II

Frisky Squirrel has a Fall


One day Frisky Squirrel came upon Jasper Jay's nest when Jasper and
his wife were both away from home. And Frisky simply couldn't resist
tearing a few twigs out of it. He had not done much damage, however,
before Mrs. Jay returned. When she saw what was happening she screamed
loudly for her husband. And soon Jasper came flying up as fast as he
could come. He made a noise exactly like a red-tailed hawk; but he did
not frighten Frisky at all, for Frisky knew all of Jasper's tricks.
Jasper Jay was always trying to scare people by calling like bigger
birds--such as red-shouldered hawks, and red-tailed hawks, and sparrow
hawks.

When Frisky heard him calling he just laughed and skipped up the trunk
of the tree, with Jasper and his wife chasing him. Now, with Jasper
and Mrs. Jay both flying at him, Frisky had to be sprier than ever.
But he was not afraid. He never thought of danger at all. And he ran
down the thick tree-trunk like a flash and bounded across the ground
and tore up the tree where he and his mother lived.

"I'll peck your eyes out!" Jasper shouted, as he followed close behind
Frisky. Now, no matter how bold one may be, it is not pleasant to hear
a thing like that said. And it made Frisky hurry a little faster.