<i>I sing too well</i> for those fellows over in +Cedar Swamp."</p> + +<p>"Why don't you join them and teach +them how to sing, if you know so much +about it?" Tired Tim persisted.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've no time for that," Ferdinand +Frog answered.</p> + +<p>And then it was his companion's turn +to snicker.</p> + +<p>"You appear to have plenty of time to +waste here," he observed. "It's my opinion +that there's just one reason why you +don't go to the Cedar Swamp singing +parties."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's that?" Mr. Frog inquired +with a slight trace of uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"They haven't invited you."</p> + +<p>"How did you guess that?" Ferdinand +Frog asked him.</p> + +<p>He wished, the next moment, that he +had not put that question to Tired Tim. +For he saw at once that he had given his +sad secret away.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>VI</h2> + +<h3>TIRED TIM DOES A FAVOR</h3> + + +<p>In spite of all Ferdinand Frog's teasing, +Tired Tim Beaver refused to explain +how he happened to know Mr. Frog's secret.</p> + +<p>To tell the truth, he had <i>guessed</i> the +reason why Mr. Frog did not attend the +Cedar Swamp singing-parties. But he +hoped that Ferdinand Frog would think +that some of the musical Frog family +had been talking to him. And he even +hinted to Mr. Frog that maybe it would +be possible to get him an invitation to +the singing-parties.</p> + +<p>"Do you think you could do that?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +Ferdinand Frog asked him with, great +eagerness.</p> + +<p>"I <i>might</i> be able to; but it wouldn't +be an easy matter," Tired Tim replied. +"And I'd expect you to do something +for me, if I went to so much trouble on +your account."</p> + +<p>"I'll do <i>anything</i> for you, in return +for an invitation to the Cedar Swamp +singing-parties," Ferdinand Frog declared.</p> + +<p>"Very well!" Tired Tim told him. +"I'll go right over to the swamp now. +And when I tell 'em a few things, I +know they'll want you to join 'em."</p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog felt so gay that he +stood on his head and waved his feet in +the air.</p> + +<p>"Let's meet here to-morrow night," +he suggested.</p> + +<p>But Tired Tim objected to that plan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You would be hanging about this +place—and singing—for four-and-twenty +hours," he grumbled. "It will be a great +deal better if we meet on the edge of the +swamp."</p> + +<p>"Just as you wish!" Ferdinand Frog +exclaimed. "And since you're going to +Cedar Swamp, I'll hop along with you, +to keep you company."</p> + +<p>"You forget——" said Tired Tim +Beaver——"you forget that you haven't +been invited yet."</p> + +<p>"Have you?" Mr. Frog inquired.</p> + +<p>"Certainly!" said Tired Tim. And +grinning over his shoulder, he swam +away.</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog watched his friend from the +shore.</p> + +<p>"He can't fool me," he muttered. +"Tired Tim <i>invited himself</i>. And I've +been stupid not to do likewise."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the following night Ferdinand +Frog went to the edge of Cedar Swamp, +where he waited somewhat impatiently +on a log until Tired Tim Beaver joined +him.</p> + +<p>"Well!" Mr. Frog cried. "I'm glad +to see you and I hope you've brought my +invitation."</p> + +<p>But Tired Tim wouldn't say yes or no.</p> + +<p>"If I succeed in getting you into the +Cedar Swamp singing-parties will you +promise me that you won't sing any more +around the lake, or near our pond, +either?" he demanded.</p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog gave his solemn promise.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then!" Tired Tim said. +"Go along over to the swamp. They're +expecting you."</p> + +<p>When he heard the good news Ferdinand +Frog was so delighted that he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +leaped into the air and kicked his heels +together.</p> + +<p>And then forgetting his solemn promise, +he began to bellow at the top of his +voice:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"To Cedar Swamp I'll haste away;<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">Though first I'll sing a song.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">My voice I must not waste to-day,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">So I'll not keep you long.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">I simply want to let you know</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">I'm much obliged, before I go."</span><br /> +</div> + +<p>"Don't mention it!" said Tired Tim.</p> + +<p>"Don't interrupt me, please!" said +Ferdinand Frog. "I haven't finished +thanking you yet. That's only the first +verse."</p> + +<p>"How many more are there?" Tired +Tim inquired with a yawn.</p> + +<p>"Ninety-nine!" Mr. Frog answered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +And he was somewhat surprised—and +puzzled—when Tired Tim left him suddenly +and plunged into the underbrush.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>VII</h2> + +<h3>THE SINGING-PARTY</h3> + + +<p>Ferdinand Frog lost no time, after +Tired Tim left him. He jumped into the +swamp and made straight towards the +very middle of it, whence he could already +hear the chorus of the numerous +Frog family; for the singing-party had +begun.</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog made all haste, not wishing +to miss any more of the fun. Now swimming, +now leaping from one hummock to +another—or sometimes to an old stump—he +quickly reached the place where the +Frog family were enjoying themselves.</p> + +<p>"Here he is!" several of the singers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +exclaimed as soon as Ferdinand Frog's +head popped out of the water, in their +midst.</p> + +<p>He saw at once that they had been expecting +him; and he smiled and bowed—and +waited for the company to stop singing +and give him a warm greeting with +their cold, damp hands. But except for +those first few words, no one paid the +slightest attention to the newcomer.</p> + +<p>In fact, nobody even took the trouble +to nod to Ferdinand Frog—much less to +shake hands with him and tell him that +he was welcome.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile one song followed another +with hardly a pause between them. And +Mr. Frog found that he did not know the +words of even one.</p> + +<p>He was so impatient that at last he +climbed upon an old fallen tree-trunk, +which stuck out of the greenish-black<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +water, and began to roar his favorite +song, while he beat time for the other +singers. The name of that song was "A +Frog on a Log in a Bog"; and Ferdinand +Frog thought that he couldn't have chosen +another so fitting.</p> + +<p>But the rest of the singing-party had +other ideas. They turned about and +scowled at Mr. Frog as if he had done +something most unpleasant.</p> + +<p>"Stop! Stop!" several of them cried. +And an important-looking fellow near +him shouted, "Don't sing that, for pity's +sake!"</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Ferdinand Frog faltered. +"What's the matter with my song? It's +my special favorite, which I sing at +least fifty times each night, regularly."</p> + +<p>"It's old stuff," the other told him +with a sneer. "We haven't sung that +for a year, at least."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog did not try to argue +with him. But as soon as he saw another +chance he began a different ditty.</p> + +<p>Then a loud groan arose. And somebody +stopped him again. And Mr. Frog +soon learned that they hadn't sung that +one for a year and a half.</p> + +<p>Though he tried again and again, he +had no better luck. But he kept smiling +bravely. And finally he asked the company +in a loud voice if he "wasn't going +to have a chance."</p> + +<p>"Certainly!" a number of the singers +assured him. "Your chance is coming +later. We shan't forget you."</p> + +<p>And that made Ferdinand Frog feel +better. He told himself that he could +wait patiently for a time—if it wasn't +too long.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>VIII</h2> + +<h3>THE MISSING SUPPER</h3> + + +<p>Ferdinand Frog had begun to feel uneasy +again. He was afraid that the singers +had forgotten their promise to him. +But at last they suddenly started a rousing +song which made him take heart +again.</p> + +<p>They roared out the chorus in a joyful +way which left no doubt in his mind that +his chance was at hand:</p> + +<div class='poem'> +"Now that the concert is ended<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">We'll sit at the banquet and feast.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">Now that the singing's suspended</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1.5em;">We'll dine till it's gray in the east."</span><br /></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Frog only hoped that the company +did not expect him to sing to them <i>all</i> +the time while they were banqueting.</p> + +<p>"They needn't think—" he murmured +under his breath—"they needn't think +I don't like good things to eat as well +as they do." But he let no one see that +he was worried. That was Ferdinand +Frog's way: almost always he managed +to smile, no matter how things went.</p> + +<p>When the last echoes of the song had +died away a great hubbub arose. Everybody +crowded around Mr. Frog. And +there were cries of "Now! Now!"</p> + +<p>He thought, of course, that they wanted +to hear him sing. So he started once +more to sing his favorite song. But they +stopped him quickly.</p> + +<p>"We've finished the songs for to-night," +they told him. "We're ready for +the supper now. . . . Where is it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Supper?" Mr. Frog faltered, as his +jaw dropped. "What supper?"</p> + +<p>"The supper you're going to give us!" +the whole company shouted. "You know—don't +you?—that we have just made a +rule for new members: they're to furnish +a banquet."</p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog's eyes seemed to bulge +further out of his head than ever.</p> + +<p>"I—I never heard of this before!" he +stammered.</p> + +<p>"Didn't Tired Tim tell you about our +new rule?" somebody inquired. "It was +his own idea."</p> + +<p>"He never said a word to me about it!" +Ferdinand Frog declared with a loud +laugh. "And I can't give you a supper, +for I haven't one ready."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll postpone it until to-morrow +night," the company told him hopefully.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What does your rule say?" Ferdinand +Frog rolled his eyes as he put the +question to them.</p> + +<p>"It says that the banquet must take +place the first night the new member is +present," a fat gentleman replied.</p> + +<p>"Then I can't give you any food to-morrow +night," Mr. Frog informed them, +"because it would be against the rule."</p> + +<p>"Then you can't be a member!" a +hundred voices croaked.</p> + +<p>"I <i>am</i> one now," Ferdinand Frog replied +happily. "And what's more, I +don't see how you can keep me out of +your singing-parties."</p> + +<p>There was silence for a time.</p> + +<p>"We've been sold," some one said at +last. "We've no rule to prevent this +fellow from coming here. And the worst +of it is, as everybody knows, his voice is +so loud it will spoil all our songs."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>Oddly enough, the speaker was the +very one who had always objected to inviting +Ferdinand Frog to join the singing +parties. His own voice had always +been the loudest in the whole company. +And naturally he did not want anybody +with a louder one to come and drown his +best notes.</p> + +<p>But now he couldn't help himself. +And thereafter when the singers met in +Cedar Swamp he always turned greener +in the face than ever and looked as if he +were about to burst, when Ferdinand +Frog opened his mouth its widest and let +his voice rumble forth into the night.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>IX</h2> + +<h3>THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER</h3> + + +<p>When Ferdinand Frog first came to the +Beaver pond to live no one knew anything +about him.</p> + +<p>He appeared suddenly—no one knew +whence—and at once made himself very +much at home. It was no time at all before +he could call every one of the big +Beaver family by name. And he acted +exactly as if the pond belonged to him, +instead of to the Beavers, whose great-grandfathers +had dammed the stream +many years before.</p> + +<p>But the newcomer was so polite that +nobody cared to send him away. At the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +same time, people couldn't help wondering +who the stranger was and where he +had come from and what his plans for +the future were. Whenever two or three +Beavers stopped working long enough to +enjoy a pleasant chat, they were sure to +talk of the mysterious Mr. Frog and tell +one another what they thought of him. +Many were the tales told about the nimble +fellow.</p> + +<p>Some said that he had moved all the +way from Farmer Green's duck pond, +because Johnnie Green had tried to catch +him; while others declared that Ferdinand +Frog was a famous singer, who +had come to that quiet spot in order to +rest his voice, which had become harsh +from too much use. Indeed, there were +so many stories about the stranger that +it was hard to know which to believe—especially +after old Mr. Crow informed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +Brownie Beaver that in his opinion Ferdinand +Frog was a slippery fellow. "I +shouldn't be surprised——" Mr. Crow +had said with a wise wag of his head——"I +shouldn't be surprised if his +real name was Ferdinand Fraud."</p> + +<p>Anyhow, there was one thing that almost +all the Beaver colony agreed upon. +They were of one opinion as to Mr. +Frog's clothes, which they thought must +be very fashionable, because they were +like no others that had ever been seen +before in those parts.</p> + +<p>There was one young gentleman, however—the +beau of the village—who disputed +everybody, saying that he believed +that Ferdinand Frog must be wearing +old clothes that were many years behind +the times.</p> + +<p>Now, there was one lazy Beaver known +as Tired Tim who had nothing better to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +do than to go straight to Mr. Frog and +repeat what he heard.</p> + +<p>To Tired Tim's surprise—for he had +expected Mr. Frog to lose his temper—to +his surprise that gentleman appeared +much amused by the bit of gossip. He +shook with silent laughter for a time, +quite as if he were saving his voice to +use that evening. And then he said:</p> + +<p>"So your young friend thinks I'm not +in style, eh? . . . Well, I'll tell you +something: he's right, in a way. And in +another way he isn't. The reason why +I'm not in style is because I always aim +to keep five years ahead of everybody +else.</p> + +<p>"Five years from now and your neighbors +will all be wearing clothes like +mine."</p> + +<p>"Can't we ever catch up with you?" +Tired Tim asked him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's only one way you can do +that," was Mr. Frog's mysterious answer.</p> + +<p>And he would say no more.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>X</h2> + +<h3>CATCHING UP WITH MR. FROG</h3> + + +<p>Tired Tim Beaver asked Mr. Frog point-blank +how a person might catch up with +him in the matter of clothes.</p> + +<p>"If you manage to dress in a style +that's five years ahead of the times, I +should like to know the way to be just as +fashionable," Tired Tim said.</p> + +<p>But he got no help—then—from Mr. +Frog. All Ferdinand Frog would say +was that he'd be glad to oblige a friend, +but he couldn't—and wouldn't—be hurried.</p> + +<p>And though the unhappy, eager Tim +teased and begged him to tell his secret,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +Mr. Frog only smiled the more cheerfully +and said nothing.</p> + +<p>It was maddening—for Tired Tim—though +Mr. Frog seemed to be enjoying +himself hugely. And the result was that +Tired Tim Beaver returned to the village +in the pond in a terrible state of +mind. Since he told everyone else what +he had learned about Ferdinand Frog +and his clothes, it was only a short time +before the whole Beaver family was so +stirred up that they couldn't do a stroke +of work. Ferdinand Frog was in everybody's +mouth, so to speak. And at last +old Grandaddy Beaver hit upon a plan.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you get somebody to make +you a suit exactly like Mr. Frog's?" he +asked Tired Tim.</p> + +<p>So Tired Tim took Grandaddy's advice. +That very night he disappeared, +to swagger back in a few days in a cos<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span>tume +that made him appear almost like +Mr. Frog's twin brother—if one didn't +look at his face. And there were some +among the villagers who even declared +that Tired Tim's mouth seemed wider +than it had been, and more like Mr. +Frog's.</p> + +<p>When they asked Tired Tim if his +tailor hadn't stretched his mouth for him +he replied no, that he had been smiling +a good deal for a day or two, and perhaps +that was what made his mouth look +different.</p> + +<p>Well, the whole Beaver village was delighted +with Tired Tim's new suit.</p> + +<p>"Wait till Mr. Frog sees you!" people +cried. "He'll be <i>so</i> surprised!"</p> + +<div class="figright" style="width: 275px;"> +<img src="images/illus-2.jpg" width="275" height="400" alt="Mr. Frog Liked to Hear Himself Sing" title="Mr. Frog Liked to Hear Himself Sing" /> +<span class="caption">Mr. Frog Liked to Hear Himself Sing</span> +</div> + +<p>And somebody swam away in great +haste to find Mr. Frog and ask him to +come to the lower end of the pond, where +all the houses were. But when Ferdi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span>nand +Frog arrived, everybody was disappointed, +and especially Tired Tim, who +had felt very proud in his gorgeous new +clothes. For he saw at once that Mr. +Frog was arrayed from head to foot in +an entirely new outfit. He looked almost +like a rainbow, so brilliant were the colors +of his costume.</p> + +<p>At the same time Tired Tim put on as +brave a front as he could. And drawing +near to Mr. Frog, he said:</p> + +<p>"What do you think of my new suit?"</p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog looked at him as if he +hadn't noticed him before.</p> + +<p>"Your suit's all right," he replied, +"for one who isn't particular. But it's +not far enough ahead of the times for me. . . . +I'd hate to be caught wearing it."</p> + +<p>It was a bitter blow for Tired Tim +Beaver. In fact, he felt more tired than +ever; and he sank to the bottom of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +pond to rest, where his friends couldn't +see him.</p> + +<p>As for the other members of the +Beaver family, they all went home with a +great longing inside them. There wasn't +a single one of them that wasn't eager to +wear clothes exactly as far ahead of the +times as were those of the elegant stranger, +Ferdinand Frog.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XI</h2> + +<h3>FERDINAND FROG IS IN +NO HURRY</h3> + + +<p>Although everybody in the Beaver village +looked worried, Mr. Frog seemed to +be all the more cheerful. He knew well +enough that there was hardly one Beaver +in the pond that didn't wish and long for +clothes which were, like Mr. Frog's, five +years ahead of the times.</p> + +<p>As day after day passed, not only were +the Beavers unable to do a single stroke +of work; they were so upset that they +could scarcely eat or sleep. And at last +the older villagers, such as Grandaddy +Beaver, began to see that something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +would have to be done. There was the +dam, which needed mending; and there +was the winter's food, which had to be +gathered.</p> + +<p>So Grandaddy Beaver went to Ferdinand +Frog one day and told him that he +simply <i>must</i> come to the rescue of the +pond folk, and tell them how they might +have clothes as far ahead of the times +as were his own.</p> + +<p>"Why?" Mr. Frog inquired. "What's +the trouble?"</p> + +<p>"They can't work," Grandaddy Beaver +told him. "And there's the dam to be +fixed, and tree-tops to be cut and stored +for food, because winter's a-coming, and +there's no way we can stop it."</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what you and your people +can do," Ferdinand Frog replied. "Just +bury yourselves in the mud during the +winter, as I do, and you'd have no use for +a dam, nor for food, either."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span></p> + +<p>But Grandaddy Beaver explained that +though such a plan might suit a Frog +exceedingly well, for a Beaver it would +never do at all.</p> + +<p>"You have got us into this scrape," +he told Mr. Frog, "so it's only fair that +you should help us out of it."</p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog then did a number of +things, all of which were intended to let +Grandaddy Beaver see that what he +asked couldn't be done. Mr. Frog held +up his hands with the palms out and +rolled his eyes; he shut his great mouth +together as if he did not intend to say +another word. He looked so determined +that Grandaddy Beaver's heart sank.</p> + +<p>And then—when Grandaddy Beaver +had almost given up all hope—then Mr. +Frog said suddenly:</p> + +<p>"I'll consent to help you, because I +see that it's my duty."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good!" Grandaddy Beaver cried. "I +told people that I knew you'd come to +our rescue, for you have such a kind +face! . . .</p> + +<p>"And now, tell me!" he bade Ferdinand +Frog with great eagerness, while +he held a hand behind one of his ears, +in order to hear more clearly.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Frog was not ready to give +away his secret.</p> + +<p>He winked at Grandaddy Beaver, and +poked his fingers into the old gentleman's +ribs.</p> + +<p>"Not so fast, my lad!" said Mr. Frog, +who was certainly many years younger +than Grandaddy Beaver. "I'm not prepared +to explain everything to you just +yet.</p> + +<p>"You come to the big rock on the +other side of the pond as soon as it's +dark to-night; and bring with you every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>body +who wants to know how to get +clothes like mine.</p> + +<p>"Now, do exactly as I say," Mr. Frog +cautioned Grandaddy, "and <i>everything +will be made easy</i>."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XII</h2> + +<h3>A BAD BLUNDER</h3> + + +<p>When it was almost dark Grandaddy +Beaver swam across the pond to the big +rock, where Ferdinand Frog had told +him to come.</p> + +<p>And trooping after Daddy was almost +everybody in the village. Not counting +the women and children, there were eleven +of them. They climbed upon the rock, +looking for Mr. Frog. But he was nowhere +in sight.</p> + +<p>"He'll be here in a minute or two, +probably," Grandaddy Beaver said hopefully, +for all he looked a bit anxious.</p> + +<p>Then somebody spied a neat building<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +near-by, which not one of them had noticed +before.</p> + +<p>"What's this strange house?" people +asked one another. "Is this where Mr. +Frog lives?"</p> + +<p>But nobody seemed to know the answer +to that question.</p> + +<p>"It can't be a shop," Grandaddy decided, +"for there's no sign on it. And +nobody would have a shop without a +sign."</p> + +<p>Now, the door of the little building +was shut and fastened. And the window-shades +were pulled carefully down. It +certainly looked as if nobody was at +home.</p> + +<p>But suddenly there came a sound +that made the Beaver family jump. It +came from the house—there was no +doubt of that.</p> + +<p>In fact it came right through the key<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>hole; +and it was like nothing in the +world but a sneeze.</p> + +<p>A number of people were all ready to +jump into the water and swim away, +they were so startled.</p> + +<p>And then a snicker followed the sneeze. +And by that time Grandaddy Beaver and +his friends guessed who was inside the +building. It was Ferdinand Frog; and +he had been watching his callers all the +time, through the keyhole, and listening +to everything that they said.</p> + +<p>A few felt slightly uneasy, as they +tried to remember exactly what remarks +they had made about Mr. Frog himself.</p> + +<p>"Come out!" they all cried, as soon as +they had recovered from their surprise. +"We want to see you!" And they formed +a half-circle in the dooryard.</p> + +<p>Presently the door swung out, as if +somebody had pushed it open. And<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +there, on the <i>inside</i> of the open door, +which was flung back against the outside +of the building, they all saw a sign, +which said:</p> + +<div class='center'> +MR. FERDINAND FROG<br /> +<small>UNFASHIONABLE TAILOR</small><br /> +<small>ALL THE STYLES</small><br /> +<small>FIVE YEARS AHEAD</small><br /> +<small>OF THE TIMES</small><br /></div> + + +<p>People began exclaiming that that was +just like Ferdinand Frog—who was an +odd fellow—to have his sign painted on +the inside of his door instead of on the +outside.</p> + +<p>"It'll be all the style five years from +now," he retorted.</p> + +<p>So that was Mr. Frog's secret! He +was a tailor himself! And there he was, +ready to make clothes for all of them!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was almost too good to be true. But +there he stood in the doorway, with a +tape around his neck, smiling and bowing.</p> + +<p>"You'd better form in line!" he suggested. +"You can come in through the +front door. I'll measure you. And you +can pass out the back way. . . . Don't +crowd, please!"</p> + +<p>Now, that was just where Mr. Frog +made a great blunder. But he didn't +find it out till it was too late.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XIII</h2> + +<h3>A SIXTY-INCH MEAL</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Frog's scheme of measuring the +Beaver family for new suits had just one +drawback; the Beaver family liked it too +well. So pleased were they over the +prospect of having "unfashionable" +clothes like Mr. Frog's at last that all +of them wanted to be measured not once +but several times. And each and every +one, as soon as Mr. Frog had taken his +measurements, went out through the +back door and slipped around the little +building, to wait again at the foot of the +line.</p> + +<p>Now, Mr. Frog was a spry worker.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +He passed his tape around his customers +and jotted down figures on flat, black +stones as fast as he could make his +fingers fly. And if it hadn't been for just +one thing Ferdinand Frog would have +been quite happy. But beginning with +his first customer, he was somewhat +troubled; for in the whole company he +found not one who had brought his +pocket-book with him.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" he asked Grandaddy +Beaver, when the old gentleman's +turn came. "Didn't you tell 'em what I +said about pocket-books?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly did!" Grandaddy replied. +"I told them to be sure to leave their +pocket-books at home."</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog gulped once or twice, as if +he were swallowing something unpleasant. +And he looked most surprised.</p> + +<p>"Why, that's exactly wrong!" he cried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Is that so?" Grandaddy Beaver quavered. +"Then I must have made a mistake. +You know I'm a <i>leetle</i> hard of +hearing."</p> + +<p>"Never mind!" Ferdinand Frog answered, +for he always took his troubles +lightly. "Bring 'em when you come to +have your clothes fitted and it'll be all +right."</p> + +<p>So he worked on. But by and by he +began to grow uneasy again. And now +and then he paused and went to the +window, where he peered somewhat anxiously +at the Beavers who waited before +his door in a long line.</p> + +<p>"It's queer!" Mr. Frog exclaimed +aloud at last. "Here I've been measuring +'em for an hour and a half; and +there's just as many of 'em left. . . . +I'll have to stop soon," he continued, +"for I'm going to a singing-party to-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>night. +And I don't want to be late."</p> + +<p>His customers, however, wouldn't hear +of his leaving. The moment Mr. Frog's +remarks passed down the line, the Beaver +family began to jostle and push one another. +They crowded inside the tailor's +shop.</p> + +<p>And to get rid of them, Mr. Frog +worked faster than ever. So great was +his haste that he measured everybody +wrong; whereas before he had measured +them correctly, while merely scratching +wrong figures upon the stones.</p> + +<p>And finally he stopped suddenly. As +Grandaddy Beaver stepped forward to be +measured for the fourth time it dawned +upon Mr. Frog that he had measured him +several times already.</p> + +<p>But Ferdinand Frog said nothing at +all.</p> + +<p>Holding one end of his tape in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +mouth, he passed the other end around +Grandaddy's plump body.</p> + +<p>All at once a cry of dismay came from +the customers who were looking on while +they waited.</p> + +<p>"He's swallowing the tape!" they +cried, pointing to Mr. Frog.</p> + +<p>It was true. Beneath their horrified +gaze the tape-measure disappeared little +by little inside Mr. Frog's mouth. And +before any of them could come to his +senses and seize the end of the yellow +strip, it had vanished from view completely.</p> + +<p>Of course they saw that the tailor +could work no longer that evening. So +they filed sadly out of the shop.</p> + +<p>"How did it happen?" they asked Mr. +Frog, who was already locking his door.</p> + +<p>"The tape stuck to my tongue," he +explained. "Everything does, you know.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +But it doesn't matter, because I was +hungry. And now I feel better."</p> + +<p>So Mr. Frog reached the singing-party +in time, after all.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XIV</h2> + +<h3>AN UNPLEASANT MIX-UP</h3> + + +<p>For a long time after he took the measurements +of the Beaver family Mr. Frog +kept carefully out of sight. Though several +of the Beavers visited his shop every +day, they always found the door locked +and the shades drawn. But from various +odd sounds—such as giggles and titters +and snickers—which they heard by listening +at the keyhole, they knew that the +tailor was inside.</p> + +<p>To all their knocks and calls, however, +Mr. Frog made no other response. He +was working busily, and he did not want +to be interrupted.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>At last, to the delight of everybody, a +notice appeared one evening upon Mr. +Frog's door, which said:</p> + +<div class='center'> +TO-MORROW WILL BE<br /> +FITTING-DAY<br /> +</div> + +<p>Well, never was such excitement known +in the Beaver family—unless it was +when the great freshet came, and almost +washed away the dam. And it +was lucky there was no freshet upon Mr. +Frog's fitting-day, for there would have +been no one except the women and children +to do any work. Some of the young +dandies even spent the night right in +front of Mr. Frog's tailor's shop, in +order to be among the first to try on +their new clothes, which were to be five +years ahead of the times.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Frog opened his door bright<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +and early the following morning he had +to beg his eager customers to keep order.</p> + +<p>"There's a suit here for everybody," +he announced. "But if you crowd into +my shop I may get the garments mixed. +And that would be terrible."</p> + +<p>So the Beaver gentlemen were as quiet +and orderly as they could be. But as for +Mr. Frog himself, he jumped around as +if he were standing in a hot frying-pan. +He hustled his customers into their suits +in no time, assuring each one that his +garments fitted him perfectly, and asking +him please to step out through the back +door and wait.</p> + +<p>By the time the last Beaver had on his +new clothes, and Mr. Frog followed him +into the back-yard, the tailor found that +there was a frightful uproar outside. +There wasn't one of the Beavers who +didn't claim that there was something<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +wrong about his new clothes. But +whether sleeves, trousers or coat-tails +were too short or too long, or whether +they were too loose or too tight, Mr. +Frog declared that they were exactly as +they should be, because they were bound +to be in style in five years' time, and nobody—so +he said—could prove otherwise.</p> + +<p>Of course, the Beaver family was far +from satisfied. Though they had what +they had been wishing for, they couldn't +help thinking that they looked very +queer—as, indeed, they did.</p> + +<p>But Ferdinand Frog told the crowd +that it was only because they weren't +used to being dressed in that fashion. +He said he certainly was pleased with +their appearance and that he had never +seen any company that looked the least +bit like them.</p> + +<p>There was one Beaver, however, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +shouted angrily that he knew his suit +wasn't fashionable and that he wouldn't +accept it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XV</h2> + +<h3>EVERYONE IS HAPPY</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Frog led the angry Beaver around +to the front of his shop, while the others +followed, and pointed to his sign.</p> + +<p>"There!" he said. "Don't you see that +I <i>claim</i> to be an unfashionable tailor? +You'll have to keep that suit, and pay me +for it, too. And so will everybody else."</p> + +<p>But the whole Beaver family cried out +that they objected. "No one ever pays +his tailor," they told Mr. Frog. "It's +not the fashionable thing to do."</p> + +<p>Even then Ferdinand Frog continued +to smile at them. He was such an agreeable +chap!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I know it's not fashionable now," he +admitted, "but it will be five years from +now. And since it's my way to collect +on delivery, I'll thank you to step up +one at a time and pay me. . . . And +please don't crowd!" he added.</p> + +<p>There was really no need of that last +warning, because nobody made a move.</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog, however, was not dismayed. +He leaped suddenly into the air and +alighted directly in front of a Beaver +known among his friends as Stingy +Steve—the very one to whom Mr. Frog +had just shown his sign.</p> + +<p>"Pay up, please!" Ferdinand Frog +said.</p> + +<p>"How much do I owe you?" the uneasy +Beaver asked him.</p> + +<p>"Sixty!" Mr. Frog told him, with a +grin.</p> + +<p>Stingy Steve thrust his hand inside the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +pocket of his new trousers, from which +he slowly drew one of Mr. Frog's tape-measures—of +which the tailor had at +least a dozen. Mr. Frog was always +tucking them away in odd places.</p> + +<p>"Here!" Stingy Steve cried. "Here's +your pay—sixty inches, neither more nor +less!"</p> + +<p>But Ferdinand Frog only laughed and +told him that he didn't mean <i>inches</i>. +That, he explained, was no pay at all.</p> + +<p>"I know," Stingy Steve replied. "I +know it's not the fashionable way to pay +a bill at present. But it will be five years +from now. And what's more, you can't +prove that what I say isn't true."</p> + +<p>For a few moments Mr. Frog stood +there gasping. And pretty soon he noticed +that his customers were all busily +picking up chips and sticks and pebbles. +At first he thought they were going to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +throw them at him; and he was all ready +to jump.</p> + +<p>But he soon found that he was mistaken.</p> + +<p>"Here! Here's your pay, Mr. Frog!" +they began to cry. And to their astonishment +Mr. Frog began to laugh.</p> + +<p>"I don't want any pay," he declared. +"Will you all promise to wear your new +clothes if I make them free?"</p> + +<p>"Yes! Yes! Yes!" sounded on all sides.</p> + +<p>"Then it's a bargain!" Ferdinand +Frog shouted. And he leaped into the +air and kicked his heels together three +times.</p> + +<p>After that he turned a back somersault, +and then he rolled over and over +until he landed with a great splash in +the pond.</p> + +<p>Deep down on the muddy bottom Mr. +Frog laughed as if he could never stop.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +The Beavers on the bank could neither +see nor hear him. And he knew there +was no danger of their thinking him impolite, +especially when he said:</p> + +<p>"They don't even know that I've +played a trick on them! And what a +terrible sight they are! I've never seen +any company that looked the least bit +like them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XVI</h2> + +<h3>STOP THAT!</h3> + + +<p>On a cool summer's morning Ferdinand +Frog was sitting among the reeds near +the bank of the pond when a harsh voice +suddenly said:</p> + +<p>"Stop that!"</p> + +<p>Looking up, Mr. Frog saw a huge bird +standing on one leg in the water, watching +him. The stranger was actually so +big that Mr. Frog hadn't noticed him.</p> + +<p>To be sure, he had seen what he +thought was a stick stuck upright in the +muddy bottom of the pond. That was +really the stranger's leg; but Mr. Frog +hadn't taken the trouble to glance up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>wards +and see what was at the top of it.</p> + +<p>Of course, Mr. Frog was frightened as +soon as he discovered his mistake, for +the bird had a great, long bill. Without +being told, Ferdinand Frog knew that +that bill could open like a trap—and +seize him, too. But he showed not the +least sign that he was even disturbed.</p> + +<p>"Stop that, I say!" the stranger repeated, +before Mr. Frog had so much as +said a word.</p> + +<p>"Stop what?" Mr. Frog asked.</p> + +<p>"Stop sticking your tongue out at +me!" the other commanded.</p> + +<p>In spite of his alarm, when he heard +that Ferdinand Frog began to laugh.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," he said, "but I +think you are mistaken. I wasn't sticking +my tongue out at you. I was only +catching flies." Mr. Frog paid no attention +to the sneering laugh that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +stranger gave. "You see," he went on, +"I'm having my breakfast. And this is +how I manage it: I wait here without +moving until a fly comes my way. Then +I dart my tongue at him as quick as +lightning.</p> + +<p>"My tongue," Mr. Frog explained, "is +fastened at the front of my mouth instead +of at the back. So I can often +reach a fly when he thinks he's perfectly +safe. And furthermore, my tongue is so +sticky that if it touches a fly, he can't +get away. Then I swallow that one and +wait for another."</p> + +<p>"A likely story!" the big bird scoffed. +"I've been watching you for a long time +(Mr. Frog shivered when he heard that!) +and I know what I'm talking about. . . . +There you go again!" he shrieked angrily, +as Ferdinand Frog's tongue flew out +and captured another fly so quickly that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +the stranger couldn't see just what had +happened.</p> + +<p>"Listen to me a moment!" Mr. Frog +said. "Like most people, I have to eat. +And when I eat I can't help sticking out +my tongue. So I'd suggest that if you +don't care to watch me at my breakfast +you'd better go away. It certainly isn't +my fault that you're standing right in +front of me."</p> +<div class="figleft" style="width: 276px;"> +<img src="images/illus-3.jpg" width="276" height="400" alt="Grand-daddy Beaver Appeals to Mr. Frog" title="Grand-daddy Beaver Appeals to Mr. Frog" /> +<span class="caption">Grand-daddy Beaver Appeals to Mr. Frog</span> +</div> +<p>But the stranger declined to move.</p> + +<p>"If you really meant to be polite," he +grumbled, "you'd at least turn your back +when you stick out your tongue."</p> + +<p>But Mr. Frog never stirred. He was +afraid that the moment he turned his +back the big bird would pounce upon him.</p> + +<p>"It's not necessary for me to turn +around now," he explained. "I've finished +my breakfast. And I hope you've +had yours, too."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to say that I have," the +stranger answered with a sigh, as he +looked longingly at plump Mr. Frog. "I +couldn't eat another mouthful if it sat +right in front of me."</p> + +<p>And then Ferdinand Frog felt as if a +great weight had been lifted from his +mind. He smiled all over his face, to +show the stranger that he was glad to see +him.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Mr. Frog cried. "Then we can +have a friendly chat together. I always +like to talk with travellers. . . . What a +long, sharp bill you have!"</p> + +<p>Now, some people would think that a +rude remark. But it seemed to please +the stranger immensely.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XVII</h2> + +<h3>A LONG, SHARP BILL</h3> + + +<p>Certainly it was an odd remark that +Ferdinand Frog made about the stranger's +wicked-looking bill. But knowing +that its owner had eaten until he had no +appetite left for the time being, Mr. Frog +forgot his fear. And he couldn't help +being curious about the big bird, because +he had never seen another like him.</p> + +<p>Of course, what Mr. Frog said would +have annoyed some people a good deal, +for he had just the same as told the +stranger that he had <i>a long, sharp nose</i>. +But luckily it happened that the newcomer +was very vain both of the length<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +and the sharpness of his bill. So he liked +Mr. Frog's comment. And he promptly +forgot his displeasure over Mr. Frog's +tongue.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" he said, in response to Ferdinand +Frog's speech, "there isn't another +bill like mine for twenty miles around—except +my wife's."</p> + +<p>"You don't live in this neighborhood, +do you?" Mr. Frog inquired.</p> + +<p>"My home is beyond the Second Mountain," +the stranger informed him.</p> + +<p>And Ferdinand Frog was glad to hear +that the huge fellow dwelt no nearer.</p> + +<p>"What's your name, friend?" Mr. +Frog then asked.</p> + +<p>"My name——" the giant bird replied—"my +name is G. B. Heron."</p> + +<p>"'G. B.'!" Mr. Frog exclaimed, turning +a pale green color. "What do those +letters stand for? Not Grizzly Bear, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +hope!" He had heard of—but had never +seen—a Grizzly Bear; and for a moment +he thought that perhaps he had met one +at last.</p> + +<p>But the stranger soon set his fresh +fears at rest.</p> + +<p>"My full name," he told Mr. Frog, "is +Great Blue Heron. But plain Mr. Heron +will do, when you address me."</p> + +<p>"I hope I'll see you sooner the next +time we meet," Mr. Frog said. And he +resolved that he would keep a sharp eye +out for Mr. Heron, so that he might have +plenty of time to hide the moment he +caught sight of him.</p> + +<p>"There's no doubt that we'll meet +again," Mr. Heron replied. "I expect +to come here to live. And I flew over +here to-day to look about a bit. . . . Are +there many in your family?"</p> + +<p>"No!" Mr. Frog hastened to answer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +"There's only myself living in this +pond."</p> + +<p>"But you must have plenty of relations +somewhere," Mr. G. B. Heron insisted. +"If I came here to live, and anything +happened to you, I'd want to tell +your family."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have a few relations, to be +sure," Mr. Frog admitted. "But they +don't amount to much. They're a stringy +lot, I can tell you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Heron looked at him as if he +couldn't quite believe that statement.</p> + +<p>"That's odd," he observed. "Now, +you're nice and plump."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm <i>too</i> fat," Ferdinand Frog +said. "Aunt Polly Woodchuck tells me +that if I get much fatter I'll lose my +good looks."</p> + +<p>"I don't agree with her," said Mr. +Heron. "You look good to me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now it was Mr. Frog's turn to be +pleased; for he was very vain.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad to hear it!" he cried. "And +I'll tell you a secret: I've always been +quite satisfied with myself until my eyes +fell on you. Oh! if I only had such a +bill as yours!"</p> + +<p>"You like my bill, then?" Mr. Heron +asked him.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" Ferdinand Frog answered. +"And it must be very handy, too."</p> + +<p>"What for?" Mr. Heron inquired.</p> + +<p>"Why, for making button-holes!" Ferdinand +Frog exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XVIII</h2> + +<h3>MAKING BUTTON-HOLES</h3> + + +<p>Mr. Heron couldn't help being interested.</p> + +<p>"Button-holes in what?" he asked +Ferdinand Frog.</p> + +<p>"Why, in suits of clothes, of course!" +the tailor answered. "If you had a +tailor's shop, as I have, you'd find that +bill of yours a handy thing to have. +When you wanted to make a button-hole +in a piece of cloth all you'd need do +would be to stick your bill through it."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to try that," Mr. Heron remarked.</p> + +<p>"Then come right over to my shop,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +Mr. Frog urged him. "I'll let you make +all the button-holes you want."</p> + +<p>"Very well!" Mr. Heron agreed. "I'll +make button-holes until I get hungry."</p> + +<p>"That's a good idea!" Mr. Frog cried. +And his new friend smiled, for he +thought the tailor must be very stupid. +He intended to stay with Mr. Frog until +he was hungry enough to eat him. And +no one who wasn't dull-witted could have +failed to grasp his plan.</p> + +<p>Well, they started off together; and +they arrived shortly afterward at the +tailor's shop.</p> + +<p>Observing that Mr. Heron was altogether +too big to squeeze inside the tiny +building, Mr. Frog entered it, to reappear +soon with an armful of cloth.</p> + +<p>On this Mr. Frog proceeded to mark +a row of dots. And then he hung the +cloth upon some reeds.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There!" he announced. "Can you +hit the mark?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I can," Mr. Heron replied. +And quick as lightning his sharp bill +darted out and made a neat hole exactly +where every dot had been.</p> + +<p>"Splendid! Perfect!" Mr. Frog exclaimed. +And thereupon he brought +forth more cloth.</p> + +<p>In a surprisingly short time Mr. Heron +had made eighty-seven button-holes. But +Mr. Frog noticed that beginning with +the seventy-seventh button-hole the +stranger's aim began to fail. He did not +hit the dots quite squarely. And he +seemed not to have his mind on his work.</p> + +<p>"What's the matter?" Mr. Frog inquired. +"Are you getting tired?"</p> + +<p>"No—not tired," Mr. Heron told him.</p> + +<p>"Are your eyes troubling you?" the +tailor asked him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No—I can see well enough," Mr. +Heron replied. "But I'm beginning to +feel a bit faint. And I think I've made +enough button-holes for one day."</p> + +<p>But Mr. Frog said that he had a special +suit which he was making for somebody. +And he begged Mr. Heron to +make the button-holes in that too.</p> + +<p>Mr. Heron frowned. But presently he +yielded, telling Mr. Frog to hurry, for +he had another matter to attend to.</p> + +<p>So the tailor leaped into his shop once +more. And for a few moments he was +very busy, arranging another strip of +cloth so that the stranger might make +button-holes in it.</p> + +<p>When all was ready Mr. Heron stepped +up to do his work. He was just about +to strike, when he suddenly paused.</p> + +<p>"Who's going to have this suit?" he +asked the tailor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Fish Hawk," said the tailor. +"Do you know him?"</p> + +<p>"I should say I did!" Mr. Heron cried. +"And he's no friend of mine, I assure +you. I only wish he was behind this +cloth! I'd run my bill clean through +him!"</p> + +<p>A cold, cruel glitter came into Mr. Heron's +eyes. And when he struck, he struck +with all his power, as if he were driving +his wicked bill through Mr. Fish Hawk +that very moment.</p> + +<p>He made only that one thrust. And he +did not withdraw his bill, either. Instead +he set up a terrible squawking and began +to flounder about on the bank of the pond.</p> + +<p>"Help! Help!" he cried in a muffled +voice.</p> + +<p>But Ferdinand Frog only smiled—and +made no move to assist his new acquaintance. +The truth of the matter was that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +he had hidden a block of wood behind +the cloth, and Mr. Heron had driven +his bill into it so far that he couldn't +pull it out.</p> + +<p>With a loud chuckle Mr. Frog jumped +into the water and swam away. And +that very day he moved to Black Creek, +without troubling himself to learn how +Mr. Heron got himself out of his difficulty.</p> + +<p>But the tailor couldn't help thinking +what a handy thing it would be to have +a bill like Mr. Heron's.</p> + +<p>"He can even make button-holes in +wood!" Mr. Frog exclaimed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XIX</h2> + +<h3>THE SWIMMING TEACHER</h3> + + +<p>It surprised the wild folk in Pleasant +Valley when they learned that Mr. Frog +had forsaken the Beaver pond for a new +home on the bank of Black Creek.</p> + +<p>When his friends asked him why he +had moved Mr. Frog told them he had +made up his mind that the pond was too +damp for the good of his health. Besides, +Black Creek was nearer Cedar +Swamp, where the Frog family held their +singing-parties.</p> + +<p>Of course, the real reason for Ferdinand +Frog's change of scene was that +he was afraid Mr. Heron might return<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +to the Beaver pond some day, to look for +him.</p> + +<p>And when that happened, Mr. Frog did +not care to be there.</p> + +<p>In his new home, however, he felt quite +at his ease. And he set out at once to +make himself agreeable to his neighbors.</p> + +<p>The nearest of these were Long Bill +Wren and his wife, who at that time +chanced to have a family of five growing +children.</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog took a great interest in the +youngsters, who were already big enough +to leave their ball-shaped home, which +hung among the reeds, and hop about on +the bank of the creek—and even fly a +bit now and then.</p> + +<p>Quite often Mr. Frog stopped to look +at Long Bill's children and tell their +parents how handsome they were.</p> + +<p>"I suppose—" he said to their fath<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>er +one day——"I suppose you are going +to teach them to swim?"</p> + +<p>Long Bill Wren hadn't thought of that. +And he said quickly that he was afraid +it wouldn't be safe.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Frog replied that it certainly +wouldn't be safe not to, living as they +did so close to the water.</p> + +<p>"They're liable to tumble in almost +any day," he said. "I suppose you can +swim, yourself?"</p> + +<p>"No!" Long Bill answered, looking +somewhat worried. "I've never learned +how."</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog appeared greatly surprised +by his neighbor's reply.</p> + +<p>"Then I'd be glad to teach your children," +he offered.</p> + +<p>"Swimming is a very simple matter. +And when you're young is the time to +learn. I began when I was a tadpole.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +And knowing how to swim has saved my +life a good many times."</p> + +<p>Naturally the children were eager to +have a lesson at once. And Long Bill +Wren was about to yield to their teasing, +when his wife happened to come flying +home.</p> + +<p>"What's going on here?" she asked +sharply, for she saw that something unusual +was afoot.</p> + +<p>And when her husband explained Mr. +Frog had kindly offered to teach the +children to swim she cried, "The idea! +I won't have it!"</p> + +<p>Long Bill Wren looked uncomfortable. +He was afraid his wife had hurt Mr. +Frog's feelings.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Frog smiled and bowed politely +to Mrs. Wren.</p> + +<p>"Surely you're not afraid your children +will drown in my care?" he cried.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No!" she told him. "The trouble is +I'd be nervous, because one of my young +brothers was eaten by a member of your +family."</p> + +<p>Ferdinand Frog's face fell. But not +for long.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how that could have come +about," he declared. "It must have been +an accident."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps!" Long Bill's wife replied. +"Anyhow, I want no such accidents to +happen to my children." And she looked +sternly at her new neighbor.</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog glanced away uneasily.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid," he observed, "you do not +trust me. But I assure you I had no +idea of eating any of your little ones. +They'd be perfectly safe with me. Why, +every one of them is so plump I'd never +be able to decide which one to choose +first!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> + +<p>He often wondered, afterward, why +Mrs. Wren promptly called all her children +into the house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XX</h2> + +<h3>DISTURBING THE NEIGHBORS</h3> + + +<p>It was no wonder that Long Bill Wren's +wife did not care for Ferdinand Frog, +after his blundering remark about her +children.</p> + +<p>Though her husband often told her that +Mr. Frog must have been merely joking, +she insisted that he was not a safe person +to have in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>"That Mr. Frog certainly is a queer +one," she said to her husband one day. +"I was watching him this morning. And +what do you suppose I saw him do?" +Mrs. Wren did not wait for Long Bill +to answer her question. "Mr. Frog<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +actually pulled off his own skin!" she +cackled nervously.</p> + +<p>"Cat-tails and pussy-willows!" Long +Bill Wren exclaimed—which was his way +of showing he was surprised. "Mr. Frog +must be ill. Maybe I ought to go and +tell Aunt Polly Woodchuck, the herb-doctor, +and ask her to come over here +at once."</p> + +<p>His wife, however, shook her head.</p> + +<p>"He can't be ill," she said.</p> + +<p>"Why not?"</p> + +<p>"His appetite is still good," she explained. +"I saw Mr. Frog swallow his +skin after he had pulled it off. And +it didn't seem to disagree with him. He +went in swimming right afterwards."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" Long Bill exclaimed. "That's +a very dangerous thing to do. At least, +I've often heard Johnnie Green say that +a boy ought not to go in the water soon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span>er +than a full hour after he has had a +meal."</p> + +<p>"There he is now!" Mrs. Wren cried +abruptly. "There's Mr. Frog!"</p> + +<p>Peeping out of the doorway on one side +of his ball-shaped house, Long Bill could +see Ferdinand Frog paddling about in +Black Creek.</p> + +<p>While they were watching him, he sank +before their eyes. And after a time they +couldn't help feeling uneasy, because +their odd neighbor did not show himself +again.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid——" Long Bill whispered +at last——"I'm afraid he was taken with +a cramp, for that's what you get by swimming +too soon after a meal—so Johnnie +Green says. . . . I'm glad now that we +didn't let Mr. Frog teach our children +to swim, because it's easy to see that he's +a careless fellow."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>So worried were Long Bill and his +wife over Mr. Frog's disappearance that +they hurried out and told all their neighbors +about it. And soon a crowd had gathered +upon the bank of the creek, to watch +the spot where Mr. Frog had vanished.</p> + +<p>They stayed there for a long time. But +to their great alarm, their missing friend +did not reappear.</p> + +<p>"I hope he's safe," old Mr. Turtle +piped in his thin, quavering voice. "He's +making a new suit for me; and I'd hate +to have anything happen to him."</p> + +<p>"What's this—a party?" a voice called +suddenly from under the bank. And then +Mr. Frog himself, looking fine and fit, +hopped up and stood before the company, +with a broad grin on his face.</p> + +<p>"Where have you been?" they shouted. +"We were worried about you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've been having a mud bath at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +the bottom of the creek," Mr. Frog told +them. "Mud baths, you know, are very +healthful. And I advise you all to try +one."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XXI</h2> + +<h3>MUD BATHS</h3> + + +<p>Though Mr. Frog agreed cheerfully to +show his neighbors how to take a mud +bath, there wasn't even one of them that +accepted his offer.</p> + +<p>To be sure, old Mr. Turtle remarked +that there was a good deal to be said +about mud baths. And then he waddled +to the water's edge and swam away.</p> + +<p>"You heard what he said," Mr. Frog +continued, turning to those who were +left. "It's simple enough. All one has to +do is to dive down to the bottom of the +creek and bury himself snugly in the +soft mud."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How do you breathe?" somebody inquired.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's simple enough," Mr. Frog +replied. "You breathe through your +skin."</p> + +<p>Smiles appeared on the faces of his +listeners. And here and there a cough +sounded. It was plain that the company +had little faith in Mr. Frog's easy explanation.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't it hurt your skin to breathe +through it?" some one else asked.</p> + +<p>"What if it does?" Ferdinand Frog +retorted. "When your skin becomes +worn, pull it off!"</p> + +<p>Everybody laughed heartily at his answer; +or at least, everybody except Long +Bill Wren and his wife. They exchanged +a thoughtful look. For they knew Mr. +Frog's ways better than his other neighbors +did.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now, Ferdinand Frog did not mind the +laughter at all.</p> + +<p>"Of course," he went on, "you can't +breathe through your skin quite so well +as you can in the <i>regular</i> way. After +you have stayed in the mud a while, +you'll begin to want a <i>regular</i> breath of +fresh air. So then you come up to the +top of the water."</p> + +<p>"Cat-tails and pussy-willows!" Long +Bill Wren cried out. "I'm sure I shall +never take a mud bath. They seem +to me to be very dangerous."</p> + +<p>"Not at all!" Mr. Frog assured him. +"They're as safe as standing on your +head." And thereupon he stood on his +own head, to prove that what he said was +true.</p> + +<p>Still the company was not moved to +take Mr. Frog's advice and try a mud +bath. Most of them declared that noth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>ing +could induce them to undertake such +a risky act. But a few daring ones said +that if all the rest would take mud baths, +and if they found that they liked them, +they themselves would be willing to test +them too.</p> + +<p>However, nobody took a single step +towards the creek. So at last the company +scattered, leaving Long Bill Wren +and Mr. Frog alone upon the bank.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Long Bill had been thinking +deeply. He had begun to wonder +whether there might not be some good +in a mud bath, in spite of his neighbors' +doubts. And now he turned to Ferdinand +Frog and began speaking in a hushed +voice.</p> + +<p>"Don't tell my wife I asked you this +question," he said; "but I should like to +know if mud baths are good for rheumatism."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Good for it!" Mr. Frog exclaimed. +"Why, they're a sure cure—and the only +one!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XXII</h2> + +<h3>LEARNING TO HOLD HIS BREATH</h3> + + +<p>There on the bank of Black Creek Mr. +Frog and Long Bill Wren talked in +whispers about mud baths. And in a +short time Long Bill announced that he +had made up his mind to try one.</p> + +<p>"Good!" Mr. Frog cried, as he patted +his neighbor on the back. "And now +let me give you a bit of advice. Before +you dive into the creek you should learn +<i>to hold your breath</i>. . . .</p> + +<p>"You'd better go home and begin practising +at once."</p> + +<p>So Long Bill Wren flew into his house +and stayed there the rest of that day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +But he soon found that all was not as +simple as he had hoped. Whenever he +was trying to hold his breath his wife +was sure to ask him a question. And +of course that led to trouble. If he +didn't answer her she thought him rude—and +said so, quite frankly, too. While +if he did answer her, speaking spoiled +his practice.</p> + +<p>It was annoying, to say the least. And +by the next morning the poor fellow was +almost frantic.</p> + +<p>He sought out Mr. Frog and explained +how hard it was for him to learn to hold +his breath.</p> + +<p>"If you could only think of some way +of making my wife hold hers too!" Long +Bill moaned.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Frog said at once that nobody +could do that, and there was no use in +trying.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why don't you," he asked, "go off +by yourself in Cedar Swamp, and practice +there?"</p> + +<p>But Long Bill said that he ought not +to stay away from home long enough +to do that.</p> + +<p>"Then there's only one way left for +you," Mr. Frog decided. "You must +practice at night, when your wife's +asleep."</p> + +<p>"A good idea!" Long Bill whispered. +"I'll try it this very night!"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Bright and early the next morning +Long Bill Wren found Mr. Frog a little +way up the creek and told him that his +night's practice had been a great success.</p> + +<p>"I began holding my breath right after +sunset," he said, "and it was so easy +that I fell asleep. And I never breathed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +once all night long, until I awoke at day-break."</p> + +<p>The news delighted Mr. Frog.</p> + +<p>"Good!" he cried. "And now there's +one more thing you must do before you +take a mud bath. You must learn to +breathe through your skin. . . . Just +try right now," he urged his companion.</p> + +<p>So Long Bill tried to breathe through +his skin, while holding his breath at the +same time.</p> + +<p>And soon he began to sputter and +choke.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I can't do it," he faltered +at last.</p> + +<p>Mr. Frog looked somewhat glum—for +a moment.</p> + +<p>He pondered in silence. And at length +he declared that without doubt there +must be something wrong with Long +Bill's skin!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How long have you worn it?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"All my life!" Long Bill told him.</p> + +<p>"That's it!" Mr. Frog exclaimed. +"It's worn out. You'll have to pull it +off and use a fresh one."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>XXIII</h2> + +<h3>MR. FROG RUNS AWAY</h3> + + +<p>It may have been Mr. Frog's words that +dismayed Long Bill Wren, or it may +have been his manner—or perhaps both. +Anyhow, Long Bill looked frightened.</p> + +<p>"Where can I get a fresh skin if I +pull off the one I'm wearing?" he wanted +to know.</p> + +<p>"Why, there's another skin just beneath +your old one," Mr. Frog informed +him glibly. "Just pull hard and you'll +see that I know what I'm talking about."</p> + +<p>But Long Bill was puzzled.</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know where to begin," he +stammered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Maybe you need help," Mr. Frog +suggested.</p> + +<p>And Long Bill agreed that he did +need help—and a good deal of it, too.</p> + +<p>"Well," Mr. Frog said with a giggle, +"I'll get old Mr. Turtle to assist me. +And between us we'll have your old skin +off before you know it."</p> + +<p>He began to bellow Mr. Turtle's name +at the top of his lungs. And soon the +old gentleman's black head popped out +of the water. And presently Mr. Turtle +waddled up the bank of Black Creek and +listened to Ferdinand Frog's directions.</p> + +<p>"You take hold of Long Bill's tail," +Mr. Frog ordered him, while to the +frightened owner of the tail he said +cheerfully, "Anything Mr. Turtle takes +hold of just <i>has</i> to come. He never lets +go until it does."</p> + +<p>Now, Long Bill Wren had suddenly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +made up his mind that he wouldn't take +a mud bath, after all. He didn't like +the prospect of having his skin pulled +off. Suppose Mr. Frog should be mistaken +about that second skin, which the +tailor claimed lay underneath the old +one?</p> + +<p>Long Bill believed that with no skin +at all he would find his rheumatism much +worse than before. And he would certainly +be a queer-looking object.</p> + +<p>So as old Mr. Turtle crawled slowly +towards him, he drew away.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to wait——" Long Bill +announced.</p> + +<p>"Why?" Mr. Frog demanded.</p> + +<p>"Going to wait till the weather is +warmer," Long Bill faltered.</p> + +<p>Of course Mr. Frog was disappointed +by having his plans so upset.</p> + +<p>And Mr. Turtle was disappointed too.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span></p> + +<p>"My mouth is open," he told Mr. Frog. +"I must grab something. And it might +as well be you."</p> + +<p>But Mr. Frog jumped nimbly out of +Mr. Turtle's reach. And a moment later +he thrust the free end of a tree-root between +Mr. Turtle's jaws.</p> + +<p>They closed with a snap. And Mr. +Turtle began to pull.</p> + +<p>"Come on!" Mr. Frog urged Long +Bill Wren. "The tree may fall at any +moment. It's safer elsewhere." And +without waiting to see what happened, +he leaped into Black Creek and swam +away.</p> + +<p>As for Long Bill Wren, he hurried +home. He knew his wife would be wondering +where he was, for he had been +away from the house in the reeds much +longer than his usual ten minutes.</p> + +<p>Arriving there, he was not surprised<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +that she asked him a few questions. And +he explained to her that he had been on +the bank of the creek, watching old Mr. +Turtle pulling at the root of a willow.</p> + +<p>"And I can tell you that I'm well +pleased that it wasn't my tail Mr. Turtle +had in his jaws," he said solemnly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Wren shuddered at the mere mention +of such an unlucky accident. And +then she said: "I hope that dangerous +Mr. Frog was not with you."</p> + +<p>"I believe he was there for a time," +her husband replied. "But he left before +I did."</p> + +<p>"I wish you would keep away from +him," she remarked.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to," Long Bill Wren promised. +"Although Mr. Frog is our newest +neighbor, I shall have nothing more to +do with him."</p> + + +<h3>THE END</h3> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='center'><big><b>Little Jack Rabbit Books</b></big><br /> + +<small>(Trademark Registered)</small><br /> + +By DAVID CORY<br /> + +<small>Author of "Little Journeys to Happyland"</small><br /> +————————————————<br /> +<b>Colored Wrappers With Text Illustrations.</b><br /> +————————————————<br /> +</div> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>A new and unique series about the furred and feathered +little people of the wood and meadow.</p> + +<p>Children will eagerly follow the doings of little Jack +Rabbit, and the clever way in which he escapes from his +three enemies, Danny Fox, Mr. Wicked Wolf and +Hungry Hawk will delight the youngsters.</p></div> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Little Jack Rabbit Books"> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT'S ADVENTURES</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND DANNY FOX</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE SQUIRREL BROTHERS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND CHIPPY CHIPMUNK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE BIG BROWN BEAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND UNCLE JOHN HARE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND PROFESSOR CROW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND OLD MAN WEASEL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND MR. WICKED WOLF</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND HUNGRY HAWK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE POLICEMAN DOG</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND MISS MOUSIE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND UNCLE LUCKY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>LITTLE JACK RABBIT AND THE YELLOW DOG TRAMP</td></tr> +</table></div> +<div class='center'><br /> +————————————————<br /> + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK<br /> +————————————————<br /> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>HAPPY HOME SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By HOWARD R. GARIS</h3> + +<div class='center'>————————————————<br /> +<b>Individual Colored Wrappers and Colored Illustrations by<br /> +LANG CAMPBELL</b><br /> +————————————————<br /> +</div> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>Mr. Garis has written many stories for boys and +girls, among them his Uncle Wiggly volumes, but +these books are something distinctly new, surprising +and entertaining.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br />ADVENTURES OF THE GALLOPING GAS STOVE</div> + +<p>A tale of how Gassy mysteriously disappeared, and how he +came riding home on the back of an elephant. It is also related +how he broke his leg, and fed a hungry family in a cottage near +a lake.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br />ADVENTURES of the RUNAWAY ROCKING CHAIR</div> + +<p>Racky creaked and groaned when fat Grandma sat on him too +hard. He felt himself ill-treated, so he vanished. He did not intend +to take Grandma's glasses with him, but he did. And he +rocked a bunny to sleep.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br />ADVENTURES OF THE TRAVELING TABLE</div> + +<p>Tippy, the table, always wanted to travel and see the world, +but he did not know how to start. Until, all of a sudden, a diamond +ring was hidden in his leg and a balloon carried him off +through the air.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br />ADVENTURES OF THE SLIDING FOOT STOOL</div> + +<p>Just because he did not want to be used as a milking stool by +the Maiden All Forlorn, Skiddy slid away Christmas eve. With +him went Jack the Jumper, and they had a wonderful time in the +top shop.</p> + + +<div class='unindent'><br />ADVENTURES OF THE SAILING SOFA</div> + +<p>Skippy always wanted to be a sailor. When the high water +came in the spring, the sofa went sailing. He had a Rooster for +a crew, while Tatter, the rag doll with one shoe button eye, was +Captain.</p> +</div> + +<div class='center'> +————————————————<br /> + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i>, NEW YORK<br /> +————————————————<br /> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class='center'> +<table class="backcover" summary="backcover"> +<tr><td align='center'><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + +<div class='center'><b><big>Sleepy-Time Tales</big></b><br /> + +<small>(Trademark Registered)</small><br /> +<br /> +<i>By</i> ARTHUR SCOTT BAILEY<br /><br /></div> + + +<div class='blockquot2'><big><b>T</b></big>HESE little books for little people tell +of the adventures of the four-footed +creatures of our American woods and +fields in an amusing way that delights +small two-footed human beings. At the +same time, in the short-comings of Cuffy +Bear and his neighbors, children are quick +to recognize their own faults and to take +home the obvious lessons.</div> + +<div class='center'><i>For complete list of the books in<br /> +The Sleepy-Time Tales, see inside<br /> +flap of this wrapper.</i><br /></div> + +<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td> +</tr></table></div> +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 515px;"> +<img src="images/backendpapers1.jpg" width="515" height="800" alt="Back Endpapers Left" title="Back Endpapers Left" /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 530px;"> +<img src="images/backendpapers2.jpg" width="530" height="800" alt="Back Endpapers Right" title="Back Endpapers Right" /> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Tale of Ferdinand Frog, by Arthur Scott Bailey + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TALE OF FERDINAND FROG *** + +***** This file should be named 24590-h.htm or 24590-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/5/9/24590/ + +Produced by Joe Longo, Emmy and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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