92 
FINDING NATURE’S TREASURES 
“What did she find to eat?” asked Fred. 
“She must have found a nice fat insect,” answered 
Uncle Jack. “That is what she eats most of the time.” 
“Do you think that we could catch her?” asked Buddy. 
“Perhaps,” answered Uncle Jack. “But be careful 
not to hurt her or her babies.” 
“But will she hurt us?” asked Fred. “I don't want 
her to bite me.” 
“She cannot bite you if you catch her by the tail,” said 
Uncle Jack. 
“But don't you think it will hurt Mother Opossum to 
pick her up by the tail?” asked Marylee. “I know it 
hurts cats and dogs to pull their tails.” 
“It will not hurt her,” replied Uncle Jack. “Her tail 
is very strong. She often uses it when she climbs trees, 
and sometimes she wraps it around a limb and hangs 
with her head down.” 
“That is the way monkeys use their tails,” said Buddy. 
“But monkeys have hair on their tails, and Mrs. Opos¬ 
sum's tail is smooth like a rat’s.” 
“We must hurry if we are going to catch her before 
she gets away,” said Fred. 
Away they ran after Mother Opossum. She did not 
wait for them. She took one look at those big boys run¬ 
ning toward her. Then she turned and scampered 
through the trees. The babies did not make a noise, but 
clung tightly to their mother's sides. 
When Uncle Jack came up to the children, they were 
standing around a big pile of brush. 
“She — went — in — there,” panted Buddy. 
