“What’s that?” asked Nibble, trying hard to guess.
“Brains! we’re learning to think. You’re safe enough if you know all your enemy knows and then think for yourself besides. It’s only when he’s cleverer than you are that he can catch you. If we had no enemies we’d still be as stupid as plants—no, stupider—because they had to learn to take care of themselves, too.”
“I see,” said Nibble, slowly. “Silvertip was safe on land because he was smarter than any one else. He got caught when he took to the water because Grandpop Snapping Turtle knew more about that than he did.”
“Exactly,” agreed Doctor Muskrat. “It was perfectly fair. Look at Man. He had the most enemies and the least help from Mother Nature. Now no one can hurt him but himself—he still has that much to learn. But he’s wiser and safer than any one else in all the world. And his enemies taught him.”
THE END