"Mr. Coon was the last to be called before her, and instead of being
frowning and cross, as she had been to the others, she was all smiles.
She said a lot of nice things to him, and when at last she sent him
away, what do you think she had given him?"

"More rings," cried Peter Rabbit.

"Yes," replied Grandfather Frog, "Mr. Coon's tail was ringed way to
the tip. There was one for cheerfulness, and one for faith, and one
for persistence in making the best of a bad matter and staying at
home. And ever since that long-ago day when the world was young, the
Coons have been very proud of their beautiful tails and have kept up
the good habits of old Mr. Coon. Now you know, Peter Rabbit, why
Bobby Coon wears rings on his tail," concluded Grandfather Frog.

Peter gave a long sigh. "I think it's perfectly beautiful," he said.
"I wish I had rings on my tail."

And then he wondered why everybody laughed.




XII

WHY THERE IS A BLACK HEAD IN THE BUZZARD FAMILY


Ol' Mistah Buzzard had just told the story of why he has a bald head