e, where he was perfectly safe, and come out to hunt
bugs and insects just as soon as Mr. Hawk had gone to bed! Then he
would be safe and would not have to complain to Old Mother Nature.

"At first old Mr. Bat, who wasn't old then, you know, had hard work to
catch enough insects before it grew too dark, but he found that every
night he could see a little longer and a little better than the night
before, until by and by he could see as well in the dusk as he used to
see in the daytime. Then he realized that Old Mother Nature had once
more been very good to him, and that she had helped him just as she
always helps those who help themselves. She had given him
night-seeing eyes, and he no more had to go hungry.

"Mr. Bat was very grateful, and from that day to this, Bats have been
content to live in caves and fly in the evening. You ask Flitter if it
isn't so."

Peter grinned. "He never stays in one place long enough for me to ask
him anything," said he. "I'm ever so much obliged for the story,
Grandfather Frog. It pays to make the best of what we have, doesn't
it?"

"It certainly does. Chug-a-rum! It certainly does!" replied
Grandfather Frog.

XV

WHY SPOTTY THE TURTLE CARRIES HIS HOUSE WITH HIM

Spotty the Turtle sat on an old log on the bank of the Smiling Pool,
taking a sun-bath. He had sat that way for the longest time without
once moving. Peter Rabbit had seen him when he went by on his way to
the Laughing Brook and the Green Forest to look for some one to pass
the time of day with. Spotty was still there when Peter returned a
long time after, and he didn't look as if he had moved. A sudden
thought struck Peter. He couldn't remember that he ever had seen
Spotty's house. He had seen the houses of most of his other friends,
but think as hard as ever he could, he didn't remember having seen
Spotty's.

"Hi, Spotty!" he shouted. "Where do you live?"

Spotty slowly turned his head and looked up at Peter. There was a
twinkle in his eyes, though Peter didn't see it.

"Right here in the Smiling Pool. Where else should I live?" he
replied.

"I mean, where is your house?" returned Peter. "Of course I know you
live in the Smiling Pool, but where is your house? Is it in the bank
or down under water?"

"It is just wherever I happen to be. Just now it is right here," said
Spotty. "I always take it with me wherever I go; I find it much the
handiest way."

[Illustration: "Hi, Spotty!" he shouted. "Where do y