Evening star., 1937-02-11

RICKLY PORKY THE POR-
J CUPNE, up in q hemlock
tree in the Green Forest, was
i whining and complaining and
all the time eating steadily the tender
twiEs, with their green leaves, and the
bark Of the main part Of the branch
on which he was sitting, food OF
which he is very fond. Whatever
might happen to his neighbors, Prickly
Porky was in no danger of starvation.
Let come what might in the way Of
weather, he could always get plenty
to eat, and this was more than many
of his neighbors in the Green Forest
could say. Really, Prickly Porky didn't
have to worry about thing, not
single thing, yet h. did more whining
and complaining than all the others
together. 1t was queer, but you'll
find it is that way all through life,
th.Se having the least cause for COM
plant doing most of the complain
ing.
Prickly Porky's eyes are dull. That
Is all right, for he has no need Of
bright eyes. He doesn't use them
enough to require eyes that are bright,
quick, alert. He doesn't have to look
for food. Living in the Green For
est, in the midst of trees, he never
has to look for one, and, once up in a
tree, food is under his nose. for bark
forms a large part of his food. He
doesn't have to keep watch for enc
mics, for he is such prickly fellow
that he seldom Is troubled by any
one
So it was that those dull eyes Of
Prickly Porky didn't discover Yowler
the Bobcat as he approached that tree
IN which Prickly Porky sat eating and
complaining. But even bright eyes
might have failed to see Yowler, for
he approached that tree STEALTH
fly, keeping under cover Of low-hang-
ing boughs, moving furtively. He had
no real hope of surprising Prickly
Porky in position leaving him open
to attack where he could not protect
himself with the thousand little spears
carried in his coat and on his tail,
but there was at least chance that
he might, and Yowler was too hungry.
too near to starving to overlook any
chance, however linn.
Yowler managed to get right under
Prickly Porky without being discov-
cred. It was exasperating. Yes, sir, it
was exasperating. Prickly Porky
wasn't high up. In fact, he "a almost
within jumping distance. Hungrily
sxlo ~ of y; y, "a
soft. unprotected nder part, and the
sight drove him nearly frantic. If
only he could strike Prickly Porky
from beneath he could tear him open
with those great, cruel claws of his.
He could kill him with little danger
from those sharp-pointed little spears.
Yowler gathered himself for a mighty
spring He shot up, reaching with
outstretched paws and unsheathed
claws. He didn't quite make it. He
was Just little short. He screeched
with rage and disappointment. That
was the first that Prickly Porky knew
Of Yowler's nearness.
Yowler turned, sprang into the tree
and started up. At the same time
Prickly Porky began backing along
that limb toward the trunk. Yowler
reached the crotch made by that
limb and the trunk of the tree be-
fore Prickly Porky did. Prickly Porky
stopped. He stopped backing and be-
gan switching his tail from side to
side. Yowler growled Deep down in
his throat he grovled, and it was an
ugly sound, that growl. Yes, sir, it was
an ugly sound. It seemed to threaten
all manner of unpleasant things.