In the Laughing Brook, the water rippled and sang all day long. And in that brook lived Mr. Trout and Mrs. Trout and a whole lot of little Trouts.
So many little Trouts!
Mr. Trout and Mrs. Trout were busy from morning to night. They made breakfast. They made dinner. They made supper. They watched over every little Trout. They taught them how to swim. They taught them how to catch silly little flies that fell on the water — SNAP! They taught them to stay far, far away from big hungry fish, and sharp-eyed Mr. Kingfisher, and big men and little boys who came to the brook with hooks and lines.
Now, all the little Trouts did just what Mrs. Trout told them.
All except Tommy Trout.
Tommy Trout never minded right away. He always waited a little. He always wanted to do things his own way.
He didn't mean to be bad. He just didn't listen.
One morning, round red Mr. Sun was shining bright. The Laughing Brook was singing on its way to the Big River. Mrs. Trout needed to find some nice plump flies for dinner. All the little Trouts were playing in their dear little pool, safe behind the Big Rock.
Before she left, Mrs. Trout called every little Trout close.
"Stay inside this pool while I am gone," she said. Her voice was serious. "Don't leave. Not even a little. Because something dreadful might happen to you."
All the little Trouts promised. "We will stay! We will surely, surely stay!"
All except Tommy Trout. Tommy Trout said nothing.
The little Trouts began to jump and chase each other and play, happy as could be.
All except Tommy Trout.
As soon as Mrs. Trout was gone, Tommy Trout swam off by himself. He drifted to the very edge of the pool. He stared past the Big Rock.
"I wonder what is on the other side," he whispered.
The sun was shining. The brook was laughing. Nothing bad could happen — not on a day like this. Not if he went just a tiny little ways.
So when no one was looking…
Tommy Trout slipped out of the safe little pool.
He swam just a tiny little ways.
Now he could almost see around the Big Rock.
Just a tiny little ways farther…
He turned the corner and —
He looked right into the mouth of a great big fish.
Mr. Pickerel.
Mr. Pickerel, who is very fond of little Trouts.
Those jaws opened wide. Wider. WIDER.
"Ah ha," said Mr. Pickerel.
Tommy Trout spun around. He flicked his tail as hard as he could. He swam for the safe little pool where all the other little Trouts were playing so happily.
But he was too late.
GULP.
Into that great big mouth he went. Mr. Pickerel swallowed him whole.
"Ah ha," said Mr. Pickerel, licking his lips. "I like little Trouts."
And nothing more was ever heard of Tommy Trout.
