Good evening and welcome to Dreamtime Stories with Jackie.
I am so excited to read to you another chapter in the adventures of Bob White.
So make sure you're all snuggled down in your bed and we'll begin.
Chapter Six.
The Cunning of Mr.
And Mrs.
Bob White.
When Bob White brought Mrs.
Bob down to the green meadows from the old pasture in the beautiful springtime,
She was as delighted as he had hoped she would be.
Very wisely,
He had not even hinted that he thought there was this place of all places for them to build their home.
He knew that she would never be satisfied unless she felt that she was the one who had chosen the place for their home.
So Bob didn't so much as hint that he had a home in mind.
He didn't even tell her how beautiful it was over on the green meadows near the old briar patch.
He let her find it out for herself.
Now Mrs.
Bob was very anxious to get to her housekeeping and no sooner did she reach the meadows than she made up her mind that yes,
This was the very place of all places for a home.
In the first place,
It was very beautiful and Mrs.
Bob had an eye for beauty.
In the second place,
There was plenty to eat.
One of the most important things to consider when you are likely to have a great many little mouths to feed.
In the third place,
There were plenty of good hiding places.
And lastly,
Mrs.
Bob liked the neighbors.
Bob White took care not to let her see that he was tickled.
He gravely pointed out to her the fact that Granny and Reddy Fox,
Old Man Coyote,
And Red Tail the Hawk would soon discover that they were living there.
And then there would be danger all the time and they would never know what it was like to be free from worry.
Well,
Not a bit more than in the old pasture where we built our last home,
Said Mrs.
Bob.
You know,
As well as I do,
That wherever we build,
We will be in danger.
It has always been that way and I guess it always will be.
We've been smart enough to fool our enemies before and I guess we can do it again.
I'm not afraid.
Are you?
Bob hastened to say that no,
He was not afraid.
He wouldn't have her think that for the world.
Oh my,
No.
He was just pointing out the danger so that they might make an informed decision.
Mrs.
Bob didn't half hear what he was saying.
No,
She was too busy poking about,
Running here and running there,
And all the time using her sharp little eyes for all they were worth.
Bob waited patiently,
A twinkle in his own eyes.
He knew that when Mrs.
Bob made up her mind,
That was all there was to it.
Presently,
She called to him in a low voice and he flew over to join her.
Here,
Right here is where we will build.
Bob looked at the ground with a critical eye.
Don't you think,
My dear,
That this is rather close to the crooked little path?
He asked her.
I have noticed that Reddy Fox and Timmy Skunk use this path a great deal,
Not to mention Farmer Brown's boy.
Well,
That's what makes it the safest place on the Green Meadows,
Silly,
Declared Mrs.
Bob.
They will never think to look for our home so close to where they pass.
These weeds are very thick and will hide our nest completely.
And this old fallen fence post will give splendid protection on one side.
The old briar patch is so near that in case of need,
We can get to it in a hurry and there we will be perfectly safe.
You mark my words,
Bob White.
No one will think of looking here for our nest.
That is,
If you use your common sense and do all your whistling far enough away,
Reddy and the others are going to do all their hunting right around the place where you do your whistling.
So,
It is for you to make this the very safest place in the world.
Do you see?
Yes,
My dear,
You are very clever and cunning.
I never should have thought of choosing such a place,
But I guess you are quite right.
I know I am.
Now,
You fly over to the other side of the old briar patch and whistle while I get busy here.
I am eager to get to work at once.
Bob looked at his little brown wife with admiration.
Then he discreetly ran under cover of weeds and grass until he thought it was safe to take wing.
After which he flew to the other side of the dear old briar patch and there he began to whistle as only he can.
So,
Say good night to Bob and his wife and hunker down into those covers and have a wonderful sleep.
