“WELCOME HOME! HURRAH FOR TINY REDSQUIRREL! LONG LIFE TO THE DELIVERER OF SQUIRRELTOWN.”
“Welcome home! Hurrah for Tiny Redsquirrel! Long life to the deliverer of Squirreltown!”
They were about to pounce upon his hunting bag, but Tiny gently pushed them away, saying:
“These are for my mother. Shall I tell you where I got them?”
“Yes, yes,” replied the squirrels, who were almost starved.
“Follow those bees to a jungle not far distant, where you can get enough provisions to last all winter long. It is a dark and lonely place, but you need have no fear, for a fairy queen lives there who has promised to protect you. I will join you soon.”
Although the squirrels were anxious to inquire about Tiny’s health and to learn of his experience, they immediately scampered off to the jungle, for sometimes when little creatures become very hungry they cease to be polite.
Tiny, finding himself all alone, hurried to his home in the great oak tree. When he saw the face of his dear mother, he was filled with mingled joy and sorrow. She looked much older, for a few days in Squirreltown is a very long time, and she had been grieving constantly for her lost son.
Instead of rushing to embrace him, as one would expect her to do, she ran rapidly about the room, bounding over the table and chairs, shrieking and making as much noise as possible, for that is the way red squirrels show great joy.