Chapter I

"Oh, dear me!" said Billy. "I am so hungry. I wish I could find something good to eat."

"I know where there is a big cabbage patch," said Bunny.

"Where, where?" asked Billy.

"Where, where?" asked Bobtail.

"Follow me," said Bunny, "and I will show you."

"Is it far?" asked Billy.

"No," said Bunny. "It is not very far,--just down in Mr. Man's garden."

"I think I will stay here," said Billy. "This clover is very good."

So Billy stayed and ate the clover, but Bobtail and Bunny hopped off down the road.

They hopped along the road until they came to Mr. Man's barn.

Then they stopped to listen.

Bunny sat up straight and held up his long ears.

Bobtail sat up straight and held up his long ears.

They listened and listened, but they did not hear a sound.

"I think Jip is asleep in the house," said Bunny.

"I think Mr. Man is eating his dinner," said Bobtail.

"Let's hurry," said Bunny. "We can reach the garden without any one seeing us, I am sure."

So the two little rabbits laid their ears down on their heads and hopped away.

They hopped behind the barn.

Mr. Rooster saw them coming.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" he said. "Who are you? Where are you going in such a hurry?"

"We are going to the garden to get our dinner," said Bunny.

"Mr. Man never lets me go to the garden," said Mr. Rooster.

"Mr. Man never lets me go to the garden if he knows about it," laughed Bunny.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" said the rooster, as he flapped his wings and flew up on the fence.

"Please do not make so much noise," begged Bobtail. "Mr. Man will hear you and come out to see what is the matter."

But the rooster just flapped his big wings and crowed again.

"Come," said Bunny. "This is no place for us.

"Let's hop into the garden and get some cabbage."