“I dislike to write letters,” protested Tiny. “It is such stupid work.”
“It is generally a stupid creature that dislikes to write letters,” said the owl severely. “He does not like to write, because he does not know how to write well. In Miss Hare’s School at Beaver Creek, you will be taught how to write correctly; then letter writing will prove to be a great pleasure to you.”
“I am anxious to attend this school, because I want to learn how to read stories and to count,” said Tiny, after a moment of anxious thought.
“You must promise to work hard,” said the owl, earnestly. “You will find pupils at this school from all parts of Animal Kingdom. Miss Hare is a good instructor, but very strict. If you should do anything that would injure one of your classmates, you would be drowned in the creek. Now roll yourself into a little round ball again, for I am ready to start.”
Tiny did as he was commanded. The owl almost encircled him with his long claws, and away they went to a strange land, about which Tiny had never even dreamed.
CHAPTER XIII.
As he flew through the air in the clutches of the owl, Tiny realized what a small, helpless creature he was. Not a word was spoken till they stopped at the bank of a creek, which looked to him like a great river. It was filled, in one place, with branches of willows, beeches, poplars, and other trees. His heart beat sluggishly, for the scene was very dismal, indeed.