see it clearly

Johnny Chuck Decides To Build

By Thornton W. Burgess

"Well," said Peter Rabbit, "now that old Mrs. Chuck has turned you out in the world what are you going to do, Johnny Chuck?"

"She didn't turn me out in the world," replied Johnny Chuck indignantly. "I ran away from home with you and you know it!"

Peter Rabbit giggled. "You certainly did run some when old Whitetail the March Hawk got after us that morning. And I guess you've learned enough to take care of yourself since you started out to see the world. If I were you I'd just fix this old house of Jimmy Skunk's and live here. He doesn't want it any longer and it will save you a lot of work."

Now Johnny Chuck had learned a lot since he ran away from home. He had learned that a young Chuck must have his eyes wide open if he would escape all the dangers that threaten him, and that as his legs are short he must have a safe retreat. Peter Rabbit can run away from danger but Johnny Chuck must hide from it.

"Too many know about this old house on the hill," said Johnny Chuck. "I don't believe it's really safe. You know Farmer Brown's boy dropped a big stone over the back door only yesterday. I think I'll build a new house."

Peter Rabbit yawned lazily. "Some folks do like to work," said he. "For my part, I'd rather have a good time. Come on down to the sweet clover patch."

"No," said Johnny Chuck. "I'm going to hunt for a place to build a new house."

"All right," said Peter Rabbit. "Good luck to you even if you are foolish."

Peter Rabbit hopped off in his usual careless, happy-go-lucky way, and Johnny Chuck washed his face, brushed his clothes and started out to find a place to build his new house.

Pretty soon he met Danny Meadow Mouse. "Where are you going?" asked Danny Meadow Mouse.

"To find a place to build a new house," said Johnny Chuck.

"Be sure it's dry," said Danny Meadow Mouse.

A little farther on he met Jimmy Skunk. "Where are you going?" asked Jimmy Skunk.

"TO find a place to build a new house," said Johnny Chuck.

"Be sure it's high," said Jimmy Skunk.

Johnny Chuck went on and pretty soon he met Striped Chipmunk. "Where are you going?" asked Striped Chipmunk.

"To find a place to build a new house," said Johnny Chuck.

"Be sure it's shady," said Striped Chipmunk.

Johnny Chipmunk went on. He walked and he walked and he walked. By and by he sat down to rest under an old apple tree on the side of a little hill that overlooked the Green Meadows. It was very beautiful there under that old apple tree. It was dry, it was high, it was shady. "Why, it's just the place I've been looking for!" cried Johnny Chuck. "I'll build my new house here."

And without wasting another minute Johnny Chuck began to dig.