“Be careful of what, you old red robber?” squeaked Mr. Longtooth Rat. “You’d better be careful!”
Goodness me! No sooner had he spoken than something snapped under Danny Fox’s foot. Danny Fox was caught. Yes, sir, his foot was caught in a trap. Pull as hard as he could, he couldn’t get it out.
What would Mrs. Fox think when he didn’t come home? What would Bushytail and Slyboots say when there was no Daddy Fox at breakfast?
He pulled and tugged. But, oh dear me. He couldn’t get his foot out. Slowly the night passed, and Cocky Doodle sang his early morning “Cock-a-doodle-do.”
Betsy the Old Gray Mare whinnied in her stall and Cocky Doodle sang over again his “cock-a-doodle-do.” Mr. Merry Sun got out of bed and began to climb up the sky. It grew lighter and pretty soon Henny Penny cackled over her new-laid egg.
Danny Fox gave another tug. Then he looked carefully at the trap. In the dim light he made out a rope fastened to the barn. The next moment Danny Fox was gnawing that rope as fast as he could. At last it broke and he hobbled away, holding up his right forepaw, which was still fast in the iron jaws of the trap.
HOME AGAIN
It took him a long time to reach home. You see, he had only three legs to walk on. His foot hurt him dreadfully, and his leg grew tired holding up the heavy trap. At last, when he came to his den, he was ready to drop.
Now, as soon as Mrs. Fox had looked the trap over carefully, she knew she never could force apart the strong iron jaws that held Danny Fox’s poor foot, but she did think there might be some other way.