“Let me cross the river!”
“No crossing here for panthers!” said the rays.
“I’ll bite the tails off every one of you!” said the she-panther.
“Even without our tails, we won’t let you cross!” said the rays.
“For the last time, out of my way!” said the she-panther.
“Not never!” said the rays.
The she-panther now put one foot into the water; but a ray struck at her with its stinger, and made a sting right between two of her toes.
“Oooouch!” growled the she-panther.
“We have at least one tail left!” mocked the rays.
But the she-panther began to scowl now. When panthers are thinking very hard they scowl. This one scowled her face into deep wrinkles; which meant that she had a very important idea. She did not let on what it was, however. She just trotted off up the bank into the woods without saying another word.