But the adder had rolled over so that one ear lay close to the ground, and he had stuck the end of his tail in the other ear. Of course he couldn’t hear another word of what the frog was saying.
“Dear me!” said the frog, looking very much offended. “That is a great way to treat a friend, I am sure.” And he hopped off into the rushes.
Presently a wasp flew down by the adder’s home and settled upon a leaf near by.
“Good morning,” said the adder politely. “What a beautiful day this is.”
“Yes,” buzzed the wasp, “it’s nice today, but there’s sure to be a storm—”
But the adder had rolled over so that one ear lay close to the ground, and he had stuck the end of his tail into the other ear.
“Well, I declare,” buzzed the wasp angrily. “What an impertinent fellow.” And she flew away as fast as ever she could.
The adder straightened himself out and went about his work once more, thinking as he did so how bright the sunlight was, and how soft and warm the air felt, and how beautifully the birds were singing.
Presently a little brown spider dropped a thread from her web and ran down to the adder’s doorway.