The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-09
Little Stories For Bedtime
ny TNoRNToN W. BURaE Ess

Old Granny Fox Makes Fun of Digger EROM the time he first came to live
 on the Green Meadows, Digger
 the Badger had been rather look ed down on by Reddy and Old Granny Fox. Not that there was the least reason in the world why they should have looked down on him. There wasn't, not the smallest reason. But this didn't make the lesat bit of difference. You will often find it to be just that way with people who think they are little better than their neighbors, and so look down on them. Usually they are not one bit better themselves and often not as good.
 At first Granny and Reddy had thought that perhaps Digger might some day make them a good meal, and while they had looked down on him they had been very polite. They were too smart to quarrel with him until they had made sure in their own minds that he was a safe person to quarrel with. When they had once seen the set of his stout jaws with their long sharp teeth and had had a chance to see how strong he is they decided that he was quite able to take care of him. self and took care not to get near enough to him for him to get hold of them. If the truth be told, they were afraid to pick quarrel with him, al- though they would not admit this for the world.
 Instead they pretended that he was quite beneath them. When they met him they held their heads very high and pretended not to see him at all. They told every one that Digger was very common person who could do nothing but dig in the ground, and every chance they had they would sheer at him. If Digger minded this he never showed it. He just minded his own business, but it was noticed by his neighbors that when he met Granny or Reddy Fox he never stepped out of their way. No, sir; he never stepped aside for them, so much as an inch. On the other hand, they always stepped aside for him.
 One day Granny Fox met Digger some distance from his home. It was very unusual to find him so far from his own doorstep. As usual, Granny Fox stepped aside for him. Then she sat down little way eff to watch him. Digger uaid no attention to her. He went about his business, which hap pened to be the finding of humble bees nest at that particular time. He had taken it into his funny head that he would like taste of honey.
 Did you ever see such homely, clumsy fellow? said Granny Fox to Blacky the Crow, who happened to be near, but loud enough for Digger to, hear His running is joke. His legs are so short that wonder he doesn't bump his nose when no tries. to, run. And did you ever in all your life see such a shape? He looks as if Old Mother Nature sat down on him and flattened him out. I should think he would be ashamed to be seen. I don't wonder he seldom comes out in the daytime. I wouldn't if were in his place. I don't know what you think, but I think that he is a disgrace to the Green Meadows. I wouldn't say so to him, but that is what think. I notice that no one but Old Man Coyote has much to do with him."
 Now, Digger had heard every word of this and he had seen the sneering look in Grnnny's eyes, but he took no notice. He went on about his business, which was looking for bumble-bee's nest, and to have seen him you never would have suspected that he knew that he was being made fun of. He went