And presently Grandfather Frog began : `` Once upon a time -- a long , long while ago -- '' `` When the world was young ? '' asked a mischievous little Breeze . Grandfather Frog pretended to be very much put out by the interruption , and tried to look very severe . But the Merry Little Breezes were all giggling , so that presently he had to smile too . `` Yes , '' said he , `` it was when the world was young , before old King Bear became king . Mr. Chipmunk , Striped Chipmunk 's great-great-great-grandfather a thousand times removed , was the smallest of the squirrels , just as Striped Chipmunk is now . But he did n't mind that , not the least little bit . Mr. Gray Squirrel was four times as big and had a handsome tail , Mr. Fox Squirrel was four times as big and he also had a handsome tail , Mr. Red Squirrel was twice as big and he thought his tail was very good to see . But Mr. Chipmunk did n't envy his big cousins their fine tails ; not he ! You see he had himself a beautiful striped coat of which he was very proud and which he thought much more to be desired than a big tail . `` So Mr. Chipmunk went his way happy and contented and he was such a merry little fellow and so full of fun and cut such funny capers that everybody loved Mr. Chipmunk . `` One day , when the nights were cool and all the trees had put on their brilliant colors , old Mother Nature sent word down across the Green Meadows that every squirrel should gather for her and store away until she came a thousand nuts . Now the squirrels had grown fat and lazy through the long summer , all but Mr. Chipmunk , who frisked about so much that he had no chance to grow fat . `` Mr. Gray Squirrel grumbled . Mr. Fox Squirrel grumbled . Mr. Red Squirrel grumbled . But they did n't dare disobey old Mother Nature , so they all set out , each to gather a thousand nuts . And Mr. Chipmunk alone was pleasant and cheerful . `` When they reached the nut trees , what do you suppose they discovered ? Why , that they had been so greedy that they had eaten most of the nuts and it was going to be hard work to find and store a thousand nuts for old Mother Nature .
Then they began to hurry , did Mr. Gray XXXXX and Mr. Fox Squirrel and Mr. Red Squirrel , each trying to make sure of his thousand nuts .
Chipmunk Frog King Meadows Mother Squirrel day great-great-great-grandfather nights squirrels