Читать книгу Chunky, the Happy Hippo: His Many Adventures онлайн

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“It’s a good thing you called to us to swim out of his way,” said Big Foot. “I’m much obliged to you, Mrs. Hippo, and I’m sorry I pushed your Chunky in!”

“Oh, you didn’t hurt me!” laughed Chunky, as he stood on the bank and looked out to the middle of the river, where he could just see the nose of the crocodile in the water, as the long animal swam away.

And then Chunky had another surprise, for escaping from the crocodile surely was one. All of a sudden, out from the jungle flew a lot of birds, and before the hippos knew what was happening the birds began to settle down on their backs.

“Oh, look!” cried Chunky. “What are the birds going to do?” he asked his mother. “Are they going to bite me?”

“No; don’t be afraid, silly little hippo boy!” she answered, with a loud laugh. “The birds just came to get the snails and water bugs that are sticking to your back. The river is full of snails, and when you go in to swim they stick to you. The birds like to pick them off and eat them, and that’s what they’re doing now.”