diff options
Diffstat (limited to '2557-h/2557-h.htm')
| -rw-r--r-- | 2557-h/2557-h.htm | 2927 |
1 files changed, 2927 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/2557-h/2557-h.htm b/2557-h/2557-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..01e727a --- /dev/null +++ b/2557-h/2557-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2927 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!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" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Old Mother West Wind, by Thornton W. Burgess + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Mother West Wind, by Thornton W. Burgess + +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: Old Mother West Wind + +Author: Thornton W. Burgess + +Release Date: December 23, 2008 [EBook #2557] +Last Updated: March 10, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD MOTHER WEST WIND *** + + + + +Produced by Eve Sobol, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + OLD MOTHER WEST WIND + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Thornton W. Burgess + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + TO MY MOTHER TO WHOM I OWE SO MUCH AND TO MY LITTLE SON WHOSE + LOVE OF STORIES INSPIRED THESE TALES THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS + AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED. + </pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> MRS. REDWING'S + SPECKLED EGG <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> WHY + GRANDFATHER FROG HAS NO TAIL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER + III. </a> HOW REDDY FOX WAS SURPRISED <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> WHY JIMMY SKUNK WEARS + STRIPES <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> THE + WILFUL LITTLE BREEZE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. + </a> REDDY FOX GOES FISHING <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> + CHAPTER VII. </a> JIMMY SKUNK LOOKS FOR BEETLES <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> BILLY MINK'S + SWIMMING PARTY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> PETER + RABBIT PLAYS A JOKE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> HOW + SAMMY JAY WAS FOUND OUT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. + </a> JERRY MUSKRAT'S PARTY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> + CHAPTER XII. </a> BOBBY COON AND REDDY FOX PLAY TRICKS <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> JOHNNY + CHUCK FINDS THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> LITTLE JOE OTTER'S + SLIPPERY SLIDE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> THE + TAIL OF TOMMY TROUT WHO DID NOT MIND <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> + CHAPTER XVI. </a> SPOTTY THE TURTLE WINS A RACE <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. MRS. REDWING'S SPECKLED EGG + </h2> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind came down from the Purple Hills in the golden light + of the early morning. Over her shoulders was slung a bag—a great big + bag—and in the bag were all of Old Mother West Wind's children, the + Merry Little Breezes. + </p> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind came down from the Purple Hills to the Green Meadows + and as she walked she crooned a song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ships upon the ocean wait; + I must hurry, hurry on! + Mills are idle if I'm late; + I must hurry, hurry on.” + </pre> + <p> + When she reached the Green Meadows Old Mother West Wind opened her bag, + turned it upside down and shook it. Out tumbled all the Merry Little + Breezes and began to spin round and round for very joy, for you see they + were to lay in the Green Meadows all day long until Old Mother West Wind + should come back at night and take them all to their home behind the + Purple Hills. + </p> + <p> + First they raced over to see Johnny Chuck. They found Johnny Chuck sitting + just outside his door eating his breakfast. One, for very mischief, + snatched right out of Johnny Chuck's mouth the green leaf of corn he was + eating, and ran away with it. Another playfully pulled his whiskers, while + a third rumpled up his hair. + </p> + <p> + Johnny Chuck pretended to be very cross indeed, but really he didn't mind + a bit, for Johnny Chuck loved the Merry Little Breezes and played with + them everyday. + </p> + <p> + And if they teased Johnny Chuck they were good to him, too. When they saw + Farmer Brown coming across the Green Meadows with a gun one of them would + dance over to Johnny Chuck and whisper to him that Farmer Brown was + coming, and then Johnny Chuck would hide away, deep down in his snug + little house under ground, and Farmer Brown would wonder and wonder why it + was that he never, never could get near enough to shoot Johnny Chuck. But + he never, never could. + </p> + <p> + When the Merry Little Breezes left Johnny Chuck they raced across the + Green Meadows to the Smiling Pool to say good morning to Grandfather Frog + who sat on a big lily pad watching for green flies for breakfast. + </p> + <p> + “Chug-arum,” said Grandfather Frog, which was his way of saying good + morning. + </p> + <p> + Just then along came a fat green fly and up jumped Grandfather Frog. When + he sat down again on the lily pad the fat green fly was nowhere to be + seen, but Grandfather Frog looked very well satisfied indeed as he + contentedly rubbed his white waistcoat with one hand. + </p> + <p> + “What is the news, Grandfather Frog?” cried the Merry Little Breezes. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Redwing has a new speckled egg in her nest in the bulrushes,” said + Grandfather Frog. + </p> + <p> + “We must see it,” cried the Merry Little Breezes, and away they all ran to + the swamp where the bulrushes grow. + </p> + <p> + Now someone else had heard of Mrs. Redwing's dear little nest in the + bulrushes, and he had started out bright and early that morning to try and + find it, for he wanted to steal the little speckled eggs just because they + were pretty. It was Tommy Brown, the farmer's boy. + </p> + <p> + When the Merry Little Breezes reached the swamp where the bulrushes grow + they found poor Mrs. Redwing in great distress. She was afraid that Tommy + Brown would find her dear little nest, for he was very, very near it, and + his eyes were very, very sharp. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” cried the Merry Little Breezes, “we must help Mrs. Redwing save her + pretty speckled eggs from bad Tommy Brown!” + </p> + <p> + So one of the Merry Little Breezes whisked Tommy Brown's old straw hat off + his head over into the Green Meadows. Of course Tommy ran after it. Just + as he stooped to pick it up another little Breeze ran away with it. Then + they took turns, first one little Breeze, then another little Breeze + running away with the old straw hat just as Tommy Brown would almost get + his hands on it. Down past the Smiling Pool and across the Laughing Brook + they raced and chased the old straw hat, Tommy Brown running after it, + very cross, very red in the face, and breathing very hard. Way across the + Green Meadows they ran to the edge of the wood, where they hung the old + straw hat in the middle of a thorn tree. By the time Tommy Brown had it + once more on his head he had forgotten all about Mrs. Redwing and her dear + little nest. Besides, he heard the breakfast horn blowing just then, so + off he started for home up the Lone Little Path through the wood. + </p> + <p> + And all the Merry Little Breezes danced away across the Green Meadows to + the swamp where the bulrushes grow to see the new speckled egg in the dear + little nest where Mrs. Redwing was singing for joy. And while she sang the + Merry Little Breezes danced among the bulrushes, for they knew, and Mrs. + Redwing knew, that some day out of that pretty new speckled egg would come + a wee baby Redwing. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II WHY GRANDFATHER FROG HAS NO TAIL + </h2> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind had gone to her day's work, leaving all the Merry + Little Breezes to play in the Green Meadows. They had played tag and run + races with the Bees and played hide and seek with the Sun Beams, and now + they had gathered around the Smiling Pool where on a green lily pad sat + Grandfather Frog. + </p> + <p> + Grandfather Frog was old, very old, indeed, and very, very wise. He wore a + green coat and his voice was very deep. When Grandfather Frog spoke + everybody listened very respectfully. Even Billy Mink treated Grandfather + Frog with respect, for Billy Mink's father and his father's father could + not remember when Grandfather Frog had not sat on the lily pad watching + for green flies. + </p> + <p> + Down in the Smiling Pool were some of Grandfather Frog's + great-great-great-great-great grandchildren. You wouldn't have known that + they were his grandchildren unless some one told you. They didn't look the + least bit like Grandfather Frog. They were round and fat and had long + tails and perhaps this is why they were called Pollywogs. + </p> + <p> + “Oh Grandfather Frog, tell us why you don't have a tail as you did when + you were young,” begged one of the Merry Little Breezes. + </p> + <p> + Grandfather Frog snapped up a foolish green fly and settled himself on his + big lily pad, while all the Merry Little Breezes gathered round to listen. + </p> + <p> + “Once on a time,” began Grandfather Frog, “the Frogs ruled the world, + which was mostly water. There was very little dry land—oh, very + little indeed! There were no boys to throw stones and no hungry Mink to + gobble up foolish Frog-babies who were taking a sun bath!” + </p> + <p> + Billy Mink, who had joined the Merry Little Breezes and was listening, + squirmed uneasily and looked away guiltily. + </p> + <p> + “In those days all the Frogs had tails, long handsome tails of which they + were very, very proud indeed,” continued Grandfather Frog. “The King of + all the Frogs was twice as big as any other Frog, and his tail was three + times as long. He was very proud, oh, very proud indeed of his long tail. + He used to sit and admire it until he thought that there never had been + and never could be another such tail. He used to wave it back and forth in + the water, and every time he waved it all the other Frogs would cry 'Ah!' + and 'Oh!' Every day the King grew more vain. He did nothing at all but eat + and sleep and admire his tail. + </p> + <p> + “Now all the other Frogs did just as the King did, so pretty soon none of + the Frogs were doing anything but sitting about eating, sleeping and + admiring their own tails and the King's. + </p> + <p> + “Now you all know that people who do nothing worth while in this world are + of no use and there is little room for them. So when Mother Nature saw how + useless had become the Frog tribe she called the King Frog before her and + she said: + </p> + <p> + “'Because you can think of nothing but your beautiful tail it shall be + taken away from you. Because you do nothing but eat and sleep your mouth + shall become wide like a door, and your eyes shall start forth from your + head. You shall become bow-legged and ugly to look at, and all the world + shall laugh at you.' + </p> + <p> + “The King Frog looked at his beautiful tail and already it seemed to have + grown shorter. He looked again and it was shorter still. Every time he + looked his tail had grown shorter and smaller. By and by when he looked + there was nothing left but a little stub which he couldn't even wriggle. + Then even that disappeared, his eyes popped out of his head and his mouth + grew bigger and bigger.” + </p> + <p> + Old Grandfather Frog stopped and looked sadly at a foolish green fly + coming his way. “Chug-arum,” said Grandfather Frog, opening his mouth very + wide and hopping up in the air. When he sat down again on his big lily pad + the green fly was nowhere to be seen. Grandfather Frog smacked his lips + and continued: + </p> + <p> + “And from that day to this every Frog has started life with a big tail, + and as he has grown bigger and bigger his tail has grown smaller and + smaller, until finally it disappears, and then he remembers how foolish + and useless it is to be vain of what nature has given us. And that is how + I came to lose my tail,” finished Grandfather Frog. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” shouted all the Merry Little Breezes. “We won't forget.” + </p> + <p> + Then they ran a race to see who could reach Johnny Chuck's home first and + tell him that Farmer Brown was coming down on the Green Meadows with a + gun. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III HOW REDDY FOX WAS SURPRISED + </h2> + <p> + Johnny Chuck and Reddy Fox lived very near together on the edge of the + Green Meadows. Johnny Chuck was fat and roly-poly. Reddy Fox was slim and + wore a bright red coat. Reddy Fox used to like to frighten Johnny Chuck by + suddenly popping out from behind a tree and making believe that he was + going to eat Johnny Chuck all up. + </p> + <p> + One bright summer day Johnny Chuck was out looking for a good breakfast of + nice tender clover. He had wandered quite a long way from his snug little + house in the long meadow grass, although his mother had told him never to + go out of sight of the door. But Johnny was like some little boys I know, + and forgot all he had been told. + </p> + <p> + He walked and walked and walked. Every few minutes Johnny Chuck saw + something farther on that looked like a patch of nice fresh clover. And + every time when he reached it Johnny Chuck found that he had made a + mistake. So Johnny Chuck walked and walked and walked. + </p> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind, coming across the Green Meadows, saw Johnny Chuck + and asked him where he was going. Johnny Chuck pretended not to hear and + just walked faster. + </p> + <p> + One of the Merry Little Breezes danced along in front of him. + </p> + <p> + “Look out, Johnny Chuck, you will get lost,” cried the Merry Little Breeze + then pulled Johnny's whiskers and ran away. + </p> + <p> + Higher and higher up in the sky climbed round, red Mr. Sun. Every time + Johnny Chuck looked up at him Mr. Sun winked. + </p> + <p> + “So long as I can see great round, red Mr. Sun and he winks at me I can't + be lost,” thought Johnny Chuck, and trotted on looking for clover. + </p> + <p> + By and by Johnny Chuck really did find some clover—just the sweetest + clover that grew in the Green Meadows. Johnny Chuck ate and ate and ate + and then what do you think he did? Why, he curled right up in the nice + sweet clover and went fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + Great round, red Mr. Sun kept climbing higher and higher up in the sky, + then by and by he began to go down on the other side, and long shadows + began to creep out across the Green Meadows. Johnny Chuck didn't know + anything about them: he was fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + By and by one of the Merry Little Breezes found Johnny Chuck all curled up + in a funny round ball. + </p> + <p> + “Wake up Johnny Chuck! Wake up!” shouted the Merry Little Breeze. + </p> + <p> + Johnny Chuck opened his eyes. Then he sat up and rubbed them. For just a + few, few minutes he couldn't remember where he was at all. + </p> + <p> + By and by he sat up very straight to look over the grass and see where he + was. But he was so far from home that he didn't see a single thing that + looked at all like the things he was used to. The trees were all + different. The bushes were all different. Everything was different. Johnny + Chuck was lost. + </p> + <p> + Now, when Johnny sat up, Reddy Fox happened to be looking over the Green + Meadows and he saw Johnny's head where it popped above the grass. + </p> + <p> + “Aha!” said Reddy Fox, “I'll scare Johnny Chuck so he'll wish he'd never + put his nose out of his house.” + </p> + <p> + Then Reddy dropped down behind the long grass and crept softly, oh, ever + so softly, through the paths of his own, until he was right behind Johnny + Chuck. Johnny Chuck had been so intent looking for home that he didn't see + anything else. + </p> + <p> + Reddy Fox stole right up behind Johnny and pulled Johnny's little short + tail hard. How it did frighten Johnny Chuck! He jumped right straight up + in the air and when he came down he was the maddest little woodchuck that + ever lived in the Green Meadows. + </p> + <p> + Reddy Fox had thought that Johnny would run, and then Reddy meant to run + after him and pull his tail and tease him all the way home. Now, Reddy Fox + got as big a surprise as Johnny had had when Reddy pulled his tail. Johnny + didn't stop to think that Reddy Fox was twice as big as he, but with his + eyes snapping, and chattering as only a little Chuck can chatter, with + every little hair on his little body standing right up on end, so that he + seemed twice as big as he really was, he started for Reddy Fox. + </p> + <p> + It surprised Reddy Fox so that he didn't know what to do, and he simply + ran. Johnny Chuck ran after him, nipping Reddy's heels every minute or + two. Peter Rabbit just happened to be down that way. He was sitting up + very straight looking to see what mischief he could get into when he + caught sight of Reddy Fox running as hard as ever he could. “It must be + that Bowser, the hound, is after Reddy Fox,” said Peter Rabbit to himself. + “I must watch out that he doesn't find me.” + </p> + <p> + Just then he caught sight of Johnny Chuck with every little hair standing + up on end and running after Reddy Fox as fast as his short legs could go. + </p> + <p> + “Ho! ho! ho!” shouted Peter Rabbit. “Reddy Fox afraid of Johnny Chuck! Ho! + ho! Ho!” + </p> + <p> + Then Peter Rabbit scampered away to find Jimmy Skunk and Bobby Coon and + Happy Jack Squirrel to tell them all about how Reddy Fox had run away from + Johnny Chuck, for you see they were all a little afraid of Reddy Fox. + </p> + <p> + Straight home ran Reddy Fox as fast as he could go, and going home he + passed the house of Johnny Chuck. Now Johnny couldn't run so fast as Reddy + Fox and he was puffing and blowing as only a fat little woodchuck can puff + and blow when he has to run hard. Moreover, he had lost his ill temper now + and he thought it was the best joke ever to think that he had actually + frightened Reddy Fox. When he came to his own house he stopped and sat on + his hind legs once more. Then he shrilled out after Reddy Fox: “Reddy Fox + is a 'fraid cat, 'fraid-cat! Reddy Fox is a 'fraid-cat!” + </p> + <p> + And all the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind, who were playing + on the Green Meadows shouted: “Reddy Fox is a 'fraid-cat, 'fraid-cat!” + </p> + <p> + And this is the way that Reddy Fox was surprised and that Johnny Chuck + found his way home. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV WHY JIMMY SKUNK WEARS STRIPES + </h2> + <p> + Jimmy Skunk, as everybody knows, wears a striped suit, a suit of black and + white. There was a time, long, long ago, when all the Skunk family wore + black. Very handsome their coats were, too, a beautiful, glossy black. + They were very, very proud of them and took the greatest care of them, + brushing them carefully ever so many times a day. + </p> + <p> + There was a Jimmy Skunk then, just as there is now, and he was head of all + the Skunk family. Now this Jimmy Skunk was very proud and thought himself + very much of a gentleman. He was very independent and cared for no one. + Like a great many other independent people, he did not always consider the + rights of others. Indeed, it was hinted in the wood and on the Green + Meadows that not all of Jimmy Skunk's doings would bear the light of day. + It was openly said that he was altogether too fond of prowling about at + night, but no one could prove that he was responsible for mischief done in + the night, for no one saw him. You see his coat was so black that in the + darkness of the night it was not visible at all. + </p> + <p> + Now about this time of which I am telling you Mrs. Ruffed Grouse made a + nest at the foot of the Great Pine and in it she laid fifteen beautiful + buff eggs. Mrs. Grouse was very happy, very happy indeed, and all the + little meadow folks who knew of her happiness were happy too, for they all + loved shy, demure, little Mrs. Grouse. Every morning when Peter Rabbit + trotted down the Lone Little Path through the wood past the Great Pine he + would stop for a few minutes to chat with Mrs. Grouse. Happy Jack Squirrel + would bring her the news every afternoon. The Merry Little Breezes of Old + Mother West Wind would run up a dozen times a day to see how she was + getting along. + </p> + <p> + One morning Peter Rabbit, coming down the Lone Little Path for his usual + morning call, found a terrible state of affairs. Poor little Mrs. Grouse + was heart-broken. All about the foot of the Great Pine lay the empty + shells of her beautiful eggs. They had been broken and scattered this way + and that. + </p> + <p> + “How did it happen?” asked Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” sobbed poor little Mrs. Grouse. “In the night when I was + fast asleep something pounced upon me. I managed to get away and fly up in + the top of the Great Pine. In the morning I found all my eggs broken, just + as you see them here.” + </p> + <p> + Peter Rabbit looked the ground over very carefully. He hunted around + behind the Great Pine, he looked under the bushes, he studied the ground + with a very wise air. Then he hopped off down the Lone Little Path to the + Green Meadows. He stopped at the house of Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “What makes your eyes so big and round?” asked Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + Peter Rabbit came very close so as to whisper in Johnny Chuck's ear, and + told him all that he had seen. Together they went to Jimmy Skunk's house. + Jimmy Skunk was in bed. He was very sleepy and very cross when he came to + the door. Peter Rabbit told him what he had seen. + </p> + <p> + “Too bad! Too bad!” said Jimmy Skunk, and yawned sleepily. + </p> + <p> + “Won't you join us in trying to find out who did it?” asked Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + Jimmy Skunk said he would be delighted to come but that he had some other + business that morning and that he would join them in the afternoon. Peter + Rabbit and Johnny Chuck went on. Pretty soon they met the Merry Little + Breezes and told them the dreadful story. + </p> + <p> + “What shall we do?” asked Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “We'll hurry over and tell Old Dame Nature,” cried the Merry Little + Breezes, “and ask her what to do.” + </p> + <p> + So away flew the Merry Little Breezes to Old Dame Nature and told her all + the dreadful story. Old Dame Nature listened very attentively. Then she + sent the Merry Little Breezes to all the little meadow folks to tell every + one to be at the Great Pine that afternoon. Now whatever Old Dame Nature + commanded all the meadow folks were obliged to do. They did not dare to + disobey her. Promptly at four o'clock that afternoon all the meadow folks + were gathered around the foot of the Great Pine. Broken-hearted little + Mrs. Ruffed Grouse sat beside her empty nest, with all the broken shells + about her. + </p> + <p> + Reddy Fox, Peter Rabbit, Johnny Chuck, Billy Mink, Little Joe Otter, Jerry + Muskrat, Hooty the Owl, Bobby Coon, Sammy Jay, Blacky the Crow, + Grandfather Frog, Mr. Toad, Spotty the Turtle, the Merry Little Breezes, + all were there. Last of all came Jimmy Skunk. Very handsome he looked in + his shining black coat and very sorry he appeared that such a dreadful + thing should have happened. He told Mrs. Grouse how badly he felt, and he + loudly demanded that the culprit should be found out and severely + punished. + </p> + <p> + Old Dame Nature has the most smiling face in the world, but this time it + was very, very grave indeed. First she asked little Mrs. Grouse to tell + her story all over again that all might hear. Then each in turn was asked + to tell where he had been the night before. Johnny Chuck, Happy Jack + Squirrel, Striped Chipmunk, Sammy Jay and Blacky the Crow had gone to bed + when Mr. Sun went down behind the Purple Hills. Jerry Muskrat, Billy Mink, + Little Joe Otter, Grandfather Frog and Spotty the Turtle had not left the + Smiling Pool. Bobby Coon had been down in Farmer Brown's cornfield. Hooty + the Owl had been hunting in the lower end of the Green Meadows. Peter + Rabbit had been down in the berry patch. Mr. Toad had been under the piece + of bark which he called a house. Old Dame Nature called on Jimmy Skunk + last of all. Jimmy protested that he had been very, very tired and had + gone to bed very early indeed and had slept the whole night through. + </p> + <p> + Then Old Dame Nature asked Peter Rabbit what he had found among the egg + shells that morning. + </p> + <p> + Peter Rabbit hopped out and laid three long black hairs before Old Dame + Nature. “These,” said Peter Rabbit “are what I found among the egg + shells.” + </p> + <p> + Then Old Dame Nature called Johnny Chuck. “Tell us, Johnny Chuck,” said + she, “what you saw when you called at Jimmy Skunk's house this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw Jimmy Skunk,” said Johnny Chuck, “and Jimmy seemed very, very + sleepy. It seemed to me that his whiskers were yellow.” + </p> + <p> + “That will do,” said Old Dame Nature, and then she called Old Mother West + Wind. + </p> + <p> + “What time did you come down on the Green Meadows this morning?” + </p> + <p> + “Just at the break of day,” said Old Mother West Wind, “as Mr. Sun was + coming up from behind the Purple Hills.” + </p> + <p> + “And whom did you see so early in the morning?” asked Old Dame Nature. + </p> + <p> + “I saw Bobby Coon going home from old Farmer Brown's cornfield,” said Old + Mother West Wind. “I saw Hooty the Owl coming back from the lower end of + the Green Meadows. I saw Peter Rabbit down in the berry patch. Last of all + I saw something like a black shadow coming down the Lone Little Path + toward the house of Jimmy Skunk.” + </p> + <p> + Every one was looking very hard at Jimmy Skunk. Jimmy began to look very + unhappy and very uneasy. + </p> + <p> + “Who wears a black coat?” asked Dame Nature. + </p> + <p> + “Jimmy Skunk!” shouted all the little meadow folks. + </p> + <p> + “What MIGHT make whiskers yellow?” asked Old Dame Nature. + </p> + <p> + No one seemed to know at first. Then Peter Rabbit spoke up. “It MIGHT be + the yolk of an egg,” said Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “Who are likely to be sleepy on a bright sunny morning?” asked Old Dame + Nature. + </p> + <p> + “People who have been out all night,” said Johnny Chuck, who himself + always goes to bed with the sun. + </p> + <p> + “Jimmy Skunk,” said Old Dame Nature, and her voice was very stern, very + stern indeed, and her face was very grave. “Jimmy Skunk, I accuse you of + having broken and eaten the eggs of Mrs. Grouse. What have you to say for + yourself?” + </p> + <p> + Jimmy Skunk hung his head. He hadn't a word to say. He just wanted to + sneak away by himself. + </p> + <p> + “Jimmy Skunk,” said Old Dame Nature, “because your handsome black coat of + which you are so proud has made it possible for you to move about in the + night without being seen, and because we can no longer trust you upon your + honor, henceforth you and your descendants shall wear a striped coat, + which is the sign that you cannot be trusted. Your coat hereafter shall be + black and white, that when you move about in the night you will always be + visible.” + </p> + <p> + And this is why that to this day Jimmy Skunk wears a striped suit of black + and white. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V THE WILFUL LITTLE BREEZE + </h2> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind was tired—tired and just a wee bit cross—cross + because she was tired. She had had a very busy day. Ever since early + morning she had been puffing out the white sales of the ships on the big + ocean so that they could go faster; she had kept all the big and little + wind mills whirling and whirling to pump water for thirsty folks and grind + corn for hungry folks; she had blown away all the smoke from tall chimneys + and engines and steamboats. Yes, indeed, Old Mother West Wind had been + very, very busy. + </p> + <p> + Now she was coming across the Green Meadows on her way to her home behind + the Purple Hills, and as she came she opened the big bag she carried and + called to her children, the Merry Little Breezes, who had been playing + hard on the Green Meadows all the long day. One by one they crept into the + big bag, for they were tired, too, and ready to go to their home behind + the Purple Hills. + </p> + <p> + Pretty soon all were in the bag but one, a willful little Breeze, who was + not quite ready to go home; he wanted to play just a little longer. He + danced ahead of Old Mother West Wind. He kissed the sleepy daisies. He + shook the nodding buttercups. He set all the little poplar leaves a + dancing, too, and he wouldn't come into the big bag. So Old Mother West + Wind closed the big bag and slung it over her shoulder. Then she started + on towards her home behind the Purple Hills. + </p> + <p> + When she had gone, the willful little Breeze left behind suddenly felt + very lonely—very lonely indeed! The sleepy daisies didn't want to + play. The nodding buttercups were cross. Great round bright Mr. Sun, who + had been shining and shining all day long, went to bed and put on his + night cap of golden clouds. Black shadows came creeping, creeping out into + the Green Meadows. + </p> + <p> + The willful little Breeze began to wish that he was safe in Old Mother + West Wind's big bag with all the other Merry Little Breezes. + </p> + <p> + So he started across the Green Meadows to find the Purple Hills. But all + the hills were black now and he could not tell which he should look behind + to find his home with Old Mother West Wind and the Merry Little Breezes. + How he did wish that he had minded Old Mother West Wind. + </p> + <p> + By and by he curled up under a bayberry bush and tried to go to sleep, but + he was lonely, oh, so lonely! And he couldn't go to sleep. Old Mother Moon + came up and flooded all the Green Meadows with light, but it wasn't like + the bright light of jolly round Mr. Sun, for it was cold and white and it + made many black shadows. + </p> + <p> + Pretty soon the willful little Breeze heard Hooty the Owl out hunting for + a meadow mouse for his dinner. Then down the Lone Little Path which ran + close to the bayberry bush trotted Reddy Fox. He was trotting very softly + and every minute or so he turned his head and looked behind him to see if + he was followed. It was plain to see that Reddy Fox was bent on mischief. + </p> + <p> + When he reached the bayberry bush Reddy Fox sat down and barked twice. + Hooty the Owl answered him at once and flew over to join him. They didn't + see the willful little Breeze curled up under the bayberry bush, so intent + were these two rogues in plotting mischief. They were planning to steal + down across the Green Meadows to the edge of the Brown Pasture where Mr. + Bob White and pretty Mrs. Bob White and a dozen little Bob Whites had + their home. + </p> + <p> + “When they run along the ground I'll catch 'em, and when they fly up in + the air you'll catch 'em, and we'll gobble 'em all up,” said Reddy Fox to + Hooty the Owl. Then he licked his chops and Hooty the Owl snapped his + bill, just as if they were tasting tender little Bob Whites that very + minute. It made the willful little Breeze shiver to see them. Pretty soon + they started on towards the Brown Pasture. + </p> + <p> + When they were out of sight the willful little Breeze jumped up and shook + himself. Then away he sped across the Green Meadows to the Brown Pasture. + And because he could go faster and because he went a shorter way he got + there first. He had to hunt and hunt to find Mrs. and Mr. Bob White and + all the little Bob Whites, but finally he did find them, all with their + heads tucked under their wings fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + The willful little Breeze shook Mr. Bob White very gently. In an instant + he was wide awake. + </p> + <p> + “Sh-h-h,” said the willful little Breeze. “Reddy Fox and Hooty the Owl are + coming to the Brown Pasture to gobble up you and Mrs. Bob White and all + the little Bob Whites.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, little Breeze,” said Mr. Bob White, “I think I'll move my + family.” + </p> + <p> + Then he woke Mrs. Bob White and all the little Bob Whites. With Mr. Bob + White in the lead away they all flew to the far side of the Brown Pasture + where they were soon safely hidden under a juniper tree. + </p> + <p> + The willful little Breeze saw them safely there, and when they were nicely + hidden hurried back to the place where the Bob Whites had been sleeping. + Reddy Fox was stealing up through the grass very, very softly. Hooty the + Owl was flying as silently as a shadow. When Reddy Fox thought he was near + enough he drew himself together, made a quick spring and landed right in + Mr. Bob White's empty bed. Reddy Fox and Hooty the Owl looked so surprised + and foolish when they found the Bob Whites were not there that the willful + little Breeze nearly laughed out loud. + </p> + <p> + Then Reddy Fox and Hooty the Owl hunted here and hunted there, all over + the Brown Pasture, but they couldn't find the Bob Whites. + </p> + <p> + And the willful little Breeze went back to the juniper tree and curled + himself beside Mr. Bob White to sleep, for he was lonely no longer. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI REDDY FOX GOES FISHING + </h2> + <p> + One morning when Mr. Sun was very, very bright and it was very, very warm, + down on the Green Meadows Reddy Fox came hopping and skipping down the + Lone Little Path that leads to the Laughing Brook. Hoppity, skip, skippity + hop! Reddy felt very much pleased with himself that sunny morning. Pretty + soon he saw Johnny Chuck sitting up very straight close by the little + house where he lives. + </p> + <p> + “Johnny Chuck, Chuck, Chuck! Johnny Chuck, Chuck, Chuck! Johnny + Woodchuck!” called Reddy fox. + </p> + <p> + Johnny Chuck pretended not to hear. His mother had told him not to play + with Reddy Fox, for Reddy Fox was a bad boy. + </p> + <p> + “Johnny Chuck, Chuck, Chuck! Johnny Woodchuck!” called Reddy again. + </p> + <p> + This time Johnny turned and looked. He could see Reddy Fox turning + somersaults and chasing his tail and rolling over and over in the little + path. + </p> + <p> + “Come on!” said Reddy Fox. “Let's go fishing!” + </p> + <p> + “Can't,” said Johnny Chuck, because you know, his mother had told him not + to play with Reddy Fox. + </p> + <p> + “I'll show you how to catch a fish,” said Reddy Fox, and tried to jump + over his own shadow. + </p> + <p> + “Can't,” said good little Johnny Chuck again, and turned away so that he + couldn't see Reddy Fox chasing Butterflies and playing catch with Field + Mice children. + </p> + <p> + So Reddy Fox went down to the Laughing Brook all alone. The Brook was + laughing and singing on its way to join the Big River. The sky was blue + and the sun was bright. Reddy Fox jumped on the Big Rock in the middle of + the Laughing Brook and peeped over the other side. What do you think he + saw? Why, right down below in a Dear Little Pool were Mr. And Mrs. Trout + and all the little Trouts. + </p> + <p> + Reddy Fox wanted some of those little Trouts to take home for his dinner, + but he didn't know how to catch them. He lay flat down on the Big Rock and + reached way down into the Dear Little Pool, but all the little Trouts + laughed at Reddy Fox and not one came within reach. Then Mr. Trout swam up + so quickly that Reddy Fox didn't see him coming and bit Reddy's little + black paw hard. + </p> + <p> + “Ouch!” cried Reddy Fox, pulling his little black paw out of the water. + And all the little Trouts laughed at Reddy Fox. + </p> + <p> + Just then along came Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Reddy Fox!” said Billy Mink. “What are you doing here?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm trying to catch a fish,” said Reddy Fox. + </p> + <p> + “Pooh! That's easy!” said Billy Mink. “I'll show you how.” + </p> + <p> + So Billy Mink lay down on the Big Rock side of Reddy Fox and peeped over + into the Dear Little Pool where all the little Trouts were laughing at + Reddy Fox and having such a good time. But Billy Mink took care, such very + great care, that Mr. Trout and Mrs. Trout should not see him peeping over + into the Dear Little Pool. + </p> + <p> + When Billy Mink saw all those little Trouts playing in the Dear Little + Pool he laughed. “You count three, Reddy Fox,” said he, “and I'll show you + how to catch a fish.” + </p> + <p> + “One!” said Reddy Fox, “Two! Three!” + </p> + <p> + Splash! Billy Mink had dived head first into the Dear Little Pool. He + spattered water way up onto Reddy Fox, and he frightened old Mr. Frog so + that he fell over backwards off the lily pad where he was taking a morning + nap right into the water. In a minute Billy Mink climbed out on the other + side of the Dear Little Pool and sure enough, he had caught one of the + little Trouts. + </p> + <p> + “Give it to me,” cried Reddy Fox. + </p> + <p> + “Catch one yourself,” said Billy Mink. “Old Grandpa Mink wants a fish for + his dinner, so I am going to take this home. You're afraid, Reddy Fox! + 'Fraid-cat! Fraid-cat!” + </p> + <p> + Billy Mink shook the water off of his little brown coat, picked up the + little Trout and ran off home. + </p> + <p> + Reddy Fox lay down again on the Big Rock and peeped into the Dear Little + Pool. Not a single Trout could he see. They were all hiding safely with + Mr. and Mrs. Trout. Reddy Fox watched and watched. The sun was warm, the + Laughing Brook was singing a lullaby and—what do you think? Why, + Reddy Fox went fast asleep on the edge of the great Big Rock. + </p> + <p> + By and by Reddy Fox began to dream. He dreamed that he had a nice little + brown coat that was waterproof, just like the little brown coat that Billy + Mink wore. Yes, and he dreamed that he had learned to swim and to catch + fish just as Billy Mink did. He dreamed that the Dear Little Pool was full + of little Trouts and that he was just going to catch one when—splash! + Reddy Fox had rolled right off of the Big Rock into the Dear Little Pool. + </p> + <p> + The water went into the eyes of Reddy Fox, and it went up his nose and he + swallowed so much that he felt as if he never, never would want another + drink of water. And his beautiful red coat, which old Mother Fox had told + him to be very, very careful of because he couldn't have another for a + whole year, was oh so wet! And his pants were wet and his beautiful bushy + tail, of which he was so proud, was so full of water that he couldn't hold + it up, but had to drag it up the bank after him as he crawled out of the + Dear Little Pool. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Ha! Ha!” laughed Mr. Kingfisher, sitting on a tree. + </p> + <p> + “Ho! Ho! Ho!” laughed old Mr. Frog, who had climbed back on his lily pad. + </p> + <p> + “He! He! He!” laughed all the little Trouts and Mr. Trout and Mrs. Trout, + swimming round and round in the Dear Little Pool. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Ha! Ha! Ho! Ho! Ho! He! He! He!” laughed Billy Mink, who had come + back to the Big Rock just in time to see Reddy Fox tumble in. + </p> + <p> + Reddy Fox didn't say a word, he was so ashamed. He just crept up the Lone + Little Path to his home, dragging his tail, all wet and muddy, behind him, + and dripping water all the way. + </p> + <p> + Johnny Chuck was still sitting by his door as his mother had told him to. + Reddy Fox tried to go past without being seen, but Johnny Chuck's bright + little eyes saw him. + </p> + <p> + “Where are your fish, Reddy Fox?” called Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “Why don't you turn somersaults, and jump over your shadow and chase + Butterflies and play with the little Field Mice, Reddy Fox?” called Johnny + Chuck. + </p> + <p> + But Reddy Fox just walked faster. When he got almost home he saw old + Mother Fox sitting in the doorway with a great big switch across her lap, + for Mother Fox had told Reddy Fox not to go near the Laughing Brook. + </p> + <p> + And this is all I am going to tell you about how Reddy Fox went fishing. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII JIMMY SKUNK LOOKS FOR BEETLES + </h2> + <p> + Jimmy Skunk opened his eyes very early one morning and peeped out of his + snug little house on the hill. Big, round Mr. Sun, with a very red, + smiling face, had just begun to climb up into the sky. Old Mother West + Wind was just starting down to the Green Meadows with her big bag over her + shoulder. In that bag Jimmy Skunk knew she carried all her children, the + Merry Little Breezes, whom she was taking down to the Green Meadows to + play and frolic all day. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Mother West Wind,” said Jimmy Skunk, politely. “Did you see + any beetles as you came down the hill?” + </p> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind said, no, she hadn't seen any beetles as she came + down the hill. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Jimmy Skunk politely. “I guess I'll have to go look + myself, for I'm very, very hungry.” + </p> + <p> + So Jimmy Skunk brushed his handsome black and white coat, and washed his + face and hands, and started out to try to find some beetles for his + breakfast. First he went down to the Green Meadows and stopped at Johnny + Chuck's house. But Johnny Chuck was still in bed and fast asleep. Then + Jimmy Skunk went over to see if Reddy Fox would go with him to help find + some beetles for his breakfast. But Reddy Fox had been out very, very late + the night before and was still in bed fast asleep, too. + </p> + <p> + So Jimmy Skunk set out all alone along the Crooked Little Path up the hill + to find some beetles for his breakfast. He walked very slowly, for Jimmy + Skunk never hurries. He stopped and peeped under every old log to see if + there were any beetles. By and by he came to a big piece of bark beside + the Crooked Little Path. Jimmy Skunk took hold of the piece of bark with + his two little black paws and pulled and pulled. All of a sudden, the big + piece of bark turned over so quickly that Jimmy Skunk fell flat on his + back. + </p> + <p> + When Jimmy Skunk had rolled over onto his feet again, there sat old Mr. + Toad right in the path, and old Mr. Toad was very, very cross indeed. He + swelled and he puffed and he puffed and he swelled, till he was twice as + big as Jimmy Skunk had ever seen him before. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Mr. Toad,” said Jimmy Skunk. “Have you seen any beetles?” + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Toad blinked his great round goggly eyes and he said: “What do you + mean, Jimmy Skunk, by pulling the roof off my house?” + </p> + <p> + “Is that the roof of your house?” asked Jimmy Skunk politely. “I won't do + it again.” + </p> + <p> + Then Jimmy Skunk stepped right over old Mr. Toad, and went on up the + Crooked Little Path to look for some beetles. + </p> + <p> + By and by he came to an old stump of a tree which was hollow and had the + nicest little round hole in one side. Jimmy Skunk took hold of one edge + with his two little black paws and pulled and pulled. All of a sudden the + whole side of the old stump tore open and Jimmy Skunk fell flat on his + back. + </p> + <p> + When Jimmy Skunk had rolled over onto his feet again there was Striped + Chipmunk hopping up and down right in the middle of the path, he was so + angry. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Striped Chipmunk,” said Jimmy Skunk. “Have you seen any + beetles?” + </p> + <p> + But Striped Chipmunk hopped faster than ever and he said: “What do you + mean, Jimmy Skunk, by pulling the side off my house?” + </p> + <p> + “Is that the side of your house?” asked Jimmy Skunk, politely. “I won't do + it again.” + </p> + <p> + Then Jimmy Skunk stepped right over Striped Chipmunk, and went on up the + Crooked Little Path to look for some beetles. + </p> + <p> + Pretty soon he met Peter Rabbit hopping along down the Crooked Little + Path. “Good morning, Jimmy Skunk, where are you going so early in the + morning?” said Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Peter Rabbit. Have you seen any beetles?” asked Jimmy + Skunk, politely. + </p> + <p> + “No, I haven't seen any beetles, but I'll help you find some,” said Peter + Rabbit. So he turned about and hopped ahead of Jimmy Skunk up the Crooked + Little Path. + </p> + <p> + Now because Peter Rabbit's legs are long and he is always in a hurry, he + got to the top of the hill first. When Jimmy Skunk reached the end of the + Crooked Little Path on the top of the hill he found Peter Rabbit sitting + up very straight and looking and looking very hard at a great flat stone. + </p> + <p> + “What are you looking at, Peter Rabbit?” asked Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + “Sh-h-h!” said Peter Rabbit, “I think there are some beetles under that + great flat stone where that little black string is sticking out. Now when + I count three you grab that string and pull hard perhaps you'll find a + beetle at the other end.” + </p> + <p> + So Jimmy Skunk got ready and Peter Rabbit began to count. + </p> + <p> + “One!” said Peter. “Two!” said Peter. “Three!” + </p> + <p> + Jimmy Skunk grabbed the black string and pulled as hard as ever he could + and out came—Mr. Black Snake! The string Jimmy Skunk had pulled was + Mr. Black Snake's tail, and Mr. Black Snake was very, very angry indeed. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Ha! Ha!” laughed Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, Jimmy Skunk,” said Mr. Black Snake, “by pulling my + tail?” + </p> + <p> + “Was that your tail?” said Jimmy Skunk, politely. “I won't do it again. + Have you seen any beetles?” + </p> + <p> + But Mr. Black Snake hadn't seen any beetles, and he was so cross that + Jimmy Skunk went on over the hill to look for some beetles. + </p> + <p> + Peter Rabbit was still laughing and laughing and laughing. And the more he + laughed the angrier grew Mr. Black Snake, till finally he started after + Peter Rabbit to teach him a lesson. + </p> + <p> + Then Peter Rabbit stopped laughing, for Mr. Black Snake can run very fast. + Away went Peter Rabbit down the Crooked Little Path as fast as he could + go, and away went Mr. Black Snake after him. + </p> + <p> + But Jimmy Skunk didn't even look once to see if Mr. Black Snake had caught + Peter Rabbit to teach him a lesson, for Jimmy Skunk had found some beetles + and was eating his breakfast. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII BILLY MINK'S SWIMMING PARTY + </h2> + <p> + Billy Mink was coming down the bank of the Laughing Brook. Billy Mink was + feeling very good indeed. He had had a good breakfast, the sun was warm, + little white cloud ships were sailing across the blue sky and their + shadows were sailing across the Green Meadows, the birds were singing and + the bees were humming. Billy Mink felt like singing too, but Billy Mink's + voice was not meant for singing. + </p> + <p> + By and by Billy Mink came to the Smiling Pool. Here the Laughing Brook + stopped and rested on its way to join the Big River. It stopped its noisy + laughing and singing and just lay smiling and smiling in the warm + sunshine. The little flowers on the bank leaned over and nodded to it. The + beech tree, which was very old, sometimes dropped a leaf into it. The + cat-tails kept their feet cool in the edge of it. + </p> + <p> + Billy Mink jumped out on the Big Rock and looked down into the Smiling + Pool. Over on a green lily pad he saw old Grandfather Frog. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Grandfather Frog,” said Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Billy Mink,” said Grandfather Frog. “What mischief are you up to + this fine sunny morning?” + </p> + <p> + Just then Billy Mink saw a little brown head swimming along one edge of + the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Jerry Muskrat!” shouted Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + “Hello your own self, Billy Mink,” shouted Jerry Muskrat, “Come in and + have a swim; the water's fine!” + </p> + <p> + “Good,” said Billy Mink. “We'll have a swimming party.” + </p> + <p> + So Billy Mink called all the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind, + who were playing with the flowers on the bank, and sent them to find + Little Joe Otter and invite him to come to the swimming party. Pretty soon + back came the Little Breezes and with them came Little Joe Otter. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Billy Mink,” said Little Joe Otter. “Here I am!” + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Little Joe Otter,” said Billy Mink. “Come up here on the Big Rock + and see who can dive the deepest into the Smiling Pool.” + </p> + <p> + So Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat climbed up on the Big Rock side of + Billy Mink and they all stood side by side in their little brown bathing + suits looking down into the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + “Now when I count three we'll all dive into the Smiling Pool together and + see who can dive the deepest. One!” said Billy Mink. “Two!” said Billy + Mink. “Three!” said Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + And when he said “Three!” in they all went head first. My such a splash as + they did make! They upset old Grandfather Frog so that he fell off his + lily pad. They frightened Mr. and Mrs. Trout so that they jumped right out + of the water. Tiny Tadpole had such a scare that he hid way, way down in + the mud with only the tip of his funny little nose sticking out. + </p> + <p> + “Chug-a-rum,” said old Grandfather Frog, climbing out of his lily pad. “If + I wasn't so old I would show you how to dive.” + </p> + <p> + “Come on, Grandfather Frog!” cried Billy Mink. “Show us how to dive.” + </p> + <p> + And what do you think? Why, old Grandfather Frog actually got so excited + that he climbed up on the Big Rock to show them how to dive. Splash! Went + Grandfather Frog into the Smiling Pool. Splash! Went Billy Mink right + behind him. Splash! Splash! Went Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat, right + at Billy Mink's heels. + </p> + <p> + “Hurrah!” shouted Mr. Kingfisher, sitting on a branch of the old beech + tree. And then just to show them that he could dive, too, splash! He went + into the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + Such a noise as they did make! All the Little Breezes of Old Mother West + Wind danced for joy on the bank. Blacky the Crow and Sammy Jay flew over + to see what was going on. + </p> + <p> + “Now let's see who can swim the farthest under water,” cried Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + So they all stood side by side on one edge of the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + “Go!” shouted Mr. Kingfisher, and in they all plunged. Little ripples ran + across the Smiling Pool and then the water became as smooth and smiling as + if nothing had gone into it with a plunge. + </p> + <p> + Now old Grandfather Frog began to realize that he wasn't as young as he + used to be, and he couldn't swim as fast as the others anyway. He began to + get short of breath, so he swam up to the top and stuck just the tip of + his nose out to get some more air. Sammy Jay's sharp eyes saw him. + </p> + <p> + “There's Grandfather Frog!” he shouted. + </p> + <p> + So then Grandfather Frog popped his head out and swam over to his green + lily pad to rest. + </p> + <p> + Way over beyond the Big Rock little bubbles in three long rows kept coming + up to the top of the Smiling Pool. They showed just where Billy Mink, + Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat were swimming way down out of sight. It + was the air from their lungs making the bubbles. Straight across the + Smiling Pool went the lines of little bubbles and then way out on the + farther side two little heads bobbed out of water close together. They + were Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter. A moment later Jerry Muskrat bobbed + up beside them. + </p> + <p> + You see, they had swum clear across the Smiling Pool and of course they + could swim no farther. + </p> + <p> + So Billy Mink's swimming party was a great success. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX PETER RABBIT PLAYS A JOKE + </h2> + <p> + One morning when big round Mr. Sun was climbing up in the sky and Old + Mother West Wind had sent all her Merry Little Breezes to play in the + Green Meadows, Johnny Chuck started out for a walk. First he sat up very + straight and looked and looked all around to see if Reddy Fox was anywhere + about, for you know Reddy Fox liked to tease Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + But Reddy Fox was nowhere to be seen, so Johnny Chuck trotted down the + Lone Little Path to the wood. Mr. Sun was shining as brightly as ever he + could and Johnny Chuck, who was very, very fat, grew very, very warm. By + and by he sat down on the end of a log under a big tree to rest. + </p> + <p> + Thump! Something hit Johnny Chuck right on the top of his round little + head. It made Johnny Chuck jump. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Johnny Chuck!” said a voice that seemed to come right out of the + sky. Johnny Chuck tipped his head way, way back and looked up. He was just + in time to see Happy Jack Squirrel drop a nut. Down it came and hit Johnny + Chuck right on the tip of his funny, black, little nose. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said Johnny Chuck, and tumbled right over back off the log. But + Johnny Chuck was so round and so fat and so roly-poly that it didn't hurt + him a bit. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Ha! Ha!” laughed Happy Jack up in the tree. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Ha! Ha!” laughed Johnny Chuck, picking himself up. Then they both + laughed together. It was such a good joke. + </p> + <p> + “What are you laughing at?” asked a voice so close to Johnny Chuck that he + rolled over three times he was so surprised. It was Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing in my wood?” asked Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “I'm taking a walk,” said Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “Good,” said Peter Rabbit, “I'll come along too.” + </p> + <p> + So Johnny Chuck and Peter Rabbit set out along the Lone Little Path + through the wood. Peter Rabbit hopped along with great big jumps, for + Peter's legs are long and meant for jumping, but Johnny Chuck couldn't + keep up though he tried very hard, for Johnny's legs are short. Pretty + soon Peter Rabbit came back, walking very softly. He whispered in Johnny + Chuck's ear. + </p> + <p> + “I've found something,” said Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “I'll show you,” said Peter Rabbit, “but you must be very, very still, and + not make the least little bit of noise.” + </p> + <p> + Johnny Chuck promised to be very, very still for he wanted very much to + see what Peter Rabbit had found. Peter Rabbit tip-toed down the Lone + Little Path through the wood, his funny long ears pointing right up to the + sky. And behind him tip-toed Johnny Chuck, wondering and wondering what it + could be that Peter Rabbit had found. + </p> + <p> + Pretty soon they came to a nice mossy green log right across the Lone + Little Path. Peter Rabbit stopped and sat up very straight. He looked this + way and looked that way. Johnny Chuck stopped too and he sat up very + straight and looked this way and looked that way, but all he could see was + the mossy green log across the Lone Little Path. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Peter Rabbit?” whispered Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “You can't see it yet,” whispered Peter Rabbit, “for first we have to jump + over that mossy green log. Now I'll jump first, and then you jump just the + way I do, and then you'll see what it is I've found,” said Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + So Peter Rabbit jumped first, and because his legs are long and meant for + jumping, he jumped way, way over the mossy green log. Then he turned + around and sat up to see Johnny Chuck jump over the mossy green log, too. + </p> + <p> + Johnny Chuck tried to jump very high and very far, just as he had seen + Peter Rabbit jump, but Johnny Chuck's legs are very short and not meant + for jumping. Besides, Johnny Chuck was very, very fat. So though he tried + very hard indeed to jump just like Peter Rabbit, he stubbed his toes on + the top of the mossy green log and over he tumbled, head first, and landed + with a great big thump right on Reddy Fox, who was lying fast asleep on + the other side of the mossy green log. + </p> + <p> + Peter Rabbit laughed and laughed until he had to hold his sides. + </p> + <p> + My, how frightened Johnny Chuck was when he saw what he had done! Before + he could get on his feet he had rolled right over behind a little bush, + and there he lay very, very still. + </p> + <p> + Reddy Fox awoke with a grunt when Johnny Chuck fell on him so hard, and + the first thing he saw was Peter Rabbit laughing so that he had to hold + his sides. Reddy Fox didn't stop to look around. He thought that Peter + Rabbit had jumped on him. Up jumped Reddy Fox and away ran Peter Rabbit. + Away went Reddy Fox after Peter Rabbit. Peter dodged behind the trees, and + jumped over the bushes, and ran this way and ran that way, just as hard as + ever he could, for Peter Rabbit was very much afraid of Reddy Fox. And + Reddy Fox followed Peter Rabbit behind the trees and over the bushes this + way and that way, but he couldn't catch Peter Rabbit. Pretty soon Peter + Rabbit came to the house of Jimmy Skunk. He knew that Jimmy Skunk was over + in the pasture, so he popped right in and then he was safe, for the door + of Jimmy Skunk's house was too small for Reddy Fox to squeeze in. Reddy + Fox sat down and waited, but Peter Rabbit didn't come out. By and by Reddy + Fox gave it up and trotted off home where old Mother Fox was waiting for + him. + </p> + <p> + All this time Johnny Chuck had sat very still, watching Reddy Fox try to + catch Peter Rabbit. And when he saw Peter Rabbit pop into the house of + Jimmy Skunk and Reddy Fox trot away home, Johnny Chuck stood up and + brushed his little coat very clean and then he trotted back up the Lone + Little Path through the wood to his own dear little path through the Green + Meadows where the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were still + playing, till he was safe in his own snug little house once more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X HOW SAMMY JAY WAS FOUND OUT + </h2> + <p> + Sammy Jay was very busy, very busy indeed. When anyone happened that way + Sammy Jay pretended to be doing nothing at all, for Sammy Jay thought + himself a very fine gentleman. He was very proud of his handsome blue coat + with white trimmings and his high cap, and he would sit on a fence post + and make fun of Johnny Chuck working at a new door for his snug little + home in the Green Meadows, and of Striped Chipmunk storing up heaps of + corn and nuts for the winter, for most of the time Sammy Jay was an idle + fellow. And when Sammy Jay WAS busy, he was pretty sure to be doing + something that he ought not to do, for idle people almost always get into + mischief. + </p> + <p> + Sammy Jay was in mischief now, and that is why he pretended to be doing + nothing when he thought any one was looking. + </p> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind had come down from her home behind the Purple Hills + very early that morning. Indeed, jolly, round, red Mr. Sun had hardly + gotten out of bed when she crossed the Green Meadows on her way to help + the big ships across the ocean. Old Mother West Wind's eyes were sharp, + and she saw Sammy Jay before Sammy Jay saw her. + </p> + <p> + “Now what can Sammy Jay be so busy about, and why is he so very, very + quiet?” thought Old Mother West Wind. “He must be up to some mischief.” + </p> + <p> + So when she opened her big bag and turned out all her Merry Little Breezes + to play on the Green Meadows she sent one of them to see what Sammy Jay + was doing in the old chestnut tree. The Merry Little Breeze danced along + over the tree tops just as if he hadn't a thought in the world but to wake + up all the little leaves and set them to dancing too, and Sammy Jay, + watching Old Mother West Wind and the other Merry Little Breezes, didn't + see this Merry Little Breeze at all. + </p> + <p> + Pretty soon it danced back to Old Mother West Wind and whispered in her + ear: “Sammy Jay is stealing the nuts Happy Jack Squirrel had hidden in the + hollow of the old chestnut tree, and is hiding them for himself in the + tumble down nest that Blacky the Crow built in the Great Pine last year.” + “Aha!” said Old Mother West Wind. Then she went on across the Green + Meadows. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Old Mother West Wind,” said Sammy Jay as she passed the + fence post where he was sitting. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Sammy Jay,” said Old Mother West Wind. “What brings you out + so early in the morning?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm out for my health, Old Mother West Wind,” said Sammy Jay politely. + “The doctor has ordered me to take a bath in the dew at sunrise every + morning.” + </p> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind said nothing, but went on her way across the Green + Meadows to blow the ships across the ocean. When she had passed, Sammy Jay + hurried to take the last of Happy Jack's nuts to the old nest in the Great + Pine. + </p> + <p> + Poor Happy Jack! Soon he came dancing along with another nut to put in the + hollow of the old chestnut tree. When he peeped in and saw that all his + big store of nuts had disappeared, he couldn't believe his own eyes. He + put in one paw and felt all around but not a nut could he feel. Then he + climbed in and sure enough, the hollow was empty. + </p> + <p> + Poor Happy Jack! There were tears in his eyes when he crept out again. He + looked all around but no one was to be seen but handsome Sammy Jay, very + busy brushing his beautiful blue coat. + </p> + <p> + “Good morning, Sammy Jay, have you seen any one pass this way?” asked + Happy Jack. “Some one has stolen a store of nuts from the hollow in the + old chestnut tree.” + </p> + <p> + Sammy Jay pretended to feel very badly indeed, and in his sweetest voice, + for his voice was very sweet in those days, he offered to help Happy Jack + try to catch the thief who had stolen the store of nuts from the hollow in + the old chestnut tree. + </p> + <p> + Together they went down cross the Green Meadows asking every one whom they + met if they had seen the thief who had stolen Happy Jack's store of nuts + from the hollow in the old chestnut tree. All the Merry Little Breezes + joined in the search, and soon every one who lived in the Green Meadows or + in the wood knew that some one had stolen all of Happy Jack Squirrel's + store of nuts from the hollow in the old chestnut tree. And because every + one liked Happy Jack, every one felt very sorry indeed for him. + </p> + <p> + The next morning all the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were + turned out of the big bag into the Green Meadows very early indeed, for + they had a lot of errands to do. All over the Green Meadows they hurried, + all through the wood, up and down the Laughing Brook and all around the + Smiling Pool, inviting everybody to meet at the Great Pine on the hill at + nine o'clock to form a committee of the whole—to try to find the + thief who stole Happy Jack's nuts from the hollow in the old chestnut + tree. + </p> + <p> + And because every one liked Happy Jack every one went to the Great Pine on + the hill—Reddy Fox, Bobby Coon, Jimmy Skunk Striped Chipmunk, who is + Happy Jack's cousin you know, Billy Mink, Little Joe Otter, Jerry Muskrat, + Hooty the Owl, who was almost too sleepy to keep his eyes open, Blacky the + Crow, Johnny Chuck, Peter Rabbit, even old Grandfather Frog. Of course + Sammy Jay was there, looking his handsomest. + </p> + <p> + When they had all gathered around the Great Pine, Old Mother West Wind + pointed to the old nest way up in the top of it. “Is that your nest?” she + asked Blacky the Crow. + </p> + <p> + “It was, but I gave it to my cousin, Sammy Jay,” said Blacky the Crow. + </p> + <p> + “Is that your nest, and may I have a stick out of it?” asked Old Mother + West Wind of Sammy Jay. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said Sammy Jay, with his politest bow, “And you are welcome to a + stick out of it.” To himself he thought, “She will only take one from the + top and that won't matter.” + </p> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind suddenly puffed out her cheeks and blew so hard that + she blew a big stick right out of the bottom of the old nest. Down it fell + bumpity-bump on the branches of the Great Pine. After it fell—what + do you think? Why, hickory nuts and chestnuts and acorns and hazel nuts, + such a lot of them! + </p> + <p> + “Why! Why—e—e!” cried Happy Jack. “There are all my stolen + nuts!” + </p> + <p> + Everybody turned to look at Sammy Jay, but he was flying off through the + wood as fast as he could go. “Stop thief!” cried Old Mother West Wind. + “Stop thief!” cried all the Merry Little Breezes and Johnny Chuck and + Billy Mink and all the rest. But Sammy Jay didn't stop. + </p> + <p> + Then all began to pick up the nuts that had fallen from the old nest where + Sammy Jay had hidden them. By and by, with Happy Jack leading the way, + they all marched back to the old chestnut tree and there Happy Jack stored + all the nuts away in his snug little hollow once more. + </p> + <p> + And ever since that day, Sammy Jay, whenever he tries to call, just + screams: “Thief!” “Thief!” “Thief!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI JERRY MUSKRAT'S PARTY + </h2> + <p> + All the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were hurrying over + the Green Meadows. Some flew this way and some ran that way and some + danced the other way. You see, Jerry Muskrat had asked them to carry his + invitations to a party at the Big Rock in the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + Of course every one said that they would be delighted to go to Jerry + Muskrat's party. Round Mr. Sun shone his very brightest. The sky was its + bluest and the little birds had promised to be there to sing for Jerry + Muskrat, so of course all the little folks in the Green Meadows and in the + wood wanted to go. + </p> + <p> + There were Johnny Chuck and Reddy Fox and Jimmy Skunk and Bobby Coon and + Happy Jack Squirrel and Striped Chipmunk and Billy Mink and Little Joe + Otter and Grandfather Frog and old Mr. Toad and Mr. Blacksnake—all + going to Jerry Muskrat's party. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the Smiling Pool they found Jerry Muskrat all ready. His + brothers and his sister, his aunts and his uncles and his cousins were all + there. Such a merry, merry time as there was in the Smiling Pool! How the + water did splash! Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Grandfather Frog + jumped right in as soon as they got there. They played tag in the water + and hid behind the Big Rock. They turned somersaults down the slippery + slide and they had such a good time! + </p> + <p> + But Reddy Fox and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon and Johnny Chuck and Jimmy + Skunk and Happy Jack and Striped Chipmunk couldn't swim, so of course they + couldn't play tag in the water or hide and seek or go down the slippery + slide; all they could do was sit around to look on and wish that they knew + how to swim, too. So of course they didn't have a good time. Soon they + began to wish that they hadn't come to Jerry Muskrat's party. When he + found that they were not having a good time, poor Jerry Muskrat felt very + badly indeed. You see he lives in the water so much that he had quite + forgotten that there was anyone who couldn't swim, or he never, never + would have invited all the little meadow folks who live on dry land. + </p> + <p> + “Let's go home,” said Peter Rabbit to Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “We can have more fun up on the hill,” said Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + Just then Little Joe Otter came pushing a great big log across the Smiling + Pool. + </p> + <p> + “Here's a ship, Bobby Coon. You get on one end and I'll give you a sail + across the Smiling Pool,” shouted Little Joe Otter. + </p> + <p> + So Bobby Coon crawled out on the big log and held on very tight, while + little Joe Otter swam behind and pushed the big log. Across the Smiling + Pool they went and back again. Bobby Coon had such a good ride that he + wanted to go again, but Jimmy Skunk wanted a ride. So Bobby Coon hopped + off of the big log and Jimmy Skunk hopped on and away he went across the + Smiling Pool with little Joe Otter pushing behind. + </p> + <p> + Then Jerry Muskrat found another log and gave Peter Rabbit a ride. Jerry + Muskrat's brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins found logs + and took Reddy Fox and Johnny Chuck and even Mr. Toad back and forth + across the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + Happy Jack Squirrel sat up very straight on the end of his log and spread + his great bushy tail for a sail. All the little Breezes blew and blew and + Happy Jack Squirrel sailed round and round the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes someone would fall off into the water and get wet, but Jerry + Muskrat or Billy Mink always pulled them out again, and no one cared the + tiniest bit for a wetting. + </p> + <p> + In the bushes around the Smiling Pool the little birds sang and sang. + Reddy Fox barked his loudest. Happy Jack Squirrel chattered and chir—r—r—ed. + All the muskrats squealed and squeaked, for Jerry Muskrat's party was such + fun! + </p> + <p> + By and by when Mr. Sun went down behind the Purple Hills to his home and + Old Mother West Wind with all her Merry Little Breezes went after him, and + the little stars came out to twinkle and twinkle, the Smiling Pool lay all + quiet and still, but smiling and smiling to think what a good time every + one had had at Jerry Muskrat's party. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII BOBBY COON AND REDDY FOX PLAY TRICKS + </h2> + <p> + It was night. All the little stars were looking down and twinkling and + twinkling. Mother Moon was doing her best to make the Green Meadows as + light as Mr. Sun did in the daytime. All the little birds except Hooty the + Owl and Boomer the Night Hawk, and noisy Mr. Whip-poor-will were fast + asleep in their little nests. Old Mother West Wind's Merry Little Breezes + had all gone to sleep, too. It was oh so still! Indeed it was so very + still that Bobby Coon, coming down the Lone Little Path through the wood, + began to talk to himself. + </p> + <p> + “I don't see what people want to play all day and sleep all night for,” + said Bobby Coon. “Night's the best time to be about. Now Reddy Fox—” + </p> + <p> + “Be careful what you say about Reddy Fox,” said a voice right behind Bobby + Coon. + </p> + <p> + Bobby Coon turned around very quickly indeed, for he had thought he was + all alone. There was Reddy Fox himself, trotting down the Lone Little Path + through the wood. + </p> + <p> + “I thought you were home and fast asleep, Reddy Fox,” said Bobby Coon. + </p> + <p> + “You were mistaken,” said Reddy Fox. “For you see I'm out to take a walk + in the moonlight.” + </p> + <p> + So Bobby Coon and Reddy Fox walked together down the Lone Little Path + through the wood to the Green Meadows. They met Jimmy Skunk, who had + dreamed that there were a lot of beetles up on the hill, and was just + going to climb the Crooked Little Path to see. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Jimmy Skunk!” said Bobby Coon and Reddy Fox. “Come down to the + Green Meadows with us.” + </p> + <p> + Jimmy Skunk said he would, so they all went down on the Green Meadows + together, Bobby Coon first, Reddy Fox next and Jimmy Skunk last of all, + for Jimmy Skunk never hurries. Pretty soon they came to the house of + Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said Bobby Coon. “Johnny Chuck is fast asleep.” + </p> + <p> + They all listened and they could hear Johnny Chuck snoring away down in + his snug little bed. + </p> + <p> + “Let's give Johnny Chuck a surprise,” said Reddy Fox. + </p> + <p> + “What shall it be?” asked Bobby Coon. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said Reddy Fox. “Let's roll that big stone right over Johnny + Chuck's doorway; then he'll have to dig his way out in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + So Bobby Coon and Reddy Fox pulled and tugged and tugged and pulled at the + big stone till they had rolled it over Johnny Chuck's doorway. Jimmy Skunk + pretended not to see what they were doing. + </p> + <p> + “Now let's go down to the Laughing Brook and wake up old Grandfather Frog + and hear him say 'Chug-a-rum,'” said Bobby Coon. + </p> + <p> + “Come on!” cried Reddy Fox, “I'll get there first!” + </p> + <p> + Away raced Reddy Fox down the Lone Little Path and after him ran Bobby + Coon, going to wake old Grandfather Frog from a nice comfortable sleep on + his green lily pad. + </p> + <p> + But Jimmy Skunk didn't go. He watched Reddy Fox and Bobby Coon until they + were nearly to the Laughing Brook. Then he began to dig at one side of the + big stone which filled the doorway of Johnny Chuck's house. My, how he + made the dirt fly! Pretty soon he had made a hole big enough to call + through to Johnny Chuck, who was snoring away, fast asleep in his snug + little bed below. + </p> + <p> + “Johnny Chuck, Chuck, Chuck! Johnny Woodchuck!” called Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + But Johnny Chuck just snored. + </p> + <p> + “Johnny Chuck, Chuck, Chuck! Johnny Woodchuck!” called Jimmy Skunk once + more. + </p> + <p> + But Johnny Chuck just snored. Then Jimmy Skunk called again, this time + louder than before. + </p> + <p> + “Who is it?” asked a very sleepy voice. + </p> + <p> + “It's Jimmy Skunk. Put your coat on and come up here!” called Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + “Go away, Jimmy Skunk. I want to sleep!” said Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “I've got a surprise for you, Johnny Chuck. You'd better come!” called + Jimmy Skunk through the little hole he had made. When Johnny Chuck heard + that Jimmy Skunk had a surprise for him he wanted to know right away what + it could be, so though he was very, very sleepy, he put on his coat and + started up for his door to see what the surprise was that Jimmy Skunk had. + And there he found the big stone Reddy Fox and Bobby Coon had put there, + and of course he was very much surprised indeed. He thought Jimmy Skunk + had played him a mean trick and for a few minutes he was very mad. But + Jimmy Skunk soon told him who had filled up his doorway with the big + stone. + </p> + <p> + “Now you push from that side, Johnny Chuck, and I'll pull from this side, + and we'll soon have this big stone out of your doorway,” said Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + So Johnny Chuck pushed and Jimmy Skunk pulled, and sure enough they soon + had the big stone out of Johnny Chuck's doorway. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Jimmy Skunk, “we'll roll this big stone down the Lone Little + Path to Reddy Fox's house and we'll give Reddy Fox a surprise.” + </p> + <p> + So Johnny Chuck and Jimmy Skunk tugged and pulled and rolled the big stone + down to the house of Reddy Fox, and sure enough, it filled his doorway. + </p> + <p> + “Good night, Jimmy Skunk,” said Johnny Chuck, and trotted down the Lone + Little Path toward home, chuckling to himself all the way. + </p> + <p> + Jimmy Skunk walked slowly up the Lone Little Path to the wood, for Jimmy + Skunk never hurries. Pretty soon he came to the big hollow tree where + Bobby Coon lives, and there he met Hooty the Owl. + </p> + <p> + “Hello, Jimmy Skunk, where have you been?” asked Hooty the Owl. + </p> + <p> + “Just for a walk,” said Jimmy Skunk. “Who lives in this big hollow tree?” + </p> + <p> + Now of course Jimmy Skunk knew all the time, but he pretended he didn't. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this is Bobby Coon's house,” said Hooty the Owl. + </p> + <p> + “Let's give Bobby Coon a surprise,” said Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + “How?” asked Hooty the Owl. + </p> + <p> + “We'll fill his house full of sticks and leaves,” said Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + Hooty the Owl thought that would be a good joke so while Jimmy Skunk + gathered all the old sticks and leaves he could find, Hooty the Owl + stuffed them into the old hollow tree which was Bobby Coon's house, until + he couldn't get in another one. + </p> + <p> + “Good night,” said Jimmy Skunk as he began to climb the Crooked Little + Path up the hill to his own snug little home. + </p> + <p> + “Good night,” said Hooty the Owl, as he flew like a big soft shadow over + to the Great Pine. + </p> + <p> + By and by when old Mother Moon was just going to bed and all the little + stars were too sleepy to twinkle any longer, Reddy Fox and Bobby Coon, + very tired and very wet from playing in the Laughing Brook, came up the + Lone Little Path, ready to tumble into their snug little beds. They were + chuckling over the trick they had played on Johnny Chuck, and the way they + had waked up old Grandfather Frog, and all the other mischief they had + done. What do you suppose they said when they reached their homes and + found that someone else had been playing jokes, too? + </p> + <p> + I'm sure I don't know, but round, red Mr. Sun was laughing very hard as he + peeped over the hill at Reddy Fox and Bobby Coon, and he won't tell why. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD + </h2> + <p> + Old Mother West Wind had stopped to talk with the Slender Fir Tree. “I've + just come across the Green Meadows,” said Old Mother West Wind, “and there + I saw the Best Thing in the World.” + </p> + <p> + Striped Chipmunk was sitting under the Slender Fir Tree and he couldn't + help hearing what Old Mother West Wind said. “The Best Thing in the World—now + what can that be?” thought Striped Chipmunk. “Why, it must be heaps and + heaps of nuts and acorns! I'll go and find it.” + </p> + <p> + So Striped Chipmunk started down the Lone Little Path through the wood as + fast as he could run. Pretty soon he met Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going in such a hurry, Striped Chipmunk?” asked Peter + Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “Down in the Green Meadows to find the Best Thing in the World,” replied + Striped Chipmunk, and ran faster. + </p> + <p> + “The Best Thing in the World,” said Peter Rabbit. “Why, that must be great + piles of carrots and cabbage! I think I'll go and find it.” + </p> + <p> + So Peter Rabbit started down the Lone Little Path through the wood as fast + as he could go after Striped Chipmunk. + </p> + <p> + As they passed the great hollow tree Bobby Coon put his head out. “Where + are you going in such a hurry?” asked Bobby Coon. + </p> + <p> + “Down in the Green Meadows to find the Best Thing in the World!” shouted + Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit, and both began to run faster. + </p> + <p> + “The Best Thing in the World,” said Bobby Coon to himself. “Why, that must + be a whole field of sweet milky corn. I think I'll go and find it.” + </p> + <p> + So Bobby Coon climbed down out of the great hollow tree and started down + the Lone Little Path through the wood as fast as he could go after Striped + Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit, for there is nothing that Bobby Coon likes to + eat so well as sweet milky corn. + </p> + <p> + At the edge of the wood they met Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going in such a hurry?” asked Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + “Down in the Green Meadows to find the Best Thing in the World!” shouted + Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon. Then they all tried to + run faster. + </p> + <p> + “The Best Thing in the World,” said Jimmy Skunk. “Why, that must be packs + and packs of beetles!” And for once in his life Jimmy Skunk began to hurry + down the Lone Little Path after Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and + Bobby Coon. + </p> + <p> + They were all running so fast that they didn't see Reddy Fox until he + jumped out of the long grass and asked: “Where are you going in such a + hurry?” + </p> + <p> + “To find the Best Thing in the World!” shouted Striped Chipmunk and Peter + Rabbit and Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk, and each did his best to run + faster. + </p> + <p> + “The Best Thing in the World,” said Reddy Fox to himself. “Why, that must + be a whole pen full of tender young chickens, and I must have them.” + </p> + <p> + So away went Reddy Fox as fast as he could run down the Lone Little Path + after Striped Chipmunk, Peter Rabbit, Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk. + </p> + <p> + By and by they all came to the house of Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going in such a hurry?” asked Johnny Chuck. + </p> + <p> + “To find the Best Thing in the World,” shouted Striped Chipmunk and Peter + Rabbit and Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk and Reddy Fox. + </p> + <p> + “The Best Thing in the World,” said Johnny Chuck. “Why, I don't know of + anything better than my own little home and the warm sunshine and the + beautiful blue sky.” + </p> + <p> + So Johnny Chuck stayed at home and played all day among the flowers with + the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind and was as happy as could + be. + </p> + <p> + But all day long Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon and + Jimmy Skunk and Reddy Fox ran this way and ran that way over the Green + Meadows trying to find the Best Thing in the World. The sun was very, very + warm and they ran so far and they ran so fast that they were very, very + hot and tired, and still they hadn't found the Best Thing in the World. + </p> + <p> + When the long day was over they started up the Lone Little Path past + Johnny Chuck's house to their own homes. They didn't hurry now for they + were so very, very tired! And they were cross—oh so cross! Striped + Chipmunk hadn't found a single nut. Peter Rabbit hadn't found so much as + the leaf of a cabbage. Bobby Coon hadn't found the tiniest bit of sweet + milky corn. Jimmy Skunk hadn't seen a single beetle. Reddy Fox hadn't + heard so much as the peep of a chicken. And all were as hungry as hungry + could be. + </p> + <p> + Half way up the Lone Little Path they met Old Mother West Wind going to + her home behind the hill. “Did you find the Best Thing in the World?” + asked Old Mother West Wind. + </p> + <p> + “NO!” shouted Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon and Jimmy + Skunk and Reddy Fox all together. + </p> + <p> + “Johnny Chuck has it,” said Old Mother West Wind. “It is being happy with + the things you have and not wanting things which some one else has. And it + is called Con-tent-ment.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV LITTLE JOE OTTER'S SLIPPERY SLIDE + </h2> + <p> + Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink had been playing together around the + Smiling Pool all one sunshiny morning. They had been fishing and had taken + home a fine dinner of Trout for old Grandfather Mink and blind old Granny + Otter. They had played tag with the Merry Little Breezes. They had been in + all kinds of mischief and now they just didn't know what to do. + </p> + <p> + They were sitting side by side on the Big Rock trying to push each other + off into the Smiling Pool. Round, smiling red Mr. Sun made the Green + Meadows very warm indeed, and Reddy Fox, over in the tall grass, heard + them splashing and shouting and having such a good time that he wished he + liked the nice cool water and could swim, too. + </p> + <p> + “I've thought of something!” cried Little Joe Otter. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” asked Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + Little Joe Otter just looked wise and said nothing. + </p> + <p> + “Something to eat?” asked Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Little Joe Otter. + </p> + <p> + “I don't believe you've a thought of anything at all,” said Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + “I have too!” said Little Joe Otter. “It's something to do.” + </p> + <p> + “What?” demanded Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + Just then Little Joe Otter spied Jerry Muskrat. “Hi, Jerry Muskrat! Come + over here!” he called. + </p> + <p> + Jerry Muskrat swam across to the Big Rock and climbed up beside Billy Mink + and Little Joe Otter. + </p> + <p> + “What are you fellows doing?” asked Jerry Muskrat. + </p> + <p> + “Having some fun,” said Billy Mink. “Little Joe Otter has thought of + something to do, but I don't know what it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Let's make a slide,” cried Little Joe Otter. + </p> + <p> + “You show us how,” said Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + So Little Joe Otter found a nice smooth place on the bank, and Billy Mink + and Jerry Muskrat brought mud and helped him pat it down smooth until they + had the loveliest slippery slide in the world. Then Little Joe Otter + climbed up the bank to the top of the slippery slide and lay down flat on + his stomach. Billy Mink gave a push and away he went down, down the + slippery slide, splash into the Smiling Pool. Then Jerry Muskrat tried it + and after him Billy Mink. Then all did it over again. Sometimes they went + down the slippery slide on their backs, sometimes flat on their stomachs, + sometimes head first, sometimes feet first. Oh such fun as they did have! + Even Grandfather Frog came over and tried the slippery slide. + </p> + <p> + Johnny Chuck, over in the Green Meadows, heard the noise and stole down + the Lone Little Path to see. Jimmy Skunk, looking for beetles up on the + hill, heard the noise and forgot that he hadn't had his breakfast. Reddy + Fox, taking a nap, woke up and hurried over to watch the fun. Last of all + came Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + Little Joe Otter saw him coming. “Hello, Peter Rabbit!” he shouted. “Come + and try the slippery slide.” + </p> + <p> + Now Peter Rabbit couldn't swim, but he pretended that he didn't want to. + </p> + <p> + “I've left my bathing suit at home,” said Peter Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind,” said Billy Mink. “Mr. Sun will dry you off.” + </p> + <p> + “And we'll help,” said all the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West + Wind. + </p> + <p> + But Peter Rabbit shook his head and said, “No.” + </p> + <p> + Faster and faster went Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat + and old Grandfather Frog down the slippery slide into the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + Peter Rabbit kept coming nearer and nearer until finally he stood right at + the top of the slippery slide. Billy Mink crept up behind him very softly + and gave him a push. Peter Rabbit's long legs flew out from under him and + down he sat with a thump on the slippery slide. “Oh,” cried Peter Rabbit, + and tried to stop himself. But he couldn't do it and so away he went down + the slippery slide, splash into the Smiling Pool. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Billy Mink. + </p> + <p> + “Ho! ho! ho!” shouted Little Joe Otter. + </p> + <p> + “He! he! he!” laughed Jerry Muskrat and old Grandfather Frog and Sammy Jay + and Jimmy Skunk and Reddy Fox and Blacky the Crow and Mr. Kingfisher, for + you know Peter Rabbit was forever playing jokes on them. + </p> + <p> + Poor Peter Rabbit! The water got in his eyes and up his nose and into his + mouth and made him choke and splutter, and then he couldn't get back on + the bank, for you know Peter Rabbit couldn't swim. + </p> + <p> + When Little Joe Otter saw what a dreadful time Peter Rabbit was having he + dove into the Smiling Pool and took hold of one of Peter Rabbit's long + ears. Billy Mink swam out and took hold of the other long ear. Jerry + Muskrat swam right under Peter Rabbit and took him on his back. Then with + old Grandfather Frog swimming ahead they took Peter Rabbit right across + the Smiling Pool and pulled him out on the grassy bank, where it was nice + and warm. All the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind came over + and helped Mr. Sun dry Peter Rabbit off. + </p> + <p> + Then they all sat down together and watched Little Joe Otter turn a + somersault down the slippery slide. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV THE TAIL OF TOMMY TROUT WHO DID NOT MIND + </h2> + <p> + In the Laughing Brook, which rippled and sings all day long, lived Mr. + Trout and Mrs. Trout, and a whole lot of little Trouts. There were so many + little Trouts that Mr. Trout and Mrs. Trout were kept very busy indeed + getting breakfast and dinner and supper for them, and watching out for + them and teaching them how to swim and how to catch foolish little flies + that sometimes fell on the water and how to keep out of the way of big + hungry fish and sharp eyed Mr. Kingfisher and big men and little boys who + came fishing with hooks and lines. + </p> + <p> + Now all the little Trouts were very, very good and minded just what Mrs. + Trout told them—all but Tommy Trout, for Tommy Trout—oh, dear, + dear! Tommy Trout never could mind right away. He always had to wait a + little instead of minding when he was spoken to. + </p> + <p> + Tommy Trout didn't mean to be bad. Oh dear, no! He just wanted to have his + own way, and because Tommy Trout had his own way and didn't mind Mrs. + Trout there isn't any Tommy Trout now. No sir, there isn't as much as one + little blue spot of his beautiful little coat left because—why, just + because Tommy Trout didn't mind. + </p> + <p> + One day when round, red Mr. Sun was shining and the Laughing Brook was + singing on its way to join the Big River, Mrs. Trout started to get some + nice plump flies for dinner. All the little Trouts were playing in their + dear little pool, safe behind the Big Rock. Before she started Mrs. Trout + called all the little Trouts around her and told them not to leave their + little pool while she was gone, “For,” said she, “something dreadful might + happen to you.” + </p> + <p> + All the little Trouts, except Tommy Trout, promised that they would + surely, surely stay inside their dear little pool. Then they all began to + jump and chase each other and play as happy as could be, all but Tommy + Trout. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Mrs. Trout had started, Tommy Trout swam off by himself to the + edge of the pool. “I wonder what is on the other side of the Big Rock,” + said Tommy Trout. “The sun is shining and the brook is laughing and + nothing could happen if I go just a little speck of a ways.” + </p> + <p> + So, when no one was looking, Tommy Trout slipped out of the safe little + pool where all the other little Trouts were playing. He swam just a little + speck of a ways farther still. Now he could see almost around the Big + Rock. Then he swam just a little speck of a ways farther and—oh + dear, dear! he looked right into the mouth of a great big, big fish called + Mr. Pickerel, who is very fond of little Trouts and would like to eat one + for breakfast every day. + </p> + <p> + “Ah ha!” said Mr. Pickerel, opening his big, big mouth very, very wide. + </p> + <p> + Tommy Trout turned to run back to the dear, dear safe little pool where + all the other little Trouts were playing so happily, but he was too late. + Into that great big, big mouth he went instead, and Mr. Pickerel swallowed + him whole. + </p> + <p> + “Ah ha,” said Mr. Pickerel, “I like little Trouts.” + </p> + <p> + And nothing more was ever heard of Tommy Trout, who didn't mind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI SPOTTY THE TURTLE WINS A RACE + </h2> + <p> + All the little people who live on the Green Meadows and in the Smiling + Pool and along the Laughing Brook were to have a holiday. The Merry Little + Breezes of Old Mother West Wind had been very busy, oh very busy indeed, + in sending word to all the little meadow folks. You see, Peter Rabbit had + been boasting of how fast he could run. Reddy Fox was quite sure that he + could run faster than Peter Rabbit. Billy Mink, who can move so quickly + you hardly can see him, was quite sure that neither Peter Rabbit nor Reddy + Fox could run as fast as he. They all met one day beside the Smiling Pool + and agreed that old Grandfather Frog should decide who was the swiftest. + </p> + <p> + Now Grandfather Frog was accounted very wise. You see he had lived a long + time, oh, very much longer than any of the others, and therefore, because + of the wisdom of age, Grandfather Frog was always called on to decide all + disputes. He sat on his green lily-pad while Billy Mink sat on the Big + Rock, and Peter Rabbit and Reddy Fox sat on the bank. Each in turn told + why he thought he was the fastest. Old Grandfather Frog listened and + listened and said never a word until they were all through. When they had + finished, he stopped to catch a foolish green fly and then he said: “The + best way to decide who is the swiftest is to have a race.” + </p> + <p> + So it was agreed that Peter Rabbit and Reddy Fox and Billy Mink should + start together from the old butternut tree on one edge of the Green + Meadows, race away across the Green Meadows to the little hill on the + other side and each bring back a nut from the big hickory which grew + there. The one who first reached the old butternut tree with a hickory nut + would be declared the winner. The Merry Little Breezes flew about over the + Green Meadows telling everyone about the race and everyone planned to be + there. + </p> + <p> + It was a beautiful summer day. Mr. Sun smiled and smiled, and the more he + smiled the warmer it grew. Everyone was there to see the race—Striped + Chipmunk, Happy Jack Squirrel, Sammy Jay, Blacky the Crow, Hooty the Owl + and Bobby Coon all sat up in the old butternut tree where it was cool and + shady. Johnny Chuck, Jerry Muskrat, Jimmy Skunk, Little Joe Otter, + Grandfather Frog and even old Mr. Toad, were there. Last of all came + Spotty the Turtle. Now Spotty the Turtle is a very slow walker, and he + cannot run at all. When Peter Rabbit saw him coming up towards the old + butternut tree he shouted: “Come, Spotty, don't you want to race with us?” + </p> + <p> + Everybody laughed because you know Spotty is so very, very slow but Spotty + didn't laugh and he didn't get cross because everyone else laughed. + </p> + <p> + “There is a wise old saying, Peter Rabbit,” said Spotty the Turtle, “which + shows that those who run fastest do not always reach a place first. I + think I WILL enter this race.” + </p> + <p> + Every one thought that that was the best joke they had heard for a long + time, and all laughed harder than ever. They all agreed that Spotty the + Turtle should start in the race too. + </p> + <p> + So they all stood in a row, Peter Rabbit first, the Billy Mink, then Reddy + Fox, and right side of Reddy Fox Spotty the Turtle. + </p> + <p> + “Are you ready?” asked Grandfather Frog. “Go!” + </p> + <p> + Away went Peter Rabbit with great big jumps. After him went Billy Mink so + fast that was just a little brown streak going through the tall grass, and + side by side with him ran Reddy Fox. Now just as they started Spotty the + Turtle reached up and grabbed the long hair on the end of Reddy's big + tail. Of course Reddy couldn't have stopped to shake him off, because + Peter Rabbit and Billy Mink were running so fast that he had to run his + very best to keep up with them. But he didn't even know that Spotty the + Turtle was there. You see Spotty is not very heavy and Reddy Fox was so + excited that he did not notice that his big tail was heavier than usual. + </p> + <p> + The Merry Little Breezes flew along, too, to see that the race was fair. + Peter Rabbit went with great big jumps. Whenever he came to a little bush + he jumped right over it, for Peter Rabbit's legs are long and meant for + jumping. Billy Mink is so slim that he slipped between the bushes and + through the long grass like a little brown streak. Reddy Fox, who is + bigger than either Peter Rabbit or Billy Mink, had no trouble in keeping + up with them. Not one of them noticed that Spotty the Turtle was hanging + fast to the end of Reddy's tail. + </p> + <p> + Now just at the foot of the little hill on which the big hickory tree grew + was a little pond. It wasn't very wide but it was quite long. Billy Mink + remembered this pond and he chuckled to himself as he raced along, for he + knew that Peter Rabbit couldn't swim and he knew that Reddy Fox does not + like the water, so therefore both would have to run around it. He himself + can swim even faster than he can run. The more he thought of this, the + more foolish it seemed that he should hurry so on such a warm day. “For,” + said Billy Mink to himself, “even if they reach the pond first, they will + have to run around it, while I can swim across it and cool off while I am + swimming. I will surely get there first.” So Billy Mink ran slower and + slower, and pretty soon he had dropped behind. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Sun, round and red, looking down, smiled and smiled to see the race. + The more he smiled the warmer it grew. Now, Peter Rabbit had a thick gray + coat and Reddy Fox had a thick red coat, and they both began to get very, + very warm. Peter Rabbit did not make such long jumps as when he first + started. Reddy Fox began to feel very thirsty, and his tongue hung out. + Now that Billy Mink was behind them they thought they did not need to + hurry so. + </p> + <p> + Peter Rabbit reached the little pond first. He had not thought of that + pond when he agreed to enter the race. He stopped right on the edge of it + and sat up on his hind legs. Right across he could see the big hickory + tree, so near and yet so far, for he knew that he must run around the pond + then back again, and it was a long, long way. In just a moment Reddy Fox + ran out of the bushes and Reddy felt much as Peter Rabbit did. Way, way + behind them was Billy Mink, trotting along comfortably and chuckling to + himself. Peter Rabbit looked at Reddy Fox in dismay, and Reddy Fox looked + at Peter Rabbit in dismay. Then they both looked at Billy Mink and + remembered that Billy Mink could swim right across. + </p> + <p> + Then off Peter Rabbit started as fast as he could go around the pond one + way, and Reddy Fox started around the pond the other way. They were so + excited that neither noticed a little splash in the pond. That was Spotty + the Turtle who had let go of Reddy's tail and now was swimming across the + pond, for you know that Spotty is a splendid swimmer. Only once or twice + he stuck his little black nose up to get some air. The rest of the time he + swam under water and no one but the Merry Little Breezes saw him. Right + across he swam, and climbed up the bank right under the big hickory tree. + </p> + <p> + Now there were just three nuts left under the hickory trees. Two of these + Spotty took down to the edge of the pond and buried in the mud. The other + he took in his mouth and started back across the pond. Just as he reached + the other shore up trotted Billy Mink, but Billy Mink didn't see Spotty. + He was too intent watching Reddy Fox and Peter Rabbit, who were now half + way around the pond. In he jumped with a splash. My! How good that cool + water did feel! He didn't have to hurry now, because he felt sure that the + race was his. So he swam round and round and chased some fish and had a + beautiful time in the water. By and by he looked up and saw that Peter + Rabbit was almost around the pond one way and Reddy Fox was almost around + the pond the other way. They both looked tired and hot and discouraged. + </p> + <p> + Then Billy Mink swam slowly across and climbed out on the bank under the + big hickory tree. But where were the nuts? Look as he would, he could not + see a nut anywhere, yet the Merry Little Breezes had said there were three + nuts lying under the hickory tree. Billy Mink ran this way and ran that + way. He was still running around, poking over the leaves and looking under + the twigs and pieces of bark when Peter Rabbit and Reddy Fox came up. + </p> + <p> + Then they, too, began to look under the leaves and under the bark. They + pawed around in the grass, they hunted in every nook and cranny, but not a + nut could they find. They were tired and cross and hot and they accused + Billy Mink of having hidden the nuts. Billy Mink stoutly insisted that he + had not hidden the nuts, that he had not found the nuts, and when they saw + how hard he was hunting they believed him. + </p> + <p> + All the afternoon they hunted and hunted and hunted, and all the afternoon + Spotty the Turtle, with the nut in his mouth, was slowly, oh, so slowly, + crawling straight back across the Green Meadows towards the old butternut + tree. Round, red Mr. Sun was getting very close to the Purple Hills, where + he goes to bed every night, and all the little meadow folks were getting + ready to go to their homes. They were wondering and wondering what could + have happened to the racers, when Sammy Jay spied the Merry Little Breezes + dancing across the Green Meadows. + </p> + <p> + “Here come the Merry Little Breezes; they'll tell us who wins the race,” + cried Sammy Jay. + </p> + <p> + When the Merry Little Breezes reached the old butternut tree, all the + little meadow folks crowded around them, but the Merry Little Breezes just + laughed and laughed and wouldn't say a word. Then all of a sudden, out of + the tall meadow grass crept Spotty the Turtle and laid the hickory nut at + the feet of old Grandfather Frog. Old Grandfather Frog was so surprised + that he actually let a great green fly buzz right past his nose. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you get that hickory nut?” asked Grandfather Frog. + </p> + <p> + “Under the big hickory tree on the hill on the other side of the Green + Meadows,” said Spotty. + </p> + <p> + Then all the Merry Little Breezes clapped their hands and shouted: “He + did! He did! Spotty wins the race!” + </p> + <p> + Then they told how Spotty reached the pond by clinging to the tip of Reddy + Fox's tail, and had hidden the other two nuts, and then how he had + patiently crawled home while Billy Mink and Reddy Fox and Peter Rabbit + were hunting and hunting and hunting for the nuts they could not find. + </p> + <p> + And so Spotty the Turtle was awarded the race, and to this day Peter + Rabbit and Reddy Fox and Billy Mink can't bear the sight of a hickory nut. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Old Mother West Wind, by Thornton W. Burgess + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD MOTHER WEST WIND *** + +***** This file should be named 2557-h.htm or 2557-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/5/2557/ + +Produced by Eve Sobol, and David Widger + + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |