But now, all of a sudden, Johnny Chuck became dissatisfied with his
home. It was too near the Lone Little Path. Too many people knew where
it was. It wasn't big enough. The front door ought to face the other
way. Dear me, what a surprising lot of faults a discontented heart can
find with things that have always been just right! It was so with Johnny
Chuck. That house in which he had spent so many happy days, which had
protected him from all harm, of which he had been so proud when he first
built it, was now the meanest house in the world. If other people had
new houses, why shouldn't he? The more he thought about it, the more
dissatisfied and discontented he became and of course the more unhappy.
You know one cannot be dissatisfied and discontented and happy at the
same time.
Now dissatisfied and discontented people are not at all pleasant to have
around. Johnny Chuck had always been one of the best natured of all the
little meadow people, and everybody liked him. So Jimmy Skunk didn't
know quite what to make of it, when he came down the Lone Little Path
and found Johnny Chuck so out of sorts that he wouldn't even answer when
spoken to.
Jimmy Skunk was feeling very good-natured himself. He had just had a
fine breakfast of fat beetles and he was at peace with all the world.
So he sat down beside Johnny Chuck and began to talk, just as if Johnny
Chuck was his usual good-natured self.
“It's a fine day,” said Jimmy Skunk.
Johnny Chuck just sniffed.
“You're looking very fine,” said Jimmy.
Johnny just scowled.
“I think you've got the best place on the Green Meadows for a house,”
said Jimmy, pretending to admire the view.
Johnny scowled harder than ever.
“And such a splendid house!” said Jimmy. “I wish I had one like it.”
“I'm glad you like it! You can have the old thing!” snapped Johnny
Chuck.
“What's that?” demanded Jimmy Skunk, opening his eyes very wide.
“I said that you can have it. I'm going to move,” replied Johnny Chuck.
Now he really hadn't thought of moving until that very minute. And he
didn't know why he had said it. But he had said it, and because he is an
obstinate little fellow he stuck to it.
“When can I move in?” asked Jimmy Skunk, his eyes twinkling.
“Right away, if you want to,” replied Johnny Chuck, and swaggered off
down the Lone Little Path, leaving Jimmy Skunk to stare after him as if
he thought Johnny Chuck had suddenly gone crazy, as indeed he did.
VI. JOHNNY CHUCK TURNS TRAMP
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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