“Did you ever live in that house again?” inquired Winkle.
“Oh, no, indeed,” replied Sammy Woodchuck. “That dog was sure to go back and he would never rest until he had dug clear through my home. No, indeed, I could not live there again. I stayed with Willie Woodchuck for a long time until I felt safe to find another spot to build my home.”
Pinkie Whiskers did not chop while Sammy Woodchuck was telling his story. He just leaned upon his axe and listened. Now he said:
“Never mind, Sammy Woodchuck, you need never be afraid in your home again. I will chop down this tree and put it across your front door. No one can dig into your house then.”
The tree was so big and Pinkie Whiskers was so little that Sammy Woodchuck had to smile to himself at the idea of his moving it. However, he did not let Pinkie Whiskers see him smile, for he did not want to hurt his feelings. He said:
“You are very kind, my dear friend, and I appreciate your wish to help me, but my home is too far away for you to drag that big tree to it.”
“Poof! poof!” snorted Pinkie Whiskers. “I will show you what I can do.”
He chopped away so fast and swung the axe so high and rapidly that it was just a shiny streak rushing through the air. Suddenly he missed his aim and the axe came down on his toe instead of the tree.
“Oh, my toe!” he cried. “I’ve cut my toe.”
Poor Pinkie Whiskers! He danced about on one foot in circles, while he held the other foot in his hand.