Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-03
Little Bear and
the Foxes


was low in the forest and birds were
thinking of bedtime, family of little
foxes went out to play. Baby Bear
heard their sharp, happy barks and
wished to go too. He knew that the
fox family lived in burrow not far
away, but he had never seen the chill
dren. Their mother kept them at
home daytimes.
Many and many time when Baby
Bear was cuddled in his bed he had
heard the foxes barking, sometimes
near the house, sometimes far away;
but his mother never, never allowed
him to get up and go to see them
IT don't know what Mother Fox is
thinking of to let those children sit
up So late!" Middle-sized Mother Bear
used to say.
She was stirring the porridge for
supper when Baby Bear heard the little
foxes. Instead of asking his mother
if he might go, Baby Bear opened the
gate softly and ran fast as he could
to the playground. There he saw
seven little foxes playing leap-frog;
at least the game seemed to be leap
frog.
When she saw Baby Bear. she said
kindly enough, you better run home,
Baby Bear"
But Baby Bear didn't 60 home.
When the little foxes saw him, they
laughed. He was so slow and clumsy,
while they were light-footed and
nimble.
Lets play tag now" suggested one
little fox, with bright eyes full or
mischief. Baby Bear. you are 1t!
You must catch us If you CAM"
Mother Fox laughed until she al
most cried, while watching those chill
dren play. Baby Bear couldn't eaten
one of her lively youngsters, no mat
ter how hard he tried.
Suddenly Mother Fox heard sound
that put an end to the game: it was
Father Fox warning her Of danger.
Run for home, children said she,
run for home! Baby Bear, you must
20 with us! Run, run! Quicker,
quicker, quicker"
Baby Bear stumbled along best he
could with the fox children, and crawl
ed after them into the burrow. Scarce
ly were they in the house when close
behind them rushed Father Fox. He
was out of breath and tired.
"What is the matter?" asked Baby
Bear. who was much frightened.
Nothing unusual" answered brave
Father Fox when he could speak:
"the farmer was after me, that Is all.
Don't ask any more questions"
Baby Bear didn't ask any more
questions. but he began to cry.
Are you homesick already" asked
Mother Fox, not unkindly. Poor
child! I suppose you are hungry, but
we have nothing for supper
Nothing for supper! nothing Tor
support" walled the baby foxes.
,"There. there" comforted Father
Fox don't cry, children, don't cry!
Daddyll go hunting again. Come,
Baby Bear, shall take you to your
mother"
Baby Bear was glad to get home,
and Middle-sized Mother Bear was
glad to see him; but she put the little
fellow to bed that night before sunset.
did you thank Father Fox Tor
bringing that naughty child home
safely?" asked Big Big Father Bear
when he sat down to think, after sup
per.
eyes indeed" answered Middle
sized Mother Bear. Father FOX
means we'll, he certainly means WE'LL
although you can't blame the farmer
for calling him bad names! II foxes
would only eat blackberries and honey
like other folks, We might allow Baby
Bear to play with the little fox chill
dren, but, as it is, Baby Bear must
learn to stay at home when they are
OUT"
''rll never go to play with the little
foxes again unless you 60, too," prom
ised Baby Bear, calling from his bed.
81 like my home better and my father
and nv mother and my porridge for
sumner"