Somewhere on the Mississippi

The Eagle lived in a little town quite a while ago.

“I am strong, brave, and heroic”, said the eagle, “I will let no harm come to this town!”

Waterbug was watching from the lake. Then, one day the town caught fire.

“Help us Eagle!”, all of the animals screamed.

“I must save my own tail”, squawked the Eagle, and flew to the tallest tree, away from the flames, to watch the city burn. Waterbug knowing that the eagle would be of no help began splashing water at the town from out of the lake. Soon, the fire was put out.

“A hero must be brave in deed as well as in word!”, Waterbug told eagle.

She flew away to the mountains to hide her embarrassment, and never came back.