WHY REDDY FOX WEARS RED


Peter Rabbit sat in the middle of the dear Old Briar-patch making
faces and laughing at Reddy Fox. Of course that wasn't a nice thing to
do, not a bit nice. But Peter had just had a narrow escape, a very
narrow escape, for Reddy Fox had sprung out from behind a bush as
Peter came down the Lone Little Path, and had so nearly caught Peter
that he had actually pulled some fur out of Peter's coat. Now Peter
was safe in the dear Old Briar-patch. He was a little out of breath,
because he had had to use his long legs as fast as he knew how, but he
was safe. You see, Reddy Fox wouldn't run the risk of tearing his
handsome red coat on the brambles. Besides, they scratched terribly.

"Never mind, Peter Rabbit, I'll get you yet!" snarled Reddy, as he
gave up and started back for the Green Forest.

"Reddy Fox is very sly!
Reddy Fox is very spry!
But sly and spry, 'tis vain to try
To be as sly and spry as I."

When Peter Rabbit shouted this, Reddy looked back and showed all his
teeth, but Peter only laughed, and Reddy trotted on. Peter watched him
out of sight.

"My! I wish I had such a handsome coat," he said, with a long sigh,
for you know Peter's coat is very plain, very plain, indeed.