The Tale of Billy Woodchuck

by Arthur Scott Bailey

Then he was sure she was ill. For she was a great talker. This was the first time he had ever seen her when she could not speak.

Now, Mr. Woodchuck was not at home. And none of the children knew what to do. So Billy left the house and hurried over to find Aunt Polly Woodchuck—an old lady who was a famous herb doctor. Woodchucks for miles around came to see her when they were not feeling well. And she would give them a peppermint leaf to chew, or some tansy, or maybe a drink of catnip tea. And everybody said that her medicines never did anyone a bit of harm.

Luckily, Billy found Aunt Polly at home. And he quickly told her about his mother.

“You say her teeth chatter?” the old lady asked.

“Yes, Aunt Polly!”

“Do they make a clattering noise?”

“Yes, Aunt Polly!”

Aunt Polly Woodchuck nodded her head wisely.

“I thought so,” she said. “It sounds to me like chills-and-fever. I’ll go right back with you and see what I can do to help her.”

So Aunt Polly and Billy started off together. Though he carried her basket of herbs, they could not go very fast, for the dear old lady was half blind.