Every evening the plucky Skunk went to the brook to look for his supper. It was hard work, but with patience, the Skunk usually came home with a meal. "You are foolish," said the Raccoons. "Why do you work so hard for your food? Come forage with us through the garbage cans behind the fine homes of the people. It is easy!" "No thank you," said the Skunk. "I prefer to catch my own supper." And with the hoots of the Raccoons ringing in his ears, he trundled off to the brook. As the summer progressed, the Skunk became a skilled hunter while the Raccoons grew fat and lazy. One evening, the Skunk heard a chorus of crying Raccoons outside his door. "What's wrong?" asked the Skunk. "Is something the matter?" "The people have locked their garbage cans!" cried the Raccoons. "We have no supper." "You see?" said the Skunk, "I hate to say I told you so, but..." His voice trailed off while all the Raccoons glared at him. The Skunk went back and finished his dinner. He threw the scraps to the hungry Raccoons outside.
Moral: Those who seek the easy way often find a dead end.
