A fat trout was stolen from Billy Mink . `` It was a terrible time , for every one suspected every one else , and no one on the Green Meadows was happy . `` One evening Mr. Meadow Mouse went for a stroll along the Crooked Little Path up the hill . It was dark , very dark indeed . But just as he passed Striped Chipmunk 's granary , the place where he stores his supply of corn and acorns for the winter , Mr. Meadow Mouse met his cousin , Mr. Wharf Rat . Now Mr. Wharf Rat was very big and strong and Mr. Meadow Mouse had for a long time looked up to and admired him . '' ` Good evening , Cousin Meadow Mouse , ' said Mr. Wharf Rat , swinging a bag down from his shoulder . ` Will you do a favor for me ? ' `` Now Mr. Meadow Mouse felt very much flattered , and as he was a very obliging fellow anyway , he promptly said he would . '' ` All right , ' said Mr. Wharf Rat . ` I 'm going to get you to tote this bag down the Crooked Little Path to the hollow chestnut tree . I 've got an errand back on top of the hill . ' `` So Mr. Meadow Mouse picked up the bag , which was very heavy , and swung it over his shoulder . Then he started down the Crooked Little Path . Half way down he met Striped Chipmunk . '' ` Good evening , Mr. Meadow Mouse , ' said Striped Chipmunk . ` What are you toting in the bag across your shoulder ? ' `` Now , of course , Mr. Meadow Mouse did n't know what was in the bag and he did n't like to admit that he was working for another , for he was very proud , was Mr. Meadow Mouse . `` So he said : ` Just a planting of potatoes I begged from Jimmy Skunk , just a planting of potatoes , Striped Chipmunk . ' `` Now no one had ever suspected Mr. Meadow Mouse of stealing -- no indeed !
Striped XXXXX would have gone his way and thought no more about it , had it not happened that there was a hole in the bag and from it something dropped at his feet .
Chipmunk Meadows Mink Mouse Rat Skunk errand one right stealing