(That this is just a cute generic illustration. A trick, of a sort. Hare does not really dress this way)
“Beaver,” said Hare, “I need some help.”
“I’d be glad to help,” said Beaver, “what do you need?”
“I need you to help me play a trick on Dog,” said Hare.
“You and your tricks,” said Beaver, shaking his head. “You realize they never work, don’t you?”
“That’s why I need your help,” said Hare. “I tried to trick you last time but it didn’t work, so that’s why I need your help this time.”
“It didn’t work because Raccoon gave it away,” said Beaver. “It wasn’t me.”
“But it was going to be you,” said Hare. “You were going to read one of those books of yours and figure it out.”
“You don’t know that,” said Beaver.
“Oh yes I do,” said Hare. “It says so right here.” Hare waved a little notebook at Beaver.
Beaver’s eyes got wide. “You found the book with the stories in it?”
Hare laughed. “No way. It’s just an old notebook. There’s nothing in it. Gotcha, Beaver!”
“Hmph,” said Beaver, “and you’re the one asking me for help?”
Hare’s grin faded. “Oh, sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean…I just thought of that.”
“Are you trying to tell me you just thought of that trick only a moment ago?” said Beaver.
“Yes,” said Hare.
“Then why did you have that notebook?” asked Beaver. “You never carry notebooks.”
“Well,” said Hare, “I, um…”
“Admit it,” said Beaver, “you planned the whole thing.”
Hare’s ears drooped. “I really didn’t,” he said. “I don’t know why I had that notebook. I found it in my pocket and that’s when I had the idea.”
“Then how do you know there’s nothing in it?” said Beaver.
“Why would there be anything in it?” asked Hare.
“Because a notebook is for notes!” said Beaver. “You must have picked up somebody else’s notebook, and they probably wrote something in it.”
“I don’t remember picking up a notebook,” muttered Hare. “Why would I pick up a notebook? And…wait a minute…”
But Beaver was still talking about the notebook. “And whoever it is might need it back! When you have a notebook, it could be important!”
“Beaver,” said Hare.
“They’re probably looking everywhere for it, right now!” said Beaver.
“Beaver, said Hare again.
“Er…what?” asked Beaver.
“Did you notice when I pulled the notebook out of my pocket?” said Hare.
“Of course I did,” said Beaver.
“I don’t have pockets,” said Hare. “I’ve never had pockets. As far as I can tell, I don’t have any pockets right now. But a couple of minutes ago, I found that notebook IN MY POCKET and pulled it out!”
Beaver stared at Hare. “How can you pull a notebook out of your pocket when you don’t have pockets?” he asked. “If this is part of the trick, it’s not bad, Hare.”
“I think it is part of the trick,” said Hare, “but it’s not MY trick.”
“Hmmm, said Beaver, rubbing his chin. “I think we should look in that notebook. Where did I put it?”
“You put it on that stump,” said Hare.
“Did not,” said Beaver.
“Did so,” said Hare. “Look, there it is.” He pointed to the notebook, which was sitting on a stump a few feet away.
“I did NOT put that notebook on that stump,” said Beaver.
“Oh, sorry, you’re right,” said Hare, “you must have given it back to me. Here it is.” He pulled the notebook out of his pocket.
Beaver stared at Hare. Hare stared at the notebook. “What is going on around here?” said Hare. He felt all over his sides. “I STILL don’t have any pockets!” he said.
“I just saw you pull that notebook out of your pocket,” said Beaver. “Quit fooling around.”
“I am NOT fooling around,” said Hare. “But somebody is. Here, see what’s in it.”
He handed the notebook to Beaver carefully, as if it might bite.
Beaver opened the notebook and blinked at the page. Then he started to laugh.
“What’s so funny?” asked Hare.
“You wanted to play a trick on Dog,” said Beaver, “but I think Dog found out about it and played a trick on you first. Look.” He held up the notebook and pointed to the page. Somebody had written (in better handwriting than Hare’s, but still messy) “Ha Ha Ha! Signed, Dog.”
Hare sat down. “This does not make any sense,” he said to Beaver. “I didn’t tell anybody I wanted to play a trick on Dog until just moments ago when I saw you. How could Dog have known about it? And how could she have set up this fancy trick in just moments? And how do I only have a pocket only when I need to take something out of it?”
“Plot device?” suggested Dog, who was still at home. She caught a biscuit in mid air.
