THE SQUIRREL, THE HARE AND THE LITTLE GREY RABBIT (3)

THE SQUIRREL, THE HARE AND THE LITTLE GREY RABBIT (3)

When she was through the wood she stopped a few minutes to rest and nibble some sweet, short grass.

She found the teazle(=teasel) bushes growing in the hedge, among some nettles, and she bit off three prickly heads and put them in her basket.

Then, with a laugh of delight, she ran on till she got to the Farmer's garden.

She passed the hole in the wall, for the gate was open, so in she tripped, over the lettuce and under the rhubarb to the carrot bed.

" I wish we could grow carrots at home, " she said, as she pulled them up one by one and placed them carefully in her basket.

Swish ! Swish!

A sack was thrown over her and someone hit wildly at her with a rake.

Little Grey Rabbit ran this way and that, in the dark, holding her breath, as she tried to dodge the blows.

One hit the basket and nearly broke it, and hurt her paw, but still she ran.

Then she found a gap, and out she darted, dodging in and out of the cabbage leaves, with the Farmer running after, close to her heels.

" You little rascal, " he called, " you've been after my carrots. Just till I catch you. "

But Little Grey Rabbit did not wait. She couldn't explain that she thought they were everybody's carrots.

No, she ran for her life, across the field, to the wood.

" I don't think I shall go there again, " she said, as she licked her hurt paw, and put a dog-leaf bandage over it.

" We must grow our own carrots. I will ask Wise Owl how to do it. "

She hurried through the wood as softly as she had come, and reached home safely.

" What a long time you have been, " grumbled the Hare.
" Did you get my carrots ? "

Little Grey Rabbit cooked the dinner, gathered the firewood, and then sat down to dry some herbs and prepare for the next day.

She was such a busy Little Rabbit she was never still a moment, but the Hare and the Squirrel sat one on each side of fire and never moved except to put fresh wood on the blaze.   

(つづく 3/8) 

タグ：やさしい英語 LITTLE GREY RABBIT 英語絵本 THE SQUIRREL, THE HARE AND THE LITTLE GREY RABBIT