Evening star., 1940-07-08
Bedtime Stories
By THORNTON w. burgess,

Dy AAoAsAN AVN W. DOAOLcSs
With the approach of the first of
the Black Shadows and with all the
invited guests of Grandfather Frog
sitting around, Grandfather Frog
gave his signal for the surprise.
In an instant, Filter the Bat
came awkwardly soaring above the
heads Of all the little folk of the
Green Meadows and the Green
Forest and Grandfather Frog sue
ceeded in showing Billy Mink a
feathered friend who could do some
thing Billy Mink could not do.
OF course, Billy Mink had felt
very foolish when Filter the Bat
had come sailing over the Smiling
Pool. Billy wished he hadn't
boasted that he can do anything
anyone else who wore fur can do.
When he made that foolish boast
he had not thought of Filter the
Bat. OF course Grandfather Frog
had chuckled and chuckled when he
saw how foolish Billy Mink felt.
Peter Rabbit had laughed and
laughed with all the other little
meadow and forest people at the
look in Billy Mink's face when he
first caught sight of Filter the
Bat. Then into Peters head popped
funny little rhyme:
Doesn't like the sunshine;
Hangs up by his heels:
On the edge of darkness
Filter darts and Wheels"
Peter often had wondered and
wondered how it happens that Fit
ter the Bat is the only one of all
the little animals who can really
fly. Now, as he watched Filter
cutting up monkey shines over the
Smiling Pool, Peter Rabbit suddenly
gave a great sigh. Everybody heard
it and turned to look at Peter.
Hello, Peter! Do you feel as
badly as all that?" asked Bobby
Coon.
mo" replied Peter Rabbit, "No,
don't feel badly. Twas just wish
ing-just wishing a foolish wish,
that's all"
you're foolish most of the time,
aren't you, Peter?" asked Jimmy
Skunk.
Peter Rabbit made a face at Jim
my Skunk, a good natured face,
you understand. Anyway, I don t
spend half my time wishing I could
find some beetles and bothering
every one I meet by asking them if
they've seen any," replied Peter.
1t was Jimmy Skunk's turn to look
a little foolish, but he laughed with
the others. Then he slapped Peter
Rabbit on the back.
Tell us, Peter, what that foolish
wish is?" he cried.
Peter Rabbit smiled. "It's too
foolish to tell" said Peter.
Come on! Out with it," shouted
Johnny Chuck.
We'll, if you must know, I'll tell
you," replied Peter Rabbit. "I was
wishing that could fly like Filter
the Bat"
Everybody began to laugh as they
tried to picture to themselves how
Peter Rabbit with his long ears and
long legs would look flying. and
Peter laughed. too.
Now Reddy Fox, who is very, very
sly, as you all know, had been
watching Peter Rabbit all this time
and gradually creeping nearer and
nearer. Peter will never suspect
danger here" thought Reddy Fox,
and crept few steps nearer. While
everyone was laughing at Peter
Rabbits foolish wish. Reddy Fox
crept up to bunch of tall meadow
grass just behind Peter Rabbit.
Reddy began to lick his lips, for at
last he had Peter Rabbit within
reach. Just as Reddy prepared to
spring, something black passed over
his head and close to Peter Rabbit.
A funny, squeaking little voice
cried in Peters ear, Jump, Peter
Rabbit! Jump!"
Peter jumped. He didn't wait to
ask why. He did what he was told
to do without waiting, and as he
Jumped Reddy Fox landed right
where Peter Rabbit had been Sit
ting. Then Reddy Fox started after
Peter Rabbit, but somehow every
one seemed to get in his way. He
bumped into Bobby Coon. He had
to Jump over Jimmy Skunk. He
was tripped up by Digger the Badger.
Meanwhile Peter Rabbit had safely
reached the dear old Briar Patch.
Who had told Peter to jump?
WhY Elitter the Bat of no,1rco