Old Hooty Tooty Owl grabbed up the little rabbit.
“Who was it?” asked Lady Love, in a whisper.
“Old Hooty Tooty Owl, maybe,” answered the little bunny.
Then they both listened to hear again that disagreeable noise, but all was still in the Shady Forest, so still that one could hardly hear Billy Breeze among the treetops.
“Dear me, I’m afraid to hop out,” whispered the little lady bunny rabbit mother.
“I’m not,” answered the brave little bunny, and out he hopped. But, oh, dear me! I wish he had been more cautious and not so foolishly brave, although I like brave little rabbit boys just the same, but bravery and foolhardiness are two very different things, oh, my yes, indeed.
All of a sudden, just like that, quick as the wind that blows off your hat, Old Hooty Tooty Owl grabbed up the little rabbit and pushed him through the window of his big Tree House.
“I’ll eat you when you’ve grown nice and fat,” tooted that wicked night bird.
“Oh, please let me go home to mother! It will take me a long time to grow big and fat. Maybe I’ll grow thin, instead. Yes, I’ll grow thinner and thinner until by and by I’ll be as thin as a pin,” sobbed the frightened bunny boy.
“Stuff and nonsense!” answered the old owl, “I’ll feed you on lollypops and ice cream cones.”