In the dam was a great hole made by Paddy himself.
Through the Green Forest rang the laughter of the Laughing Brook,
for once more the water ran deep between its banks. And in the
hearts of Grandfather Frog and Jerry Muskrat and Spotty the Turtle
was laughter also, for now the Smiling Pool would smile once more,
and they could go home in peace and happiness. And there was one
more who laughed. Who was it? Why, Paddy the Beaver to be sure,
and his was the best laugh of all, for it was because he had brought
happiness to others.
"You beat me up here to the dam, but you won't beat me back to the
Smiling Pool," cried Jerry Muskrat to Spotty the Turtle.
Spotty laughed good-naturedly. "You'd better not stop to eat or play
or sleep on the way then," said he, "for I shall keep right on going
all the time. I've found that is the only way to get anywhere."
"Let us all go down together" said Grandfather Frog. "We can help
each other over the bad places."
Jerry Muskrat laughed until he had to hold his sides at the very
thought of Grandfather Frog or Spotty the Turtle being able to help
him, but he is very good-natured, and so he agreed that they should
all go down together.
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