Story Hour Readers — Book Three

								

grass stalks, and take all your eggs," said the fox.
The eagle was still more frightened, and she threw down another egg.
Then the fox laughed and said, "How could I knock down a great tree with
these small grass stalks?"
The eagle became very angry. She flew down from her nest and grasped the
fox with her talons.
Then she lifted the fox up and flew with him far out to sea. She dropped
him upon a lonely island.
The fox was left on the lonely island. One day he said to himself, "Am I
going to die on this island?"
Then the fox began to sing softly. Seals, walruses, porpoises, and
whales swam near the island.
"What are you singing about?" asked the sea people.
"This is what I am singing about," said the fox. "Are there more large
animals in the waters of the sea, or on dry land?"
"Certainly there are more animals in the waters of the sea than on dry
land," replied the sea people.
"Well, then, prove it to me!" said the fox. "Come up to the surface of
the water and form a raft that will reach from this island to the
mainland. Then I can walk over all of you, and I shall be able to count
you."
So the large sea people--seals, walruses, porpoises, and whales--came up
to the surface of the water.
The sea people formed a great raft, that reached from the island across
to the mainland.
This was what the fox wanted. He ran over the great raft, pretending to
count the animals.
When at last the fox reached the mainland, he jumped ashore and hastened
home.

HIAWATHA'S BROTHERS

 Of all beasts he learned the language,
Learned their names and all their secrets,
How the beavers built their lodges,
Where the squirrels hid their acorns,
How the reindeer ran so swiftly,
Why the rabbit was so timid,
Talked with them whene'er he met them,
Called them "Hiawatha's Brothers."
HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.

THE BEAVERS' LODGE

Big Chief had traveled a long distance through the forest. At last he
reached the shore of a lake.
He was very tired, so he sat down upon a rock to rest.
Suddenly a large beaver came up from the water and stood before Big
Chief.
"Who are you, that you dare to enter my kingdom?" demanded the beaver.
"I am Big Chief," replied the Indian. "The Great Spirit has given me
power over all the animals. Who are you?"
"I am Master Beaver. All the beavers follow me and obey my commands. We
are busy people. We always have plenty to do."
Big Chief was not afraid. He showed Master Beaver his bow and arrows and
his wampum belt, saying, "These gifts were bestowed upon me by the Great
Spirit. I am ruler over the animals of field and forest, over the birds,
and over the fish."
When Master Beaver saw the bow and arrows and the wampum belt, he knew
that the Indian was very powerful. So he said, less proudly, "Will you
come with me and see how the beavers build their lodges?"
Big Chief followed Master Beaver for a short distance along the shore of