Premise: Chanty thought he could beat Mr. Bantam easily , he was so small , and invited him to fight .<br>Mr. B. declined .<br>Then Chanty called him a coward , and gave Mrs. B. a peck , which so enraged her spouse that he flew at Chanty like a gamecock , and a dreadful fight followed , which ended in Chanty 's utter defeat , for he died from his wounds .<br>Downy and Snowball soon followed ; for the two sweet little things would swing on the burdock-leaves that grew over the brook .<br>Sitting side by side , the plump sisters were placidly swaying up and down over the clear brown water rippling below , when -- ah !
Hypothesis: the word the is in the statement