The Detroit times., 1916-06-24
LITTLE STORIES FOR BEDTIME
The Pleasure Of Being Sick.
Copyright BurgessD
BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
know 10 sounds absurd and queer
To say there's fun In being ill.
so inst Ia mako the ulattsr tigaT

Pray read this story " YOU viii.
Perhaps should not say that there
is fun in being sick, but there Ger
tainly is pleasure, unexpected and
unsupported pleasure. sometimes. II
all depends on how sick you are
II you doubt il, just ask Peter Rab
bit about II the next time he isn't
in too much OF a hurry TO stop and
talk with you when you happen TO
meet. II he hadn't been sick, very
sick for little while, he never
would have found out how much his
neighbors think Of him. It was one
of the greatest and best surprises
OF his whole life. He never will
forget II as long as he lives. Such
things one never does forget
II, all came about through that
dreadful habit which Peter has OF
poking his wabbly little nose into
places where It has no business TO
be. He had known perfectly well
Browns garden But he couldn't
resist the temptation TO just have 4
look around there and see what was
growing there. Then happened just
what is almost sure 10 happen when
you yield to one temptation--it led
TO another Yes, sir. il led 10 an.
other. Once in that garden OF
Farmer Browns Peter simply
couldn't resist the temptation 10
sample the green things growing
there And this is how It happened
that without knowing II at the time
Peter ate some cabbage leaves
which had been poisoned to kill the
worms which threatened TO eat up
the plants.
Before Peter got back 10 the dear
Old Brier Patch his wrong-doinS
had found him out, as wrong.doing
always will. The poison from those
cabbage leaves had made Peter so
sick that II was all he could do 10
get 10 the dear Old Brier Patch and
once there he felt as II he didn't
much care what happened. He was
very sick rabbit, was Peter. II
was then that Sammy Jay discov-
cred what had happened, and az
once spread the news all over the
Green Meadows and through the
Green Forest and tho Old Orchard
and around the Smiling Pool and il
was then that Peters friends and
neighbors showed how true they
were.
OF course Peter didn't know any
thing about this, After the pain in
his stomach stopped he fell asleep.
When he awoke he felt very much
better. only for some reason which
he couldn't understand he couldn't
use his long. stout hind legs There
was no pain in them. but he couldnt
use them. All he could do was just
twitch them a little II frightened
Peter terribly He was afraid he
never would be able to use them
again. and If ne couldn't what
should he do? So Peter was very,
very miserable as he lay in his bed
in the heart Of the dear Old EriCr
Patch that bright afternoon. For
him there was no brightness in H..
Everything vas all dark. That was
because his thoughts were so dark.
Suddenly something dropped right
down in front Of him II was ten.
der young corn plant. Then couple
more fell Peters curiosity chased
away all the dark thoughts.
That's funny said he. aloud.
who ever heard OF corn plants
raining down out OF the sky"
He looked up 10 see pair OF
sharp eyes twinkling down at him
from the top OF little tree. Cav.
cav. cav" said harsh voice. very
pleasant in spite OF it's harshness.
Il heard you were sick. Peter, and
I've brought you the tenderest
young corn in Farmer Browns corn
field | hope you are feeling bet.
ter"
Before Peter could recover from
his surprise that such n MISCHIEF
maker as Blacky the Crow should
be so thoughtful another voice
broke in.
Are you feeling better, Peter?"
II asked. Everybody is so sorry to
hear that you are sick. Hurry UP
and get we'll so that can quarrel
witN you. You know can't do that
while you are sick"
Peter had TO smile in spite OF
himself, 70: this was 80 like Sammy
Jay. who, you know. is not bad at
heart at all. He was trying to get
his wits together so as to say some.
thing nice In reply when from some.
where among the brambles close by
there burst forth beautiful song.
When II ended Brownie the Thrush
hoped out in sight.
I couldn't think OF a thing TO
bring you. Peter" said he shyly,
so came over To sing to you
Shall | sing again?"
please do. just love your
song cried Peter. And while