“Moo Hooes!” it grunted and without another word, turned away and began rooting about in the snow. It may be inferred that the creature was a pig but although possessing piggy eyes and ears, its nose bore a long glossy horn pointing forward and upward, which in itself was most remarkable and unswinelike. Moo Hoo, by the way, was a name for any hoofed and horned animal. It might be complimentary or otherwise, depending on the way one said it. The small haystack’s way of saying, was far from complimentary.
For a few moments, all was still. The Mammoth stood immobile and expectant—a mountain of majestic grandeur. A slim figure emerged from the throng of horned animals and faced him. It was the Red Deer or Stag.
“Your arrival is—I make bold to say—a surprise to us,” he said timidly. “We, too, are pleased to meet the mighty Mammoth; but caution is our watchword and we look upon all strangers as intruders. We are in the midst of an important meeting which may be proceeded with after your departure. And now what more before we are deprived of your august presence?”
The great Elephant’s gorge began to rise. This was a new and decidedly unpleasant idea—his being left out of any animal doings. His was a sociable nature, ever eager to meet new faces and never forgetting the old ones—you may be sure of that. With an effort he kept back the storm-clouds and continued to bathe all present in the sunshine of his genial personality.
“But my journey’s end is reached,” he remarked cheerily. “Meeting? You see I am just in time; and here I stay to make your better acquaintance.”
The hoofed and horned animals inclined their ears forward to catch every word. This was an unheard-of thing; an elephant trying to enter their charmed circle. They studied his curling tusks and stumpy feet with the greatest care, then shook their heads.
“So you wish to join our herd?” the Stag demanded. “First, you must qualify. Every new member must have hoofs and horns. They are quite important; in fact, necessary.”
“Of course; and so now I may consider myself one of you?”
“Pr-r-op! Not so fast, if you please. Things must follow in their proper order. I see no horns. You do not seem to have brought them with you. Possibly you have shed them for the cold weather.”
“Indeed, no. Here they are almost touching the end of your nose,” and Hairi raised his trunk on high so that his tusks might show to the best advantage.