he head of the valley was a good place for
the Tree-dwellers to live.
They could be safe in the tall trees.
They could get fresh water from the river.
They could find nuts and acorns on the trees.
They could find roots and berries in the open spaces.

[Illustration: _Wild roots were used for food_]

THINGS TO DO

_Model in sand the hills and uplands near the head of a river valley._
_Show where the trees grow._
_Where would you look for the roots and berries?_
_Where would the cattle find grass?_
_What else would the cattle need?_
_Where would they find it?_

IV.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Do you think Sharptooth had ever been away from the wooded hills near
the head of the river valley?
If she had gone into the dense forests, do you think she would have
stayed there?
Would it have been safe for her to walk on the ground?
What way would have been safe at that time?
Do you think Sharptooth would dare to go out on the grassy plains?
Why did she like the wooded hills best?

_Sharptooth's Excursions_

Sharptooth knew every spot on the wooded hills.
But she seldom went to a strange place.

[Illustration: "_She walked out upon a strong spreading branch_"]

One day, though, she took a long journey.
This is the way that it came about.
She found plenty of roots and ripe blue berries.
She ate until she was satisfied.
Then she began to play among the trees.
She walked out upon a strong spreading branch.
Then she grasped a tough branch just over her head.
She swung herself into a neighboring tree.
Then she walked out on another branch.
She swung herself into another tree.
She traveled in this way for a long time.
At last she came to a dense forest.
How dark and damp it seemed!
How still it was!
She stopped her play.
She began to feel tired and hungry; so she rested a while, and then
searched for food.
She found few signs of roots or berries.
There were many trees, but nuts were scarce.
So she ate the bark from the tender twigs.
But she was not satisfied.
She missed the roots and berries.
She missed the bright sunshine.
She missed familiar sights and sounds.
So she soon went back to the wooded hills.
Another day Sharptooth went to the edge of a grassy plain.
There were many wild animals feeding there.
She hid in the tall green grass and watched the wild cattle from her
hiding-place.

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