see it clearly

Peter Rabbit's Foolish Wish

By Thornton W. Burgess

Of course Billy Mink had felt very foolish when Flitter the Bat had come sailing over the Smiling Pool. Billy wished that he hadn't boasted that he could do anything anyone else who wore fur could do. When he had made that foolish boast he had not once thought of Flitter the Bat. Of course, Grandfather Frog had chuckled and chuckled when he saw how foolish Billy Mink felt.

Peter Rabbit had laughed and laughed with all the other little meadow and forest people at the look in Billy Mink's face when he first caught sight of Flitter the Bat. Then into Peter's head popped a funny little rhyme:

"Doesn't like the sunshine;
Hangs up by his heels;
On the edge of darkness
Flitter darts and wheels."

Peter Rabbit often had wondered and wondered how it happened that Flitter the Bat is the only one of all the little animals who can really fly. Now as he watched Flitter cutting up monkey shines over the Smiling Pool, Peter Rabbit suddenly gave a great sigh. Everybody heard it and turned to look at Peter.

"Hello, Peter! Do you feel as badly as all that?" asked Bobby Coon.

"No," replied Peter Rabbit. "No, I don't feel badly. I was just wishing -- just wishing a foolish wish, that's all."

"You're foolish most of the time, aren't you Peter?" asked Jimmy Skunk.

Peter Rabbit made a face at Jimmy Skunk, a good natured face, you understand. "Anyway I don't spend half my time wishing I could find some beetles and bothering everyone I meet by asking if they've seen any," replied Peter.

It was Jimmy Skunk's turn to look a little foolish, but he laughed with the others. Then he slapped Peter Rabbit on the back.

"Tell us, Peter, what that foolish wish is?" he cried.

Peter Rabbit smiled. "It's too foolish to tell," said Peter.

"Come on! Out with it!" shouted Johnny Chuck.

"Well, if you must know, I'll tell you," replied Peter Rabbit. "I was wishing that I could fly like Flitter the Bat."

Everybody began to laugh as they tried to picture to themselves how Peter Rabbit with his long ears and long legs would look flying, and Peter laughed too.

Now Reddy Fox, who is very, very sly, as you all know, had been watching Peter Rabbit all this time and gradually working nearer and nearer. "Peter will never suspect danger here," thought Reddy Fox, and crept a few steps nearer. While everyone was laughing at Peter's foolish wish, Reddy Fox crept up behind a bunch of tall meadow grass just behind Peter Rabbit. Reddy began to lick his lips, for at last he had Peter Rabbit within reach. Just as Reddy prepared to spring, something black passed over his head and close to Peter Rabbit. A funny squeaking little voice cried in Peter's ear, "Jump, Peter Rabbit, Jump!"

Peter jumped. He didn't wait to ask why. He did what he was told to do without waiting, and as he jumped, Reddy Fox landed right where Peter had been sitting. Then Reddy Fox started after Peter Rabbit, but somehow everyone seemed to get in his way. He bumped into Bobby Coon, and had to jump over Jimmy Skunk and was tripped up by Digger the Badger.

Meanwhile Peter Rabbit had safely reached the dear Old Brier patch.

Who had told Peter to jump? Why, Flitter the Bat, of course.