They also were very tired , very hungry and very cross . When the three returned to the Lone Pine and found nothing there but the big head of cabbage , which none of them liked , the empty egg shells of old Gray Goose and Jerry Muskrat 's clams , they straightway fell to accusing each other of having stolen the duck and the fat trout and the eggs and began to quarrel dreadfully . Pretty soon up came Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare , who had failed to find the tender young carrots . And up came Jerry Muskrat , who had found no luscious sweet apples . `` Where is Reddy Fox ? '' asked Peter Rabbit . Sure enough , where was Reddy Fox ? Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter and Jimmy Skunk stopped quarreling and looked at each other . `` Reddy Fox is the thief ! '' they cried all together . Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare and Jerry Muskrat agreed that Reddy Fox must be the thief , and had sent them all away on false errands that he might have the feast all to himself . So because there was nothing else to do , Billy Mink and Little Joe Otter , tired and hungry and angry , started for their homes beside the Laughing Brook . And Jimmy Skunk , also tired and hungry and angry , started off up the Crooked Little Path to look for some beetles . But Peter Rabbit and Jumper the Hare sat down to enjoy the big head of cabbage , while close beside them sat Jerry Muskrat smacking his lips over his clams , they tasted so good . Mother Moon looked down and smiled and smiled , for she knew that each had a clear conscience , for they had done no harm to anyone . And up in the thick top of the great pine Hooty the Owl nodded sleepily , for his stomach was very full of chicken and duck and trout , although he had not been invited to the party . And this is why Reddy Fox has no true friends on the Green Meadows . III WHY PETER RABBIT 'S EARS ARE LONG The Merry Little Breezes of Old Mother West Wind were tired . Ever since she had turned them out of her big bag onto the Green Meadows early that morning they had romped and played tag and chased butterflies while Old Mother West Wind herself went to hunt for a raincloud which had wandered away before it had watered the thirsty little plants who were bravely trying to keep the Green Meadows lovely and truly green . Jolly , round , red Mr. Sun wore his broadest smile and the more he smiled the warmer it grew .
Mr. Sun is never thirsty himself , never the least little bit , or perhaps he would have helped Old XXXXX West Wind find the wandering raincloud .
Brook Fox Goose Moon Mother Otter Pine Rabbit Skunk morning