All along the meadow where the cows grazed and the horses ran, there was an old stone wall 

In that wall, not far from the barn and the granary, a chatty family of field mice had  their home.

And since Winter was not far off, the little mice began to gather corn and nuts and wheat and straw. They all worked day and night..... all except Frederick.

Frederick why don't you work?

I do work. I gather sun rays for the cold, dark winter days.

and now Frederick?

I gather colours, for winter is grey

Are you dreaming Frederick?

Oh no, I'm gathering words, for the winter days are long and many.

The winter days came and when the first snow fell the little field mice took to their hideout in the stones. 

It was cold in the wall and no one felt like playing.