Probably Jerry's great-great-grandfather built his house that way, and
so Jerry does the same thing."
Peter Rabbit suddenly brightened up. "I do believe you are right,
Johnny Chuck, and if you are, there must be a story about it, and if
there is a story, Grandfather Frog will be sure to know it. There he
is, over on his big green lily-pad, and he looks as if he might be
feeling very good-natured this morning. Let's go ask him why Jerry
Muskrat builds his house in the water."
Grandfather Frog saw them coming, and he guessed right away that they
were coming for a story. He grinned to himself and pretended to go to
sleep.
"Good morning, Grandfather Frog," said Johnny Chuck. Grandfather Frog
didn't answer. Johnny tried again, and still no reply.
"He's asleep," said Johnny, looking dreadfully disappointed, "and I
guess we'd better not disturb him, for he might wake up cross, and of
course we wouldn't get a story if he did."
Peter looked at Grandfather Frog sharply. He wasn't so sure that that
was a real nap. It seemed to him that there was just the least little
hint of a smile in the corners of Grandfather Frog's big mouth. "You
sit here a minute," he whispered in Johnny Chuck's ear.
So Johnny Chuck sat down where he was, which was right where
Grandfather Frog could see him by lifting one eyelid just the teeniest
bit, and Peter hopped along the bank until he was right behind
Grandfather Frog. Now just at that place on the bank was growing a
toadstool.
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