BOXER HAS A PAINFUL LESSON
Don’t judge a stranger by his looks,
Lest they may prove to be deceiving.
The stupid-looking may be smart
In ways you’ll find beyond believing.
_Mother Bear._
Having succeeded in getting his own breakfast, and a very good one at
that, Boxer felt quite set up, as the saying is. He felt chesty. That
is to say, he felt big, self-important, independent. For a little cub
who had cried most of the night from loneliness and fear, Boxer showed
a surprising change. The light of day, a full stomach, and the feeling
that he was able to take care of himself had made a new Bear of that
little cub. Anyway he felt so and thought so.
“I’m not afraid of anybody or anything,” boasted the foolish little
Bear to himself, as he wandered along through the Green Forest. “I’m
glad I left home. I’m glad I am out in the Great World. I guess I know
about all there is to know. Anyway, I guess I know all there is any
need of knowing.”
As he said this, Boxer stood up and swelled himself out and looked so
funny that Prickly Porky the Porcupine, who happened along just then,
just had to chuckle down inside, and this is something that Prickly
Porky seldom does.
“That little rascal must have run away from his mother, and he thinks
he is smart and knows all there is to know. I don’t believe that even
Mother Bear could tell him anything just now. She would be wasting her
breath. He needs a lesson or two in practical experience. I believe
I’ll give him one just for his own good,” thought Prickly Porky.
There was something almost like a twinkle in Prickly Porky’s usually
dull eyes as he slowly waddled straight toward Boxer. Boxer heard
the rustle of Prickly Porky’s tail dragging through the leaves
and turned to see who was coming. What he saw was, of course, the
stupidest-looking fellow in all the Green Forest.
It was the first time Boxer had seen Prickly Porky, and he had no idea
who he was. Boxer stood up and stared in the rudest and most impolite
manner. He wasn’t afraid. This fellow was no bigger than he, and he was
too stupid-looking and too slow to be dangerous.
Boxer was standing in a narrow little path, and Prickly Porky was
coming up this little path straight toward him. One of them would
have to step aside for the other. It didn’t enter Boxer’s head
that he should be that one. As Prickly Porky drew near, Boxer
growled a warning. It was the best imitation of Mother Bear’s deep,
grumbly-rumbly growl that Boxer could manage. It was hard work for
Prickly Porky to keep from laughing right out when he heard it.
But he acted just as if he didn’t hear it. He kept right on. Then he
pretended to see Boxer for the first time. “Step aside, little cub,
step aside and let me pass,” said he.
To be called “little cub” just when he was feeling so important and
grown-up was more than Boxer could stand. His little eyes grew red with
anger.
“Step aside yourself,” he growled. “Step aside yourself, if you don’t
want to get hurt.”
Prickly Porky didn’t step aside. He kept right on coming. He didn’t
hurry, and he didn’t appear to be in the least afraid. It was plain
that he expected Boxer to get out of his way. Boxer drew back his lips
and showed all his little white teeth. Then he slowly reached out one
paw and prepared to strike Prickly Porky on the side of the head if he
came any nearer.