“You must flap your wings,” called Blacky Crow.

“Hop off the branch,” called one of the sparrows.

So Sammy flapped his wings, and then he hopped off the branch.

But, oh, dear me!  The wings would not hold Sammy up in the air.

Sammy forgot to hold his wings out straight and they hung down at his side without a flutter.

And down to the ground Sammy fell.

[Illustration:  Down to the ground Sammy fell.]

Bump! he came down at the foot of the oak tree.

He almost fell on top of Bunny Rabbit.

But Bunny saw him coming and jumped out of the way just in time.

Sammy lay very still where he had fallen.

All the squirrels ran down to see if he had hurt himself.

Bobby Gray Squirrel ran to pick the fallen bird up from the ground.

Sammy had given his nose such a bump that it was all black and blue.

He had hurt his paw.  And his make-believe wings were all crushed and broken.

Sammy rubbed his nose and then he looked at his friends.

“I don’t believe oak leaves make good wings,” he said.

“No,” said the tiniest sparrow, “the best wings are made of feathers.”

“Caw, caw!” said Blacky Crow.  “My wings are made of feathers.  See how I can fly.”

Then Blacky Crow flapped his big wings and flew away.

The sparrows flew away, too.

All the squirrels scampered off to hunt for nuts.

And the rabbits went back to their home to take a nap.

Sammy was left sitting alone on the old stone wall.

Every few minutes he rubbed his poor little nose.

And as he rubbed his nose he thought: 

“Flying may be fun for birds, and swimming may be fun for ducks.

“But running and jumping among the branches of the big oak tree is more fun for squirrels.”

THE CABBAGE PATCH

I

“Oh, dear me!” said Billy.  “I am so hungry.  I wish I could find something good to eat.”

“I know where there is a big cabbage patch,” said Bunny.

“Where, where?” asked Billy.

“Where, where?” asked Bobtail.

“Follow me,” said Bunny, “and I will show you.”

“Is it far?” asked Billy.

“No,” said Bunny.  “It is not very far,—­just down in Mr. Man’s garden.”

“I think I will stay here,” said Billy.  “This clover is very good.”

So Billy stayed and ate the clover, but Bobtail and Bunny hopped off down the road.

They hopped along the road until they came to Mr. Man’s barn.

Then they stopped to listen.

Bunny sat up straight and held up his long ears.

Bobtail sat up straight and held up his long ears.

They listened and listened, but they did not hear a sound.