 Section 1 of Old Mother West Wind. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recorded by Laurie Ann Walden. Old Mother West Wind by Thornton W. Burgess. Dedication. 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. Chapter 1. Mrs. Redwing's Speckled Egg. 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. Old Mother West Wind came down from the purple hills to the green meadows, and as she walked she crooned a song. Ships upon the ocean wait, I must hurry, hurry on. Mills are idle if I'm late, I must hurry, hurry on. When she reached the green meadows, Old Mother West Wind opened her bag, turned it upside down, and shook it. The girl 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. First they raced over to see Johnny Chuck. They found Johnny Chuck sitting just outside his door, eating his breakfast. One, for a 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 rumbled up his hair. 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 every day. 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 underground. 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. 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. Chuck Rom said Grandfather Frog, which was his way of saying good morning. 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. The Grandfather Frog looked very well satisfied indeed as he contentedly rubbed his white waistcoat with one hand. What is the news Grandfather Frog? Cried the merry little breezes. Mrs. Redwing has a new speckled egg in her nest in the bullrushes, said Grandfather Frog. We must see it, cried the merry little breezes, and away they all ran to the swamp where the bullrushes grow. Now someone else had heard of Mrs. Redwing's dear little nest in the bullrushes and 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. When the merry little breezes reached the swamp where the bullrushes 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. Oh! cried the merry little breezes. We must help Mrs. Redwing save her pretty speckled eggs from bad Tommy Brown. 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. And all the merry little breezes danced away across the green meadows to the swamp where the bullrushes 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 bullrushes, for they knew, and Mrs. Redwing knew, that someday out of that pretty new speckled egg would come a wee baby redwing. Chapter 2 Why Grandfather Frog Has No Tale Old Mother Westwind 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 sunbeams. And now they had gathered around the smiling pool where on a green lily-pad sat Grandfather Frog. 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 Meek treated Grandfather Frog with respect, for Billy Meek's father and his father's father could not remember when Grandfather Frog had not sat on the lily-pad watching for green flies. 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 someone 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 polywogs. Oh, Grandfather Frog, tell us why you don't have a tail as you did when you were young. Beg one of the merry little breezes. 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. 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 Meek to gobble up foolish frog babies who were taking a sun bath. Billy Meek, who had joined the merry little breezes and was listening, squirmed uneasily, and looked away guiltily. 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. 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 kings. Now you all know that people who do nothing worthwhile 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, 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. 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. Old grandfather frog stopped and looked sadly at a foolish green fly coming his way. Chug a room, 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, 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. Thank you, shouted all the merry little breezes. We won't forget. 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. Chapter 3 How Ready Fox Was Surprised Johnny Chuck and Ready Fox lived very near together on the edge of the green meadows. Johnny Chuck was fat and roly-poly. Ready Fox was slim and wore a bright red coat. Ready 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. One bright summer day Johnny Chuck was out looking for a good breakfast of nice, tender clover. He had wondered quite a long way from his snug little house in the long meadowgrass, 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. 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. Old Mother Westwind, 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. One of the merry little breezes danced along in front of him. Look out Johnny Chuck you will get lost, cried the merry little breeze, and then pulled Johnny's whiskers and ran away. Higher and higher up in the sky climbed round red Mr. Sun. Every time Johnny Chuck looked up at him Mr. Sun winked. 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. 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. 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. By and by one of the merry little breezes found Johnny Chuck all curled up in a funny round ball. Wake up Johnny Chuck, wake up shouted the merry little breeze. Johnny Chuck opened his eyes, then he sat up and rubbed him. For just a few, few minutes he couldn't remember where he was at all. 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. 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. Aha! said Reddy Fox. I'll scare Johnny Chuck so he'll wish he'd never put his nose out of his house. 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. 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. 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 and 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. 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. 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. Ho ho ho! shouted Peter Rabbit. Reddy Fox afraid of Johnny Chuck. Ho ho ho! 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. 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 afraid cat, afraid cat, Reddy Fox is afraid cat. And all the merry little breezes of Old Mother West Wind, who were playing on the green meadow, shouted, Reddy Fox is afraid cat, afraid cat. And this is the way that Reddy Fox was surprised, and that Johnny Chuck found his way home. End of section one. Section two of Old Mother West Wind. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recorded by Laurie Ann Walden. Old Mother West Wind by Thornton W. Burgess. Chapter 4 Why Jimmy Skunk Wears Stripes 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. 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. 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 tried it 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. 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 heartbroken. 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. How did it happen? asked Peter Rabbit. 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. 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. What makes your eyes so big and round? asked Johnny Chuck. 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. Too bad, too bad, said Jimmy Skunk and yawned sleepily. Won't you join us in trying to find out who did it? asked Johnny Chuck. 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. What shall we do? asked Johnny Chuck. We'll hurry over and tell old dame nature, cried the merry little breezes, and asked her what to do. 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 meadowfolks to tell everyone to be at the great pine that afternoon. Now whatever old dame nature commanded all the meadowfolks were obliged to do. They did not dare to disobey her. Promptly at four o'clock that afternoon all the meadowfolks 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. Readyfox, Peter Rabbit, Johnny Chuck, Billy Mink, Little Joe Otter, Jerry Musgrat, Hootie the Owl, Bobby Coon, Sammy J, Blackie the Crow, Grandfather Frog, Mr. Toad, Spoddy 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. 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 intern was asked to tell where he had been the night before. Johnny Chuck, Happy Jack Squirrel, Striped Chipmunk, Sammy J, and Blackie the Crow had gone to bed when Mr. Sun went down behind the Purple Hills. Jerry Musgrat, Billy Mink, Little Joe Otter, Grandfather Frog, and Spoddy the Turtle had not left the smiling pool. Bobby Coon had been down in Farmer Brown's Cornfield. Hootie the Owl had been hunting at the lower end of the Green Meadows. Peter Rabbit had been down in the Berry Patch. Mr. Toad had been under the Peace 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. Then Old dame nature asked Peter Rabbit what he had found among the eggshells that morning. Peter Rabbit hopped out and made three long black hairs before Old dame nature. These, said Peter Rabbit, are what I found among the eggshells. 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. I saw Jimmy Skunk, said Johnny Chuck, and Jimmy seemed very, very sleepy. It seemed to me that his whiskers were yellow. That will do, said Old dame nature, and then she called Old Mother Westwind. What time did you come down on the green meadows this morning? Just at the break of day, said Old Mother Westwind, as Mr. Sun was coming up from behind the Purple Hills. And whom did you see so early in the morning, asked Old dame nature. I saw Bobby Coon going home from Old Farmer Brown's cornfield, said Old Mother Westwind. I saw Hoodie 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. Everyone was looking very hard at Jimmy Skunk. Jimmy began to look very unhappy and very uneasy. Who wears a black coat? asked dame nature. Jimmy Skunk, shouted all the little meadowfolks. What might make whiskers yellow? asked Old dame nature. No one seemed to know at first. Then Peter Rabbit spoke up. It might be the yolk of an egg, said Peter Rabbit. Who were likely to be sleepy on a bright sunny morning? asked Old dame nature. People who have been out all night, said Johnny Chuck, who himself always goes to bed with the sun. 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? Jimmy Skunk hung his head. He hadn't a word to say. He just wanted to sneak away by himself. 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. And that is why to this day Jimmy Skunk wears a striped suit of black and white. Chapter 5 The Willful Little Breeze Old Mother Westwind was tired, tired in 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 sails of the ships on the big ocean so that they could go faster. She had kept all the big and little windmills whirling and whirling to pump water and water and water, and she had kept all the big sails and grind corn for hungry folks. She had blown away all the smoke from tall chimneys and engines and steamboats. Yes indeed, Old Mother Westwind had been very, very busy. 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 Mary Little Breezes, and looked into the big bag for they were tired too and ready to go to their home behind the Purple Hills. 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 Westwind. He kissed the sleepy daisies. He shook the knotting butter-cups. He said all the little poplar leaves are dancing too and he wouldn't come into the big bag. Old Mother Westwind closed the big bag and slung it over her shoulder. Then she started on towards her home behind the Purple Hills. 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 knotting butter-cups were cross. Great, round, bright Mr. Sun who had been shining and shining all day long went to bed and put on his nightcap of golden clouds. Black shadows came creeping, creeping out into the Green Meadows. The willful little Breeze began to wish that he was safe in Old Mother Westwind's big bag with all the other Mary Little Breezes. 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 Westwind and the Mary Little Breezes. How he did wish that he had minded Old Mother Westwind. 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. Pretty soon the willful little Breeze heard Hooty the Owl outhunting 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. 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 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. When they run along the ground I'll catch them. When they fly up in the air you'll catch them and we'll gobble them all up. Said Reddy Fox to Hooty the Owl. He was very excited about the little little Breeze's 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. 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 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. The willful little Breeze shook Mr. Bob White very gently. In an instant he was wide awake 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. Thank you little Breeze I think I'll move my family. 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. 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. 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 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. Chapter 6 Reddy Fox Goes Fishing 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. Hooty skip, skipity 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. Johnny Chuck Chuck Chuck Johnny Chuck Chuck Chuck Johnny Wood Chuck called Reddy Fox Johnny Chuck pretended not to hear his mother had told him not to play with Reddy Fox for Reddy Fox was a bad boy. Johnny Chuck Chuck Chuck Johnny Wood Chuck called Reddy again. 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. Come on! said Reddy Fox. Let's go fishing. Can't! said Johnny Chuck because you know his mother had told him not to play with Reddy Fox. I'll show you how to catch a fish! said Reddy Fox and tried to jump over his own shadow. 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. So Reddy Fox went down to the book 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 book 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. Reddy Fox wanted some of those little trouts to take home for his dinner, but he didn't know what to do. 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. Ouch! cried Reddy Fox pulling his little black paw out of the water and all the little trouts were laughing at Reddy Fox and having such a good time. But Reddy Fox took care of Mr. Trout and Mrs. Trout and peeped over the other side of the big rock. Reddy Fox said, I'm trying to catch a fish, said Reddy Fox. Poo! that's easy, said Reddy Fox. I'll show you how. So Reddy Fox lay down on the big rock side of Reddy Fox and Mr. Trout and Mrs. Trout should not see him peeping over into the dear little pool. 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. One, said Reddy Fox. Two, three. Splash! Billy Mink had dived head first into the dear little pool. He spattered water way up under Reddy and 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. Give it to me, cried Reddy Fox. Catch one yourself, said Billy Mink. Old Grandpa Mink wants a fish for his dinner, so I'm going to take this home. Fray cat, fray cat. Billy Mink shook the water off of his little brown coat, picked up the little trout, and ran off home. 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? Reddy Fox went fast to sleep on the edge of the great big rock. 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 of the big rock into the dear little pool. 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 he didn't even hold it up, but had to drag it up the bank after him as he crawled out of the dear little pool. Ha, ha, ha! laughed Mr. Kingfisher sitting on a tree. Ho, ho, ho! laughed Old Mr. Frog, who had climbed back on his lily-pad. He, he, he! laughed all the little trouts and Mr. Trout and Mrs. Trout swimming round and round in the dear little pool. Ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho! Mr. Kingfisher, who had come back to the big rock just in time to see Reddy Fox tumble in. 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. 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 lie reached Reddy Fox, called Johnny Chuck. Why don't you turn somersaults and jump over your shadow and chase butterflies and play with a little field mice, Reddy Fox, called Johnny Chuck. 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 book. And this is all I'm going to tell you about the snatching. Chapter 7 Jimmy Skunk Looks for Beetles 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 Westwind 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 down to the green meadows to play in frolic all day. Good morning Mother Westwind said Jimmy Skunk politely. Did you see any beetles as you came down the hill? Old Mother Westwind said no, she hadn't seen any beetles as she came down the hill. Thank you said Jimmy Skunk politely. I guess I'll have to go look myself for I'm very, very hungry. 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 Ready Fox would go with him to help find some beetles for his breakfast. But Ready Fox had been out very, very late the night before and was still in bed fast asleep too. So Jimmy Skunk sat out 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 out on his back. 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. Good morning Mr. Toad, said Jimmy Skunk. Have you seen any beetles? But Mr. Toad blinked his great eyes and he said, What do you mean Jimmy Skunk by pulling the roof off my house? Is that the roof of your house? Asked Jimmy Skunk politely. I won't do it again. Then Jimmy Skunk stepped right over old Mr. Toad and went on up the crooked little path to look for some beetles. 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. On 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. 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. Good morning Striped Chipmunk, said Jimmy Skunk. Have you seen any beetles? But Striped Chipmunk hopped faster and he said, What do you mean Jimmy Skunk by pulling the side off my house? Is that the side of your house? Asked Jimmy Skunk politely. I won't do it again. Then Jimmy Skunk stepped right over Striped Chipmunk and went on up the crooked little path to look for some beetles. 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? Peter Rabbit? Good morning Peter Rabbit. Have you seen any beetles? Asked Jimmy Skunk politely. 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. 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 Peter Rabbit sitting up very straight and looking and looking very hard at a great flat stone. What are you looking at Peter Rabbit? Asked Jimmy Skunk, 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. So Jimmy Skunk got ready and Peter Rabbit began to count. One, said Peter. Two, said Peter. Three. 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. Ha ha ha! laughed Peter Rabbit. What do you mean Jimmy Skunk? said Mr. Black Snake on my tail. Was that your tail? said Jimmy Skunk politely. I won't do it again. Have you seen any beetles? 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. 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 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. But Jimmy Skunk didn't even look once to see if Mr. Black Snake had called Peter Rabbit to teach him a lesson for Jimmy Skunk had found some beetles and was eating his breakfast. Chapter 8. Billy Mink's Swimming Party 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. By and by Billy Mink came to the smiling pool. Here the laughing brook stopped the 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 cattails kept their feet cool in the edge of it. 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. Hello, grandfather Frog, said Billy Mink. Hello, Billy Mink, said grandfather Frog. What mischief are you up to this fine sunny morning? Just then Billy Mink saw a little brown head swimming along one edge of the smiling pool. Hello, Jerry Muscratt, shouted Billy Mink. Hello, your own self, Billy Mink, shouted Jerry Muscratt. Come in and have a swim. The water's fine. Good, said Billy Mink, will have a swimming party. So Billy Mink called all the merry little breezes of Old Mother Westwind, 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. Hello, Billy Mink, said little Joe Otter. Here I am. 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. So little Joe Otter and Jerry Muscratt 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. 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. 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. Chug a room, said old Grandfather Frog, climbing out of his lily-pad. If I wasn't so old, I would show you how to dive. Come on, Grandfather Frog, cried Billy Mink. Show us how to dive. 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 Muscratt right at Billy Mink's heels. Hurrah! shouted Mr. Kingfisher sitting on a branch of the old beach tree. And then, just to show them that he could dive too, splash he went into the smiling pool. Such a noise as they did make. All the little breezes of old Mother Westwind danced for joy on the bank. Blacky the Crow and Sammy Jay flew over to see what was going on. Now let's see who can swim the farthest underwater, cried Billy Mink. So they all stood side by side on one edge of the smiling pool. 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. 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. There's Grandfather Frog, he shouted. So then Grandfather Frog popped his head out and swam over to his green lily pad to rest. Way over behind the big rock little bubbles and three long rows off of the smiling pool. They showed just where Billy Mink, Little Joe Otter, and Jerry Muscrack 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 Muscrack bobbed up beside them. They swam clear across the smiling pool and of course they could swim no farther. So Billy Mink's swimming party was a great success. One morning when big round Mr. Sun was climbing up in the sky and Old Mother Westwind 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 Ready Fox was anywhere about. For you know Ready Fox liked to tease Johnny Chuck. But Ready 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. Thump! Something hit Johnny Chuck right on the top of his round little head. It made Johnny Chuck jump. 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. 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. Ha ha ha! laughed Happy Jack up in the tree. Ha ha ha! Then they both laughed together. It was such a good joke. 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. What are you doing in my wood? Asked Peter Rabbit. I'm taking a walk. Said Johnny Chuck. Good! said Peter Rabbit. I'll come along too. So Johnny Chuck and Peter Rabbit walked right 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. I found something! Said Peter Rabbit. What is it? Asked Johnny Chuck. But you must be very, very still and not make the least little bit of noise. Johnny Chuck promised to be very, very still for he wanted very much to see what Peter Rabbit had found. Peter Rabbit tiptoed down the lone little path through the wood his funny long ears pointing right up to the sky. And behind him tiptoed Johnny Chuck wondering and wondering what it could be that Peter Rabbit had found. 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. What is it, Peter Rabbit? Whispered Johnny Chuck. 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. So Peter Rabbit jumped first and because his legs were 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. 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 Ready Fox who was lying fast to sleep on the other side of the mossy green log. Peter Rabbit laughed and laughed until he had to hold his sides. 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. Ready 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. Ready Fox didn't stop to look around. He saw that Peter Rabbit had jumped on him. Up jumped Ready Fox and away ran Peter Rabbit. Away went Ready 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 Ready Fox. And Ready Fox followed Peter Rabbit behind the trees and over the bushes this way and that way but he couldn't catch Peter Rabbit. 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 Ready Fox to squeeze in. Ready Fox sat down and waited but Peter Rabbit didn't come out. By and by Ready Fox gave it up and trotted off home where old Mother Fox was waiting for him. All this time Johnny Chuck had sat very still watching Ready Fox try to catch Peter Rabbit. And when he saw Peter Rabbit pop into the house of Jimmy Skunk and Ready Fox trotted 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 Westwind were still playing till he was safe in his own snug little house once more. Chapter 10 How Sammy Jay Was Found Out 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 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. Sammy Jay was in mischief now and that is why he pretended to be doing nothing when he thought anyone was looking. Old Mother Westwind had come down from her home behind the purple hills very early that morning. Indeed, jolly, round, red Mr. Son had gotten out of bed when she crossed the green meadows on her way to help the big ships across the ocean. Old Mother Westwind's eyes were sharp and she saw Sammy Jay before Sammy Jay saw her. Now what can Sammy Jay be so busy about and why is he so very, very quiet thought Old Mother Westwind? He must be up to some mischief. So when she opened her big bag and turned out all her merry little breezes to play on the green meadows I asked one of them to see what Sammy Jay was doing in the old chestnut tree. The merry little breeze danced along over the treetops 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 Westwind and the other merry little breezes didn't see this merry little breeze at all. Pretty soon it danced back to Old Mother Westwind 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 Blackie the Crow built in the great pine last year. Aha! said Old Mother Westwind. Then she went on across the green meadows. Good morning, Old Mother Westwind, said Sammy Jay as she passed the fence post where he was sitting. Good morning, Sammy Jay, said Old Mother Westwind. I'm out so early in the morning. I'm out for my health, Old Mother Westwind, said Sammy Jay politely. The doctor has ordered me to take a bath in the dew at sunrise every morning. Old Mother Westwind 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. 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. Poor Happy Jack. There were tears in his eyes when he crept out again. He looked all around and was to be seen but handsome Sammy Jay. Very busy brushing his beautiful blue coat. Good morning Sammy Jay. Have you seen anyone pass this way? Asked Happy Jack. Someone has stolen a store of nuts from the hollow in the old chestnut tree. 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. Together they went down across the green meadows asking everyone 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 as soon everyone who lived in the green meadows or in the wood knew that someone had stolen all of Happy Jack's squirrel store of nuts from the hollow in the old chestnut tree. And because everyone liked Happy Jack, everyone felt very sorry indeed for him. The next morning all the merry little breezes of Old Mother Westwind 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 and try to find the thief who stole Happy Jack's nuts from the hollow in the old chestnut tree. And because everyone liked Happy Jack everyone went to the great pine on the hill. Reddy Fox, Bobby Coon, Jimmy Skunk, Stripe Chipmunk who is Happy Jack's cousin you know Billy Meek, Little Joe Otter, Jerry Muscratt, Hoodie the Owl who was almost too sleepy to keep his eyes open, Blackie the Crow, Johnny Chuck, Peter Rabbit, even Old Grandfather Frog. Of course Sammy Jay was there looking his handsomest. When they had all gathered around the great pine, Old Mother Westwind pointed to the old nest way up in the top of it. Is that your nest? She asked Blackie the Crow. It was, but I gave it to my cousin Sammy Jay, said Blackie the Crow. Is that your nest? And may I have a stick out of it? asked Old Mother Westwind of Sammy Jay. 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. Old Mother Westwind 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 hazelnuts? Such a lot of them. Why, why? cried Happy Jack. There are all my stolen nuts. 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 Westwind. Stop thief! cried all the merry little breezes and Johnny Chuck and Billy Mink but Sammy Jay didn't stop. 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. And ever since that day Sammy Jay, whenever he tries to call just screams thief! thief! thief! Chapter 11 Jerry Muscratt's Party All the merry little breezes of Old Mother Westwind were hurrying over the green meadows. Some flew this way and some ran that way and some danced the other way. You see Jerry Muscratt had asked them to carry his invitations to a party at the big rock in the smiling pool. Of course everyone said that they would be delighted to go to Jerry Muscratt's party. Round Mr. Sun shown his very brightest. The sky was at its bluest and the little birds had promised to be there to sing for Jerry Muscratt. So of course all the little folks in the green meadows and in the wood wanted to go. There were Johnny Chuck and Ready Fox and Jimmy Skunk and Bobby Coon and Happy Jack Squirrel and Stripe Chipmunk and Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Grandfather Frog and Old Mr. Toad and Mr. Black Snake all going to Jerry Muscratt's party. When they reached the smiling pool Jerry Muscratt already. 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. But Ready Fox and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon and Johnny Chuck and Jimmy Skunk and Happy Jack and Stripe 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 Muscratt's party. When he found that they were not having a good time poor Jerry Muscratt 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. Let's go home, said Peter Rabbit to Johnny Chuck. We can have more fun up on the hill, said Jimmy Skunk. Just then Little Joe Otter came pushing a great big log across the smiling pool. 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. 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 to ride. So Bobby Coon hopped off of the big log and Jimmy Skunk hopped on with Little Joe Otter pushing behind. Then Jerry Muscratt found another log and gave Peter Rabbit a ride. Jerry Muscratt's brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins found logs and took Ready Fox and Johnny Chuck and even Mr. Toad back and forth across the smiling pool. 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 blue and blue sailed round and round the smiling pool. Sometimes someone would fall off into the water and get wet, but Jerry Muscratt or Billy Mink always pulled them out again and no one cared the tiniest bit for a wetting. In the bushes around the smiling pool the little birds sang and sang. Ready Fox barked his loudest. Happy Jack Squirrel chattered and chured. All the Muscrats squealed and squeaked for Jerry Muscratt's party with such fun. By and by when Mr. Sun went down behind the Purple Hills to his home in 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 everyone had had at Jerry Muscratt's party. End of Section 4 Section 5 of Old Mother West Wind This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recorded by Laurie Ann Walden Old Mother West Wind by Thornton W. Burgess Chapter 12 Bobby Coon and Ready Fox Play Tricks 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 she could in the daytime. All the little birds except Hootie the Owl and Boomer the Nighthawk and noisy Mr. Whipperwheel 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. 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 Ready Fox be careful what you say about Ready Fox said a voice right behind Bobby Coon. Bobby Coon turned around very quickly indeed for he had thought he was all alone. There was Ready Fox himself trotting down the lone little path through the wood. I thought you were home and fast asleep Ready Fox said Bobby Coon. You were mistaken said Ready Fox. For you see I'm out to take a walk in the moonlight. So Bobby Coon and Ready 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 sea. Hello Jimmy Skunk said Bobby Coon and Ready Fox come down to the green meadows with us. Jimmy Skunk said he would so they all went down on the green meadows together. Bobby Coon first Ready Fox next and Jimmy Skunk last of all for Jimmy Skunk never hurries. Pretty soon they came to the house of Johnny Chuck. Listen said Bobby Coon Johnny Chuck is fast asleep. They all listened and they could hear Johnny Chuck snoring away down in his snug little bed. Let's give Johnny Chuck a surprise said Ready Fox. What shall it be? asked Bobby Coon. I know said Ready 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. So Bobby Coon and Ready 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. The laughing brook and wake up old grandfather frog and hear him say chug a rum said Bobby Coon. Come on cried Ready Fox I'll get there first. Away raced Ready 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. But Jimmy Skunk didn't go. He watched Ready 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. Johnny Chuck Chuck Chuck Johnny Wood Chuck called Jimmy Skunk. But Johnny Chuck just snored. Johnny Chuck Chuck Chuck Johnny Wood Chuck called Jimmy Skunk once more but Johnny Chuck just snored. Then Jimmy Skunk called again this time louder than before. Who is it? Asked a very sleepy voice. It's Jimmy Skunk put your coat on and come up here called Jimmy Skunk. Go away Jimmy Skunk I want to sleep said Johnny Chuck. I've got a surprise for you Johnny Chuck. You'd better come call 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. And 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. 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. So Johnny Chuck pushed and Jimmy Skunk pulled and sure enough they soon had the big stone out of Johnny Chuck's doorway. 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. 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. Good night Jimmy Skunk said Johnny Chuck and trotted down the lone little path toward home, chuckling to himself all the way. Jimmy Skunk walked slowly up the lone little path to the wood where Jimmy Skunk never hurries. Pretty soon he came to the big hollow tree where Bobby Coon lives and there he met Hootie the Owl. Hello Jimmy Skunk where have you been? asked Hootie the Owl. Just for a walk said Jimmy Skunk who lives in this big hollow tree? Now of course Jimmy Skunk knew all the time but he pretended he didn't. Oh this is Bobby Coon's house said Hootie the Owl. Let's give Bobby Coon a surprise said Jimmy Skunk. Howl asked Hootie the Owl. We'll fill his house full of sticks and leaves said Jimmy Skunk. Hootie the Owl thought that would be a good joke so while Jimmy Skunk gathered all the old sticks and leaves he could find Hootie the Owl stuffed them into the old hollow tree which was Bobby Coon's house until he couldn't get in another one. Good night said Jimmy Skunk as he began to climb the crooked little path up the hill to his own snug little home. Good night said Hootie the Owl as he flew like a big soft shadow over to the great pine. By and by when old Mother Moon was just going to bed and all the little stars were too sleepy to twinkle any longer Ready Fox and Bobby Coon very tired and very wet on their own 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? I'm sure I don't know but round red Mr. Sun was laughing very hard as he peeped over the hill at Ready Fox and Bobby Coon and he won't tell why. Chapter 13 Johnny Chuck finds the best thing in the world Old Mother Westwind had stopped to talk with the slender fir tree. I've just come across the green meadows said Old Mother Westwind and there I saw the best thing in the world. Striped Chipmunk was sitting under the slender fir tree and he couldn't help hearing what Old Mother Westwind 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. So Striped Chipmunk started down the lone little path through the wood as fast as he could run. Pretty soon he met Peter Rabbit. Where are you going in such a hurry Striped Chipmunk? Asked Peter Rabbit. Down in the green meadows to find the best thing in the world replied Striped Chipmunk and ran faster. Old Mother Westwind said Peter Rabbit. Why that must be great piles of carrots in cabbage. I think I'll go and find it. So Peter Rabbit started down the lone little path through the wood as fast as he could go after Striped Chipmunk. As they passed the great hollow tree Bobby Coon put his head out. Where are you going in such a hurry? Asked Bobby Coon. Down in the green meadows to find the best thing in the world shouted Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit faster. 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. 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. At the edge of the wood they met Jimmy Skunk. Where are you going in such a hurry? asked Jimmy Skunk. 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. 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 They were all running so fast that they didn't see Ready Fox until he jumped out of the long grass and asked Where are you going in such a hurry? 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. The best thing in the world said Ready Fox to himself. Why that must be a whole pin full of tender young chickens and I must have them. The way went Ready Fox as fast as he could run down the lone little path after Striped Chipmunk, Peter Rabbit, Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk. By and by they all came to the house of Johnny Chuck. Where are you going in such a hurry? asked Johnny Chuck. To find the best thing in the world shouted Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk and Ready Fox. The best thing in the world said Johnny Chuck. Why I don't know of anything better than my own little home in the warm sunshine and the beautiful blue sky. 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. But all day long Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon and Jimmy Skunk and Ready Fox ran this way and ran that way over the green meadows trying to find the best thing in the world. They ran so fast that they were very, very hot and tired and still they hadn't found the best thing in the world. 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. They hadn't found the best bit of sweet milky corn. Jimmy Skunk hadn't seen a single beetle. Ready Fox hadn't heard so much as the peep of a chicken and all were as hungry as hungry could be. Halfway 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. No! shouted Striped Chipmunk and Peter Rabbit and Bobby Coon were there. Johnny Chuck has it, said Old Mother West Wind. It is being happy with the things you have and not wanting things which someone else has and it is called contentment. Chapter 14 Little Joe Otter's Slippery Slide Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink had been playing together around the smiling pool all one sunshiney morning. They had been fishing and had taken home a fine dinner 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. 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 Ready 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. I thought of something cried Little Joe Otter. What is it? asked Billy Mink. Little Joe Otter just looked wise and said nothing. Something to eat? asked Billy Mink. No. said Little Joe Otter. I don't believe you've thought of anything at all said Billy Mink. I have too. said Little Joe Otter. It's something to do. What? demanded Billy Mink. Just then Little Joe Otter spied Jerry Muscratt. Hi Jerry Muscratt. Come over here. he called. Jerry Muscratt swam across to the big rock and climbed up beside Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter. What do you fellas doing? asked Jerry Muscratt. Having some fun. said Billy Mink. Little Joe Otter has thought of something to do but I don't know what it is. Let's make a slide. cried Little Joe Otter. You show us how. said Billy Mink. So Little Joe Otter found a nice smooth place on the bank and Billy Mink and Jerry Muscratt 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 Muscratt tried it and after him Billy Mink and 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. 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. Ready Fox taking a nap woke up and hurried over to watch the fun. Last of all came Peter Rabbit. Little Joe Otter saw I'm coming. Hello Peter Rabbit he shouted. Come and try the slippery slide. Now Peter Rabbit couldn't swim but he pretended that he didn't want to. I've left my bathing suit at home said Peter Rabbit. Never mind said Billy Mink. Mr. Sun will dry you off. And will help said all the merry little breezes of Old Mother West Wind. But Peter Rabbit shook his head and said no. Faster and faster went Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muscratt and Old Grandfather Frog down the slippery slide into the smiling pool. 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 and splashed into the smiling pool. Ha ha ha! laughed Billy Mink. Ho ho ho! shouted Little Joe Otter. He he he! laughed Jerry Muscratt and Old Grandfather Frog and Sammy J. and Jimmy Skunk and Reddy Fox and Blackie the Crow and Mr. Kingfisher. For you know Peter Rabbit was forever playing jokes on them. Poor Peter Rabbit. The water got in his eyes and up his nose and into his mouth and made him choke and splutter. Then he couldn't get back on the bank. For you know Peter Rabbit couldn't swim. 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 Muscratt 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 Westwind came over and helped Mr. Sun dry Peter Rabbit off. Then they all sat down together and watched Little Joe Otter turn a summer salt down the slippery slide. End of Section 5 Section 6 of Old Mother Westwind This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recorded by Laurie Ann Walden Old Mother Westwind by Thornton W. Burgess Chapter 15 The Tale of Tommy Trout Who Did Not Mind In the laughing brook which ripples 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. Now all the little trouts were very, very good and reminded 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. 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 to cause. Why, just because Tommy Trout didn't mind. 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. 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. 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 into the pool just a little speck of a ways. 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. Ah-ha! said Mr. Pickerel, opening his big, big mouth very, very wide. 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. Ah-ha! said Mr. Pickerel. I like little trouts. And nothing more was ever heard of Tommy Trout, who didn't mind. Chapter 16 Spotty the Turtle Wins a Race 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 Westwind 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. Ready 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 Ready 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. 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 Ready 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 was the swiftest is to have a race. So it was agreed that Peter Rabbit and Ready 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. 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. Stripe Chipmunk, Happy Jack Squirrel, Sammy J, Blackie the Crow, Hoodie the Owl, and Bobby Coon all sat up in the old butternut tree where it was cool and shady. Johnny Chuck, Jerry Muscret, 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? 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. 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. Everyone 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. So they all stood in a row, Peter Rabbit first, then Billy Meek, then Ready Fox, and right side of Ready Fox, Spotty the Turtle. Are you ready? Ask grandfather Frog. Go! Away went Peter Rabbit with great big jumps. After him went Billy Meek so fast that was just a little brown streak going through the tall grass and side by side with him ran Ready Fox. Now just as they started, Spotty the Turtle reached up to the end of Ready's big tail. Of course, Ready couldn't have stopped to shake him off because Peter Rabbit and Billy Meek 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 Ready Fox was so excited that he did not notice that his big tail was heavier than usual. The merry little breezes flew along too to see that the race was fair. He jumped. Whenever he came to a little bush he jumped right over it for Peter Rabbit's legs were long and meant for jumping. Billy Meek is so slim that he slipped between the bushes and through the long grass like a little brown streak. Ready Fox, who was bigger than either Peter Rabbit or Billy Meek, had no trouble in keeping up with him. Not one of them noticed that Spotty the Turtle was hanging fast to the end of Ready's tail. Most of the big hickory tree grew was a little pond. It wasn't very wide, but it was quite long. Billy Meek 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 Ready 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. 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 Meek ran slower and slower and pretty soon he had dropped behind. 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 Ready 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. Ready Fox began to feel very thirsty and his tongue hung out. Now that Billy Meek was behind them, they thought they did not need to hurry so. 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 and then back again, and it was a long, long way. In just a moment, Ready Fox ran out of the bushes and Ready felt much as Peter Rabbit did. Way, way behind them was Billy Meek trotting along comfortably and chuckling to himself. Peter Rabbit looked at Ready Fox in dismay and Ready Fox looked at Peter Rabbit in dismay. Then they both looked at Billy Meek so that Billy Meek could swim right across. Then off Peter Rabbit started as fast as he could go around the pond one way and Ready 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 Ready'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 on the bank right under the big hickory tree. 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 Meek but Billy Meek didn't see Spotty. 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 Ready Fox was almost around the pond the other way. They both looked tired and hot and discouraged. Then Billy Meek and the others looked up to the other shore and saw that Peter Rabbit had been discouraged. Then Billy Meek 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 Meek 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 Ready Fox came up. They too began to look under the leaves and under the bark. They pawled 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 Meek of having hidden the nuts. Billy Meek 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. All the afternoon they hunted and the afternoon spotted 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 J. spied the merry little breezes dancing across the green meadows. Here come the merry little breezes they'll tell us who wins the race cried Sammy J. 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. Where did you get that hickory nut? asked grandfather Frog. Under the big hickory tree on the hill on the other side of the green meadows said spotty. Then all the merry little breezes clapped their hands and shouted he did, he did spotty wins the race. Then they told how spotty reached the pond by clinging to the tip of ready fox's tail and had hidden the other two nuts and then how he had patiently crawled home while Billy Mink and ready fox and Peter Rabbit were hunting and hunting and hunting for the nuts they could not find. And so spotty the turtle was awarded the race and to this day Peter Rabbit and ready fox and Billy Mink can't bear the sight of a hickory nut. End of section 6 This concludes Old Mother Westwind by Thornton W. Burgess.