Is n't it queer how things which seem the very worst possible sometimes turn out to be the very best possible ? '' Blacky the Crow is one of Lightfoot 's friends , but sometimes even friends are envious . It is so with Blacky . He insists that he is quite as important in the Green Forest as is Lightfoot and that his doings are quite as interesting . I DANNY MEADOW MOUSE LEARNS WHY HIS TAIL IS SHORT Danny Meadow Mouse sat in his doorway and looked down the Lone Little Path across the Green Meadows . Way , way over near the Smiling Pool he could see Old Mother West Wind 's Children , the Merry Little Breezes , at play . Sammy Jay was sitting on a fence post . He pretended to be taking a sun bath , but really he was planning mischief . You never see Sammy Jay that he is n't in mischief or planning it . Reddy Fox had trotted past an hour before in a great hurry . Up on the hill Danny Meadow Mouse could just see Jimmy Skunk pulling over every old stick and stone he could find , no matter whose house it might be , and excusing himself because he was hungry and was looking for beetles . Jolly , round , red Mr. Sun was playing at hide and seek behind some fleecy white clouds . All the birds were singing and singing , and the world was happy -- all but Danny Meadow Mouse . No , Danny Meadow Mouse was not happy . Indeed , he was very far from happy , and all because his tail was short . By and by up came old Mr. Toad . It was a warm day and Mr. Toad was very hot and very , very thirsty . He stopped to rest beside the house of Danny Meadow Mouse . `` Good morning , Danny Meadow Mouse , '' said old Mr. Toad , `` it 's a fine morning . '' `` Morning , '' said Danny Meadow Mouse , grumpily .
`` I hope your health is good this morning , '' continued old Mr. Toad , just as if he had n't noticed how short and cross Danny Meadow XXXXX had answered .
Blacky Lightfoot Meadows Mouse Sun Toad Wind day fleecy morning