Tiny looked up and saw a peculiar animal with a long, pointed face and sharp teeth, hanging head downward from a limb overhead. With a startled cry, the squirrel hid in a thick branch.
“You need not fear me, for I do not eat squirrels,” said the odd creature. “I am looking for birds. I should think you would be ashamed to attack a poor little caterpillar.”
“Never in my life have I molested a caterpillar,” declared Tiny. “I should think you would be ashamed to attack birds.”
“Well, everything depends upon the point of view,” replied the larger animal. “I am not responsible if my views do not agree with your own, for I see things upside down.”
“WHY DO YOU HANG BY YOUR TAIL?” TINY ASKED.
“Why do you hang by your tail?” asked Tiny. From his hiding place he peeped at the curious animal.
“Because I am an opossum, and I am wise enough to know that tails were made to hang by. I couldn’t hang by my neck, could I?”
“I suppose not,” replied Tiny, with a laugh. “Reynard, Snowball, and Rover have strong tails. I will tell them that they should cultivate the use of them, as the opossum does.”
“I’ll be glad to teach them how,” said the opossum, not in the least offended at the squirrel’s amusement. Tiny drew closer to get a better view of his new acquaintance. He could look into his eyes.