Evening star., 1942-03-19
Bedtime Stories
By THORNTON w. BURGESS.

BY THORNTON w. BURGESS.
Old Mr.. Toad was so puffed up
with pride that he had become quite
unbearable to his old friends and
neighbors and all because he had
dined with Buster Bear. He thought
1t an honor. a very great honor to
have been invited to dine with one
for whom every one had such a very
great respect as they had for Buster
Bear and because he felt that it was
such very great honor, he puffed
himself out with pride and felt
himself so far above his old friends
and neighbors that he would have
nothing to do with any of them ex-
cepting Bobby Coon, who, you know,
is a little cousin of Buster Bear.
At first everyone had laughed at
Old MIR. Toad, but after a little they
grew tired of being treated SO and
some of them put their heads to-
gether to think of some plan to
teach Old Mr.. Toad lesson, and
what very foolish thing false pride
Is The very next day Jimmy Skunk
went to the Green Forest to look for
Buster Bear. You know, Jimmy isn't
afraid of Buster. He didn't have to
look long and when he had found
him the very first thing he did was
to ask Buster If he had seen any
fat beetles that morning. You know
Jimmy is very fond of fat beetles,
and the first thing he asks any one
he may happen to meet as If they
have seen any.
Buster Bear grinned and said he
thought he knew where there might
be q few and would be pleased to
have Jimmy 60 with him to see.
Sure enough, under an old log he
found five fat beetles, and these
Jimmy gobbled up without even
asking Buster If he would have one.
Jimmy is usually very polite, but this
time he quite forgot politeness. I
am afraid he Is rather apt to when
fat beetles are concerned. But Bus
ter didn't seem to mind. When the
last beetle had disappeared Jimmy
smacked his lips and then he told
Buster Bear what he had come for
OF course at first Buster had
thought it was for the fat beetles.
But it wasn't. No, sir, it wasn't for
the fat beetles at all. 1t was to get
Buster Bears help in plan to teach
Old Mr.. Toad lesson.
First Jimmy told Buster all about
how puffed up old Mr.. Toad was be-
cause he had dined with Buster and
how ever since then he had refused
to even speak to his old friends and
neighbors. It tickled Buster Bear
so to think that little homely Old
Mr.. Toad could be proud of any,
thing that he laughed and laughed,
and his laugh was deep and grum-
bly-rumbly Then Jimmy told him
the plan to teach Old Mr.. Toad a
lesson, and asked Buster If he would
help. Busters eyes twinkled as he
promised to do what Jimmy wanted
him to do.
Then Jimmy went straight to
where Old Mr.. Toad was sitting all
puffed up taking a sun bath.
Buster Bear has just sent word
by me to ask you if you will honor
him by dining with him tomorrow at
the rotten chestnut stump near the
edge of the Green Forest" said
Jimmy in his politest manner.
Now, if Old Mr.. Toad was puffed
up before, just think how he swelled
out when he heard that. Jimmy
Skunk was actually afraid that he
would burst.
You may tell my friend Buster
Bear that I shall be very happy to
honor him by dining with him." re-
piled Old Mr.. Toad with a very
grand air.
Jimmy went of to deliver his re-
ply, and Old Mr.. Toad sat and puffed
himself out until he could hardly
breathe. Honor him by dining
with him." said he over and over to
himself. II never was so f1attered
in my life.
And that night he refused to speak
to Bobby Coon, even though Bobby
was cousin to Buster Bear.