CHAPTER XXII.
The last day of school rolled round. The pupils of the Beaver Creek School were in a state of pleasant excitement. They smoothed their feathers or brushed their fur until they were as sleek as could be. All the civilized animals for miles around were present. Mr. Owl, looking wiser and more serious than ever, was the first visitor to arrive. Miss Hare, with earrings hanging from her long ears and a wreath of white blossoms on her head, greeted him warmly. Soon after, Mother Goose, the most beloved fowl in Animal Kingdom, waddled into the main building in good time. Sammy Rabbit’s relatives followed her, also Puss Snowball’s mother and aunt.
Billy Beaver and his friends had erected a platform in the creek, and upon its smooth surface had built a green bower. The messenger pigeons had adorned this bower with beautiful flowers, and the pupils had filled in the rough places of the floor with pretty shells and pebbles.
On the shady bank across the way, the larger animals of the wood had gathered. Tiny could see them plainly as he sat in his room, brushing out his long tail. There were Mr. Goat, of the great department store, and his daughter, Miss Nannie; the Otter family in their best garments; Miss Mink, a close friend of Miss Hare; several from the Badger family; and, in the background, as modest as could be, Mr. Opossum, Jolly Gopher, and the Ferret brothers.
While awaiting the signal of Billy Beaver, Tiny was visited by Shifty Woodchuck, who carried a soiled composition.
“Won’t you please help me?” whined Shifty, as he thrust the composition between Tiny’s forepaws. “You know I was to graduate with your class, but Miss Hare will not let me.”
“WON’T YOU PLEASE HELP ME?” WHINED SHIFTY.
“Pupils that fail should not blame their teachers. It is entirely your own fault,” said Tiny, looking over the careless manuscript.
“I wish I hadn’t slept so much last winter,” continued Shifty, ruefully. “However, I believe that if Miss Hare will let me read my composition, I will get the prize. Miss Hare says I cannot read it properly, because it is carelessly written. Please tell me what is the matter with it. To me it looks very well. I have spent nearly an hour in writing it.”