CHAPTER XII.
When the two days were up Tiny had quite regained his health. Great preparations had been made for a jubilee. A grand banquet, given by the mayor and other high officials, was to be held in the hollow of a big tree.
When Tiny stepped out upon the little rustic veranda in front of his home, he observed that the branches of the tree below him were thronged with squirrels of all colors and of all walks in life.
“Hurrah for Tiny Redsquirrel!” they shouted. “Welcome, deliverer of Squirreltown! Three cheers for the noblest and bravest squirrel of Animal Kingdom! A speech! A speech!”
TINY BECAME OVERWHELMED BY A FEELING OF IMPORTANCE—THERE WAS ALL SQUIRRELTOWN AT HIS FEET.
Strange to say, instead of being embarrassed, Tiny became overwhelmed by a feeling of importance. There was all Squirreltown at his feet, including the mayor and Billy Foxsquirrel, the noted whistler. Tiny bowed very stiffly, while the squirrels at the tops of their voices shouted lustily. He looked down upon them just as the wise owl prophet had gazed at him.
“Fellow citizens,” he began, “I thank you for the honor you do me. I see many faces before me that show appreciation for what I have done to rescue our city from the bears. I choose to do all I can to help you.
“The mayor invited me to make a speech to you. At the time, I knew that I could not prepare one as well as he, but I threw myself into the task and did the best I could. I am glad that this public reception has drawn so many of you to this place.
“You have given me great happiness. Our beautiful city has grown very dear to me. I am glad that I was driven all round the world, for I learned many things that I will teach you. I have become much wiser since I have traveled, and have learned much that you do not know. I—”