After Frisky Squirrel had enjoyed a hearty meal of beechnuts he began to make hurried trips to a hollow tree nearby. He lived in that tree. It had a fine big storeroom. And there he carried beechnuts in his cheeks. Frisky did not intend to go hungry when winter came.
Meanwhile he watched Reddy Woodpecker out of the corner of his eye. He still hoped to catch Reddy unawares. And at last Frisky saw something that he hadn't expected to see. It made him stop short and stare.
He saw Reddy Woodpecker loosen a bit of bark and hide a beechnut under it. Soon he beheld Reddy stowing beechnuts away in a hole in an old stump.
Frisky Squirrel was wild with rage.
"I told you you might eat as many nuts as you pleased, if only you wouldn't mention beechnuts to Jasper Jay. I didn't say you might hide beechnuts. But I've caught you hoarding them!"
Reddy Woodpecker was not ruffled—not even a single feather.
"I'm putting away a few nuts," he admitted. "I expect to spend the winter here. And of course I shall need something to eat."
"Don't you dare hide another nut!" Frisky Squirrel scolded.
"You're hoarding nuts yourself!"
"That's different," Frisky blustered.