HOPPY TOAD MEETS SALLY WOODPECKER.
Hoppy Toad was hopping along through the small stretch of woods near his home one day when he was scared out of his wits. Something fell from the branch of a tree and landed on his back, then rolling over on to the ground.
It was several minutes before Hoppy Toad recovered from the shock. Looking around, he spied a bird with a long, sharp bill lying on the ground. It seemed to be helpless.
“What’s the matter with you?” asked Hoppy Toad.
“I’ve hurt one of my wings; that is what made me fall from the branch of the tree and land on top of you. I’m sorry it happened.”
“That’s all right,” said Hoppy Toad. “I’ll see if I can’t help you get the wing fixed so you can fly again. What is your name?”
“Sally Woodpecker. It will be very kind of you if you can find someone to fix my wing. My but it hurts!”
“My name is Hoppy Toad. I’ll go get Dr. Pheasant. He will fix the wing for you in a jiffy.”
Hoppy Toad hopped off through the woods toward the pond just beyond the entrance to the woods, thinking he might find Dr. Pheasant there. Sure enough he did.
“Doctor,” said Hoppy Toad. “There is a woodpecker in the woods with a lame wing. She can’t fly. Can you help her?”
“I guess I can, Hoppy Toad,” said Dr. Pheasant, “Lead me to her.”
Hoppy Toad hopped through the woods, followed by Dr. Pheasant, until the spot where Sally Woodpecker was lying was reached.
“I’ve brought Dr. Pheasant to fix your wing, Sally Woodpecker,” said Hoppy Toad.
“That is really kind of you,” said Sally.
Dr. Pheasant looked at the lame wing and said, “I can fix it, all right.”
In a few minutes Sally Woodpecker’s wing was fixed so that she could fly again.
“I’m thankful to you, Dr. Pheasant, for fixing my wing, and I want to thank you also, Hoppy Toad, for your kindness in getting a doctor.”
“You mustn’t fly around too much, Sally,” said Dr. Pheasant. “Give it a chance to mend a bit.”
“I’ll do as you say, Dr. Pheasant. Will there be any need of me having you again?”
“I don’t think so. If there is, just tell Hoppy Toad. He is always hopping in and around the woods, and knows better than anybody where to find me.”
“I’ll hunt Hoppy Toad up if anything happens, believe me, doctor.”
“Well, I’ve got to call on some sick ganders now. Excuse me, please!”
Dr. Pheasant strutted away leaving Hoppy Toad and Sally Woodpecker by themselves.
“Well, Hoppy Toad, I guess I’ll fly to my nest and take things easy for a while. Good-bye and good luck,” said Sally Woodpecker.
“Good-bye and good luck to you, Sally Woodpecker,” said Hoppy Toad.
Sally Woodpecker flew from the ground a few feet to test her wing, and finding it all right, flew off in a westerly direction to her nest.
Hoppy Toad hopped toward his home satisfied that he had performed a good deed. Ma and Pa Toad were pleased when Hoppy Toad told them of his aid in fixing Sally Woodpecker’s wing.
“I’m proud of you, Hoppy,” said Pa Toad.
Moral: A good deed is always worth while.
