 Chapter 1 of Little Jackrabbit and Danny Fox This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Larry Wilson. Little Jackrabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey The Invitation One morning, as Little Jackrabbit looked out of his house on the old bramble patch, whom should he see but Danny Fox peeking out from behind the big chestnut tree? Now Little Jackrabbit knew that Danny Fox was not there for any good purpose. No, sir. Whenever Danny Fox was around, there were sure to be trouble, so Little Jackrabbit hopped back into his burrow to tell Mrs. Rabbit. Well, you keep a look out from the front door, she said, and I'll stand watch at the kitchen door. If Danny Fox thinks he's going to get the better of the rabbit family, he's very much mistaken. And Mrs. John Rabbit gave her head a jerk, and her pink nose a million twinkles. Oh, how I hate that dreadful Danny Fox! I wish your father hadn't gone out so early this morning. Little Jackrabbit hopped back to the front door and looked over to the shady forest. But oh, dear me, just then up jumped Danny Fox right in front of him. Good morning, he said, licking his lips with his great red tongue. How is my little fat bunny this morning? I haven't got any time to talk, answered Little Jackrabbit, backing into the house. Now, be friendly, cooked Danny Fox, coming closer. I've come all the way from my din on the hillside to talk to you this beautiful morning. All right, answered the Little Rabbit. But stay where you are, or I'll go inside and close the door. That's not a nice way to speak when I've come to ask you to take dinner with me, replied Danny Fox. My little boys, Skyboots and Bushytale want you to come, and Mrs. Fox has made a lovely carrot stew. Then Danny Fox sat down, and folding his front paws across his fur waistcoat, looked so kindly at the little bunny that I'm sorry to say he answered, I'll come, before he really thought it over, if he had only gone inside the house to ask his mother, but he didn't. He never even thought of it, but put on his cap and followed the wicked old robber into the shady forest, just as though he was his best friend. Now everybody don't get scared, because Little Jackrabbit dared to go to dine with Danny Fox inside his din amid the rocks. Just wait to see what happens when they get outside the shady glen. Perhaps a kind and loving friend some needed help will quickly send. End of Chapter 1 Chapter 2 of Little Jackrabbit and Danny Fox This is a Leopold Fox recording, or Leopold Fox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit www.leopoldfox.org Recording by Elaine Conway England Little Jackrabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey Chapter 2 The Farmer's Boy As Little Jackrabbit and Danny Fox came to the duck pond, whom should they see but the farmer's boy sitting by the old mill polishing his gun? Danny Fox stopped short. He had meant to slip around by the bushes and across the sunny meadow to his den on the woody hillside. But the sight of that gun made him change his mind. Now Mr. Merrison knew something was wrong as soon as he saw Little Jackrabbit with Danny Fox. He knew if anybody went with that old robber, something mighty unpleasant would surely happen. So kind Mr. Merrison sent one of his bright beams dancing along the shiny gun barrel to dazzle the farmer's boy's eyes. He turned his head towards the shady forest. Goodness me! When he saw Danny Fox, he swung the gun to his shoulder and pulled the trigger. Bang! It went, almost kicking him over. Ping! And the bullet struck the tree close to Little Jackrabbit. Away went Danny Fox in one direction and away hopped the little rabbit in the other. Come! Sigum! cried the farmer's boy, running after Danny Fox. The old dog with his nose close to the ground ran swiftly across the sunny meadow and up the hillside. When he came to the pile of rocks, he stopped short and began to bark. You see here, old scout! asked the farmer's boy. Wow, wow, wow! answered old Sigum. Oh dear, oh dear! whispered Mrs. Fox. Do you think they'll get us? Danny Fox laughed, but not very loud. He didn't want the farmer's boy to hear him. Never fear, my dear, I've rolled a great big stone against the front door. Old Sigum is all bark. At the same time, it's not very pleasant to have enemies so close to the house. Where are Slyboots and Bushetail? They're out playing. Do you think anything can happen to them? asked Mrs. Fox anxiously. Not while the farmer's boy is pounding on the front door, replied Danny Fox. They won't come home while he's around. I'm going back for a shovel, said the farmer's boy to himself, and he ran over to the old mill, leaving Sigum still digging away. He knew Sigum would keep Danny Fox in his den until he got back. Old Sigum was a good hunter and wouldn't leave. That's what the farmer's boy thought as he hardly picked up the shovel and started back for the hillside. End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox This is a Leopold Fox recording, or Leopold Fox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit leopoldfox.org Recording by Elaine Conway, England, Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey Chapter 3 The Escape But something had happened while he had been gone. Little Jack Rabbit had hopped along the edge of the shady forest, almost up to where Old Sigum was digging out Danny Fox's front door. Just then the old dog had stopped to rest and, looking round, saw the little rabbit. In a second he forgot all about Danny Fox, down the sunny meadow across the bubbling brook, around in a great circle. He chased the little bunny until he finally popped into his burrow in the old Bramble Patch. Of course, when the farmer's boy returned to Danny Fox's house, there was no Sigum to be seen anywhere, and there wasn't any Danny Fox, nor was his fox, either in the den. But the farmer's boy didn't know that. Oh, my no. He hadn't seen them creep out when Old Sigum ran after the little rabbit. He just set to work with his shovel and dug away until he reached Danny Fox's house. But there was nobody home. No, indeed. The fox house was empty. The farmer's boy was mad. Of course he was. He had dug and dug and dug until his arms ate, and when he had finally reached the place where he hoped to find Danny Fox, there wasn't any Danny Fox. It was enough to make any boy mad. And where do you suppose Danny Fox and Mrs Fox were all this time? Why, they were in the shady forest, with bushy tail and sly boots. We must find another home, said Danny Fox. It won't do to go back to the old one. No, indeed, sighed Mrs Fox. There's nothing left but a pile of sand and stones. I know of a nice place, cried Sly Boots. Shall I show it to you? Yes, answered Danny Fox. Then Sly Boots led them to a cave in the shady forest. It was under a ledge of rocks, on a little rise of ground. Big trees and thick bushes grew all around it. It was so hidden from sight, that Danny Fox was almost glad they had lost their old home. This is very fine, my son. He said, turning to Sly Boots, it'll be a long time before anyone finds out where we live. End of Chapter 3. Chapter 4 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox. This is a Leopold Fox recording, or Leopold Fox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit leopoldfox.org, recording by Elaine Conway, England, Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. Chapter 4. Danny Fox is discovered. Old Sicken, the kind farmer's dog, was sound asleep. His head half-through the round front door of his little house in the old farm yard. But as soon as he heard the thump-ty-thump of Little Jack Rabbit's feet, he woke up mighty quick. Maybe he thought a tramp was coming down the road, and maybe he didn't. Hello, Sicken, said the Little Rabbit. He wasn't afraid, you know, for the old dog was fastened with a chain, one end to his collar, and the other to the little doghouse. Good morning, answered Old Sicken, opened his mouth to yawn, for it was lazy work lying there all day, except when the kind farmer took him to the village. Just then, whom should the Little Rabbit see? But Danny Fox sneaking behind the tree. Now, it had been a long time since that old robber had been around, for something dreadful had happened to him. Yes, sir! Old Danny Fox had lost a bit of his long, bushy tail. You see, it had happened on the night he had dipped over softly through the shady forest along the old rail fence over the sunny meadow to the farm yard. His moon shone bright and clear, and Billy Breeze whistled a gentle tune, as Mr Long-Tooth Rat looked round to the corner of the barn and saw Danny Fox creeping up to the chicken house. Hee-hee! laughed the old robber-rat to himself. Cocky Doodle and Henny Penny had better look out, and then he began to laugh some more. I guess he didn't care what happened to the kind farmer's chickens. Well, closer and closer corrupt the old robber-fox, searching with his quick eyes, here and there and everywhere for an opening, but he couldn't find any. For the kind farmer had locked the door and nailed the little pieces of tin over the big cracks and holes in the booths. I'll have to dig a tunnel under the door, said the old fox to himself, and he started in to dig away, and pretty soon he was halfway in. Well, this time Mr Long-Tooth Rat had been squinting through a crack in the barn, but when finally he could see only the tip of Danny Fox's bushy tail, he called to his wife. Look, look, my dear, Danny Fox is almost inside the henhouse. You don't mean to say you've been standing here all this time without giving warning, exclaimed Mrs Long-Tooth Rat sharply, gracious me, I'm surprised you're such a coward. End of chapter 4 Chapter 5 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox This is a Leopold Fox recording, or Leopold Fox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit leopoldfox.org recording by Elaine Conway, England, Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. Chapter 5 The Alarm You don't mean to stand here and let Danny Fox still henny penny and cocky doodle and maybe ducky waddle, almost shouted Mrs Long-Tooth Rat, as Danny Fox's hind feet threw back the dirt from the tunnel he was digging under the henhouse. Well, what can I do about it? Asked Mr Long-Tooth Rat, What can you do? answered his wife angrily. You can run into the farmhouse and tell Old Sickham you see the kind of farmer was away and his wife was all alone so she kept Old Sickham in the house at night. All right, answered the old rat, had he ran softly across the barnyard under the back porch and threw a hole into the kitchen. As soon as Old Sickham learned what was the matter he ran upstairs and woke up the farmer's wife. The first thing she did was to look out the window. Of course you know what she saw but if you don't I'll tell you it was Danny Fox's tail sticking out of the hole under the door of the henhouse. It didn't take her a minute to softly open the kitchen door and let Old Sickham and before Danny Fox could back out from under the henhouse the watchdog had him by his long bushy tail. My goodness! What a jump Danny Fox gave but Old Sickham held on. Then Danny Fox gave another jump and this time he got away for Old Sickham had only a few teeth but just the same Danny Fox left the tip of his beautiful bushy tail behind him. You're a good dog! said the farmer's wife patting Old Sickham with your teeth that Old Fox never would have pulled away. Then she went into the house but not back to bed for Mr. Marry Some was just getting up and it was early morning. Cock-a-doodle-doo! The grass is wet with dew! Come give the henhouse key a turn and we will catch the early worm! sang Pocky Doodle. I guess the kind of farmer's wife understood him back and unlocked the door. Then she sprinkled corn on the ground for the chicken's breakfast and after that she milked Mrs. Cow who was waiting at the pasture fence. Gracious me! exclaimed Honey Penny almost falling into the hole which Danny Fox had made and she began to cackle so loudly that Cocky Doodle forgot all about his breakfast. You can thank me that Danny Fox didn't get in your house. said Mrs. Longtooth Rat. I made Mr. Longtooth tell Old Sikkim just in time if I had waited another minute it would have been too late. End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox This is a Leap of Fox recording or Leap of Fox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit Leapofox.org Recording by Elaine Conway England Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey Chapter 6 Kind Willow Tree Well to go back to Little Jack Rabbit and Old Sikkim who were watching Danny Fox sneak through the trees as I mentioned two stories ago Oh dear me there is that dreadful fox again sigh to the little bunny boy you don't mean it exclaimed the old watchdog and he told the Little Rabbit all that I just told you and when he had finished he went inside his little doghouse and brought out the tip of Danny Fox's beautiful bushy tail just then the kind of farmer whistled from the woodpeel and away hopped the Little Rabbit in the long meadow grass all of a sudden he met Timmy Meadowmass near his little round house of woven grass fastened on three stiff stalks hello little Jack Rabbit are you hiding from somebody just then oh dear me a big snake pulled out of the ground and away went the Little Meadowmass and away hopped the Little Bunny and if Bobby Redfest hadn't told me I don't believe I ever would have found out where they did go well by and by after a while Little Jack Rabbit came to the old duck pond where Granddaddy Bullfrog sat on his lob all day fishing for flies and tiny fishes just overhead hung the old willow tree in which Little Mrs. Oriole had a nest farsened like an old stocking to one of the drooping branches and if I stop a minute to think I guess I'll remember some more friends of Little Rabbit why of course there was Teddy Turtle who carried his little shell house around with him all the time and the little fresh water crab and Mrs. Darning Needle skimming over the water like an airship Little Rabbit stopped under the shady willow tree and looked about him it was a warm day and very still for Billy Breeze had fallen asleep somewhere in the shady forest but he soon Granddaddy Bullfrog dozed off and Mrs. Oriole sang softly to her little ones little birds within the nest some day you will fly away then the weeping willow tree to the meadow grass will say oh I feel so lonely now an empty nest hangs from my bow must I wait until the spring to hear the little birdies sing and wasn't Little Jack Rabbit surprised to hear the willow tree finish the song do you remember how you once hit me with your drooping branches from Danny Fox he asked and the kind willow tree answered softly yes Little Jack Rabbit end of chapter 6 chapter 7 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox this is a Leeper Fox recording or Leeper Fox recordings are in the public domain for more information auto-volunteer please visit leeperfox.org recording by Elaine Conway England Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey Chapter 7 The Two Old Rascals Danny Fox was having a very hard time of it you see the ground was all covered with snow and wherever he went he left his footprints and these telltale footprints showed just where he had been and this was just what he didn't want people to know no, sorry he didn't want the kind farmer to find his footprints in the old barnyard that would be a dreadful giveaway it would certainly show that Danny Fox had been after a nice fat hen and Danny Fox didn't want anybody least of all the kind farmer to know that yes, Danny Fox was having a hard time door of the henhouse was so tightly closed at night that he couldn't push it open and the ground frozen so hard that he couldn't dig underneath it now what was Danny Fox to do every night when he came home sly boots and pushytale would say what have you brought to eat daddy dear and mrs fox would say there's nothing in the cupboard nothing at all all this would make Danny Fox feel very badly but feeling sorry doesn't keep one from feeling hungry so he would answer I thought perhaps you might have had better luck but as the cupboard is empty I'll go out and try again one night as he was prowling round to the big red barn he came to a hole it wasn't a very big hole it was just large enough for him to push in his long thin nose to see what was going on there sat mr long tooth rat eating his supper of corn good evening said Danny Fox won't you come in said mr long tooth rat with a grin wahh we taunted Danny Fox with a smile don't talk nonsense mr long tooth rat was making fun of him for how could he squeeze through a hole that was only just large enough for his head don't lose your temper said mr long tooth rat I might do you a favour what kind of a favour asked Danny Fox suspiciously come around tomorrow night answered the old rat but by that time I'll be able to gnaw off the wooden latch on the henhouse door alright replied Danny Fox I'll be back tomorrow night and he trotted off to his den among the rocks sometimes the very best of plans go wrong and we get cross defined that we must start anew and often at a loss end of chapter 7 chapter 8 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox this is a Leeper Fox recording or Leeper Fox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit leeperfox.org recording by Elaine Conway England Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey Chapter 8 Footprints as soon as mr long tooth rat disappeared he went over to the henhouse you see he was going to keep his promise to Danny Fox to gnaw off the wooden latch mr long tooth rat was not a very nice sort of a person although he was going to do a favour for Danny Fox the truth of the matter is that mr long tooth rat was very willing to have Danny Fox still chickens for then more con would be left for mrs rat down himself so you see he wasn't really doing Danny Fox a favour at all but when mr long tooth rat reached the henhouse to his surprise he finds that instead of the old wood latch there was a bright new iron one on the door who could have put it there he asked himself I don't understand it at all it wasn't on yesterday there was nothing to do about it so mr long tooth rat went back to the barn perhaps he might think of a way to get into the henhouse before Danny Fox came the next evening of course henny penny and cocky doodle knew nothing of all this oh my no if they had they would have been dreadfully worried but the next morning whilst Danny in the sun close to the high haystack the kind farmer gave a loud whistle view there's been a fox around here look at his footprints dear me but little henny penny must all be careful go to cocky doodle just then the farmer's wife came out of the kitchen door sure enough she said walking round at the rear of the big red barn where Danny Fox had been the night before he tried to get in there said to the farmer pointing to the hole in the boards which led to mr long tooth's house I guess I'll nail a board over it to the tall house for hammer and nails I wish Danny Fox had stayed away said mr long tooth rat when he heard what the farmer meant to do I won't have any front door in a few minutes just on account of that thieving old fox then mr long tooth rat scowled and grumbled some more forgetting what a thief he was and how willing he had been to open the henhouse door for Danny Fox yes sir people are willing to help with a steal it is because they are stealing things from themselves it is a sin to steal a pin a chicken or a goose so keep that fox at home in his box pray don't let him loose end of chapter 8 chapter 9 of little jack rabbit and Danny Fox this is a leep of fox recording or leep of fox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit leepofolks.org recording by Elaine Conway England little jack rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey chapter 9 the trap that evening mrs fox said to Danny Fox as he started off with the old farm yard be sure my dear to bring home a chicken bring back to bright bushy tail and sly boots as their father trotted away in the bright moonlight it was very still and quiet when near the rustle of the dry leaves on the trees broke the stillness as the old fox ran swiftly down the hillside over to the shady forest at last he came to the old farm yard stealing around to the rear of the big red barn he looked up and down one side to the other but where was mr long tooth rat's front door can I have made a mistake said Danny Fox creeping around the corner but there was no hole there either Danny Fox was puzzled yes indeed he certainly was puzzled which was only last night that he had been there and now where was the entrance to mr rat's house he was just about to leave mr long tooth rat's voice it came from the other side of the wall yes my dear mr long tooth rat was saying to his wife we have lost our front door and all on account of that old thieving Danny Fox be careful what you say about me snarled Danny Fox pressing his nose close to the boards be careful of what you old red robber squeaked mr long tooth rat you'd better be careful goodness me no sooner had he spoken than something snapped under Danny Fox's foot Danny Fox was caught yes sir his foot was caught in a trap pull as hard as he could he couldn't get it out what would mr Fox think when he didn't come home what would bushy tail and sly boot say when there was no daddy fox at breakfast he pulled and tugged but oh dear me he couldn't get his foot out slowly the night passed and cocky doodle sang his early morning cockadoodle do let's see the odd grey mare win it in her stall and cocky doodle sang over again his cockadoodle do mr marison got out of bed and began to climb up the sky it grew lighter and pretty soon any penny cackled over a new laid egg Danny Fox gave another tug then he looked carefully at the trap in the dim light he made out a rope fastened to the barn the next moment Danny Fox was gnawing that rope as fast as he could at last it broke and he hobbled away holding up his right forepaw which was still fast in the iron jaws of the trap end of chapter nine chapter 10 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox this is a Leap of Fox recording or Leap of Fox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit leapofolks.org recording by Elaine Conway England, Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey home again it took him a long time to reach home you see he had only three legs to walk on his foot hurt him dreadfully and his leg grew tired holding up the heavy trap at last when he came to his den he was ready to drop now as soon as Mrs Fox looked the trap over carefully she knew she never could force apart the strong iron jaws that held Danny Fox's poor foot might be some other way the trap was very old and the spring rusty and the more Mrs Fox looked at it the more hopeful she became bring me a stone Sly Boots he cried carefully placing part of the trap on the front doorstep she hit the old spring several hard blows crack it went and the trap fell apart Danny Fox pulled out his foot without any trouble at all there you're free said Mrs Fox laying down the stone I hope next time you'll be more careful where you put your feet Danny Fox didn't reply he was too busy rubbing his sore ankle while the two little foxes hugged him delighted at seeing him out of danger presently Mrs Fox fans themselves to rub on his foot she felt sorry for daddy maybe sure maybe in kindness she had said she hoped he would be more careful next time where he put his feet but what have we got to eat sighed poor tired Danny Fox you were gone so long daddy answered Mrs Fox with a laugh that I went out on a little hunt all by myself wait and I'll show you what I brought home in a minute she came back from the kitchen plump young chicken this is what I found she said it was a naughty chicken to roost in a tree instead of going to bed in a hen house but it's lucky for us where did you go asked Danny Fox curiously back of the old mill answered Mrs Fox I think it's one of the chickens belonging to the miller's boy he takes very cool care of them perhaps we may be able to get another little while supper was ready and the fox family sat down to the table happy and contented now that daddy fox was home safe and sound end of chapter 10 chapter 11 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox this is a Libra Fox recording all Libra Fox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librafox.org Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey Teddy Turtle a turtle goes much slower than an old seagoing hack he never has to hurry home for his house is on his back saying Bobby red vest as Little Jack Rabbit hopped down the old cow path in the sunny meadow I wonder what I'll do today the little bunny asked himself when all of a sudden little shell bungalow on his back for teddy turtle always carries it with him rain or shine anywhere and everywhere yes sir that little turtle is very lucky he never is forced to move out on the 1st of May nor is there any on kind landlord to bother him where are you going asked the little rabbit down to the old duck pond come along bullfrog very well answered the little rabbit I have nothing to do this morning I'll come along then off they started teddy turtle crawling slowly down the path and Little Jack Rabbit hopping along now and then sitting down to wait for the little turtle to catch up to him by and by Little Jack Rabbit said don't you ever get tired carrying your house about with you you're just like a moving van I'm used to it when I go out in the morning I don't have to worry about getting back to the house by suppertime ha ha laughed the little rabbit your head sticks out of the front door and your tail through the kitchen door but oh dear me he was so taken up with the little turtle that he didn't notice a big black shadow on the path but teddy turtle did oh my yes look out here comes hungry hawk and he pulled his head in through the front door and his tail in through the back door and all you could see was a little shell house on the meadow grass and the little rabbit he hopped into a hollow stump so quickly that hungry hawk had to knock three times before teddy turtle dared to squint out of his little shell house pretty soon hungry hawk wrapped again in his old hollow stump ratt-a-tat-tat when hungry hawk on the door of the hollow stump the bunny boy's heartbeat pitter pat and his knees went bumpity bump end of chapter 11 chapter 12 of little jack rabbit and danny fox this is a labor fox recording all labor fox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit laborfox.org little jack rabbit and danny fox by david quarry hungry hawk i didn't mean any harm i just flew down from the blue sky to say howdy said hungry hawk in a low voice little jack rabbit was too out of breath to speak and anyway he was too busy thinking how he was ever to get out for there stood that old robber bird close by ready to pounce on him at any moment i don't believe you just answered the little rabbit and i'm not coming out while you're around hungry hawk made no reply but sat down and bring his feathers by and by who should come along but danny fox hello hungry hawk what are you doing howdy danny fox what are you doing replied the old bird oh just taking a walk answered danny fox squinting into the opening in the old hollow tree i don't see anything but i smell rabbit well that's as far as you'll get answered hungry hawk i'm going to pull that little rabbit out of that tree and eat him and i'm not having anybody to dine with me either now this made danny fox very angry but he only grinned and said you'll never get him out unless i help you how's that inquired hungry hawk because answered danny fox bigger grin than ever i'll eat hawk first and rabbit after and he made a jump for the old bird catching him by the tail my goodness how the fur and feathers flew yes sirree it certainly was some fight at first danny fox was on top pretty soon hungry hawk squirmed away and dug his sharp claws into danny fox's fur overcoat but danny fox never let go of the old hawk's tail after a while hungry hawk said suppose we stop and talk it over so they let go of each other and sat down hungry hawk was pretty well must up and danny fox's hair looked as if it had been combed the wrong way i'll help you get the little rabbit if you'll let me help you eat him said danny fox alright agreed the old hawk but how shall we get him out of the tree i'm going to smoke him out answered danny fox you wait here while i run home and get my pipe i'll puff tobacco smoke into that hollow tree until that little rabbit either hops out or chokes to death end of chapter 12 chapter 13 of little jack rabbit and danny fox this is a labor fox recording all labor fox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit laborfox.org little jack rabbit and danny fox by david quarry the escape hurry up said hungry hawk i'll keep watch while you're gone well there goes one old robber thought the little rabbit now if i can only get rid of the other and he wiggled his pink nose and scratched his ear pretty soon he thought of a way mister hawk if you and danny fox will let me go i'll tell you something you see the little rabbit was pretending he didn't know that the old fox had gone after the pipe what is it? asked hungry hawk there is a nice fat squirrel in this tree answered the little rabbit i'll drive him out of the back door if you'll promise to let me go alright replied hungry hawk but wait a minute till i talk it over with danny fox he was whispering to that old robber drive out the squirrel we'll let you go said hungry hawk then little jack rabbit made enough racket to drive out an elephant i've pushed him half through the back door he shouted but i can't shove him any farther come around and pull him out hungry hawk ran around the back of the tree quicker than a wink little jack rabbit hopped through the front door lippity clip clippity lip straight for the old bramble patch and maybe danny fox wasn't angry when he got back to the hollow tree with his big corn cob pipe and tobacco pouch you silly old bird to let a little rabbit fool you he cried when hungry hawk told him what had happened then he lighted his pipe and sat down to have a smoke next time i'll do my rabbit hunting alone he growled and so will i said hungry hawk spreading his wings and flying away end of chapter 13 chapter 14 of little jack rabbit and danny fox this is a labor box recording all labor box recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit laborbox.org little jack rabbit and danny fox by david quarry party danny fox couldn't forget how he and hungry hawk had been fooled by little jack rabbit the more he thought about it the angrier he grew to think that a little bunny had got the better of them well well well it certainly was enough to make any fox mad i'll get him yet said danny fox i'll catch him if it takes a year and the day and the old fox meant what he said it was a hard time of it nowadays the big farmer kept close watch and locked his chickens in the hen house every night besides danny fox hadn't forgotten about the steel trap he was afraid to venture again into the farm yard there might be another trap hidden somewhere one day he had a bright idea there was a little log cabin in the shady forest it had a nice door in three windows a chimney of red brick a big fireplace it was empty nobody had lived in it for some time he would give a popcorn party and invite little jack rabbit that very evening he sent out invitations to chippy chipmunk squirrel nutcracker busy beaver and peter possum everybody was asked to come to the popcorn party at first little jack rabbit was afraid to accept but when he found that everyone was invited he persuaded himself that danny fox was just trying to be friendly at the same time he made up his mind to keep both eyes wide open for after all there was no telling what that old fox might do no, indeed at last the day for the party arrived and the little log cabin was filled to overflowing after the corn was popped the fire was allowed to die down and everybody sat around and had a feast but oh dear me all of a sudden without any warning danny fox made a jump for the little rabbit and oh dear me again what a commotion there was out of the windows and through the door with the shady forest folk all but little jack rabbit he jumped up the chimney and not a wink too soon either for danny fox landed right on the spot where he had been sitting now I've got you cried that wicked old robber sitting down on the hearth he didn't care if the ashes got all over his beautiful long bushy tail no, indeed he didn't care about that all he thought of was how to catch a poor little jack rabbit end of chapter 14 chapter 15 of little jack rabbit and danny fox this is a leper fox recording all leper fox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit leberfox.org little jack rabbit and danny fox by david kory a tight place little jack rabbit certainly was in a fix here he was up in the chimney with danny fox waiting for him down below if there had only been a ladder inside that chimney he could have climbed up to the top but there wasn't so all he could do was to sit on bricks that extended around the inside a few feet above the hearth at last danny fox said you might as well come down if you don't I'll build a fire and smoke you out where will you get the wood asked the little rabbit I don't need any I'll burn up the popcorn box this made the little rabbit dreadfully nervous yes, indeed are you coming down asked danny fox with a growl I don't know answered the poor anxious little rabbit give me time to think it over won't you if you take much longer answered danny fox with a cruel laugh I'll light a fire that'll make you think mighty quick my pretty one I'm afraid I'll slip said the little rabbit trying to gain time I'll help you down answered danny fox politely you'll burn your feet in the hot ashes said little jack rabbit I'll sweep them out answered danny fox picking up the hearth, shovel, and broom the bricks are still hot went on the little rabbit no, they aren't answered the old fox stepping inside the fireplace they're only warm they don't burn my toes a bit well, then said poor little jack rabbit I may as well come down come on, said danny fox with a wicked grin it's pretty high up come and help me said the little rabbit danny fox walked into the fireplace and stood up on his hind legs his head came way up into the chimney and the suit blinded his eyes before he knew what was going to happen the little rabbit picked up a loose brick and hit him a dreadful hard blow on the head down tumbled the wicked old fox and down jumped the little rabbit out of the log cabin straight away for the dear old bramble patch it took mrs. rabbit nearly an hour to clean the soot from his little fur jacket but she didn't grumble no, indeed she was only too glad to have her precious bunny boy save home again end of chapter 15 chapter 16 of little jack rabbit and danny fox this is libyfox recording all libyfox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libyfox.org recorded by dustin thomas little jack rabbit and danny fox by david courty now i've got you one day titty turtle had a narrow escape from danny fox he was slowly crawling down the cow path in the sunny meadow when whom should he meet danny fox seemed much surprised but that was only because he was trying to fool the little turtle you see, danny fox had been hiding all the time behind a bush and only came out just when titty turtle crawled by good morning, said danny fox with a grin good morning replied titty turtle from inside his little shell house for as soon as he had seen danny fox he had pulled in his head and tail for safekeeping where are you? asked danny fox i don't see you i don't see your shell house well i'm looking out the window answered titty turtle but he didn't put his head out very far let me tell you danny fox stood very close but he didn't touch mr. titty turtle oh my no there wasn't any use for titty was safe inside his hard shell house and danny fox knew he couldn't pull him out pretty soon the old robber fox said let's go down to the old duck pond now that was just where titty turtle wanted to go but he didn't want to go with danny fox so he said instead i'll stay here for a while and rest i'm all tired out now this is just what danny fox didn't want to do for as long as titty turtle stood still he could keep his head and tail inside his shell but as soon as he began to walk he had to poke out his head and see where he was going and stick his tail out behind to steer himself oh come along said danny fox you don't want to stay here in the path mrs. cow may come along and step on you and the sly old fox poked out his head and tail and started to crawl away but quick as a wink danny fox grabbed him by the tail now i've got you now i've got you shouted that wicked old robber let me go let me go cried titty turtle but danny fox wouldn't he held on as tight as he could he wouldn't have let go for anything for that was the only way he could pull titty turtle along and he wanted to take him home for supper turtle soup is very fine but when you sit down to dine don't forget, dear boys and girls with your spoon to make no noise end of chapter 16 chapter 17 of little jack rabbit and danny fox this is liber fox recording all liber fox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liberfox.org recorded by dustin thomas little jack rabbit and danny fox by david quarry a lucky wiggle it isn't very pleasant to be dragged by your tail over bumps and stones especially by such a person as danny fox titty turtle didn't know what danny fox meant to do with him if he had he would have been frightened to death you see danny fox was hungry yes sirree he was as hungry as three bears he couldn't get a chicken because the henhouse door was locked and bolted he couldn't catch little jack rabbit for the little bunny was too bright for so there was nothing for him to do but take titty turtle home with him mrs fox knew how to make mock turtle soup and that was better than nothing now all this time titty turtle was thinking mighty hard how to get away yes sir he was scheming how to get his tail inside his shell house once more as they came to the old duck pond he said dip me in the water or I shall die of thirst of course danny fox didn't want him to die right away so he leaned over the bank and lowered titty turtle into the water but he put him in only a little bit of the way put me in deeper said titty turtle as danny fox was about to pull him out I only got a little swallow so the old fox leaned way over the bank and dipped the little turtle way until you couldn't see him at all then of course his tail got wet and pretty soon he got so slippery that danny fox had to use both paws and then the first thing danny fox knew the little turtle gave a wiggle and a jiggle and pulled his tail away and with the splash that wet the old fox all over he dived down to the bottom of the pond where he was safe at home in the soft mud danny fox gave a snarl of disappointment but the little turtle didn't hear him but he blew up a few bubbles to tease the hungry old robber I don't believe he had made a good soup anyway growled danny fox wiping his feet on the grass for they were covered with mud then after wiping his eyes and face he trotted off to the shady force when his teddy turtle reached the bottom of the old duck pond he crawled along the soft mud until he came to a little island up which he crawled till he was once more out of the water haha he said to himself as he saw danny fox far away on the mainland I fooled you this time you old robber End of chapter 17 Chapter 18 of little jack rabbit and danny fox this is a livervox recording all livervox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit livervox.org recorded by Dustin Thomas little jack rabbit and danny fox by david quarry timmy meadow mouse now that the sunny meadow was covered with snow little timmy meadow mouse had a hard time of it if he wanted to go anywhere he had to dig tunnels from his little house under the snow yes sir the sunny meadow was full of little subways that timmy meadow mouse had made it was pretty lonely way out on the meadow so one day he started to tunnel over to the old bramble patch to see little jack rabbit besides he wanted to eat the seeds of the little red balls that hang from the wild rose bushes in the wintertime so he set to work on his tunnel by and by he climbed up a stick stalk of meadow grass and pushed his head out of the snow goodness me how billy breeze was blowing as soon as timmy meadow mouse had wiped the snow from his eyes he saw the old bramble patch not very far away it wouldn't take a minute to run over he said to himself it's such hard work digging through the snow now deep down in his heart the little meadow mouse knew it was dangerous to run out over the snow as long as he stayed down in his tunnels he was pretty safe but to show himself when the only way he could possibly get back to his little house was through some of the small openings in the snow was very dangerous suppose denny fox or mr wicked weasel or hungry hawk who are fond of fat little meadow mice should chase him over the snow and suppose he couldn't get back to one of his subway entrances in time timmy meadow mouse turned all these things over in his mind and then yes sir he did he pushed out through the snow and scampered over to the old bramble patch but oh dear me he had gone only half way when up jump denny fox who had been hiding by the old rail fence he had been lying there so long that the snow had drifted over him making him look like a snowpile if timmy meadow mouse had only seen the old fox's eyes through the snow but he hadn't but when the old robber jumped up the poor little mouse saw him all right it was too late to turn back so with a frightened squeak he made for the old bramble patch and just in time he ran in between the prickly stems and stalks and tumbled headlong into little jack rabbits front door grouf grouf growd denny fox who didn't care to push through the prickly briars Just a nice dinner. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corrie Safe. Goodness me! cried Little Jack Rabbit. As a cold blast of air and a whirl of snowflakes came through the doorway. What can be the matter? Oh, Little Jack Rabbit! cried Timmy Meadow Mouse. I didn't have time to knock. I hardly had time to get in, for Danny Fox chased me right up to the old bramble patch. Is that dreadful fox around? asked the little bunny. We'll be cooped up in here now for maybe a week, for I guess he's pretty hungry if he hunts for Meadow Mice. Oh dear! sighed the little Meadow Mouse. I wish I'd stayed home! and he told the little rabbit how he had tunneled through the snow until he was so tired that he had climbed up a stalk to look about him, and seeing the old bramble patch so near had foolishly run over the snow instead of finishing his subway. I never saw Danny Fox by the old rail fence, not until he jumped out when I was halfway over. My! I thought I'd never reach the dear old bramble patch. And Timmy Meadow Mouse gave a sigh of relief. Phew! I'm all out of breath. Well, you stay here and make yourself at home, said Little Jack Rabbit. You see, he and Timmy Meadow Mouse had always been good friends. I suppose I can dig a tunnel back to where I left off, said Timmy Meadow Mouse. I might strike it and then I mightn't. It's all right when you start out from your own house. You can always get back by just turning around. But now, goodness me, I might keep on forever and never get home. That's right, said Little Jack Rabbit. You must have help. Wait until tomorrow and I'll find the way. Pretty soon he went to the door and looked out. Danny Fox was nowhere to be seen, so Timmy Meadow Mouse went out in the old bramble patch and picked a red berry from a wild rose bush. Then he hurried back, for it was very cold, and Billy Breeze was whirling a cloud of snow over the sunny meadow. End of Safe, Recording by Sunbeard, Saudi Daisy, Tennessee. Chapter 20 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sunbeard, Saudi Daisy, Tennessee. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. Timmy Meadow Mouse has a dream. After bolting the front door, Little Jack Rabbit took Timmy Meadow Mouse into the kitchen where Mrs. John Rabbit was pairing carrots for supper. It was nice and warm, and Mrs. Rabbit looked so motherly in her big pink gingham apron that the Little Meadow Mouse couldn't help saying to the Little Rabbit, I think your mother's too sweet for anything. Although he said it in a whisper, Mrs. Rabbit heard him just the same. She must have, for she leaned right down and gave him a little piece of carrot. By and by the kitchen door flew open and in hopped Mr. John Rabbit and Brother Bobby Tail. They couldn't speak for a few minutes, they were so out of breath. At last, Mr. Rabbit said, Danny Fox chased us all the way home. Mrs. Rabbit nearly dropped the dish of carrots on the nice, clean floor. Macy me, it was only two hours ago, he chased Timmy Meadow Mouse into the old bramble patch. My, but that Fox must be hungry. I guess he is, replied Mr. Rabbit. Hanging his fur cap on the peg behind the door, then he began to sing. The chickens they stay in the hen house all day, and a bunnies don't go very far in the snow. Mr. Fox, you can't snatch from the old bramble patch. A bunny or mouse, we're safe in the house. We fastened the latch on our old bramble patch. That night, Timmy Meadow Mouse had a dreadful dream about Danny Fox. You see, he couldn't forget how that old robber had nearly caught him. As long as he was awake, he knew he was perfectly safe in Little Jack Rabbit's house. But when he dropped off to sleep, he didn't dream about being safe in the old bramble patch. Oh my no, he dreamed that Danny Fox was still chasing him, which of course was simply dreadful. All of a sudden, he rolled out of bed with a scream, which woke up the whole Rabbit family. Yes, it even gave Mr. John Rabbit a shiver, and poor Mrs. Rabbit nearly fainted. By and by, however, they all went to sleep again, and everything was quiet until morning. When Cocky Doodle, over at the big farm yard, woke them up with his early Cock-a-Doodle-Doo. After breakfast, Little Jack Rabbit and Timmy Meadow Mouse hopped over to the edge of the old bramble patch, where they cautiously peeped through the tangle stalks to see if Danny Fox were around, but he was nowhere in sight. End of Timmy Meadow Mouse Has a Dream. I don't see him anywhere, whispered Timmy Meadow Mouse. That doesn't prove anything, replied Little Jack Rabbit. He may be hiding some place where we can't see him. Don't you think I might run over the Sunny Meadow and look for the entrance to my tunnel? No, sir-ree, answered the Little Rabbit. Suppose Danny Fox waited until you had gone quite a way, and then ran in between you and the old bramble patch. What would you do then? Oh, don't talk about it, replied the Little Meadow Mouse with a shiver. But how am I going to get back to my little house? Begin a tunnel from here, answered Little Jack Rabbit. I'll keep a bright lookout. If I see Danny Fox, you turn around and come back here. All right, said Timmy Meadow Mouse, and in a few minutes he had burrowed down into the snow. Don't go too far at first, advised Little Jack Rabbit. You might not be able to get back in time. Timmy Meadow Mouse didn't answer for his mouth was full of snow. Be careful, said Little Jack Rabbit, bending over the hole in the snow down which the Little Meadow Mouse had disappeared. Pretty soon, the Little Rabbit hopped out just beyond the old bramble patch and looked about him. Everything seemed all right. Mr. Mary's son was shining down from the cold blue sky, and Billy Breeze was behaving himself very well. Once in a while, he blew snow in the Little Rabbit's eyes, but that was the way Billy Breeze played snowball, I guess. All of a sudden, Timmy Meadow Mouse's head appeared above the snow. He had climbed up a stalk of tough metal grass to see where he was going. My, how you startled me, cried Little Jack Rabbit, for Timmy Meadow Mouse's head had almost bumped into him. Would you dare hop over to that big tuft of grass sticking out of the snow and tell me if you find a little hole in the snow close by? Is that way you left off tunneling and jumped out to run over the old bramble patch? Asked the Little Rabbit. I think so, replied Timmy Meadow Mouse, but I was so frightened when Danny Fox chased me that I can't be sure. I don't dare hop out much farther, whispered Little Jack Rabbit. Billy Breeze might stir up a snow cloud and hide Danny Fox. I'm afraid something dreadful may happen. End of The Tunnel, Recording by Sunbeard Chapter 22 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sunbeard, Saudi Daisy, Tennessee. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. More trouble. Goodness me! No sooner were the words out of his mouth than Danny Fox himself spraying out from behind a snowdrift. Down into his tunnel went Tiny Meadow Mouse and back into the old bramble patch hopped the Little Rabbit. But Danny Fox was no fool, no sirree. Instead of running after Little Jack Rabbit, he commenced to dig for the Little Meadow Mouse. My, how the snow flew! Up and down rushed the old fox digging here and digging there. And if Timmy Meadow Mouse hadn't been pretty quick to run back through his tunnel to the old bramble patch, Danny Fox might have caught him. Of course, Timmy Meadow Mouse couldn't run any other way, for that was the only place the tunnel led to. But he knew when he crawled out, he would be safe in the old bramble patch. And that is where Little Jack Rabbit found him. Another narrow escape, he panted. I declare, there's no fun to be had anywhere, now that Danny Fox is hunting. I wish he'd hunt some other place, said the Little Rabbit. Just then they heard the report of a gun. What's that? asked Timmy Meadow Mouse. It's the farmer's boy, answered the Little Rabbit, peeking out through his brambles. I guess he hid Danny Fox, for there he goes, limping toward the shady forest. We'd better look out, said Timmy Meadow Mouse with a shiver. Maybe the farmer's boy will come after us. You're too small, said Little Jack Rabbit. But I'll take good care, he doesn't see me on the sunny meadow. Just then another shot was heard. Goodness me, said the Little Rabbit. Maybe this time he's killed Danny Fox. Nobody almost hid me, cried Mr. Rabbit, popping into the old bramble patch. You and the boys had better come inside, said Mrs. Rabbit, nervously from the front door. Brother Bobby Taylor has just hopped into the kitchen in a great hurry. He says the farmer's boy is shooting at everything he sees. End of More Trouble, Recording by Sonbeard. Chapter 23 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sonbeard, Saudi Daisy, Tennessee. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. Bang, bang, bang. I declare, I think it's gonna snow again, said Mr. Rabbit, looking out of the back door. Mr. Rabbit was right. Father Storm's two small sons, Snowflake and Snowdrop, were flying here and there. Soon their little comrades by the millions were hurrying down from the gray sky, from which only a few hours before Mr. Mary's son was smiling. Over the sunny meadow, they came along the bubbling brook where Miss Pussy Willow stood looking very cold and uncomfortable. Let's give it a warm muff, shouted the Snowflake brothers. And in a few minutes, her little hands were warm again. They sprinkled the catkins of the alders with whiteness until they looked like woolly lambs' tails and wrapped the birches and hazels in long white dresses. Let's skate on the old duck pond, cried Snowflake. Over the ice, he slid till his comrades were piled up against the old mill in long white drifts. They hid in the water wheel and clung to the bending branches of the Willow trees until they looked like loosened skeins of yarn. Come on, cried little Jack Rabbit. I've gotta have some fun too. And he and brother Bobby Tail hopped out of the old bramble patch to the cornfield. Bang, bang, bang! The farmer's boy certainly was shooting away at a great rate, just as Bobby Tail had said. All the winter birds hid themselves in the shady forest. Little Sam Kinglet, in his olive gray suit, stopped picking for insect eggs in the bark of the old chestnut tree. Hairy nut hatch also stopped circling like an acrobat around a limb. Don't feel hungry just now, he said. I'm tired of grubs. And he flew deep into the forest. And all the cheery chickadees flew out of the low bushes and winged their way into the quiet places of the woods. Gracious me, exclaimed Mrs. Rabbit, how that dreadful gun shakes the house. I'm afraid the candlesticks will fall off the mantle. And she lifted them down and put them in a safe place. Well, there's one good thing about it all, said little Jack Rabbit to Bobby Tail, as they hopped through the snow-covered cornfield. Old Danny Fox won't be around again for some time. It's safer at home when the bad farmer's boy is tramping around with his gun. No telling, I say. While he's shooting away, his bullets have led by the ton. What might happen to us if we went for a stroll away from our warm kitchen stove? We'll stay in the house with the little gray mouse, just now it's no time to rove. Saying the old Robert Fox as he bolted his front door. End of Bang Bang Bang, Recording by Sunbeard. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey, The Snowflake Brothers. Hurrah! cried the little snowflakes as they hurried along on Billy Breeze after the two little rabbits. Let's cover Mother Nature with a big white comforter. Down from the gray skies, they came on their white wings, covering up the shivering grasses in the sunny meadow and the trembling bushes by the wayside. Bobby Redvess as he hopped about picking up crumbs from the kind farmer's doorstep, thought they looked like white petals that blossomed in the orchard in the sweet springtime. Professor Jim Crowe looked out from his safe retreat in the shady forest to tell the little bunny brothers that the old clothesman and the cornfield would soon be a snowman. Ha ha, snowmen are scarecrow, I don't care. I'd know a scarecrow anywhere. Kaka! And he flapped his wing shaking off the snowflakes that had sifted through the branches and laughed again. Kaka, ha ha, kaka! Mr. Blue Jay stopped pecking at an acorn to listen. Then he gave a laugh that sounded very much like Professor Jim Crowe's caw. Let's make the old clothesman into a regular snowman, said little Jack Rabbit. So they set to work, he and brother Bobby Tail, and pretty soon they had sucked out the empty pantaloons with snow. Then they filled out the sleaze of the old coat and rounded out the vests. After that, they made a nice snowball head on which they placed an old silk hat. The scarecrow now stood straight and cheerful, his arms and legs no longer dangled in the wind. Perhaps we can fool Professor Jim Crowe, said brother Bobby Tail, and off they both hopped to find the old Professor Bird. Billy Breeze tried his best to blow off the old silk hat, but the scarecrow snowman wouldn't let him. I guess he was afraid he'd catch a cold in the head. Although he didn't seem to mind the snowflakes dancing on the top until they slipped off, filling the brim with a white drift that almost hid the old frayed ribbon. Oh Billy Breeze, Billy Breeze, you will make the snowman sneeze. If you blow his stovepipe off, he might get a dreadful cough. See how hard the poor man tries with his hand to shield his eyes. Billy Breeze, you're not polite. Leave the hat on him tonight. Dustin Thomas Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corry The Storm Goodbye, cried Billy Breeze, seeing that he couldn't blow off the old silk hat, and he drove the snowflakes out of the cornfield and down the hillside. They filled up the bushes and thickets. The blackberry brambles along the road hid the roots of the grapevine and danced along the old braille fence, playing hide and seek in the knotholes. At last they came to the orchard. For a moment they stopped at the gate. Then, in a whirling cloud, they rushed through, covering the twigs and branches with their frosty laces. Let's fill Bobby Redvest's nest, they cried. Next, they swung back and forth in Little Mrs. Oriole's nest that hung like an empty stalking from the old elm tree. If they keep on snowing like this, maybe we'd better start for home, said Little Jack Rabbit. But we haven't shown our snowman, Professor Jim Crow, said Brother Bobby Tail. Besides, we don't care how hard it snows. It wouldn't have mattered so much if Billy Breeze had only been quiet, but you see, he wasn't. He liked to play in the snow as much as any little boy does, so he whistled in blue, making great drifts that hid the old braille fence and the bushes. Pretty soon, the rabbit brothers couldn't hop over them, but had to go where the snow wasn't so deep, and by and by they found themselves a long way from the tall pine tree where Professor Jim Crow lived. Billy Breeze was now blowing harder than ever, whirling the snow about in every direction. All of a sudden, Jack Frost nipped the little bunny boy's noses. Let's go home, said Brother Bobby Tail. You had better hurry, said Bob White, who with his large family was sitting in a tree. It's going to be a bad night. In the next minute, he and Mrs. Bob and all the little bobs dived head first into a snow bank, where they would be safe and warm from the icy breath of Billy Breeze. Hurry, hurry, Jacky Rabbit. Bobby Tail, please hurry too, or you'll find that Billy Breeze will freeze you black and blue. End of chapter 25. Chapter 26 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox. 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 Dustin Thomas. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. Mrs. Cow. It was lucky that before long, the bunny brothers came to the old farm. Goodness knows what might have happened if they hadn't. Before they knew where they were, Billy Breeze blew them head over heels amid a cloud of snow right into the old cow shed. You see, it didn't have any door. It just leaned against the big red barn, with the haystack on one side and the corn crib on the other. There stood Mrs. Cow chewing her cud, but she didn't have to whisk her tail. No sir, there wasn't a fly anywhere. Hello, what brings you two bunnies out such a day as this? And Mrs. Cow shook her head, making the little bell on her collar go tingling. It was snowing only a little when we first started out, answered Little Jack Rabbit, trying to keep his teeth from chattering. We turned the scarecrow into a snowman, said Brother Mobby Tell, stamping on his toes to make them warm. We heard Professor Jim Crow said he'd know a scarecrow anywhere, so we thought we'd fool him this time. But we couldn't find him anywhere. Billy Breeze was kicking up such a rumpus that we lost our way, said Little Jack Rabbit. It was too bad, for I'm sure Professor Jim Crow never would have known the old clothesman of the cornfield. Why don't you hop over into the straw over there, said Mrs. Cow. You can keep nice and warm till morning. By that time, maybe this storm will be over. You're very kind, said Little Jack Rabbit. I hope Mother won't worry tonight. You'll find corn in the box in the corner, said Mrs. Cow. That will do for supper. Oh dear, said Little Jack Rabbit. My toes are so cold. Come over here, said Mrs. Cow kindly, laying down in her straw bed. Now cuddle up to my warm body. End of chapter 26. Chapter 27 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox. 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 Dustin Thomas. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox. By David Corry. The straw pile. Oh, I hope Mother won't be worried, said Little Jack Rabbit again, after he and Brother Bobby Tell had cuddle up to kind Mrs. Cow. She'd be more worried if you didn't get home tomorrow, answered Mrs. Cow. If you try and go home tonight, you'll be lost, or maybe something worse. What? asked Brother Bobby Tell, sleepily. Why Danny Fox? answered Mrs. Cow. Uh oh, shivered the two little bunnies. Not with the cold, you know, but with fright, for they were nice and warm beside Mrs. Cow. Now pretty soon, she said, the kind farmer will come to milk me. He'll bring his milk pail and a nice hot corn and brand mash for my supper. So don't you wait when I tell you to run and hide, for he won't stop to knock on the door. There's no door to knock on. And Mrs. Cow nodded her head to the little bell on her neck, tinkled three times. Where shall we hide? asked Little Jack Rabbit. Over there in the straw pile, answered Mrs. Cow. You better go over and make a nest for yourselves now. Be sure you can hide so not even the tip of your tail will show, for the kind farmer has very bright eyes. It didn't take the bunny brothers long to make a nice hiding place in the big straw pile, and after eating a supper of corn, they hopped about the shed, hoping to find a stray carrot or turnip. But they didn't find any, and as Billy Breeze was sifting the snow through the cracks and knot holes, they hopped back to cuddle up again to kind Mrs. Cow. Buy and buy they fell asleep and dreamed they were eating carrot ice cream and clover cake. It was too bad that buy and buy the kind farmer came out to milk, although very likely Mrs. Cow would have been disappointed if he hadn't. At any rate, all of a sudden, the two little bunnies woke up with a start. Run, run! cried Mrs. Cow. Hide, hide, he's coming! Little Jack Rabbit didn't wait to rub his eyes, neither did Brother Bobby tail, but away they hopped. And just in time, too, for no sooner had they hidden in the straw than in walked the kind farmer with a nice hot supper for Mrs. Cow. But you can well believe that these two little rabbits were up and on their way home the next morning long before the kind farmer had even opened his eyes. End of Chapter 27 The Sunny Meadow was white with snow, and the shady forest dressed in snowy laces. All the little four-footed folk were either sound asleep in their winter homes or tucked away safely from the storm. Little Jack Rabbit hopped over to the window of his little house in the old bramble patch, and drew a picture of Danny Fox on the frosty pane. Just then, all of a sudden, who should come sneaking along the old rail fence but that old robber himself? What is he after, thought the little bunny, running to the kitchen door to peek through the keyhole, but he didn't open the door, let me tell you. It was but a few feet over to the old rail fence, and he wasn't going to give Danny Fox a chance to jump right into the kitchen without first knocking on the door. But Danny Fox was too busy with something else. Yes, sir, that's what he was. He didn't take his eyes off the ground, but crept along, oh, so carefully, until he came to the big chestnut tree. Then he stopped and looked up. Old Squirrel Nutcracker sat in his tree, while down in the bushes sat Chicka-Dee Dee. But when Danny Fox came creeping along, Chicka-Dee Dee stopped singing his song, as Squirrel Nutcracker ran out on a limb and hit Danny Fox on his old hat brim. Stop throwing nuts at me! shouted Danny Fox, opening wide his mouth to show all his long, white teeth. But that didn't frighten Squirrel Nutcracker. Oh, my no! He just curled his long, bushy tail over his back and began to chatter. But Chicka-Dee Dee flew away. He didn't wish to be there if there was to be a fight. Of course, that could never happen, for Danny Fox didn't know how to climb a tree, and Squirrel Nutcracker knew too much to come down to the ground. If you don't go away from here and do it pretty soon, maybe I'll reach up to the sky and hit you with the moon. shouted the old Squirrel, which so frightened Danny Fox that he ran home to his den. End of Squirrel Nutcracker. Chapter 29 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Elissa Grazer. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. Wintertime. All the creatures, fur and feather, cuddle close the snowy weather. Chippy chipmunk beneath a tree, in his home as safe can be. Squirrel Nutkin, when it snows, hides his head beneath the clothes of his little wooden bed in the oak tree overhead. And within the bramble patch, little rabbits draw on the latch. Everyone's almost asleep waiting for the spring's first peep. Chilly Mr. North Wind blows from his home at the North Pole, making his snow horses whirl over the sunny meadow and along the old rail fence. The bubbling brook is covered with a coat of ice and the farmer's boy skates across the old duck pond. But Granddaddy Bullfrog doesn't hear him, for he is sound asleep in the mud, way down deep where the ice never forms. Timmy Meadow Mouse makes little tunnels through the snow, for he is too small to walk over the drifts. But Danny Fox, that sly old robber, sneaks along the bear places, so as to leave no footprints to show where he has been. Sometimes he turns to the shady forest, and sometimes to the farm, where cocky doodle and henny penny prune their feathers on the sunny side of the high haystack. The weather cock swings to and fro on the big red barn and wishes it were spring. Busy beaver swims about under the ice in the forest pond, coming back to his little house, whose front door is deep down where the water never freezes. In the upper room he has stored away twigs and things to eat, till Mr. Mary's son melts the ice and tells the flowers to bloom again. All the birds have gone south except a few. Charlie Chickadee and Jimmy Junko, though, don't mind the chilly weather. They flutter here and there, eating the dry seeds that still cling to the tall meadow grass, or the dry berries in the old bramble patch. Peter Possum and his family are curled up in a warm hollow stump, and the big brown bear is snoring in his cave. The earth is clad in snow white, but all the trees are bare. The farmer reads the almanac within his old armchair. Good Mrs. Cow, safe in the shed, upon the manger rubs her head, and if you listen, you can tell how many times she rings her bell. She never takes her collar off, for fear she'll catch the whooping cough. Imagine how that little bell would tinkle in a coughing spell. End of wintertime. Little Jackrabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. The snowman, old Danny Fox with his two small sons, stood just outside his den. The snow was nearly two feet deep in the shady forest glen, but they didn't care they had such fun making a snowman with a gun. A great big stick they had found close by that pointed right up to the cold blue sky. Yes sir, Danny Fox was very kind to bushy tail and slide boots, and although the little people of the sunny meadow and the shady forest didn't like him, Mrs. Fox and her two little cubs did. Oh my yes, almost every day he brought home something nice to eat, sometimes a nice fat pullet from the farm yard, sometimes a tender rabbit. I saw little Jackrabbit last night, my dear, said the crafty old fox to his wife as he pushed a piece of coal in the snowman's round face for an eye, but I couldn't get near enough to catch him. My, but he's a wise little bunny, said Danny Fox. And Danny Fox began to whistle. If you want to catch a rabbit, you must have a crafty habit, for he's timid, very timid, and keeps a bright look out, so if you want to catch him, you must never, never shout. Pretty soon he remarked that he must make a call over at the farm, and winking at Mrs. Fox, he ran off. After a while he reached the big red barn where the weather cock turned around every time Mr. North Wind whistled. Now, let me think, said Danny Fox to himself. All the chickens are safe in the henhouse. How am I to get in? Just then Mr. Long-tooth Rat looked out of the barn. Maybe he had heard Danny Fox whispering to himself. There's a loose board on the back of the henhouse. Why don't you pull it off? And then that bad old rat grinned, for he didn't care whether the poor chickens were eaten by that old fox. In fact, if they were, there'd be more corn for him. Wasn't that selfish? Well, I just guess it was, but there are lots of selfish people in this old world. And that's the reason every little boy and girl should always learn to save a piece of candy for mother. Then they'll grow up to be good men and women. Well, anyway, in a minute or two, Crafty Danny Fox sneaked around to the rear of the henhouse. For he didn't want old Sycambe, the farmer's dog, to see him. No sooner had he pulled on the loose board than he began to smile. I hope old Sycambe won't hear me. He said as he pushed his nose in the crack and gave a great shove. Then, oh dear me, I mean, oh how glad I am, the rusty nails made a dreadful noise. Such a dreadful noise that you could hear them in the next story. End of chapter 30. Chapter 31 of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox. This is LibriVox Recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recorded by Dustin Thomas. Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey. Fox Hunting. Creek, creek, creek. I'm old and very rusty. Why don't you wait till summer time when it's hot and dusty? There's no time to pull a nail when Mr. North Wind blows a gale. Shout at a rusty nail as Danny Fox tugged away at the loose board of the henhouse. Shh, shh, shh, whisper Danny Fox. You'll wake up sick'em. But he need not have worried, for old sick'em was dreadfully deaf. Besides, he was asleep on the mat in front of the kitchen stove. And how could he hear a rusty nail talk out in the farmyard? I should like to know. All the same, Danny Fox stopped tugging at the board and looked around just as Mrs. Cow came to the door of the shed. No sooner did she see the old Fox than she gave a loud moo. Keep quiet, can't you? wind Danny Fox showing his long white teeth. But they didn't frighten her. Oh my no, she just lowered her head and moved again. I'll run my horn right through your tail if you don't listen to that nail. That board was fastened there to keep out folks like you who tried to creep. In through a hole to steal a hen and maybe come around again. Goodness me, answered Danny Fox. Why won't she be quiet and let an honest man get his supper? This may Mrs. Cow laugh so hard that the little bell on her leather collar woke up the kind farmer who had fallen asleep reading the almanac. When he opened the door and looked out, the weather cock pointed at Danny Fox hiding behind the hen house. But that wise old Fox didn't wait another minute, but turned and fled to his den on the wooded hillside. Gee whiskers, cried the kind farmer. There goes old Danny Fox, and he ran to get his gun. Come on sickum, let's go Fox hunting. And he and the old dog followed Danny Fox's footprints over the snow. He lives under that pile of rocks sure enough, said the kind farmer, following Danny Fox's tail right up to his front door. But how shall I get him out? And that's just what old sickum thought, only he didn't say so. He barked instead, and the hair on his back stood up straight like bristles on my toothbrush. Then he wagged his tail and barked harder than ever. I guess I've come on a wild goose chase, said the kind farmer. That old Fox won't come out, and I can't wait here all day if we're going to have hot muffins for supper. Then, with a whistle to sickum, he turned back to the farm. Home again, the kitchen fire warms the kettle to a song. Home again, and now forgotten everything that has gone wrong. Comfort in a place for dreaming and the big armchair to find, where the wistful hearthstone fairies fill with dreams your tired mind. End of chapter 31. Recorded by Dustin Thomas. End of Little Jack Rabbit and Danny Fox by David Corey.