all the little meadow and forest people, and how
Bobby had whispered in the ear of each that Unc' Billy Possum was partly to
blame for all the trouble they had had lately.

Ol' Mistah Buzzard watched Unc' Billy go home and sit down with his chin in
his hands and study and study, just as if he had something on his mind. By
and by Unc' Billy looked up in the sky where Ol' Mistah Buzzard was sailing
'round and 'round. Then Unc' Billy hopped up mighty spry.

"Ah reckon Unc' Billy 'lows he'll make me a visit," said Ol' Mistah Buzzard
with a chuckle, as he slid down, down out of the sky to the tall dead tree
in the Green Forest, which is his favorite roosting-place. He hadn't been
there long when Unc' Billy Possum came shuffling along, just as if he was
out walking for his health.

"Howdy, Mistah Buzzard! Ah cert'nly hopes yo'all feel right smart," said
Unc' Billy.

Ol' Mistah Buzzard's eyes twinkled as he replied: "Ah feel right pert, Brer
Possum, thank yo'. Ah hopes yo' feel the same. Yo' look like nothing ever
bothers yo'."

Unc' Billy grinned, but at the same time he looked a little foolish as he
said: "That's right, Mistah Buzzard, that's right! Nothing ever does bother
me." And all the time he was wondering however he should ask for Ol' Mistah
Buzzard's advice and not let him know that something really was bothering
him a great deal.

"Ah watched yo' take a long walk this mo'ning, Brer Possum," said Ol'
Mistah Buzzard.

"Did yo', indeed; yo' have keen eyes, Mistah Buzzard!" replied Unc' Billy.

"Ah saw yo' meet a lot of yo' friends. It's fine to have a lot of friends,
isn't it, Brer Possum?" said Ol' Mistah Buzzard.

Unc' Billy looked at Ol' Mistah Buzzard sharply. He wondered if Mistah
Buzzard had noticed that all those friends had turned their backs on Unc'
Billy that morning, but Mistah Buzzard looked as sober and solemn as a
judge. All at once Ol' Mistah Buzzard hopped up and turned around, so that
all Unc' Billy could see of him was his back. Unc' Billy stared, and for a
minute he couldn't find his tongue. Then he heard a noise that sounded very
much like a chuckle. In a few minutes it was a laugh. Finally Unc' Billy
began to laugh too.

"Yo' take mah advice and bring mah ol' friend Mockah out of his
hiding-place and introduce him to the Green Meadows and the Green Forest,"
said Ol' Mistah Buzzard.

Unc' Billy shook his head doubtfully. He was afraid that they might not
forgive the tricks that Mr. Mock