"Of course we do. All of us respect you."
Turkey Gobbler plumed himself some more, puffed up his red wattles, strutted around the strange beast three times and finally said:
"This is.... So you want to know what this is?"
"We do! Please tell us! Don't torture us any longer!" said the others.
"This ... but it is creeping!" said Turkey Gobbler.
The fowls felt like laughing at him when a giggle was heard and a thin little voice said:
"There is the wisest bird of all! He! He! He!" And from under the needles appeared a black snout and two tiny black eyes. The tiny black snout sniffed the air and said:
"Hello, everybody! Is it possible that you do not recognize Porcupine—Porcupine Gray? Pardon me ... but what a funny Turkey Gobbler you have! I really do not know how to say it politely ... but your Turkey Gobbler is stupid."
III
EVERYBODY was horrified at this insult that Porcupine hurled at Turkey Gobbler. Of course, Turkey Gobbler did say a foolish thing just now, but it does not mean that Porcupine has any right to insult him.