So the squirrels filled their sacks and sailed home.
But soon the news from Squirrelville
Spread o’er the meadow to the hill,
And up the Shady Forest Trail,
And through the quiet verdant vale.
It’s strange how Rumor quickly goes;
It runs on very nimble toes,
And everybody hears the news
Before it has worn out its shoes.
[MORE NUTS]
It wasn’t very long before all the Little People in the Shady Forest had heard how the squirrels had sailed over to the island after nuts. So when Featherhead and the other squirrels set out the next day there was quite a crowd on shore to watch them.
Featherhead had a nice new-laid egg from Henny Penny for Old Barney Owl, and Twinkle Tail a little fish from the Bubbling Brook.
When they reached the island, the two little squirrels ran up the Big Chestnut Tree and rapped on Old Barney Owl’s front door. They had to rap three or four times before he opened it. He was cross and sleepy, and at first didn’t remember them at all. In fact, his eyes were so blinky that I don’t believe he even saw them.
“We have brought you an egg for the nuts we took yesterday,” said Featherhead.
“And here is a little fish for what we’ll take to-day,” added Twinkle Tail.