But, disgusted at
the Rabbit for attempting what he could not perform, he threw them down
as a gift, and went home without tasting the meal.
_II. How Mahtigwess, the Rabbit dined with the Woodpecker Girls, and
was again humbled by trying to rival them._
Now Master Rabbit, though disappointed, was not discouraged, for this
one virtue he had, that he never gave up. [Footnote: It will be seen in
the end that this great Indian virtue of never giving in eventually
raised Rabbit to power and prosperity. _Il y a de morale ici_.]
And wandering one day in the wilderness, he found a wigwam well filled
with young women, all wearing red head-dresses; and no wonder, for they
were Woodpeckers. Now, Master Rabbit was a well-bred Indian, who made
himself as a melody to all voices, and so he was cheerfully bidden to
bide to dinner, which he did. Then one of the red-polled pretty girls,
taking a _woltes_, or wooden dish, lightly climbed a tree, so that
she seemed to run; and while ascending, stopping here and there and
tapping now and then, took from this place and that many of those
insects called by the Indians _apchel-moal-timpkawal_, or rice,
because they so much resemble it. And note that this rice is a dainty
dish for those who like it. And when it was boiled, and they had dined,
Master Rabbit again reflected, "La! how easily some folks live! What is
to hinder me from doing the same? Ho, you girls! come over and dine
with me the day after to-morrow!"
And having accepted this invitation, all the guests came on the day
set, when Master Rabbit undertook to play woodpecker.
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