ld Buster all about how puffed up Old Mr. Toad was because he
had dined with Buster, and how ever since then he had refused even to speak
to his old friends and neighbors. It tickled Buster Bear so to think that
little homely Old Mr. Toad could be proud of anything that he laughed and
laughed, and his laugh was deep and grumbly-rumbly. Then Jimmy told him the
plan to teach Old Mr. Toad a lesson and asked Buster if he would help.
Buster's eyes twinkled as he promised to do what Jimmy asked.

Then Jimmy went straight to where Old Mr. Toad was sitting all puffed up,
taking a sun-bath.

"Buster Bear has just sent word by me to ask if you will honor him by
dining with him to-morrow at the rotted chestnut stump near the edge of the
Green Forest," said Jimmy in his politest manner.

Now if Old Mr. Toad was puffed up before, just think how he swelled out
when he heard that. Jimmy Skunk was actually afraid that he would burst.

"You may tell my friend, Buster Bear, that I shall be very happy to honor
him by dining with him," replied Old Mr. Toad with a very grand air.

Jimmy went off to deliver his reply, and Old Mr. Toad sat and puffed
himself out until he could hardly breathe. "Honor him by dining with him,"
said he over and over to himself. "I never was so flattered in my life."

XXII

OLD MR. TOAD LEARNS A LESSON

Pride is like a great big bubble;
You'll find there's nothing in it.
Prick it and for all your trouble
It has vanished in a minute.

Old Mr. Toad was so puffed out with pride as he started for the Green
Forest to dine with Buster Bear that those who saw him wondered if he
wouldn't burst before he got there. Everybody knew where he was going, and
this made Old Mr. Toad feel more important and proud than ever. He might
not have felt quite so puffed up if he had known just how it had come about
that he received this second invitation to dine with Buster Bear. When
Jimmy Skunk brought it to him, Jimmy didn't tell him that Buster had been
asked to send the invitation, and that it was all part of a plan on the
part of some of Old Mr. Toad's old friends and neighbors to teach him a
lesson. No, indeed, Jimmy didn't say anything at all about that!

So Old Mr. Toad went hopping along and stumbling over his own feet, because
his head was held so high and he was so puffed out that he couldn't see
where he was going. He could think of nothing but how important Buster Bear
must consider him to invi