"Now who else shall we invite?" asked the old gentleman bunny, as theyrolled along with a laugh and a song.
"Jack Sprite," answered Little Jack Rabbit.
"Of course," laughed the old gentleman bunny, and he turned down theshady dell where the Jack-in-the-pulpit flowers grew, and by and by hecame to the one in which Jack lived.
"Oh, yes, I'll come," he said, "and I'll stay late, until the roostercrows at eight."
"All right," answered Uncle John Hare, "I don't care, but don't blame meif I should fall asleep before that time," and then away went theBunnymobile and before very long the two little rabbits met the littlefairy who had once upon a time, not very many stories ago, slept in theold gentleman rabbit's bed.
"Come to my party, come at eight, And bring your key to my little front gate."
"I'll be there, never fear," laughed the little fairy, for Uncle JohnHare was noted for his wonderful parties.
"Now that makes three," said Little Jack Rabbit. "Shall we ask theRagged Rabbit Giant?"
"Sh-s-sh!" whispered the old gentleman bunny, "don't mention his name. Ihave only ten pounds of cheese for the rarebit. He'd eat a ton at onebite." Then they went on until they met Little Red Riding Hood.
"Come to my party, come at eight, And bring your key to my little front gate."
"I'll be there," answered Little Red Riding Hood, and she ran down tothe village to buy a new gown.
"Now who else?" asked the old gentleman rabbit.
"Goodness me, yes, indeed, there's Bo Peep," said Billy Bunny. And inthe next story you shall hear about the party.
UNCLE JOHN HARE'S PARTY
You remember we left off in the last story just as the two littlerabbits were on their way to ask Bo Peep to come to their party. Well,she said she would, of course, and then Uncle John Hare, the oldgentleman bunny, went to the telephone and called up Mother Goose andinvited her and all the little people of Mother Goose Land to his party.
"Come to my party, come at eight, And bring your key to my little front gate,"
he added, before hanging up the receiver, for he didn't want anybody tobe disappointed, you know. But they would be, just the same, if theyforgot to bring their keys, for the old gentleman rabbit would neveropen his front gate after eight.
"Now we had better hurry home to help Mrs. Daisy Duck get things readyfor tonight," and he changed places with his bunny nephew, who took thewheel and steered the Bunnymobile, while kind Uncle John Hare lookedover the list of names to make sure no one had been left out, and prettysoon, not so very long, they were home and as busy as could be gettingeverything ready for the big party.
At eight o'clock, and maybe a few minutes before, the little front gatebegan to rattle, and Mother Goose came up the walk, followed byGoosey-Goosey-Gander and the Three Blind Mice, who held on to thegander's tail feathers so as not to stub their toes on the front doorstep.
Then pretty soon, the lock began to rattle again, and in came JackSprite and the little Forest Fay, and before 13 minutes past 8 every onewas there. Well, by and by it came time to cut the big birthday cake inwhich was hidden a little gold ring, and of course everyone hoped hewould find it in his piece of cake. But of course everybody exceptBenjamin Meadow Mouse was disappointed, which tells you right away whogot the ring.
Jack Sprite and Forest Fay Arrive at Uncle John Hare'sParty.]
Now everything was going along as nicely as you please, when, all of asudden, there came a rap-tap-a-tap at the little front gate, and Mrs.Daisy Duck, the old housekeeper, whispered:
"Somebody's knocking at the gate, We won't let him in because it's too late; No one gets in who has lost his key No matter what time the hour may be."
But, goodness me. The knocking kept right on, only louder and louder,and pretty soon a gruff voice said:
"I'm the Ragged Rabbit Giantman Open the gate as quick as you can."
"What shall we do?" asked Mrs. Daisy Duck, who was a timid lady duck andnever felt safe unless she was out in the middle of Turnip City Lake.
And in the next story, if that big giant doesn't break down the gate,I'll tell you what happened after that.
THE LITTLE RING
"If you don't open the gate, I'll step over the wall It's not very high, and I'm pretty tall. I guess you had better open the gate; In case I get angry you'll find it too late."
"Oh, dear me!" said Mrs. Daisy Duck, "What shall we do?"
Then what do you suppose little Benjamin Meadow Mouse said? You'd neverguess. He ran out of the house, down to the gate, and called out to thatgreat big giant: "Have you a little boy at home?"
"I certainly have," replied the big immense giant rabbit.
"Then take this little ring to him," said Benjamin Meadow Mouse, handingover the ring which he had just found in his piece of birthday cake, asI told you in the last story.
"You are very kind," said the giant. "I'll go home at once and give itto him." And away he went to climb up his mountain.
Well, after that, the birthday party broke up, and all the little guestswent home, but before Benjamin Meadow Mouse said good night, Little JackRabbit gave him another ring, maybe a little prettier than the one inthe birthday cake.
The next morning when Mr. Merry Sun looked into the window he said:
"Wake up, wake up! little boy rabbit Dress yourself in your white fur habit. It's going to be a beautiful day For I've driven the rain clouds all away."
"That's very nice of you, Mr. Merry Sun," said the little bunny, rubbinghis eyes, for he was still sleepy from the birthday party. Then, after ayawn or two, he jumped out of bed, and pretty soon he was downstairswith Uncle John Hare, reading the Bunnyville News.
Well, before very long, they were ready to go for a drive, so theycranked up the Bunnymobile, and started off, and by and by, after awhile, and many a mile and a song and a smile, they met little BobbieRedvest who told them that the Cow That Jumped Over the Moon wasn'tfeeling very well.
"Goodness me, that's too bad," said the old gentleman bunny. "I guessI'll get the doctor." So off he went, with Little Jack Rabbit, andpretty soon, not so very far, they came to the good doctor's house onthe corner of Lettuce Avenue and Pumpkin Square.
And in the next story you shall hear what happened after that.
DOCTOR CAT
Oh, Doctor Cat was very wise, Oh, very wise was he. He knew you'd smile in a little while If tickled on the knee.
Well, I hope you remember where we left off in the last story, but incase you don't, Little Jack Rabbit and Uncle John Hare had gone afterDoctor Cat to tell him that the Cow That Jumped Over the Moon was illwith the rheumatism.
"That's pretty hard to cure," said the wise cat doctor after the littlebunnies had explained matters. "But I will get my little black bag andgo with you," and filling it full of little medicine bottles and boxesof pills he put on his coat and hat and followed the two little rabbitsout to the Bunnymobile. Then they all started for Mrs. Cow's house inMeadowville, on the corner of Corn Cob Avenue and Clover Street.
"I don't know what will happen if she never can jump over the moonagain," said Little Jack Rabbit. "Just think how disappointed all thelittle boys and girls will be who read Mother Goose. Maybe the LittleDog will never laugh again and the Dish won't run after the Spoon."
"I'll give her a jumping powder," said Dr. Cat. "That's all she needs.Don't worry. I once treated a kangaroo for the same trouble," And hebegan to purr as if nothing could worry him except, maybe, a big dog.
Well, pretty soon they came to Mrs. Cow's house, so the doctor jumpedout and went in. But, oh dear me, Mrs. Cow was sicker than he thought, Iguess, for he didn't come out for fifteen minutes, and maybe more.
"How is she?" inquired kind Uncle John Hare when the famous cat doctorwas once more seated in the Bunnymobile.
"She hasn't got rheumatism at all," he answered. "She bumped her foot onthe edge of the moon, but it will be all well in a few day
s."
By and by the two little rabbits and the famous cat doctor came to abridge where they found the old dog who took the toll ill with the flu.
"Let me off here," said Dr. Cat, "and you can go on your way." So thetwo little bunnies crossed the bridge and stopped at a moving picturetheatre.
"There's going to be a show very soon," said a green parrot. "Get yourtickets. Don't be late. There won't be a seat by half past eight."
"Shall we go in?" asked the old gentleman rabbit.
And you don't suppose for a minute that Little Jack Rabbit answers "no"in the next story, do you?
THE BIG BLACK BEAR
Now the Moving Picture to which Little Jack Rabbit and Uncle John Harewent in the story before this was about a dog that barked at the moontill the Man in the Moon threw him a bone, after which he sat out in thebackyard every night to catch the bones the Man in the Moon threw downto him.
"I wish it had been about the little bird in the Moon Man's house," saidLittle Jack Rabbit. "I don't care much about dogs."
Well, after that they both jumped into the Bunnymobile and started offfor home. But, oh dear me. They had gone only a little way, just so far,when out from the wood jumped a big black bear.
"What are you doing out here by my wood? Your Bunnymobile makes a noise It will wake up my cub with its rub-a-dub-dub, And frighten the little bird boys."
"No, it won't," answered the old gentleman rabbit. "Everybody in theShady Forest knows me. I've taken the fairies out for a drive. They likeit."
Well, when the Black Bear heard that he grew more sociable and prettysoon he invited the two little bunnies to call. So Little Jack Rabbitasked him to get in the Bunnymobile, and away they went to the bear'shome. And after a while, they saw among the trees a cute little loghouse.
"That's where I live," said the Black Bear, and in less time than I cantake to tell it, they were all out of the Bunnymobile and seated in theparlor.
"Now wait a minute and I'll see if my little cub is awake," said the bigBlack Bear, and he went to the foot of the stairs to listen.
"Go to sleep, you naughty cub, What makes you wriggle so? You ought to be in Dreamy Land Where pretty flowers grow."
"Sh-s-sh!" said the big Black Bear, motioning to Uncle John Hare. "Mrs.Bear is singing him to sleep!" So the two little rabbits tiptoed out ofthe log cabin and hopped into the Bunnymobile, and went softly away, forthey knew how hard it is for mothers to get their children to sleep andthey didn't want to make trouble for kind Mrs. Bear.
Well, pretty soon these kind little bunnies reached home, where Mrs.Daisy Duck, their housekeeper, stood waiting on the front porch. It wasquite late and the Twinkle, Twinkle Star was shining down from the sky.And next time if
The Man in the Moon doesn't lose a cent And so is unable to pay his rent,
I'll tell you another story about these two little rabbits.
CHICKEN CITY
One morning as Uncle John Hare and his bunny nephew sat on the frontporch of their little house on the corner of Turnip Square and LettuceAvenue they saw a Yellow Hen walking down the road. She had on a pinkshawl and a purple sunbonnet and a pair of little red slippers.
"Cackle, cackle, what do you think, I went to the store to buy some ink, Paper and pen a letter to write, But they told me they'd all sold out last night."
"So here I am," said the little Yellow Hen. "I must make you a call,"and she hopped up on the porch and sat down in the rocking chair.
"Well, we're glad to see you," said the old gentleman rabbit. "How areall the folks in Chicken City?"
"The old Red Rooster has the chicken pox," she answered. And when theold gentleman rabbit heard that he was dreadfully sorry, for once upon atime that very same rooster used to wake him up every morning forbreakfast.
"We'll take the Bunnymobile and go over to see him," he said. And inless than 500 short seconds all three of them were driving towardChicken City. But, would you believe it, when they reached the old RedRooster's house they were told he had gone for a walk on the meadow. Andpretty soon they heard him say:
"I got over the chickenpox, But I nearly had the flu I'm so glad I'm well again-- Cock-a-doodle-do!"
"Too bad you took all this trip for nothing," said the Yellow Hen.
"Not a bit of it," answered the old gentleman bunny. "It's worth going athousand miles to hear my old friend crow again." And then he and LittleJack Rabbit jumped into the Bunnymobile and started off for home. Butthey had gone only a little way, maybe a mile and maybe less, when theysaw a little pig by the road-side, eating clover tops and wagging hislittle curly tail to brush away the flies.
"Come, take a ride with us," shouted Little Jack Rabbit. So in jumpedthe little pig and sat down on the back seat and then the old gentlemanbunny made the Bunnymobile go twice as fast to frighten the little pig.But he wasn't scared. He lay back against the nice soft cushions andtook a lollypop out of his pocket and made believe he was smoking apipe. And when the old gentleman rabbit turned around, he nearly upsetthe Bunnymobile he was so surprised.
And in the next story you shall hear what happened after that.
MRS. WILDCAT
The Bunnymobile went gliding along, While the two little rabbits sang a song. The little pig now and then joined in, But, oh, dear me! his voice was thin.
"Stop that noise!" cried somebody, all of a sudden, just like that. Andfrom behind a bush a big wildcat jumped right out into the middle of theroad. And, oh dear me, again, and maybe once more, but she had dreadfullong teeth and sharp pointed claws.
"I won't stop," answered the old gentleman rabbit.
"Yes, you will," said the wildcat, "and what is more I'm going to eatyour friend Mr. Pig."
Goodness gracious me! That was a terrible thing to hear, especially ifyou're a pig. And then with a leap that fierce wildcat landed in theBunnymobile. But, oh dear me, before she could touch him Little JackRabbit picked up a big round rubber tire and threw it over that wickedwildcat's head, and when she tried to get it off the little air valveopened and blew in her eye until she couldn't see anything. And whileshe had her eyes shut the old gentleman rabbit put a big chain aroundher waist and padlocked it to the Bunnymobile.
"Now will you be good?" asked Little Jack Rabbit with a grin. "We'lltake you to the Catnip City jail and turn you over to the PolicemanDog."
And away went the two little rabbits, but, let me tell you, before theyeven started the little pig jumped over the seat and sat down besidethem, for he didn't want to stay with the big wildcat. Oh, dear no! Noteven if she were chained and padlocked.
Well, pretty soon, not so very long, although it seemed a month to thelittle pig, they came to Catnip City, and in a few minutes after thatthey stopped in front of the jail.
"What have you got here?" asked the Policeman Dog, coming out with hisclub in his right paw. "Oh, I see, Mrs. Wildcat. I'm mighty glad you'vecaught her." And he tickled her ear with his club and locked her up in acell.
"She won't bother anybody for thirty days," said the Policeman Dog.
And then away went the two little bunnies till they came to a farm wherea big turkey gobbler lived.
"Gobble, gobble, gobble! Cried the great big turkey cock. I'd like to find some one to darn, The hole in my purple sock."
"Give it to me and I'll take it home to my housekeeper," said Uncle JohnHare. And in the next story you shall hear what happened after that.
PROFESSOR CROW
Now I forgot to tell you in the last story that as soon as the twolittle rabbits reached the farm where the big Turkey Gobbler had a holein his purple sock, the little pig jumped out of the Bunnymobile and ranaround to the pigsty, and he was in such a hurry that he forgot allabout thanking them for the nice ride.
"Now I hope my housekeeper, Mrs. Daisy Duck, has some purple yarn," saidthe old gentleman rabbit as the Turkey Gobbler handed over the sock withthe hole in it, "but if she hasn't I'll get some for
her at theOne-Two-Three-Cent Store in Turnip City."
"You're very kind," answered the Turkey Gobbler. "Some day I'll do you afavor."
Well, by and by, after a while, the two little rabbits came to a hillwhich the Bunnymobile wouldn't go up. No, siree. It just stood still andturned its two brass lamps around to see what the old gentleman rabbitwas going to do about it.
"Goodness gracious me!" he said. "Now what do you think is the matter.Maybe it wants some gasoline to drink or maybe some milk. I'm sure Idon't know which!" And just then Professor Crow flew by and said:
"What is the matter with you, I say; There's a wire stretched across the way, Can't you see it from where you sit? The two front wheels are caught by it."
"So there is," exclaimed Little Jack Rabbit. "Thank you, ProfessorCrow."
"But how can we cut the wire?" asked the old gentleman rabbit. "I wishMrs. Daisy Duck were here with her work basket; we could borrow herscissors."
"Ha, ha!" laughed the old black crow. "If you'll give me a ride I'll cutthe wire with my beak."
"That will be fine," said Uncle John Hare. "Go ahead and cut it, andthen jump in and we'll take you wherever you wish." In a few minutesthat clever black bird cut the wire in two, and then the Bunnymobilewent up the hill as nicely as you please. And when they reached the topthey met a little old man with a pack on his back. He was a very queerlooking person, not the least like a dwarf, but much smaller than a boy.