The Muley Cow lifted her head and stared all around, while drops of water trickled off her muzzle and fell back into the stream.
At first she couldn't see anybody. And then the voice called again, "Stop that! You'll drain our pond dry if you drink so much of our water."
Then the Muley Cow saw who was speaking. It was Paddy Muskrat. With his wife he had crept out on some stones a little way off. And there they stood, chattering and waving their paws at the Muley Cow.
"Go away!" Mrs. Muskrat shrieked. "We don't want you here."
Just then the Muley Cow noticed a big frog who sat on the bank of the brook and grinned at her. "What would you do if you were I?" she asked him.
Ferdinand Frog (for it was he) said nothing for a few seconds, but wrinkled his low brow; for he was thinking deeply.
"I believe I'd carry a parasol if I were you," he said at last. "It's a hot day and I believe you'd enjoy the shade."
The Muley Cow was puzzled. She couldn't see that Mr. Frog's answer had anything to do with the case. But Paddy Muskrat exclaimed at once that Mr. Frog had hit on the very thing.
"Go get your parasol at once!" Paddy cried. "You're liable to have a sunstroke."
"But I haven't a parasol," she objected.