 Chapter 1 of The Tale of Benny Badger Of course Benny Badger had the best of reasons for living on the high dry plains. There he had for neighbours plenty of ground squirrels and prairie dogs, and it is likely that he enjoyed their company much more than they did his. If anyone had asked them, those little wild people would no doubt have confessed that they wished Benny Badger was somewhere else. But their wishes meant nothing to Benny, if he knew anything of them. Although he couldn't help noticing that his small neighbours hurried into their homes whenever they caught sight of him, Benny never took the hint and went away. On the contrary, when he spied a prairie dog or a ground squirrel disappearing into his burrow, Benny was more than ready to go right in after him. Now the tunnels that led to the houses of those smaller folk were too small to admit anybody as bulky as Benny Badger, but that difficulty never hindered Benny. Digging was the easiest thing he did. He had a powerful body, short stout legs, and big feet, which bore long strong claws. And when he started to dig his way into somebody else's home, he certainly did make the dirt fly. He was so fond of digging that he even dug countless holes of his own, just for the fun it gave him, so as far as anyone could find out. And if he had only left other folk's holes alone, some of his neighbours would not have objected to his favourite sport. For more than one fox and coyote had been known to make his home in a hole dug by Benny Badger. And though they never took the trouble to thank him for saving them work, they often chuckled about his odd way of having fun, and remarked among themselves that Benny must be a stupid fellow. If they really thought that, they made a great mistake. To be sure, at anything except digging, he was slow and awkward. He was too heavy and squat to be spry on his feet to chase and catch his more nimble neighbours. But no one that knew much about Benny Badger would have said that his wits were dull. They were sharp, and so too were his teeth, which he never hesitated to use in a fight. Left alone, Benny Badger, when he wasn't too hungry, was a peaceable person. But if a dog ever tried to worry him, Benny had a most unpleasant way of seizing his annoyer with his powerful jaws, and holding the poor creature as if he never intended to let him go. Cornered, Benny knew no such thing as fear. He had the heart of a lion, and jaws like a steel trap. And no wise dog ever let Benny get a good firm grip on him. Usually no one saw Benny Badger except at night. He seldom left his den in the daytime except to sun himself, and even then not many noticed him. Though he did not hide when anyone surprised him while taking a sun bath, he had a trick of lying flat in the grass without moving, and it took a sharp eye to spy him when he lay low in that fashion. Curled up asleep with his long fur on end, he looked too comfortable to disturb. At least that was what the ground squirrels thought. And if one of those busy little fellows ever paused to stare curiously at Benny when he was having a nap in the warm sunshine, Benny Badger had only to awake and turn his head toward the onlooker to make him scamper for home as fast as he could go. It was not Benny's face either that frightened the ground squirrels away, though everybody had to admit that he had a queer one. A black patch spread over his eyes and ran like the point of a bee down his nose. For the most part, however, he was of a grayish color, with still more black running in streaks across his back. Underneath he was, ah, yes, a dirty white color. But then one must remember that he was forever digging in the dirt, and there was very little water where he lived. Anyhow, he was particular enough about one thing. His long hair was always carefully parted in the middle from his head to his tail. And certainly they ought to show that he tried to keep himself looking neat. End of Chapter 1, Chapter 2 of the Tale of Benny Badger. This Slippery Vox recording is in the public domain. The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey. Chapter 2, Hunting for Something It was the pleasant summer's night. Anyone would have supposed that it was just the sort of weather that Benny Badger might have chosen for digging holes. But he must have thought that he had dug enough holes for the time being. He wondered about as if he had lost a hole somewhere and couldn't find it. And whenever he spied a hole made by one of his smaller neighbors, he stopped and looked at it closely. But none of them seemed to be the one he was looking for. At least Benny examined a good many holes and then passed on again before he came to one at last that was different from all the rest. If you could have seen the look of pleasure on Benny's odd face when he caught sight of this particular hole, you would have known at once that his search had come to an end. Now, as a matter of fact, Benny Badger had not lost a hole. His strange behavior did not mean that. It meant that he was searching for a fresh hole, which some ground squirrel had dug so short a time before that there couldn't be much doubt that the small owner was then living in it. To be sure, Benny might have dug his way to the furthest end of each hole that he found that night. And doubtless he would have enjoyed such a pastime. But as for finding a plump ground squirrel at the end of every tunnel, ah, that would have been a different matter. No such pleasant sight would have breached Benny's eyes. And on this evening he wanted to find some such reward when his digging came to an end. He knew as well as he knew anything in the world that newly scattered earth never lay strong about the doorway of an old hole. And that was the reason he passed so many holes with hardly more than a swift glance. But when at length he found what he had been looking for, a hole with fresh brown dirt scattered carelessly around it, Benny Badger showed by every one of his actions that he didn't intend to move on until he had burrowed to the very end of it. A broad smile lighted up his clearly marked face. At least he opened his mouth and showed a good many of his teeth. A bright, eager glint came into his eyes, whereas they had had a somewhat wistful look before, as if their owner might have been hungry and didn't exactly know where he was going to find a meal. Then Benny Badger looked all around to see whether anybody might be watching him. But there was no one in sight, and if there had been, Benny Badger would have done no more than tell him that he had better run along about his business, because it would do him no good to wait, none at all. And if the onlooker had happened to come so near as to bother Benny in what he intended to do, that unfortunate person might have wished that he had taken a bit of friendly advice in time and made himself scarce. But, of course, Benny Badger was not so foolish as to give any such warning, for there was no one there to hear it. End of Chapter 2. Chapter 3. At the Tail of Benny Badger. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The Tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey. Chapter 3. No One at Home Since there seemed to be nobody lurking in the shadows around him and watching him, Benny Badger turned to the ground squirrel's hole and begun to dig. How he did make the dirt fly. He scooped it up with his big feet and flung it back in a shower, not caring in the least where it fell. For he was interested not in what lay behind, but before him. In almost less time than it takes to tell about it, Benny Badger had made the entrance of the tunnel so big that it swallowed his head and shoulders. Now, when some people do anything they are forever stopping to see how much they have finished, as if they hated to work and wished that they didn't have to. But Benny Badger was not like them. He loved to dig. And instead of wishing that it wasn't far to the ground squirrel's chamber, he kept hoping that it was a good long tunnel so that he might have plenty of fun digging his way to the end of it. He didn't pause to look back at the pile of dirt he had thrown behind him. In fact, he didn't stop for anything, not even to take a long breath, until he noticed a sound that made him pause and listen for a few moments. It was a yapping, growling noise that called Benny Badger's ear. The noise that changed while he listened to a howl and then suddenly ended as it had begun. That call coming as it did out of the night would have frightened many people, not knowing just what it was. They might have thought it sounded like the cry of a wolf. But Benny Badger showed not the least sign of fear. On the contrary, he seemed almost angry with himself, because he had stopped even for a few moments to listen. Oh, fudge, he said, or something a good deal like that. It's nothing but a coyote. And then he went to digging faster than ever to make up for lost time. He hadn't been working long after that, when Mr. Coyote's call made him back out of the hole and listen once more. Shucks, said Benny Badger, or something like that anyhow. He's coming this way. Anyone could have seen that Benny Badger was not pleased, but he continued his work just the same. And he made the dirt fly even more furiously than before, because he wanted to reach the end of the ground squirrel's tunnel before Mr. Coyote arrived on the scene. It happened that Mr. Coyote was stalking slowly across the country in the moonlight, headed for no place in particular. So Benny Badger had time to burrow his way to the ground squirrel's bedroom without being interrupted. And then Benny met with a sad disappointment. The owner of the burrow was not at home. Benny knew that he could not have been gone long, because the bed of dried grasses was still warm. It was plain that Mr. Ground Squirrel had awakened and heard the sound of Benny Badger's digging, and there was no doubt that he had sprung up in a hurry and rushed out of his back door, while Benny made his way through the front one. Benny Badger tried to console himself with the thought that anyhow he had had the fun of digging, but he was very hungry, and there was no supper inside anywhere. He was just about to renew his search for fresh ground squirrel's holes, when who should appear but Mr. Coyote himself with a knowing smile upon his narrow face. End of Chapter 3 Chapter 4 The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 4 Mr. Coyote Sings Benny Badger was not at all glad to see Mr. Coyote, and after Benny's ill luck, the smile upon Mr. Coyote's face made the disappointed digger feel almost peevish. What a beautiful evening it is, said Mr. Coyote, and what a fine night for digging. Benny Badger glared at the newcomer, making no attempt to hide his displeasure at seeing him. I don't notice you. Doing any digging, he remarked with a sneer. He had no use for Mr. Coyote, and he did not mind letting that tricky fellow know it either. But Mr. Coyote was not one to take a hint. If he knew he wasn't wanted anywhere, it never made the slightest difference to him. And when Benny as much as told him that he was too lazy to dig a hole, Mr. Coyote did not lose his temper, even for a moment. No, I seldom dig, he replied. I don't want to spoil your fun. If I went to work and dug and dug anywhere and everywhere, there'd soon be nothing but holes, no matter where you went. You'd have no place to dig a hole yourself, and then you'd be pretty unhappy. Benny Badger hadn't thought of that, and he didn't know just what to say, because if Mr. Coyote meant what he said, Benny wanted to say something pleasant. And if Mr. Coyote was only joking, Benny wanted to say something disagreeable. But before Benny had made up his mind how to reply to Mr. Coyote's remark, his noisy friend began talking again. Besides, Mr. Coyote added, I haven't time for digging, because I have to practice singing. If you don't mind, I'll practice a song right now. And without waiting to find out whether Benny Badger did mind or not, Mr. Coyote began singing in the harshest of voices. The Coyote song. When Mr. Sun had gone to bed to seek his needed breast, and Mr. Moon has climbed the skies to flood the plains with light, and Mrs. Wind blows softly from the foothills in the west, I love to sing my Yipki Oodle Doodle in the night. When morning comes, I hurry home to take my daily nap. But when the spooky shadows fall and all the world is dark, oh, bends the time I'm wide awake and ready for a yap, a happy yappy Yipki Oodle Doodle and a bark. And none that hears my lovely voice when startled from a dream will soon forget how I begin my chorus with a growl, or how I quickly run the scale to end it with a scream, a happy yappy Yipki Oodle Doodle and a howl. Let them that do not know my ways cry fearfully for help, and shake and shiver when they hear my loud and lusty call, while I will merely jeer at them with something like a yelp, a happy yappy Yipki Oodle Doodle and a squall. And now I will explain to you, perhaps you guessed before, the lesson that I always strive with might and main to teach, if you would frighten timid folk, alarm them with the roar, a happy yappy Yipki Oodle Doodle and a screech. How do you like that, Mr Coyote asked with a grin, when he had finished? Not very well, said Benny Badger. Mr Coyote looked just the least bit crestfallen. Perhaps I haven't practised the song as much as I should, he remarked, and thereupon he started to sing it again. But Benny Badger stopped him quickly. Don't, he cried, and he held his paws, dirty as they were, over his ears, as if he couldn't bear to hear that song another time. Mr Coyote smiled, agreeably. I see, he said easily, you don't enjoy music as I do, but I believe we have one taste in common. What's that, Benny Badger asked him, for in spite of his paws being over his ears, he heard what Mr Coyote said. What's that? Ground squirrels, Mr Coyote replied, licking his chops as he spoke. End of Chapter Four Chapter Five at the Tale of Benny Badger This slipper-box recording is in the public domain. The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter Five, Speaking of Ground Squirrels Benny Badger stared none too pleasantly at Mr Coyote. He didn't like his visitor, and he wished Mr Coyote would go away. But Mr Coyote seemed to be in no hurry to leave. On the contrary, he appeared to have plenty of time to spare, and if he noticed the frown on Benny Badger's face, he certainly acted as if it were the most agreeable of smiles. We were speaking of ground squirrels, he begun with a smirk. Benny Badger interrupted him quickly. We were not, he snapped. I haven't mentioned ground squirrels, he growled. Mr Coyote fell back a few steps. Well, I know you're interested in them anyhow, he continued, trying to act as if he were quite unruffled by Benny's rudeness. You can't deny that, for unless I'm mistaken, you've just caught one here. And his bright eyes twinkled, for he thought he had Benny Badger there, and it would be of no use for Benny to deny it. You are mistaken, Benny Badger grunted. At that, Mr Coyote shot a swift look at him. Was that a shadow of disappointment about Benny's mouth? Did he get away from you, Mr Coyote inquired? Benny Badger had to admit that that was exactly the case. He explained how he had found the ground squirrel's warm bed, but empty when he reached the snug bedroom. I don't see how it happened, he told Mr Coyote mournfully. That crafty fellow gave a short laugh. He rather believed he knew where the trouble lay, and he said to himself under his breath that Benny Badger was even more stupid than he had supposed. Did you keep an eye on the ground squirrel's back door? He inquired, and he was so amused by something or other that he begun to giggle. Benny Badger was afraid that Mr Coyote was going to burst into a song again, and he couldn't help shuddering. Are you going to sing? He asked Tasteline. I hadn't intended to, Mr Coyote answered, but of course, if you want me to. No, no, Benny cried, please don't. Very well, his musical friend replied, and then he returned to his question. What about the back door? Did you watch it carefully? He inquired. How could I? Benny demanded with a snort of anger. I can't dig away at a ground squirrel's hole with my head buried in it and watch his back door at the same time. If I stopped digging and went around to the back door, he'd be almost sure to run out through the front one, so I'd be no better off. In fact, I'd be worse off, for I'd lose not only the ground squirrel, but the fun of digging too. Mr Coyote turned his head away and smiled a wide, wide smile. It was some moments before he could trust himself to speak without laughing right in Benny's face. It's plain, he said at last, that you need help, so I'm coming here every night to assist you in the business of catching ground squirrels. End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 This Libra Vox recording is in the public domain. The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey. Chapter 6 Strange Partners Mr Coyote's plan for helping him catch ground squirrels did not please Benny Badger in the least. Up to that time, he had always had fair luck hunting alone. And he said as much to Mr Coyote in none too friendly a tone. Though Benny thought he had made his feelings plain enough, it seemed as if Mr Coyote couldn't take a hint. So far was he from guessing that Benny did not care for his scheme, that he even suggested that it might be a good idea if he brought a half a dozen of his brothers along with him. He was very cheerful about the whole affair was Mr Coyote. Indeed, he appeared quite ready to arrange Benny Badger's business without ever a buy your leave, or if you don't mind. But Benny Badger was no person to stand quietly by and let a scamp like Mr Coyote spoil his whole life. He shook his head in a most obstinate fashion, giving his visitor fair warning not to go too far. For goodness sake, don't bring any of your brothers here, Benny Badger shouted. I never could stand a crowd of your relations. It's bad enough to have to listen to your six brothers when they're half a mile away. Mr Coyote took no offence at that remark. Very well, he replied. No doubt they'd want to sing if they came here to help you, and certainly their singing would interfere with your digging, for of course you'd want to stop and listen to it. Benny Badger's only commend sounded somewhat like, but Mr Coyote must have thought that Benny agreed with him. At least he nodded his head, and he went on to say that he would be glad to help Benny alone without calling on his brothers. Benny Badger made no further objection. To be sure, having won at the Coyote family with him every night would be bad enough, but it was so much better than having seven of them that he begun to feel almost pleased. Perhaps he was lucky, after all. And besides, he thought that when Mr Coyote came to help him catch ground squirrels, that good-for-nothing scamp would soon tire of digging. And then a terrible uproar broke the silence. It sounded as if a hundred wolves, or maybe a thousand dogs, had fallen to quarrelling a mile away, growling and howling in the distance. As soon as he heard the noise, Mr Coyote pricked up his ears and sprung to his feet. I must leave you now, he said. There are my six brothers. They're going to have a sing, and I promise that I'd join them. Don't forget, he added, as he flung a sly smile in Benny Badger's direction. I'll be here soon after dark tomorrow night. And the next moment he was gone. Benny Badger stood and watched him, as he lopped off across the moonlit plain. And not long afterward, a terrific racket, twice as loud as the one before, made Benny bury his head in the place where he had been digging. Mr Coyote has joined his six brothers, he said to himself. End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of the Tale of Benny Badger This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 7 Mr Coyote remembers The next evening, just at dusk, Benny Badger left his den and set forth on his usual nightly ramble by way of exercise and for the sake of the fun it gave him. And to improve his appetite, he dug a few holes. And by the time it was dark, he was hungry as a bear and ready to look once more for fresh holes made by ground squirrels. He had decided not to wait for Mr Coyote to join him before beginning his search. Ben hoped that Mr Coyote had forgotten all about his promise to meet him and help him hunt. But Benny Badger was to have no such good fortune as that. It was not long before he heard Mr Coyote calling to him. And though he made no answer, thinking that Mr Coyote might not be able to find him, in a few minutes, that sharp-faced gentleman came bounding up at top speed. Here I am, he cried, as soon as he spied Benny Badger. I see you started out without waiting for me. You didn't think I'd disappoint you, did you? I was afraid you wouldn't, Benny answered, a remark that Mr Coyote seemed not to understand. For a moment or two he looked somewhat puzzled. But he decided evidently that Benny meant to be pleasant, but didn't know how to be. Now then, Mr Coyote said, while Benny Badger shuddered at his harsh voice. Now then, where do you think we'd better look for a hole? For pity's sake, don't howl so loud. Benny Badger besought him. You awaken all the ground squirrels in the neighbourhood if you're so noisy. Pardon me, said Mr Coyote very meekly, lowering his voice, but promptly raising it again. Do you know of any fresh holes around here? Benny Badger said that he didn't. Then you'd better hunt for one at once, Mr Coyote declared, sitting down on his haunches, as if he hadn't the slightest notion of doing any of the searching himself. While you're looking, I'll sing a little song, he announced. You needn't trouble yourself to do that, Benny Badger told him hastily. Oh, it's no trouble at all. I assure you, Mr Coyote replied. Well, don't you do it anyhow, Benny warned him. If you sing, you'll spoil everything, because I shall not be able to look for any hole. I see, said Mr Coyote, looking more than pleased. You'd want to stop and listen to me, of course. It's not that, Benny Badger corrected him. I may as well tell you that I don't like your songs at all. I have some that you've never heard, Mr Coyote explained. I don't want to hear them, Benny Badger informed him. I may as well tell you that your songs drive me almost crazy. It would not have been surprising if Mr Coyote had flown into a great rage, but he did not. Instead, he pretended to wipe a tear away from each of his eyes. It's a pity, he sighed. It's a pity that you don't understand music. Sometime I will teach you to sing with the help of my six brothers. Benny Badger showed no joy over that promise, but he felt relieved when Mr Coyote agreed not to sing that night. And then Benny set out alone to look for a fresh ground squirrel's hole, lubing Mr Coyote with his face hidden in his pocket handkerchief. End of Chapter 7 Chapter 8 At the Tail of Benny Badger This libra of ox recording is in the public domain. The Tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey. Chapter 8 A Watcher and a Worker Benny Badger searched for some time before he found a ground squirrel's hole that looked as if its owner had finished it only a day or two before. The place was so far from the spot where Benny had left Mr Coyote that he did not believe he could call loudly enough for his helper to hear him. For a few moments Benny thought that perhaps he ought to go back and tell Mr Coyote that he had found a good place to dig, but he soon changed his mind. I'll just begin digging and say nothing, he remarked to himself, and perhaps I can catch this ground squirrel without Mr Coyote's help. So he set to work, but he hadn't dug very far into the hole before he heard Mr Coyote's voice close behind him. That sly fellow had been following him all the time. I hope the owner of this hole is at home, Mr Coyote ventured. At those words Benny Badger backed out of the hole around. I'll let you dig a while, he said generously. Mr Coyote thanked him, but he answered that he couldn't think of accepting Benny Badger's offer. I know you would be disappointed not to do the digging yourself, he explained. And besides, you're a better digger than I am. So I'll let you tear this tunnel open, while I go around the back door and watch. You know I have a very sharp eye. Benny Badger looked at Mr Coyote narrowly. It occurred to him that both Mr Coyote's eyes were very sharp. Furthermore his nose was sharp too and so were his teeth. Yes, on the hole Benny thought Mr Coyote appeared to be an exceedingly sharp person. Very well Benny told him at last I'll do the digging gladly, for I need the practice that it will give me. You see I haven't dug more than a half a dozen holes tonight. Benny thrust his head into the opening he had already made. But before he had begun to throw more dirt behind him he pulled his head out again and called to his helper who had moved a few steps away. If the ground squirrel comes out through his back door please call me at once he cried. Mr Coyote nodded his head over his shoulder and smiled. I will he agreed and I'll ask you not to forget to dig hard because you know I'll be watching hard and it wouldn't be fair for one of us to do less work than the other. Benny Badger replied that in his opinion Mr Coyote's statement was in every way reasonable. And then he began to dig. Benny would have made better time had he not stopped every few minutes to listen. For he did not want to miss hearing Mr Coyote's call. But his ears caught nothing more than a chuckle from the spot where Mr Coyote sat on his haunches in the grass watching. I can stand his chuckling if only he won't sing Benny said to himself. End of Chapter 8 Chapter 9 At the Tail of Benny Badger This Slipper Vox recording is in the public domain. The Tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 9 A Careless Helper Stopping often to listen Benny Badger did not reach the ground squirrel's chamber half as quickly as he could have had he done nothing but dig. But when he thrust his nose into the underground bedroom he found nobody at home. The ground squirrel had fled leaving his nest so warm that Benny Badger knew he could not have been gone long. Benny turned away but he was not so disappointed as he might have been for he remembered that Mr Coyote was watching the back door and certainly no ground squirrel could escape his sharp eyes hurrying as fast as his short legs would carry him. Benny joined Mr Coyote who still sat comfortably on his haunches. To Benny's surprise his helper's eyes were closed instead of being fixed on the ground squirrel's back door. Have you seen anything at the ground squirrel Benny demanded anxiously. Mr Coyote started and opened his eyes. Somebody came out a few minutes ago he replied but he disappeared in no time. That's too bad Benny Badger wailed he got away. Are you sure Mr Coyote inquired? Why yes Benny cried it's as plain as the nose on your face. I won't dispute you said Mr Coyote you'd better not Benny Badger snapped you have been very careless I don't believe you watched carefully enough when I came up just now you had your eyes shut I won't dispute you said Mr Coyote again he was most polite so polite in fact that Benny Badger was ashamed to appear rude or quarrelsome but Benny couldn't help being disappointed over losing the ground squirrel and when after he had dug to the end of three more tunnels that night the same accident happened three times more he decided that something would have to be done it was clear that Mr Coyote's eyes were not sharp enough he was not nearly so helpful as Benny had expected him to be we'll have to change about Benny announced at last you must dig while I'll watch that Mr Coyote promptly made a number of objections to that plan he said with something quite like a sneer that he had much sharper eyes than any member of the Badger family that ever lived and that he was quicker than a hundred Badgers put together and as he hadn't given reasons enough for disagreeing with Benny he declared that he simply couldn't do any digging that night he had a sore paw to prove his statement Mr Coyote held up one of his paws for Benny to see Benny looked at it he couldn't discover that it was any different from Mr Coyote's three remaining paws and he had just started to say so too when Mr Coyote interrupted him with an enormous yawn I'm getting sleepy Mr Coyote remarked it will be daylight before we know it and I'm going home to take a nap so saying he sprung up and stretched himself and then he trotted off but he stopped before he had gone far and looked back at Benny Badger I'll be on hand to help you again after sunset he said End of Chapter 9 Chapter 10 of the Tale of Benny Badger This Libra Box recording is in the public domain The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 10 The Sore Paw Sure enough just as Mr Coyote had promised he was on hand the next night to help Benny Badger with his squirrels Benny regarded Mr Coyote somewhat coldly as the two met in the moonlight How's your sore paw he asked Mr Coyote Now Mr Coyote had just come trotting up without the least sign of lameness but all at once he begun to limp My poor paw is no better he told Benny to cross his face Let me see it Benny said and Mr Coyote promptly held out one of his paws Benny Badger snorted he seemed quite disgusted This is not the same paw you showed me last night he cried My mistake said Mr Coyote easily and he pulled back that paw and thrust forth another Benny Badger bent over it for a moment It looks alright he grumbled I can't help that Mr Coyote snarled it couldn't hurt me anymore no matter what happened to it To Mr Coyote's surprise Benny Badger seized his paw in his powerful jaws and held it in a vice-like grip Ouch he was pulling back quickly a move which only caused him greater pain Your paw doesn't feel any worse does it? Benny Badger asked him as well as he could with his mouth so full Yes it does Mr Coyote held Then you must have been mistaken when you said what you did only a moment ago Benny told him he admitted let me go but Benny Badger's jaws only closed the tighter I'll bite you if you don't stop that Mr Coyote threatened My skin is very very tough Benny said and I can hurt you much more than this if I want to Mr Coyote believed what Benny told him so he made no more threats to whine piteously If you let me go I'll do anything you say he promised Will you agree to keep away from me Benny Badger asked him Yes yes Mr Coyote cried I promise Good said Benny Badger I don't need your help as you call it any longer and if you ever come near me again when I'm hunting for ground squirrels I'll Benny Badger never finished what he was saying because he let go of Mr Coyote just then and the moment Mr Coyote felt himself free he leaped away and tore off on three legs as if he were in a terrible hurry to get somewhere else Much help I'll ever get from him Benny Badger grumbled to himself but he isn't too lazy to grab the ground squirrels that somebody else drives out for him End of Chapter 10 Chapter 11 of The Tale of Benny Badger This Libra Vox recording is in the public domain The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 11 Birds, Eggs Though Benny Badger never cared much for foxes he was willing usually to stop and talk with one of that family provided he wasn't too busy digging to take the time for gossip There was one fox who often strolled about the neighbourhood and though Benny had many a chat with this gentleman somehow Benny never learned much from him He was so sly that he let Benny do most of the talking while he listened and when he did say anything he preferred to ask questions In time Benny Badger noticed that his chats with Mr Fox were very one sided and he made up his mind at last that when he next met that crafty fellow he would ask him plenty of questions he would make him talk or he would know the reason why It happened that early on the following morning when he was hunting for ground squirrels holes he found himself face to face with Mr Fox and Benny noticed that Mr Fox was himself looking with great interest at a fresh ground squirrels hole Hello, Benny Badger exclaimed I hope you haven't come here after ground squirrels Mr Fox looked much surprised No indeed he said I'm only hunting for bird's eggs bird's eggs Benny Badger repeated have you found any Mr Fox screamed a bit he did not like to answer questions have you found any eggs Benny asked him again A few Mr Fox replied where Benny inquired oh in different places said Mr Fox and he began to talk about the weather how dry it was how much the country needed rain but Benny Badger was not to be filled so easily you haven't really answered my question Benny reminded Mr Fox I asked you where you've been finding bird's eggs and I'll thank you to tell me sir Mr Fox gave a slight start Benny's tone was none too pleasant and Mr Fox certainly didn't want to quarrel with him if you wish to know anything about bird's eggs why don't you ask a prairie chicken he inquired she would know a great deal more about eggs than I do to Benny that suggestion seemed quite worthwhile there was no doubt that what Mr Fox said was true and Benny wondered why he hadn't thought of the plan himself your advice he told Mr Fox is so good that I'm going to start right now to look for a prairie chicken it's almost dawn now and the chickens will soon be getting up so Benny said goodbye and Mr Fox tried to say goodbye too but somehow he choked over the words and began to cough so violently that Benny Badger was quite alarmed he waited anxiously until he saw that Mr Fox was out of danger and then he left him if he had a look back he might have seen his sly friend capering about in the grey light as if something amused him hugely and no doubt Benny would have wondered what it could have been prairie chickens Mr Fox was chuckling much they'll tell him about eggs end of chapter 11 chapter 12 of the tale of Benny Badger this Libber Vox recording is in the public domain the tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey chapter 12 the prairie chicken after he left Mr Fox Benny Badger hurried here and there and everywhere in search of a prairie chicken he found one after a time but the lady wouldn't stop to talk with him the moment she spied Benny would into the air and flew off though she certainly must have heard him calling her but at last just as red streaks began to shoot up in the eastern sky Benny caught sight of a stately dame who was so busy catching grasshoppers for her breakfast that she hadn't noticed him he did not dare go too near her for fear of scaring her so he called to her in as gentle a tone as he could saying don't be alarmed madam I only want to ask you a question the prairie chicken stretched her neck as high as she was able and looked all around here I am Benny sung out from a grassy hammock the startled lady saw that he was not near enough to be dangerous so she asked him with a proud air what his question might be I'm interested in birds eggs Benny explained have you any madam the prairie chicken took a few steps towards him in a very grand manner yes indeed she answered I have a bakers dozen they are the most beautiful eggs I've ever seen say so they speckled with brownish specks she continued how interesting Benny Badger exclaimed I must have a look at those eggs where is your nest madam and just then the prairie chicken did a strange thing without a word of warning she sprung into the air and sailed away leaving Benny Badger to gaze after her and wonder why she hadn't answered his question he soon made up his mind that he would find her nest anyhow now since there wasn't a tree anywhere in the neighborhood Benny felt quite sure that the lady's nest must be on the ground and since he knew that all prairie chickens slept at night he waited until dark before he began his search for he wanted to find Mrs Prairie Chicken at home when he called on her so when night came once more Benny Badger left his den and went forth on his errand he had gone only a short distance when he met his old friend Mr Fox who had told him a little and very little too about eggs are you having any luck tonight Benny Badger inquired what do you mean Mr Fox asked him have you found any eggs Benny questioned Mr Fox said something that might have been either yes or no Benny was not quite sure what it was but since Mr Fox shook his head he decided that it must be known I think we're too late Mr Fox remarked the eggs must have all hatched by this time Benny Badger hastened to set Mr Fox right that can't be possible he replied I met Mrs Prairie Chicken this morning and she told me she had a bakers dozen of eggs in her nest you must be mistaken about that Mr Fox assured him where did you say her nest is I didn't say Benny answered no of course not Mr Fox corrected himself what I mean was where did Mrs Prairie Chicken say it was she didn't say so replied Benny Badger that's unfortunate Mr Fox told him it would have saved us a good deal of trouble if she had explained where she lives Benny told Benny Badger to go home and not to trouble himself anymore I will hunt for the old lady's nest Mr Fox declared Benny Badger couldn't help thinking that Mr Fox was a very kind person and he went away feeling it was very fine to have a friend like him but after a while he began to wonder if he wasn't mistaken for he happened to remember Mr Fox hadn't said a single word about letting him know when he had found the nest with the 13 eggs in it End of Chapter 12 Chapter 13 of The Tale of Benny Badger This Libra-Rox recording is in the public domain The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 13 Don't do that Benny Badger turned in his tracks and went straight back to the place where he had left Mr Fox but Mr Fox was nowhere to be seen so Benny began asking everybody he met if he had caught a glimpse of Mr Fox that night first he asked a white-footed dear mouse who pointed behind him and said that he had just seen Mr Fox over there then Benny put his question to a frightened prairie dog who claimed that he had noticed Mr Fox over there as he pointed in a direction exactly opposite and still another reported that he had noticed Mr Fox in an entirely different place That's odd Benny Badger said to himself how can he be in three places at once and since he could not answer that question he decided to look in none of those three directions but to try a fourth because he felt sure that none of the three could be the right one and besides if Mr Fox had really been where he was said to have been seen he was such a roving fellow that he would have moved on Well where he looked next Benny found Mr Fox What luck Benny asked that wily gentleman once more Mr Fox replied somewhat stiffly that he had nothing to say What's that on your mouth Benny Badger demanded suddenly Mr Fox hastily rubbed his paw across his mouth It can't be egg he blurted Egg Benny Badger shouted I hadn't mentioned egg but now that you mention egg perhaps that's it Mr Fox looked most still at ease but he made no reply What's that clinging to your shoulder asked Benny Badger abruptly It can't be a feather said Mr Fox nervously brushing off his face as he spoke A feather Benny Badger exclaimed I've said nothing about a feather but now that you speak of it Mr Fox perhaps that's it Mr Fox looked very very uncomfortable and he murmured something about having to be on his way Wait a moment said Benny as Mr Fox turned the side Mr Fox tried in vain to look at the back of his own neck It can't be he begun but before he could finish Benny Badger interrupted him Yes it is he cried It's my teeth and so saying he seized Mr Fox on the back of his neck and began to drag him over the grass It became clear at once that Mr Fox did not endure the sport Don't do that friend he begged What are you trying to do anyhow I'm trying to rub the egg off your mouth Benny Badger explained Please don't trouble yourself said Mr Fox Then Benny began to shake him Don't do that friend said Mr Fox again What are you trying to do I'm only trying to shape the feather off you Benny told him Don't trouble yourself said Mr Fox If you'll take those teeth off my neck that's all I ask of you Not yet Benny Badger replied grimly You're a robber and I'm only going to teach you a lesson You will rob bird's nests will you To his great surprise Mr Fox began to laugh You'd rob them yourself if you weren't so clumsy he cried You'll really know better than I am Benny Badger hadn't thought of that and the idea surprised him so much that his mouth fell open and of course Mr Fox at once looped aside and ran off End of Chapter 13 Chapter 14 at the tail of Benny Badger This LibriVox recording is in the public domain The Tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 14 A Queer Discovery No one would ever have called Benny Badger a great traveller He was altogether too heavy to roam far from home upon his short legs so it often happened that he did not know all that went on in the neighborhood Of course his watchful eyes took in almost everything that was inside of his den but as for what was taking place just beyond the next rise that was an entirely different matter unless somebody chanced to stop and gossip with Benny sometimes several days would pass and he knew what his neighbors were doing Luckily Benny Badger kept his ears open when he was awake and often he kept them half open when he lay half asleep stretched out in the grass not too far from his den enjoying a sun bath One day when he was sunning himself the sound of voices snatched him out of his drowsiness and he kept quiet still to see what he could see and hear what he could hear Soon three coyotes came sneaking through the grass talking in hushed voices a thing they seldom did Benny could hardly believe his own ears because he had supposed that if the coyote family spoke at all they always howl but if the quietness of the coyotes surprised Benny what they said astonished him a great deal more for Benny Badger learned that the three cronies were headed for a prairie dog village just beyond the next rise that was most amazing news Benny Badger had known that there was a prairie dog village so near his den and for a moment he was tempted to call to the coyotes and ask them if what they said was really true or if they were only feeling but he didn't think the three prowlers had seen him so there seemed to be no reason for their saying what wasn't so well the next moment they disappeared Benny Badger jumped up into his den he would have followed the coyotes but he decided it would be better to wait the prairie dogs would be too wary with those coyotes in their village but later after the coyotes had left then he would pay a visit to the village himself towards evening Benny Badger crept out of his den and followed the trail of the three coyotes and sure enough when he reached the top of the rise he saw the mounds of the prairie dogs spread out before him though he saw no prairie dogs he noticed an owl sitting upon a heap of earth that had been tossed out around the hole Benny Badger strolled up to the owl it's a fine evening said Benny barely stared at him round eyed and made no reply I say it's a fine evening Benny repeated in a louder tone very well the owl replied you may say it as often as you wish I'm sure I have no objection but you don't need to come any nearer he added Benny Badger stopped and squatted in the grass he was glad to rest that he was, as has been said no great trapler is anybody at home he asked presently somebody is said the owl then I'll dig right in as soon as I get my breath said Benny Badger glancing at the hole do you want to see somebody the owl asked for if you do there's no need of your doing why not Benny inquired I'm somebody the owl informed him I live here and I'll be disgusted if you go to tearing my house to pieces end of chapter 14 chapter 15 at the tail of Benny Badger this Libra Box recording is in the public domain the tail of Benny Badger Arthur Scott Bailey chapter 15 Benny and the owl Benny Badger smiled at the owl he thought he must be feeling you're a joker aren't you said Benny but I never should have thought it you look so glum the owl seemed somewhat displeased I've never made a joke yet he declared though I've no doubt I could if I should ever want to Benny Badger glanced from the owl to the hole and then back again at the strange fellow you don't mean to say you live here in this hole Benny exclaimed certainly I do the owl replied sharply Benny Badger couldn't understand how that could be but this is a prairie doghouse he protested where's the chap that built it he must be around here somewhere I don't know where he is and I don't care where he is the owl answered I drove him out of his house because I wanted to live here myself and I didn't trouble myself to see where he went Benny Badger could hardly believe what the owl told him but he noticed that the fellow had a sharp beak and sharp claws too I think you played a joke on the prairie dog he remarked at last should you said the owl if it was a joke it wasn't nearly as big as one as I'll play on anybody that tries to drive me out away from here I drove a snake away yesterday he added and he looked very thoughtfully at Benny Badger as if he were picking out a soft place in which to sink his cruel beak you need me so touchy said Benny I'm not going to disturb you I'm sure I shouldn't care to live in your house the owl was a peppery fellow he grew angry at once why not he demanded what's the matter with my house I'll tell you Benny replied it's a second hand one and that's bad enough but it would be still worse if I took it away from you because then it would be a third hand the owl looked daggers at him you've insulted me he cried loudly swelling himself up or so it seemed have I Benny Badger inquired don't mention it I'm sure you're quite welcome to tell the truth what the owl meant naturally Benny's words only made the owl angrier than ever and he became actually rude if I were you he spluttered until I learned better manners I would dig a hole somewhere crawling inside of it and pull it in after me now that was a new idea for Benny Badger and he liked it obviously he exclaimed then when I wanted to go out I'd have to dig my way out again the owl gave a queer cry and looking quite discouraged he flew off and left Benny Badger sitting there in the grass end of chapter 15 chapter 16 at the tail of Benny Badger this LibriVox recording is in the public domain the tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey chapter 16 spoiling a game though the owl left him in such a rude fashion Benny Badger wasted no time in thinking about what had just happened there was something far more worthwhile that claimed his thoughts for the prairie dog village still remained where it had been and as Benny looked at it he found it highly interesting even as he glanced at the doorway at the nearest house he caught sight of a small head with bulging eyes which stared at him without blinking Benny moved nearer and the head promptly vanished then Benny Badger smiled all over his face ah he exclaimed he's somebody else at home and he looked all around at a number of other doorways to his great delight he saw other eyes peeping at him there's a lot of them at home Benny cried with great glee he never felt happier in all his life everything was exactly as he would have wished it and he was just taking off his coat and trying to decide where he would begin to dig when something happened that made him look very peevish and he slipped his coat on again and lay flat in the grass a coyote had come bounding up at exactly the wrong time and every one at the prairie dogs promptly pulled his head out of sight if he noticed Benny at all must have thought him no more than a heap of dirt anyhow he paid no heed to Benny but went stalking through the village with his tongue hanging out of his mouth looking sharply out of the corners of his eyes at the houses he passed there is no denying that Benny Badger was displeased he wanted no sneaking coyote at hand to spoil his plans he was all ready to growl when something made him change his mind and close his mouth the coyote walked through the village and disappeared in the distance and here and there heads soon began to appear in doorways the when Benny Badger stood up and drew nearer to them they dropped down again the next moment a very angry lady rushed up and began scolding Benny Badger at the top of her voice it was Mrs. Coyote go away from this village she shrieked you're spoiling our hunting who's hunting Benny Badger asked her mine and my husbands she snapped that was my husband that passed by here a few minutes ago of course we know the prairie dogs will all hide when they see him but they're so silly that they're sure to bob up and stare at him after he has gone along and then she said then's the time I dash up and grab them Mrs. Coyote paused and glared at Benny Badger you've spoiled my game she said you went and showed yourself and when they saw you the prairie dogs Benny Badger looked at Mrs. Coyote pleasantly and up why don't you dig for them he asked but Mrs. Coyote didn't appear to care for that idea in the least she threatened Benny Badger with dreadful things if he didn't leave it once and then she hurried on to find her husband Benny Badger was glad to see her go he was not at all neither at Mrs. Coyote nor at both of them together and though he had spoiled their game he hardly thought that they would be able to spoil his End of Chapter 16 Chapter 17 at the Tale of Benny Badger this LibriVox recording is in the public domain The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 17 The Prairie Dog Village Having once found his way to the Prairie Dog Village Benny Badger often visited it and it is said by those who know that while he was there he always had a much pleasanter time than the villagers themselves so little did the Prairie Dogs enjoy Benny Badger's society that whenever one of them spied Benny nearing the settlement he never failed to jerk his tail up and down and call out the news at the sound of the alarm a high pitched chatter every Prairie Dog who wasn't at home scurried for his whole as fast as he could scamper Benny Badger always had to smile when he saw the villagers tumbling through their doorways they couldn't have done anything that would have suited him better had there been a single one among the Prairie Dogs that wasn't a dunce he would have run away from his hole outside the village to hide somewhere until Benny Badger left the place but the Prairie Dogs were too stupid to think of such a trick they no knew no better than to rush into their houses which was exactly what Benny Badger wanted them to do and if anything happened now and then to make matters especially unpleasant for the Prairie Dogs it never troubled Benny Badger he seemed to grow fatter and happier than ever as time passed but at last he heard a bit of news one day he felt quite glum a young deer mouse claimed to have overheard a rancher talking the rancher that lived about a mile from Benny Badger's home and the deer mouse reported that the man was going to get rid of the whole Prairie Dog family he says they eat too much grass and dig too many holes the deer mouse declared though the news upset Benny and quite took away his appetite for a few moments he began to cast about for a way to prevent such a sad affair if you could have seen him with a worried look on his face anxiously asking everybody he meant to give him advice you would have thought that he felt very very sorry for the Prairie Dogs which was not the case at all Benny Badger was feeling sorry for himself for he knew that if the rancher drove the villagers away he would miss them terribly Benny had almost given up hope of finding a way to put an end to the rancher's plan when the deer mouse told him another bit of news he's going to build a fence out this way the rancher is the deer mouse informed Benny it's coming this side at the Prairie Dog Village and that's why the rancher wants to get rid of the Prairie Dogs how do you know this Benny Badger asked his small friend have you been eavesdropping again the deer mouse blushed and since he made no reply Benny Badger had to believe him still Benny could see no way out of his difficulty and he went home at daybreak feeling quite out of sorts but when he awoke right in the middle of the day a happy thought popped in to his head he was so excited by it that he couldn't go to sleep again though the sun was shining brightly End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 of the Tale of Benny Badger this Libra Box recording is in the public domain The Tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey Chapter 18 Saving the Day Benny Badger kept his bright idea to himself but his neighbours knew that he must have thought of something because he seemed so good natured all at once he has a secret they told one another but they couldn't find out what it was though they asked Benny Badger point blank what he intended to do he refused to tell him he only smiled and looked very wise and indeed he felt just as wise as he looked for a time a good many of his friends spied upon him hidden behind whatever was handy they watched Benny Badger but they soon grew tired of that so far as they could see he did nothing but dig holes and certainly that was nothing new for him so his friends went about their own affairs leaving Benny to dig as many holes as he pleased now it pleased him to dig more holes and bigger holes than he had ever dug before and he dug them all on the other side of the prairie dog village on the side toward the ranch's home Benny seemed to have no fixed plan as to how he should dig the holes whether in a straight row or in a circle or any other way his one idea seemed to be to dig a plenty to dig as many as anybody could possibly want for any purpose whatsoever now and then some passer by would stop and look at Benny for a few minutes and snicker are you looking for buried gold Mr Coyote asked him what's the matter have you been digging so fast that you can't stop Mr Fox inquired even the prairie dogs timid as they were ventured to jeer at Benny Badger and demanded whether he had gone crazy but Benny Badger never paused to answer anybody he smiled a good deal however as if he knew something that nobody else suspected every morning at dawn he went home to rest and every evening at sunset he returned to the same place just beyond the prairie dog village to take up his work where he had left it the only remark Benny would make when anyone insisted on talking with him that he couldn't waste his time gossiping because he had to save the day that seemed a strange statement no one knew exactly what Benny Badger meant by it to be sure he saved each day for sleeping for he worked only at night but it was just as true that he saved each night for working so it was only natural that people should be puzzled to everybody's surprise Benny stopped his work as suddenly as he had begun it exactly at midnight he paused brushed the dirt of himself and slipped into his coat remarking that he thought he had saved the day with a hungry look on his face he turned toward the prairie dog village and there was a great scarring then you ought to thank me Benny Badger called to the prairie dogs as they dived into their holes I've saved the day the ranchers certainly won't try to get rid of you now end of chapter 18 chapter 19 of the tale of Benny Badger this LibriVox recording is in the public domain the tale of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey chapter 19 pleasant praise not one of the prairie dogs knew what Benny Badger meant when he cried that he had saved the day of course they had heard that the rancher did not like their village and that he wanted to get rid of it and them but they couldn't imagine how Benny Badger might be able to help them indeed they rather like the rancher better than Benny anyhow and as for thanking Benny the only time they would ever feel like thanking him would be when he bade them goodbye and left the neighborhood to return no more but Benny Badger was quite unaware of all that he complained that the prairie dogs weren't treating him well they ought to send a committee to my house to thank me for what I've done for them he grumbled no one around here seems to understand me but the ranchers certainly will you'll see before long that he'll be after me to tell me what he thinks of me for several days after Benny lost a good deal of sleep by staying outside his house while watching for the rancher to appear and little by little from things he said now and then his neighbors learned his secret they discovered that Benny Badger had been digging holes for the posts of the new fence that the rancher was going to build when he finds those holes already made he won't be so foolish as to dig others Benny explained but you've gone and dug them on the wrong side of the prairie dog village somebody objected of course I have Benny retorted I did that on purpose he explained that when the rancher finds the holes he'll use them where they are you don't suppose do you that he'll be so silly as to move the holes the objecter a somewhat youthful coyote slunk away with a foolish simper he saw that Benny Badger knew what he was talking about since the prairie dog village will lie outside the new fence the rancher won't pay any more attention to it Benny Badger said stoutly from this time on the prairie dogs are quite safe so far as the rancher is concerned and that's how I have saved the day Benny Badger's secret was out at last and as far as people learned it they stopped to tell him that they had known all the time that he had a fine plan of some sort and that if there was anything they could do to help him they would be greatly obliged if he would count on them of course the work was all done but perhaps Benny's neighbours hadn't stopped to think of that anyhow he had never known them to be so pleasant before and he quite enjoyed their praise for everyone told him that nobody had ever suspected that he was so clever it was lucky that Benny took the time when he did to listen to his neighbours pleasant speeches unfortunately they soon came to a sudden end end of chapter 19 chapter 20 at the tail of Benny Badger this lubricant recording is in the public domain the tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey chapter 20 the rancher is angry Benny Badger lay motionless with his long hair parted along the middle of his back and flowing off his sides in such a fashion that a careless passer by would not have noticed that he was anything more than dry grass for all days Benny had been watching for the rancher and now at last he saw him coming riding on a horse over the rolling plain there was another man with the rancher and as soon as Benny caught the murmur of their voices he made ready to hear many pleasant remarks about himself he was only waiting until the riders should discover he had dug near the prairie dog village nearer and nearer came the men and Benny Badger crouched lower and lower they had passed him and ridden a bit nearer the village when the rancher suddenly pulled his horse to a stand Benny Badger exclaimed under his breath he seized the new post holes that I've dug for him and how pleased he'll be it was true that the rancher had just noticed the holes for the first time the moment he saw them he gave a great roar at Badger he shouted we'll have to trap him I can't have him tearing my ranch up like this these holes are the finest things in the world to break a critter's leg Benny Badger could scarcely believe his own ears told him he thought there must be a mistake somewhere and when the rancher declared that the Badger that dug those holes was worse than a whole village of prairie dogs Benny was tempted for one wild moment to dash up to the men and tell them exactly what he thought but he remembered in time what the rancher had just said about trapping him he stood until the two riders had moved along when they had ridden beyond the next rise Benny Badger made a rush for his hole and there he stayed all the rest of that day he didn't quite know what to do and a little later he felt more uncomfortable than ever when the rancher began to build his new fence around the prairie dog village without using a single one of the post holes that Benny had dug for him all Benny's neighbours noticed what was happening and they no longer told Benny what a clever fellow he was on the contrary they laughed slyly and said things to one another whenever Benny Badger came near them when he growled at them they always pretended to be surprised to see him and asked him if he had dug any post hole slightly but Benny Badger never answered that question every time he heard it he felt like moving away from the neighbourhood and when he came home early one morning and found a trap right in his doorway he made up his mind then and there that matters had gone far enough he turned away and without stopping to tell anybody what he intended to do or where he was going without even saying goodbye he stole away across the plains to hunt for a new home end of chapter 20 chapter 21 at the tail of Benny Badger this LibriVox recording is in the public domain the tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey chapter 21 the new home when Benny Badger went wandering off to find a safer and pleasant neighbourhood in which to make a new home for himself he had no idea at all as to where he should go he only knew that he wanted to get a good long distance away from the place where he had been living wherever he decided to settle it must be some spot where the ungrateful rancher wouldn't be likely to find him and set a trap in his doorway again on and on Benny travelled until at last he met a spry young chap one of the dear mouse family who stopped still and stared at Benny as if he would like to speak to him but didn't quite dare to hello said Benny Badger do you live around here the dear mouse answered politely with a nod as if he would like to talk if he weren't too shy do you find this an agreeable neighbourhood Benny Badger inquired very the dear mouse replied in a thin piping voice is there plenty of good water nearby Benny asked him yes indeed the dear mouse exclaimed there's a water hole right over there and he pointed over his shoulder without taking his eyes of Benny Badger he knew it was safer to keep a close watch of strangers Benny sat down he had journeyed a long way and he was tired I'll go and have a drink and as I'm rested he said I'm glad there's good water here this seems to be a pleasant place are there any good gophers and prairie dogs in the neighbourhood oh yes the dear mouse answered but you needn't worry about them they won't harm you if you mind your own affairs I've lived here a long time and they haven't touched me what about ours you wanted to know the dear mouse looks on all at once there are a few he admitted if you're thinking of settling here you'll have to watch sharp for them I've had several narrow escapes Benny Badger smiled I'd like to see the owl that could hurt me he cried and as for gophers and prairie dogs I like them I've been looking for and as soon as I have rested a little longer and had a drink of that good water I'm going to dig myself a den right where I'm sitting now the dear mouse pricked up his long ears at that to the best of his belief no Badger had ever lived in the neighbourhood before and if the stranger was going to dig a hole he intended to watch him while he worked if you feel rested enough now I'll show you the way to the water hole the dear mouse said presently he was impatient for the fun to begin Benny Badger stood up lead on he commanded I'll follow and then he yawned for it was already long past his usual bedtime the dear mouse trembled as he looked into Benny's great mouth and he took care to keep well ahead of the stranger all the way to the water hole and back again too but he soon forgot his fear when Benny Badger began to dig the new den the dirt flew in such showers as the dear mouse had never seen in all his life except during a cyclone Benny had begun to dig as he said he should in the exact spot where he had sat and rested but for one reason or another he soon changed his mind and started to dig a different hole a short distance from the first one soon he moved again and after he had begun no less than five holes only to leave each one unfinished the dear mouse interrupted him with a sharp cry stop stop he begged Benny please don't do that Benny Badger paused and stared at him in amazement what is it he asked what's the matter the dear mouse was all a flutter goodness me he exclaimed you'll have the whole neighbourhood dug up if you're not careful end of chapter 21 chapter 22 at the tail of Benny Badger this lubricant recording is in the public domain the tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey chapter 22 a breakfast invitation for a moment or two Benny Badger looked at the dear mouse without saying a word he told himself that he was a country person who couldn't ever have travelled much or he would have known better than to make such a remark spoiled the whole neighbourhood indeed Benny's lip twisted up in something like a sneer don't you worry he snorted I don't believe you ever saw a first class digger I'm not going to spoil the neighbourhood I'm improving it I'm making a fine house here probably the finest theories for miles around the dear mouse appeared ashamed of course he didn't like to seem stupid but why do you dig in so many places he faulted that's my way Benny Badger told him as soon as I get one den I think I'd rather live somewhere else but I don't mind beginning again because there's no better exercise than digging no doubt the dear mouse agreed but I'm sure it would be much too violent for me he said no more but looked on with a puzzled air until at last Benny Badger had actually dug in one place long enough to make a deep den when it was quite finished Benny Badger brushed the dirt off himself and turned to Mr Dear Mouse come inside and see if my new house isn't the finest one you ever saw he said for some reason Mr Dear Mouse did not seem eager to enter to be sure he thanked Benny for the invitation but he backed away a few steps and said that he thought he'd better not look at the new house that morning I haven't the time to spare he mumbled Benny Badger couldn't understand that remark the white footed gentleman had had plenty of time to spend while watching him dig the den and Benny said as much too that's exactly the point said the dear mouse I've spent so much time already that I've used it all up well Benny Badger couldn't understand that either used up all the time he cried scornfully isn't there plenty more where the other time came from oh to be sure to be sure said the dear mouse who seemed ready to agree to anything except to Benny's invitation but there is another reason why I mustn't visit your new home this morning I'm hungry I haven't had my breakfast yet suddenly Benny Badger remembered that he was hungry himself and as he stared at plump Mr. Dear Mouse a certain idea came into his head and he looked Mr. Dear up and down before he spoke I haven't had my breakfast either he said at last I'm ready for a good meal come right in and join me Mr. Dear Mouse say no thank you joining a Badger at breakfast somehow that had a dangerous sound end of chapter 22 chapter 23 at the tail of Benny Badger this Libravox recording is in the public domain the tail of Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey chapter 23 Mr. Dear Mouse is timid Benny Badger began to lose patience with the Dear Mouse he was one of the most timid persons Benny had ever seen and Benny was on the point of telling him that he hadn't even the courage of a prairie dog but suddenly a new idea flashed into his head he thought he knew what was troubling Mr. Dear Mouse when I asked you to join me at breakfast I didn't mean what you thought I did Benny announced you thought didn't you that I meant to breakfast on you Mr. Dear Mouse admitted faintly that he had had some such notion how ridiculous Benny Badger cried why you were so quick that I could chase you all day and all night too watching you you were too surprised for me so we might as well put such an idea out of our minds Benny Badger sighed as he spoke and he couldn't help noticing once more how very very plump Mr. Dear Mouse was what I meant by you joining me at a good meal was simply this he continued if you'll only stay with me quietly wherever I go there's a good chance that you'll have a bone to gnaw before a great while all that seemed very pleasant to the Dear Mouse thank you ever so much he murmured I'll be glad to accept your invitation so long as we aren't going to breakfast inside your new home so they set out and for a time Mr. Dear Mouse followed Benny Badger all around the neighborhood though Benny kept a sharp watch on all sides he couldn't see anything or anybody that promised a meal and he decided at last that he would have to make a change of some sort in his plans so he sat down and beckoned to Mr. Dear Mouse to move nearer you go ahead of me by you he said you're smaller than I am and perhaps you won't frighten the game the way I do Mr. Dear Mouse did not seem to care for the suggestion you might make a mistake he objected if I went ahead of you you might think that I was the game and there might be a terrible accident Benny Badger sniffed nonsense he cried he made such a mistake I promise you that I wouldn't let it happen more than once but the Dear Mouse proved to be a stubborn chap he declined flatly to do as Benny wanted very well said Benny Badger gruffly I'm sorry that you don't care to make things as pleasant as possible for a newcomer where I used to live people couldn't do enough for me I believe you Mr. Dear Mouse retorted in fact I've heard that a man even set a trap to you right in your own doorway of course that news came to Benny Badger as a great surprise he had had no idea that Mr. Dear Mouse knew anything about him somebody has been gossiping Benny Badger growled angrily who told you that goodness me everybody has heard about it Mr. Dear Mouse replied don't you know that news travels fast over the plains doesn't travel as fast as I do Benny Badger asked him suddenly before the words were out of his mouth he leaped at Mr. Dear Mouse and for one as heavy as he was Benny leaped with surprising sweetness but quick as he was he was too slow to catch Mr. Dear Mouse snapping that nimble fellow seemed to melt away right beneath Benny Badger's paws for one moment Benny was sure he had him and the next moment he was sure he hadn't he couldn't see his small neighbour anywhere in fact for a whole week before Benny Badger set his eyes on him again and to Benny's amazement Mr. Dear Mouse was just as polite as ever he asked Benny how he liked his new home and if he had found the people in the neighbourhood as pleasant as he had expected my house is a fine one Benny told him and I dare say the neighbourhood as I could expect certainly there's a plenty of gophers and prairie dogs here I suppose said Mr. Dear Mouse I suppose some of them join you at breakfast every morning Benny Badger looked at him sharply he was all ready to get angry but Mr. Dear Mouse was so polite and seemed so respectful that Benny was ashamed to lose his temper he actually winked at Mr. Dear Mouse and he felt more cheerful than he had since the rancher spoke ill of him I'm glad I moved he told Mr. Dear Mouse this is a fine place I'm going to live here the rest of my life and he did End of Chapter 23 End of A Benny Badger by Arthur Scott Bailey read by Lucy Burgoyne this recording is in the public domain