silently watching. He could see Mrs. Hooty on the nest, and as the
noise of Hooty's tormentors sounded from farther and farther away,
she settled herself more comfortably and closed her eyes. Blacky
could imagine that she was smiling to herself. It was clear that she
had no intention of going to help Hooty. His splendid plan had
failed just because stupid Hooty, who wasn't stupid at all, had
flown away when he ought to have sat still. It was very provoking.



CHAPTER VII: Blacky Tries Another Plan

When one plan fails, just try another;
Declare you'll win some way or other.

People who succeed are those who do not give up because they fail
the first time they try. They are the ones who, as soon as one plan
fails, get busy right away and think of another plan and try
that. If the thing they are trying to do is a good thing, sooner or
later they succeed. If they are trying to do a wrong thing, very
likely all their plans fail, as they should.

Now Blacky the Crow knows all about the value of trying and
trying. He isn't easily discouraged. Sometimes it is a pity that he
isn't, because he plans so much mischief. But the fact remains that
he isn't, and he tries and tries until he cannot think of another
plan and just has to give up. When he invited all his relatives to
join him in tormenting Hooty the Owl, he thought he had a plan that
just couldn't fail. He felt sure that Mrs. Hooty would leave her
nest and help Hooty try to drive away his tormentors. But Mrs. Hooty