OLD MOTHER RABBIT never left the house without wondering what Peter would do next.

One winter afternoon, when the snow lay thick and white on the ground, and the berries on the holly trees were all shiny and red, Old Mother Rabbit called all her little children around her.

“Now, my dears,” she said, “I must do a little shopping in the village, and I want all of you to stay in the house until I return.”

Flopsy said she would, and Mopsy said she would, and Cotton-tail said she would, but Peter made believe he didn’t hear.

THEN Old Mother Rabbit took a basket and her umbrella, and went out.

There was a nice hard crust on the snow, and she went skimming along on her way.