The Adventures of Jerry Muskrat | Page 3

very deep and
gruff as he replied: "Chugarum! You're a scamp, Jerry Muskrat, and
Little Joe Otter is another. What trick are you trying to play on me
now?"
Jerry Muskrat and Little Joe Otter looked a wee bit sheepish, for it was
true that they were forever trying to play tricks on Grandfather Frog.
"Really and truly, Grandfather Frog, there isn't any trick this time," said
Jerry. "There is a meeting at the Big Rock to try to decide what to do to
keep Farmer Brown's boy from setting traps around the Smiling Pool
and along the Laughing Brook, and everybody wants your advice,
because you are so old and so wise. Please come."
Grandfather Frog smoothed down his white and yellow waistcoat and
pretended to think the matter over very seriously, while Jerry and Little
Joe fidgeted impatiently. Finally he spoke.
"I am very old, as you have said, Jerry Muskrat, and it is a long way
over to the Big Rock."
"Get right on my back and I'll take you over there," said Jerry eagerly.
"I'm afraid that you'll spill me off," replied Grandfather Frog.
"No, I won't; just try me and see," begged Jerry.

So Grandfather Frog climbed on Jerry Muskrat's back, and Jerry started
for the Big Rock as fast as he could go. When all the Minks and the
Otters and the Coons and the Muskrats saw them coming, they gave a
great shout, for Grandfather Frog is sometimes called the oracle of the
Smiling Pool. You know an oracle is one who is very wise.
Bobby Coon helped Grandfather Frog up on the Big Rock, and when
he had made himself comfortable, Mrs. Muskrat told him all about
Farmer Brown's boy and his traps, and how Jerry had been caught in
one by the tail, and she ended by asking for his advice, because they all
knew that he was so wise.
When she said this, Grandfather Frog puffed himself up until it seemed
as if his white and yellow waistcoat would surely burst. He sat very still
for a while and gazed straight at jolly, round, red Mr. Sun without
blinking once. Then he spoke in a very deep voice.
"To-morrow morning at sunrise I will tell you what to do," said he. And
not another word could they get out of him.
CHAPTER IV
: Grandfather Frog's Plan
Just as Old Mother West Wind and her Merry Little Breezes came
down from the Purple Hills, and jolly, round, red Mr. Sun threw his
nightcap off and began his daily climb up in the blue sky,
Great-Grandfather Frog climbed up on the Big Rock in the Smiling
Pool. Early as he was, all the little people who live along the Laughing
Brook and around the Smiling Pool were waiting for him. Bobby Coon
had found two traps set by Farmer Brown's boy, and Billy Mink had
almost stepped in a third. No one felt safe any more, yet no one knew
what to do. So they all waited for the advice of Great-Grandfather Frog,
who, you know, is accounted very, very wise.
Grandfather Frog cleared his throat. "Chugarum!" said he. "You must
find all the traps that Farmer Brown's boy has set."

"How are we going to do it?" asked Bobby Coon.
"By looking for them," replied Grandfather Frog tartly.
Bobby Coon looked foolish and slipped out of sight behind his mother.
"All the Coons and all the Minks must search along the banks of the
Laughing Brook, and all the Muskrats and all the Otters must search
along the banks of the Smiling Pool. You must use your eyes and your
noses. When you find things good to eat where you have never found
them before, watch out! When you get the first whiff of the man-smell,
watch out! Billy Mink, you are small and quick, and your eyes are
sharp. You sit here on the Big Rock until you see Farmer Brown's boy
coming. Then go hide in the bulrushes where you can watch him, but
where he cannot see you. Follow him everywhere he goes around the
Smiling Pool or along the Laughing Brook. Without knowing it, he will
show you where every trap is hidden.
"When all the traps have been found, drop a stick or a stone in each.
That will spring them, and then they will be harmless. Then you can
bury them deep in the mud. But don't eat any of the food until you have
sprung all of the traps, for just as likely as not you will get caught.
When all the traps have been sprung, why not bring all the good things
to eat which you find around them to the Big Rock and have a grand
feast?"
"Hurrah for Grandfather Frog! That's a