"My tongue," Mr. Frog explained, "is fastened at the front of my mouth instead of at the back. So I can often reach a fly when he thinks he's perfectly safe. And furthermore, my tongue is so sticky that if it touches a fly, he can't get away. Then I swallow that one and wait for another."
"A likely story!" the big bird scoffed. "I've been watching you for a long time (Mr. Frog shivered when he heard that!) and I know what I'm talking about. . . . There you go again!" he shrieked angrily, as Ferdinand Frog's tongue flew out and captured another fly so quickly that the stranger couldn't see just what had happened.
"Listen to me a moment!" Mr. Frog said. "Like most people, I have to eat. And when I eat I can't help sticking out my tongue. So I'd suggest that if you don't care to watch me at my breakfast you'd better go away. It certainly isn't my fault that you're standing right in front of me."
Grand-daddy Beaver Appeals to Mr. Frog
But the stranger declined to move.
"If you really meant to be polite," he grumbled, "you'd at least turn your back when you stick out your tongue."
But Mr. Frog never stirred. He was afraid that the moment he turned his back the big bird would pounce upon him.
"It's not necessary for me to turn around now," he explained. "I've finished my breakfast. And I hope you've had yours, too."