Story Hour Readers — Book Three

								

You are too fond of gnawing twigs. You may keep on gnawing twigs instead
of trying for the prize."
So little White Rabbit was not allowed to run for the prize.
Red Fox placed the horns upon the head of the deer and said, "It is your
turn to try to win the race."
Then the animals gave three loud cheers and told the deer to do his
best.
The deer ran swiftly along the woodland path. He carried the antlers so
skillfully that they were not once caught in the bushes.
When the deer returned to the place of meeting, Judge Bear proclaimed
him winner of the race.
As Black Bear gave the prize to the deer, he said, "Henceforth you shall
wear the antlers on your head. You shall always be called the Swift
Runner."

BROTHER RABBIT

One autumn day in the long ago, Eagle Eye, the great Indian chief, was
very sad.
All summer long there had been no rain. The prairie grass was crisp and
brown. The little streams were dry.
The animals, finding neither water nor green grass, had gone to the
mountains many miles away. The Indians of the plains had no food to eat.
"I will go and search for the place where the animals have gone, so that
I may tell my hunters and save the lives of my people," said Eagle Eye.
So, carrying his canoe to the river, Eagle Eye paddled up the stream for
many days and nights. He watched to see if any of the animals came to
the river to drink, but there was not even a squirrel.
One night the clouds hung low in the sky.
"There will be snow before morning," said Eagle Eye.
Then the great chief hauled his canoe up the river bank. He made a
shelter with branches of trees. Here he slept through the night.
In the morning, the ground was covered with snow.
"The Great Spirit is kind," said Eagle Eye. "Now I shall see the
footprints of some of the animals, and I can follow them."
Soon he found the footprints of deer that had been to the river to
drink. Eagle Eye followed the footprints for many miles. At last he
found where the animals lived.
Eagle Eye marked some trees, so that he might find the place again.
Then he started to return to the river bank where he had left his canoe.
Snow had fallen, and everything was white. Eagle Eye could not find the
canoe.
"I am lost!" cried Eagle Eye. "If only there were some way of finding my
canoe!"
Just then he saw a rabbit peering out from behind the stump of a tree.
"O Brother Rabbit!" called Eagle Eye. "How glad I am to see you! I am
lost. I cannot find the river bank."
"Let me lead the way," Brother Rabbit replied. "If you will watch my
dark fur against the snow, you can easily follow close behind me."
So Brother Rabbit hopped along, and Eagle Eye, watching the dark fur
against the snow, followed close behind.
At last they reached the river bank, and there they found Eagle Eye's
canoe.
Eagle Eye pushed the canoe into the water and stepped in.
Before he paddled away he said, "You have saved my life, Brother Rabbit.