securely locked up, and try as they would, they couldn’t find a way in.
know when Farmer Brown’s boy will take it into his head to smoke us out.
“I’m starving now,” whined Reddy.
kind. “Well, what is it?” she demanded.
Can’t see ourselves as others see.
“You mean that you think he can’t be caught?” said she quietly.
by us, anyway,” he added.
“I suppose you wouldn’t even try?” retorted Granny.
“No-o. I didn’t say that,” protested Reddy, looking very uncomfortable.
Reddy went. There was nothing else to do. He didn’t dare disobey.
isn’t a bit more curious than some others of whom we do not expect it.
and so he didn’t mind how cold it was.
catch him. But so far as he could see, Granny didn’t once look at him.
came. Reddy squirmed uneasily. He couldn’t see as well as he wanted to.
movement of Reddy’s head and in an instant all his curiosity vanished.
tasted good!” Granny smacked her lips and started for home.
stored away in Granny’s head of which Reddy knows little.
A cause you’ll always find.
Farmer Brown’s boy must have been hiding behind those pine boughs.
distance away! It wasn’t the least bit of use to run. Granny knew that.
That dreadful gun would go “bang!” and that would be the end of her.
couldn’t possibly get away from him as she had so many times before.
“Oh!” sobbed Old Granny Fox under her breath.
than she. Instead of thankfulness, hate and fear filled Granny’s heart.
“Who says Granny Fox is stupid?” he snarled.
“She isn’t smart enough to fool Farmer Brown’s boy,” taunted Sammy.
daylight,” replied Sammy, and chuckled so that Reddy heard him.
“I don’t believe it!” snapped Reddy. “I don’t believe a word of it!
Be sure some day ‘t will get you in a mess.
didn’t learn from wise, shrewd Old Granny Fox.
which, as you know, is always disrespectful to one’s elders.
“You are the stupidest Fox I ever heard of,” scolded Granny.
into his silly head to come outside,” said Granny, leading the way.
him, if I tear my coat all to pieces!” snarled Reddy.
Reddy’s only reply was a snarl as he pushed his way under the brambles.
“I wish I could climb,” said Reddy.
“Give me a bite,” begged Reddy.
“It’s of no use to try to fill an empty stomach on wishes,” said he.
“Now for the Big River,” said he, and started off bravely.
“What have YOU had to eat?” asked Granny softly.
“It was nothing,” he muttered.
Is wise Old Mother Nature’s plan.
“Of course, Reddy! Of course! What a silly question!” replied Granny.
“I wish I was at them right now,” interrupted Reddy with a sigh.
“All right,” said Granny, and the two started towards Farmer Brown’s.
Is simple once you’ve found it out.
made her so sure she and Reddy could take Bowser’s dinner away from him.
disappeared, pan and all! Bowser couldn’t understand it at all.
his voice that he hadn’t the least idea what had become of that dinner.
the time when he wasn’t sleeping in hunting for something to eat.
“I’ll just keep an eye on them,” muttered Old Man Coyote.
hurry away. Old Man Coyote’s wits worked fast.
now,” growled Old Man Coyote in Granny’s ear.
The very thing you shouldn’t have.
“Thief! Sneak! Coward!” snarled Reddy. Once more Old Man Coyote grinned.
“What are you laughing at?” demanded Reddy.
“At the way Old Man Coyote stole that dinner from us,” replied Granny.
“I hate him! He’s a sneaking robber!” snapped Reddy.
“People are sometimes careless,--even you, Reddy,” said Granny.
carelessness. “Well, what of it?” he demanded a wee bit crossly.
“Too many ifs to get a dinner with,” interrupted Reddy.
thinks that if the henhouse door is locked, the gate doesn’t matter.
Granny grinned. “I’ll try it first and tell you afterwards,” said she.
“Let me go along,” begged Reddy.
about not forgetting. But Farmer Brown’s boy isn’t perfect by any means.
“How did you do it, Granny?” asked Reddy eagerly.
of course, Farmer Brown’s boy hurried out to see what it was all about.
He’ll try and try who would succeed.
“Come on, Granny!” he cried, jumping to his feet.
“I knew it wouldn’t be any use,” said he with a half whine.
pushed gently against the little door that closed it. It didn’t move.
“What are you wasting your time there for?” demanded Reddy crossly.
“Sh-h-h, be still!” whispered Old Granny Fox.
And who shall say if they’re wrong or right?
going to get them? We can’t fly,” he grumbled.
Brown’s boy examined the hole with the sliding door.
might do just as I did last night--think I had locked up when I hadn’t.
little door open,” whined Reddy.
‘T is often near when not expected.
I take a nap right here on the doorstep,” said Prickly Porky to himself.
gotten up before daylight--that he hadn’t slept as long as he thought?
“Good morning,” said Granny Fox, taking care not to come too near.
“Good morning,” replied Prickly Porky, hiding a smile.
soon move?” asked Granny Fox.
“I did, but I’ve moved. Please let me in,” replied Granny Fox.
Need never fear he’ll bump his nose.
trouble on yourself and Old Granny Fox,” said the voice.
“It is none of your business!” snapped Reddy.
And ne’er give way to ugly spite.
hen. At least, that’s what she told Reddy.