Good evening,
And welcome to.
Dreamtime Stories with Jackie I am so happy you decided to join me tonight for your bedtime story.
We are almost at the end of the Granny Fox Adventure series by Thornton W.
Burgess.
I have really enjoyed this delightful romp with Granny Fox and her little nephew.
When last we saw them in chapter 27,
Granny had put Freddy in an old deserted house while she went out hunting and to check on Farmer Brown's boy.
A new character on the scene showed up.
Prickly porky.
So snuggle down in your bed,
Maybe get your pillow a little plumper.
And bring that quilt up to your chin.
As we get ready for chapter 28.
Prickly Porky enjoys himself.
A boasting tongue,
As sure as fate,
Will trip its owner soon or late.
Old granny box.
Prickly Porky the porcupine was really enjoying himself.
There was no doubt about that.
He was stretched across the doorway of that old house,
The very house in which old Granny Fox had been born.
When he had laid down on the doorstep for a nap and a sunbath,
He had thought that the old house was still deserted.
And then he had fallen asleep.
Only to be wakened by Reddy Fox,
Who had also been asleep,
But he was in the old house.
Now he couldn't get out.
Because Prickly Porky was in the way.
Now,
Prickly Porky does not love Ready Fox.
And the more Reddy begged and scolded and called him names,
The more Prickly Porky juggled.
It was such a good joke to think that he had trapped Reddy Fox.
And he made up his mind that he would keep Reddy in there a long time just to tease him and make him uncomfortable.
You see,
Prickly Porky remembered how often Reddy Fox had played mean tricks on Little Meadow and forest folks who are smaller and weaker than himself.
It will do him good.
It certainly will do him good,
Said Prickly Porky.
And he rattled those thousand little spears that are hidden in his long coat.
For he knew that the very sound of them would make Ready Fox shiver with fright.
Suddenly,
Prickly Porky pricked up his funny little short ears.
He heard the deep voice of Bowser the Hound,
And it was coming nearer and nearer.
Prickly Porky chuckled again.
Well,
I guess Mr.
Bowser is going to have a surprise.
I certainly think he is,
Said Prickly Porky as he made all those thousand little spears stand out from his long coat till he looked like a funny great chestnut burr.
Bowser the Hound did have a surprise.
He was hunting Reddy Fox and he almost ran right into Prickly Porky before he saw him.
The very sight of those thousand little spears sent cold chills chasing each other down Bowser's backbone,
Clear to the tip of his tail.
For he remembered how he had gotten some of them in his lips and mouth once upon a time and how it had hurt.
To have them pulled out.
Ever since then,
He had had the greatest respect for Prickly Porky.
Wow,
Yelped Bowser the Hound,
Stopping short.
I beg your pardon,
I didn't know you were taking a nap here.
All the time,
Bowser the Hound was backing away as fast as he could.
And then he turned around.
And he put his tail between his legs and actually ran away.
Slowly prickly porky unrolled And his little eyes twinkled as he watched Bowser the Hound run away.
Bowser's very big and strong.
His voice is deep.
His legs are long.
His bark scares some almost to death.
But as for me,
He wastes his breath.
I just roll up and shake my spears.
And Bowser is the one who disappears.
So said Prickly Porky,
And he laughed out loud.
Just then he heard a light footstep and turned to see who was coming.
It was old Granny Fox.
She had seen Bowser run away and now she was eager to find out if Reddy Fox was safe.
Good morning,
Said Granny Box,
Taking care not to come too near.
Good morning,
Replied Prickly Porky,
Hiding his smile.
I'm very tired and I would like to go inside my house.
Had you just as soon moved?
Asked Granny.
Oh exclaimed Prickly Porky,
Is this your house?
I thought you lived over in the Green Meadows.
Well,
I did,
But I've moved.
Please,
Let me in,
Replied Granny Fox.
Oh,
Certainly,
Certainly.
Don't mind me,
Granny Fox.
Step right over me,
" said Prickly Porky and smiled once more.
And at the same time,
He rattled his little spears.
Instead of stepping over him.
Granny Fox backed away.
Oh my,
That prickly porky is being a real stinker.
So come back soon for chapter 29,
The very last chapter of Old Granny Fox and Ready Fox.
Good night now.
Have a wonderful sleep.
This is Jackie sending you so many hugs.
