The Adventures of
Squirrel Fluffytail
“‘Go straight there and come straight home before dark!’”
The Adventures of
Squirrel Fluffytail
A Picture Story-Book for Children
Story by
Dolores McKenna
Pictures by
Ruth H. Bennett
Frederick A. Stokes Company
New York Publishers
Copyright, MCMXXI, by
The Saalfield Publishing Company
All Rights Reserved
CHAPTER ONE
Once upon a time, on a beautifulisland that stood in the center of agreat big lake, there lived in the heart of akindly old oak tree a dear little squirrelfamily. There were three in all; Father,Mother and Fluffy-tail, and they werejust the happiest family one couldimagine.
Father Squirrel worked hard all daylong gathering nuts to store away sothat they would all have enough food inthe larder for winter, and when MotherSquirrel was not too busy doing herhousework she too helped to gather nuts,which she would tuck away in all sortsof places so that no lazy squirrels couldfind them. She knew that there weresome lazy little rascals who would playall summer long and that when the wintercame their poor babies would ofttimescry because they were so hungry.
Not that she would not help any onein need, for she was a good, kind mother,but she knew from experience that thoselittle squirrels who would not work andgather nuts when they were plentiful,would help themselves to other folks’supply if they had a chance to do so.
One day while Mrs. Squirrel was ironingsome pretty petties for Fluffy-tail sheheard a knock at the door. It was amessenger from Mrs. Squire Squirrelinviting Fluffy-tail to a surprise-party tobe given to her little daughter Furrikins.When Fluffy-tail came bouncing in to dinnerthat day and saw something pinkpeeping out from under her plate, youcan just imagine how delighted she waswhen she pulled it out and found it wasan invitation to a party, for parties werefew and far between on the Island.
They had to be just after the summervisitors left the place, as it would not bevery safe while they were there. Withsummer visitors there was sure to be aboy with a gun who was always just sohungry for squirrel pot-pie. In thewinter it was too cold, and in the springthere was seldom enough food left forregular meals, much less a party. Sonow the time was just right and Fluffy