Johnny Chuck scratched his head thoughtfully. "It does seem a funny
place," he admitted. "It certainly does seem a funny place. But then,
Jerry Muskrat is a funny fellow. You know how much of the time he
stays in the water. That seems funny to me. I suppose there is a
reason for it, and probably there is a reason for building his house
where it is. I've found that there is a reason for most things.
Probably Jerry's great-great-grandfather built his house that way, and
so Jerry does the same thing."

Peter Rabbit suddenly brightened up. "I do believe you are right,
Johnny Chuck, and if you are, there must be a story about it, and if
there is a story, Grandfather Frog will be sure to know it. There he
is, over on his big green lily-pad, and he looks as if he might be
feeling very good-natured this morning. Let's go ask him why Jerry
Muskrat builds his house in the water."

Grandfather Frog saw them coming, and he guessed right away that they
were coming for a story. He grinned to himself and pretended to go to
sleep.

"Good morning, Grandfather Frog," said Johnny Chuck. Grandfather Frog
didn't answer. Johnny tried again, and still no reply.

"He's asleep," said Johnny, looking dreadfully disappointed, "and I
guess we'd better not disturb him, for he might wake up cross, and of
course we wouldn't get a story if he did."

Peter looked at Grandfather Frog sharply. He wasn't so sure that that
was a real nap. It seemed to him that there was just the least little
hint of a smile in the corners of Grandfather Frog's big mouth. "You