Part 1 (1/2)

The Adventures of Danny Meadow Mouse

by Thornton W Burgess

I

Danny Meadow Mouse Is Worried

Danny Meadow Mouse sat on his doorstep with his chin in his hands, and it was very plain to see that Danny had so on his mind He had only a nod for Jiru the day before by Reddy Fox and nearly made an end of No, it wasn't that Danny had learned his lesson, and Reddy would never catch hiain It wasn't that he was all alone with no one to play with Danny was rather glad that he was alone The fact is, Danny Meadow Mouse orried

Noorry is one of the worst things in the world, and it didn't see that Danny Meadow Mouse need worry about But you know it is the easiest thing in the world to find so to worry over and make yourself uncomfortable about

And when you make yourself uncomfortable, you are almost sure to make everyone around you equally uncomfortable It was so with Danny Meadow Mouse Striped Chip, and Johnny Chuck, who had fought Reddy Fox for him the day before, had called him ”Grumpy” And what do you think was thebecause his tail was short Yes, Sir, that is all that ailed Danny Meadow Mouse that bright

You know, some people let their looks make them miserable They worry because they are homely or freckled, or short or tall, or thin or stout, all of which is very foolish And Danny Meadow Mouse was just as foolish in worrying because his tail was short

It is short! It certainly is all of that! Danny never had realized how short until he chanced to meet his cousin Whitefoot, who lives in the Green Forest He was very elegantly dressed, but the , slim, beautiful tail Danny had at once become conscious of his own stubby little tail, and he had hardly had pride enough to hold his head up as beca and thinking, and wondering how his farew envious and began to wish and wish and wish that he could have a long tail like his cousin Whitefoot

He was so busy wishi+ng that he had a long tail that he quite forgot to take care of the tail he did have, and he pretty nearly lost it and his life with it Old Whitetail the Marsh Hawk spied Danny sitting thereover the tops of the ht Danny If it hadn't been for one of the Merry Little Breezes, Danny would have been caught And all because he was envious It's a bad, bad habit

[Illustration]

II

Danny Meadow Mouse and His Short Tail

All Danny Meadow Mouse could think about was his short tail He was so ashaht so that they should not see how short his tail was

Instead of playing in the sunshi+ne as he used to do, he sat and sulked Pretty soon his friends began to pass without stopping

Finally one day old Mr Toad sat down in front of Danny and began to ask questions

”What's the ,” replied Danny Meadow Mouse

”I don't suppose there really is anything the matter, but what do you think is the eted, and old Mr Toad looked up at jolly, round, red Mr Sun and winked ”Sun is just as bright as ever, isn't it?” he inquired

”Yes,” said Danny

”Got plenty to eat and drink, haven't you?” continued Mr Toad

[Illustration: _”Got plenty to eat and drink, haven't you?”