"All right Raccoon, my Brother," said Mouse. "Lead on to the River. I will Walk with you." Little Mouse Walked with Raccoon. His little Heart was Pounding in his Breast. The Raccoon was Taking him upon Strange Paths and little Mouse Smelled the Scent of many things that had Gone by this Way. Many times he became so Frightened he almost Turned Back. Finally, they Came to the River! It was Huge and Breathtaking, Deep and Clear in Places, and Murky in Others. Little Mouse was unable to See Across it because it was so Great. It Roared, Sang, Cried, and Thundered on its Course. Little Mouse Saw Great and Little Pieces of the World Carried Along on its Surface. "It is Powerful!" little Mouse said, Fumbling for Words. "It is a Great thing," answered the Raccoon, "but here, let me Introduce you to a Friend." In a Smoother, Shallower Place was a Lily Pad, Bright and Green. Sitting upon it was a Frog, almost as Green as the Pad it sat on.

The Frog's White Belly stood out Clearly. "Hello, little Brother," said the Frog. "Welcome to the River." "I must Leave you Now," cut in Raccoon, "but do not Fear, little Brother, for Frog will Care for you Now." And Raccoon Left, Looking along the River Bank for Food that he might Wash and Eat. Little Mouse Approached the Water and Looked into it. He saw a Frightened Mouse Reflected there. "Who are you?" little Mouse asked the Reflection. "Are you not Afraid being this Far out into the Great River?" "No," answered the Frog, "I am not Afraid. I have been Given the Gift from Birth to Live both Above and Within the River. When Winter Man Comes and Freezes this Medicine, I cannot be Seen.