Big River yesterday morning a little while before Little Joe Otter
told me about the Smiling Pool. Ever since we started for our home
in the far North, I have been fearing that something of this kind
might happen. I ought to be on my way there now, but what is the
use without Mr. Quack? Without him, I would be all alone up there
and wouldn't have any home."

"Won't you tell me all that has happened since you started on your
long journey?" asked Peter. "Perhaps some of us can help you."

"I'm afraid you can't," replied Mrs. Quack sadly, "but I'll tell
you all about it so that you may know just how thankful you ought
to feel that you do not have to suffer what some of us do."




X

HOW MR. AND MRS. QUACK STARTED NORTH


Peter Rabbit was eager to help Mrs. Quack in her trouble, though
he hadn't the least idea how he could help and neither had she. How
any one who dislikes water as Peter does could help one who lives
on the water all the time was more than either one of them could
see. And yet without knowing it, Peter WAS helping Mrs. Quack.
He was giving her his sympathy, and sympathy often helps others
a great deal more than we even guess. It sometimes is a very good
plan to tell your troubles to some one who will listen with sympathy.