Arthur Scott Bailey

The Tale of Frisky Squirrel Arthur Scott Bailey

One day Frisky Squirrel came upon Jasper Jay's nest when Jasper and his wife were both away fromhome. And Frisky simply couldn't resist tearing a few twigs out of it. He had not done muchdamage, however, before Mrs. Jay returned. When she saw what was happening she screamed loudlyfor her husband. And soon Jasper came flying up as fast as he could come. He made a noise exactlylike a red-tailed hawk; but he did not frighten Frisky at all, for Frisky knew all of Jasper's tricks. Jasper Jay was always trying to scare people by calling like bigger birds-such as red-shoulderedhawks, and red-tailed hawks, and sparrow hawks. When Frisky heard him calling he just laughed and skipped up the trunk of the tree, with Jasper andhis wife chasing him. Now, with Jasper and Mrs. Jay both flying at him, Frisky had to be sprier thanever. But he was not afraid. He never thought of danger at all. And he ran down the thick tree-trunklike a flash and bounded across the ground and tore up the tree where he and his mother lived."I'll peck your eyes out!" Jasper shouted, as he followed close behind Frisky. Now, no matter howbold one may be, it is not pleasant to hear a thing like that said. And it made Frisky hurry a littlefaster."I'll peck his tongue out!" screamed Mrs. Jay. And somehow it disturbed Frisky the least bit to hearJasper's wife say that. He decided that he would go home at once. And he gave a great spring towardthe hollow limb where he lived. Then something happened that was a great surprise to Frisky Squirrel. He was right in the middle ofhis leap when Jasper struck him with a wing. The blow did not hurt Frisky. But it sent him tumbling. He missed the hollow limb, and down he went, head over heels, toward the ground.