So Happy Jack raced up and down the tree in the very greatest excitement , and his tongue went quite as fast as his legs . He wanted everybody to know that Shadow was a prisoner at last . At first he did not dare go very close to the cage . You see , he had so long feared Shadow that he was still afraid of him even though he was so helpless . But little by little Happy Jack grew bolder and came very close . And then he began doing something not at all nice . He began calling Shadow names and making fun of him , and telling him how he was n't afraid of him . It was all very foolish and worse -- it was like hitting a foe who was helpless . Of course Happy Jack hastened to tell everybody he met all about Shadow , so it was n't long before Shadow began to receive many visitors . Whenever Farmer Brown 's boy was not around there was sure to be one or more of the little people who had feared Shadow to taunt him and make fun of him . Somehow it seems as if always it is that way when people get into trouble . You know it is very easy to appear to be bold and brave when there is nothing to be afraid of . Of course that is n't bravery at all , though many seem to think it is . -LSB- Illustration : IT WAS N'T LONG BEFORE SHADOW BEGAN TO RECEIVE MANY VISITORS . -RSB- Now what do you think that right down in their hearts all these little people who came to jeer at Shadow the Weasel hoped they would see ? Why , they hoped they would see Shadow afraid . Yes , Sir , that is just what they hoped . But they did n't . That is where they were disappointed . Not once did Shadow show the least sign of fear .
He did n't know what Farmer Brown 's XXXXX would do with him , and he had every reason to fear that if he was not to be kept a prisoner for the rest of his natural life , something dreadful would be the end .
Illustration boy bravery cage everybody foe fun hearts prisoner tree