STORY X
House Hunting in the Woods
The great fire that had swept away the woods in which they had always lived made every one of the birds and animals homeless. Of course, they were thankful they had escaped the flames, but they had lost all their possessions. Nobody had carried anything away with him.
The next two days were spent in house hunting. They were busy days you can imagine. It is no easy thing for even the birds and animals to pick up a home and start housekeeping again. There are so many things to consider.
For instance, the first hole Washer the Raccoon entered was the entrance to an ideal home for him, but Billy the Porcupine entered from another side at the same time. A dispute immediately followed.
“This is my home,” said Billy, bristling up his spines.
“No, it isn’t,” retorted Washer. “I got here first.”
“No such thing. I discovered it first. Because you can run faster doesn’t matter. It’s the question of which discovers it first.”
“Possession is half the law,” retorted Washer, showing his teeth. “And I have possession.”
“How can you prove that when I’m in possession, too?” snapped Billy. “I’m here, and you can’t put me out.”
“I can, and will,” said Washer, and he made a quick dart at Billy, who curled up so suddenly that his sharp spines bristled on every side.