until jolly, round, red
Mr. Sun had climbed out of bed and was smiling down on the Green
Meadows.

Pretty soon along came Peter Rabbit, lipperty-lipperty-lip.

"Hello, Peter Rabbit!" shouted the Merry Little Breezes. "Come play
with us!"

"Can't," said Peter Rabbit. "I have to go find some tender young
carrots for my breakfast," and away be hurried, lipperty-lipperty-lip.

In a few minutes Jimmy Skunk came in sight and he seemed to be almost
hurrying along the Crooked Little Path down the hill. The Merry Little
Breezes danced over to meet him.

"Hello, Jimmy Skunk!" they cried. "Come play with us!"

Jimmy Skunk shook his head. "Can't," said he. "I have to go look for
some beetles for my breakfast," and off he went looking under every old
stick and pulling over every stone not too big for his strength.

The Merry Little Breezes watched him for a few minutes and then raced
over to the Laughing Brook. There they found Billy Mink stealing
softly down towards the Smiling Pool.

"Oh, Billy Mink, come play with us," begged the Merry Little Breezes.

"Can't," said Billy Mink. "I have to catch a trout for Grandfather
Mink's breakfast," and he crept on towards the Smiling Pool.

Just then along came Bumble the Bee. Now Bumble the Bee is a lazy
fellow who always makes a great fuss, as if he was the busiest and most
important fellow in the world.

"Good morning, Bumble," cried the Merry Little Breezes. "Come play
with us!"

"Buzz, buzz, buzz," grumbled Bumble the Bee. "Can't, for I have to get
a sack of honey," and off he hurried to the nearest dandelion.

Then the Merry Little Breezes hunted up Johnny Chuck. But Johnny Chuck
was busy, too busy to play. Bobby Coon was asleep, for he had been out
all night. Reddy Fox also was asleep. Striped Chipmunk was in such a
hurry to fill the pockets in his cheeks that he could hardly stop to
say good morning. Happy Jack Squirrel just flirted his big tail and
rushed away as if he had many important things to attend to.

Finally the Merry Little Breezes gave it up and sat down among the
buttercups and daisies to talk it over. Every one seemed to have
something to do, every one but themselves. It was such a busy world
that sunshiny morning! Pretty soon one of the Merry Little Breezes
hopped up very suddenly and began the maddest little dance among the
buttercups.

"As we haven't anything to do for ourselves let's do something for
somebody else!" he shouted.