“I am not a snake,” was the answer in a deep, rumbly voice, “and I had to squeeze you just a little bit to lift you out of the way. You were just going to be run over by one of the big circus wagon wheels, and I picked you up in my trunk and lifted you out of the way. Now you are safe, and I will set you down again.”
Flop Ear felt himself being gently lowered to the ground, and he laughed as he said:
“If you lifted me up in your trunk then you must be an expressman or an elephant.”
“I am an elephant,” was the answer, and the big animal laughed.
“I am Flop Ear, a funny rabbit,” said our little white friend. “I am lost, and I just was talking to Dido, the dancing bear. He sent me up here to see Tum Tum, the jolly elephant. I should like to see him. Which of the elephants is he?”
“I am Tum Tum,” was the laughing answer.
“Oh, I am so glad to meet you,” said the rabbit. “And I am ever so much obliged to you for lifting me out of the way of the big wagon wheel. If it had run over me I guess I would have been hurt.”
“Hurt! I should say so!” cried Tum Tum. “You would have been made as flat as a pancake. But you are all right now, Flop Ear, and you had better run away, for more circus wagons are coming and I can not stay to lift you to one side, much as I should like to. So hop along.”
“I will,” answered Flop Ear. “Thank you again, and good-by! I am glad I met you.”