"And that is how it happens that Striped Chipmunk comes by his striped
coat, and why he is so proud of it, and takes such good care of it,"
concluded Grandfather Frog.




II

WHY PETER RABBIT CANNOT FOLD HIS HANDS


Happy Jack Squirrel sat with his hands folded across his white
waistcoat. He is very fond of sitting with his hands folded that way.
A little way from him sat Peter Rabbit. Peter was sitting up very
straight, but his hands dropped right down in front. Happy Jack
noticed it.

"Why don't you fold your hands the way I do, Peter Rabbit?" shouted
Happy Jack.

"I--I--don't want to," stammered Peter.

"You mean you can't!" jeered Happy Jack.

Peter pretended not to hear, and a few minutes later he hopped away
towards the dear Old Briar-patch, lipperty-lipperty-lip. Happy Jack
watched him go, and there was a puzzled look in Happy Jack's eyes.

"I really believe he can't fold his hands," said Happy Jack to