Opechee lives near the homes of men. He loves to comfort them when they are sad. He is happy when they are happy.
His songs are for the little children and for the fathers and mothers who want their little ones to be brave. Opechee is not afraid in the storm, and many have heard him singing just after the great thunder-birds had called to each other and the water was coming fast from the sky to find a place to hide in the ground. Opechee is brave, but not strong.
The Country Cat[19]
The big white cat trotting across the lawn with a rat in his mouth started Meriky on a story this afternoon.
“Huh!” exclaimed Meriky, “cats and mouses didn’t used to be sich bad friends as dey is now.
“Once upon a time dey visited back an’ forth like yo’ ma an’ Miz Paterson.”
“What made them fall out?”
“Hit come ’bout dis-er-way. Ol’ Miz Cat live in de country, but she mighty hongry to know ’bout town doin’s. She tell round ’mongst her friends ’bout greatly she’s honin’ to see de sights.
“Middle of de night come little Mr. Gray Mouse knockin’ on de door, and say he got a cousin goin’ up to town, an’ if Miz Cat still wantin’ to see de sights, dis hyer cousin be proud to give her a lift.
“Den Miz Pussy Cat put on her bonnet an’ put on her shawl, an’ tuck her a poke full o’ victuals an’ started out wid Mr. Mouse. Mouses does dey travelin’ by night an’ de cat an’ mouse travel all night and git to town de next day.