Now old Mr. Toad is very ugly to look upon , but the ugliness is all in his looks . He has the sunniest of hearts and always he is looking for a chance to help someone . `` Danny Meadow Mouse , '' said old Mr. Toad , `` you make me think of your grandfather a thousand times removed . You do indeed . You look just as he did when he lost the half of his tail and realized that he never , never could get it back again . '' Danny Meadow Mouse sat up suddenly . `` What are you talking about , old Mr. Toad ? What are you talking about ? '' he asked . `` Did my grandfather a thousand times removed lose the half of his tail , and was it shorter then than mine is now ? Was it , old Mr. Toad ? And how did he come to lose the half of it ? '' Old Mr. Toad laughed a funny silent laugh . `` It 's a long story , '' said old Mr. Toad , `` and I 'm afraid I ca n't tell it . Go down to the Smiling Pool and ask Great-Grandfather Frog , who is my first cousin , how it happened your grandfather a thousand times removed lost the half of his tail . But before you go catch three fat , foolish , green flies and take them with you as a present to Grandfather Frog . '' Danny Meadow Mouse could hardly wait for old Mr. Toad to stop speaking . In fact , he was in such a hurry that he almost forgot his manners . Not quite , however , for he shouted `` Thank you , Mr. Toad , thank you ! '' over his shoulder as he rushed off down the Lone Little Path .
You see his short tail had always been a matter of mortification to Danny Meadow XXXXX .
Frog Mouse Toad fact first flies hurry mine shoulder times