Johnny Appleseed (6)

Johnny Appleseed (6)

At last he came to a sunny little open spot among the forest trees, and there Johnny Appleseed stopped short.

" This looks like a right nice spot, " he said, " for me to plant an apple tree. "

So Johnny set down his little cooking pot and his Bible and his packet of apple seeds.
And he picked up a long straight stick which he found there on the ground.
" This is a fine straight stick for digging my little hole, " he said.

But the animals watching, from behind the trees, thought is was a gun.

" Danger ! " they whispered.
" The Man has a gun ! Run, run, run !"

At the signal, all the animals started to run as fast as they could.
Off in all direction they scattered through the forest.

But just as the smallest bunny started to run, he caught one foot in a twisted vine. He squired and twisted as hard as he could, but he could not jerk himself loose.

" Oh, dear ! How sad ! " whispered the other animals, as soon as they knew. 
And from their hiding place farther back in the woods, they watched to see what would happen to the smallest bunny.

" Is someone there ? " called Johnny Appleseed. For he had heard the forest folk racing away to their new hiding places.

" It would be nice to find a friend, " said Johnny to himself.
He called again.
But there was no answer.

Pushing the bushes aside with his long, straight stick, Johnny Appleseed stepped into the forest.

(6/9)