Then Two-Legs discovered the little island and built a hut on it of branches and grass. Every day they waded through the river and went to gather fruit in the forest. At night they slept in their hut. The other animals had gradually all got used to them and spoke of them but seldom. Only the dog never forgot to run down to the river every morning to look across at the island and bark “Good morning!” to them. And the orang-outang slandered them wherever he went.
“Who minds what he says?” asked the stag. “They’re relations; and we all know what that means.”
2
One night, a child was born to the new animals.
“The Two-Legs have had a youngster,” said the sparrow, who went everywhere and always had some news to tell.
“Really! I must run and have a look at the baby,” said Mrs. Nightingale. “My eggs will keep warm for four or five minutes.”
“Mrs. Fox has gone there herself, so I can leave my goslings alone for a moment,” said the goose.
Down by the river was a huge number of visitors and enquirers.
All the wives had hurried from hearth and home to have a look at the Two-Legs. Mrs. Two-Legs was sitting on the grass in front of the hut with her child at her breast. Two-Legs sat beside her, eating an orange.