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"They are the smallest insect family in the forest," said Helpless, "and the most harmless, since the caterpillars content themselves with gnawing only pine needles." "Yes, I know," said Crawlie. "I'm afraid those moths, will soon be exterminated," sighed the water-snake. "There are so many who pick off the caterpillars in the spring."
The next morning the water-snake went over to see Crawlie, the adder, who lived in a stony and hilly part of Liberty Forest. He told him all about the death of the old water-snake, and begged that he who could deal such deadly thrusts would undertake the work of vengeance. But Crawlie was not exactly disposed to go to war with an elk.
But the water-snake did not move from the spot, and for a long time the snakes lay there hissing abusive epithets at each other. When Crawlie was so angry that he couldn't hiss, but could only dart his tongue out, the water-snake changed the subject, and began to talk in a very different tone. "I had still another errand, Crawlie," he said, lowering his voice to a mild whisper.
"The first day you were in the forest you killed the wife of poor old Helpless," said Crawlie. Grayskin turned quickly from the adder, and continued his walk with Karr. Suddenly he stopped. "Karr, it was I who committed that crime! I killed a harmless creature; therefore it is on my account that the forest is being destroyed." "What are you saying?" Karr interrupted.
"They say that an elk did it, and we were just going to ask if you knew who it was." "No," said Grayskin, "I have never heard of an elk killing a harmless creature." Grayskin parted from the four old elk, and went on with Karr. He was silent and walked with lowered head. They happened to pass Crawlie, the adder, who lay on his shelf of rock.
"But now I suppose you are so angry that you wouldn't care to help me?" "If you don't ask anything foolish of me, I shall certainly be at your service." "In the pine trees down by the swamp live a moth folk that fly around all night." "I know all about them," remarked Crawlie. "What's up with them now?"
"I might also drop a good word for the pine needle pickers among the thrushes?" volunteered the adder. "I will gladly serve you when you do not demand anything unreasonable." "Now you have given me a good promise, Crawlie," said Helpless, "and I'm glad that I came to you." One morning several years later Karr lay asleep on the porch.
Now Crawlie began to understand that the water-snake wanted the caterpillars for his own purpose, and he answered pleasantly: "Do you wish me to say to the owls that they are to leave those pine tree worms in peace?" "Yes, it would be well if you who have some authority in the forest should do this," said Helpless.
"There goes Grayskin, who has destroyed the whole forest!" hissed Crawlie, like all the rest. By that time Grayskin's patience was exhausted. He walked up to the snake, and raised a forefoot. "Do you think of crushing me as you crushed the old water-snake?" hissed Crawlie. "Did I kill a water-snake?" asked Grayskin, astonished.
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