“I’m afraid that you’ll spill me off,” replied Grandfather Frog.

“No, I won’t; just try me and see,” begged Jerry.

So Grandfather Frog climbed on Jerry Muskrat’s back, and Jerry started for the Big Rock as fast as he could go.  When all the Minks and the Otters and the Coons and the Muskrats saw them coming, they gave a great shout, for Grandfather Frog is sometimes called the oracle of the Smiling Pool.  You know an oracle is one who is very wise.

Bobby Coon helped Grandfather Frog up on the Big Rock, and when he had made himself comfortable, Mrs. Muskrat told him all about Farmer Brown’s boy and his traps, and how Jerry had been caught in one by the tail, and she ended by asking for his advice, because they all knew that he was so wise.

When she said this, Grandfather Frog puffed himself up until it seemed as if his white and yellow waistcoat would surely burst.  He sat very still for a while and gazed straight at jolly, round, red Mr. Sun without blinking once.  Then he spoke in a very deep voice.

“To-morrow morning at sunrise I will tell you what to do,” said he.  And not another word could they get out of him.

CHAPTER IV:  Grandfather Frog’s Plan

Just as Old Mother West Wind and her Merry Little Breezes came down from the Purple Hills, and jolly, round, red Mr. Sun threw his nightcap off and began his daily climb up in the blue sky, Great-Grandfather Frog climbed up on the Big Rock in the Smiling Pool.  Early as he was, all the little people who live along the Laughing Brook and around the Smiling Pool were waiting for him.  Bobby Coon had found two traps set by Farmer Brown’s boy, and Billy Mink had almost stepped in a third.  No one felt safe any more, yet no one knew what to do.  So they all waited for the advice of Great-Grandfather Frog, who, you know, is accounted very, very wise.

Grandfather Frog cleared his throat.  “Chugarum!” said he.  “You must find all the traps that Farmer Brown’s boy has set.”

“How are we going to do it?” asked Bobby Coon.

“By looking for them,” replied Grandfather Frog tartly.

Bobby Coon looked foolish and slipped out of sight behind his mother.

“All the Coons and all the Minks must search along the banks of the Laughing Brook, and all the Muskrats and all the Otters must search along the banks of the Smiling Pool.  You must use your eyes and your noses.  When you find things good to eat where you have never found them before, watch out!  When you get the first whiff of the man-smell, watch out!  Billy Mink, you are small and quick, and your eyes are sharp.  You sit here on the Big Rock until you see Farmer Brown’s boy coming.  Then go hide in the bulrushes where you can watch him, but where he cannot see you.  Follow him everywhere he goes around the Smiling Pool or along the Laughing Brook.  Without knowing it, he will show you where every trap is hidden.