Little Joe Otter.
“Do you remember the terrible two-legged creature who chased us on our way from the Laughing Brook to this brook?” Little Joe Otter asked the two young Otters.
Both nodded their heads. “I guess I do!” exclaimed one. “He gave me a dreadful fright.”
“Have you seen anything of him since we have been staying over here?” Mrs. Joe asked.
This time both the young Otters shook their heads. “No,” said the one who had spoken before. “The truth is, I had forgotten all about him. I guess he doesn’t know we are over here.”
“I guess he does,” said Little Joe Otter. “I know he does. He has set traps for us.”
“What are traps?” asked one of the young Otters.
“They are terrible things with awful jaws which are hidden where they are not likely to be seen and are always ready to jump up and seize an Otter by the leg. Then they will never let go, and there is no way of making them let go,” explained Little Joe.
The eyes of the young Otters grew round with wonder and fear. “But what have they to do with that terrible creature who chased us?” asked one of them.
“Those traps belong to him,” replied Little Joe. “He is the one who has hidden those traps, hoping to catch us. If one of you should be caught in one of those traps, that terrible two-legged creature would come and kill you.”