“By this time Soft Foot had quite swallowed his snarl and, if he had been a house-cat instead of a leopard, there is no telling what might have happened to him. For he was simply overcome with curiosity.
“‘Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen,’ continued Vargu.
“‘For goodness’ sake, fourteen what!’ broke in Soft Foot.
“‘Why,’ answered Vargu, looking up, ‘stories, of course. Fifteen, sixteen—’
“‘Do you mean to say you known that many stories?’ demanded the leopard, again interrupting.
“‘Of course I do,’ replied the other, ‘but, since leopards can’t talk to monkeys, you wouldn’t be interested. Nineteen, twenty—’
“‘But I am interested,’ protested Soft Foot.
“‘Of course you are,’ said Vargu as he dropped his foot and ceased counting, ‘and I know that you know a whole lot of tales in which I would be interested. More than that, we both know that all the different kinds of animals know stories that they might tell one another, if they only would; and be a lot happier and a lot more sociable as a result. So, why in the world don’t we all get acquainted and be friends?’
“‘We just can’t,’ answered Soft Foot. ‘It isn’t done.’
“‘But we two are doing it, aren’t we?’