The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Page 2

was.
And he used to say that he didn't know what good eyes were to anyone
whether he was under the ground or on top of it!

Liking to dig as he did, he certainly had nothing to complain about. His
long nose was as good as a drill. And his front legs were just long
enough so that he could reach his large, spade-like feet beyond his nose
and throw the dirt back. His fur lay in one direction as easily as in
another, never troubling him in the least when he was boring his way
through the dry, loose soil of Farmer Green's garden.
So in spite of what might seem great drawbacks to others, Grandfather
Mole was contented with his lot. The only thing he was ever known to
grumble about was the scarcity of angleworms.

II
WHAT THE CAT CAUGHT
EVERYBODY knew the cat at Farmer Green's to be a great hunter.
She had long since disposed of the last mouse that was so foolish as to
venture inside her home. And being very big, and not at all timid, she
had made such a name for herself in the neighborhood that even the rats
looked on her as a monster to be avoided.
Now it often happened that this capable cat turned up her nose at the
saucer of milk that Farmer Green's wife set before her with great
regularity. And off she would go--sometimes to the barn, sometimes to
the fields--to see what she could find that would furnish her both food
and a frolic. For she thought it great sport to capture some small
creature.
She was crossing the garden early one morning, on her way to the
meadow, when she came upon Grandfather Mole. And having no pity
for him--in spite of his blindness--she thought there was no sense in
going any further for her breakfast. She would enjoy it right there in the
garden. But first she would play with Grandfather Mole, before eating.
For she was a pleasure-loving dame. She must have her sport, no matter
if her breakfast waited.
Grandfather Mole had blundered that morning. Burrowing his way just

under the surface of the ground, he had broken through the sun-baked
crust of the garden before he knew it. And as he groped about,
surprised to find himself in the open, Miss Kitty had pounced upon
him.
Grandfather Mole struggled to escape. And his captor let him go, to
give herself the pleasure of pouncing upon him again. She knew well
enough that he couldn't get away from her. He could run quite spryly
for an old gentleman--it is true. But when he couldn't see where he was
going, of what use was running?
Farmer Green's cat didn't know the answer to that question herself. She
captured and freed Grandfather Mole several times. And to tell the truth,
she couldn't help wishing he could see, so he could make the game
livelier. But she was the sort of cat that believes in making the best of
things. And she kept pretending that Grandfather Mole almost got away
from her. She would let him run about for a few moments and then she
would leap upon him as if she had nearly lost him.
It was great fun for the cat. But Grandfather Mole did not enjoy it in the
least. He thought such treatment far from neighborly. And he quite
agreed with old Mr. Crow, who had come hurrying up to see what was
going on.
"Give him a chance! Give him a chance!" Mr. Crow called to the cat, as
he glared down at her from a tree close by.
The cat had been about to spring at Grandfather Mole again when Mr.
Crow spoke to her. It was only natural that she should pause and turn
her head. And she looked at Mr. Crow none too pleasantly.
"I'll thank you to mind your own affairs," she said, and her voice was
not nearly so polite as her words. "No gentleman would interrupt a lady
at her breakfast," she added.
Something seemed to amuse Mr. Crow, for he laughed loudly. The cat
didn't know what he was laughing at. And after staring at him a few
moments longer she turned her head to look at Grandfather Mole.

It wasn't more than ten seconds since she had taken her eyes off him.
But Grandfather Mole had vanished.

III
A BREAKFAST LOST
WHEN Farmer Green's cat looked around and discovered that
Grandfather Mole had disappeared from the garden a puzzled look
came over her face. She couldn't think where he had gone in just a few
seconds.
But she knew then why Mr. Crow had laughed. And she was not
pleased.
"Where is he?" she asked Mr. Crow. "You interrupted me