meddlesome know-nothing. It looked very much as if the convention
was going to break up in a sad quarrel. Then Mr. Coon climbed up on
the Big Rock and with a stick pounded for silence.

"I move," said he, "that in as much as we cannot agree, we tell
Great-Grandfather Frog all about the danger and ask his advice, for
he is very old and very wise and remembers when the world was young.
All in favor please raise their right hands."

At once the air was full of hands, and everybody was good-natured
once more. So it was agreed to call in Great-Grandfather Frog.



CHAPTER III: The Oracle Of The Smiling Pool

Grandfather Frog sat on his big green lily-pad with his eyes half
closed, for all the world as if he knew nothing about the meeting at
the Big Rock. Of course he did know, for there isn't much going on
around the Smiling Pool which he doesn't see or at least hear all
about. The Merry Little Breezes, who are here, there, and everywhere,
told him all that was going on, so that when he saw Jerry Muskrat
and Little Joe Otter swimming towards him, he knew what they were
coming for. But he pretended to be very much surprised when Jerry
Muskrat very politely said: "Good morning, Grandfather Frog."

"Good morning, Jerry Muskrat. You're out early this morning,"
replied Grandfather Frog.

"If you please, you are wanted over at the Big Rock," said Jerry.