In the woods there was hardly one of Solomon 's neighbors that couldn't point out the big tree where he lived. And fellows like Reddy Woodpecker sometimes annoyed Solomon a good deal by rapping loudly on his door. When he thrust his head angrily out of his house and blinked in the sunlight, his tormentors would skip away and laugh. They laughed because they knew that they had Solomon Owl. And they out of his reach because he was always ill-tempered when anybody disturbed his rest in the daytime.  
 
Solomon Owl did not mind so very much so long as that trick was not played on him too often. But after a time it became one of Reddy Woodpecker's favorite sports. Not only once, but several times a day did he go to the hemlock to hammer upon Solomon's hollow tree. And each time that he brought Solomon Owl to his door Reddy Woodpecker laughed more loudly than ever before.
 
Once Solomon forgot to take off his nightcap (though he wore it in the daytime, it really was a nightcap). And Reddy Woodpecker was so amused that he shouted at the top of his lungs.
 
“What's the joke?” asked Solomon Owl in his deep, voice. He tried to look very severe. But it is hard to look any way except funny with a nightcap on one's head.
 
 
As luck had it, Jasper Jay came hurrying up just then. He had heard Reddy Woodpecker's laughter. And if there was a joke he wanted to enjoy it, too.
 
Jasper Jay, alighting in a small hemlock near Reddy Woodpecker, asked the same question that Solomon Owl had just put to his rude caller.
 
“What's the joke?” inquired Jasper Jay.
 
Reddy could not speak. He was rocking back and upon a limb, choking and for breath. But he man............