Mother West Wind's Children

Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind had romped there among the asters and goldenrod. They had played tag through the cat rushes around the Smiling Pool. For very mischie

the Purple Hills, and so they missed the m

Fox to be about when mischief or good times are afoot

mischief Reddy Fox does not think of

ing pranks or in trouble of any kind you are certain to find Billy Mink close by. That is, you are certain to find him if you look sh

adow the Weasel, who is sly and cru

Little Joe Otter are so short that he is a slow traveler on land, while J

complete, and Peter likes to be abroad at night even better than by day. With Peter

pleted the party, though Hooty had not bee

d best. Such an array as Mother Moon looked down upon! Reddy Fox had

other Quack had one less in her pretty little flock than when as jolly, round, red Mr. Sun went to

he brought a great fat brother of the

of the river bottom some fine fresh

ee big eggs from the

the Hare rolled up a gre

s on a diet of insects, which he must swallow one at a time

er's note: something?] I like, so what is the use of spending my time hunting for what someone else will get for me?" said h

s. So because he had rather steal than be honest, he too

ht by Billy Mink, his mouth watered, for Reddy Fox is very, very fond of young spring d

is heart swelled with envy, for Billy Mink is very, very fond of fish. At once he began t

mp chicken Reddy Fox had brought from Farmer Brown's dooryard. Then suddenly his stomach became very empty, very emp

on his left Jerry Muskrat. Shadow the Weasel was next to Little Joe Otter, while right across from him was Jimmy Skunk. Peter Rabbit was next, sitt

needed exercise to aid digestion, and as he had brought

a plan to get all these good things for himself. "Little brothers of the Green Mea

. Billy Mink cast a longing eye at Little Joe Otter's trout, wh

our joy complete," continued Red

py-go-lucky Bobby Coon had been overloo

nd because he knows where Bobby Coon usually is to be found, he be appo

Mink, but there was nothing for him to do but to yield a

ad seen that day under a big hemlock, and he proposed that inasmuch as Jimmy Skunk already wore stripes for havin

but to yield as gracefully as he could and go in

nd tossed among the rushes beside the Smiling Pool. Little Joe Otter listened and his mouth watered and watered until he could sit

Green Meadows. Now Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare are very fond of tender young carrots and they volunteered to bring

had noticed under a wild apple tree a little way back on the hill. Now Jerry Muskrat is quite as fond of luscious sweet apple

at a feast in the stomach is worth two banquets untasted, so while the others had been talking, he had quietly sucked dry the three big eggs

elf alone, and he smiled a wicked, selfish smile as he walked over to Billy Mink's duck. He was thinking

softly, out of the Lone Pine down onto the plump chicken. Then without the teeniest, wee

is plump chicken had disappeared. Now Reddy Fox is very suspicious, as people who are not honest themselves are very apt to be. So he left Billy Mi

Pine floated the great shadow, and when a minute later R

he more he walked, the more suspicious he became. He wrinkled and wrinkled his little black nose in an effort to smell the intruder, but not a whiff could he get. All was as still and peaceful as could be. Little Joe Otter's trout lay

he couldn't stand still. When Bowser the Hound bayed at the moon Reddy Fox jumped a foot off the ground and whirled about in the directio

ed that all was safe. "Well," said he to himself, "I

isappeared. Reddy Fox looked and looked until his eyes nearly popped out of his h

ry and very cross. And of course Jimmy Skunk failed to find the nest of Mrs. Grouse, and Little Joe Otter could find no tra

f them liked, the empty egg shells of old Gray Goose and Jerry Muskrat's clams, they straightway fell to a

o had failed to find the tender young carrots. And up ca

dy Fox?" aske

nk and Little Joe Otter and Jimmy Skunk st

e thief!" they c

at Reddy Fox must be the thief, and had sent them all away o

y and angry, started for their homes beside the Laughing Brook. And Jimmy Skunk, also tir

m sat Jerry Muskrat smacking his lips over his clams, they tasted so good. Mother Moon looked down and

ed sleepily, for his stomach was very full of chicken and du

Fox has no true friend