Clara Dillingham Pierson Nature Reader Part II

AMONG THE POND PEOPLE was very, very much excited, he never said more than “Yes,” “No,” or “Indeed?” They were excellent listeners and some of the most popular people in the pond. Those who were in trouble told the Clams, and they would say, “Indeed,” or “Ah,” in such a nice way that their visitor was sure to leave feeling better. Others who wanted advice would go to them, and talk over their plans and tell them what they wanted to do, and the Clams would say, “Yes,” and then the visitors would go away quite decided, and say, “We really didn’t know what to do until we spoke to the Clams about it, but they agree with us perfectly.” The Clams were also excellent people to keep secrets, and as the Eels were forever telling secrets, that was all very well.

Mother Eel was fussy. She even said so herself. And if a thing bothered her, she would talk and talk and talk until even her own children were tired of hearing about it. Now she was worrying over the pond water.

“I do not think it nearly so clean as it was last year,” she said, “and the mud is getting positively dirty. Our family are very particular about that, and I think we may have to move.

I do dread the moving, though. It is so much work with a family the size of mine, and Mr. Eel is no help at all with the children.”

She was talking with Mother Mud Turtle when she said this, and the little Eels were wriggling all around her as she spoke. Then they began teasing her to go, until she told them to swim away at once and play with the young Minnows. “I’m afraid I shall have to go,” said she, “if only on account of the children. I want them to see something of the world. It is so dull in this pond. Were you ever out of it?” she asked, turning suddenly to Mrs. Mud Turtle.

“Oh, yes,” answered she. “I go quite often, and one of my 238