nny Meadow Mouse," cried the Merry
Little Breezes, who had been listening, "and we love you just as much
as if your tail was long!"

Then they played tag with him all the way up the Lone Little Path to
his house, till Danny Meadow Mouse quite forgot that he had wished that
his tail was long.

II

WHY REDDY FOX HAS NO FRIENDS

The Green Meadows lay peaceful and still. Mother Moon, sailing high
overhead, looked down upon them and smiled and smiled, flooding them
with her silvery light. All day long the Merry Little Breezes of Old
Mother West Wind had romped there among the asters and goldenrod. They
had played tag through the cat rushes around the Smiling Pool. For
very mischief they had rubbed the fur of the Field Mice babies the
wrong way and had blown a fat green fly right out of Grandfather Frog's
mouth just as his lips came together with a smack. Now they were
safely tucked in bed behind the Purple Hills, and so they missed the
midnight feast at the foot of the Lone Pine.

But Reddy Fox was there. You can always count on Reddy Fox to be about
when mischief or good times are afoot, especially after Mr. Sun has
pulled his nightcap on.

Jimmy Skunk was there. If there is any mischief Reddy Fox does not
think of Jimmy Skunk will be sure to discover it.

Billy Mink was there. Yes indeed, Billy Mink was there! Billy Mink is
another mischief maker. When Reddy Fox and Jimmy Skunk are playing
pranks or in trouble of any kind you are certain to find Billy Mink
close by. That is, you are certain to find him if you look sharp
enough. But Billy Mink is so slim, he moves so quickly, and his wits
are so sharp, that he is not seen half so often as the others.

With Billy Mink came his cousin, Shadow the Weasel, who is sly and
cruel. No one likes Shadow the Weasel.

Little Joe Otter and Jerry Muskrat came. They were late, for the legs
of Little Joe Otter are so short that he is a slow traveler on land,
while Jerry Muskrat feels much more at home in the water than on the
dry ground.

Of course Peter Rabbit was there. Without him no party on the Green
Meadows would be complete, and Peter likes to be abroad at night even
better than by day. With Peter came his cousin, Jumper the Hare, who
had come down from the Pine Forest for a visit.

Boomer the Nighthawk and Hooty the Owl completed the party, though
Hooty had not been invited and no one knew that he was there.

Each was to contribute something to