“I have a warm fire,” said Father Thrift. “And I have food enough for us both, and to spare. I will share with you if you will help me with my work.”
“That I will, gladly!” cried Shaggy, who was still smacking his lips over the fine dinner he had eaten. “But how does it happen that you have food, when the ground has been frozen so long?”
“When you learn to look ahead,” replied Father Thrift, “you will find that easy enough.
“In the warm days I prepare for the cold days which I know are coming. I raise my crops. I gather berries and plums, and preserve them. The apples and the nuts will keep as they are.
“So, you see, instead of letting go to waste what I cannot use when food is plentiful, I save it for the days when food is scarce.”
“Then do you rest all winter?” asked the bear.
“No!” said Father Thrift. “In the winter many things are waiting to be done. Then I make my clothes, shoes, furniture, tools, and other things.”
“What are you making now?” questioned the bear, as Father Thrift whittled pieces of wood with his knife.
“These will be wooden spouts,” answered Father Thrift. “You like sweet things—honey, for instance.”
Father Thrift smiled. Do you know why?