The Washington times., 1925-09-15
FOXY
GRANDPA


w contest in Los Angeles be-
fore we went north to sail for
the Orient, and all the way across
the Pacific, Bobby was trying to
do the steps. And I'll tell you a
secret. Every time the band
played got off in corner OF
the ship where no one, could see
me and tried it myself, and if any
one thinks that is an easy dance.
to do, try it.
Bunny said it was most difficult
for him, because in the first place.
It is hard for him to balance on
his hind legs, and besides he says
his feet turn out too much natur-
ally. But even Bunny tried it.
We stopped in Japan and China
the Philippines and then went on
to Bombay in India.
Naturally we didn't stop long
in the cities and the first thing
we knew we were way up in
northern Indian on the river
Jumma, which is just below
Etawah.
The Jumma is broad, muddy
river with many sandy. islets. in
it-just the place for all kinds
of birds. and animals and insects
to i've, AS soon as he saw it,
Bunny said:
"We ought to see; some wonder
full sights here, Foxy Grandpa"
And 1 knew when heard Bun
ny say that, that we would. Ite
is a regular little prophet, and he
didn't fail this time. for will tell
you that we saw one of the sights
which all the naturalists in the
world agree is one Of the rarest
privileges which can come to
people who are interested in ami
NAL life.
1t happened like this:
AS we were exploring this river
and walking along its shady
banks Bunny stopped, picked up
his ears and said:
"Harki'
Now that word '.hark" from
Bunny always means something.
We stopped stock-still AMI list
ened. Such cackling and gibber-
ing Won never heard
Follow me slowly" said Bun
ny, and along the bank of the
river we carefully and quietly
threaded our way.
After a short distance we came
to a place where the river widen
ed, and there in the middle of it
was one of the sandy islets of
which I have spoken.
Bunny led US behind tree and
then raised his paw and said:
Don't move"
He really didn't have to tell us
that because we were 50 inter
ested in what we saw going on
on that island that We could hard
ly have moved If we had wanted to.
For there, out in the middle OF
the river on that little islet, were
hundreds of long-legged cranes.
] started to count them and then
gave up.
At first they appeared to be do
ing nothing but peck around like
a flock of any birds might do.
But suddenly something hap.
pened.
One big fellow with particular.
~ long legs gave a whoop and a
swish of his wings, jumped right
up In the air and then landed in
a STOPPING position on the ground.
At this signal the rest started
and little by little the whole com.
pany of cranes were jumping up
and down, spreading their wings
and bowling and courtesying in
the most ridiculous manner. Then
finally they all settled down and
did a regular dance, wiggling one
foot and then the other, for all
the world as if they were dane
ing to music.
What are they doing that
for?" l whispered to Bunny.
Just dancing because they like
it and are having a good time"
Bunny whispered back. That's
a great sight, Foxy Grandpa"
1t was, indeed, a great sight,
and l could not but feel how,
even, wild birds like to have a
good time and enjoy themselves.
AS we turned to leave, Bobby
pulled my sleeve and said:
Perhaps if practice hard
enough, Foxy Grandpa, I'll learn
to do the Charleston as we'll as
those storks do"
you'll win the prize in the
next contest we attend If you do,
Bobby. my boy" / answered, I'M
consciously shaking my left foot.
Copyright, 1925, by International
News Service)