mouth
instead of at the back. So I can often reach a fly when he thinks he's
perfectly safe. And furthermore, my tongue is so sticky that if it
touches a fly, he can't get away. Then I swallow that one and wait for
another."

"A likely story!" the big bird scoffed. "I've been watching you for a
long time (Mr. Frog shivered when he heard that!) and I know what I'm
talking about. . . . There you go again!" he shrieked angrily, as
Ferdinand Frog's tongue flew out and captured another fly so quickly
that the stranger couldn't see just what had happened.

"Listen to me a moment!" Mr. Frog said. "Like most people, I have to
eat. And when I eat I can't help sticking out my tongue. So I'd suggest
that if you don't care to watch me at my breakfast you'd better go away.
It certainly isn't my fault that you're standing right in front of me."

But the stranger declined to move.

"If you really meant to be polite," he grumbled, "you'd at least turn
your back when you stick out your tongue."

But Mr. Frog never stirred. He was afraid that the moment he turned his
back the big bird would pounce upon him.

"It's not necessary for me to turn around now," he explained. "I've
finished my breakfast. And I hope you've had yours, too."

[Illustration: Grand-daddy Beaver Appeals to Mr. Frog]

"I'm sorry to say that I have," the stranger answered with a sigh, as he
looked longingly at plump Mr. Frog. "I couldn't eat another mouthful if
it sat right in front of me."

And then Ferdinand Frog felt as if a great weight had been lifted from
his mind. He smiled all over his face, to show the stranger that he was
glad to see him.

"Ah!" Mr. Frog cried. "Then we can have a friendly chat together. I
always like to talk with travellers. . . . What a long, sharp bill you
have!"

Now, some people would think that a rude remark. But it seemed to please
the stranger immensely.

XVII

A LONG, SHARP BILL

Certainly it was an odd remark that Ferdinand Frog made about the
stranger's wicked-looking bill. But knowing that its owner had eaten
until he had no appetite left for the time being, Mr. Frog forgot his
fear. And he couldn't help being curious about the big bird, because he
had never seen another like him.

Of course, what Mr. Frog said would have annoyed some people a good
deal, for he had just the same as told the stranger that he had _a long,
sharp nose_. But luckily it happened that the newcomer was very vain
both of the le