“Oh, little Lady Woodpecker, have pity on me and take me into your house; the rain is falling and I am very, very cold.” But the Lady Woodpecker answered: “I can’t let you in to-day, Fluffy Sparrow. I am cooking juniper berries for a batch of pies. Come some other time and perhaps I will let you in.” He hopped away, and the rain made him very cold.
The next day he flew beside the bark door and said:
“Oh, little Lady Woodpecker, have pity on me and take me into your house, for the cold and cruel winds blow and ruffles my feathers.” But she answered:
“I can’t let you in to-day, Fluffy Sparrow. I’m washing the pot in which I cooked some juniper berries to make a batch of pies. Come again some other time, and perhaps I’ll let you in.”
The next day he came as before and said:
“Oh, little Lady Woodpecker, have pity on me and take me into your house, for the biting frost nips my feet.” But she said:
“I can’t let you in to-day, Fluffy Sparrow. I’m making the crust for my batch of juniper pies. Come again some other time, and perhaps I will let you in.” So he hopped away and the frost nipped his feet.
The fourth day Fluffy Sparrow came back and said:
“Oh, little Lady Woodpecker, have pity on me and take me into your home, for the snow blinds me.” But she answered: