Here's this long-legged upstart
interfering in my affairs. I must teach him a lesson!" Mr. Crow
declared.

Well, that very afternoon he challenged Daddy Longlegs to a contest.

"I intend to prove," said Mr. Crow, "that my advice is always good; and
that yours is always bad."

"Very well!" Daddy Longlegs answered. "But I advise you to go home at
once, Mr. Crow. You're very hoarse. And I'm sure you ought to be in
bed."

Now, the old gentleman was always hoarse. And since he disliked to have
anyone mention his infirmity, his eyes snapped angrily.

"I advise you----" he roared----"I advise you to keep your advice to
yourself."

Of course that was a rude speech. But Daddy Longlegs did not take
offense at it. He straightway told Mr. Crow that he ought to wear
rubbers. And Mr. Crow was so enraged that he couldn't speak for as much
as half an hour.

It was understood that the contest between Daddy and Mr. Crow would take
place the following morning. And when that time came a big crowd had
gathered upon the stone wall to see the fun.

IV

THE CONTEST

"MY cousin, Jasper Jay, has kindly consented to ask us some questions,"
Mr. Crow informed Daddy Longlegs. "And he will decide which of us makes
the wiser answers."

Buster Bumblebee, who was watching and listening, said:

"That's hardly fair, it seems to me."

But old Mr. Crow quickly told him that he was a stupid fellow and that
he'd better keep still. And since a good many other people had
frequently said the same thing to that young gentleman, Buster began to
think there might be some truth in it. So he said nothing more.

Meanwhile Daddy Longlegs beamed upon all the company. And Mr. Crow
looked at him out of the corner of his eye. Then he said to Daddy, "I
suppose you've no objection to this plan?"

"It suits me very well," Daddy replied.

"I thought it would," said old Mr. Crow with a smirk. And turning to his
cousin, Jasper Jay, he remarked in a low voice that Daddy Longlegs was
even duller than he had imagined.

Then Jasper Jay announced that he would put the first question. And
after he had heard Mr. Crow's opinion he would listen to Daddy
Longlegs'.

"When is the best time to plant corn?" Jasper then asked Mr. Crow, while
the whole company craned their necks and strained their ears--for of
course they didn't want to miss anything.

Mr. Crow made no answer for a few moments. He appeared to be thinking
deeply. But at last he looked up and s