Evening star., 1942-03-20
Bedtime Stories
By THORNTON w. BURGEs
Pride is like great big bubble;
You'll find there's nothing in 1t.
Prick it and for all your trouble
h irk I'D in, in.

Prick it and for all your trouble
1t has vanished in minute.
Old Mr.. Toad was so puffed out
with pride as he started for the
Green Forest to dine with Buster
Bear that those who saw him Won
dered if he wouldn't burst before
he got there Everybody knew where
he was going, and this made Old
Mr.. Toad feel more important and
prouder than ever. He might not
have felt quite so puffed up If he
had known just how it had come
about that he received this second
invitation to dine with Buster Bear
Jimmy Skunk had brought it to
him, but Jimmy didn't tell him
Buster had been asked to send the
invitation and that it was all part
of a plan on the part of some Of
Old Mr.. Toad's old friends and
neighbors to teach him a lesson. No,
indeed, Jimmy didn't say anything
about that!
So old Mr. Toad went hopping
along, and stumbling over his own
feet because his head was held so
high and he was so puffed out that
he couldn't see where he was going.
He could think of nothing but how
important Buster Bear must con-
slider him to invite him to dinner
a second time, and of the delicious
ants he was sure he would have to
eat.
What very good taste Buster
Bear has" thought he, land how
very fortunate it is that he found
out that 1 also am fond OF ants
He was so busy with these pleas
ant thoughts of his own Importance
and the good dinner that ne eX-
pected to have that he took no
notice of what was going on about
him. He didn't see his old friends
and neighbors peeping out at him
and laughing because he looked SO
foolish and silly. He was dressed In
his very best, which was nothing
at all to be proud of, for, you know,
Old Mr.. Toad has no fine clothes.
And being puffed up so, ne was
homelier than ever, which is saying
a great deal, for at best Mr.. Toad
is ANYTHING but handsome. 1t was no
wonder that he was laughed at.
He was beginning to get pretty
tired by the time he reached tne
Green Forest and came IN sight OF
the rotten old chestnut stump, where
he was to meet Buster Bear. Buster
was waiting for him.
How do you do this fine day?
You look q little tired and rather
warm, MI. Toad" said he.
"I am a little warm" replied Mr..
Toad in his most polite manner,
although he couldn't help painting
for breath as he said 1t. L nope
YOU are feeling as well as you are
looking, Mr. Bear"
Buster Bear laughed q great
grumbly-rumbly laugh. i always
feel fine when there is a dinner OF
fat ants ready for me-" said he.
ut is very fine Of you to honor me
bv coming to dine" Here Mr.. Toad
nut one hand on his stomach and
tried to make a very grand bow.
Peter Rabbit, hiding behind near
bv tree almost giggled aloud, ne
looked so funny.
"I have ventured to invite another
to enjov the dinner with u.s. con-
tinued Buster Bear. Mr.. Toad's lace
fell. You see, he was selfish. He
wanted to be the only one TO nave
the honor of dining with Buster
Bear. Hes a little late went on
Buster but I think he will be here
soon and I hope you will be glad to
meet him. All, here he comes now.
Old Mr.. Toad looked IN the d.
rection In which Buster Bear was
looking. He gave little gasp, and
turned quite pale. All his puffiness
disappeared. He didn't look like the
same Toad at all. The newcomer
was Mr.. Blacksnake. "Oh!" cried
Old Mr.. Toad, and then without
even asking to be excused, he turned
his back on Buster Bear and started
back the way he had come with
long, frightened hops.
"Ha. ha, hal" shouted Peter RAP
bit. jumping out from behind tree.
"Ho, no, ho!" shouted Jimmy
Skunk from behind another.
"Hee. hee, heel" shouted Johnny
Chuck from behind a third.
Then Old Mr.. Toad knew that
his old friends and neighbors had
planned this to teach him lesson.