The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-05-10
BurgessBedtin1eStories
Johnny Chuch Is Too Lazy to Go to School
By THoRNTo ". BURGESS A lazy fellow cheats himself, But somehow doe sn't know it. You'll find he is so gnorant ua cannot help but show it.
He cannot help bu

When Old Mother Nature dismissed school Peter Rabbit headed straight Tor Joknny Chuck's home. He couldn't get there fast enough, for he wanted 10 De the first to tell Johnny Chuck that ne was a Squirrel. He didn't believe Johnny knew it. and there is nothing Peter loves more than to carry Dit or news. So he hurried with all his nlgnt' ty-lipperty-lip, ipperty-lipperty-np' straight to Johnny Chucks house
 He found Johnny Chuck sitting on ms doorstep summing himself Peter was quite out of breath, he had hurrleo so
 Do yuo know what you are? ne panteu at last. .sDo won know what you are, Johnny Chuck?'
 Johnny slowly turned his head and he looked as if he thought Peter must nave suddenly become quite crazy Do know what am?" he repeated. OI course I know what l am. I'm Wood chuck. That is the silliest question I've heard this year"
 vas too excited to do anything but shout That's what you are. Johnny Chuck-a Squirrel*'
 Johnny Chuck opened his eyes very wide and stared at Peter. what are you talking about. Peter Rabbit?' he demanded You're crazy. That's what you are, crazy. You're as crazy as Dippy the LOOn. 1 I'll lOl eb oQhihA~As A-N - Woodchuck"
 Just the same you are Squirrel? Tetorted Peter, triumphantly. The Woodchucks beleong to the Squirrel family. Old Mother Nature says so, and
 if she says it is so. it is so. You better join our school, Johnny Chuck, and learn a little about yourself and your family wouldn't be as ignorant as you are Tor anything" Peter had quite forgotten how little he had known about his own family noly a few days before.
 Johnny Cuhck blnked his eyes for a few minutes and couldn't find word to say. He knew. If Peter had told the truth to what Old Mother Nature had said, it must be that he was mem Der of the Squirrel family. But 1t was hard to believe. Johnny wasn't at all sure that he wanted to believe it. He wasn't at all sure thas he cared to be related 10 that noisy lnischief-maker, Chatterer, the Red Squirrel. What is this school?' he asked finally.
 Peter hastened to tell him. He told all about what he and Jumper the Hare had learned about their family, and all the surprising things Old Mother Nature lad told about the Squirrel family. in cluding the fact that Johnny himself was a Squirrel.
 'But I don't want to be a Squirrel, ' protested Johnny Chuck
 Peteer chuckled right out. "But you are one, so what are you going to do about it?'' said he.
 Johnny Chuck admitted that there was nothing he could do about it, and Peter | orce more urged him to go to school with him, promising to call for him the next morning Now, Johnny Chuck is lazy when he hasn't got to dig a new home. He is toe | lazy to go far from his own doorsteT even for food. So when Peter appeared early the next morning, Johnny refused ] to go, despite all Peter could say. l "You'r be sorry" declared Peter. ',Th' rest of us will know lot more thar you, and then you'll be sorry. 1 But Johnny Chuck still shook his nea0 and said that he knew all he wanted tf