Many stories might be told about our neighbors who live out-of-doors, and they are stories that ought to be told, too, for there are still boys and girls who do not know that animals think and talk and work, and love their babies, and help each other when in trouble. I knew one boy who really thought it was not wrong to steal newly built birds'-nests, and I have seen girls--quite large ones, too--who were afraid of Mice! It was only last winter that a Quail came to my front door, during the very cold weather, and snuggled down into the warmest corner he could find. I fed him, and he stayed there for several days, and I know, and you know, perfectly well that although he did not say it in so many words, he came to remind me that I had not yet told you a Quail story. And two of my little neighbors brought ten Polliwogs to spend the day with me, so I promised then and there that the next book should be about pond people and have a Polliwog story in it. And now, good-bye! Perhaps some of you will write me about your visits to the farmyard. I hope you will enjoy them very much, but be sure you don't wear red dresses or caps when you call on the Turkey Gobbler. Your friend, CLARA DILLINGHAM PIERSON. Stanton, Michigan, March 28, 1899. CONTENTS PAGE THE STORY THAT THE SWALLOW DIDN'T TELL 1 THE LAMB WITH THE LONGEST TAIL 12 THE WONDERFUL SHINY EGG 20 THE DUCKLING WHO DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO 33 THE FUSSY QUEEN BEE 47 THE BAY COLT LEARNS TO MIND 64 THE TWIN LAMBS 82 THE VERY SHORT STORY OF THE FOOLISH LITTLE MOUSE 96 THE LONELY LITTLE PIG 106 THE KITTEN WHO LOST HERSELF 116 THE CHICKEN WHO WOULDN'T EAT GRAVEL 136 THE GOOSE WHO WANTED HER OWN WAY 149 WHY THE SHEEP RAN AWAY 160 THE FINE YOUNG RAT AND THE TRAP 172 THE QUICK-TEMPERED TURKEY GOBBLER 186 THE BRAGGING PEACOCK 199 THE DISCONTENTED GUINEA HEN 213 THE OXEN TALK WITH THE CALVES 232 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE THE SWALLOWS ARE COMING 2 THE LAMB WITH THE LONGEST TAIL 16