see it clearly

The Neatness Of Bobby Coon

By Thornton W. Burgess

Bobby Coon yawned and stretched lazily. Then he climbed out of bed and stuck his head out of the doorway in the hollow tree which was his home. The black shadows had alredy crept far out from the Purple Hills, and looking up through the tree tops he saw a start winkling at him. Bobby Coon winked back and then slowly climbed out of the hollow tree.

He had slept all day, for Bobby Coon had rather sleep through the bright day and prowl around all night. The fact is, Bobby Coon is very apt to get into mischief. Somehow he can't seem to help it. If there is any mischief to get into Bobby Coon is pretty sure to be found right in the middle of it. And because it is safer to go to forbidden places at night than in the bright light of the sun, Bobby Coon prefers to sleep during the day.

When he had come down from the hollow tree, Bobby Coon carefully brushed his handsome coat, waistcoat and trousers, and combed out his beautiful ringed tail. The he washed his face and hands, for whatever faults Bobby may have he is always neat. Yes, Sir, there is no one in the Green Forest who is neater than Bobby Coon.

Bobby Coon looked quite the dandy as he started down the Lone Little Path to the Green Meadows and across these to the Smilin gPool. There he found Little Joe Otter and Billy Mink just returned from a fishing trip. They were just preparing for a feast as Bobby came along.

"Hello, Bobby Coon!" cried Little Joe Otter. "Come have some fish with us."

Billy Mink didn't look at all pleased at Little Joe Otter's invitation, for Billy is inclinded to be selfish and what he cannot eat himself he hides away. But he said nothing, merely reaching out for the largest fish for himself.

"Thank you," said Bobby Coon, "I believe I will."

Now Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter are not at all fussy about their food. It didn't trouble them a bit because there was dirt on the fish from dragging them up the bank, and the bits of dead grass and bark sticking to the fishthey did not notice at all. But Bobby Coon did. Bobby is fussy -- very fussy about his food. He took the fish given him and dragged it down the bank to the edge of the Smiling Pool.

Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter stopped eating to watch him. When he had found a comfortable place on the edge of the Smiling Pool Bobby Coon began to eat, but before he put it in his mouth each piece of fish was carefully washed.

"My, arent' we nice?" jeered Billy Mink.

"Did you think that fish was poisoned?" demanded Little Joe Otter, scowling down at Bobby.

"What's good enough for us isn't good enough for him," cried Billy Mink.

Bobby Coon looked up and grinned. "Nothing of the sort," he said. "I wash all my food. It doesn't matter where I get it or what it is, fi there is any water near I wash it. Honest, fellow, you don't know how much better it tastes."

"Too much work," grunted Little Joe Otter, with his mouth full.

Bobby just smiled and kept right on washing his food and when he had finished, he washed his hands and face.