WINTER 



sometimes with fields showing white 

 against the dark horizon wall. 



On such days the wood creatures 

 showed increased activity, because they 

 knew such days were usually followed 

 by blustering storms. The squirrels 

 descended the trees and dug away the 

 snow in search of their hidden stores, 

 littering the white carpet with leaves 

 and not always finding the object of 

 their quest. A few stray crows watched 

 the activities of the squirrels with 

 knowing side glances, but there was an 

 abundance of food in the shocks of 

 corn which had been left in the fields 

 at the side of the woods, and they were 

 content to remain inquisitive specta- 

 tors. 



One early morning, after a light fall, 

 the Neighbour visited the woods. The 

 heavy snows of early February were 

 packed solid, and the thin film on the 

 surface made an unbroken carpet on 

 which all the moving wood folk left a 

 record of their activities. In places, 

 the squirrels had a maze of tracks be- 

 tween the trees, and crossing these 

 were the dainty imprints of the cotton- 

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