“You did not get frightened at all,” said timid Katie Goose, who had been unable to read her composition loud enough for her audience to hear.
“One is never afraid of an audience unless he is afraid of himself,” said Tiny. “I hope your future life will be happy, Katie.”
“Thank you,” replied Katie. “I want to be a lovely character like my aunt, dear old Mother Goose.”
“I want to thank you for your kindness to me, Mr. Owl,” continued the squirrel, running to where the wise trustee of the school sat listening to the merry chorus of voices. “I have done nothing to pay for my board and tuition. In fact, I never knew there was such a thing as money, and that animals should pay for what they get from others, instead of trying to steal it.”
“Do not worry about that,” said the owl, kindly. “Miss Hare’s school is free to pupils that cannot pay. It is kept up by taxes paid by the good citizens of Joy County. In this day of free schools, it is a terrible crime for animals to neglect their education.”
“I shall organize a school in Squirreltown as soon as I return,” said Tiny. “The little ones would be more benefitted if they would exercise their brains as well as their legs.”
“I wish you success,” said the owl prophet, kindly. “Your education has just begun. Even if you should live as many years as a turtle does, you would never learn all there is to know. Most squirrels observe closely, but almost every squirrel does not think as much as he should.”
“I am going now,” said Tiny. “Please also accept my thanks for your kindness to my mother during my absence from home. I hope you will come to Squirreltown and give me a chance to entertain you.”
“Thank you,” replied the owl. “I should be glad to carry you home, but I believe you are old enough to find your own way. There are many other lessons for you to learn, and there are other dreadful battles that you must fight alone. Always be brave and hopeful, no matter what befalls you.”
Tiny bade Miss Hare goodby, and she wished him success. He tried to find Billy Beaver, but the good janitor had already started up creek to his work. One by one the graduates left the school for their various homes, and, when Tiny started forth on his journey, Beaver Creek was quiet and deserted. With a sigh of regret he gazed back at the domes of the buildings, and in his heart wished that he might return.