| Chippy Squirrel and Archie Raccoon climbed cautiously down a tree at the edge of the forest. They crossed the road and stopped in front of a mailbox.
"There", said Archie pointing to a lovely little house, "That is where they live, See, their name is on that mailbox." Chippy Squirrel whisked his bushy tail, "Are you sire!" "Oh course I'm sure," answered Archie crossly. He pointed to the words on the mailbox. "Polluter, Sam and Mary, P-0-L-L-U-T-E-R", he spelled. "if you had sharp eyes and goggles like mine maybe you could learn to read," Chippy moved nearer to get a better look. "Oh, Archie. I didn't doubt you! It's just that I can't believe such careless people could have a lovely home like this." It was a lovely home. Shaded by majestic oaks and great spreading elm trees, a little white house with shutters guarding the sparkling windows nestled on a lush, green lawn. The garden was a picture. With rows and rows of luscious vegetables and not a weed could be seen. Nearby the flower garden, splashed with brilliant red, orange, gold and purple colors was breath-taking with its beauty. Behind the house stood a quaint little red barn. Around it was a white board fence enclosing a carpet of deep green grass. A well with a red pump and a watering tank, filled to the brim awaited the thirsty cattle that would come to drink. "You have not lived in our forest long, Chippy. The polluters are fine people. They are very kind to all the animals but they have no idea that in keeping their farm so neat and clean they cause us animals much work and worry". Archie spoke kindly. He had not meant to be cross with Chippy. "JAY, JAY, JAY", screamed Bluejay. "Mr. And Mrs. Polluter are coming down the road! HURRY, HURRY, HIDE". Such a scattering of animals. Squirrels, Possums and Chipmunks scurried behind tree trunks. Foxes crouched low at the edge of the road hidden by the grass. Deer bounded over fences into a thicket of wild crab apples. Badger and Gopher hid behind the barn. Birds hid themselves among the leaves of the trees. Each ani- mal found a safe place to hide from where it could watch. Not an animal made a sound! Mr. And Mrs. Polluter has no idea they were being watched by dozens of sharp eyes! They got out of the car and took the groceries from the back seat. Mr. Polluter paused to pick up a small piece of paper a mischievous little breeze had carried in from the road. "I wish people wouldn't throw their litter along the road", he grumbled, "I don't want it spoiling the beauty of our place." "Our farm is beautiful", remarked Mary, "but only because we love it enough to keep it that way. If enough people cared, our country could be America the Beautiful once again." She walked to the house and opened the door. "We must hurry and change our clothes. Remember, we are going to take a load of trash into the forest this afternoon." "I'll be ready in a jiffy", answered Sam. He went into the house and put the sack of groceries on the table. Outside in their hiding places the animals whispered to each other, "Oh no, not another load of junk. Whatever can we do to stop them! Soon Mr. Polluter came out dressed in his work clothes. He started the tractor and hitched a trailer on behind. Mrs. Polluter came out dressed in blue jeans and a red shirt carrying a sack of garbage. "We'll take this garbage to the forest, too." A lettuce leaf fell from the sack. She picked it up and put it back into the sack. Not one bit of litter was allowed on this farm! Mr. Polluter came from the garage. "I don't know why I saved those cans of used oil." He set one can down and put the other one in the trailer. "Help me carry out those bundles of old papers and magazines. No on will see them in the ravine in the forest. I'm glad we live here where it's easy to get rid of our trash." "I just can't understand why some people allow their places to get littered up with junk," exclaimed Mrs. Polluter. "All the cans and bottles that accumulated this winter are in boxes in the garage. We'll take them too." ,,Hey, Mary", called Sam. "Here's a perfectly good dress and hat in this box of old clothes. Surely you don't intend to throw them away". "I'll burn everything in this box, no use to scatter them in the forest", Mary started to put the box back in the garage. "Oh no, you don't" exclaimed Sam, "we'll not pollute the air with smoke. To the forest they go!" They worked dumping baskets and baskets of junk into the trailer until it was full. "Sam," called Mary from the garage door, "aren't you going to take this can of used oil?" "No room for it now. I'll take it next time". Sam climbed up on the tractor ready to go. Mary walked slowly to the trailer. "Sam, I've been thinking, instead of taking our trash to the forest, perhaps we should get Benny to come with his bulldozer and dig a big hole where we could bury it". 'No grumbled Mr. Polluter, "No use to go to all that expense. No one will ever see it in the forest." "What about us?" whispered the animals to each other. "We'll see it. The forest is our home. We want to keep it clean and beautiful too". Of course Mr. And Mrs. Polluter couldn't hear what the animals said. Away they went with the load of junk. When they returned the trailer was empty, the trash was gone, their farm was clean and neat and they were tired but happy. But in the forest the animals were not happy and the forest was not neat and clean. Mrs. Rabbit thumped her foot. "It's not safe for my children to play in the forest anymore with all these cans and broken bottles lying around." She picked up a broken bottle from the bank and threw it into the ravine. "It would help if they would make sure the junk went into the ditch and didn't land on the bank", complained Mr. Red Fox. "Every time Mr. And Mrs. Polluter come into the forest we have a mess to clean up", Badger started to dig. "Gopher, come help me dig a hole big enough to bury this garbage". Cardinal looked sadly at the scattered papers and magazines. "I won't be able to sing my PRETTY, PRETTY, PRETTY song with this mess around. Wren, please come and help me gather up these papers". "I'd much rather sing", scolded wren. "Sometimes I feel like finding a new home." "We'll all have to find new homes if this keeps up," grumbled Archie Raccoon. "This trash will take over our forest homes." All the animals started to work. They carried cans and bottles to the ditch, put papers in a pile and carried the garbage to the hole Badger and Gopher had dug. Mrs. Deer snorted and stamped her foot. "Just look here! Mr. Polluter dumped a pail of oil right where I hide my twins every day so they will be safe until evening. Now I can't use that spot anymore. Besides that, no grass will grow there now, the oil will kill it!" Suddenly Father Deer called, "Wait a minute, wait a minute!" All the animals stopped their work and listened. Father Deer was king of the forest and all the animals loved him. They waited for him to speak. "I just had an idea!" Father Deer announced. "Let's take all this junk and scatter it about Mr. And Mrs. Polluter's yard while they are asleep tonight!" A hush fell over the animals. Then they all started talking at once. "A splendid idea-why didn't we think of that before that- will teach them a lesson-tell us what to do!" Father Deer thought a minute. "Tonight after Mr. And Mrs. Polluter are asleep we'll carry every scrap they brought to the forest this afternoon back into their yard. If we work hard we will have it all back by day- light. What a surprise we will have for Mr. And Mrs. Polluter." Father Deer laughed so hard his antlers shook. All the animals were so excited they began to chatter and laugh. Even the wind seemed to be chuckling as it shook the branches of the great oak trees. "You must be quite so I can think" scolded Father Deer. "Mr. And Mrs. Polluter might hear all this noise and com to see what is wrong. We must keep our plan a secret." Quiet fell over the forest. For once even the animal children did not make one bit of noise. Finally Father Deer spoke. "We will need someone to hide in Mr. And Mrs. Polluter's yard and bring us word as soon as they turn out the lights tonight." Possum very seldom spoke when the animals had a meeting. He surprised everyone by saying, "I could do that, Father Deer. I do most of my traveling about at night." Father Deer was pleased. "Fine Possum that shall be your job." "Pardon me, Father Deer, but I don't think Possum is the one for such an important job. I-well I don't like to say it-but he isn't very bright you know. In fact he is a bit- a bit stupid" yapped Mr. Red Fox. "And he's certainly not very brave", hooted Woodsy Owl. "I once saw him fall over in a dead faint when a little boy came near him. Besides that he is very forgetful. He will probably forget what he is supposed to do. "You're not being fair to Possum," protested Archie Raccoon. "Everyone forgets sometime and he can't help it if he's timid. He has almost no protection from his enemies so he falls over and pretends to be dead. People call it Playing Possum." "Give him a chance," said Whip-Poor-Will. "He gets around very well in the dark. I see him out hunting about every night." "He shall have a chance," announced Father Deer. "Now I will tell each of you what your job will be." The sun was sinking behind the hills and a gentle evening breeze was rustling the leaves of the great oak tree where the animals always held their meeting. Quietly, hardly causing the grass to stir, the animals came from all directions. Slowly, silently shadows began to steal over the forest. Crickets chirped cheerfully and lightning bugs blinked their lights off and on as if to signal that another long summer day had ended. After what seemed a long time, especially to the animal children, silver moonbeams began to filter through the leaves. Possum had fallen asleep. Gently Father Deer shook him. "Possum wake up. It's time for you to go." Possum woke with a start. "Go-go where? Oh, I remember. I have an important job to do tonight". Father Deer spoke carefully. "I'll tell you once more what you are to do. Climb the maple tree that grows near Mr. Polluter's back door. From there you can see in the kitchen window. As soon as they turn out the lights, hurry back and tell us. Remember they must not see or hear you. I do hope they don't stay up to watch the late show on T.V. tonight." Possum started proudly on his way. At last Father Deer had given him something important to so. He repeated to himself as he lumbered along. "Climb maple tree by back door-look in window-when lights go out- hurry back to animals' meeting place!" That would be easy to remember. Back under the oak tree Father Deer was saying, "All of you get a little rest. We have a busy night ahead of us." He settled down and closed his eyes. Mrs. Fox turned round and round trying to find a comfortable spot. "This is ideal," she finally said. "But Mrs. Skunk, would you mind moving so the breeze blows your smell away from me? I just can't stand the perfume you use!" "Of course, Mrs. Fox, I don't mind at all. Come children, we'll find another place to rest." Mrs. Skunk was very good-natured and wasn't the least bit offended. On through the forest lumbered Possum, mumbling to himself, "Climb the back door by the maple tree- watch until the lights come on-Hurry to tell Mr. Polluter when the animals are out. "OH, DEAR, THAT ISN'T RIGHT. What in the world did Father Deer tell me to do?" He stopped and scratched his head. "Let me think," He thought a long time. "Climb maple tree-look in window-hurry to tell animals when lights go off. There, that's it. Now I'll remember." He hurried on. The forest was sparkling with the light of the full moon when Possum reached the maple tree. Up he climbed until he could see Mr. And Mrs. Polluter through the window. They were watching T.V. Possum watched too. OH, OH, THE MASKED BANDITS ARE CHASING THE STAGE COACH. THEY'RE GOING TO CATCH IT. BANG, BANG. Possum was so excited that if his long rat-like tail hadn't been wrapped around a tree branch he surely would have fallen. Just then Mr. Polluter turned off the television. "Shucks" grumbled Possum, "just when the show was get- ting exciting!" He heard Mr. Polluter say, "Getting rid of that junk this afternoon about wore me out. I'm glad we won't have to do that job again for some time. Think I'll go to bed." "I'm tired too", said Mrs. Polluter. "I'm sure I'll get a good sleep tonight." Soon the lights were turned out- the house was dark. "Well," said Possum to himself, "guess I'll go hunting a while. I'm not ready for bed yet." He climbed down from the tree and started off. Suddenly he remembered. There was something special he was supposed to do tonight! Oh dear, he had forgotten. I-le scratched his head. "Let me think. Climb the maple tree-I'VE DONE THAT. Watch until the lights go out-I'VE DONE THAT. Now what else was I supposed to do? He thought and thought but he just couldn't remember. Suddenly a shadow flew near him. It was Whip-Poor-Will. "Is that you Possum? I was afraid you'd forget so I came to help you. Go tell Father Deer the lights are out." "That's-that's it!" exclaimed Possum. Thank you so much Mr. Whip-Poor-Will. But I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell the other animals you had to help me." "Don't worry, I won't tell." Whip-Poor-Will flew silently back to the meeting place. Through the moon-filled forest ambled Possum with his message. The animals were anxious to begin. "You each know the job you are to do," said Father Deer. "Work quietly and quickly, and tonight we will teach Mr. And Mrs. Polluter a lesson. Such a hurrying and scurrying-out of the forest-across the road-into the Polluter's yard-went the animals- each carrying some of the trash that had been dumped in the forest that afternoon. Trip after trip they made. Garbage, bottles, cans, papers were all scattered about in the pretty yard. Chippy and Frisky Squirrel climbed up on the roof and hung a tin can on each lightning rod. How they chuckled when they thought how cross Mr. Polluter would be when he had to take them down. Mrs. Deer found the can of used oil by the garage door. She dumped it on the lawn right where Mr. Polluter sat every evening as he read his paper. The skunks carried some of the garbage right up on the porch. Woodsy Owl hung one of his signs on the doorknob. It said, Give A Hoot, Don't Pollute. The birds draped Mrs. Polluter's old dress over the clothes line post and put the hat on the post. The squirrel and Chipmunk families snickered softly as they dressed the mailbox in Mr. Polluter's old overalls and shirt. When they were through it looked like a scarecrow! What a mess the animals made of the yard Mr. And Mrs. Polluter were so proud of! Just as the first streak of light in the east announced the coming of the new day the animals finished their work. Now their forest home was clean and neat-the animals were tired but happy. They each found their favorite hiding place and settled down to wait until Mr. And Mrs. Polluter came out. They didn't have long to wait. Mr. Polluter was an early riser. Each morning as soon as it was light he stepped out to take a deep breath of the fresh morning air. But what a sight he saw this morning. He must be asleep and dreaming! "Mary", he shouted. "Mary, come here, hurry! Come tell me what you see." Mary ran to the door. She couldn't believe what she saw! "Oh, Sam, who could have done this to our lovely yard!" she cried. Sam was so angry his face was red and his voice shook. "I'll call the sheriff. Someone will pay for dump- ing their trash in our yard!" He stamped off toward the house. "Wait a minute," gasped Mary. "That garbage-banana peelings-melon rinds-lettuce leaves. That's just what I threw away yesterday afternoon." Sam picked up a can and examined it carefully. "This paint can-and those bottles-I'm sure they're the ones I dumped in the forest." Then they saw Mrs. Polluter's dress and hat on the clothesline post. A big grin spread over Sam's face. "Look," Mary burst right out laughing. "A scarecrow on the mailbox. Your old overalls and shirt!" "Something strange is going on around here," said Sam They walked out on the road. "Who ever did this must have left some tracks in the road." They examined the road carefully, then looked at each other. "Coon, fox, deer, squirrel, rabbit track," ex- claimed Mary. "All the animals in the forest crossed that road many times last night," said Sam thoughtfully. "Sam, do you suppose the animals did it? We threw our trash in their forest. Maybe they brought it back." Sam scratched his head. "Blamed if it doesn't look that way!" Then he began to grin. "Guess we had it coming. You go phone Benny and tell him to come with his bulldozer and dig us a place in the west field where we can bury our trash from now on." Then he looked around. "All right you animals. I can't see you but I know you're watching. Go back to your forest. We promise never to pollute it again. We've learned our lesson." There was a rustling in the trees and grasses as if a soft morning breeze were passing through but Mr. Polluter knew it was the animals saying "Thank you-thank you" as they went happily to their beloved forest. |