Old Granny Fox | Page 5

my mouth. - Old Granny Fox.
Reddy Fox thought of that saying many times as he hunted through the
Green Forest that night, afraid to go home. You see, he had almost
dined on Quacker the Duck over at the Big River that day and then
hadn't, and it was all his own fault. That was why he was afraid to go
home. From his hiding-place on the bank he had watched Quacker
swim in and in until he was almost on the shore where old Granny Fox
was whirling and rolling and tumbling about as if she had entirely lost
her senses. Indeed, Reddy had been quite sure that she had when she
began. It wasn't until he saw that curiosity was drawing Quacker right
in so that in a minute or two Granny would be able to catch him, that he
understood that Granny was anything but crazy, and really was
teaching him a new trick as well as trying to catch a dinner.
When he realized this, he should have been ashamed of himself for
doubting the smartness of Granny and for thinking that he knew all
there was to know. But he was too much excited for any such thoughts.
Nearer and nearer to the shore came Quacker, his eyes fixed on the red,
whirling form of Granny. Reddy's own eyes gleamed with excitement.
Would Quacker keep on right up to the shore? Nearer and nearer and
nearer he came. Reddy squirmed uneasily. He couldn't see as well as he
wanted to. The bushes behind which he was lying were in his way. He
wanted to see Granny make that jump which would mean a dinner for
both.
Forgetting what Granny had charged him, Reddy eagerly raised his

head to look over the edge of the bank. Now it just happened that at
that very minute Quacker chanced to look that way. His quick eyes
caught the movement of Reddy's head and in an instant all his curiosity
vanished. That sharp face peering at him over the edge of the bank
could mean but one thing -- danger! It was all a trick! He saw through it
now. Like a flash he turned. There was the whistle of stiff wings
beating the air and the patter of feet striking the water as he got under
way. Then he flew out to the safety of the open water. Granny sprang,
but she was just too late and succeeded in doing no more than wet her
feet.
Of course, Granny didn't know what had frightened Quacker, not at
first, anyway. But she had her suspicions. She turned and looked up at
the place where Reddy had been hiding. She couldn't see him. Then she
bounded up the bank. There was no Reddy there, but far away across
the snow-covered Green Meadows was a red spot growing smaller and
smaller. Reddy was running away. Then she knew. At first Granny was
very angry. You know it is a dreadful thing to be hungry and have a
good dinner disappear just as it is almost within reach.
"I'll teach that young scamp a lesson he won't soon forget when I get
home," she muttered, as she watched him. Then she went back to the
edge of the Big River and there she found a dead fish which had been
washed ashore. It was a very good fish, and when she had eaten it
Granny felt better.
"Anyway," thought she, "I have taught him a new trick and one he is n't
likely to forget. He knows now that Granny still knows a few tricks that
he doesn't, and next time he won't feel so sure he knows it all. I guess it
was worth while even if I didn't catch Quacker. My, but he would have
tasted good!" Granny smacked her lips and started for home.
But Reddy, with a guilty conscience, was afraid to go home. And so,
miserable and hungry, he hunted through the Green Forest all the long
night and wished and wished that he had heeded what old Granny Fox
had told him.

CHAPTER VI
: Old Granny Fox Is Caught Napping
The wisest folks will make mistakes, but if they are truly wise they will

profit from them. - Old Granny Fox.
There is a saying among the little people of the Green Forest and the
Green Meadows which runs something like this:
"You must your eyes wide open keep To catch Old Granny Fox
asleep."
Of course this means that Old Granny Fox is so smart, so clever, so
keenly on the watch at all times, that he must be very smart indeed who
fools her or gets ahead of her. Reddy Fox is smart, very smart. But
Reddy isn't nearly as smart as Old