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

Prickly Porky the Porcupine was
enjoying himself. There was no
doubt about that. He was stretched
across the doorway of what had
been for a long time an old de-
serted Toulouse, the very house in
which OLD Granny Fox had been
born. When he lay down on the
doorstep for nap and sun bath he
had thought that the old house was
still deserted. Then he had fallen
asleep only to be awakened by
Reddy Fox, who had been asleep
in the old house and who couldn't
get out because Prickly Porky was
in the way.
Now Prickly Porky does not love
Reddy Fox, and the more Reddy
begged and scolded and called him
names the more Prickly Porky
chuckled. 1t was such a good joke
to think that he had trapped Reddy
Fox, and he made up his mind that
he would keep Reddy in there a
long time just to tease him and
make him uncomfortable. You see
Prickly Porky remembered how often
Reddy Fox played mean tricks on
little meadow and forest folks who
are smaller and weaker than him
self.
ut will do him good. 1t GER
tainly will do him good" said
Prickly Porky, and ratified the thou
sand little spears hidden in his long
coat, for he knew that the very
sound of them would make Reddy
Fox shiver with fright.
Suddenly Prickly Porky pricked
up his funny little short ears. He
heard the deep voice of Bowser
the Hound, and it was coming nearer
and nearer. Prickly Porky chuckled
again.
Il guess Mr.. Bowser is going to
have a surprise; I certainly think
he is" said Prickly Porky, as he
rolled himself into a ball so that
all the thousand little spears stood
out from his long coat till he looked
like a funny great chestnut burr
BoWser the Hound did have
surprise. He was hunting Reddy
Fox and he almost ran into Prickly
Porky before he saw him. The very
sight of those thousand little spears
sent little cold chills chasing each
other down Bowser's backbone, clear
to the tip of his tail, for he re-
membered how he had got some of
them in his lips and mouth once
upon a time, and how it had hurt
to have them pulled out. Ever since
then he had had the greatest re-
spect for Prickly Porky.
"Wow!" yelped Bowser the Hound,
stopping short. Il beg your pardon,
Prickly Porky, I beg your pardon,
didn't know you were taking a
nap here"
All the time Bowser the Hound
was backing away as fast as he
could. Then he turned around, put
his tail between his legs and ac-
tually ran away.
Slowly Prickly Porky unrolled, and
his little eyes twinkled as he watch
ed Bowser the Hound run away.
"Bowser's very big and strong;
His voice is deep: his legs are long;
His bark scareS some almost to death,
But as for me he wastes his breath;
I just roll up and shake my spears
And Bowser is the one who fears"
So said Prie1ly Porky, and laugh
ed aloud. Just then he heard a
light footstep and turned to see
who was coming. 1t was Old Granny
Fox She had seen Bowser run
away, and now she was anxious to
find out if Reddy Fox was safe.
Good morning." said Granny
Fox, taking care not to come too
near.
Good morning" replied Prickly
Porky, hiding a smile with one
hand.
I'm very tired and would like
to go inside my house. Had you
just as soon move?" asked Granny
Fox.
"Oh!' exclaimed Prickly Porky,
"is this your house? I thought
you lived over on the Green
Meadows"
Il did, but I've moved. Please
let me in," replied Granny Fox.
Certainly, certainly. Don't mind
me, Granny Fox, step right over
me-" said Prickly Porky, and smiled
behind his hand once more, at the
same time rattling his little spears.
Instead of stepping over him,
Granny Fox backed away.