The Washington times., 1913-08-20
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
BUSHY TAILS WISH.
CSHY TAIL was a squirrel, and
he lived with his mother and
father in a big tree with his

brothers and sisters.
Bushy Tail was always wishing for
something; he wanted more nuts than
he had and his tail was not as bushy
as he would like it to be.
He wanted a thicker coat in the win
ter and he often wished he was as big
as a bear that he had once seen.
Some day you will get your WISH -
said his mother, ''and then you will
wish you had been contented with your
present condition
But Bushy Tail did not heed her
warning, and one day he was sitting
on the ground back of some bushes
wishing and wishing. when he heard
voice say:
II will give you one wish. What
shall II beT'
Now, Bushy Tail had heard of the
fairies, but he had never beheld one,
so when he saw the tiniest creature on
a bush close 10 him he was frightened
at first But. when she did not move.
but only said again. One wish; what
shall II be?' Bushy Tail said: Il should
like to be as big as gear and have a.
NO, you can have only one wish, Z"
said the fairy. What do you want
most? Stop and think before you make
your wish"
''I think would rather have a very
bigger than the one / have now" re-
piled Bushy Tail.
The fairy reached with her hand and
touched his tail. and before Bushy Tail
could wink she was gone.
a,
said Bushy Tail, looking around; but as
he spoke he saw big bushy tail stand
ing out on both sides, and so big that
IT came over his back. almost covering
him.
Il guess 1 will be the envy of all my
brothers and sisters now" said Bushy
Tail. II will run home and show
them"
But when he started he found ne
could not move as fast as he had be-
fore, he had such a bushy tail, and 1t
took him a long time to get to his
home.
oh! look at Bushy." cried his broth
ers and sisters when they saw him.
Look at his tail; it is bigger than he
is
Bushy puffed up with pride when he
heard this. but when he tried to get
into the door of his home he found he
could not get his tall in.
His brothers and sisters crowded
around. We want to get in," they
cried. "Bushys tail is so big We cannot
get past it.
So Bushy had to get out and let his
brothers and sisters go in. Then he
there he had to sleep with his tai
harSing out OF the door.
He did not sleep much, however. for
poor Bushy thought of the owls and
wondered If they, might not pull him
out by his tail and carry him off.
The next morning he tried to run out
On a limb of the tree where he lived,
and off he went. falling on his head on
the ground.
His tail was so big he could not sit
or run over the trees as he had before
Il told you you would get your wish
some dav and then you would be
sorry" said his mother when Bushy
came slowly up the tree crying because
he had hurt his head.
He could not run as fast as his
brothers and sisters, and they found
all the nuts and ate them before he
could get there Then he could not sit
up because his tail pulled him over,
and, altogether, Bushy Tail was a very
unhappy fellow.
He was sitting on the ground right
where he was the day before when the
fairy granted his wish. but he was
looking very sad today and wishing
he had his own tail again.
What is the matter: You do not
look happy even with your wish grant
ed? Isn't your tail big enough YETI"
Bushy Tail knew the voice. It was
the fairy. "Oh. please give me back
my tall" said Bushy. This one is so
big l cannot get about and | shall
starve If have to wear It. Do take It
back"
Il will give you one more wish" said
the fairy; but this will be the very
last you can ever have. so think well,
for you will never see me again"
Give me back my tail" said Bushy
without the least hesitation.
The fairy leaned toward him and
mis- big tail with her wand and
before Bushy Tail could wink she was
gone.
Bushy began to jump and run; he