elephant talking together.

Brother Rabbit said, "I'd like to know what they are talking about." So
he crouched down behind some bushes and listened.

This is what Brother Rabbit heard the whale say:

"You are the biggest thing on the land, Brother Elephant, and I am the
biggest thing in the sea. If we work together, we can rule all the
animals in the world. We can have our own way about everything."

"Very good, very good," trumpeted the elephant. "That suits me. You keep
the sea, and I will keep the land."

[Illustration: Brother Rabbit listening]

"That's a bargain," said the whale, as he swam away.

Brother Rabbit laughed to himself. "They won't rule me," he said, as he
ran off.

Brother Rabbit soon came back with a very long and a very strong rope
and his big drum. He hid the drum in some bushes. Then taking one end of
the rope, he walked up to the elephant.

"Oh, dear Mr. Elephant," he said, "you are big and strong; will you have
the kindness to do me a favor?"

The elephant was pleased, and he trumpeted, "Certainly, certainly. What
is it?"

"My cow is stuck in the mud on the shore, and I can't pull her out,"
said Brother Rabbit. "If you will help me, you will do me a great
service. You are so strong, I am sure you can get her out."

"Certainly, certainly," trumpeted the elephant.

"Thank you," said the rabbit. "Take this rope in your trunk, and I will
tie the other end to my cow. Then I will beat my drum to let you know
when to pull. You must pull as hard as you can, for the cow is very
heavy."

"Huh!" trumpeted the elephant, "I'll pull her out, or break the rope."

Brother Rabbit tied the rope to the elephant's trunk and ran off,
lippety, lippety.

II

He ran till he came to the shore where the whale was. Making a bow,
Brother Rabbit said, "0, mighty and wonderful Whale, will you do me a
favor?"

"What is it?" asked the whale.

"My cow is stuck in the mud on the shore," said Brother Rabbit, "and I
cannot pull her out. Of course you can do it. If you will be so kind as
to help me, I shall be very much obliged."

"Certainly," said the whale, "certainly."

"Thank you," said Brother Rabbit, "take hold of this rope, and I will
tie the other end to my cow. Then I will beat my big drum to let you
know when to pull. You must pull as hard as you can, for my cow is very
heavy."

"Never fear," said the whale, "I could pull a dozen cows out of the
mud."

"I am sure you could," said the r