118 STORIES OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 



" Ruby-throat does not half like me," he con- 

 tinued, returning to the honeysuckle ; " you see, 

 we are honey rivals, visiting many of the same 

 flowers, and as I come out at night when they are 

 opening, I have first choice, and he has to take 

 what is left the next day. But he should not 

 grumble, for he may eat nice green lice, while the 

 law of my family forbids eating meat. I suppose 

 he called me a 4 flying worm ' or something of 

 that sort?" 



"I I believe he did," said Tommy-Anne, re- 

 luctantly ; " but he didn't tell what sort of a 

 worm you come from ; he said I must ask 

 you." 



" He did, did he? Well ; my dear, I must con- 

 fess that in my first state I am not attractive, or 

 in any way agreeable to the House People. In 

 fact, I come from that extremely disagreeable fat 

 green caterpillar, with white lines on its sides and 

 sting horns on its tail, who raises such a rumpus 

 among the tomato and potato vines." 



" That dreadful great beast, as long and thick 

 as one of Obi's fingers, who burns you so if you 

 touch it when you are picking the vegetables, and 

 makes such a nasty mess when you tread on him ? " 



"The very same. You see I am not so con- 

 ceited but what I know all my bad points ; but as 



