“Precisely so,” said the gopher. “If he and his family hear some vicious animal coming through one of the long halls, they have a chance to escape. The central room is a kind of fortress where they seek protection.”
“Did you ever see any of the little moles?” asked Tiny, excitedly.
“No. I learned afterwards that their nursery was built at a point where two or more of the long halls cross one another. It was situated in an out of the way place with many avenues of escape. Their bed was made of blades of grass and other soft material. I am sure that the nest of a mole is safer than that of a goldfinch hanging high up in a tree. Why does the goldfinch usually build her nest at the end of a branch?”
“Because she likes to have her nest dance up and down and sway about in the breeze,” said Tiny. “The goldfinch builds very well. Her nest is made of lichens and moss and sheep’s wool, and is so fashioned that the little birds cannot roll out. What jolly times the goldfinches must have teetering up and down in a roomy nest on a starlit night!”
“Yet they surely suffer when it storms, while the little moles are never bothered by lightning and thunder,” quickly interposed the gopher. “I suppose it is fortunate that all animals do not have the same ideas about things.”
“I should like to hear something about prairie dogs,” said Tiny, after a while.
“I will gladly tell you,” returned the gopher, settling himself more comfortably. “Sometimes hundreds of prairie dogs live together in one city. It is interesting to watch the round towers of their dwellings. Most prairie dogs have small brown eyes and grayish-red fur. Although they are agile little animals, they do not work much. You would laugh to see them when they bark, for they shake their stumpy tails and jerk to and fro. They yelp like dogs. Some of them act as guards and sit out upon their roofs all day long, looking about the horizon. When an enemy approaches, they bark loudly and rush into their houses, and all the chattering ceases. For a while the city is as quiet as night; but, in a few minutes, many inquisitive, dark eyes peep out to see if danger still threatens them.”
“Their city must be a very lively place,” observed Tiny.
“Many other animals visit there,” said the gopher. “All kinds of vicious creatures flock to a great city, you know. The prairie dogs are often molested by hawks, burrowing owls, and coyotes. I believe I prefer to live in the country.”
“I am quite satisfied with my mode of living, as we all should be,” said Tiny. “I have been greatly benefited by learning about these animals. If one should get blue or homesick or discouraged, it would pay him to visit a gopher and find out how other less fortunate animals live. Then he would return home quite contented with his lot. I thank you for teaching me so much.”