Arthur Scott Bailey

Name: The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse
Author: Arthur Scott Bailey

Summary

“The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse”, is a work by Arthur Scott Bailey. It explores elements such as Meadow Mouse, Fatty Coon and Peter Mink.

Quotes from The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse (Arthur Scott Bailey)

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ He liked to swim in Broad Brook. And in winter, when the snow was deep, he made tunnels beneath it, and a nest, too, which was snug and warm under the thick white blanket that covered it.
The only time Master Meadow Mouse was ever known to lose his temper was when Farmer Green mowed the meadow. Under the high grass Master Meadow Mouse had been able to run about his well-beaten paths unseen by hawks. But with the grass cut and raked, leaving only naked stubble, he couldn't hide even from old Mr. Crow. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ Now, Master Meadow Mouse had just crept out of one of his doorways and was looking up at the stars when that shivery sound came rolling out of the woods. When he heard it he turned quickly and hurried back where he came from.
"There won't be any fun to-night," he grumbled.
[88]
"There's no sense in wasting our time here," said Solomon Owl to his small cousin, Simon Screecher. "It's a fine night. The Mice will all be out sooner or later. Let's go over and sit in that old oak on the edge of the meadow!" ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ There was no cover over Master Meadow Mouse's paths. He had to be watchful all the time, because [26] Henry Hawk had an unpleasant habit of sailing high up in the sky and dropping down like lightning when he saw anybody like Master Meadow Mouse stirring.
Old Mr. Crow continued to journey daily between the cornfield and the woods. But Master Meadow Mouse paid little heed to him. He believed Mr. Crow to be harmless, so long as he didn't catch small folk in the cornfield. The old gentleman was very touchy about corn. He flew into a rage when anybody but himself ate even one kernel. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ And he cocked his head on one side, as if he were listening for something.
At that moment his cousin began to whistle again.
"Be quiet!" Solomon Owl thundered. "If I'm not mistaken I heard a squeak. But no Meadow Mouse will ever venture out of doors if you're going to whistle."
"I forgot," said Simon Screecher once more. "I'm so used to whistling that I don't know when I'm doing it."
Solomon Owl and Simon Screecher wait for Master Meadow Mouse
"That's the reason why you can't catch more Mice," Solomon Owl snapped; for he was angry. "There are dozens of Meadow Mice under the snow. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ There's always some danger in traveling—so I've heard."
His cousin on the bank had stopped running and now stood still and watched him anxiously until the raft had borne Master Meadow Mouse out of sight around a bend.
As the flood swung the craft toward the further side of the creek Master Meadow Mouse beheld a long-legged fisherman standing in the water. Not only did the fisherman have long legs. He had a long bill as well. And he was standing like a statue, waiting for a fish to swim past him. [76] A fish, or a frog, or a mouse! ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ Now, it was a pity that in Pleasant Valley, where Farmer Green's meadow lay, there were many of the fat-loving kind. Not only Peter Mink and Tommy Fox, but Grumpy Weasel, Solomon Owl, Ferdinand Frog, Henry Hawk and even Miss Kitty Cat were usually on the watch for Master Meadow Mouse. Naturally, he soon learned to be on the lookout for them. And if he hadn't seen them first he would never have grown up to be Mister Meadow Mouse. [3]
In spite of all those enemies, Master Meadow Mouse managed to enjoy life in Farmer Green's meadow. Usually he found plenty of seeds to eat. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ As he watched, he saw Peter Mink's head, on its long neck, flash out from beneath the overhanging bank of the brook.
"What are you doing up there?" Master Meadow Mouse called.
"Fishing!" said Peter Mink promptly.
"Aren't you a long way from the water?" Master Meadow Mouse inquired.
"With a pole, one doesn't need to stand right at the water's edge," said Peter Mink.
"But you haven't a pole," Master [106] Meadow Mouse pointed out. "At least, I can't see that you have one." ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ Life had become very easy for Master Meadow Mouse. He didn't even have to leave home to get all the corn he could eat. He simply crept out of his nest, and right there in his cornshock he had two dozen ears of ripe corn. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ Master Meadow Mouse couldn't help feeling guilty. Still, he hoped he hadn't [112] made as great a mistake as Uncle Billy would have him believe.
"I've heard," he ventured, "that Peter Mink can squeeze through any hole that's big enough for his head. But surely he couldn't get even his flat head into one of our passages."
"He can burrow in the snow!" Uncle Billy snapped. "He can and he will. He'll come sniffing and listening all around here. And when he finds a likely spot to dig, down he'll go through drifts and crusts until he reaches the stubble." ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ While as for meadow mice—well, Peter Mink had surprised many a one swim [101] ming in the brook. If it hadn't been for the meadow mice perhaps he wouldn't have visited the brook so often.
Even in winter Master Meadow Mouse just had to have his cold dip now and then. So he ran one of his many snow tunnels to the brook, making a little opening that led under the ice, where the water had fallen away and left a cavern. Just because there was skating for Johnnie Green on top of the brook it mustn't be supposed that Master Meadow Mouse wasn't going to have a swim when he wanted one. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ For Fatty Coon had given him a great fright. There was no denying that.
"It seems as if I were always moving," Master Meadow Mouse mused. "It's [69] lucky for me the world is wide. Thank goodness there's plenty of places left where I can go. I've tried the meadow, Farmer Green's woodpile, the tangle beside the pasture fence and the cornfield. And now—now let me see! I believe I'll settle along Black Creek, under the bank."
He was talking with Long Bill Wren, who had a nest in a marshy spot near the creek. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ They agreed that there were too many holes leading down to the village streets. It gave the Meadow Mouse people too many openings into which to dive in case of a sudden surprise when they were having a moonlight party.
"If they ever invited me to one of their affairs I wouldn't care what they did," Solomon Owl remarked one evening to his whistling cousin, Simon Screecher. "If they'd welcome me just once to one of their dances I'd be satisfied."
"It's plain that they don't like you," his cousin remarked. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ It was something that had been handed down to him along with his short tail and his reddish-brown back.
Somehow, as she stood and gazed at Master Meadow Mouse the kitten thought he was growing bigger every moment. She began to feel uneasy about pouncing on him. It was one thing to clap a paw down on the back of somebody that was running away from her. And it was an [14] entirely different matter to seize a person that didn't try to escape, but faced her almost boldly.
"Hunting isn't so much fun as I expected," she muttered. For a moment or two she was tempted to scamper back to the farmhouse. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ He met dozens of the big Meadow Mouse family that night. And every one of them was intent on picking out a shock of corn to live in.
Luckily there were shocks enough for all—and more. And no disputes arose. Some wanted to settle near the fence. [53] Some preferred to live in the middle of the field. Many decided to make their new homes near Broad Brook, so they could enjoy a swim now and then without having to travel far to get to the water.
Master Meadow Mouse was one of the best swimmers. He found a huge shock that stood near the bank of the brook. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ And I don't know anyone that could do it better than Fatty Coon."
Now, Mr. Crow knew where Fatty Coon lived, in a hollow tree in Cedar Swamp. And he actually started to fly over to the Swamp and ask Fatty Coon to rid the cornfield of the Meadow Mouse family.
But on the way to Cedar Swamp Mr. Crow happened to think of something. He happened to think that Fatty Coon had an enormous appetite and was very fond of corn.
Mr. Crow suddenly veered off his straight course and alighted in a tree.
"That will never do," he croaked. [59] "Fatty would eat more than all the Meadow Mice in Pleasant Valley." ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ Although he still seemed to listen politely whenever his mother gave him a lecture on dangerous birds or beasts, half the time he didn't know what she was saying. He had decided that her fears were foolish. He was sure that nothing could harm him. ”

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Source: Gutenberg

Arthur Scott Bailey, The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse

“ And the moment she was within his reach Master Meadow Mouse gave her a smart nip on the nose with his sharp little teeth.
The kitten squalled. And she backed [15] hastily away. "You'd better run!" she advised Master Meadow Mouse. "I shall not give you another chance!"
But he stood fast. And the kitten didn't give him another chance, either to run from her, or to bite her nose again. She fell into a sudden panic and bounded awkwardly away toward the farmhouse.
And then Master Meadow Mouse ran. He ran home as fast as he could go.
[16]
The whole Meadow Mouse family enjoyed swimming. ”

Arthur Scott Bailey

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Quotes from The Tale of Master Meadow Mouse (Arthur Scott Bailey)

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