“Have no fear,” said the owl prophet, not so gruffly as usual. “I have promised the queen bee to help you. A great many creatures do not like to go to school, but in after years they always regret it if they have quit school before completing the course.”
Not a sound could be heard except the babbling of the brook and the tinkling of a waterfall several rods away. Tiny shuddered, but said nothing.
“These buildings were built by beavers,” explained the owl, although it was so dark Tiny could not see them at all. “When they moved away, Miss Hare started her school here. Only one of the beavers remained. He is a skilled carpenter and janitor, and he keeps the building in good repair. You no doubt have heard that he mixes mortar with his forepaws, and uses his broad tail for a trowel. Young beavers stay at home till they are three years old; then they build houses of their own. This school is situated upon a stream of flowing water, as you see, for Miss Hare thinks that little scholars should have plenty of water as well as fresh air.”
“THE BUILDINGS WERE BUILT BY BEAVERS,” EXPLAINED THE OWL.
“I am glad that I came,” said Tiny, although he looked into the owl’s yellow eyes with some distrust. He still feared that the wise prophet might suddenly pounce upon him and eat him.
“Hoot! hoot! hoot! Is everybody asleep?” cried the wise owl. “I can’t see why creatures want to sleep at night. I never close my eyes then, for I have plenty of sleep in the daytime. Besides, one should always be on the lookout at night, for one never knows what may happen.”
Soon there was a splashing in the water, and in a few moments a queer animal approached them.
“It is the janitor,” explained the owl, somewhat annoyed by the delay. “I fear he is getting lazy. He surely is not overworked, for all he does is to look after the buildings, play, sleep, and eat the bark of trees and the roots of water lilies.”
“I beg pardon for keeping you waiting so long,” said the beaver. “As soon as I heard you, I rose to find out your wish.”