"Jimmy Skunk," said Old Dame Nature, and her voice was very
stern, very stern indeed, and her face was very grave. "Jimmy
Skunk, I accuse you of having broken and eaten the eggs of Mrs.
Grouse. What have you to say for yourself?"

Jimmy Skunk hung his head. He hadn't a word to say. He just
wanted to sneak away by himself.

"Jimmy Skunk," said Old Dame Nature, "because your handsome black
coat of which you are so proud has made it possible for you to
move about in the night without being seen, and because we can no
longer trust you upon your honor, henceforth you and your
descendants shall wear a striped coat, which is the sign that you
cannot be trusted. Your coat hereafter shall be black and white,
that when you move about in the night you will always be
visible."

And this is why that to this day Jimmy Skunk wears a striped suit
of black and white.



CHAPTER V THE WILFUL LITTLE BREEZE

Old Mother West Wind was tired--tired and just a wee bit cross--
cross because she was tired. She had had a very busy day. Ever
since early morning she had been puffing out the white sales of
the ships on the big ocean so that they could go faster; she had
kept all the big and little wind mills whirling and whirling to