out this odd person was his ears. The neighbors said
they couldn't see them, either. But they were in his head, even if they
didn't show. And Grandfather Mole himself sometimes remarked that he
didn't know how he could have burrowed as he did if he had been forever
getting dirt in his eyes and ears. He seemed quite satisfied to be just
as he was.

And he used to say that he didn't know what good eyes were to anyone
whether he was under the ground or on top of it!

Liking to dig as he did, he certainly had nothing to complain about. His
long nose was as good as a drill. And his front legs were just long
enough so that he could reach his large, spade-like feet beyond his nose
and throw the dirt back. His fur lay in one direction as easily as in
another, never troubling him in the least when he was boring his way
through the dry, loose soil of Farmer Green's garden.

So in spite of what might seem great drawbacks to others, Grandfather
Mole was contented with his lot. The only thing he was ever known to
grumble about was the scarcity of angleworms.

II

WHAT THE CAT CAUGHT

EVERYBODY knew the cat at Farmer Green's to be a great hunter. She had
long since disposed of the last mouse that was so foolish as to venture
inside her home. And being very big, and not at all timid, she had made
such a name for herself in the neighborhood that even the rats looked on
her as a monster to be avoided.

Now it often happened that this capable cat turned up her nose at the
saucer of milk that Farmer Green's wife set before her with great
regularity. And off she would go--sometimes to the barn, sometimes to
the fields--to see what she could find that would furnish her both food
and a frolic. For she thought it great sport to capture some small
creature.

She was crossing the garden early one morning, on her way to the meadow,
when she came upon Grandfather Mole. And having no pity for him--in
spite of his blindness--she thought there was no sense in going any
further for her breakfast. She would enjoy it right there in the garden.
But first she would play with Grandfather Mole, before eating. For she
was a pleasure-loving dame. She must have her sport, no matter if her
breakfast waited.

Grandfather Mole had blundered that morning. Burrowing his way just
under the surface of the ground, he had broken through the sun-baked
crust of the garden before he knew it. And as he groped about, surprised
to find himself in the ope