are snugly tucked in bed behind the Purple Hills.

"Perhaps Hooty the Owl will tell us why it is that he never comes out
to play with us," said one of the Little Breezes.

But just as Hooty the Owl floated over to them up came Old Mother West
Wind, and she was in a great hurry, for she was late, and she was
tired. She had had a busy day, a very busy day indeed, hunting for a
rain cloud which had gone astray. So now she just opened her big bag
and tumbled all the Merry Little Breezes into it as fast as she could
without giving them so much as a chance to say "Good evening" to Hooty
the Owl. Then she took them off home behind the Purple Hills.

Of course the Merry Little Breezes were disappointed, very much
disappointed. But they were also very sleepy, for they had played hard
all day.

"Never mind," said one of them, drowsily, "to-morrow we'll ask
Great-Grandfather Frog why it is that Hooty the Owl never comes out to
play with us on the Green Meadows. He'll know."

The next morning Old Mother West Wind was late in coming down from the
Purple Hills. When she finally did turn the Merry Little Breezes out
of her big bag onto the Green Meadows jolly, round, red Mr. Sun was
already quite high in the blue sky. The Merry Little Breezes waited
just long enough to say "Good-by" to Old Mother West Wind, and then
started a mad race to see who could reach the Smiling Pool first.

There they found Great-Grandfather Frog sitting on his big green lily
pad as usual. He was very contented with the world, was Grandfather
Frog, for fat green flies had been more foolish than usual that morning
and already he had all that he could safely tuck inside his white and
yellow waistcoat.

"Good morning, Grandfather Frog," shouted the Merry Little Breezes.
"Will you tell us why it is that Hooty the Owl never comes out to play
with us on the Green Meadows?"

"Chug-a-rum," said Great-Grandfather Frog, gruffly, "how should I know?"

You see, Grandfather Frog likes to be teased a little.

"Oh, but you do know, for you are so old and so very wise," cried the
Merry Little Breezes all together.

Grandfather Frog smiled, for he likes to be thought very wise, and also
he was feeling very good, very good indeed that morning.

"Chug-a-rum," said Grandfather Frog. "If you'll sit perfectly still
I'll tell you what I know about Hooty the Owl. But remember, you must
sit perfectly still, _per-fect-ly_ still."

The Merry Little Breezes sigh