Evening star., 1937-02-10

to be hungry when the weather is Bit
ter cold. A lot of people think that
thick fur coat makes one warm. It
doesn't make one warm; it keeps ono
warm, which is very different mat
ter. And 1t cannot keep one warm
unless there is heat in the body. Heat
in the body comes from food. With
out plenty of food there can be little
heat made, and the thiekest fur or
feather coat cannot keep the wearer
warm. Thus in Winter those who suf-
fer from hunger are very likely to
suffer from cold also. So while the
snow remained deep and crusted in
the Green Forest most of the people
living there were very. very hungry
and some of them were cold most Of
the time. Still, there was little COM
planning to be heard. .
However, there was one fellow who
did a lot of complaining. Yes, sir.
this fellow did a lot of complaining
1t was Prickly Porky the Porcupine.
He whined and grunted and COM
planned and he was talking to himself,
for there was no one else to talk to.
He was up In big hemlock tree. The
hemlock is one of his favorite food
trees. All through the Green Forest
the snow lay deep. 1t made the broad
branches of the hemlocks and spruces
and cedars bend with its weight, but
the icy crust that had covered it had
melted. Prickly Porky hadn't liked
that ice. No one had. for that mat
ter But even then he had no just
cause for complaint. He was much
better of than most of his neighbors.
He could break that ice to get at the
leaves and bark, and so he didn't have
to starve. No, sir, he didn't nave to
starve. But he didn't like the ice
and he complained about it. Yes, sir,
he complained a lot. Now the snow
was gone, and still he complained.
Presently who should come along
that way but Yowier the Bobcat. Long
before he saw him Yowler heard
Prickly Porky. He knew that voice.
He had heard it often enough before
to know 1t.
Huh! Complaining. as usual, and
not a thing in the world to complain
about" mumbled Yowler. Now, if he
were in my place he would have some
reason to complain. That fellow would
be good eating If it were not for those
dreadful little spears he carrles In his
coat. If could just get at him from
underneath, what a feast ! would
have. Just thinking of it makes my
mouth water. don't suppose there is
any use in going over there. but you
never can tell. Who never watches for
a chance to get what he wants seldom
gets it."
So Yowler went over to the tree in
which was Prickly Porky. He was out
on a branch, not very far from the
ground. He had brushed and shaken
the snow from that branch, and now
he was engaged In eating the green
needles, which are really leaves, you
know, and of which he is fond. With
them he was eating some of the en-
der twigs and strips of bark. 1t was
food he liked. and there was plenty of
it, but all the time he kept up con-
slant whining and complaining. He
wasn't complaining about anything in
particular, but everything in general.
The truth is, he was complaining as
much for the sake of hearing his own
voice as anything else, and because
complaining had become a habit.
There's too much snow whined
Prickly Porky. Il don't like it. I
don't like to have to go to the trouble
of brushing it off branch when I
want to eat. It's a bother. That's
what is it, a bother. I don't like to
be bothered. Its a nuisance to be
bothered. These leaves aren't so good
as some I have had. I guess ought
to have tried younger tree. I've had
better bark than this I wonder if it
wouldn't be better on another tree.
The sun is too bright. I don't see
why it had to be so bright. I don't
like it so bright"
That fellow ought to be given
something to complain about"
thought Yowler as he listened.
tcoHyrish:. 1877