TO MY MOTHER TO WHOM I OWE SO MUCH AND TO MY LITTLE SON WHOSE LOVE OF STORIES INSPIRED THESE TALES THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. MRS. REDWING'S SPECKLED EGG
CHAPTER II. WHY GRANDFATHER FROG HAS NO TAIL
CHAPTER III. HOW REDDY FOX WAS SURPRISED
CHAPTER IV. WHY JIMMY SKUNK WEARS STRIPES
CHAPTER V. THE WILFUL LITTLE BREEZE
CHAPTER VI. REDDY FOX GOES FISHING
CHAPTER VII. JIMMY SKUNK LOOKS FOR BEETLES
CHAPTER VIII. BILLY MINK'S SWIMMING PARTY
CHAPTER IX. PETER RABBIT PLAYS A JOKE
CHAPTER X. HOW SAMMY JAY WAS FOUND OUT
CHAPTER XI. JERRY MUSKRAT'S PARTY
CHAPTER XII. BOBBY COON AND REDDY FOX PLAY TRICKS
CHAPTER XIII. JOHNNY CHUCK FINDS THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD
CHAPTER XIV. LITTLE JOE OTTER'S SLIPPERY SLIDE
CHAPTER XV. THE TAIL OF TOMMY TROUT WHO DID NOT MIND
CHAPTER XVI. SPOTTY THE TURTLE WINS A RACE
Old Mother West Wind came down from the Purple Hills in the golden light of the early morning. Over her shoulders was slung a bag—a great big bag—and in the bag were all of Old Mother West Wind's children, the Merry Little Breezes.
Old Mother West Wind came down from the Purple Hills to the Green Meadows and as she walked she crooned a song:
“Ships upon the ocean wait; I must hurry, hurry on! Mills are idle if I'm late; I must hurry, hurry on.”
When she reached the Green Meadows Old Mother West Wind opened her bag, turned it upside down and shook it. Out tumbled all the Merry Little Breezes and began to spin round and round for very joy, for you see they were to lay in the Green Meadows all day long until Old Mother West Wind should come back at night and take them all to their home behind the Purple Hills.
First they raced over to see Johnny Chuck. They found Johnny Chuck sitting just outside his door eating his breakfast. One, for very mischief, snatched right out of Johnny Chuck's mouth the green leaf of corn he was eating, and ran away with it. Another playfully pulled his whiskers, while a third rumpled up his hair.
Johnny Chuck pretended to be very cross indeed, but really he didn't mind a bit, for Johnny Chuck loved the Mer