Evening star., 1942-03-17

At things which others eat.
For things to you not good at all
To others are most sweet
There are ants, for instance. You
wouldn't want to eat them even If
you were dreadfully hungry. Neither
would I. But Old Mr.. Toad and
Buster Bear think there is nothing
much nicer. Now, Buster Bear had
found Old Mr.. Toad catching ants
one at time as he kept watch
beside their home, and 1t had tickled
Buster to find some one else who
liked ants. Right away he had in
vited Old Mr.. Toad to dine with him.
But Old Mr.. Toad had been fright
ened almost to death when he heard
the deep grumbly -rumbly voice Of
Buster Bear, for he had been so busy
watching for ants that he hadn't
seen Buster coming. He fell right
over on his back, which wasn't at all
dignified, and made Buster laugh.
That frightened Mr.. Toad more than
ever. You see, he didn't have the
least doubt in the world that Buster
Bear meant to eat him, and when
Buster invited him to dinner he was
sure of it.
But there was no way to escape,
and after a little while Old Mr.. Toad
thought it best to be polite, because.
you know, 1t always pays to be polite.
and so he said In such L. mt voice
that Buster could hardly hear him
that he would be pleased to dine
with Buster. Then he waved his
legs feebly, trying to get on his feet
again. Buster Bear laughed again.
1t was a low. deep grumbly-rumbly
laugh and sent the cold shivers all
over poor Old MIR. Toad. But whep
Buster Bear reached out with d
great paw with great, cruel-looking
claws on 1t, Mr.. Toad quite gave up.
He didn't have strength enough to
even kick. He just closed his eyes
and waited for the end.
What do you think happened?
Why, he was rolled over onto his
feet so gently that he just gasped
with surprise. He didn't even say
thank you. 1t didn't seem as If such
a great paw could be so gentle.
Now" said Buster Bear in q voice
which he tried to make sound pleas
ant, but which was grumbly-rumbly
Just the same, 81 know where there
Is q fine dinner waiting for us just
a little way from here. You follow
me and we II have it in no time"
So Buster Bear led the way and
Mr.. Toad followed as fast as he
could, because he didn't dare not to.
Presently Buster stopped beside q
great big decayed old log. IF you
are ready, Mr.. Toad, we will dine
now" he said.
Old Mr.. Toad didn't see anything
to eat, and his heart sank again and
he shook all over. Tim not
hungry" said he in q very faint
voice.
Buster Bear didn't seem to hear
He hooked his great claws into the
old log and gave q mighty pull.
Over rolled the log, and there were
ants and ants and ants, hurrying
this way, and scurrying that way,
more ants than Mr.. Toad had ever
seen in all his life before.
Help yourself" said Buster Bear
politely.
Old Mr.. Toad didn't wait to be
told twice. He forgot all about his
fright. He forgot all about Buster
Bear. He suddenly found that he
was hungry after all, and he jumped
right In among those ants, and for
a little while he was the busiest toad
that ever was seen. Buster Bear
was busy, too. He swept his long
tongue this way and he swept it
that way, and each time he drew it
back into his mouth 1t was covered
with ants. At last Old Mr.. Toad
couldn't hold another one. Then he
remembered Buster Bear and looked
up q little fearfully. Buster was
snacking his lips and there was a
twinkle in his eyes.
Good, aren't they?" said he.
The best I ever ate" replied Old
Mr.. Toad, with sigh of satisfaction.
Come and dine with me again
said Buster Bear, and somehow Mr..
Toad didn't mind because his voice
sounded grumbly -rumbly.
Thank you, I WILL" replied Old
Mr.. Toad.