Johnny Chuck, over in the Green Meadows, heard the noise and stole down the Lone Little Path to see. Jimmy Skunk, looking for beetles up on the hill, heard the noise and forgot that he hadn't had his breakfast. Reddy Fox, taking a nap, woke up and hurried over to watch the fun. Last of all came Peter Rabbit.
Little Joe Otter saw him coming. “Hello, Peter Rabbit!” he shouted. “Come and try the slippery slide.”
Now Peter Rabbit couldn't swim, but he pretended that he didn't want to.
“I've left my bathing suit at home,” said Peter Rabbit.
“Never mind,” said Billy Mink. “Mr. Sun will dry you off.”
“And we'll help,” said all the Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind.
But Peter Rabbit shook his head and said, “No.”
Faster and faster went Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat and old Grandfather Frog down the slippery slide into the Smiling Pool.
Peter Rabbit kept coming nearer and nearer until finally he stood right at the top of the slippery slide. Billy Mink crept up behind him very softly and gave him a push. Peter Rabbit's long legs flew out from under him and down he sat with a thump on the slippery slide. “Oh,” cried Peter Rabbit, and tried to stop himself. But he couldn't do it and so away he went down the slippery slide, splash into the Smiling Pool.
“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Billy Mink.