Evening star., 1937-06-05

TADDY the little Toad was con-
tented and happy He had
found his place in the Great
World. and that place was in
Farmer Browns garden. Under a
wide board in shady corner Of the
garden Taddy lived. with several other
small Toads and with Old Mr. Toad
Together they formed the garden
patrol, to keep the worms and the
insects from destroying the plants
Old Mr.. Toad knew all about that
garden, every bit Of it, for he had
lived in it for several years He told
the little Toads that this was the
finest place in all the Great World,
and they did not doubt that he was
right, for to them it was perfect and
very wonderful. Every night they
sailed forth among the vegetables,
to clear them OF worms and insects,
They considered the good meals thus
obtained As ample reward. You see,
\ good, healthy Toad has good,
healthy appetite. In fact, he needs
at least four good meals every "a
hours. That Is why even one Toad
garden.
Taddy WAS a fat little Toad He
had grown fast and was still grow
ing fast. 1t seemed to him that he
was forever outgrowing his skin.
Whenever it became too tight it
would split and he would have to
pull it of Fortunately, there was a
nice new skin under the old one.
The latter he would get rid OF by
swallowing 1t was the only way OF
disposing of it that he could think
OF. OF course, he didn't want to leave
it lying about. Certainly not So he
always stuffed it into his mouth and
swallowed it. When he had to do
that he always appreciated his big
mouth.
1t happened once that. just after
Taddy had started out to look for
his first meal of the evening, he
came upon queer fellow crossing
the garden path. He was long and
slim and he Travelled forward by
stretching himself. as II he we're
made of rubber, and then shorten
ing himself again. 1t was an angle
worm, or earthworm, the kind that
boys call flshworms. because they are
used for bait for fishes.
1t was the first worm Of this kind
Taddy had ever seen. He hoped up
to it and looked at it, his bright eyes
sparkling with interest. Was this
worm good to eat? 1t looked as if
it might be. 1t was moving. so it
must be alive He would at least
try it. Taddy hastily hoped in front
OF it. 1t was large worm. It would
make a whole meal in itself. A little
bit sreedily, l fear. Taddy seized the
worm by the head and began to
draw 1t into his mouth.
Now. the little Toad had caught
many caterpillars. some OF good size,
and never had had any trouble in
swallowing them. But this fellow
was different, very different AS fast
as Taddy swallowed the worm it, by
stretching backward in that rubbery
way Of all worms Of this kind. pulled
himself back The little Toad had
no teeth to hold on with, for Toads
have no teeth. Moreover, that worm
was slippery and hard to hold on
to. So, instead of slipping down his
throat. the worm kept slipping back,
sometimes out Of his mouth. It was
most perplexing. Taddy was embar-
rassed. very much so. Here was
dinner that refused to be a dinner
Never allow your eyes to be big
ger than your stomach" said voice
just behind Taddy. He turned to
f1nd Old Mr.. Toad just back OF him.
Il don't know what you mean,"
replied Taddy.
L mean" replied Old Mr.. Toad,
never try to swallow more than you
can manage. That worm is too big
for 4 little fellow like you. Besides,
you haven't learned yet how to handle
worms of that kind I'll show you
how. Then when you flnd another,
one nearer your size you'll know
Just how to 60 about It. Now, watch
me"
Old Mr. Toad hoped after the
worm. which was making the most
of this opportunity to get away. Get
ting In front of 1t. he seized it by
the head, just az Taddy had done.
Then he began to use both hands.
OF course, the worm kept stretching
backward. but in vain. You see, with
his hands Old Mr.. Toad kept stuff
fing that worm into his mouth, push
ing it down toward his throat and
all the time swallowing as fast as
he could. Slowly that worm disap-
peared, until all that was to be seen
Of 1t was the tail hanging from 4
corner Of Old Mr.. Toad's mouth.
Then Old Mr.. Toad stopped to rest