“What are you laughing at?” asked the finch suspiciously.
“I was just thinking how difficult it seems to be for some birds to find their way back to their nests,” said Snythergen.
At this the sensitive bird flushed a brighter gold and hung his bill dejectedly.
“I suppose trees look a good deal alike,” continued Snythergen mockingly, “and that is why it is so hard to find the one your nest is in!”
Too confused to answer, the finch made up his mind to question Squeaky when they were alone, and at the first opportunity told the pig of his adventure with the strange tree. When Squeaky explained that Snythergen had a costume of bark, branches and leaves, the little bird understood how the “tree” had been able to hide from him, and why he had been unable to get any trace of his nest. Though he felt indignant about the way he had been treated, he decided for the present to say nothing and bide his time.
