“We have wandered from our path,” protested Tiny. “We are lost!”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed Chatty. “Someone will show us the way home. Squirreltown is the greatest city in the world.”
“Do you remember those hunters who passed through Squirreltown not long ago?” asked Tiny. “They said that London is the largest city in the world. The East contains many great cities.”
“You are dreaming,” laughed the chipmunk. “I have heard of every large city. Squirreltown has the most inhabitants, and Gray Fox Center comes next. How many squirrels live in London?”
“London is filled with people, not with squirrels. Those hunters that frightened us the other day are people. They live in houses,” explained Tiny.
“How I should dislike London!” cried Chatty. “Do all people look as fierce as those hunters? I thought that hunters dwelt in holes in the ground. I supposed that they played in the trees and wandered about with huge guns and frightened little animals for amusement. I imagine that people must look very much like bears.”
“Many of them do,” assented Tiny with a wise nod. “However, they do not walk on four legs, but straight up like storks. We must roam no farther. Let us gather these beech nuts and collect them in little heaps.”
“No, indeed,” said his companion, as he rose from his couch. “I want some blackberries.”
“O Chatty, an odd-looking animal comes from the trunk of that hollow tree. It is a bear!” cried Tiny.