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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b3b9b0b --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53033 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53033) diff --git a/old/53033-0.txt b/old/53033-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 04f61a5..0000000 --- a/old/53033-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8883 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Turquoise Story Book, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Turquoise Story Book - Stories and Legends of Summer and Nature - -Author: Various - -Illustrator: Maxfield Parrish - -Release Date: September 12, 2016 [EBook #53033] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TURQUOISE STORY BOOK *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - The Jewel Series - - THE DIAMOND STORY BOOK. Compiled - by PENRHYN W. COUSSENS. Illustrations - in color by Ethel Green. _net_ $1.75 - - THE EMERALD STORY BOOK. _Stories - of Spring, Nature, and Easter,_ By ADA - and ELEANOR SKINNER. Frontispiece - in color by Maxfield Parrish. _net_ $1.75 - - THE RUBY STORY BOOK. _Tales of - Courage and Heroism._ Retold by - PENRHYN W. COUSSENS. Frontispiece - in color by Maxfield Parrish. _net_ $1.75 - - THE SAPPHIRE STORY BOOK. _Tales - of the Sea._ Collected and retold by - PENRHYN W. COUSSENS. Frontispiece - in color by Maxfield Parrish. _net_ $1.75 - - THE TOPAZ STORY BOOK. _Stories and - Legends of Autumn, Hallowe'en, and - Thanksgiving._ Compiled by ADA M. - and ELEANOR L. SKINNER. Frontispiece - in color by Maxfield Parrish. _net_ $1.75 - - THE TURQUOISE STORY BOOK. - _Stories and Legends of Summer and - Nature._ By ADA M. and ELEANOR L. - SKINNER. Frontispiece in color by - Maxfield Parrish. _net_ $1.75 - -[Illustration: - - Drawn by Maxfield Parrish - - SUMMER -] - - - - - THE TURQUOISE - - STORY BOOK - - _Stories and Legends of_ - _Summer and Nature_ - - COMPILED BY - - ADA M. SKINNER - - AND - - ELEANOR L. SKINNER - - _Editors of "The Emerald Story Book," "Merry Tales," "Nursery - Tales from Many Lands" and "The Topaz Story Book"_ - - FRONTISPIECE BY - - MAXFIELD PARRISH - -[Illustration] - - NEW YORK - DUFFIELD & COMPANY - 1918 - - - - - Copyright, 1918, by - DUFFIELD & COMPANY - - - - - INTRODUCTION - - -The beauty of the world gradually reveals itself to the child who forms -the habit of observation. Through companionship with Nature, -supplemented by the reading of books which foster an interest in the -ever-varying charm of the seasons, the young reader enriches his -experience by learning to interpret "the open pages of the world about -him." - -Some of the stories, legends, and poems in the present volume point out -facts in Nature; others stimulate interest because they appeal to the -young reader's fancy, quicken his sense of humour, or attract his -attention to some spiritual significance. Also, large use has been made -of myths and wonder stories. They evolved in the childhood of the race -when the mystery of the physical world made a deep and serious -impression upon primitive men. In terms of their own experiences, they -explained and symbolized the beauty, order, and power which they beheld. - -"The Turquoise Story Book" is the third volume in a series of nature -books, each of which emphasizes the interest and beauty characteristic -of a particular season. The central theme of this volume is the -loveliness of summer and its manifold blessings. - - - ACKNOWLEDGMENTS - -The editors' thanks are due to the following authors and publishers who -have permitted the publication of their works in this volume—to Mr. -Albert Bigelow Paine for permission to include "How the Rose Became -Queen," and "A Legend of the Lily-of-the-Valley," from a "Little Garden -Calendar," published by the Henry Altemus Company; to Helen Gray Cone -for her two poems, "An Evening Primrose" and "A Yellow Pansy"; to -Frances Gillespy Wickes for "Mother Spider"; to Edward Bliss Reed and -the Yale University Press for the poem "Flowers," from "Sea Moods"; to -Frank A. Waugh and the _Woman's Home Companion_ for "The Friendly Summer -Trees"; to Miss M. L. Cook for her translation of "Why the Lady-Bug Is -Called Beloved of God"; to Lucille Corbett for "The Story of the -Dewdrop"; to George Allen and Unwin Ltd., for permission to retell "The -Sun Princess" and "Princess Fire-fly" from "Old World Japan Legends"; to -the Outlook Company for "The Tale of Two Tails," and to Ernest Ingersoll -and the Outlook Company for "Birds' Nests"; to George H. Doran Company -for "The Dew Mother," by May Byron; to the Educational Company for "The -Boy Who Hated Trees"; to _Town Topics_ for "Hatto, the Hermit," by Selma -Lagerlöf; to Charles Scribner's Sons for the selections from Eugene -Field and Henry Van Dyke; to D. C. Heath and Company for "Legend of -Tithonus" from "Favorite Greek Myths," by Lillian S. Hyde; to Frederick -A. Stokes Company for a selection by Alfred Noyes; to E. P. Dutton and -Company for "Robin Goodfellow," from "English Fairy Tales," by Ernest -Rhys; to C. H. Barbeau for permission to retell "Legend of the Sun and -Moon," from "Memoirs"; to S. E. Cassino Company for "The Grubbiest Grub" -from _Little Folks Magazine_; to J. B. Lippincott Company for permission -to retell a legend from Skinner's "Legends of Flowers, Fruits and -Trees"; to Small, Maynard and Company for three poems from "Complete -Works of Madison Cawein"; to Macmillan and Company Ltd., London, for a -poem by Maud Keary; to John P. Morton and Company for "Morning Glories" -from "Poet and Nature," by Madison Cawein; to T. Fisher Unwin Ltd. for -"The Summer Princess" from "The Enchanted Garden," by Mrs. Molesworth; -to the Macmillan Company for "Nature," from "Preludes," by Madison -Cawein, a selection from "The Everlasting Mercy," by John Masefield, and -"In the Cool of the Evening," from "Poems," by Alfred Noyes, and a -selection from "Gitanjali," by Rabindranath Tagore; to Edward Abbott -Parry for "Undine" from "The First Book of Krab"; and to Lyman Abbott -for "The Flower's Thanks." - -The selections from John Burroughs, Edith M. Thomas and John Townsend -Trowbridge are used by permission of and by special arrangement with -Houghton, Mifflin Company, the authorized publishers of their works. - - - - - CONTENTS - - - INTRODUCTION - - SUMMER STORIES AND LEGENDS - - PAGE - - Summer (selection) _Madison Cawein_ 2 - - How Summer Conquered Winter (Iroquois - Legend) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 3 - - A Legend of the Flowers (Australian) _Katherine Langlot - Parker_ 8 - - June (selection) _James Russell Lowell_ 14 - - The Sun-Goddess (Japanese Legend) _Frank Rinder_ 15 - - The Summer Maker (Ojibway Legend) Retold - from Schoolcraft _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 20 - - Summer (selection) _Edmund Spenser_ 27 - - In the Kitchen-Garden (abridged) _Mrs. Alfred Gatty_ 28 - - Glad Day (poem) _W. Graham Robertson_ 42 - - The Summer Princess _Mrs. Molesworth_ 44 - - Midsummer (poem) _John Townsend - Trowbridge_ 74 - - - SUMMER SKIES - - Selection _Rabindranath Tagore_ 76 - - Day (poem) _Robert Browning_ 76 - - How the Sun Was Caught and Freed (Indian - Legend) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 77 - - A Day of Sunshine (poem) _Henry W. Longfellow_ 83 - - Phaeton's Drive in the Sun-Chariot _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 84 - - Song _William Shakespeare_ 90 - - Summer Sun (poem) _Robert Louis - Stevenson_ 91 - - The Cloud (translated from the German by - Eleanor L. Skinner) _Robert Reineck_ 92 - - Undine _Edward Abbott Parry_ 95 - - Legend of the Sun, Moon and Stars - (Retold) _Ada M. Skinner_ 116 - - The Princess Moonbeam (Japanese Legend) _Mary F. Nixon-Roulet_ 120 - - The Moon (selection) _Percy Bysshe Shelley_ 124 - - The Spacious Firmament on High (poem) _Joseph Addison_ 125 - - - GREEN FIELDS AND MEADOWS GAY - - Nature's Song (selection) _Madison Cawein_ 128 - - The Gift of Flax (Norse Legend) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 129 - - The Story of the Dewdrop _Lucille Corbett_ 136 - - The Dew Mother (poem) _May Byron_ 140 - - Origin of the Dandelion (Indian Legend - Retold) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 141 - - Prince Butterfly and Clover (Retold from - the poem by Louisa M. Alcott) _Ada M. Skinner_ 146 - - A Song of Clover _Saxe Holm_ 152 - - Tithonus: A Legend of the Grasshopper _Lillian S. Hyde_ 153 - - The Grasshopper (poem) _Edith M. Thomas_ 155 - - The Golden Grasshopper _Charles Lamb_ 156 - - A Blade of Grass _John Ruskin_ 159 - - Selection _Charles Dalmon_ 162 - - Princess Fire-Fly (Japanese Legend, - adapted) _Frank Rinder_ 163 - - July (selection) _Susan Hartley Swett_ 168 - - Cuff and the Woodchuck _John Burroughs_ 169 - - Why the Lady-Bug Is Said to Be Beloved - of God—Translated from the French by _M. L. Cook_ 173 - - - SUMMER SPINNERS - - Selection _Madison Cawein_ 182 - - The Story of Arachne _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 183 - - How the Spider Makes Its Web _C. William Beebe_ 188 - - The Fairy Spinner (Southern Tale Retold) _Ada M. Skinner_ 192 - - Mother Spider _Frances Gillespy - Wickes_ 195 - - - IN BROOKS AND PONDS - - The Brook _Alfred Tennyson_ 200 - - Legend of the Water-Lily _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 201 - - The Tale of Two Tails _Mary H. Wilson_ 205 - - Origin of Bullfrogs (Algonquin Legend) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 212 - - Woodland Waters (poem) _Madison Cawein_ 221 - - The Grubbiest Grub _J. Bevan_ 222 - - The Dragon-Fly (poem) _Alfred Tennyson_ 231 - - - ON THE WING - - Selection _John Masefield_ 234 - - Selection _William Blake_ 234 - - How Woodpecker Changed His Colours - (Micmac Legend) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 235 - - A Retort from the Catbird (poem) _Abbie Farwell Brown_ 238 - - Woodpecker Life _Margaret Coulson - Walker_ 239 - - Kingfisher's Necklace and Ruffle _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 252 - - Owl Wisdom _Frances Wright_ 256 - - Birds' Nests _Ernest Ingersoll_ 261 - - Hatto The Hermit: The Legend of a Bird's - Nest _Selma Lagerlöf_ 267 - - - UNDER GREENWOOD TREES - - Song _William Shakespeare_ 282 - - The Plucky Prince (Adapted from the poem - by May Byron) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 283 - - The Oak (poem) _H. F. Chorley_ 289 - - Summer Snow _Mrs. Humphrey Ward_ 290 - - The Boy Who Hated Trees _Alice L. Beckwith_ 293 - - The Friendly Summer Trees _Frank A. Waugh_ 301 - - Forest Day _Selma Lagerlöf_ 309 - - Woodman, Spare That Tree (poem) _George P. Morris_ 314 - - - IN AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN - - Selection _William Brightly - Rands_ 320 - - Selection _Eugene Field_ 320 - - How the Rose Became Queen _Albert Bigelow Paine_ 321 - - Morning-Glories (poem) _Madison Cawein_ 327 - - Why Roses Have Thorns (Algonquin Legend - Retold) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 329 - - Sweet Peas (poem) _John Keats_ 334 - - Legend of the Primrose _Ada M. Skinner_ 335 - - Evening Primroses (poem) _Helen Gray Cone_ 340 - - Legend of the Lily-of-the-Valley _Albert Bigelow Paine_ 341 - - Katrina's Sun-Dial _Henry Van Dyke_ 341 - - The Three Little Butterflies (Translated - from Curtmann) _Ada M. Skinner_ 342 - - The Pinks (poem) _Robert Bridges_ 344 - - The Flower's Thanks _Lyman Abbott_ 345 - - Pansies (poem) _James Whitcomb Riley_ 347 - - The Little Heartsease 348 - - Legend of the Red Geranium (Mohammedan) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 351 - - Enchanted Tulips (poem) _Maud Keary_ 352 - - Iris _Ada M. Skinner_ 353 - - The Yellow-Bird (poem) _James Whitcomb Riley_ 355 - - Origin of the Sunflower _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 356 - - The Bluebell (poem) _Anonymous_ 359 - - The Dew Mother's Gift to the Rose - Eleanor _L. Skinner_ 360 - - A Yellow Pansy (poem) _Helen Gray Cone_ 362 - - Mignonette _Ada M. Skinner_ 363 - - Flowers (selection) _Edward Bliss Reed_ 369 - - - ON A MIDSUMMER DAY - - Selection _Alfred Noyes_ 372 - - The Friendly Cowslip Bells (English - Legend) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 373 - - Fairy Dawn (selection) _Joseph Rodman Drake_ 377 - - Robin Goodfellow _Ernest Rhys_ 378 - - A Quarrel in Fairyland (Arranged from a - Midsummer Night's Dream) _Eleanor L. Skinner_ 388 - - In the Cool of the Evening (poem) _Alfred Noyes_ 406 - - - - - SUMMER STORIES AND LEGENDS - - - - - SUMMER - - - Hang out your loveliest star, O Night! O Night! - Your richest rose, O Dawn! - To greet sweet Summer, her who clothed in Light - Leads Earth's best hours on. - Hark! how the wild birds of the woods - Throat it within the dewy solitudes; - The brook sings low and soft, - The trees make song, - As from her heaven aloft - Comes blue-eyed Summer like a girl along. - - MADISON CAWEIN. - - - - - HOW SUMMER CONQUERED - WINTER - - (IROQUOIS LEGEND) - - -Once upon a time the Great Chief, Glooscap, who brought many blessings -to the Red Men, made a journey far into the Northland. For days he -traveled over frozen wastes of ice and snow, where the keen wind blew -without ceasing. - -At last he came to a lodge hollowed out of the icebergs, where Winter, -the Giant of the Northland, dwelt. Quietly, Glooscap stalked into the -glittering lodge and sat down. There was silence for several moments, -then the Winter Manito laid aside his scepter of ice, filled a pipe, -and, offering it to his guest, said, "Thou art welcome. Tell me, why -comest thou to the Northland?" - -"To learn about the power of the Winter Giant," answered Glooscap. - -"Who can measure the strength of the Winter King?" said the giant, -shaking his white locks, on which rested a crown of icicles. - -For a long while the King and his guest sat smoking in silence. Then the -Winter Giant began the story of his mighty deeds. - -"I cover the Northland with ice, and pile up great snowdrifts which look -like mountains. I send forth the Storm Blast, which fills the air with -sleet and snow, and makes the white bear creep into a cave for shelter. -I build the glittering icebergs, out of which my chieftains make their -lodges." - -The enchantment of the frost was in Giant Winter's words, and his guest -sat spellbound. After Glooscap had listened to many works of wonder, he -nodded his head and fell into a deep sleep. Like an image of death he -lay in Winter's lodge for six months. - -Then one morning the charm of the frost spirit was broken, and Glooscap, -who awoke with renewed vigor, left the Winter King's lodge and journeyed -toward the Southland. After a few days of travel he was beyond the reach -of the Storm Blast. The air grew wondrously mild and warm; instead of -frozen wastes, he saw stretches of meadowlands and green forests, where -the birds were nesting. He walked deep into the woodland until he came -to a dell, which was thick with flowers and bright butterflies. On soft -green moss the Sun-Fays, led by the Fairy Queen of Summer, were dancing -gaily. For a few moments Glooscap stood and marveled at the beauty of -the scene. - -Suddenly he sprang into the midst of the dancers, seized the Fairy Queen -of Summer, and slipped her under his blanket. Then away he fled with -her. As he ran, Glooscap, by magic power, dropped one end of a slender -cord, made from a moose-hide, and let it trail behind him. When the -Sun-Fays saw what had happened, they uttered a great cry, and darted -after the intruder. They seized the end of the cord, and tugged at it -with all their fairy might, hoping to hold fast Glooscap and rescue -their Fairy Queen. But the magic cord had no end, and the Sun-Fays were -left in the valley, while Glooscap fled through the forest and retraced -his steps to the frozen Northland. - -Again he silently entered the giant's lodge hollowed out of the -icebergs. The Winter Manito laid aside his ice scepter, filled a pipe, -and offered it to his guest, saying, "Thou art welcome. Hast thou -returned to the Northland to hear more about the strength of the Winter -Manito?" - -"The Frost King's might is great," said Glooscap, "but I have seen a -power which is greater than his!" - -The Winter Giant looked scornfully at his guest and said nothing. - -"I have seen the wonder and beauty of the Summer Queen's land," said -Glooscap. "There the quickening dews and gentle showers soften the brown -earth, and the grass leaps forth. Myriad sunbeams touch the flower buds, -and unfold them into full blossoms. Birds build their nests and rear -their young in the branches of the sheltering forests. Light and warmth -abound, and the earth is filled with gladness." - -By magic power Glooscap cast a spell over Giant Winter. He could neither -speak nor move. As the Great Chief talked, the iceberg lodge grew warm -and big ice drops ran down the giant's cheeks. Gradually the air grew -warmer and warmer. Winter's icy figure and his wigwam melted and, in a -great flood, flowed away to the sea. - -Then, from her hiding place under Glooscap's blanket, stepped forth the -Summer Queen. At her command the Sun Fairies joined her, and together -they began the marvelous work of making the grasses grow and the flowers -bloom. Brooks and rivers flowed through the green meadows. Birds -hastened back from the Southland and built their nests in the forests. -Soon the whole land was filled with the joys and blessings of summer. - - - - - A LEGEND OF THE FLOWERS - - (AUSTRALIAN) - - -Long, long ago the great Byamee left the earth and went to dwell in the -far-away land of rest, which was beyond the tops of the Oobi Oobi -mountain. The earth became a dull and desolate place after he left it, -for all the flowers that brightened the plains and hillsides ceased to -bloom. - -And since there were no blossoms the bees could no longer make honey for -the earth children. In all the land there were but three trees where the -bees lived and worked; and no one ever touched these sacred trees, -because they belonged to Byamee. - -The children cried for honey, and the mothers took little bark baskets -into the woods to search for the sweet food. But they returned with -empty baskets and said, "There is no honey except on the sacred trees. -We will never touch Byamee's honey." - -This obedience pleased the Great Spirit very much and he said, "I'll -send the earth children a food as sweet as the honey for which they -hunger. It shall flow from the Bilbil and Goolabah trees." - -Soon were seen white, sugary specks on the shining leaves of these -trees, and then came the clear manna, which ran along the branches and -down the trunks, and hardened into sugar. The children were delighted -with the sweet food, and all the people were thankful for Byamee's gift. - -But they were not satisfied, for they still wished to see the plains and -hillsides covered with blossoms. So deeply did they long for the -beautiful flowers, which had left the earth, that the wise men finally -said, "We will travel to the land of Byamee, and ask him to brighten the -earth again with flowers." - -They kept the plan and purpose of their journey a secret from the -tribes, and sped away to the northeast. On and on they journeyed until -they came to the foot of the great Oobi Oobi mountain, whose summit was -lost in the clouds of the sky. They walked along the base of its rocky -sides, wondering how they could scale the steep ascent when suddenly -they spied a foothold cut in a rock, and then they noticed another step -and still another. Looking carefully upward, they saw a pathway of steps -cut as far as they could see up the mountain side. Up this ladder of -stone they determined to climb. On and on they went, and when the first -day's ascent was ended the top of the mountain still seemed high above -them. They noticed, too, that they were climbing a spiral path, which -wound round and round the mountain. Not until the end of the fourth -day's climb did they reach the summit of this mighty mountain. - -And from a basin in the marble there bubbled forth a spring of clear, -sweet water, which the wise men drank eagerly. Their hard journey had -almost exhausted them, but the cooling draught filled them again with -new life. At a little distance from the spring they saw a circle of -piled-up stones. They walked to the center of it, and a voice spoke to -them. It came from a fairy messenger of the Great Spirit. - -"Why have the wise men of the earth ventured so near to the dwelling of -Byamee?" asked the spirit voice. - -And the men answered, "Since the great Byamee left the earth no flowers -have bloomed there. We have come to ask for the gift of flowers, because -the earth is very dreary without their gay colors." - -Then the fairy messenger's voice said, "Attendant spirits of the -mountain, lift the wise men into the abode of Byamee, where fadeless -flowers never cease to bloom. Of these blossoms, wise men, you may -gather as many as you can hold in your hands. After you have gathered -the flowers the attendant spirits will lift you back into the magic -circle on the summit of Oobi Oobi. From this place you must return as -quickly as possible to your tribes." - -As the voice stopped speaking, the men were lifted up through an opening -in the sky and set down in a land of wondrous beauty. Everywhere -brilliant flowers were blooming, and they were massed together in lines -of exquisite colors, which looked like hundreds of rainbows lying on the -grass. The wise men were overcome by the marvelous sight, and they wept -tears of joy. - -Remembering what they had come for, they stooped down and gathered -quickly as many blossoms as they could hold. The spirits then lifted -them down again into the magic circle on the top of Oobi Oobi. - -There they heard again the voice of the fairy messenger who said, "Tell -your people when you take them these flowers that never again shall the -earth be bare and dreary. All through the seasons certain blossoms shall -be brought by the different winds, but the east wind shall bring them in -abundance to the trees and shrubs. Among the grasses, on plains and -hillsides, flowers shall bloom as thick as hairs on an opossom's skin. -When the sweet-breathed wind does not blow,—first to bring the showers -and then the flowers,—the bees can make only enough honey for -themselves. During this time manna shall again drop from the trees, and -it shall take the place of honey until the east wind once more blows the -rain down the mountains and opens the blossoms for the bees. Then there -will be honey enough for all. Now make haste and take this promise and -the fadeless flowers, which are a sign of it to your people." - -The voice ceased and the wise men, carrying the fadeless blossoms, began -the journey back to their people. Down the stone ladder, cut by the -spirits of the mountain, they went,—across the plains, over the -moors,—back to the camp of the tribes. Their people flocked around them, -gazing with wide-eyed wonder at the blossoms. The air was filled with a -delicious fragrance, and the flowers were as fresh as when they were -plucked in the land of Byamee. - -When the people had gazed for some time at the beautiful flowers and had -heard the promise sent to them by Byamee, the wise men scattered their -precious gift far and wide. Some of the lovely blossoms fell on the -treetops, some on the plains and hillsides, and ever since that far-off -day the earth has been blessed with the gift of flowers. (Adapted.) - - - - - JUNE - - - And what is so rare as a day in June? - Then, if ever, come perfect days; - Then heaven tries earth if it be in tune, - And over it softly her warm ear lays; - Whether we look or whether we listen, - We hear life murmur, or see it glisten; - Every clod feels a stir of might, - An instinct within it that reaches and towers, - And, groping blindly above it for light, - Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers. - - JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. - - - - - THE SUN-GODDESS - - FRANK RINDER - - -Ama-Terasu, the sun-goddess, was seated in the Blue Plain of Heaven. Her -light came as a message of joy to the celestial deities. The orchid and -the iris, the cherry and the plum blossom, the rice and the hemp fields -answered to her smile. The Inland Sea was veiled in soft, rich colors. - -Susa-no-o, the brother of Ama-Terasu, who had resigned his ocean -scepter, and now reigned as the moon-god, was jealous of his sister's -glory and world-wide sway. The Heaven Illuminating Spirit had but to -whisper and she was heard throughout her kingdom, even in the depths of -the clear pool in the heart of the crystal. Her rice-fields, whether -situated on hillside, in sheltered valley or by running stream, yielded -abundant harvests, and her groves were laden with fruit. But the voice -of Susa-no-o was not so clear, his smile was not so radiant. The -undulating fields which lay around his palace were now flooded, now -parched, and his rice crops were often destroyed. The wrath and jealousy -of the moon-god knew no bounds, yet Ama-Terasu was infinitely patient -and forgave him all things. - -Once, as was her wont, the sun-goddess sat in the central court of her -flower home. She plied the shuttle. Celestial weaving maidens surrounded -a fountain whose waters were fragrant with the heavenly lotus-bloom; -they sang softly of the clouds and the wind, and the light of the sky. -Suddenly, the body of a piebald horse fell through the vast dome at -their feet; the "Beloved of the gods" had been flayed with a backward -flaying by the envious Susa-no-o. Ama-Terasu, trembling at the sight, -pricked her finger with the weaving shuttle and, profoundly indignant at -the cruelty of her brother, withdrew into a cave, and closed behind her -the door of the Heavenly Rich Dwelling. - -The universe was plunged in darkness. Joy and goodwill, serenity and -peace, hope and love waned with the waning light. Evil Spirits who -heretofore had crouched in dim corners came forth and roamed abroad. -Then grim laughter and discordant tones struck terror into all hearts. - -Then it was that the gods, fearful for their safety and for the life of -every beautiful thing, assembled on the bed of the tranquil River of -Heaven whose waters had been dried up. One and all knew that Ama-Terasu -alone could help them. But how allure the Heaven-Illuminating Spirit to -set foot in this world of darkness and strife. Each god was eager to aid -and a plan was finally devised to entice her from her hiding place. - -Ame-no-ko uprooted the holy sakaki trees which grew on the mountain of -Heaven, and planted them around the entrance of the cave. High on the -upper branches were hung the precious string of curved jewels which -Izanagi had bestowed upon the sun-goddess. From the middle branches -drooped a mirror wrought of the rare metals of the celestial mine. Its -polished surface was as the dazzling brilliancy of the sun. Other gods -wove fine threads of hemp and paper mulberry on an imperial robe of -white and blue which was placed as an offering to the goddess, on the -lower branches of the Sakaki. - -A palace was also built surrounded by a garden in which the blossom-god -called forth many delicate plants and flowers. - -Now all was ready. Ame-no-ko stepped forward and in a loud voice -entreated Ama-Terasu to show herself. His appeal was in vain. The great -festival began. Uzume, the goddess of mirth, led the dance and song. -Leaves of the spindle tree crowned her head; club moss from the heavenly -mount of Kagu formed her sash; her flowing sleeves were bound with the -creeper-vine; and in her hand she carried leaves of the wild bamboo and -waved a wand of sun-grass hung with tiny melodious bells. Uzume blew on -a bamboo flute while eight hundred myriad deities, accompanied her on -wooden clappers and instruments formed of bow-strings across which were -rapidly drawn stalks of reed and grass. Great fires were lighted around -the cave and as these were reflected in the face of the mirror the long -singing birds of eternal night began to crow as if day had dawned. The -merriment increased. The dance grew wilder and wilder and the gods -laughed until the heavens shook as if with thunder. - -Ama-Terasu in her quiet retreat heard unmoved the crowing of cocks and -the sounds of music and dancing; but when the heavens shook with the -laughter of the gods she peeped from her cave and said, "What means -this? I thought heaven and earth were dark but now there is light. Uzume -dances and all the gods laugh." Uzume answered, "It is true that I dance -and that the gods laugh because in our midst is a goddess whose -splendour equals your own!" Ama-Terasu gazed into the mirror and -wondered greatly when she saw therein a goddess of exceeding beauty—her -own lovely image. She stepped from her cave and forthwith a cord of -rice-straw was drawn across the entrance. Darkness fled from the land -and there was light. Then the eight hundred myriad deities cried, "O, -may the sun-goddess never leave us again." (Adapted slightly.) - - - - - THE SUMMER MAKER - - (OJIBWAY LEGEND) - - -Once upon a time the winter season lasted for so many many months that -the people began to wonder if the frozen rivers and deep snows would -ever melt. "Will the keen north wind never leave us?" they asked each -other anxiously. "What has become of the beautiful warm summer?" - -The only person who seemed happy during this long, cold season was -Ojeeb, a mighty hunter. He enjoyed the adventure of searching for the -big winter game and his eye was so keen and his hand so steady that he -never failed to bring abundance of food to his wigwam. - -Ojeeb's little son liked to hunt with his father but the lad suffered -much from the bitter cold. Often his fingers became so numb that he -could not speed his small arrow skilfully and he would fail in his aim. -This always vexed him very much and he would wish for the summer days to -come. - -One day, when Ojeeb and his son were hunting, the lad became so cold -that he was obliged to leave his father and return to the wigwam. When -he was hurrying through the woods he heard a squirrel chattering very -loud on a pine tree. He stopped for a moment and the squirrel said, -"Don't shoot me. I'm going to tell you a secret. I've often heard you -wish for summer. The mighty hunter, who is your father, knows how to -bring summer back to the earth. When he comes home beg him to send away -this bitter cold weather and bring us the warm sunny days." Off -scampered the chattering squirrel, and the lad ran on to his wigwam. - -In the evening Ojeeb came home with some excellent game which he showed -with pride, but his son took little interest in it. He began to talk -about the cruel cold weather. Finally he said, "Father, drive away the -keen winds, the frost, and the snow, and bring summer back to the earth. -For many months the Red Men have borne the trials of winter. It is hard -for some of them to get enough food, for few are as skilful with the bow -and arrow as Ojeeb. Send away the cold days and bring us the bright, -warm summer again." - -"You are asking me to perform a mighty task," said Ojeeb, "but I'll do -my best to grant your request. It is true that I know the secret of -bringing summer back to the earth." - -The next morning Ojeeb prepared a feast, and invited a number of his -animal friends to dine with him. At the appointed time, Otter, Beaver, -Lynx, Badger, and Wolverine all came to Ojeeb's lodge. There they -feasted and listened with interest to the mighty hunter's plan to bring -summer back to the earth. - -"We shall have to take a long and dangerous journey and perhaps we shall -never return to our homes," he said. "Are you brave enough to help me in -this mighty task?" - -The animals all said they were willing to follow and help Ojeeb, and -begged him to tell them his plan. To their astonishment the hunter said -the only way to bring back the summer was to break through the great -dome of Sky-Land, and free the summer birds which were imprisoned there. - -"But how shall we reach Sky-Land?" asked the animals in one voice. - -"I'll lead the way," said the hunter. - -The next day they started on the journey to Sky-Land. Ojeeb led the way -up a steep, smooth mountain-side. For twenty days they traveled and -finally they came to a curious lodge in a hollow. The Mountain Manito -lived there. He gave Ojeeb and his animal friends food, and sheltered -them until they were refreshed. The hunter told him the object of their -coming and the Manito pointed out to them a certain pathway which led to -the summit of the mountain. For twenty days more they traveled. They -were now high up above the clouds. The blue dome of the sky seemed but a -short distance above their heads. They rested for awhile and gazed in -silent wonder at the beautiful canopy which separated them from -Sky-Land. - -Finally Ojeeb said, "Our difficult task is only half done. We must leap -up and break through the dome of the Sky and set free the summer birds. -This is a mighty task I assure you. The Mountain Manito directed me to -say that you, Otter, are to make the first trial." - -Otter was delighted to be chosen first. Without taking due consideration -of the great height, he immediately made a bound upward. But, alas! He -fell headlong through the air to the mountain-side and rolled down, down -to the plain below. The Beaver made the next effort, but he too missed -the sky dome and fell with a thud to the earth. Lynx made a great leap -and so did Badger but each failed to touch the great dome of the sky. - -Ojeeb was growing very anxious, indeed. "Wolverine," he said, "measure -the height carefully. You have great skill in leaping. Do not fail me." - -Wolverine made a wonderful leap. His ears grazed the dome. Again he -sprang upward with a mighty bound and lo! he made a dent in the sky. A -third time he tried and such a prodigious leap he made that a great rent -was torn in the blue dome. And Wolverine passed through into Sky-Land. -Ojeeb immediately sprang after him. - -They found themselves in a land of wondrous beauty. The air was soft and -warm and a delicious fragrance rose from rich, green meadows thick with -brilliant flowers. Ojeeb and Wolverine walked toward a group of tepees -which stood near a lake of crystal-clear water bordered by cool -stretches of woodland. Evidently the people were away on a hunting -adventure for the tepees were vacant. Presently Ojeeb saw a great cage -made from the finest of willow withes and enclosed therein were the -beautiful summer birds. Robins, orioles, bluebirds, thrushes, jays, -swallows, woodpeckers, veeries, and redbirds, all were flitting silently -about in their prison. - -"Let us free the summer birds quickly," whispered the hunter. - -With Wolverine's help the cage was broken in a very short time. Out flew -the bright-feathered prisoners. As soon as they were free they began to -sing rapturous songs of happiness. Away they darted toward the opening -in the sky-dome and many of them passed through, carrying with them the -warm, summer air. - -But alas! the sweet singing reached the ears of the Sky-People who were -in the neighbouring forests. They hurried toward their tepees to see -what had happened. They soon discovered that the summer birds had been -freed and were flying toward the earth through a great rent in the -sky-dome. Many of the Sky-People, shouting at the top of their voices, -rushed to the opening and prevented some of the birds from escaping. -Others searched for the intruders who had caused the confusion. - -Wolverine's quick ears heard the Sky-People running from the forest and -with great leaps he reached the hole in the sky-dome and plunged -through. Ojeeb followed as quickly as he could but before he reached the -opening it was surrounded by some of the Sky-People. He turned and fled -in another direction, but there was no other way of escaping to the -earth. On and on he ran until finally he came to the land of the stars -and he has dwelt there ever since. - -Among the Earth-People there was great rejoicing. The warm air from -Sky-Land melted the frost and snow which had covered the land for many, -many months. In the brown meadows the grass sprang forth and flowers -bloomed. The summer birds built their nests in the leafy branches of the -forest and cheered the Earth-People with happy songs. - -The mighty hunter is not forgotten. Often the Indians point to Sky-Land -and say: - -"It was brave Ojeeb who journeyed to Sky-Land and freed the summer -birds. He gave us the precious gift of summer and that is why we call -him 'The Summer Maker.'" - - - - - SUMMER - - Then came the jolly Summer, being dight - In a thin, silken cassock, colour'd green, - That was unlinèd all, to be more light; - And on his head a garland well beseen - He wore. - - EDMUND SPENSER. - - - - - IN THE KITCHEN-GARDEN - - MRS. ALFRED GATTY - - -One—two—three—four—five; five neatly-raked kitchen-garden beds, four of -them side by side, with a pathway between; the fifth a narrow slip, -heading the others, and close to the gravel walk, as it was for -succession-crops of mustard and cress, which are often wanted in a hurry -for breakfast or tea. - -Most people have stood by such beds in their own kitchen-garden on soft -spring mornings and evenings, and looked for the coming up of the seed -which either they or the gardener had sown. - -Radishes in one, for instance, and of all three sorts—white-turnip, -red-turnip, and long-tailed. Carrots in another; and this bed had been -dug very deep indeed that the roots might strike freely down. Onions in -another. Beets in the fourth, both the golden and red varieties, while -the narrow slip was half mustard and half cress. - -Such was the plan here, at least, and here, for a time, all the seeds -lay sleeping, as it seemed. For, as the long smooth-raked beds stretched -out dark and bare under the stars, they betrayed no symptoms of anything -going on within. - -Nevertheless, there was no sleeping in the case. The little seed-grains -were fulfilling the law of their being, each after its kind; the grains, -all but their inner germs, decaying; the germs swelling and growing, -till they rose out of their cradles, and made their way, through their -earthen coverlid, to the light of day. - -They did not all come up quite together, of course, nor all quite alike. -But as to the time, the gardener had made his arrangements so cleverly, -that none was very far behind his neighbour. And as to the difference of -shape in the first young leaves, what could it signify? It is true the -young Mustards were round and thick; the Cresses oval and pointed; the -Carrots mere green threads; the Onions sharp little blades, while the -Beets had an odd, stainy look. But they all woke up to the same life and -enjoyment, and were all greeted with friendly welcome as they appeared, -by the dew and light, and sunshine, and breezes. - -"I find I get deeper and deeper into the soil every day," remarked the -Carrot. "I shall be I don't know how long, at last. I have been going -down regularly, quite straight, for weeks. Then I am tapering off to a -long point at the end, in the most beautiful proportions possible. A -traveller told me, the other day, this was perfection, and I believe he -was right." - -"I knew what it was to live near the surface in my young days," the -Carrot went on; "but never felt solid enjoyment till I struck deeply -down, where all is so rich and warm. Pray tell me, neighbours," added -he, good-naturedly enough, "I should like to know that your roots are as -long, and slim, and orange-coloured as mine; doing as well, in fact, and -sinking as far down. I wish us to be all perfect alike. Perfection is -the great thing to try for." - -"When you are sure you are trying in the right way," sneered a voice -from the neighbouring radish bed. "But if the long, slim, orange-roots -striking deep into the earth are your idea of perfection, I advise you -to begin life over again. Dear me! I wish you had consulted us before. -Why, we stopped going down long ago, and have been spreading out -sideways and all ways, into stout, round solid balls ever since, close -white flesh throughout, inside; and not orange but red, without." - -"White, he means," shouted another. - -"Red, I call it," repeated the first. - -"But no matter; certainly not orange!" - -And "certainly not orange!" cried they all. - -"So," continued the Radish, "we are quite concerned to hear you ramble -on about growing longer and longer, and strongly advise you to keep your -own counsel, and not mention it to any one else. We are friendly, you -know, and can be trusted; but you really must leave off wasting your -powers and energy in the dark inside of the ground, out of everybody's -sight and knowledge. Come to the surface, and make the most of it, as we -do, and then you'll be a credit to your friends. Never mind what -travellers say. They've nothing else to do but to walk about and talk, -and they tell us we are perfection, too. Don't trust to them, but to -what we tell you now, and alter your course at once. Roll yourself up -into a firm round ball as fast as you can. You won't find it hard if you -once begin. You have only to——" - -"Let me put in a word first," interrupted one of the long-tailed -Radishes in the same bed; "for it is of no use to go out of one extreme -into another, which you are on the high road to do if you are disposed -to take Mr. Roundhead's advice; who, by the way, ought to be ashamed of -forcing his very peculiar views upon his neighbours. Just look at us. We -always strike moderately down, so we know it's the right thing to do. -Solid round balls are the most unnatural and useless things in the -world. But, on the other hand, my dear friend, we have learnt where to -stop, and a great secret it is, but one I fear you know nothing about at -present; and as to the soil's being better so very far down, nobody can -believe it, for why should it be? The great art is to make the most of -what is at hand, as we do. Time enough to go into the depths when you -have used up what is so much easier got at. The man who gathered some of -us yesterday, called out, 'These are just right.' So I leave you to -judge whether some other people we know of must not be wrong." - -"You rather overwhelm me," mused the Carrot, "though it's remarkable you -counsellors should not agree among yourselves. Is it possible, however, -that I have been making a great mistake all my life? What lost time to -look back upon! Yet a ball;—no, no, not a ball! I don't think I could -grow into a solid round ball were I to try forever!" - -"Not having tried, how can you tell?" whispered the Turnip-Radish -persuasively. - -"But you never will, if you listen to our old-fashioned friend next -door, who has been halting between two opinions all his life;—will -neither make an honest fat lump of it, as I do, nor plunge down and -taper with you. But nothing can be done without an effort." - -"That is true," murmured the Carrot, rather sadly; "but I am too old for -further efforts myself. Mistake or no mistake, my fate is fixed. I am -too far down to get up again, that's certain; but some of the young ones -may try. Do you hear, dears? Some of you stop short, if you can, and -grow out sideways and all ways, into stout, round, solid balls." - -"Oh, nonsense about round balls!" cried the long-tailed Radish in -disgust; "what will the world come to, if this folly goes on! Listen to -me, youngsters, I beg. Go to a moderate depth, and be content; and if -you want something to do, throw out a few fibres for amusement. You're -firm enough without them, I know, but the employment will pass away -time." - -"There are strange delusions abroad just now," remarked the Onions to -each other; "do you hear all this talk about shape and way of growth? -and everybody in the dark on the subject, though they seem to be quite -unconscious of the fact themselves. That fellow chattered about solid -balls, as if there was no such thing as bulbs, growing layer upon layer, -and coat over coat. Of course the very long orange gentleman, with his -tapering root, is the most wrong of the whole party; but I doubt if Mr. -Roundhead is much wiser when he speaks of close, white flesh inside, and -red (of all ridiculous nonsense!) without. Where are their flaky skins, -I should like to know? Who is ever to peel them, I wonder? Poor things! -I can't think how they got into such ways. How tough and obstinate they -must be! I wish we lived nearer. We would teach them a little better -than that, and show them what to do." - -"I have lived near you long enough," grumbled a deep-red Beet in the -next bed; "and you have never taught me; neither shall you, if I can -help it. A pretty instructor you would be, who think it ridiculous to be -red! I suppose you can't grow red yourself, and so abuse the colour out -of spite. Now I flatter myself I am red inside as well as out, so I -suppose I am more ridiculous than your friend who contrives to keep -himself white within, according to his own account; but I doubt the -fact. There, there! it is a folly to be angry, so I say no more, except -this! get red as fast as you can. You live in the same soil as I do, and -ought to be able to do so." - -"Oh, don't call it red!" exclaimed a golden Beet, who was of a gentle -turn of mind; "it is but a pale tint after all, and surely rather amber -than red; and perhaps that was what the long-tailed orange gentleman -meant." - -"Perhaps it was; for perhaps he calls red orange, as you call it amber," -answered the redder Beet; "anyhow he has rather more sense than our -neighbor here, with his layer upon layer, and coat over coat, and flaky -skin over all. Think of wasting time in such fiddle-faddle proceedings! -Grow a good honest fleshy substance, and have done with it, and let -people see you know what life is capable of. I always look at results. -It is something to get such a body as I do out of the surrounding soil. -That is living to some purpose, I consider. Nobody makes more of -opportunities than I do." - -"Do you hear them? oh! do you hear them?" whispered the Cress to her -neighbour the Mustard. "Do you hear how they all talk together of their -growth, and their roots, and their bulbs, and size, and colour, and -shape? It makes me quite unhappy, for I am doing nothing like that -myself—nothing, nothing, though I live in the same soil! What is to be -done? What do you do? Do you grow great white solid balls, or long -orange tapering roots, or thick red flesh, or bulbs with layer upon -layer, and coat over coat? Some of them talked of just throwing out a -few fibres as a mere amusement to pass away time; and this is all I ever -do for business. Do speak to me, but whisper what you say, for I shame -to be heard or thought of." - -"I grow only fibres too," groaned the Mustard in reply; "but I would -spread every way and all ways if I could—downwards and upwards, and -sideways and all ways, like the rest. I wish I had never been sown. -Better never be sown and grown, than sown and grown to such trifling -purpose! The soil must give them what it refuses to us." - -"Or we are weak and helpless, and cannot take in what it offers," -suggested the Cress. "Alas! that we should have been sown only to be -useless and unhappy!" - -And they wept the evening through. But they alone were not unhappy. The -Carrot had become uneasy, and could follow his natural tastes no longer -in comfort, for thinking that he ought to be a solid round ball, white -inside, and red without. The Onion had sore misgivings that the Beet -might be right after all, and a good honest mass of red flesh be more -worth labouring for, than the pale coat-within-coat growth in which he -had indulged. It did seem a waste of trouble, a fiddle-faddle plan of -life, he feared. Perhaps he had not gone down far enough in soil. Some -one talked of growing fibres for amusement—he had certainly not come to -that; they were necessary to his support; he couldn't hold fast without -them. Other people were more independent than he was, then; perhaps -wiser,—alas! - -And yet the Beet himself was not quite easy; for talk as he would, what -he had called fiddle-faddle seemed ingenious when he thought it over, -and he would like to have persuaded himself that he grew layer upon -layer, too. But it wouldn't do. - -Perhaps, in fact, the bold little Turnip-Radishes alone, were the only -ones free from misgivings, and believed that everybody ought to do as -they did themselves. - -What a disturbance there was, to be sure! And it got worse and worse, -and they called on the winds and fleeting clouds, the sun, and moon, and -stars above their heads, to stay their course awhile, and declare who -was right and who was wrong. - -But they called and asked in vain; till one evening, the clouds which -had been gathering over the garden for days began to come down in rain, -and sank swiftly into the ground, where it had been needed for long. -Whereupon there was a general cry, "Here comes a messenger; now we shall -hear!" - -So out came the old inquiries again:—who was right—who was wrong—who had -got hold of the true secret? But the Cress made no inquiry at all, only -shook with fright under the rain; "for," thought she, "the hour of my -shame and degradation is come: poor useless creature that I am, I shall -never more hold up my head." - -As to the Carrot, into whose well-dug bed the rain found easiest -entrance, and sank deepest, he held forth in most eloquent style upon -the whole affair; how it was started, and what he had said; how much he -had once hoped; how much he now feared. - -Now, the Rain-drops did not care to answer in a hurry; but as they came -dropping down, they murmured, "Peace, peace, peace!" all over the beds. -And truly they seemed to bring peace with them as they fell, so that a -calm sank all around, and then the murmur proceeded:—"Poor little atoms -in a boundless kingdom,—each one of you good after its kind—how came -these cruel misgivings and heart-burnings among you? Are the tops of the -mountains wrong because they cannot grow corn like the valleys? Are the -valleys wrong because they cannot soar into the sky? Does the brook flow -in vain because it cannot spread out like the sea? Each is good after -its kind. Peace, peace, peace. Upon one, then, upon all—each wanted, -each useful, each good after its kind—peace, peace, peace, peace, -peace!" - -The murmur subsided to a whisper, the whisper into silence; and by the -time the moon-shadows lay upon the garden there was peace everywhere. - -Nor was it broken again; for henceforth even the Cress held up her -head—she, also, was good after her kind. - -Only once or twice, that year, when the Carrots were gathered, there -came up the strangest growths—thick, distorted lumps, that had never -struck properly down. - -The gardener wondered, and was vexed, for he prided himself on the -digging of the carrot-bed. "Anything that had had any sense might have -gone down into it, I am sure," he said. And he was not far wrong; but -you see the Carrot had had no sense when he began to speculate, and -tried to be something he was not intended to be. - -Yet the poor clumsy thing was not quite useless after all. For, just as -the gardener was about to fling it angrily away, he recollected that the -cook might use it for soup, though it could not be served up at -table—such a shape as it was! - -And this was exactly what she did. (Abridged.) - - - - - GLAD DAY - - - Here's another day, dear, - Here's the sun again - Peeping in his pleasant way - Through the window pane. - Rise and let him in, dear, - Hail him, "Hip hurray!" - Now the fun will all begin, - Here's another day! - - Down the coppice path, dear, - Through the dewy glade, - (When the Morning took her bath - What a splash she made!) - Up the wet wood-way, dear, - Under dripping green, - Run and meet another day - Brightest ever seen. - - Mushrooms in the field, dear, - Show their silver gleam, - What a dainty crop they yield - Firm as clouted cream, - Cool as balls of snow, dear, - Sweet and fresh and round! - Ere the early dews can go - We must clear the ground. - - Such a lot to do, dear, - Such a lot to see! - How we ever can get through - Fairly puzzles me. - Hurry up and out, dear, - Then—away! away! - In and out and round about, - Here's another day! - - W. GRAHAM ROBERTSON. - -Used by permission of John Lane Company. - - - - - THE SUMMER PRINCESS - - MRS. MOLESWORTH - - -Once upon a time, in a country far to the north of the world, lived a -King and a Queen who had everything they could wish for except an heir -to their throne. That does not mean that they had no troubles at all. -The Queen thought she had a good many and the King had one which was -more real than any of her fancied ones. His Queen was a terrible -grumbler. She was a grumbler by nature, and besides this she had been a -spoiled child. - -As she was very beautiful and could be very sweet and charming when in a -contented mood, the King had fallen deeply in love with her when he was -on his travels round the world, and had persuaded her to leave her own -home in the sunny South to accompany him to his northern kingdom. - -There she had much to make her happy. While the first summer lasted she -almost forgot to grumble, but when the winter came fierce and boisterous -as it always is in those lands, she grew very miserable. She shivered -with cold and, instead of bracing herself to bear it, she wrapped -herself in her furs and sat from morning till night cowering over a huge -fire. Although she brightened up as each summer came around, with the -return of each winter it was again the same sad story. - -However, one day late in the autumn she actually forgot her terror of -the cold so far as to remain out walking in the grounds of the palace, -though the snow clouds were gathering thick and heavy overhead. - -She was alone. For sometimes in her saddest moods she could bear no one, -not even the most faithful of her ladies, near her. - -"If only I had a child of my own I would never complain of anything -again." - -As the Queen uttered her wish, she raised her eyes upwards and was -startled to see some snowflakes already falling; she turned to hasten -indoors, exclaiming as she went, "To think that winter is upon us -already; I shall no longer have even the small pleasure of a stroll in -the garden. But if I had a child to play with and care for, even the -dreary winter would not seem so long. Everything would be bright and -sunshiny to me." - -"Are you sure of that?" said a voice beside her, and, glancing up, the -Queen saw a lovely figure. It was that of a beautiful woman with golden -hair wreathed with flowers. But her face was somewhat pale and she drew -round her a mantle of russet brown as if to protect her from the cold. - -"I am the Spirit of the Summer," she said. "I knew you well in your -childhood in the South and here, too, I have watched you, though you did -not know it. Your wish shall be fulfilled. I will bring you the child -you are longing for. But remember, the gift will lead to no lasting -happiness unless you overcome your heart of discontent. For I can do -only my part. My brother, the powerful Spirit of Winter is stern and -severe. He has heard your murmurings already, and if, when your wish is -granted you still continue them, I tremble for the fate of your child." - -"Thank you, oh, thank you, sweet Spirit," said the Queen. "I will indeed -take heed for the future and never murmur again." - -"I trust so," said the fairy, "for listen what will happen if you forget -your resolution. The slightest touch of snow would, in that case, put -the child into my stern brother's power and you would find yourself -terribly punished. Beware, therefore. I must hasten away." - -As she said this the gracious figure seemed to disappear in a rosy haze -and almost at the same moment a cold blast driving the snowflakes before -it, came with a rush from behind where the young Queen stood, almost -lifting her from her feet. - -"That must surely be the Spirit of the Winter himself," she thought as -she hurried indoors. - -The Summer Spirit was true to her promise. On the loveliest morning of -all that year was born a baby Princess, the prettiest baby that ever was -seen. - -"A true child of the summer," said the happy Queen. - -"And strong to brave and enjoy the winter, too, I trust," added the -King. "She must be a true Princess of the North, as her mother is fast -becoming, I hope," he went on with a smile. - -But his words did not please the Queen, though they were so kindly -meant. - -With the possession of the child, though she was so overjoyed to have -her, the young Queen's wayward and dissatisfied spirit began to return. -She seemed to think the Princess was to be only hers, that the nation -and even the King, must give way, in everything that concerned the -child, to its mother's will. She was even displeased one day when she -overheard some of her ladies admiring the beautiful color of the child's -hair and saying that it showed her a true daughter of the North. - -"No such thing," said the Queen. "It shows her a child of the sunshine -and the summer. My sweet Rose!" for so, to please the Queen, the baby -had been named. - -On the whole, however, while the summer lasted, the Queen was too happy -with the child to give way to any real murmurings and once or twice, -when she might perhaps have done so, there was wafted to her by the -breeze the sound of a gentle, "Beware!" and she knew the Summer Fairy -was near. - -So for the first winter of the child's life the Queen was on her guard -and nothing went wrong, except now and then when the King reproached his -wife with overcare of the child when the weather was at all severe. - -"I wish to make her brave and hardy," said the King. - -In some strange way, however, the princess, child though she was, seemed -to understand what her father felt about her. It was noticed that before -she could speak at all, she would dance in her nurse's arms and stretch -out her little hands with glee at the sight of the snowflakes falling -steadily. And once or twice when a draught of frosty air blew upon her -she laughed with delight instead of shrinking or shivering. - -But so well were the Queen's feelings understood that no one ventured to -tell her of these clear signs that Rose felt herself at home in the land -of snow. - -The winter passed and the summer came again—the second summer of the -child's life. - -She had grown like the flowers and was as happy as the butterflies. -Never was a sweeter or merrier child. The Queen idolized her and the -King loved her quite as dearly, though in a wiser way. And that summer -passed very happily. - -Unfortunately, however, the warm fine days came to an end unusually -early that year. Many of the birds took flight for the South sooner than -was their wont, and the flowers drooped and withered as if afraid of -what was coming. - -The Queen noticed these signs with a sinking heart. Standing one chilly -morning at the palace windows she watched the gray autumn sky and sighed -deeply. - -"Alas, alas!" she said. "All the beauty and brightness are going again." - -She did not know that the King had entered the room and was standing -behind her. - -"Nay," he said cheerfully. "You have no reason to feel so sad. If you -have no other flower you have our Rose, blooming as brightly in the -winter as in the warmth." - -He meant it well, but it would have been wiser if he had said nothing. -The Queen turned toward him impatiently. - -"It is so," she said angrily. "Rose is like me. She loves the summer and -the sunshine. I do not believe she would live through your wretched -northern winters but for my care. And the anxiety is too much for me. -The life in this country is but half a life. Would that I had known it -before I ever came hither." - -The King was deeply hurt and disappointed and he left the room without -speaking. He was generally so kind and patient that this startled her, -and brought her to her senses. - -"How wrong of me to grieve him so by my wild words," she thought -penitently. "And——" A sudden horror came over her. - -The Princess's nurse picked up some fir cones and gave them to the -little girl, who threw them about with glee and called out for more. -They were all so busy playing with her that they did not notice how, -above the heads of the tall fir-trees, the sky was growing dark and -overcast, till suddenly a strange chill blast made the Queen gather her -mantle round her and gaze up in alarm. - -"We must hasten home," she said: "it is growing cold." - -"Yes, indeed," said one of the ladies; "it almost looks like——" But the -Queen interrupted her. She could not bear even the mention of the fatal -word. - -"Wrap up the Princess!" she exclaimed. "Cover her over, face and all! -Never mind if she cries! My darling, we shall be home directly. The cold -wind would hurt you," she added. - -Then they hurried back to the palace as quickly as the goats could be -persuaded to go, even the Queen herself running fast to keep up with the -little carriage. - -They were within a short distance of the palace before any snow fell, -though it was clear to be seen that it was not far off; and the Queen -was beginning to breathe again more freely when suddenly Princess Rose, -with a cry of baby mischief, pushed away the shawl that was over her -face, shouting with glee. At that moment the first fluttering snowflakes -began to fall. The little Princess opened wide her eyes as she caught -sight of them, and smiled as if in greeting; and alas! before the -terrified Queen had time to replace the covering the child had thrown -off, one solitary flake alighted on her cheek, melting there into a tiny -drop which looked like a tear, though still the little Princess smiled. - -The Queen seized the child in her arms, rushed up the long flight of -steps, all through the great halls and corridors like a mad creature, -nor stopped even to draw breath till she had reached the Princess's -apartments, and had her safe in the rooms specially prepared for her -during the winter. - -But was she safe? Was it not already too late? With trembling dread the -Queen drew away the furs and shawls wrapped round the baby, almost -expecting to find her changed in some strange way; and it was with -thankfulness she saw that little Rose was still herself—sweet and -smiling in her sleep. For she was fast asleep. - -"The darling, the precious angel," thought the poor mother as she laid -her in her little cot just as the ladies and nurses and attendants came -trooping into the room. - -"She is only asleep," said the Queen in a whisper. "Nothing has happened -to her. She is sleeping sweetly." - -The ladies stared. The Queen's behavior had been so strange that they -could not understand her. - -"It is a pity to be so anxious about the child," they said to one -another. "It will bring no blessing," for they thought it all came from -the Queen's foolish terror lest the little Princess should catch cold, -and they shook their heads. - -But the Queen seemed full of thankfulness. She was very gentle and -subdued. Many times that afternoon she came back to see if little Rose -was well, but she was still sleeping. - -"The fresh keen air has made her drowsy, I suppose," said the head -nurse, late in the evening when the Queen returned again. - -"And she has had nothing to eat since the middle of the day," said the -mother anxiously. "I almost think if she does not wake herself in an -hour or so you will have to rouse her." - -To this the nurse agreed. But two hours later in the Queen's next visit -to the nursery, there was a strange report to give her. The nurse had -tried to wake the baby, but it was all in vain. Little Rose just smiled -sweetly and rolled over on her other side, without attempting in the -least to open her eyes. It seemed cruel to disturb her. She seemed so -very sleepy. - -"I think we must let the Princess have her sleep out—children are like -that sometimes," said the nurse. - -And the Queen was forced to agree to it, though she had a strange -sinking at the heart, and even the King when he came to look at his -little daughter felt uneasy, though he tried to speak cheerfully. - -"No doubt she will wake in the morning quite bright and merry," he said, -"all the brighter and merrier for sleeping a good round and a half of -the clock." - -The morning dawned—the slow coming winter daylight of the North found -its way into the Princess's nursery—a tiny gleam of ruddy sunshine even -managed to creep in to kiss her dimpled cheek, but still the baby slept -as soundly as if the night was only beginning. And matters grew serious. - -It was no use trying to wake her. They all did their best—King, Queen, -ladies, nurses; and after them the great court physicians and learned -men of every kind. All were summoned and all consulted and, as the days -went on, a hundred different things were tried—but all to no purpose. -"She is bewitched," said the cleverest of all the doctors, and as time -went on, everybody began to agree with him. Even the King himself was -obliged to think something of the kind was at the bottom of it, and at -last one day the Queen, unable to endure her remorse any longer, told -him the whole story, entreating him to forgive her for having by her -discontent and murmuring brought upon him so great a sorrow. - -The King was very kind but very grave. - -"I understand it now," he said. "The Summer Fairy told you true. Our -northern Winter Spirit is indeed stern; we must submit. If we are -patient and resigned it is possible that in the future even his cold -heart may be melted by the sight of our suffering." - -"It is only I who deserve it," wept the poor Queen. "The worst part of -it all is to know that I have brought this sorrow upon you, my dear -husband." - -And so repentant she was that she almost forgot to think of herself. -Never had she been so sweet and loving a wife. She did everything she -possibly could to please and cheer the King, concealing from him the -many bitter tears she shed as she sat for hours together beside the -sleeping child. - -The winter was terribly severe—never had the snow lain so thickly, never -had the wind-blasts raged and howled more furiously. Often did the Queen -think to herself that the spirit must be infuriated at her very -presence, in his special domain. - -"They might pity me now—now that I am so punished." She bore all the -winter cold and terrors uncomplainingly, nay, even cheerfully, nerving -herself to go out alone in the bitterest weather with a sort of hope of -pleasing the Winter Fairy; possibly, if she could but see him, of making -an appeal to him. But for many months he held his icy sway. Often indeed -it seemed as if gentler times were never to return. - -Then suddenly one night the frost went; a mild, soft breeze replaced the -fierce blast; spring had come. And wonderful to relate, the very next -morning the Queen was roused by loud knocking and voices at her door; -trembling, she knew not why, she opened it, and the head nurse fell at -her feet laughing and crying at once. The Princess had awakened. - -Yes; there she was, chattering in her baby way, smiling and rosy as if -nothing had been the matter. Oh, the joy of her parents and the -jubilation all through the palace! - -And all through the summer little Rose was wide awake in the daytime -just like other children. She was as well and strong and happy as a baby -could be. But—the summer will not last for ever; again returned the -autumn, bringing with it the signs of the approaching winter and one -morning when her nurse went to awaken the Princess, she found it was no -use—Rose was sleeping again, with a smile on her face, calm and content, -but alas! not to be awakened! And then it was remembered that the first -snow had fallen in the night. - -Gradually the child's distressed parents resigned themselves to the sad -truth: their daughter was to be theirs only for half her life; for full -six months out of every twelve, she was to be in a sense as far away -from them as if the Winter Monarch had carried her off to his palace of -ice altogether. - -But no; it was not quite so bad as that would have been. And the Queen, -who was fast learning to count her blessings instead of her troubles, -smiled through her tears as she said to the King, what a mercy it was -that they were still able to watch beside their precious child—to kiss -her soft warm cheek every night. - -And so it went on. In the spring the Princess woke up again, bright and -well and lively, and in every way six months older than when she had -fallen asleep; so that, to see her in the summer time no one could have -guessed the strange spell that was over her. She became the sweetest and -most charming girl in the world; only one thing ever saddened her, and -that was any mention of winter, especially snow. - -"What does it mean?" she would ask sometimes. "What are they talking of? -Show me this wonderful thing! Where does it grow? I want to see it." - -But no one could make her understand; and at these times a very strange -look would come into her blue eyes. - -"I must see it," she said. "Some day I shall go away and travel far, -far, till I find it." - -These words used to distress her mother more than she could say; and she -would shower presents on her daughter, of flowers, and singing birds—all -to make her think of the sunshine and the summer. And for a time they -would please the girl, till again she shook her head and murmured, "I -want the snow." - -So the years followed each other till the Princess was sixteen. Every -winter the Queen had a faint hope, which, however, grew even fainter and -fainter, that the spell was perhaps to be broken. But it was not so. And -strange stories got about concerning the Princess—some saying she was a -witch in disguise; others, that she had no heart or understanding; -others, that she turned into a bird or some animal during half her -life—so that the neighboring Princes, in spite of her beauty and -sweetness, were afraid to ask her in marriage, and this brought new -sorrow to her parents. "What will become of her after we are dead and -gone?" they said. "Who will care for and protect our darling? Who will -help her to rule over our nation? No people will remain faithful to a -sovereign who is only awake half of the year. There will be revolts and -rebellion, and our angel Princess may perhaps be put to death, or driven -away." - -And they fretted so over this that the hair of both the King and Queen -grew white long before its time. But Rose only loved them the more on -this account for she had heard some one say that white hair was like -snow; though she kept the fancy to herself, for she knew it troubled the -Queen if ever she mentioned the strange, mysterious word. - -She was so lovely that painters came from many countries just to see her -face, and, if possible, be allowed to make a picture of her. And one of -these portraits made its way to the court of a King who was a distant -cousin of her father, and who had heard the strange things said of the -Princess. He was very angry about it for he had two sons, and he was -afraid of their falling in love with the beautiful face. So he ordered -the picture to be destroyed before the elder Prince, who was away on a -visit, came home. - -But the servant who was to burn the picture thought it such a pity to do -so, that he only hid it away in a lumber-room; and thither, as fate -would have it, came the younger Prince one day in search of a pet kitten -belonging to his sister, which had strayed away; for he was a Prince of -a most kind and amiable nature. - -The moment he saw the picture he fell in love with it. He made inquiry, -and heard all there was to tell, then he arranged himself for a journey -and came to bid his father farewell. - -"I go," he said, "to woo the Princess Rose for my bride." And in spite -of all the King could say he kept firm. - -"If she is a witch," he said, "I would rather perish by her hands than -live with any other." - -And amidst tears and lamentations he set out. - -He was received with great delight at the court of Princess Rose's -parents—though he came without any pomp or display; for he lost no time -in telling the King and Queen the reason of his visit. Knowing him to be -a Prince of most estimable character they were overjoyed to hear of his -resolve. - -"I only trust," said the Queen, "that all may be well. But, as you have -doubtless heard, our darling child, despite her beauty and goodness, is -under a spell." - -She then proceeded to tell him the whole matter of which he had already -heard garbled accounts. - -He was relieved to find that the enchantment was of no worse a nature, -and declared that it made no difference in his intentions, but rather -increased his love for the Princess. - -And when he first set eyes on her (more beautiful by far than even the -beautiful portrait) he felt that his whole life would not be too much to -devote to her even considering her strange affliction. - -"And who knows," he said to himself, "but that such love as mine may -find out a way to release her from the spell?" - -The Princess quickly learned to like him. She had never before had a -companion so near her own age and the last days of the summer passed -most happily till the time came when the Prince thought he might venture -to ask her to be his wife. - -They were walking in the terrace in front of the castle when he did so. -It had been a lovely day, but the afternoon had grown chilly, and as the -Princess listened to his words a cold breath of wind passed near them. - -The Princess started; and, aware of the Queen's anxiety about her, the -Prince hastily proposed that they should return to the house; but Rose -looked at him with a light in her eyes which he had never before seen -and a strange smile broke over her face. - -"It is a new life to me," she said. "Can you not understand, you who are -yourself a child of the North? Yes, Prince, I will marry you on one -condition, that you will show me the snow—but on no other." - -Then she turned and without another word walked slowly back to the -palace. - -Prince Orso, for so he was called, felt terribly distressed. - -"The spell is upon her," he thought to himself. "She asks me to do what -would probably kill her or separate her forever from all who love her." - -And the King and Queen when they heard this story were nearly as -disappointed as he. - -But that very night the Prince had a strange dream. He thought he was -walking in the wood near the castle, when again a chill blast but still -more icy swept past him, and he heard a voice speaking to him. It -sounded hoarse and stern. - -"Orso," it said, "you're as foolish as the rest. Have you no trust? See -what came of rebellion against me, who, after all, love my children as -does my sister of the summer. Leave the Princess to the leadings of her -own heart." - -Then with a crash of thunder the spirit went on its way. And the Prince -awoke to find that the window of his room had been dashed in by the -force of a sudden gale which had arisen. - -But the next morning all was again calm. It almost seemed as if milder -weather was returning again; and the Queen looked brighter; but it was -not so with the Princess, who was silent and almost sad. And so things -continued for some days. - -At last the Prince could bear it no longer. One afternoon when he found -himself alone with the Princess, he turned to her suddenly. - -"Princess," he said, "can you not give me another answer? You must know -that I would fain promise anything you wish; but I dare not bind myself -to what might perhaps do you some injury." - -Rose turned toward him impatiently. - -"That is just it," she said. "I am always met by excuses when I ask for -the one thing I really desire. What is there about me really different -from others? Why should I so often hear of what others seem to -understand, and not have it explained to me? I am no longer a child; in -my dreams I see things I cannot put in words; and beautiful as the world -is I feel that I only half know it. I long for what they call the -winter, and what they call the snow and they never come. Only the cold -wind, which I have felt once or twice, brings new life to me, and fills -me with strange joy." - -The Prince hesitated. He understood her perfectly for he was of the same -brave and hardy race. Yet the Queen's forebodings made him tremble. The -Princess's words reminded him of his own dream; and again he felt as if -he heard the voice of the stern Winter Spirit. And as if in answer to -his uncertainty, at that moment the howl of the cold blast sounded near -them among the trees and lurid clouds began to gather overhead. - -The Princess's face lighted up. - -"Oh," she exclaimed, "it is coming again!" - -"I fear so, indeed," said Orso; and in his terror for her he caught her -hand and would have hurried her back to the palace. - -But at that moment a shrill little cry was heard overhead not far from -where they stood, and, glancing up, they saw a bird of prey clutching a -smaller one in his claws. With a terrible effort the captive managed to -free himself, but he was sadly wounded; and as Rose gazed upwards in -great concern she saw him fall fluttering feebly to the ground. All else -was forgotten in the sight. - -"Poor bird!" she cried. "Let me go, Prince. I must find him where he has -fallen, or a cruel death of slow suffering will be his." - -The Prince let her go; he dared not hold her back, though he could have -done so. - -"Leave her to the guidings of her own heart," resounded in his ears. - -Almost at once she was lost to his sight among the trees which grew very -closely; almost at the same moment, to his horror, something cold and -soft touched his face, and snowflakes were falling thickly. If harm was -to betide, it was too late to save her; but he pressed forward in -unspeakable anxiety. - -It was some little time before he found her; and no reply came to his -calls; but at last he caught sight of something blue on the ground. It -was the Princess's robe; and there, indeed, she lay, motionless, her -eyes closed, a sweet smile on her face, the little wounded bird tenderly -clasped in her hands. - -Orso threw himself on the ground beside the Princess. - -"Oh!" he exclaimed, "My carelessness has killed her. How can I ever dare -to face the King and Queen? Oh, Winter Spirit! you have indeed deceived -me." - -But as he said the words the Princess opened her eyes. - -"No, Prince," she said, "I am not dead; I am not even asleep. It was the -strange gladness that seemed to take away my breath for a moment, and I -must have sunk down without knowing. But now I feel stronger and happier -than ever in my life before, now that I have seen and felt the beautiful -snow of my own country; now that I have breathed the winter air I have -been longing for always." And she sprang to her feet, her blue eyes -sparkling with delight, looking lovelier than he had ever seen her. - -"Orso," she went on half shyly, "you have done what I asked you; through -you I have seen the snow," and she held out her hand, which, white -though it was, looked pink in comparison with the little flakes which -were fluttering down on it. - -The Prince was overjoyed but he hesitated. - -"I fear," he said, "that in reality you should rather thank the poor -little bird, or most of all your own kind heart." - -"Poor little bird," she replied, looking at it as it lay in her other -hand. - -"It is not dead. I will do all I can for it. Let us hasten home, Prince, -so that I may bind up its poor wing. My father and mother will be too -anxious about me." - -And together they returned to the palace. One glance at the Princess as -she came in sprinkled over with snow showed the Queen that the spell was -at last broken and her joy was past all words. - -The little bird spent all the winter in the palace, tenderly cared for -by the Princess Rose, only flying away when the warm sunny days -returned. He pays them a visit still every summer to show his gratitude, -and in all his travels he seldom sees a happier family than his friends -in the old palace away up in the far, far, northern land. - - - - - MIDSUMMER - - - Around this lovely valley rise - The purple hills of Paradise. - - Oh, softly on yon banks of haze, - Her rosy face the Summer lays! - - Becalmed along the azure sky - The argosies of cloudland lie, - Whose shores, with many a shining rift, - Far off their pearl-white peaks uplift. - Through all the long midsummer day - The meadow-sides are sweet with hay. - - JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE. - - - - - SUMMER SKIES - - There comes the morning with the golden basket in her right hand - Bearing the wreath of beauty silently to crown the earth. - And there comes the evening over the lonely meadows - Deserted by herds, through trackless paths - Carrying cool draughts of peace in her golden pitcher - From the Western ocean of rest. - - RABINDRANATH TAGORE. - - Day! - Faster and more fast, - O'er night's brim day boils at last; - Boils, pure gold, o'er the cloud-cup's brim - Where spurting and suppressed it lay; - For not a froth-flake touched the rim - Of yonder gap in the solid gray - Of the eastern cloud, an hour away; - But forth one wavelet, then another, curled, - Till the whole sunrise, not to be suppressed, - Rose, reddened, and its seething breast - Flickered in bounds, grew gold, then - Overflowed the world. - - ROBERT BROWNING. - - - - - HOW THE SUN WAS CAUGHT AND - FREED - - -Once upon a time there lived a little Indian boy who was very proud of -his beautiful coat. His sister had made it for him out of the skins of -ten snow-birds. Carefully she had dried these skins, stretched them, and -pieced them into a soft, warm garment. The lad was so fond of his coat -that he wore it whenever he left the wigwam, no matter how warm the sun -shone. - -One morning the Indian lad took a long walk and becoming very tired he -threw himself down on a grassy hillside to rest, and fell sound asleep. - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the Sun when he saw the boy wrapped in a bird-skin -coat in summer time. "I must give this lad a hint that the snow and ice -are gone and it is time to lay aside winter coverings." - -With all his warm might the Sun shone on the sleeping lad. Gradually the -feathers of his coat curled up and became singed and brown, and the -garment shrank to a very small size. - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the Sun. - -When the Indian lad awoke he wondered what had happened to him for he -felt as if he were caught in a trap. He sprang to his feet and -discovered that his beautiful coat had shrunk until it was entirely too -small for him. - -"It is ruined," he cried aloud. "Ruined by that monster Sun. He shall -not play such tricks on me and escape without punishment." Then, shaking -his fist in the Sun's face, he shouted, "I'll make you pay for ruining -my beautiful bird-skin coat." - -"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the Sun. - -The Indian lad ran back to the wigwam as fast as he could, carrying the -garment in his hands. - -"See what has happened!" he cried to his sister. "That vicious Sun -shrank my beautiful coat while I was asleep on the hillside. I can never -wear it again." - -"Perhaps I can stretch it for you," said his sister. - -"No, no! See, the feathers are singed and brown. It is ruined!" - -He was so sorely vexed that he could neither eat nor sleep. For twenty -days he fasted in the wigwam and wondered how he could call the -mischievous Sun to account for spoiling the bird-skin coat. - -One morning he sprang up and said to his sister, "I have thought out a -way to punish the Sun. In his high path across the sky he thinks he is -safe from a little lad like me, but I'll show him what I can do if you -will help me." - -"Tell me your plan," said the sister, wondering how any mortal could -punish the mighty Sun. - -"I'll set a snare for him and catch him!" cried her brother excitedly. -"I want the strongest cord you can find." - -"I've plenty of dried moose-hide; will that be strong enough?" she -asked. - -"No, no! That would never hold the Sun," said the boy. - -His sister thought a while and then said, "I have dried sinew of deer." - -But still her brother shook his head. "The Sun is a mighty quarry. I -must have something stronger than the sinew of the deer." - -"Then I must search in the deep woods," said his sister. - -She left the wigwam and for nine days she searched through the forest. -At last she returned with a twisted cord which she had made from the -strongest wood fiber. As soon as her brother saw it he knew what to do. -He drew the twisted fiber through his lips and immediately it became so -fine and strong that he believed nothing could break it. Round and round -his body the lad wound this cord; at one end of it he fashioned a noose. - -Confident that he was now prepared to snare the Sun, the lad left the -wigwam long before daybreak. He walked to the spot where the Sun first -peeps over the rim of the earth, and there he securely fixed the noose. -Then as he walked back to the lodge he unwound from his body the cord, -and held fast to the end of it. - -The Sun was caught in this snare! His shining head was held tight in the -noose and he could not travel across his Sky-Path. A strange dull light -filled the air. - -In his wigwam the Indian lad was delighted. He danced about joyously and -said, "The mighty Sun will learn that he cannot play a trick on me and -escape without punishment." - -But while the Indian lad laughed and sang because he had caught the Sun -in his noose the Animals were in deep trouble for there was no daylight -in the world. They walked cautiously about, filled with fear and wonder. - -"What has happened to the Sun? Has he strayed from his Sky-Path?" they -whispered to each other. - -After a while they discovered that the Sun was caught in a great noose -and they called a Council in order to decide what to do. - -"Of course we must free the Sun," said all the Animals, but when one of -them asked how this could be done there was silence in the Council for a -long time, because all the Animals knew about the Sun's great heat and -feared to go near enough to break the cord. - -At last the mole said, "I'll free the Sun. I'm not afraid. My teeth are -very sharp and I'm sure they can gnaw through the cord of the noose." - -Accordingly she crept near to the edge of the earth where the Sun was -held fast. The heat was intense but the mole was determined not to give -up her undertaking. She gnawed and gnawed, until the cord was cut in -two. Then up into the sky sprang the Sun with a mighty bound. Before the -Mole could run away, however, the Sun's white light shone full in her -eyes, and from that day she has not been able to see very well. Her eyes -are extremely small and are almost hidden by fur. That is why she lives -in dark places and seldom comes out into the sunlight. But the Animals -are all grateful to her and they often say, "It was the brave Mole who -cut the Indian boy's noose which held the Sun." - - - - - A DAY OF SUNSHINE - - - O gift of God! O perfect day! - Whereon shall no man work, but play; - Whereon it is enough for me, - Not to be doing, but to be. - - I hear the wind among the trees - Playing celestial symphonies; - I see the branches downward bent, - Like keys of some great instrument. - - And over me unrolls on high - The splendid scenery of the sky, - Where through a sapphire sea the sun - Sails like a golden galleon. - - HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW. - - - - - PHAETON'S DRIVE IN THE SUN-CHARIOT - - -Once upon a time there lived in sunny Greece a lad named Phaeton. He was -a son of Clymene, an ocean nymph, and Apollo, the god of the sun. - -One morning when the lad was playing with some of his companions he -said, "It is my father who drives the glorious sun-car across the sky, -and brings daylight into the world. I am the son of bright Apollo." - -Now this was by no means the first time that Phaeton had boasted about -his high lineage, for he was indeed very proud of his father. He was -much surprised, however, to hear his playmates laugh. One of them looked -scornfully at him and said, "You are telling us an idle tale. We do not -believe that you are a child of the mighty Sun." - -Another added quickly, "Why don't you prove your boast? If you are the -son of Apollo give some sign of your heavenly birth." - -Indignant at these taunts Phaeton sought his mother and told her about -the jeering insults he had been obliged to bear. - -"They refuse to believe what I say until I offer proof," he cried. "Let -me go to the palace of the sun and speak to my father. He will advise me -how to prove my claim." - -Clymene hesitated to grant this request because she knew the proposed -journey was attended by many dangers; but finally she gave consent and -carefully directed Phaeton to the abode of Apollo. - -In the far east stood the shining sun palace wrought from burnished -gold, bright silver, and polished ivory. The walls, marvellously -designed, were thickly set in emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds; -the slender jewelled pinnacles shone with dazzling light. - -Phaeton was awed by the splendour which he saw but he entered the palace -and approached the sun god who sat on a glittering throne. Immediately -Apollo greeted his son and asked what favour he sought. Encouraged by -the question Phaeton lost all trace of fear and said, "O, Light of the -World, the children of men declare that I am not the son of Apollo. They -sneer at me and say that my claim is nothing but an idle boast. Grant me -some means of proving to them that I am indeed a child of the mighty -Sun." - -Apollo laid aside the beams that shone on his brow, bade Phaeton come -nearer to him, and said, "Thou art indeed my son. By the mighty river -Styx I promise to grant thee any boon thou shalt ask." - -Eagerly Phaeton replied, "For one day let me drive the sun-chariot -across the sky. No one will ever again deny my high lineage if Apollo -grant me this boon." - -The sun-god immediately saw what a rash promise he had made. Three times -he shook his bright head and then replied, "I beg thee, Phaeton, choose -another boon for none but Phoebus Apollo can drive the horses of the -sun-chariot. The path through high heaven is beset with dangers. First -the steeds must climb the steep ascent of the eastern sky; then they -must be guided through the middle way which is a dizzy height above -earth and sea; and last of all, their path lies down the dangerous slope -of the west. Also frightful monsters must be passed on the road through -the sky. I beg thee choose another boon. This one may bring thee -punishment instead of glory." - -But Phaeton was not dissuaded, and finally Apollo led the headstrong -youth to the place where the fire-breathing horses and brilliant chariot -stood. The axle-tree, poles, and wheel-rims were gold; the spokes, -silver. The body of the car was thickly set with chrysolites and -diamonds which reflected the sun's brilliance. While Phaeton gazed -admiringly at all this beauty, Aurora the goddess of the Dawn threw open -the purple doors of the East and pointed to the pathway strewn with -roses. The Stars quickly withdrew and when the sun god saw the Moon make -ready to depart he swiftly ordered the Hours to harness up the horses. -Then Apollo quickly bound the Sun's rays on the impatient lad's brow and -anointed his face with a cooling essence to protect his skin from the -burning flames. - -Phaeton leaped into the car, seized the reins, stood erect, and thanked -Apollo for the great privilege of driving the chariot. In his eager -haste to start the youth failed to note his father's words of warning. -"Hold the reins firmly and be sparing of the whip. The steeds need no -urging; the labour is to hold them in check. Do not drive too high for -fear of burning the heavens; nor too low, or the earth will be set on -fire. Keep in the well-worn ruts of the middle path. The time to start -has come, for Night is passing out of the Western gates. Heed carefully -my words in this hazardous journey." - -With an impatient bound the fire-breathing steeds sprang forth. They -dashed lightly over the clouds and outran the morning breezes in their -eagerness to mount the eastern slope of the sky. In a little while they -discovered that the car was lighter than usual, and that the sun-god was -not holding the reins. Then they plunged madly forward and turned aside -from the middle track. This headlong speed of the horses filled -Phaeton's heart with terror, especially when he realized he had no power -to guide them. He forgot the names of the horses; in despair he was -obliged to let them take their own course. Nearer and nearer to the -earth's broad plains dashed the chariot of the sun. The fountains and -rivers were dried up by the scorching heat; the forest trees became -withered and burned; the grassy hillsides, parched and brown; the -harvest fields were set on fire, even the people of the land over which -the sun chariot passed were blackened by the extreme heat, and to this -day their descendants have dark skins. - -In a loud cry of agony the people called on Jupiter, king of the gods, -to save them from destruction. The all-powerful one aroused himself from -a deep sleep and saw, at a glance, the cause of this terrible suffering. -Angered at the thought that a youth should dare drive the horses of the -sun, Jupiter hurled one of his deadliest thunderbolts at the unfortunate -Phaeton, who fell from the chariot like a shooting star and sank into -the depths of the river Eradinus. - -Clymene deeply mourned her son's death, and Phaeton's three sisters -bewailed his loss for many days. Finally the gods, in pity, changed them -into poplar trees, in order that they might always be near the river -into which Phaeton fell. - - - - - SONG - - - Hark, hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings, - And Phoebus 'gins arise, - His steeds to water at those springs - On chaliced flowers that lies; - And winking Mary-buds begin - To ope their golden eyes: - With everything that pretty is, - My lady sweet, arise. - - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. - - - - - SUMMER SUN - - - Great is the sun, and wide he goes - Through empty heaven without repose, - And in the blue and glowing days - More thick than rain he showers his rays. - - Though closer still the blinds we pull - To keep the shady parlour cool, - Yet he will find a chink or two - To slip his golden fingers through. - - The dusty attic, spider-clad, - He, through the keyhole maketh glad; - And through the broken edge of tiles, - Into the laddered hayloft smiles. - - Meantime his golden face around - He bares to all the garden ground, - And sheds a warm and glittering look - Among the ivy's inmost nook. - - Above the hills, along the blue, - Round the bright air with footing true, - To please the child, to paint the rose, - The gardener of the World, he goes. - - ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. - - - - - THE CLOUD - - ROBERT REINECK - - -One hot summer morning a little cloud rose out of the sea, and floated -playfully across the blue sky. The dreary brown earth, parched with a -long drouth, lay far below. The little cloud looked down and saw the -poor people toiling away with heavy hearts, while she, carefree and -happy, floated along on the fresh morning breeze. - -She said to herself, "Oh, how much I wish I could help the poor people -down there. If I could but lighten their work, or refresh them with food -and drink!" - -As the day passed and the cloud grew larger, the wish to help the -suffering people filled her heart. - -On earth it grew hotter and hotter, and the people were fainting with -heat, but they could not stop their work, for they were very poor. -Sometimes they looked pleadingly up into the sky. It seemed as if they -were saying to the cloud: "Oh, if you could but help us!" - -"I will help you! I will, indeed!" said the cloud, and she began -immediately to sink softly toward the earth. - -As she floated down she suddenly remembered something which she had -heard when she was a tiny child, rocked in the lap of Mother Ocean. -Someone had told her that clouds die if they float too near the earth. - -For a moment she wavered in her thought and drifted to and fro. But at -last she stood still and spoke bravely and cheerfully, "Men of the -earth, I will help you, come what may." - -Suddenly she grew large, and strong and powerful. Never before had she -dreamed herself capable of such strength. Like an angel of blessing she -stood above the earth, lifted her head, and spread her wings far over -the broad fields. - -So great and mighty she appeared that men and beasts marvelled at the -sight; the trees, grass, and flowers bowed their heads before her, but -in their hearts they knew she would help them. - -"Yes, I will help you," cried the cloud once more. "Take me to -yourselves! I die for you!" - -A mighty purpose filled the cloud's heart, and a holy light shone from -her face. She sank nearer to the earth. The next moment a blessed shower -of rain refreshed the hills and valleys. - -The rain was the cloud's deed; the rain was the cloud's death; but -through her death she was glorified. - -After the shower was over, a lovely rainbow, made of the purest rays of -heavenly light, arched across the sky. It was the last greeting of a -love so great that it could serve. - -Soon the rainbow, too, disappeared, but the memory of the blessing which -the shower had brought to the earth was kept in the hearts of men for -many years to come. - - - - - UNDINE - - EDWARD ABBOTT PARRY - - -Once upon a time there was a child wave named Undine. "Undine the -Beautiful," they called her, because, when she was quite a little -ripple, she sparkled more brilliantly than any of her thousand brothers -and sisters, and not one of them was so crystal clear or dressed in such -wonderful shades of sapphire blue and emerald green. She was born at the -mouth of a white limestone rock cave on the coast of Devonshire. The -fourteenth of August was her birthday. Never had there been such a -lovely little ripple as Undine. The old Tide let her run up and down on -his back when he came into the bay where she lived. She kept close by -the cave for a time, and grew big and strong, and became first a billow -and then a wavelet; but when a month had passed she was a full-grown -wave—only a small one, of course, but still a wave. - -Her father was a well known Devonshire coast wave, a jolly compact old -sea salt roller, with a great thatch of creamy foam on his head. He ran -up and down the coast and out to sea in a lazy, aimless kind of way, -playing with the fishing smacks and rolling over the porpoises. - -He had a kindly look and was a friendly fellow as a rule, but could be -as cruel and fierce as the worst of them, when he was roused. Old -Lobster-Pot they called him, because he loved, when he could, to dive -down and wash the lobsters out of their baskets, and then come and dance -round the fishermen's boats in the morning when they pulled them up, and -laugh at them when they found all their hard work had been for nothing. - -Undine's mother was a tall, graceful wave with a beautiful green breast, -on which she rested her white surge head proudly like a royal swan. Her -name was Mora. She thought it vulgar to play with the lobster-pots, and -when her children were old enough she took them across the sea to stay -at the French seaside towns for the bathing season. She liked to hear -the people on the pier cry out, "Oh! look at that lovely wave!" as she -held back her glorious head and rushed through the girders of the pier, -splashing and sparkling in the sun, and followed by her merry family -tumbling headlong after her. - -Little Undine saw nothing of her mother and father during the first -months of her life. She never went outside the bay, but rippled up and -down in front of a large cave, diving under the ruddy golden seaweed to -look at the quiet sea anemones. They were wonderful fellows, she -thought. Even the youngest of them could sit still for hours. You never -saw sea anemones fidgeting about, and as for turning head over heels, -they do not even think of it. But Undine was a restless young thing, -full of life and spirits, never still for a moment; and the sea anemones -loved her, for she was always gentle and kind to them. Ah! those were -happy times! - -The old waves like to go voyaging about and to see something of the wide -world, so they are sensible enough to pack their children off to school -as soon as they are born. The ripples have a class to themselves. They -are taught to walk in rows, and each one learns to keep his place. You -cannot teach a ripple much more than that, but that is something. There -was a wave school in the bay in which Undine lived. The Zephyr taught -the ripple class. They went every morning at sunrise, and had drill in a -pool behind the rocks. It was a pretty sight. The sea anemones, red and -white, opened out on the rocks to look on, lazy star-fishes stretched -themselves upon the sands and laughed when the little ripples tried to -move them higher up the beach, even those snarly little periwinkles -peeped out of their black shells to see what was going on, and the old -hermit crab, grumbling all the while at being roused up so early, sat at -the door of his shell, and beat time to the marching with one of his -claws. - -"One, two, three, four," said the gentle Zephyr. "Heads up! Keep your -place! Let the little ripples have plenty of room. Now, Undine, dear, -throw your shadow well forward." - -When the morning drill was done, the Zephyr used to say to the ripples, -"Now you shall have a holiday; go and play together. Love one another. -Be as good as you can. Be kind to all the world, and you will be happy." -Then she kissed them all lightly, and flew away across the yellow sand -and the heather-covered rocks, and they saw her no more until next -morning. But they could hear her singing on the cliff one of those songs -about the waves she loved so well, and when the chorus came they would -join in, for she had taught it to them in the class, and it went this -way: - - Oh, children may be naughty - And monkeys may be bad, - Young fishes, too, will often do - What makes their teacher sad. - Did we expect them to behave, - We should expect too much, - But a ripple is a little wave - And should behave as such, - Yes, must behave as such. - -Ah! the Zephyr was a kind teacher, and took such pains with the little -ripples in her class, that in a week they were ready to go into the -Upper School. - -They had good playtimes, too. The old Tide let them play sea-horses on -his back. Then there was "Hide and Seek" round the rocks, "Hunt the -Cockle," and "Ripple-Chivy." It is no use telling you how to play those -games, for children cannot play them. - -One of their favourite sports was to race up the sand and see who could -get farthest; Undine was very clever at that game. One day when they -were doing this, a little boy and his elder sister were paddling in the -water, sailing a boat. He was a bonny, little fellow, about four years -old, and when Undine came running up the sand, rocking his toy boat and -splashing the sails, he clapped his hands and cried out, "Look at that -great, big, lovely wave!" - -Undine could not help laughing at the little fellow's glee, but she -liked to be called a big wave. - -At that moment a nasty, rough ripple who was quite big enough for the -billow class—came rushing along, and the little boy got in his way and -spoiled his run up the sand. - -"Knock him over!" shouted a lot of the bigger ripples. "He is spoiling -the game!" - -"Leave him alone," cried Undine, as she floated gracefully back again. - -But several of the bigger ripples rushed up at the same time, and, -knocking over the little fellow, rolled him in the wet. - -"Undine! Undine!" he called out in his terror, as they tumbled over him. - -Undine rushed back to help him, but she was not strong enough. He knew -nothing of Undine, the ripple. It was his sister, who was also named -Undine, for whom he was calling; and she had run into the water at his -first cry, and, picking him up in her arms, had carried him out onto the -dry sand. But the nasty, little ripples had now caught hold of his boat, -and were pushing it out to sea. - -"Undine, Undine," sobbed the little chap; "I want my boat, I want my -boat!" - -His sister could not reach it, and the two stood, hand-in-hand, helpless -on the beach, while the little boat drifted away. Bravely did our -Undine, when she heard the call, dash forward to do battle with the -naughty little ripples, who called out angrily, "Shut up! Wash it out to -sea! Swamp it! He was spoiling our game." - -They were too strong for poor Undine, and would have destroyed the -little boat, or washed it away, had not the kind Zephyr, hearing all the -noise, swept down from the cliffs, filled the sails of the toy boat and -wafted it to shore. After this she blew the naughty little ripples away, -and they went into rock pools and sulked by themselves. - -When the Zephyr had returned to the cliffs the big, rough ripple who had -knocked over the little boy cried out fiercely: "When I am a wave I -shall kill all the boys I can and swamp their boats. That is what my big -brother is taught to do, and he is a wave and goes out to sea." - -The Zephyr often heard this sort of talk among the ripples, and when -Undine asked her why they said these things, she kissed her gently and -told her not to be angry even with the ripples, who did not know what -they were saying, and begged her when she grew up to be kind and good to -everyone, for then she would be happy. - -However, she was not altogether happy just at first, for the other -ripples were not at all pleased with her, and would not speak to her. -The little boy was carried off the beach by his sister, so Undine was -left all alone, and hid herself under some dark brown seaweed in the -cleft of a rock and cried herself to sleep, when she dreamed that the -pretty little boy was a beautiful wave, and was dancing with her, -hand-in-hand, over the wide ocean. - -The next day she was moved into the billow class. The Master was the -South Wind. He had just come home from college. He taught them cresting -and breaking on rocks. He was a bright, clever fellow, but he told them -nothing about being good and kind as the Zephyr had done. After a week -in the billow class, Undine and several of her young friends were moved -up into the wavelet class. This was taught by a young wave, and here -they learned rushing, leaping, rolling, and marching in open order. The -young wave told them exciting stories of wrecks and drowning men, and -repeated to them all that nonsense about Britannia wanting to rule the -waves, and insisted on the duty of all good waves to go about fighting -men, and killing as many as possible. This he called "Patriotism," and -Undine listened to his eloquent stories until she had nearly forgotten -all that the kind Zephyr had tried to teach her. But the fierce young -wave could not change Undine's real nature, and she remained, at heart, -a kind and gentle wave. Outwardly she grew tall and strong, and her -mother and father and all her brothers and sisters still called her -"Undine The Beautiful." - -At the end of a month she passed all her examinations, and was a -first-class wave ready to go to sea. That was a great day when they all -left school. Old Lobster Pot and his good wife Mora came to fetch them -away. The South Wind made an oration in Latin about the duty of waves to -fight for their country. - -It began, _Anna virumque cano_, and old Lobster Pot said it was very -original and clever. The Zephyr sighed to see all these young waves, -full of bright hope and eager fancies, passing out of the quiet bay into -the open Channel and the wide world. - -They sailed along in open order among the fishing boats, and yachts, and -steamers. The nasty, rough ripple that had knocked down the little boy, -and tried to steal his boat, had grown into a handsome big wave. Surger, -they called him, because of his handsome head and fine flowing surge -when he broke over the sand banks. He was very fond of Undine now, and -kept close to her, as they sailed up the channel. It was a glorious day. -The sun shone brightly, the gulls swooped down and floated for a few -moments on Undine's shoulders, and then soared away down the breeze. The -boats leaped merrily in front of them. - -"Shall we see any wrecks to-day?" asked Undine. - -"I hope so," shouted Surger; and he shook his curly white head, and shot -in front of Undine, who could not help admiring his handsome presence. - -"Wrecks! Nonsense!" growled out old Lobster Pot from behind. "These are -the holidays, and we are going to picnic up the river." - -Then they turned aside from the channel and went past a castle on a high -rock, underneath steep cliffs, across wide mudbanks, lifting up the -boats which were lying asleep among the damp seaweed. Some of the -waves—lazy old fellows these—went off into the harbour for a quiet -snooze, others ran up the river into long creeks, forcing their way -roughly among the quiet country streams. Old Lobster Pot and his wife -went straight along the big river. There Undine saw many strange sights. -Trees and flowers, horses and carts, men, women, and children; but not -one among them so beautiful, to her thinking, as the little blue-eyed -boy she had tried to rescue from the naughty ripples. There, too, along -the banks of the river, she saw wide, waving fields of green turning to -gold, which rustled in the breeze, and she shouted to them to join her; -for she felt so happy herself she wanted everyone else to be happy, too. -But they did not understand her language, so they made no answer; for -they were only wheatfields. - -At last they came to a big city, and ran between high walls of white -stone, and saw tall buildings and the big towers of the cathedral, and -here and there were crowds of people. "Oh! oh!" cried Undine and Surger -together, "this is beautiful." The cathedral clock chimed four. Old -Lobster Pot shook his head and called out the order for return. - -"Time is up," he said; "we must be moving down again now, or the river -will be on to us." - -Surger laughed and cried out, "I will run another mile before I return, -anyhow;" and he rushed up through the city with new force. - -Undine followed him, but now she felt a faint, weary feeling coming over -her. Her beauty was going, and her lovely colours changing to a gray, -inky hue. The river was forcing its way down against them, and she and -Surger were soon glad to follow old Lobster Pot down the river again. -Back they went, past the fields, and soon they felt the pure sea breeze, -and lent a hand to swing the huge ships round at their moorings under -the cliffs. They were glad enough to escape from the dull, cold river -that was rushing after them, and sweep round the headland into the good -salt sea, where they could feel alive again, free and joyous, and afraid -of no one in their own country. - -Many a time did they run up rivers like that, and Undine looked out for -the little blue-eyed boy; but she never saw him. Sometimes they went out -to the wide ocean, or visited the coast towns with Mora, and splashed -the ladies bathing, and made them scream and laugh. Always Undine was -looking for her little friend, but she never saw him. Many were the -journeys she made, and wonderful were the sights she saw; indeed, one -could fill a book with all that Undine did and saw when she grew up and -became a wave. - -It was now October, and had been wonderfully warm, close weather for the -time of the year. The waves were rolling lazily about out at sea some -three miles from the land. They arched their huge backs and pressed -silently after each other, doing "Serpent drill," as they called it, and -weary work it was. The little waves were slapping at each other angrily, -for no better reason than that they had been told not to, but had -nothing else to do. They all seemed uneasy and troubled, yet Undine -could not have told you why she felt in such a strange condition of -pent-up excitement. A rumour ran round that there was to be a Storm War -that evening, and almost before they had begun to discuss whether this -was likely to be true, the clouds lowered, the sky grew black and -dismal, the wind trumpeted out shouts of battle, huge waves bigger than -old Lobster Pot rushed up the channel in answer to the summons, and the -whole sea was one seething angry mass of cruel waves bent on -destruction. - -Now the great battalions of the Sea Wolves, as they call their fiercest -fighting waves, came thundering up from the Atlantic, breaking all -before them. Undine had never seen such wild, handsome fellows before. -Everyone joined them, and soon the sea was nothing but a reckless mob of -madly enraged waves, moaning and wailing horribly in a frenzy of rage. -Down came the sleet and hail in sharp volleys, as though from a battery -of artillery, which had taken up its position behind the thick clouds. A -solitary storm bird was driven before the wet rushing wind, with stiff -wings and bent claws, squealing miserably, as though to warn the vessels -of their doom. - -If you have not been a wave, you cannot understand the wild feeling that -seizes you when the Storm War begins. Even gentle Undine quivered with -rage, and sought about for something to destroy. As for Surger, he was -leaping about and yelling like a mad thing. - -The fishing smacks had hauled up their nets, or cut them adrift, and -were speeding for the shore. Some few smaller boats had made for the -beach earlier, suspecting danger. Old Lobster Pot hurried round among -his family, giving orders in loud tones of command. - -"There's for you," he shouted to Undine and Surger, as a small open boat -with a single lug sail rushed through the surf. "He will be making for -the little bay by the cave. Away with you! Drive him on to the rocks!" - -A solitary man half-sat and half-stood in the stern of the boat, his -back to the tiller, the end of the sheet in his hand. It was passed -securely round a pin near to him. He stooped down to cover up with a -spare sail two little children, girl and boy, who were lying frightened -at the bottom of the boat. Then he set his teeth, and stared through the -blinding hail into the gathering darkness, to find the opening into the -little bay. - -Undine and Surger rushed on to the slender little vessel with all their -force. The man skilfully made way for them, and they passed under the -keel of the boat, doing no harm. The wind howled and shrieked at them -for their failure, and caught the boat with all its might, driving it -past the two waves and nearer to the rocks. Then Undine and Surger raced -on alongside the little boat until it neared the opening to the bay, and -as the man tried to turn her into the safe harbour, the wind made a -terrible effort, and the two waves, leaping together at the side of the -boat, crashed her into the rocks. - -In a moment the man had thrown back the sail and seized, from the bottom -of the boat, the two children, who were lying hidden under the sail. -They were the little blue-eyed boy and his sister, Undine. Bravely he -struggled with them across the rocks and through the surf to gain the -beach. Surger and Undine were after him, for in her rage and fury she -had not seen that it was the little blue-eyed boy. Mora and Old Lobster -Pot, with many other big waves, seeing what had happened, were rushing -across the sea towards the bay, for fear Surger and Undine should not be -strong enough to drown the man and his children. Happily they were too -late; for before they arrived, the man had gained the shore and pulled -himself up the slope of the beach, saving the girl in his arms, but -Surger managed to knock the little boy out of his grasp, and was rolling -him down again into the sea to drown him. The man and the girl were too -stunned and bruised to know whether they were saved or drowned. A -coastguard was running down the cliff, but he would have been too late -to save the little boy, had not Undine heard him calling out in despair, -as Surger dragged him underneath the waves, "Undine! Undine! Save me! -Save me!" - -The waters were falling on him, doing their best to choke him, when -Undine heard the call, and for the first time since she had been a -little ripple, remembered what the Zephyr had taught her of love and -pity. In a moment she had forgotten her anger, and the fierce commands -of Old Lobster Pot, and the battle shouts of the Storm War; she thought -only of the beautiful little blue-eyed boy, who was being dragged under -the water and drowned. She rushed past Surger, who tried his best to -stop her, and, heedless of the shouts of Old Lobster Pot and Mora, who -yelled out, "Kill him! Drown him!" and caring nothing for all the rage -and raving of the mad waves that pressed round her, she caught up the -little boy on her breast, and with all her might threw him on to the -soft sand, just as the coastguard reached the edge of the sea, and was -there to pull him out. - -Then, half ashamed and half overjoyed at what she had done, she turned -back and fled away out to sea. And there arose such a yell and a shout -from the assembled waves, mingled with the groaning and howling of angry -wind, that she sped on in the wildest terror like a hunted hare. And all -the waves of the sea, full of rage that one of their number should turn -traitor and coward and save a mortal man in a time of Storm War—gathered -together and chased after her. - -Away she went down the Channel, across the Bay of Biscay, round Cape -Finisterre, and through the gates of Gibraltar into the warm -Mediterranean; and after her in hot pursuit raced a surging crowd of -fierce and angry waves. But they were not to punish her for her brave -deed, for there, near the warm shores of Sicily, they say she met the -good Zephyr, who saved her from her pursuers, taking her into her arms -and changing her into a beautiful cloud. - -And the glorious Sun heard the story of Undine, and was so pleased with -what she had done that he made her one of his special evening attendants -and gave her a splendid robe of amber and gold. And if you look in the -sky when the sun is setting in the sea, you may see Undine even to this -day, a beautiful golden cloud gazing lovingly down at the world she used -to live in. - - - - - LEGEND OF THE SUN, MOON, AND - STARS - - (WYANDOTTE) - - -There was a time when the Indians called the Little Turtle, the Keeper -of the Heavens. That was when the Indians thought the earth was a Great -Island, which rested upon the Big Turtle's back. It came about in this -way. When the Great Island was first made there were no Sun and no Moon -and no Stars. In order to know what to do the old Turtle called a -meeting of all the animals. When they had all gathered together the old -Turtle told them that there was no light. After a long discussion as to -what could be done to mend matters the animals grew weary and were about -to go home and let the Great Island continue in darkness, when the -Little Turtle spoke up and said: "If I were able to climb into the sky I -could gather some of the lightning and make light." - -"Go," said Big Turtle. "It will do no harm to try." - -Now the Little Turtle had very great powers for, as soon as he had made -up his mind to go, a vast cloud full of thunder and lightning slowly -rolled down toward the animals, and came so near that Little Turtle -climbed into it and was soon carried into the Sky. - -As soon as Little Turtle arrived there he went around and gathered as -much as he could of the lightning and kindled a great round flame, which -stood still in the Sky. But it did not light all of the Great Island. -The Sun, as Little Turtle had made it, was not satisfactory, so another -meeting of all the animals was called. To this Council Little Turtle -came in the cloud. - -It was decided to give the Sun life and spirit, so that he could run -about the Sky by day. Some animals were told to bore a hole through the -earth so that the Sun could go through it and be back in the East by -night. - -This the animals did. But the Sun sometimes loitered in this earth -passage and too often the world was left in total darkness. Again the -animals were dissatisfied, and a third meeting was called to decide the -best plan and to scold the Sun for his neglect. - -To this third meeting the Sun and the Little Turtle and all the other -animals came. They decided then and there that the Little Turtle should -make the Sun a wife, and that she should shine while he was going back -to the East through the earth passage. - -Then the Little Turtle made the Moon, and gave her as a wife to the Sun. -She was smaller and not so powerful as he. You can see her in the Sky. -The Stars that run about the Sky are their many children. - -One day the Moon ran into the earth passage earlier than she should have -done, and before the Sun himself had passed through. So offended was he -that he robbed her of all her heat and much of her light, and she was -never able to keep pace with him in the Sky. - -Not knowing why her light had grown dim, or what had become of her, the -Little Turtle went out to see what was the matter. He found the Moon -lingering along the underground trail. There was just a little light and -heat left to her, and barely a strip of her once glorious body—just as -much as one sees of the new Moon nowadays. - -Little Turtle brought her out and tried to mend her. But it was of no -use. She would become better for a time and then relapse. Soon she would -improve again until she was almost as strong as ever she had been; then -again she would begin to fade away until at last only a tiny strip was -left of her, and she had almost no heat. And this trick of changing has -been repeated many, many times. Indeed, to this day the Moon continually -changes her shape. - - - - - THE PRINCESS MOONBEAM[1] - - MARY F. NIXON-ROULET - - -A woodman once dwelt with his wife at the edge of the forest, under the -shadow of the Honorable Mountain. The two were industrious and good, but -though they loved each other they were not happy. No children had come -to bless them and this the wife mourned deeply. The husband pitied her -and treated her very kindly, yet still she was sad. As she gazed upon -the snows of Fujiyama her heart swelled within her and she prostrated -herself and said, "Fuji no Yama, Honorable Mountain, my heart is heavy -because no childish arms encircle my neck, no little head nestles in my -bosom. From thy eternal purity send some little white soul to comfort -me!" - -Footnote 1: - - From Nixon-Roulet's "Japanese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales." - Copyright, 1908, by American Book Company, Publishers. - -The Honorable Mountain spoke not; yet as she prayed, lo, from its -heights there sparkled and glowed a tiny light. Fitful and gleaming it -seemed, yet it had a silver radiance as of the moon. - -The woodman's wife beheld it, and she called to her husband eagerly, -"Come hither, I pray you. See the strange light which comes from Fuji -San. I seem to see a face smiling at me. It is the face of a little -child." - -Then her husband smiled at her fancy, but, because he loved her so, he -said, indulgently, "I will go and see what it is." - -"I thank you, my lord; go quickly!" she replied. - -So, quickly he went to the forest, and as he neared a mountain stream, -with Fuji gleaming cold and white in the moonlight, he saw the strange -light, which seemed to hover and rest upon the branches of a tall -bamboo. Hastening thither he found there a moon child, a tiny, fragile, -fairy thing, more beautiful than any child he had ever seen. - -"Little creature," he said, "who are you?" - -"My name is Princess Moonbeam," she answered sweetly. "My mother is the -Moon Lady, and she has sent me to Earth because every Moon Child must do -some good thing, else will its silvery light become pale and wan and be -of no avail." - -"Little Princess," he said eagerly, "the best of good deeds is to -comfort a sad heart. Come home with me and be a child to my wife, who -weeps for children. Thus will your beams grow bright." - -"I will go with you," said the little Moonbeam, and, rejoicing greatly, -he bore her tenderly to his wife. - -"I bring you a treasure," he said. "The Moon Lady sends you this beam of -light to lighten your sad heart." - -Then was his wife much overjoyed and she took the little creature to her -bosom and cared for her. - -Lovelier grew the Moon Child every year and much she rejoiced the hearts -of her foster parents. Her hair was like a golden aureole about her -face. Her eyes were deep and tender, her cheeks were pale and delicate, -and about her there was a subtle and unearthly charm. Every one loved -her, even the emperor's son, who, hunting in the forest, saw her -lighting up the humble cottage with her heavenly light. He loved her -dearly and she loved him, but alas! she could not marry him, because her -life upon the earth could be but twenty years. Then she must return to -her home in the moon, for so willed her mother the Moon Lady. - -At last the day came when she must go. Her parents wept, and could not -be consoled; and her lover, who was now the emperor, could not keep her, -although he besought High Heaven to spare her. - -Her mother caught her up in a silver moonbeam; and all the way to the -moon the little Princess wept silvery tears. As the tears fell from her -eyes, lo! they took wings and floated away looking for the form of the -emperor who might see her no more. - -But the silver-bright tears are seen to this day floating hither and yon -about the vales and marshes of fair Nippon. The children chase them with -happy cries, and say, "See the fireflies! How fair they are! Whence came -they?" - -Then their mothers relate to them the legend and say, "These are the -tears of the little Princess, flitting to seek her beloved"; and over -all, calm and eternal, smiles the Honorable Mountain. - - - - - THE MOON - - - That orbèd maiden, with white fire laden, - Whom mortals call the moon, - Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor, - By the midnight breezes strewn; - And wherever the beat of her unseen feet, - Which only the angels hear, - May have broken the woof of my tent's thin roof, - The stars peep behind her and peer; - And I laugh to see them whirl and flee, - Like a swarm of golden bees, - When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent, - Till the calm rivers, lakes, and seas, - Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high, - Are each paved with the moon and these. - - PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY. - - - - - THE SPACIOUS FIRMAMENT ON - HIGH - - - The spacious firmament on high, - With all the blue ethereal sky, - And spangled heaven, a shining frame, - Their great Original proclaim; - Th' unwearied sun, from day to day, - Does his Creator's power display, - And publishes to every land - The work of an Almighty hand. - - Soon as the evening shades prevail, - The moon takes up the wondrous tale, - And nightly to the listening earth - Repeats the story of her birth; - While all the stars that round her burn, - And all the planets in their turn, - Confirm the tidings as they roll, - And spread the truth from pole to pole. - - What though, in solemn silence, all - Move round the dark terrestrial ball? - What though no _real_ voice or sound - Amid their radiant orbs be found? - In _Reason's_ ear they all rejoice, - And utter forth a glorious voice, - Forever singing, as they shine, - "_The Hand that made us is divine!_" - - JOSEPH ADDISON. - - - - - GREEN FIELDS AND MEADOWS - GAY - - - - - NATURE'S SONG - - - There is no rhyme that is half so sweet - As the song of the wind in the rippling wheat; - There is no meter that is half so fine - As the lilt of the brook under rock and vine; - And the loveliest lyric I ever heard - Was the wildwood strain of a forest bird. - - MADISON CAWEIN. - - - - - THE GIFT OF FLAX - - (NORSE LEGEND) - - -In a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains there once lived a -shepherd with his wife and children. They were very poor, indeed, and -were obliged to work hard in order to earn the scantiest living. - -The good wife was most helpful to her husband. She kept the cottage -spotlessly clean, and mended the children's clothes with patient skill. -Every day the shepherd took his small flock of sheep to pasture on the -side of a mountain, whose tall, white summit was hidden in the clouds. -He often carried a crossbow, and sometimes he brought home some mountain -game, which provided a fine meal for his family. - -One day, while he was watching his sheep, he saw, a short distance above -him, a fine reindeer drinking from a pool in the basin of a rock. The -shepherd seized his crossbow and took aim to shoot the quarry, but -before he could speed an arrow, the deer scented danger and leaped away -up the steep slope of the mountain-side. The shepherd pursued his game -with eager haste, climbing up the dangerous paths with a sureness of -foot which comes only to those whose lives are spent among the mountain -fastnesses. - -It grew bitterly cold as the shepherd pressed on and on, and he saw the -glittering ice-fields near the mountain top. - -"'Tis the most fleet-footed quarry I ever followed," said the hunter, -stopping for a moment's rest. "After this hard chase, I'm afraid I must -give up the game." - -Suddenly he saw the reindeer slacken pace, and walk into the entrance of -a cavern in the glacier. - -"I'll make one more effort," said the tired hunter, climbing on until he -reached the opening where the reindeer disappeared. In a few moments he -reached a dark passage, at the end of which he saw glittering, coloured -lights. His heart beat fast, but he walked on toward the brilliant -opening. - -The desire to see the lighted hall at the end of the passageway now took -possession of the hunter and, strange to say, he forgot all about the -quarry, which had led him to this marvelous place. When he reached the -threshold of the opening he was obliged to shade his eyes with both -hands. Rainbow colours sparkled from the walls and ceiling, which were -thickly set with precious stones. A floor of shining white marble added -to the beauty of the place. The shepherd stood in silent wonder. - -"Welcome to the Hall of Mists," said a queenly voice, but still he stood -gazing from the entrance. - -The queen repeated her words of welcome, and the shepherd walked humbly -forward toward a beautiful woman, clothed in silvery white robes girdled -with gold. On her bright hair was a crown of jeweled blossoms. She held -a distaff in her right hand; in her left, a bunch of flowers the colour -of the sky on a fair summer day. She was attended by many youthful -maidens, who stood back of the queen near jeweled spinning wheels. - -Filled with awe, the shepherd threw himself on his knees at the feet of -this Queen of the Air. - -"Have no fear, my good man," she said in a gentle voice. "Perseverance -and courage led thee up a dangerous path, but thou hast not laboured in -vain. Thou shalt be rewarded for thy dauntless chase. Choose anything -thou wilt from my jeweled Hall of Mists." - -Without hesitating a moment, the shepherd said, "Gracious Queen, there -is nothing in the world I should like to have so much as the flowers -your majesty holds." - -The Queen of the Air smiled and put the blossoms into his hand. Then she -took up a measure of small seed, which stood near her, and said: "Thou -hast made a wise choice, my good man. Sow this seed in the field near -your cottage. Farewell." - -Suddenly a peal of thunder rang through the air, and the brilliant light -in the Hall of Mists changed to total darkness. In a twinkling the -bewildered man found himself once more upon the mountain-side not far -from the spot where he had left his sheep grazing. At first he thought -he had been dreaming, but there in one hand he held a bunch of blue -flowers; in the other, a measure of seed. - -He hastened home, told the marvelous adventure to his wife, and showed -her the blue flowers and the measure of seed. For awhile she listened in -wide-eyed wonder, but when the shepherd said the Queen bade him choose -anything he wished from the jeweled hall, the good wife said -impatiently: "Do not tell me that you chose a bunch of flowers when you -might have had a precious stone! How could you be so foolish? One jewel -would have made us rich for life." - -"Let us see what the seed will bring forth," answered her husband. "I -shall plant it to-morrow." - -Accordingly, the next day he plowed the ground and planted the seed. He -was amazed to find that the small measure held enough to sow a very -large field. In a short time, tiny green shoots covered the ground. With -eager interest, the shepherd watched the little plants grow and burst -into blossoms exactly like those the Queen of the Air had given to him. -In a few weeks he saw the star-like blossoms wither and seeds begin to -form and ripen. One night the shepherd dreamed he saw a beautiful woman, -clothed in silver white, float over his field and bless the ripening -stalks. - -The next evening an old woman knocked at the cottage door. When the -shepherd invited her to come in, he noticed she carried in her hand a -number of stalks from his field. - -"I've come to teach you what wonderful use you can make of these -stalks," she said. - -Very gently and patiently she taught the shepherd and his wife how to -separate delicate fibers from the woody core; how to spin them into -thread and weave the thread into linen. Last of all she told them how to -bleach the useful linen. It was a wonderful evening for the peasant and -his wife. - -When the old woman rose to leave the cottage, she said to the shepherd, -"In the Queen's Hall of Mists you asked for the gift of blue flax -flowers. To-night you have learned what a priceless blessing you chose. -Farewell." - -She left the cottage very quickly and when the shepherd and his wife -went to the door to see which way she went lo! she had disappeared. In a -short time all the people in the valley heard the wonderful story of -making linen. For awhile they bought the linen which was made from the -shepherd's first field of flax. But they bought some of his seed, too, -and the next year they were able to spin their own thread and weave -their linen. The blessing which came from the shepherd's choice was -shared by all the people in the valley. - - - - - THE STORY OF THE DEWDROP - - LUCILE CORBETT - - -One day as the children were coming home from school, the snowflakes -began dropping lazily to the ground. One beautiful star-shaped flake -fell on a little girl's hand. - -"Oh, you pretty, pretty snow fairy. Where did you come from? Did you -tumble off a fleecy cloud, or did you dance all the way from Frostland -to show us your soft, lacy dress?" - -To the little girl's surprise, a tiny voice said: "Do you really want me -to tell you where I came from? I was not always a snowflake, and will -not return to Frostland for a long, long time. I can stay with you but a -little while; then, when the bright sun comes and the south wind calls, -I must leave you, for I have much to do. Many things in the woods need -my help. - -"Last spring, when the earth became soft, the sky blue, and the warm -breeze played with the sun, I was sent from the clouds to give the -violets a drink of water. Taking the form of a sparkling dewdrop, I -stooped and kissed the dark green leaves, and a violet held me in her -arms until the sturdy oak called. - -"A sunbeam drew me up, up, and up, then let me gently drop in the quiet -pitter-patter of rain. I reached down, down to the roots, giving him new -life, so that he put forth leaves which sheltered and protected the -violets all summer. - -"From the roots of the sturdy oak I traveled on and on and on until the -babbling brook called. I turned into a tiny stream of clear water, and -the brook rocked me as it went murmuring through a shady dell. The birds -dipped into the cool water, then shook their wings till the drops -glistened like diamonds in the sunlight. The willow tree bent and looked -at herself in the mirror of water, the ferns crept nearer and nearer, -and the small white pebble was worn smooth by the laughing brook, as it -sang on its way to the sea. - -"When I reached the big, broad waters, I found many, many dewdrops, -which had been changed into rain and into streams to help the plants, -the flowers, and trees. Ships, looking like great white birds, sailed on -the waters. Suddenly a storm came up, the sea grew dark and -angry-looking. I was turned into white foam, and the waves tossed me -higher and higher until the ships went down. The seagulls flapped their -wings and gave their cry of warning for all things in the forest to keep -away from the wild billows. - -"After the storm, I was carried up and up in the air as mist, so that I -blotted out all sight of land. I drew closer and closer to the small -islands, and wrapped them in a thick blanket of fog. The wind sighed, -the flowers closed their beautiful petals, and the birds hid their heads -under their wings in fear of this clinging white monster. - -"The winter winds came along and carried me into the far Northland, -where the Ice King reigns supreme. Here I found little men dressed in -fur to keep them warm. Great white bears walked on huge cakes of ice. -But the birds and flowers could not live in that still, cold land. The -silence was broken only by the crunching of the ice. I, too, became ice, -and drifted slowly out on the shining white waste. - -"Then again came the sun, warm and strong, and forced back the cold -north wind. Instead of being a thick white cake of ice, I became a tiny, -fluffy bit of frost, as white as ermine, as soft, as soft as down. -Gently the north wind, who was now a slave of the mighty sun, gathered -me up and carried me into a strange land, a very strange land. The earth -was hard, the trees bare, and the flowers were all dead. Dark, -sullen-looking clouds took me from the north wind and sent me floating -down, down through space until I reached your hand. - -"When you gather up a handful of snow to make a big, round snowball, do -not forget that once we were bright dewdrops sparkling in the morning -sun. And when you wade in the little brook in the summer time, we will -flow over your bare feet and sing you a song of the sea." - - - - - THE DEW MOTHER - - - The tall Dew Mother, dressed in grey, - Last night at dusk went down the way, - By winding lane and meadow deep, - And kissed each little flower to sleep. - - And some sweet buds so drowsy sat, - They hardly heard her pit-a-pat,—— - They scarcely knew that they were found,—— - Already dreams had wrapped them round. - - But she, so pale and kind and tall, - Her cool, sweet kisses laid on all, - And left each leaf a dewdrop bright - To play with in the morning light. - - MAY BYRON. - - - - - ORIGIN OF THE DANDELION - - (INDIAN LEGEND) - - -The gentle South Breeze, whom the Indians call Shawondasee, lay asleep -on the soft grass in front of his wigwam. His face was turned toward the -Northland, and he was dreaming of the joys and blessings he would send -there to fill the summer days with gladness. - -In the spring he had told the bluebird and swallow that it was time to -build their nests in the budding Northland. His warm breath had melted -the winter snows and enticed the brooks and rills to flow again toward -the sea. Now the last days of spring were waning and summer was at hand. - -Shawondasee smiled in his dream. He wafted gentle showers to the meadows -of the Northland and blossoms opened their faces to the sun. Little -children clapped their hands in glee when they saw the shining -buttercups and the daisies with golden hearts. - -The laughter which Shawondasee heard in his dream wakened him. Slowly he -opened his eyes and looked dreamily at the great stretches of prairie -which lay before him. In a little while the South Breeze aroused himself -and gazed intently toward the Northland. There among the slender waving -grasses he saw a beautiful maiden. Her tall, graceful figure was clothed -in delicate green, and her moccasins were of the same color. Her hair -was yellow as gold. Merrily she danced about the prairie, nodding and -smiling at Shawondasee, who became enchanted with her grace and beauty. - -"'Tis the loveliest vision I've ever seen," murmured the South Breeze -softly. "Surely she is a daughter of the Sun, and he has made her -wonderful hair out of his own beams." - -All day long he watched her dancing gaily on the northern prairie, and -at night when he went into his wigwam, he said, "I shall journey -northward and woo the sunny-haired maiden. Gently will I woo her to be -my bride." - -The next day when Shawondasee came sleepily out of his wigwam, there, in -the morning light, he saw the graceful maiden flitting about on the -prairie. All the while she nodded her golden head and smiled gaily at -him. - -"There is plenty of time to woo her," sighed Shawondasee; "I'll enjoy -her dancing a little longer before I journey northward and ask her to -live with me in the Southland." - -One morning when South Breeze came out of his wigwam to watch the -dancing maiden, he noticed a great change had come to her. On her head -was a fleecy white crown. - -"What has happened to my golden-haired prairie maiden?" he sighed. "Can -it be that my rough brother, North Wind, has crowned her with snow?" - -He sprang to his feet and hastened toward the northern plains. As he -drew near the maiden, he saw that her golden hair had, indeed, gone, and -in its place were tresses soft and white as the snow. - -Shawondasee's heart was filled with sorrow. His breath came quick and -fast and, as he came very near to the maiden, he drew a deep, deep sigh. - -Suddenly the strangest thing happened. All the air was filled with soft, -downy fibers, which flitted over the prairie like the tiniest fairy -sails and, in a little while, sank lightly among the waving grasses. -Shawondasee closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them, lo! -the prairie maiden had vanished. - -"I cannot give up my beautiful maiden," sighed South Breeze. "I shall -not go back to the Southland until I have found her." - -For weeks he wandered over the meadows, but no trace of the maiden could -he find. One day Kabibonokka, the rough North Wind, blew sharp and -shrill. His cold blast made the gentle Shawondasee shiver and hasten -back to his warm wigwam in the South. - -During the cold winter months while Kabibonokka, with his icy breath, -stalked over the prairie, Shawondasee stayed in his wigwam and mourned -the loss of his prairie maiden. But when the warm days came again and -the grass sprang up on the northern plains, the South Breeze came forth -and planned to journey northward. - -One day he looked toward the prairie where a year ago he had seen the -dancing, golden-haired maiden. A marvelous sight greeted him. Hundreds -of bright yellow flowers among the waving grasses nodded and smiled at -him. The prairie was shining with golden dandelions. - - - - - PRINCE BUTTERFLY AND CLOVER - - -In a quiet, pleasant meadow, where green old trees waved their branches -as the summer winds went singing by, bloomed a sisterhood of flowers. A -neighbouring brook rippled musically, and passing clouds cast shadows -upon the waving grass below. - -The flowers were very happy together in this pleasant spot. No cold -winds came to blight them, no rude hands tore them from their stems. -Warm sunbeams smiled on them all day long, and the dewdrops refreshed -them at night with a cooling drink. - -One morning when the flowers awoke, fragrant and fresh, a little worm -came creeping by. - -"Oh, pity and love me," sighed the little worm. "Give me shelter, dear -flowers. I am lonely, poor, and weak. A little spot for a resting place -is all I ask. Only let me lie in the deep, green moss and weave my -little tomb and sleep my long, unbroken sleep until spring's first -flowers come. Then will I come forth in fairy dress, and repay your -gentle care for a poor worm. Kind flowers, let me stay." - -But none of the proud flowers would give shelter to the poor worm. Wild -Rose showed her little thorns while her soft face glowed with pride. -Violet hid beneath some drooping ferns and the daisy turned her face -away. Little Houstonia laughed scornfully, as she danced on her slender -stem, while Cowslip bent down and whispered the tale to the brook. - -A blue-eyed Grass looked down on the poor worm as she silently turned -away. - -"You will harm our delicate leaves," she said; "that is why you may not -stay." - -At that moment a sweet voice called from a distance: - -"Come here, poor worm, come to me. The sun lies warm in this quiet spot. -I will share my home with you." - -The flowers all looked in wonder to see who had offered the worm a home. -To their surprise, they found Clover Blossom, with fluttering wings, -beckoning him to come. From her snug little nook where the cool winds -rustled by, and the murmuring bees and butterflies loved to come, her -rosy face smiled kindly down as the friendless worm drew near. - -"Poor thing, you are welcome here," she said in a soft voice. "In the -soft, green moss close at my side you may sleep until spring comes. I -will spread my leaves over you, and guard you through the long winter." - -Then, deep in a moss bed, the grateful worm spun his winter home, and -lay down for his long rest. - -And well did Clover Blossom keep her watch. Autumn came and took all her -sister flowers. Then when it was time for her to go, she spread her -withered leaves softly over the sleeping worm, and bent her faithful -little head beneath the winter snow. - -Spring came again and the flowers arose from their winter sleep. How -gaily they danced on their slender stems, and sang their songs with the -rippling waves of the brook. The warm winds kissed their cheeks, as one -by one they came again to dwell in their summer homes. - -Little Clover Blossom bloomed once more, and watched patiently by the -mossy bed where the worm still lay quietly sleeping. Her sister flowers -cried scornfully, as they waved in the summer air, "Come and dance with -us, Little Clover. That ugly worm was poor and friendless. He will not -come again in fairy dress. Don't believe what a worm tells you—at any -rate, he lies in the green moss dead. So come and be happy with us." - -But Little Clover kept watch for she did not doubt the poor worm's -truth; she trusted that he would come as he had said. - -At last she felt the moss at her side move, then a small cell opened -wide, and out flew a glittering butterfly that soared up to the summer -sky on golden wings! - -Then the flowers cried out, "Clover, your watching was in vain. It is as -we told you, he will never come again." And the unkind flowers danced -for joy as they watched him silently soar away. - -Little Clover bowed her head in silence. As she drooped she heard a -Daisy say: - -"O sisters look, I see him now. He is floating back from cloudland. -Spread wide your leaves that he may choose the one he deems most fair." - -Then Wild Rose glowed with a deep blush as she proudly waved on her -stem; Cowslip bent to look at herself in the rippling brook, little -Houstonia merrily danced and spread out her white leaves wide; and Daisy -whispered her joy and hope to Violet, who peeped out from the tall green -ferns to watch the glittering form of the butterfly that shone in the -summer sky. - -Nearer and nearer the bright form came, and fairer and fairer grew the -blossoms. Each welcomed him in her sweetest tones and each offered him -honey and dew. But in vain did they beckon and smile and call. He -floated past Violet, Daisy, and Rose, and went straight to the pleasant -home of Clover Blossom, the flower most truly fair. - -"Dear flower," he said, "when I was alone and friendless you watched -over me and cared for me. And now I will try to show the thanks the poor -worm could not tell. - - "Sunbeam, breeze shall come to thee, - And the coolest dews that fall; - Whate'er a flower can wish is thine, - For thou art worthy all. - - "And the home thou shared with the friendless worm - The butterfly's home shall be, - And thou shalt find, dear, faithful flower, - A loving friend in me." - -Then, through the long, bright summer hours, through sunshine and rain, -lived happily together Clover and Prince Butterfly. - - - - - A SONG OF CLOVER - - - I wonder what the Clover thinks, - Intimate friend of Bobolinks, - Lover of Daisies, slim and white, - Waltzer with Buttercups at night; - Keeper of Inn for traveling Bees, - Serving to them wine dregs and lees - Left by the Royal Humming Birds - Who sip and pay with fine-spun words; - Fellow with all the lowliest, - Peer of the gayest and the best, - Comrade of winds, beloved of sun, - Kissed by the Dewdrops, one by one; - Prophet of Good-Luck mystery - By sign of four which few may see; - Emblem of comfort in the speech - Which poor men's babies early reach; - Sweet by the roadsides, sweet by rills, - Sweet in the meadows, sweet on hills, - Sweet in its every living breath, - Sweetest, perhaps, at last, in death! - Oh! who knows what the Clover thinks! - No one! unless the Bobolinks. - - SAXE HOLM. - - - - - TITHONUS: A LEGEND OF THE - GRASSHOPPER - - LILLIAN S. HYDE - - -Every day when Helios drove his wonderful horses and fiery chariot -across the sky, Aurora opened the gates of pearl and drew back the dark -curtains of the night; for Aurora was the Goddess of the Dawn. She was -so beautiful that the whole sky flushed pink with pleasure when she -appeared in the east. - -On the earth lived a mortal called Tithonus, who loved Aurora so well -that he never failed to leave his bed while it was still dark to watch -for her coming. Aurora loved Tithonus in return, and one day she flew to -the king of the gods, and begged of him that Tithonus might be given a -draft of nectar, and so become immortal. - -Jupiter granted this request, and Aurora took Tithonus up to Mount -Olympus to live in her golden house. - -The goddess had forgotten to ask that Tithonus might never grow old. -Therefore, the time came when grey hairs could be seen among his golden -curls. Aurora was always kind to him and continued to give him beautiful -garments, and to feed him on ambrosia. Still, Tithonus grew older and -older and, in time, after several hundred years, he was so very old that -he could not move at all. Little was left of him but his voice, and even -that had grown high and thin. Aurora felt so sorry to see him withering -away in this manner that she changed him into a little insect, and sent -him down to earth again where men called him the grasshopper. - -Very glad to be free and active once more, Tithonus hops about in the -fields all day, chirping cheerfully to Aurora. - - - - - THE GRASSHOPPER - - - Shuttle of the sunburnt grass, - Fifer in the dun cuirass, - Fifing shrilly in the morn, - Shrilly still at eve unworn; - Now to rear, now in the van, - Gayest of the elfin clan: - Though I watch their rustling flight, - I can never guess aright - Where their lodging-places are; - 'Mid some daisy's golden star, - Or beneath a roofing leaf, - Or in fringes of a sheaf, - Tenanted as soon as bound! - Loud thy reveille doth sound, - When the earth is laid asleep, - And her dreams are passing deep, - On mid-August afternoons; - And through all the harvest moons, - Nights brimmed up with honeyed peace, - Thy gainsaying doth not cease. - When the frost comes, thou art dead; - We along the stubble tread, - On blue, frozen morns, and note - No least murmur is afloat: - Wondrous still our fields are then, - Fifer of the elfin men! - - EDITH M. THOMAS. - - - - - THE GOLDEN GRASSHOPPER - - CHARLES LAMB - - -It chanced upon a time that while the fairies were looking for cowslips -in the meads, while yet the dew was hanging on the buds like beads, they -found a babe left in its swathing-clothes—a little, sorrowful, deserted -thing. It was a pity to see the abandoned little orphan left in that -way. - -How the cold dew kept wetting its childish coats; and its little hair, -like gossamer, how it was bedabbled! Its pouting mouth, unknowing how to -speak, lay half-opened like a rose-lipped shell; and its cheek was -softer than any peach, upon which the tears, for very roundness, could -not long dwell, but fell off in clearness like pearls—some on the grass, -and some on his little hand; and some haply wandered to the little -dimpled well under his mouth. - -Pity it was, too, to see how the burning sun had scorched its helpless -limbs; for it lay without shade or shelter, for foul weather or fair. -So, having compassion on its sad plight, the fairies turned themselves -into grasshoppers and swarmed about the babe, making such shrill cries -as that pretty little chirping creature makes in its mirth, till, with -their noise, they attracted the attention of a passing rustic, a -tender-hearted kind who, wondering at their small but loud concert, -strayed aside curiously, and found the babe where it lay in the remote -grass, and, taking it up, wrapped it in his russet coat, and bore it to -his cottage, where his wife kindly nurtured it till it grew up a goodly -personage. - -This babe prospered and, in time, became the famous Sir Thomas Gresham, -one of the greatest merchants of England. He afterwards adopted the -grasshopper as his crest, and you may see to this day, on a tall staff -high above the roof of the Royal Exchange in London, a huge Golden -Grasshopper to remind you of the wisest, richest, and greatest of all -the men who built up the trade and commerce of England. - - "Witness his goodly vessels on the Thames, - Whose holds were fraught with costly merchandise,—— - Jewels from Ind, and pearls for costly dames, - And gorgeous silks that Samarcand supplies: - Witness that Royal Bourse he bade arise, - The mart of merchants from the East and West; - Whose slender summit pointing to the skies, - Still bears, in token of his grateful breast, - The tender grasshopper, his chosen crest." - - THOMAS HOOD. - - - - - A BLADE OF GRASS - - JOHN RUSKIN - - -Gather a single blade of grass, and examine for a minute its narrow, -sword-shaped strip of fluted green. Nothing there, as it seems of -notable goodness or beauty. A very little strength and a very little -tallness, and a few delicate long lines meeting in a point, not a -perfect point either, but blunt and unfinished, by no means a creditable -or apparently much-cared-for example of Nature's workmanship, made only -to be trodden on to-day, and to-morrow to be cast into the oven, and a -little pale and hollow stalk, feeble and flaccid, leading down to the -dull brown fiber of roots. - -And yet, think of it well, and judge whether of all the gorgeous flowers -that beam in summer air, and of all strong and goodly trees, pleasant to -the eyes, or good for food, stately palm and pine, strong ash and oak, -scented citron, burdened vine, there be any by man so deeply loved, by -God so highly graced, as that narrow point of feeble green. And well -does it fulfill its mission. Consider what we owe merely to the meadow -grass, to the covering of the dark ground by that glorious enamel, by -the companies of those soft, and countless, and peaceful spears. - -The fields! Follow forth but for a little time the thoughts of all that -we ought to recognize in these words. All spring and summer is in them, -the walks by silent and scented paths, the rests in noonday heat, the -joy of herds and flocks, the power of all shepherd life and meditation, -the life of sunlight upon the world falling in emerald streaks, and -falling in soft blue shadows where else it would have struck upon the -dark mold or scorching dust. - -Pastures beside the pacing brooks, soft banks and knolls of lowly hills, -thymy slopes of down, overlooked by the blue line of lifted sea, crisp -lawns, all dim with early dew, or smooth in evening warmth of barred -sunshine, dinted by happy feet, and softening in their fall the sound of -loving voices,—all these are summed in those simple words; and these are -not all. - -We may not measure to the full the depth of this heavenly gift in our -own land, though still as we think of it longer, the infinite of that -meadow sweetness, Shakespeare's peculiar joy would open on us more and -more; yet we have it but in part. Go out in the springtime among the -meadows that slope from the shores of the Swiss lakes to the root of the -lower mountains. There, mingled with the taller Gentians, and the white -Narcissus, the grass grows deep and free; and as you follow the winding -mountain paths, beneath arching boughs, all veiled with blossoms—paths -that forever droop and rise over the green banks and mounds sweeping -down in scented undulation steep to the blue water, studded here and -there with new-mown heaps filling all the air with fainter -sweetness,—look up towards the higher hills, where the waves of -everlasting green roll silently into their long inlets among the shadows -of the pines; and we may, perhaps, at last know the meaning of those -quiet words of the Psalmist, "He maketh the grass to grow upon the -mountains." - - Then Aurora, the Sun's - Rosy handmaiden, runs - With a basket of fruit blossoms poised on her head, - Green ones and pink ones and white ones, and red, - And with both hands uplifted, outscatters them wide - Through gardens and orchards on every side, - Such abundance, - Redundance, - On every side - Of blossoms for apples and damsons and cherries, - For currants and quinces, pears, plums and strawberries, - That the labourers call to each other to see - What a wonderful fruit year 'tis likely to be. - - CHARLES DALMON. - - - - - PRINCESS FIRE-FLY - - (JAPANESE LEGEND) - - -Deep in the pink petals of a lotus bloom that grew in the castle moats -of Fukui, lived Hi-o, the king of the Fire-Flies. In this beautiful -flower his daughter, the Princess Hotaru, passed her childhood exploring -every shady nook and fragrant corner of the bell-like palace, listening -to the buzz of life around, and peeping over the edge of the petals at -the wonderful world which lay mysteriously beyond. The princess had few -youthful companions, but, as she daily bade her father farewell, she -dreamed of the time when she, too, would fly abroad, and her brilliant -light would attract unusual admiration. - -Gradually, a beautiful sheen o'erspread her body; night by night it -became brighter, until at last her home, in the hours of darkness, was -as a lamp of coral wherein shone a lamp of gold. So glorious was her -light that the stars paled before it, and the bright, sickle moon -withdrew behind a cloud from jealousy. - -The Princess was now allowed to fly from her home, to loiter among the -pleasant rice fields, and to explore the indigo meadows which lay far -off on the horizon. She had no lack of friends and would-be lovers. -Thousands of insects, attracted by her magic light, came and offered -their homage, but the Princess cared for none of their attentions and -though she spoke politely to them all, she gave encouragement to none. - -One evening the Princess said to her mother, the Queen: - -"I have had many admirers but no one has found a way to my heart. -To-night I shall hold court and if any of them love me they will come to -me here. Then I shall set them an impossible task. If they are wise they -will not attempt to do it, but if they love their lives more than they -love me I do not want them. I shall say to one and all: 'Only he who -loves me more than life shall call me bride.'" - -"As you will," said her mother. And that evening, seated upon a throne -formed of the heart of a lotus, Princess Hotaru held her court. - -No sooner had twilight set in than forth came the golden beetle and laid -his fortunes at her feet. - -"Go and bring me fire and I will be your bride," said Hotaru. - -Bowing his head the green-gold creature spread his wings and left the -court with a stately whirr. - -Next came cockchafer, who wooed her in passionate words. But to him she -gave the same answer. "Bring me fire and you may have me for your wife." - -Dragon-fly, proud in his gorgeous colours, offered his heart and his -hand, quite sure that he would be accepted at once. The humble hawk-moth -persistently addressed the lovely Princess. As the evening wore on -countless other insects gained an audience, but the answer to them all -was ever the same, "The treasure of fire shall be my bridegroom's gift." - -One by one they took wing, enraptured by the hope of success and -unconscious that they were all bent on the same errand. - -But none ever came back to wed the Princess. The hawk-moth entered a -temple and circled round and round the tall wax lights, coming nearer -and nearer each time. "Now to win the Princess!" he murmured. Alas! the -foolish creature darted forward to snatch a flash of flame, but the -flame singed his wings and he fell helpless to the ground. - -The beetle whizzed off to a neighbouring house and watched intently for -a moment or two a log fire crackling on a hearth. He then boldly caught -at a tongue of flame, hoping to carry it to the Princess. But he, too, -was buried by the fire. - -The dragon-fly, notwithstanding his sunlit splendours, could not fulfill -the bidding of the Lady of the Lotus Bloom. He also fell a prey to her -imperious command. Others there were who tried to steal from the diamond -its heart of fire, or winged their way to the great mountain, or sped to -the depths of the valley in their search for the great gift. - -But all their efforts to bring the treasure of fire were in vain. The -sun in roseate splendour shone on the bodies of the insect lovers who -had given up their lives in their devotion to the Princess. - -Now tidings came to Hi-maro, the Prince of the Fire-Flies, on the north -side of the castle moat, that Princess Hotaru was exceedingly beautiful, -whereupon he fled swiftly to her home among the lotus flowers, to ask of -her father his daughter in marriage. The father agreed to the Prince's -request with the condition that the Prince should come in person -bringing the Princess the gift of fire. - -Even as a flood of light the Prince at the head of his host of -fire-flies came and filled the lotus palace with a blaze of glory. - -But Hotaru herself was so beautiful that her charms were not dimmed. - -One look passed between the youth and the maiden and the visit ended in -the Prince's wooing and winning the Princess. He took her to his palace -on the north side of the castle moat and there they lived happily for -many years. - -Many, many years have passed since Hi-maro won the Princess and still it -is the fancy of all Fire-Fly Princesses to send their suitors in search -of fire as a love-offering. It is for this reason that we see many -thousand insects hovering around the evening lights in the vain hope of -securing a flash of fire that shall win them their prize. (Adapted.) - - - - - JULY - - - When the scarlet cardinal tells - Her dreams to the dragon-fly - And the lazy breeze makes a nest in the trees - And murmurs a lullaby, - It is July. - - SUSAN HARTLEY SWETT. - - - - - CUFF AND THE WOODCHUCK - - JOHN BURROUGHS - - -I knew a farmer in New York who had a very large bob-tailed churn dog by -the name of Cuff. The farmer kept a large dairy and made a great deal of -butter, and it was the business of Cuff to spend nearly half of each -summer day treading the endless round of the churning machine. During -the remainder of the day he had plenty of time to sleep and rest, and -sit on his hips and survey the landscape. - -One day, sitting thus, he discovered a woodchuck about forty rods from -the house, on a steep hillside, feeding about near his hole, which was -beneath a large rock. The old dog, forgetting his stiffness, and -remembering the fun he had had with woodchucks in his earlier days, -started off at his highest speed, vainly hoping to catch this one before -he could get to his hole. But the woodchuck, seeing the dog come -labouring up the hill, sprang to the mouth of his den, and, when his -pursuer was only a few yards off, whistled tauntingly and went in. This -occurred several times, the old dog marching up the hill, and then -marching down again, having had his labour for his pains. - -I suspect that he revolved the subject in his mind while revolving the -great wheel of the churning machine, and that some turn or other brought -him a happy thought, for next time he showed himself a strategist. -Instead of giving chase to the woodchuck, when first discovered, he -crouched down to the ground, and, resting his head on his paws, watched -him. The woodchuck kept working away from his hole, lured by the tender -clover, but, not unmindful of his safety, lifted himself up on his -haunches every few moments and surveyed the approaches. - -Presently, after the woodchuck had let himself down from one of these -attitudes of observation and resumed his feeding, Cuff started swiftly -but stealthily up the hill, precisely in the attitude of a cat when she -is stalking a bird. When the woodchuck rose up again, Cuff was perfectly -motionless and half hid by the grass. When he again resumed his clover, -Cuff sped up the hill as before, this time crossing a fence, but in a -low place, and so nimbly that he was not discovered. Again the woodchuck -was on the lookout; again Cuff was motionless and hugging the ground. - -As the dog neared his victim, he was partially hidden by a swell in the -earth, but still the woodchuck from his lookout reported "All right," -when Cuff, having not twice as far to run as the chuck, threw all -stealthiness aside and rushed directly for the hole. At that moment the -woodchuck discovered his danger and, seeing that it was a race for life, -leaped as I never saw marmot leap before. But he was two seconds too -late, his retreat was cut off, and the powerful jaws of the old dog -closed upon him. - -The next season Cuff tried the same tactics again with like success, but -when the third woodchuck had taken up his abode at the fatal hole, the -old churner's wits and strength had begun to fail him, and he was -baffled in each attempt to capture the animal. - - - - - WHY THE LADY-BUG IS SAID TO BE - BELOVED OF GOD - - Translated from the French by M. L. COOK - - -A long time ago, in France, the great lords had full power over the -people. They had power to make them work and fight, and they judged them -and punished them when they did wrong. - -Now there was a lord in these times, who had a dearly beloved younger -brother; and this brother was found dead one morning, lying near a -hedge, from behind which the murderer must have sprung to strike him -down. - -The lord ordered the murderer to be taken, if possible, and vowed that -if he was found he should suffer a punishment for his crime. - -The very evening after his brother's death, when the lord was praying in -his room, there entered his steward, Crondas, who said to him: - -"My lord, I have discovered your brother's murderer, and have had him -brought here that he may appear before you." - -"Let him be brought to me," said the lord, "and if you see in me any -signs of mercy, remind me of the crime he has committed, that I may -punish him as he deserves." - -Crondas made a sign to the servants; and they brought in a peasant with -a white, shocked face, who fell on his knees before his master, -exclaiming: - -"Have mercy upon me, my lord! I swear to you I have committed no crime!" - -When the lord demanded of Crondas the proofs of the man's guilt, Crondas -showed him a purse, saying: - -"My lord, if you are inclined to believe what this man says, I only beg -you to ask the scoundrel how he happened to have in his house this -purse, which belonged to your dead brother." - -"I recognize it," said the lord, with deep feeling. - -"And this, my lord, do you also recognize it?" said Crondas, showing him -a gold ring. - -"Yes," said the lord again; "it is the ring my brother always wore on -the ring finger of his left hand." - -"My lord," went on Crondas, "I found these things myself, in a -hiding-place in this man's house. Now, does he dare say, on his knees, -that he is innocent of the dreadful crime with which he is charged?" - -Not being able to explain the presence of the things in his house, the -poor peasant was judged to be guilty, and condemned to be killed on the -very spot where his victim's body had been found. While he lay in -prison, waiting for his execution, all the peasants round about visited -the lord and begged him not to punish the man. They all said of him—what -we say when we wish to credit anyone with unusual kindness and -gentleness: - -"We have known him long, my lord, and we know he would not even crush an -insect in his path." - -But Crondas, who never left the lord, said to each one: - -"Bah! that is no reason why he should not kill a man; and if he is not -punished, many others will be encouraged to be murderers. Let him suffer -for his misdeeds." - -And to every effort the peasants made to put off the day of punishment, -Crondas replied: - -"Ah, my lord, these people know how merciful you are. They think that, -the first anguish of your grief once past, you will pardon the -murderer." - -At this the lord never failed to cry: - -"No, no, never! He shall be punished." - -So the lord, urged by Crondas, ordered the men to prepare to execute the -peasant, adding that he wished to be present, that he might see perish -the wretch who had killed his brother. - -Crondas was very active in the preparations, bringing faggots to help -build the fire, and arranging with his own hands a sort of throne made -of branches for his lord. Then he went to tell him all was ready, and -the lord came, followed by a crowd of people, who wept and lamented over -the peasant's unjust death. - -Crondas then said to the servants: - -"Tie him, and set fire to the pile." - -Meantime the lord was watching the proceedings with deep attention and -saying nothing; but his eyes went from the peasant to Crondas and from -Crondas back to the peasant, then to the servants who stood by the -faggots ready to light the fire. - -And as the servants were slow in obeying, Crondas cried to them: - -"Come, come, hurry up! Our lord is waiting." - -He was in haste to see the death of the peasant; but the poor man said -to those who were about to tie him: - -"Oh, let me make a last prayer, I beg of you!" - -And, though Crondas begged the lord not to grant this request, the lord -extended his hand to command the servants to grant to the peasant that -which he had asked; and, as he did so, he saw Crondas make a sign of -impatience. - -The peasant, dropping his sad, haggard eyes, was about to kneel on a -stone not far from where his lord was sitting; but, seeing on the stone -a little lady-bug just at the place where his knee was at rest, he put -it to one side gently, with his hand, so as not to crush it. Then, -kneeling down, he began to pray. - -As the lord watched him, he noticed that the little creature, whose life -he had just spared, suddenly opened its bright wings and, taking flight, -lighted on Crondas's left hand. Crondas, for no reason except that he -was perhaps annoyed at having to wait so long for the execution, put a -finger of his right hand on the insect, and almost crushed it. When he -lifted it, a pair of broken red wings faintly quivered. - -At this moment the peasant, having finished his prayer, rose from the -stone. The lord, descending from his throne, cried suddenly: - -"Let that man go! Do not kill him; he is not my brother's murderer. That -is impossible!" - -While speaking thus, the lord kept his eyes fixed on the face of -Crondas, which suddenly grew white with fear. However, Crondas -approached his master, saying: - -"But the proofs, my lord? The proofs are there. If you do not find them -sufficient to convict this man, whom can you accuse of the murder?" - -Then the lord, taking Crondas's hand, cried loudly: - -"Whom can I accuse? Perhaps you, Crondas, for there is blood upon your -hand. At the very moment when you pretended to be full of horror for the -crime of murder, you killed for mere pleasure this poor little creature, -which had lighted unsuspectingly upon your hand, but which the peasant, -unjustly condemned, had spared, when his own death stared him in the -face." - -Then, seizing Crondas, and looking sternly and fixedly at the cowering -fellow, the lord thundered: - -"Now, confess your sin!" - -Crondas grew more ghastly than before and, trying to control his voice, -faltered out: - -"I confess. Have mercy, my lord! I killed your brother because he -threatened to tell you of my dishonesty toward you. I took his purse and -ring, and hid them in this man's house, to make you think it was he who -had sinned. I am the guilty one. Do with me as you will. Punish me in -his place." - -The lord did as Crondas had said, and the murderer suffered for his sin -instead of the peasant, who was made steward in Crondas's place. No one -pleaded for the guilty man's life, for he had been hard and cruel, and -no man was his friend. - -Now all the people of the country felt the good God himself had sent the -little red lady-bug that it might teach the lord to administer justice. -Since then everyone who sees such an insect takes care not to hurt it, -and says: - -"That is the insect beloved of God. Perhaps it is on its way now to help -someone. I would not harm it, for my hand would be stained with blood." - -And the story has been handed down from peasant to peasant, and is known -throughout the whole of France. - -And that is why the lady-bug is called in France "La petite bete au bon -Dieu," which means "the little insect beloved of God"; and that is why -everyone has reverence for it and loves it, and would not take its life. - - - - - SUMMER SPINNERS - - - An angular spider weaves - Great webs between the trees, - Webs that are witches' sieves. - And honey- and bumble-bees - Go droning among the leaves - Like the fairies' oboës. - - MADISON CAWEIN. - - - - - THE STORY OF ARACHNE - - (GREEK MYTH) - - -Once upon a time there lived a beautiful Grecian maiden named Arachne, -who could card and spin, weave and embroider with marvelous skill. She -became so proud of her art that she boasted no one in the whole land -could equal her. - -So great was her fame that many traveled from afar to see the beautiful -garments which she made. Whenever she sat at her loom a group of people -stood near so that they might see her work in the making. Indeed, it is -said, that even the nymphs left their haunts among streams and groves to -behold the grace and ease with which this maiden worked. - -One day a group of people stood watching Arachne at her loom. Their -admiration knew no bounds. They looked at each other in astonishment. - -"See how deftly she rolls the wool into soft fleecy balls," said one. - -"And with what delicate grace she cards it," said another. "It is as -light and fine as the mists of the morning. She is wonderful, indeed." - -"Surely the maiden has more than human skill," added the first speaker. -"I believe Minerva, the goddess of spinning and weaving, taught her how -to throw that swift shuttle." - -When Arachne heard these last words she stopped her work, tossed her -head, and said haughtily, "I did not learn my art from Minerva, but I'm -quite sure I can equal the goddess in skill." - -"Hush!" cried one of the bystanders. "Those are rash words, indeed. No -mortal can compare with the gods." - -But Arachne's pride knew no bounds. She tossed her head again and said, -"I'm willing at any time to match my skill with Minerva's. If she can -prove herself to be my superior I'll bear any punishment she may name." - -The people were very much frightened to hear the maiden boast in this -manner. They slipped away to their homes in fear and dread. - -A few days after this conversation happened Arachne was seated at her -loom. As usual many who were interested stood watching her. Suddenly -there appeared before her an aged woman leaning on a staff, who said, -"Lo, I've come to give you advice which I have learned through the -years. Beware of pride and boastfulness. True knowledge teaches -humility. Seek for fame among mortals if you like, but never try to -match your skill with Minerva's. Your proud boasting has offended the -goddess. Ask humbly for her forgiveness and I believe she will pardon -your rash words." - -Arachne laughed scornfully and said, "Old woman, begone! I care not for -your advice. If Minerva's skill is greater than mine let the goddess -prove it by fair trial. Why does she not come herself to see me?" - -Then a marvelous thing happened. In a twinkling the bent figure of the -old woman changed to the shining form of the goddess Minerva. The nymphs -who stood near bowed reverently and the people drew back in breathless -awe. - -"A contest in weaving shall begin at once," declared the goddess. - -Arachne's face flushed and then grew pale but she was not daunted. In -her foolish pride she felt sure of victory. - -Minerva now commanded that two looms be set up. In a few moments this -was done; then each took her place and made ready by tying the web to -the beam. - -Now began the famous contest. With rare grace and ease the goddess and -the maiden threw their swift shuttles. Silently the skilled weavers -worked until each web was finished. Then Arachne glanced at her rival's -marvelous web. The maiden never had dreamed of a vision so beautiful. -Her heart sank, for, in a moment, she knew how foolish she had been to -match her skill with Minerva's. Poor Arachne could not bear the great -blow to her pride. In her grief she hung her head. But quickly Minerva -sprinkled the maiden's body with magic juices and said, "Boastful -Arachne, thou art now changed into a spider. Thou and thy descendants -shall spin through the ages to come." - -And there hanging to a slender thread was the first spider. - - - - - HOW THE SPIDER MAKES ITS WEB[2] - - C. WILLIAM BEEBE - - -Nature has provided spiders with an organ filled always with liquid -which, on being exposed to the air, hardens, and can be drawn out into -the slender threads we know as cobwebs. The silk-worm encases its body -with a mile or more of gleaming silk, but there its usefulness is ended -as far as the silkworm is concerned. But spiders have found a hundred -uses for their cordage, some of which are startlingly similar to human -inventions. - -Those spiders which burrow in the earth hang their tunnels with silken -tapestries impervious to wet, which, at the same time, act as lining to -the tube. Then the entrance may be a trap-door of soil and silk, hinged -with strong silken threads; or in the turret spiders, which are found in -our fields, there is reared a tiny tower of leaves or twigs bound -together with silk. Who of us has not teased the inmate by pushing a -bent straw into his stronghold and awaiting his furious onslaught upon -the innocent stalk! - -Footnote 2: - - From Beebe's _The Log of the Sun_, by permission of Henry Holt - Company. - -A list of all the uses of cobwebs would take more space than we can -spare; but of these the most familiar is the snare set for unwary -flies,—the wonderfully ingenious webs which sparkle with dew among the -grasses or stretch from bush to bush. The framework is of strong webbing -and upon this is closely woven the sticky spiral which is so elastic, so -ethereal, and yet strong enough to entangle a good-sized insect. How -knowing seems the little worker, as when, the web and his dew of -concealment being completed, he spins a strong cable from the center of -the web to the entrance of his watch-tower. Then, when a trembling of -his aerial spans warn him of a capture, how eagerly he seizes his master -cable and jerks away in it, thus vibrating the whole structure and -making more certain the confusion of his victim. - -What is more interesting than to see a great yellow garden-spider, -hanging head downwards in the center of his web, when we approach too -closely, instead of deserting his snare, set it vibrating back and forth -so rapidly that he becomes a mere blur; a more certain method of -escaping the onslaught of a bird than if he ran to the shelter of a -leaf. - -Those spiders which leap upon their prey instead of setting snares for -it have still a use for their thready life, throwing out a cable as they -leap, to break their fall if they miss their foothold. What a strange -use of the cobweb is that of the little flying spiders! Up they run to -the top of a post, elevate their abdomens and run out several threads -which lengthen and lengthen until the breeze catches them and away go -the wingless aeronauts for yards or for miles as fortune and wind and -weather may dictate! We wonder if they can cut loose or pull in their -balloon cables at will. - -Many species of spiders spin a case for holding their eggs, and some -carry this about with them until the young are hatched. - -A most fascinating tale would unfold could we discover all the uses of -cobweb when the spiders themselves are through with it. Certain it is -that our ruby-throated humming bird robs many webs to fasten together -the plant down, wood pulp, and lichens which compose her dainty nest. - -Search the pond and you will find another member of the spider family -swimming about at ease beneath the surface, thoroughly aquatic in -habits, but breathing a bubble of air which he carries about with him. -When his supply is low he swims to a submarine castle of silk, so -air-tight that he can keep it filled with a large bubble of air, upon -which he draws from time to time. - -And so we might go on enumerating almost endless uses for the web which -is Nature's gifts to these little waifs, who ages ago left the sea and -have won a place for themselves in the sunshine among the butterflies -and flowers. - - - - - THE FAIRY SPINNER - - (SOUTHERN TALE) - - -Many years ago there lived at a swamp's edge a tiny fairy who occupied -her time in spinning, and made the most beautiful and delicate fabrics -imaginable. - -Her wheel whirled so fast that it was nothing but a blur such as a fly's -wings make when he is tangled in a flower, and her spindle was the sting -of a bumble-bee—her uncle—who had left it to her, for any good use in -amends for a life so grouchy that none of the other creatures would have -anything to do with him. - -Still, one inhabitant of the swamp was worse than the bee, and the fairy -was mightily disturbed when she discovered that he had taken up his -abode in the very next bush. He was an enormous spider, big as a bird -and hideously gorgeous with red, blue, and yellow. He took some pride in -himself as a spinner, but when he saw the shining tissue that the fairy -was weaving he realized that his own art was cheap and poor in -comparison and he was jealous and determined to destroy her. She caught -up her wheel and spindle and ran with the spider in pursuit. She asked -the mouse for shelter, but he was afraid, and shut the door. She begged -the toad to protect her, but he only ran out his tongue. Finally a -fire-fly came along, with his lantern lit. He saw the fairy; he saw the -spider, and, calling to the fairy to follow, he flew with her across the -field, lighting the way, for it was now night. They soon reached a bush -which bore a handsome pink blossom. - -"Jump into the flower," commanded the fire-fly. Still clutching her -wheel, the fairy put her last strength into a spring and alighted in the -heart of the blossom. The spider was close upon her, but as he put his -ugly claw on the lower petal to draw himself up after her, she gave him -such a stab in the leg with her spindle that he lost his hold and fell -to the ground. In another second the flower closed over the fairy, -gathering its petals so tightly that the spider could not get in. He -wove his web about it, believing that he would catch her when she -ventured out in the morning. But when morning came she did not appear. -The spider kept watch, but finally the petals dropped to the earth and -when he saw no fairy he knew it was all up, so he bit his own body and -died. But the fairy was not dead. She remained snuggled in the little -ball that the plant put out behind the blossom and in a few days the -ball opened and all the beautiful fabric she had been spinning while in -hiding poured out in a tassel of snowy white. And men wove the threads -to make garments for themselves, and they bless the fairy of the cotton -plant and are glad when she escapes the weevil as well as the spider. - - - - - MOTHER SPIDER - - FRANCES GILLESPY WICKES - - -It was a beautiful day in midsummer. The meadow was alive with busy -little people astir in the bright sunlight. A long line of ants came -crawling down the path carrying provisions to their home under the elm -tree; and an old toad came hopping down through the grass, blinking in -the warm sun. Just a little higher up the bees were droning drowsily as -they flew from flower to flower; and above them all, seeming almost in -the blue sky, a robin was calling to his mate. - -Pretty soon Mrs. Spider came down the path. She seemed to be in a great -hurry. She looked neither to the right nor to the left, but kept -straight ahead, holding tightly to a little white bag which she carried -in her mouth. She was just rushing past Mr. Toad when a big black beetle -came humping by, stumbled against Mrs. Spider, and knocked the bag out -of her mouth. - -In an instant Mrs. Spider pounced down upon him, and, though he was so -much bigger than she, he tumbled over on his back. While he was trying -to kick himself right side up once more, Mrs. Spider made a quick little -dash, took up her bag, and scuttled off through the grass. - -"Well, I never," said Grasshopper Green, who was playing see-saw on a -blade of grass. - -"No, nor I," grumbled Mr. Beetle, as he wriggled back to his feet. "I -didn't want her bag. She needn't have made such a fuss." - -"She must have had something very fine in that bag," said Grasshopper -Green, "for she was so frightened when she dropped it. I wonder what it -was"—and he balanced himself on his grass blade until a stray breeze -blew him off, and then he straightway forgot about Mrs. Spider -altogether. - -Two weeks after this Grasshopper Green started out for a little exercise -after breakfast. Just as he reached the edge of the brook he saw Mrs. -Spider coming toward him. She was moving quite slowly, and no longer -carried the little white bag. As she came nearer, he could see that she -had something on her back. - -"Good morning, neighbor," called Grasshopper Green. "May I help you -carry your things?" "Thank you," she said, "but they wouldn't stay with -you, even if they could stay on when you give such great jumps." - -"They!" cried Grasshopper Green. And then, as he came nearer, he saw -that the things on Mrs. Spider's back were wee little baby spiders. - -"Aren't they pretty children?" she asked proudly. "I was so afraid that -something would happen to my eggs that I never let go of the bag once, -except when that stupid Mr. Beetle knocked it out of my mouth." - -"Oh, ho," said Grasshopper Green, "so that was what frightened you so! -Your bag was full of eggs! And, now, you are going to carry all these -children on your back? Doesn't it tire you dreadfully?" - -"I don't mind that a bit," said Mrs. Spider, "if only the children are -well and safe. In a little while, you know, they will be able to run -about by themselves, and then we shall be so happy here in the meadow -grass. Oh, it's well worth the trouble, neighbor Grasshopper." - -"Yes," said Grasshopper Green, "I have a dozen wee boys of my own at -home; and that reminds me that it is time to go home to breakfast! -Good-bye, neighbor. I hope the children will soon be running about with -you. You certainly are taking good care of them. Good-bye." - -Then home he went; and the proud, happy mother Spider kept on her way to -hunt for a breakfast for the babies she loved so well. - - - - - IN BROOKS AND PONDS - - - - - THE BROOK - - - I chatter over stony ways - In little sharps and trebles, - I bubble into eddying bays, - I babble on the pebbles. - - I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance, - Among the skimming swallows; - I make the netted sunbeams dance - Against my sandy shallows. - -ALFRED TENNYSON. - - - - - LEGEND OF THE WATER-LILY - - -One night, long, long ago when the Moon of Flowers shone softly on the -prairie a group of Indian youths sitting in a circle on the grass were -talking about the stars. One of the braves, a young chieftain, gazed -intently toward the south. On a wooded hill back of his wigwam twinkled -a star which was the brightest he had ever seen. - -"Surely the star has a message for the Red Men. Who can read it?" the -watchers asked each other. - -Each night during the beautiful Moon of Flowers the star grew more and -more radiant until its glorious light filled the southern sky, but not -one of the Indian youths had been able to explain the meaning of the -light. - -One night after the Moon of Flowers had given her place in Sky Land to -the Hot Moon the chief dreamed that a beautiful maiden stood by his side -and said, "Young brave, how beautiful your world is when the Summer -Queen reigns. Great stretches of prairie glisten with dandelions and red -lilies; butterflies flit about in the sunlight; gentle breezes touch the -forest leaves and they sing soft answers to the rapture of the birds; -little children shout for joy in merry laughter. I long to live among -you. Ask your wise men how I may become a part of this beauty, and how I -may add to the children's happiness." - -Then the young chief awakened. He sprang to his feet, called his braves -together in the council-lodge and told them his dream. - -"It's the message of the radiant star," they said. "Let us smoke the -pipe of peace as a sign of our welcome." - -Accordingly a band of young braves led by the chieftain climbed the -wooded hill and smoked a pipe of peace filled with sweet-scented herbs. -Then they stretched forth their hands towards the star and bade welcome -to her. At the close of their ceremonies the light grew more luminous -than ever before and the braves knew their welcome was understood. They -walked back to the village and the star followed them all the way, and -shone over their wigwams until daybreak. - -At night the chief dreamed that the beautiful maiden stood again by his -side. "I'm coming to dwell among your people," she said. "I'm wondering -what form I shall take in order to add to the children's joy." - -"They love to hear the birds sing," said the chief. - -But the maiden shook her head. "I shall not live in the tree-tops," she -answered. - -"Choose your own way to live, Star-Maiden," said the chief. - -"I shall live among you as a flower," she said. "Surely the children's -hearts are gladdened by the blossoms of the earth." - -"They are, indeed," declared the chief. "The mountain-rose is wondrously -beautiful." - -"Oh, but it is too far away from the children," sighed the maiden. - -"The prairie dandelion makes our little ones clap their hands in glee," -suggested the chief. - -The maiden thought awhile; then she said, "The buffalo's hoof often -crushes the prairie dandelion." - -The chief was sorely puzzled. Finally he said, "You would be safe from -harm if you should choose the rocky cliffs for your blooming place." - -But the maiden said, "The children seldom climb the cliffs. I must live -where the children can see me." - -Suddenly her face brightened and she said, "I know! I know! I'll live in -the clear streamlet and bloom on its surface. I shall feel soft breezes -blow and hear the birds sing. In the branches which bend over me the -warblers will build their nests. The children will play on the banks, -and they will touch me with their little hands as they glide safely -along in their canoes. Look for me in the streamlet." - -Then the young brave awakened. He sprang up and walked to a clear stream -which flowed near the Indian village. On the waters floated beautiful -white blossoms with delicate waxen leaves. Hundreds of lovely -water-lilies were waiting there to surprise the Indian children and -bring added joy into their lives. - - - - - THE TALE OF TWO TAILS - MARY H. WILSON - - - "Taddypole and Pollywog - Lived together in a bog; - Here you see the very pool - Where they went to summer school. - - "By and by—'tis true, though strange, - O'er them came a wondrous change; - Here you see them on a log, - Each a most decided Frog." - - MOTHER'S PORTFOLIO. - -The little pond behind the machine-shop was full of tadpoles—wee -fellows—all head and tail. Jolliest of these were Taddypole and -Pollywog, two little cousins, who spent their time in countless swimming -matches or games of hide-and-seek among the stones which bordered the -pond. - -Barefooted boys and girls peeped over the edge of the water to watch the -tadpoles darting hither and thither; then, with merry shouts, returned -to their own play. - -Taddy's and Pollie's round eyes watched them curiously. Sometimes when -the landbabies waded in the shallow water these tiny water-babies played -fearlessly around their feet, nibbling their toes or playing leapfrog -over them. - -So they passed merry days and when the twilight came, Taddy and Pollie -were ready to listen to the band concert. This, unfortunately, was given -on land, so the little tadpoles could not be present, but from the water -they could catch glimpses of Father Frog booming away on his big bass -drum, and hear the sweet chirping chorus of the tiny frog violinists in -the marsh near by. - -"Oh, Pollie," cried Tadpole, "if we could only go to the concert! Why, -I'd be willing to give up hide-and-seek for a week just to get a little -nearer to the music." - -"I know," said Pollywog gloomily. "I want to go myself, the very worst -kind of way. There's no use wishing, though, for we have no clothes that -would be suitable. Only green silk dress suits with polka dots are worn -this year. Besides, we can't stand it out of the water. It's too warm or -something, I don't know just what, but I always feel half smothered if I -try." - -"Besides," reflected Taddy, "we haven't been invited. Only musicians are -asked, and we can't sing, you know." - -Splash! Ker-Chunk! Father Frog hopped into the water, then out again on -a broad stone, where he began thundering a bass solo: - - "Come along, come along, - Come along!" - -"Oh, how I wish we could!" cried the little tadpoles, feeling that this -was a personal invitation. They swam as close as possible to the stone, -and gazed admiringly at the great singer. - -"Could what?" grumbled Father Frog. - -"Wish we could go to the concert." - -"Ker-chug!" answered Father Frog. - -It sounded very much like a hoarse chuckle. "Why don't you go?" - -"No invitation." - -"No dress suit." - -"Can't breathe out of the water." - -The tadpoles' voices were very mournful as they gave their reasons. - -"I invite you," said Father Frog, "to the July concert three weeks from -to-day. Your dress suits will be ready, and as far as breathing is -concerned it's all practice. Would you believe it?" he said in a hoarse -whisper, "I couldn't stay out of the water very well myself at one time, -but I practised breathing every day, until now it is the easiest thing -in the world. But speaking of practice making perfect reminds me I must -rehearse my song for the concert. - - "Come along, come along, - Come along!" - -"Let's go down in the sand," whispered Pollie. "I can always think -better down there; and, really, this is all so surprising I must think -it over. Oh, Taddy, do you think we could truly go to the concert?" - -Taddy swished his tail and dived down without answering, feeling this to -be too much of a problem for a tadpole to decide. - -"It's very strange," said Taddy a few days later; "it certainly seems as -if we were getting legs—what use have tadpoles for them? We only need -our strong tails for swimming." - -"Taddy," cried Pollie, "there's something still stranger. Our tails are -shrinking. If they don't stop they will disappear, and then what could -we do?" - -"Grr-nm, grr-nm!" sounded Father Frog's hoarse voice. "Getting ready for -the concert, I see! Well, when you lose those ridiculous tails you will -look much better." - -"Lose them!" exclaimed the tadpoles; "and what do you think we could do -without them?" But Father Frog had disappeared, leaving only the echo of -his "Come along." - -"I feel as if something strange were about to happen," said Pollie. "I'm -tired of tag and hide-and-seek; let's think of some new game." - -"We might practice breathing, as Father Frog advised," suggested Taddy; -"let's go to the top of the water and see who can keep his head out the -longer." - -This new game interested the tadpoles very much, and in a week's time -they began really to enjoy the air. - -"I can stay out a long while now," announced Taddy triumphantly, "and -since my front legs appeared I can jump quite high." - -"Our tails are quite gone," said Pollie, "and I don't know but that it -is an improvement. I think I like legs better than tails, and hopping is -much more fun than swimming. Some day I mean to hop up on that wet stone -where Father Frog sits so often. Wouldn't he be surprised to see me -there?" - -"What fun!" exclaimed Taddy. "Try it now. There, you did it! Oh, Pollie, -how fine you look! Do you like it up there? I'm coming, too, Pollie. -Hurrah!" - -"Ho, ho!" chuckled Father Frog from the land. "Are you ready for the -concert, little frogs?" - -Taddy and Pollie looked at each other in astonishment. - -"Are we frogs?" they cried. - -"Why, yes." - -"Oh, Taddy, and you have your green suit!" - -"So have you, Pollie." - -"Why, I shouldn't be surprised at anything now, not even if we could -sing. Let's try," and both little frogs lifted up their voices and sang. - -"Che-weep, che-weep, che-weep." - -They looked so droll, and sang with such a funny chirp, that Father Frog -fell off the bank splash into the water with laughter. - -Taddy and Pollie didn't mind this in the least, for they were sure that -Che-weep was the most beautiful song in the world. - -And this is the way Taddypole and Pollywog lost their tails, and gained -their voices in time for the July concert. - - - - - ORIGIN OF BULLFROGS - - -Once upon a time in a mountain valley there was a group of Indian lodges -where the people dwelt very happily. It was an excellent place for a -village. In the thick forests which covered the mountain slopes there -was abundance of game, and through the valley flowed a sparkling clear -brook fed by a full torrent and many slender rills which leaped down the -wild mountain sides. So pure and delicious was the water from this -stream that the Indians felt sure it was a gift to them from the Great -Spirit. - -Each day it was the custom for the Indian maidens to take their kettles -to the brook and fill them with water. They were much surprised one -summer morning to note that the stream was not so deep as usual. - -"Is it because we have had little rain lately?" they asked each other. - -They reported what they had noticed to the villagers who said, "Our -brook will not fail us. The weather has been very dry of late; but soon -we shall have plenty of rain which will swell the waters of our precious -stream." - -But, strange to say, the rain did not deepen the brook and when the -Indians saw that the water was becoming shallower each day they were -very much alarmed. One morning they found that the brook and the waters -which fed it had entirely disappeared. With sad hearts they gazed at the -bed of shining pebbles which marked the course of their beloved stream. - -"Is the Great Spirit angry with us?" they whispered. "What have we done -to make him take away our life-giving water?" - -The chief called the men to the council lodge in order to determine the -best thing to do. - -Now it happened that the people of the happy village had often heard -rumors of another group of Indians who lived higher up on the mountain. -After much deliberation a wise man rose in the council lodge and said, -"Let us send one of our fleet-footed braves on a journey to discover -this village which we have heard about but whose people we know not. -Perhaps they can tell him what has stopped the flow of waters. Let the -runner follow the bed of the mountain stream which leaped most willingly -to our precious brook." - -Accordingly a swift runner was chosen to search for the other Indian -village. He was advised to follow a trail which led to the source of the -brook. It was a hazardous journey up the slippery path of the mountain -slope which was covered with dense thickets of tangled underbrush and -forest trees. - -For three days the young brave pursued his task of climbing the -mountain. At last he came to a small stretch of level plain and there he -saw a group of wigwams. Back of the village the runner could see a clear -stream of water whose course further down the mountain had been stopped -by a large dam which checked the water and turned it into a great pond. -Several Indians came out of their wigwams and gazed coldly at the -stranger. Not a word of welcome did they give. - -"Why have you done this mischief?" asked the runner, pointing to the -dam. "Know you not that this stopping of the mountain brook has cut off -the supply of water to us who live in the valley below?" - -"The dam was built by the order of our chief," replied one of the men. - -"Lead me to him that I may tell him the misery he has caused my people. -Surely he will be merciful," said the runner. - -But no one offered to lead the way. In a little while one of them -pointed to the pond and said, "The chief lives there." - -The runner went quickly to the edge of the pond and there, lying in the -mud, he saw a monster whose bloated body of giant size was half hidden. -His great yellow eyes bulged out like knots on a tree-trunk; his mouth -reached almost from ear to ear. At the approach of the Indian this -creature aroused himself and stretched out his great broad skinny feet. - -In a hoarse frog-like voice the monster chief croaked, "What do you -want? What do you want?" - -"I came to see why the brook which brought our village water has dried -up. It is because you have built a dam to stop its course," said the -runner. - -"What do I care?" lazily replied the chief. "What do I care?" - -"We cannot live without the water from our brook," pleaded the Indian. - -"What do I care?" again croaked the monster. "If you want water go -somewhere else! Go somewhere else!" - -"My people are dying from thirst! No one may rightfully keep for his own -use the water from a mountain stream. The Great Spirit sent the brook to -our village!" said the runner earnestly. - -The monster rolled his great yellow eyes for several minutes. Then he -said, "Shoot a hole in the wall of the dam with one of your arrows. Your -people may have as much water as will flow through the arrow hole." - -Very swiftly the runner sped an arrow. It pierced the wall and a slender -stream of water trickled through the opening. - -"Begone!" croaked the monster when he saw the water flowing. "Begone! -Begone!" - -Feeling encouraged at the hope that enough water would flow to supply -the needs of his people the runner hastened back to the village. When he -told what had happened there was great rejoicing, especially when the -Indians saw a slender stream of water flowing into the brook's dry bed. -But, alas! The water did not continue to flow. In a few weeks the people -were again suffering from thirst. A council of all the men in the -village was held and earnestly they implored the Great Spirit to help -them. - -After much deliberation it was decided that the bravest man among them -should go to the Frog Chief, and challenge him to do battle for the -mountain water. "Let us hope that our warrior will stay this monster -whose selfishness is bringing destruction to us," said one of the -leaders. - -Many of the young men offered to go, each declaring his willingness to -do battle, even at the greatest risk, with the monster chief. While -several braves were clamoring for this great privilege of fighting for -the good of the village, there appeared in the doorway of the council -lodge a warrior who was marvelous to see. His flashing eyes were -encircled with green rings; his cheeks were as red as blood. Great clam -shells hung from his ears, and tall eagle plumes nodded on his head. It -was Glooscap, the spirit who brought great blessings to the Indians and -who sometimes took human shape in order to help them. - -The silence of the council was broken by this mighty warrior who said, -"I will undertake to do battle with the monster who has stopped the flow -of water to your brook. He shall account to me for this wicked deed." - -Then swiftly he departed and followed the mountain trail to the upper -village. - -In a short time he reached the place and sat down near the group of -wigwams to rest. The people saw him, but they offered him neither food -nor drink. - -"Fetch me water to quench my thirst," said Glooscap to a small boy who -came near. - -After a long while the lad returned with a drinking vessel half filled -with muddy water. Glooscap took the cup, emptied the contents on the -grass and said, "I want clean water from the mountain brook." - -"I cannot give it to you," said the lad. "Our chief drinks all the clean -water." - -"Then lead me to your chief," said Glooscap. "He shall give me pure -water." - -Quaking with fear, the Indian boy led Glooscap to the pond where the -monster chief lay sunning himself. - -"What do you want?" croaked the yellow-eyed creature. - -"I've come to you for a drink of pure water," said Glooscap. - -"Go somewhere else! Go somewhere else!" said the monster hoarsely. - -The mighty Glooscap now rushed forward with his spear, thrust it through -the chief's great body, and lo! a stream of water rushed forth with such -force that it broke the dam and flowed down the mountain in a clear, -sparkling torrent. The monster chief had swallowed all the pure water of -the mountain streams. - -Then Glooscap rose to a giant's height, caught the monster in his -powerful hand and squeezed him with all his might. When he loosened his -grasp there in his hand was a great bullfrog with crumpled back, yellow, -bulging eyes, wide mouth, and broad, skinny feet. Glooscap flung the -creature back into the pond and ever since that day croaking bull-frogs -may be found in muddy streams. - - - - - WOODLAND WATERS - - - Through leaves of the nodding trees - Where blossoms sway in the breeze, - Pink bag-pipes make for the bees, - Whose slogan is droning and drawling, - Where columbine scatters its bells - And the wild bleeding-heart its shells - O'er mosses and rocks of the dells - The brook of the forest is calling. - - You can hear it under the hill - When the wind in the wood is still, - And, strokes of a fairy drill, - Sounds the bill of the yellow-hammer. - By the Solomon's seal it slips - Cohosh and the grass that drips - Like the sound of an Undine's lips - Is the sound of its falls that stammer. - - MADISON CAWEIN. - - - - - THE GRUBBIEST GRUB - - J. BEVAN - - -"There's no use trying," said the newest newt; "you'll never be anything -_but_ grubby." - -The newest newt lived at the bottom of the garden pond. He was a very -elegant newt. The orange spots on his waistcoat were the brightest to be -seen in all the garden. - -The grubbiest grub was not elegant. He was unquestionably the very -grubbiest thing in the garden pond. However, he had ambitions. - -"But there's no use trying," said the newest newt again. "I myself saw -you fall from a willow leaf not so long since, and had ideas about you. -I thought, perhaps, you might be some new kind of egg and hatch into a -royal turtle. But I watched you, and you didn't hatch—you grew just like -a tadpole. Only you didn't grow even into a frog." - -The grubbiest grub said nothing. His heart grew a little bitter as he -thought, "Not even into a frog." - -"But cheer up," said the newest newt, "there's mud enough at the bottom -of the garden spot for all of us. And it's not a bad place—aristocratic -turtles in the neighbourhood, and I live here." - -He was off with an extra swirl of his extra shiny tail. He was due at -the turtles' ball at sunset. He was always being invited somewhere -because of the orange on his waistcoat. - -The grubbiest grub was never invited anywhere, and he didn't look like -anything that anybody had ever seen, and didn't seem related to anybody. -And his heart rebelled. - -"Up above the pond there is light," he said. "I know that, and there is -some strange thing—tall, and coloured like—like——" He couldn't think -what. He had only pond grass and pond creatures to compare it to. -"Like——" A little fish swam slowly past him, and, as it turned, the long -light, sifting through the water from the sunset, caught colours on its -body. "Like that!" said the grubbiest grub. - -The fish was swaying slowly. Then it saw the grubbiest grub. "Good -evening," said the sparkling fish; "and isn't there a party?" - -"To be sure," answered the grubbiest grub, "but you see I'm not -invited." - -The sparkling fish looked again. "Why," she said, "I thought you -belonged to that set of newts and turtles, and the better class of pond -frogs. Anyway, why aren't you invited?" - -"I'm far too grubby," said the grubbiest grub; "didn't you know?" - -The little silver fish swam slowly around the grub. - -"I think you belong above," she said at last; "don't you ever want to go -up there?" - -"I have dreamed of a thing gleaming like—like——" - -"Rainbows," said the shining fish. - -"Rainbows," repeated the grubbiest grub, "and I have wanted so to find -one. But I never could tell anyone. The newt would have died laughing." - -"So you're afraid of being laughed at!" said the fish. "I think you _do_ -belong to the turtle set." And she swam away. - -Suddenly something seemed to sting and burn into the heart of the grubby -grub. The look the silver fish had given him was worse than the laughter -of any number of newts. "I _will_ go and find the thing I dreamed," he -said. - -The grubbiest grub started slowly up a mass of tangled roots and thence -on to a long, thin stem. The wave that rippled round the stem saw the -grub coming. "You don't belong here," he said. - -"Please," entreated the grub, and his poor grubby face looked so sad -that the wave paused a moment before he brushed him off. - -"Well—what do you want here?" asked the wave. "We can't have grubs -eating out our lily hearts, you know." - -The grub took a deep breath, and clung on tightly to the lily stem. He -was terribly afraid of being laughed at, but he thought of the silver -fish and the pain that was worse than any laughter. "I don't want to eat -your lily's heart," he said; "I'm only looking for a thing I—dreamed." - -Strange, the wave didn't laugh. He only looked more closely at the -grubby grub. "Oh, you're _that_ kind," he said. "Sure enough. Well, go -along. Take the first turning by the moss roots, and good luck to you." - -The grubbiest grub went on. He found moving upward easier as he grew -more used to it. At the place where the moss roots clung most closely to -the lily stem, he turned off, then along the moss roots to the edge of -the pond, and on up to a broad shaft of green pointing still higher. - -The grubbiest grub paused. He was very, very tired, and everything was -new and strange to him. He had never breathed the air before, nor seen -the stars. - -About him were many voices, and there were points of light and trails, -and flashes of gold, such as the silver fish had scattered in the water. -There was darkness, too, reaching beneath to clutch him. - -The grubbiest grub clung tightly to the shaft of green. "What am I doing -here? What am I doing here?" he asked himself, and his back ached and -his sides ached, and his heart was numb with aching. - -"Why, you are waiting for the morning," said a little voice beside him. -"Don't be frightened. I've seen your kind before. You came up from the -mud, and if you wait till daylight you'll have wings and fly away. The -children in the big house will clap their hands and say, "Look, look, -another dragon-fly! Your wings are like rainbows." - -"You can't be laughing at me," said the grubbiest grub; "your voice is -kind." - -"Why should I laugh?" said the little voice. "I am one of the -grass-blade spirits, and I love all things with wings." - -"But I have no wings," said the grubby grub, "and it seems darker." - -"No, no," said the grass-blade spirit. "It's only the moon gone for a -moment. But, oh!" she cried, as the moon flickered through on the broad -green shaft again, "your shell has broken open." - -And sure enough, there sat a pale wisp of a dragon-fly in the moonlight. -"But I have no wings," he cried in disappointment. "I cannot fly." - -"Only wait," said the grass-blade spirit, and he waited in eager, -trembling excitement. - -He waited while the stars turned round the heavens and the moon sank. - -Then his heart lifted up, and he felt his wings, and he flew. - -He flew, trembling, quivering, white but touched with iridescent colour, -on, on above the pointed shaft, on still in the dawn. - -The grass-blade spirit watched. "Yes! yes!" he cried from below; -"splendid—O beautiful spirit—but higher!" - -Higher he went, and then he sank exhausted. - -"You have found your dream," cried the grass-blade spirit, as the -dragon-fly felt the warmth about him. - -He opened his eyes. He saw blue and gold and yellow of sunlight flashing -in the dawn. About him was fragrance and rest and peace. - -"I love you," said the iris flower, where he had fallen; "and I have -waited for you—it is day." - -So the poor grub, with the funny, blinking eyes and the puffy face had -fallen on the petals of a great sweet iris flower. Of course, as you -know, every flower is the house of a fairy. And this house was a palace -of blue flowers veined in gold, and blue fringes and tassels in the -inmost inner room, where the wonderful fairy lived who was the flower -princess. - -The iris-flower princess rose from her couch of lavender and gold. It -was then that she said, "I have waited for you—it is day." - -And it was day, sparkling and gleaming on all the grass-blades. - -The grubbiest grub—who was a dragon-fly prince now, in green velvet and -a silken cloak, shimmering like wings behind him—and the flower princess -stood on the flower palace steps, and looked out across the -grass-blades. - -All the little grass-blade spirits cried, "All hail, Prince Dragon-Fly!" -and the flower princess—who would be queen now of all the winged folk as -well—called to the grass-blade spirit who had urged Prince Dragon-Fly to -find her. And as the little grass-blade fairy knelt there at her feet, -she proclaimed him "Knight of the Grass-Blades, Keeper of the Dewdrops, -and Lord High Admiral of the Garden Pond." - -The folk at the bottom of the garden pond, however, went on just the -same in spite of the New Dewdrop—High Lord, Grass-Blade Admiral. In -fact, they didn't even know that there was a new admiral, and they never -dreamed of the great coronation ceremony that was to make the poor -little despised grubby thing the king of the winged creatures. They just -thought about themselves as usual, and the success of the last ball, and -the aristocratic turtles, and the extra shiny mud floor where the newest -newt with the orange spots on his waistcoat had danced so beautifully -with Sir Fat-Frog's fattest daughter. - - - - - THE DRAGON-FLY - - - To-day I saw the dragon-fly - Come from the wells where he did lie; - An inner impulse rent the veil - Of his old husk! from head to tail - Came out clear plates of sapphire mail. - - He dried his wings: like gauze they grew; - Through crofts and pastures wet with dew - A living flash of light he flew. - - ALFRED TENNYSON. - - - - - ON THE WING - - Out of a tuft a little lark - Went higher up than I could mark, - His little throat was all one thirst - To sing until his heart should burst, - To sing aloft in golden light - His song from blue air out of sight. - - JOHN MASEFIELD. - - When birdies sing on every tree. - The distant huntsman winds his horn, - And the skylarks sing with me, - O what sweet company. - - WILLIAM BLAKE. - - - - - HOW WOODPECKER CHANGED HIS - COLOURS - - (MICMAC LEGEND) - - -Long, long ago Woodpecker wore a plain suit of dark grey feathers with a -few white patches on it. He often looked admiringly at the bright -colours which many of the birds wore, and sometimes his gay companions -taunted him about his plain clothes. Then Grey Woodpecker would leave -the woods for awhile and flit about an Indian village. - -Here he made friends with an Indian girl whose name was -Pretty-Dancing-Maiden who was the pride of her people. There was no -sport she loved so much as dancing, and the graceful movements of her -slender figure and dainty feet made all the people call her the best -dancer in the village. - -Whenever this maiden dressed for a dance Grey Woodpecker helped her -paint her face with many colours. When she was ready he would hop a -little distance off and, with his head on one side, say, -"Pretty-Dancing-Maiden is more beautiful than any bird of the forest." - -One day after she had finished painting he looked admiringly at her but -said nothing. The maiden laughed merrily and asked, "What colour needs -deepening, Grey Woodpecker?" - -"Red! _Red! Red!_" was his answer, for the bird loved the brilliant -colour best which the maiden used on her cheeks and smiling lips. - -Then Pretty-Dancing-Maiden always took up the bits of wood which she -used for brushes, dipped them into red paint, and again touched daintily -her cheeks and lips. And with a merry good-bye to Grey Woodpecker she -ran lightly out of the wigwam to the dance. - -It happened one evening after the maiden had gayly dressed for the dance -and waved good-bye to her little feathered friend, the bird looked -intently at the bits of wood which the maiden had used to put on the -beautiful red paint. In a little while his eyes twinkled merrily and he -said, "I'll make myself beautiful too! I'll use Pretty-Dancing-Maiden's -red paint brushes and brighten my suit of plain grey and white." - -He took up the wooden brushes and rubbed the red paint over his ears. -Two brilliant stripes he made, for there was plenty of the colour on the -bits of sticks. How happy he was! - -"The birds of the forest shall never again call me a bird of plain -clothes," said he. - -And ever since that far-off day the woodpeckers have worn red stripes -over their ears. - - - - - A RETORT FROM THE CATBIRD - - - I heard the Catbird in the bush - With breathless ecstasy; - No bobolink or fluttering thrush - Made carol sweet as he. - - It bubbled like a mountain rill - Drenching the weary day, - With eddying turn and rippling trill, - A magic roundelay. - - I heard the Catbird once again. - A harsh, discordant note, - Which pierced the shuddering ear with pain, - Came from the selfsame throat. - - O bird perverse! That heavenly voice - Tuned to so sharp a key! - Why cease to make the air rejoice - Debasing minstrelsy? - - Why not be ever at your best? - Again the peevish mew - Answering, accusing me with zest: - "Are you?" he cried, "are y-o-u?" - - ABBIE FARWELL BROWN. - - - - - WOODPECKER LIFE - - MARGARET COULSON WALKER - - -On the thirteenth of July a red-mutched woodpecker knocked on the -stricken bough of a lofty elm to crave of the Dryad within hospitality -for a season. Yes, her wish would be granted, but only on condition that -she would dig out a shelter for herself there in the hard, dry wood. - -What had gone wrong in the woodpecker family that she was in need of -shelter this late in the year? Earlier in the summer she and her mate -had burrowed out a comfortable home in a great oak tree not two hundred -yards away. Then they were on the best of terms and had relieved each -other at the task of digging out their dwelling place. Twenty or -twenty-five minutes at a time was thought long enough for either of them -to devote to so labourious a task in the springtime; then the other -spent an equal time at the work, while the one off duty hurried away to -partake of refreshments or to seek rest in change of occupation. - -Then there seemed to be some joy in their lives, for when they had -occasionally found time for recreation, they had chased each other -around the tree trunks and given utterance to their enjoyment of the -game in many a peal of cackling laughter. Near the base of a tree the -game began, and, spirally round and round its trunk, they pursued each -other, the one in the lead every now and then casting a challenging look -behind, then hurrying upward faster than before. Their playtimes were -brief, however, for the unfinished burrow was calling. - -When this was completed and later a half dozen or more eggs were laid, -though madam spent most of her time in dispensing warmth to them, her -mate also did his share. Together they had devoted their energies to -providing for the little ones that pecked their way out of the round, -white eggs. Many long journeys were they compelled to take, and many -were the hours spent in search of suitable food for their hungry -offspring; but on their return their throats were always full to the -brim with the nourishment which they pumped into infant throats as, -hanging head downward over them, they clung with their claws to the -entrance of their home. And when, after a time, the chicks were old -enough to scramble about on the trunk of the tree outside their home, a -wheezy call from one of them was enough to bring one or both of the -parents, with throat distended with the best the wood afforded, to -minister to their wants. Together they had driven away the -over-solicitous squirrels and meddlesome sparrows who came to visit -them. Together they had guided their asthmatic young family about the -wood, teaching them by example, if not by precept, where food was to be -found, and how to meet the dangers they were likely to encounter at any -moment. - -The accidents of nature had depleted the brood, till now but two of them -were left. A ball of baby feathers in the home of an owl living in the -wood told the story of the passing of one of them; the gladness which -attended the home-coming of a foraging mother squirrel marked the taking -off of another; so they had gone, till only these two remained, wheezy -and exacting. - -Of late the care of them had fallen mainly on the father, who picked up -a living for them as best he could. At times he seemed to try to get -away from them—a futile effort, for when they did not follow his -undulating flight in their awkward up-and-down fashion, they went in -search of him if he was gone a few minutes overtime. - -Here on the thirteenth of July was the mother seeking shelter away from -her former home. Had there been a family disagreement? Was the home-nest -no longer large enough for the parent birds and their now almost -grown-up family? Was she planning for a new brood? Surely not! It would -be impossible to rear in a single season two broods requiring so much -care. - -Whatever her purpose, here she was, drawing her plans on the under side -of the dry old bough. Soon she began to peck out an entrance, and it was -not long before the chips were flying in every direction. More than an -hour she worked, then flew to the dead top of a tree across the way, -where she sat for a brief time resting and sunning herself. Twice she -left her perch to dart out after passing insects, then returned to her -labour. Occasionally she swung around to the top side of the dead -branch, and tore off bits of bark either for the purpose of seeing if -the hole was going clear through or for securing the insect fare lurking -under it. This part of the work continued at intervals, till the bark -was removed from all the excavated portion of the bough. All day, until -about five o'clock, she spent at her task with but little rest, then -there was a long visit to the rest perch in the neighbouring treetop. - -The early morning hours were probably devoted to commissary tours; for -it was almost eight o'clock when she appeared on the scene of her -labours and again began to wield the pick. About ten o'clock her spouse -appeared and arranged himself comfortably on the same limb about a foot -away from the hole she was digging, but not by so much as a single -stroke did he assist her. Soon a wheezy, whistling cry called him to -duties as insistent as home building, and he departed. - -After watching the progress of woodpecker affairs for some time, a -dweller in the house under the tree decided to lend a hand. A worm-eaten -hitching-post stood near, on which was placed pieces of bread for the -hungry little wielder of the pick. This not only satisfied her wants, -but served also to bring her mate and offspring near occasionally. At -first the young members of the family refused to pick up this food set -before them, but, instead, clung to a neighbouring tree and called -vociferously for help. Then the father took the bits of bread and pushed -them far down into the screaming throats. The young Romulus must have -possessed wonderful powers of endurance if the woodpeckers of old -ministered to him as vigorously in response to his infantile wails as -the woodpeckers of to-day respond to the screaming demands of their own -offspring. How gentle the wolf must have seemed in comparison! - -Several times the young woodpeckers followed the father to the limb in -which the mother was chiseling a home. Together they watched her work, -but during the first three days seemed to take no interest whatever in -the hole she was making. Then the father went in and examined the -opening, but flew away without giving any real aid. And all through the -work his assistance seemed to be limited to inspection. - -In her digging, the mother woodpecker clung with her claws to the -opening of the burrow, and, head downward, pecked rapidly. Sometimes she -would throw out chips—which were little more than coarse sawdust—after -three or four blows; again, she worked for a minute or two, then threw -out several billfuls at a time. In throwing out these chips she slipped -backward and forward over the lower edge of the opening, after the -manner of that old-fashioned toy called a "supple jack." First she threw -her chips to one side, then to the other, till the ground beneath the -burrow, for a space thirty feet in circumference, was generously -sprinkled with them. - -Though several persons were watching her, and though squirrels were -springing about among the branches, she was not disturbed, but went -steadily on with her task. While she was away on short vacations, the -wren, dwelling in the porch roof beneath, frequently investigated the -hole she was digging—sparrows examined it, and squirrels looked into it, -but it was very noticeable that they all had an eye on her return. Once, -in her absence, one of her own young woodpeckers scrambled to the edge -of the hole, and peeped in for a moment, then scuttled back again to the -place where the dead branch joined the trunk of the tree, and, in his -usual noisy manner, demanded food. - -It was near the end of the third day's labour that the woodpecker was -first seen "trying on" her new home. Then she went into it, and, -nestling there, with head up for the first time, looked out of the -window. Evidently, the pocket was neither deep enough nor wide enough, -for after this she worked on both bottom and sides of it, scattering -chips as before. The work periods were shorter now and the rests more -frequent, showing that her strength was failing. On the afternoon of the -fifth day, when the burrow was finished, completely exhausted, she made -her way to the roof of the house, where, with wings spread, she lay for -more than an hour. Seemingly too tired to reach her usual resting place -in the treetop across the way, she lay there gathering strength for the -longer flight. - -Though the sexes are alike in the redhead family, it was not difficult -to distinguish them in this case, for the feathers about the head and -neck of the mother were much more worn than those of her less -industrious mate. Yet it may be an injustice to him to accuse him of -indolence, for was he not purveying to their younglings?—a task which -may have taxed his energies to the limit. Perhaps, after all, it was -only a case of division of labour. - -After the completion of the burrow, though the woodpecker was anxiously -watched for, for several days, she was not seen near it again, though -the usual bits of bread placed on the hitching-post brought her to its -neighbourhood. - -The experiment was tried of putting some of the crusts on the top of the -post and stuffing others tightly into the large worm-holes. The latter -were invariably taken first. Though the young birds came there regularly -to be fed, more than a week passed before they made the slightest effort -to help themselves. They would cling to the sides of the post, and, with -upward-pointing, open bills, whistle asthmatically for the food, which -the parents were compelled to place in their throats. Whether it was -wilfulness or inability that caused them to act as they did, it was -impossible to determine. - -The whistling of the young birds, which was once believed to predict -rain, or to be a demand for it from a thirsty throat, always precedes or -accompanies the taking of food. It is, doubtless, a little more frequent -before showers, for at such times the older birds are able to collect -more beetles and other insects that come out then from their shelters -into the open. - -The old belief that woodpeckers are ever athirst because of their -inability to drink any save the rain that falls into their open throats -or the drops that fall from the leaves, may have some foundation. In the -case of this family, though a basin of water was always conveniently -near, and though sparrows, robins, bluejays, and wrens constantly -patronized it, no woodpecker was ever seen to refresh himself from -it—many as there were of them in the vicinity. - -When more bread than the four birds could consume was placed in the -post, the older ones carried a part of it away—usually the larger pieces -on top—for future use, or pounded it tightly into worm-holes in the same -post, but never into the ones in which they found it. - -Several weeks after the burrow was finished, one evening just about -sunset, a redhead was seen peeping from the window in the treetop; then -it was drawn back, and again it appeared and was withdrawn to be seen no -more during the evening. It was a dormitory, then, that you hollowed out -for yourself, was it, my lady? - -One morning, near the close of August, it was noticed that the entrance -to the lodging was distinctly larger, and that a patch of daylight -showed through from the other side. Whether, for some reason, the bird -herself had enlarged the opening before departing for the South, or -whether this had been done by mischievous squirrels on murder bent, is -not known; but certain it is that the red-mutched labourer was gone. -Others of her kind lingered in the grove for a week or more, and though -food was placed on the accustomed post, neither she nor any of her -immediate family appeared to claim it. - -When he is gone, the most accomplished songsters are not missed more -than the red-headed woodpecker, whose broad patches of clear colour -enliven the wood. Though he may no longer assist in the growth of the -forests by bringing refreshing showers, as he is said to have done in -the long time ago, he certainly is doing much in his own way to preserve -them. Well might the ancients have made a god of him. He still possesses -one of the gifts which won that honour for him—the power of producing -thunder—and in a way that mortals can understand. Hear it rumbling among -the dead treetops, as the bird drums rapidly on the dry wood and sets it -to vibrating, then quickly lays his hollow bill against it to add -resonance to the peal. Vulcan himself could not have felt greater -satisfaction than he, as he stops to listen, in conscious pride over his -accomplishment. - -Whether he is a god made manifest in feathers, or merely an old woman -under a curse, expiating the crime of selfishness in picking up a living -where there seems to be no life, and in sharing this scant fare with the -hungry, as we see this bird with breast flattened and shoulders bent by -hard work, while our sympathies are awakened, we bless the day that gave -to the world this tireless little labourer of the woods. - - - - - KINGFISHER'S NECKLACE AND - RUFFLE - - -Kingfisher is very proud, indeed, of his white collar and ruffled -head-dress, but there was a time in the long, long ago when he had -neither of these ornaments. He wore a plain suit of gray-blue feathers -and his head was as smooth as a robin's. - -In that far-off time Kingfisher lived near a large lake, which was -bordered by long stretches of pine trees. He chose this place for a home -because he could catch plenty of fish in the clear waters of the lake. -Also, he had made a friend of Wolf, who lived with the great spirit, -Manabozho, in a bear-skin wigwam, which stood on the shore. - -Wolf was a mighty hunter and provided Manabozho with plenty of food. It -happened one season that game was scarce in the forest near the wigwam, -and Wolf decided to hunt in the woods on the opposite side of the lake. - -"Brother Wolf," said Manabozho, "see how dense the pine woods over there -are. No hunter has ever ventured into that tangled forest." - -"That is why I shall surely find plenty of game there," answered Wolf. - -Accordingly, early next morning Wolf ran around the long margin of the -lake until he came to the thick forest. He soon caught all the game he -could carry, but instead of returning with it to the lodge, he stopped -to fish on Big Rock, which jutted out into the lake. - -Kingfisher, perched on one of the tall pine trees, called out: "Wolf, do -not fish from Big Rock. The sea-serpents are lurking near, and they will -catch you." - -"I want some fine fish to take to Manabozho," answered Wolf. "I'm not -afraid of the sea-ser——!" - -He had not finished speaking when, in a very mysterious way, something -gave his fishing-line a mighty jerk, and Wolf was pulled headlong into -the water. - -Manabozho had no game for supper. All night he listened for the -footsteps of his faithful hunter, but Wolf did not return to the lodge. -In the morning the great spirit began to search for his companion. He -traveled all around the long margin of the lake, but not a single trace -of Wolf could he find. Near Big Rock, on a tall pine tree, sat -Kingfisher. Manabozho had never before spoken to the plain little bird, -who was very much surprised when the great spirit said, "Kingfisher, can -you tell me what has happened to Manabozho's brother Wolf? I'll give you -a beautiful necklace of wampum if you can help me find him." - -Kingfisher flew down from the pine tree to a branch near the great -spirit and said, "Yesterday I saw your brother Wolf fishing from Big -Rock. A sea-serpent pulled him under the water. If you would rescue him -you must watch on this side of the lake. When the sun is highest the -sea-serpents come to the rocks to sun themselves." - -Manabozho was so pleased with the information that he put a necklace of -beautiful white wampum around Kingfisher's neck. - -"You must not tell the serpents that I am watching for Wolf," said -Manabozho. - -But Kingfisher was looking in the mirror of the lake, admiring his new -necklace, so he did not hear the great spirit's words. Manabozho became -suspicious and seized the little bird by the head. Kingfisher wriggled -and twisted, and finally freed himself from the hand of the angry -Manabozho and flew away. But the feathers on Kingfisher's head were very -much ruffled in the struggle, and he has worn them so ever since; also, -to this day, he wears Manabozho's gift of the beautiful white necklace. - - - - - OWL WISDOM - - FRANCES WRIGHT - - -Once upon a time the owls were the largest and the most dull and stupid -of all the birds of the air. While the eagle soared above the mountain's -crest to hail the sun before his rising, and the lark carolled his matin -in the blue fields of ether, the owls were snoring; when the thrush and -the blackbird, retreating from the heat of noon, filled the deep groves -with their melody, the owls snored out the sylvan concert; and when the -soft cushat poured his evening tale of love into the ear of his -listening mate, the owls were still snoring in their unbroken and -dreamless sleep. - -It chanced, most naturally, that when towards midnight, the heavy, -big-headed creatures half-opened their stupid eyes, and half-stretched -first one drowsy pinion and then the other, that their stomachs craved -for food; whereupon, after much yawning and stretching, they dragged -themselves from their holes and went prowling after bats and mice in the -dark. Tired with their hunt, and not over content with their supper, -which was both coarse and scanty, they thus laid their heads together, -and, however dull by nature, and doubly dulled by sleep, they were for -once stimulated by hunger and disappointment to something like -ingenuity. - -Said an old gray-headed owl: "This barbarous exercise ill suits with my -years and my gravity." - -"And this barbarous fare," said a pert, idle youngster, "ill suits with -the youthful activity of my stomach." - -"I'll stake my reputation upon it," said a third, shaking his dull head, -"but that proud, self-sufficient gormandizing eagle has eaten a whole -sheep for his supper." - -"And I'll stake mine," yawned a fourth, "that his first cousin, the -vulture, and his second cousin, the hawk, have feasted; the one on a fat -lamb, and the other on a hen and chickens." - -"Chut," said the first old grey-beard, "we'll feast ere long on sheep, -lamb, hen, chickens, and all; ay! mayhap on the eagle's own little ones, -to say nothing of his cousins." - -"How so," hooted out the whole junto—"you would not fight the king of -birds?" - -"Let me alone for that; there are better weapons than beak or talons; -and so he and his subjects shall find. But you must all aid in the -enterprise." - -"If there be no fighting, and not too much labour, and not too much——" - -"Peace! there shall be nothing but sleeping!" - -"Sleeping?" - -"Ay! and some talking. But leave that to me." - -Here all the heavy heads poked forward, closing in a circle round their -Nestor; while all their great round eyes opened in full stare upon his. - -"To-morrow you must all sleep as usual, until I give a long hoot; then -you must all open your eyes and observe what shall chance." - -Tired with so unusual a debate, all went to sleep accordingly, and -snored louder than usual; until, just as the sun had awakened to full -life and stir all the feathered tribe, the old owl hooted and screeched -forth such a yell, as first terrified and then attracted on wings, -spurred by curiosity, though still trembling with fear, every bird of -the air from the giant eagle to the diminutive wren. - -"A vision! a vision!" cried the owl; and again he screeched and again he -hooted, rustling up all his feathers, flapping his wings, blinking his -eyes, and tumbling head over tail like a bird distracted. - -Every creature present stared and wondered. - -"A vision, a vision! A miracle, a miracle!" again shouted the owl. - -"I have seen a bird larger than the ostrich and stronger than the eagle. -Lightnings flame from his eyes, and thunder roars from his beak. He has -spoken; and lo! his command was: _The owls are my servants and to them I -make known my will. Let all the birds of the air_ _hearken to their -voice. Let them do their bidding, respect their repose, and feed them -with the fat of the land; or, behold, I will feed upon them._" - -Thereupon, the owls set up a hoot in chorus, and all the birds scattered -to the four winds to collect food for the servants to eat, lest the -unseen master should eat them. - -From this time forth these stupid owls were deemed the wisest of the -birds of the air; they supped every night upon fat yearlings; and when -they hooted all the feathered tribe clapped their wings and sang a song -of praise. - - - - - BIRDS' NESTS - - ERNEST INGERSOLL - - -A bird's nest is a bird's house. Sometimes it is strong, well made and -tightly roofed, and sometimes it is not, just as with men's houses. The -principal difference between the bird's house and ours is that we build -ours to be used all the year round, while the bird prefers to make a new -one each summer. There are some birds, such as the fish-hawk, however, -that keep the same nest many years in succession, repairing it each -spring; and I think more birds would do so were it not that their houses -are usually made so slightly that the winter's gales knock them to -pieces when the owners are absent at some Southern health resort. This -is a pity, too, for many of our commonest nests are exceedingly pretty -and call for a great deal of work and care on the part of the builders, -whose only tools are their feet and beaks. - -Take, for instance, the lovely hammock-like basket, hung by its rim -beneath the fork of some low branch, which is made by the little grey, -red-eyed vireo, which carols to us all the early summer days from every -garden and orchard. Such a nest was hung in a maple close to my porch. -The bird had built it within arm's length of where we were constantly -passing, yet we never saw it until it was quite finished; and the only -way we could get a look at it then was by pulling aside a branch. This -care was not taken from fear of us, but in the hope that the cradle -would escape the sharp eyes of red squirrels, weasels, bluejays, and -other creatures who hunt for and rob birds' nests of eggs and young to -get food for themselves. I am happy to say, however, that the vireo's -nest was not disturbed. - -How to hide their nests safely is the great question in the minds of all -the little birds. The big, strong ones do not need to worry about that -so much, because they can drive away most robbers; therefore, we find -that the hawks and crows, jays, kingbirds, and others able to take care -of themselves, usually set their baskets in the crotch of some tree, -where they can be seen easily enough, but all nests of this kind are -strongly made, and fastened so that the winds shall not rock them out of -their places or spill the contents. - -But the _little_ birds try to hide their homes in various clever ways. A -good many seek holes and crannies. The woodpeckers are able to dig these -for themselves, for their beaks are like chisels. Others, like the -wrens, bluebirds, nuthatches, chicadees, and so forth, find knot-holes, -places where a branch has broken off, and various small hollows, in -which to make their beds, where the young will be snug in bad weather, -and pretty safe from all enemies except snakes. - -Others, like the kingfisher, the sand-swallow, and certain sea-birds, -make or find holes in earth-banks and rocky cliffs, so that their babies -are born in a tiny cave. All of our swallows, before the country was -settled by white people, lived in this manner or in hollow trees; but as -soon as civilization came those we soon named barn-swallows left the -wilds and put their nests under the roofs of barns and other -outbuildings. Then some one, remembering the ways of old England, began -to put bird-houses in the gardens; and now, in all parts of the United -States, you may find those cousins of the swallows, the purple martins, -living by the dozen in these lofty little hotels on the top of a pole. - -The nests of the cliff-swallows are little jugs of mud, plastered by -their bases to the face of the rock. The birds make them by bringing -pellets of mud in their bills from some stream-side, and putting them -one upon another, until each pair has formed a windowless, bottle-like -house, with a front door like the neck of the jug, so small that no big -bird can enter it. These are very safe and snug nests, and the birds can -sit in their doorways and gossip with each other very sociably, for the -nests are crowded together like the houses in a city block. This is the -same kind of swallow that now puts its nest in rows along the outside of -our barns under the eaves; but often they are mere cups instead of jugs, -because the barn roof sheds the rain, and a clay roof is no longer -necessary to protect the feather bed inside. - -Another one of the small birds that is more and more coming to seek our -protection and sympathy is the greenish-brown flycatcher that (as some -folks think) calls out her own name every few minutes, _Phoebe, Phoebe_. -She makes her home very solidly of mud and moss, lined with horse-hair, -and in the old days always rested it on a ledge of rock, as many still -do. Most of the phoebes, however, now think it easier and safer to get -under a roof, and so they put their mossy cups on the stone piers or -supporting timbers of bridges, among the rafters of sheds and porches, -and in similar places. - -A great number and wide variety of birds make their houses upon the -ground. Most of the sea-birds do so—along the ledges of the sea-cliff. -Nearly all the water fowl and game birds (except herons) also do so; and -most of the ducks and similar birds nestle among the wet reeds of -marshes, where their rude bedding is damp all the time and sometimes -soaking wet. To keep their eggs warm when they have to leave them for a -time, many of the ducks pluck a large quantity of downy feathers from -their breasts with which to cover the eggs. The eider of the arctic -regions is the foremost in this practice, and the eider-down sold in -shops is gathered from their nests; but it is a habit of many other -ducks. One of the most interesting of these ground-nest birds is the -least bittern, a solitary bird frequenting swamps and marshy places. - -Not only the water-birds, however, but some of the smallest and -prettiest of our songsters choose to dwell and lay their eggs close to -the ground, although they seem to be exposed there to many more dangers -than are those in the treetops or elsewhere. None try more anxiously to -hide their homes than do these ground-nesters, arching the grasses above -them, or building little sheds of leaves to protect and hide the shining -eggs. (Adapted.) - - - - - HATTO THE HERMIT: THE - LEGEND OF A BIRD'S NEST - - SELMA LAGERLÖF - - -Hatto, the hermit, stood in the desert and prayed to God. The storm was -on, and his long hair and beard blew about him as wind-whipped grass -blows about an old ruin. But he did not brush back the hair from his -eyes, nor did he fasten his long beard to his girdle, for his arms were -raised in prayer. Since sunrise he had held his gaunt, hairy arms -out-stretched toward heaven, as untiring as a tree stretching out its -boughs, and thus he would remain until evening. It was a great thing for -which he was praying. - -He was a man who had suffered much from the wickedness and dishonesty of -the world. He himself had persecuted and tortured others, and -persecution and torture had been his portion, more than he could endure. -Therefore, he had gone forth into the wilderness, had dug himself a cave -on the river bank, and had become a holy man whose prayers found hearing -at the throne of God. - -Hatto, the hermit, stood on the river bank before his cave and prayed -the great prayer of his life. He prayed God to send down the Day of -Judgment upon this wicked world. He cried to the angels of the trumpets, -who are to herald the end of the reign of sin. - -Round about him was the wilderness, barren and desolate. But a little up -the bank stood an old willow with shortened trunk, which swelled out at -the top of a round hump like a queer head, and from it new, freshly -green twigs were sprouting. Every autumn the peasants from the unwooded -flatlands robbed the willow of her fresh new shoots. But every year the -tree put forth new ones, and on stormy days the slender, flexible twigs -whipped about the old willow, as hair and beard whipped about Hatto, the -hermit. - -It was just on this day that a pair of water thrushes, who usually built -their nest on the trunk of the old willow between the new twigs, had -decided to begin their work. But the wild whipping of the twigs -disturbed the birds. They flew up with their bits of dry grass with -nothing accomplished. Then it was that they caught sight of old Hatto. - -No one now living can picture to himself how moss-grown and dried-up, -how gnarled and black and generally unlike a human being, such an old -desert hermit can become. His skin clung so close to forehead and -cheekbones that his head looked like a skull, and only a tiny gleam down -in the depth of his eyeballs showed that there was still life in him. -The dried-up muscles gave no curve to the body; the outstretched naked -arms were merely a couple of narrow bones, covered with hard, wrinkled, -bark-like skin. He wore an old black cloak, clinging close to his body. -He was tanned brown by the sun and black with dirt. His hair and beard -alone were of a lighter shade, for rain and sunshine had faded them to -the grey-green hue of the under side of willow leaves. - -The birds, flying about uneasily and seeking a place for their nest, -took Hatto the hermit to be another old willow cut off by axe and saw in -its heavenward striving. They flew about him many times, flew away and -returned again, took note of the guide posts on the way to him, -calculated his position in regard to protection from storm and birds of -prey, found it rather unfavourable, but decided to locate there on -account of the close vicinity of the stream and the reeds, their chief -source of supply. One of the birds shot down suddenly and laid a bit of -grass in the hermit's outstretched hand. - -The storm had abated a little, so that the straw was not blown from his -hand at once, but the hermit did not pause in his prayer, "Come soon, O -Lord, come to destroy this world of sin, that mankind may not more -increase its load of guilt." - -The storm roared out again, and the bit of grass fluttered out of the -hermit's great bony hand. But the birds came again and endeavoured to -erect the cornerstone of their new home between his fingers. Suddenly a -dirty, clumsy thumb laid itself over the grass spears and held them in -firm position, while four fingers reached over the palm, making a -peaceful niche where a nest would be safe. The hermit continued his -untiring supplications, and before his eyes danced fever visions of the -day of judgment. The earth trembled, the skies shot fire. He saw the -black clouds of hurrying birds beneath the glowing firmament; herds of -fleeing animals spread over the earth. But while his soul was filled -with these visions of fever, his eyes began to watch the flight of the -tiny birds that came and went with lightning dashes, laying new straws -in the nest with little chirps of pleasure. - -The old man did not move. He had made a vow to stand the entire day with -outstretched arms, in order to force God to hear him. - -The little thrushes built and built busily all the day, and their work -progressed finely. There was no lack of material in this wilderness of -rolling ground with stiff grass and brush, and on the river bank, with -its reeds and rushes. They could not take time for dinner or supper. -They flew back and forth, glowing with interest and pleasure, and when -dusk came they had reached the peak of their roof. - -But before evening fell the hermit's eyes had come to rest on their -labour more and more. He watched them in their flight; he scolded them -when they were clumsy; he grieved when the wind spoiled their efforts, -and he became almost angry when they stopped a moment to rest. - -Then the sun sank and the birds sought their accustomed resting place -among the reeds, safe from all harm, for no enemy could approach without -a warning splash of the water or a quivering of the reeds. - -When the morning broke, the thrushes thought at first that the events of -the preceding day had been but a beautiful dream. - -They found their guideposts and flew straight to their nest, but the -nest had disappeared. They peered out over the moors and flew high up to -gain a wider view. But there was no sign of nest or tree. Finally they -sat down on a stone by the water and thought the matter over. They -wagged their tails and turned their heads to right and left. Where were -nest and tree? - -But scarcely had the sun raised itself a hand's breadth over the belt of -woods beyond the stream, when their tree suddenly came wandering up and -stood itself upon the selfsame place it had occupied the day before. It -was as black and as gnarled as before, and it carried their nest on the -tip of something that was probably a thin, upright bough. - -The birds began to build again without attempting to ponder further over -the many miracles of nature. - -Hatto, the hermit, who chased the little children from his cave and told -them it were better for them if they had never seen the light of day; he -who waded out deep into the mud of the river to hurl curses after the -flagged boats filled with gay young people rowing past; he from whose -evil glance the shepherds carefully guarded their flocks, he did not -return to his place on the river bank because of thought for the little -birds. But he knew that not only every letter in the Holy Book has its -own mystical meaning, but that everything that God allows to happen in -the natural world has its significance also. And he had discovered what -it might mean, this sign of the birds building in his hand: God had -willed that he should stand with outstretched arm until the birds had -raised their young—could he do this, then would his prayer be heard. - -But on this day his glance followed the motions of the birds with -greater attention. He saw the rapid completion of the nest. The tiny -builders flew around it and examined it carefully. They brought a few -rags of moss from the real willow and plastered them on the outside as a -finishing decoration. They brought the softest young grass, and the -female bird pulled the down from her breast to furnish the inside. - -The peasants of the neighbourhood, who feared the evil power which the -prayers of the hermit might have with God, were used to bring him bread -and milk to soften his anger. They came now, and found him standing -motionless, the bird's nest in his hand. - -"See how the holy man loves the little creatures," they said, and feared -him no longer. They raised the milk can to his lips and fed him with the -bread. When he had eaten and drunk he drove them away with curses, but -they smiled at his anger. - -His body had long since become the servant of his will. He had taught it -obedience by hunger and scourge, by days of kneeling and sleepless -nights. Now his muscles of steel held his arm outstretched days and -weeks, and while the mother bird sat on her eggs and did not leave the -nest, he would not go to his cave even to sleep at night. He learned how -to sleep standing with outstretched arm. - -He grew accustomed to the two uneasy little eyes that peered down at him -over the edge of the nest. He watched for rain and hail, and protected -the nest as well as he could. - -One day the little mother left her place. Both thrushes sat on the edge -of the nest, their tails moving rapidly, holding great consultation and -looking very happy, although the whole nest seemed filled with a -frightened squeaking. After a little they set out upon an energetic gnat -hunt. - -One gnat after another fell before them, and was brought home to that -which squeaked and peeped up there in his hand. And the peeping grew -more intense whenever the food was brought in. It disturbed the holy man -at his prayers. Gently, very gently, his arm sank down on the joints -that had almost lost the power of motion, until his deep-set, glowing -eyes peered into the nest. - -Never had he seen anything so ugly and so miserable—naked little bodies, -with a few scattered down tufts, no eyes, no strength to fly, nothing -but six great open beaks. - -He could not understand it himself, but he liked them just as they were. -He had not thought to make an exception of the old birds in his prayers -for the great Doom, but when he now implored God to release the world -through utter destruction, he made a silent exception in favour of these -six little helpless creatures. - -When the peasant women brought him food he no longer rewarded them with -curses. As he was necessary for the little ones up there in his hand, he -was glad that the people did not let him starve. - -Soon six little round heads peered all day over the edge of the nest. -Old Hatto's arm sank to the level of his eyes more and more frequently. -He saw the feathers grow out of the red skin; he saw the eyes open and -the little bodies round out. The fortunate inheritance of all the beauty -with which nature endows the feathered denizens of the air came early -into their heritage. - - * * * * * - -And, meanwhile, the prayers for the great destruction came more and more -slowly from Hatto's lips. - -He believed he had God's promise that it should come as soon as the -little birds were able to fly. And now he stood there seeking an escape -from God. For he could not sacrifice these six little ones, whom he had -watched and cared for. - -It had been different before, when he had had nothing of his own to care -for. Love of the small and the helpless—that love which every little -child must teach to the dangerous grown man—this love came over him and -made him hesitate. - -Sometimes he wished that he could throw the entire nest into the stream, -for he still believed that those alone are to be envied who die without -having known care or sin. Was it not his duty to save these little ones -from beasts of prey, from cold and hunger and all of the many ills of -life? But just as he was pondering on this, a hawk swooped down on the -nest to kill the little ones. Hatto caught the robber in his left hand, -whirled him around his head, and threw him far out into the stream. - -Then came the day when the little ones were ready to fly. One of the old -birds sat inside the nest, trying to push the young ones out on the -edge, while the other flew about and showed them how easy it was if they -would only try. But as the young ones would not overcome their fear, -both old birds flew out before them, showing off all their prettiest -arts and tricks. They turned and twisted in the air, they shot up -straight as does the lark, or they hung motionless on rapidly fluttering -wings. - -But the little ones would not move, and then Hatto decided to interfere -in the matter himself. He gave them a careful push with one finger, and -thus ended the dispute. They tumble out, trembling and uncertain, -hitting at the air as bats do; they sink down, but rise up again; they -find the proper motion and use it at once to regain the nest. The old -birds come back to them in happy pride, and Hatto chuckles. - -It was he who had brought the matter to such a happy conclusion. And now -he pondered most seriously the question as to whether a loophole of -escape could be found for God. - -Perhaps, when one comes to think of it, God holds this earth like a -bird's nest in His right hand and perhaps He loves those within it—all -the helpless children of earth. Perhaps He is merciful to them whom He -had vowed to destroy, just as the hermit was merciful to the little -birds. Of course the hermit's birds were much better than God's human -beings, but he could still understand that God might have pity for them -in His heart. - -Next day the nest was empty, and the bitterness of loneliness came over -the hermit. His arm sank slowly down at his side, and it seemed to him -that all nature held its breath to hear the roar of the trumpets -announcing the Last Judgment. But in the same moment all the birds -returned and settled down on his head and shoulders, for they had no -fear of him. And a light shot through the tortured brain of the old -hermit. He had lowered his arm every day to look at the birds. - -And then, as he stood there, the six young birds flying about him, he -nodded, smiling, to some one whom he could not see. - -"Thou art free," he said. "Thou art free. I did not keep my vow, -therefore Thou needst not keep Thine." - -And it seemed to him that the hills ceased from trembling and that the -river sank quietly into its bed to rest. - - - - - UNDER GREENWOOD TREES - - - - - SONG - - - Under the greenwood tree - Who loves to lie with me - And tune his merry note - Unto the sweet bird's throat— - Come hither, come hither, come hither! - Here shall he see - No enemy - But winter and rough weather. - - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. - - - - - THE PLUCKY PRINCE - - -Once upon a time there lived a king who was exceedingly rich. His palace -was built of rare marble; in his majesty's dining room food was served -on plates and in vessels of pure gold; the royal family wore robes -fashioned from richest silk and costliest ermine. But, although the -king's household lived in this royal way, his majesty gave strict orders -to all in the palace that nothing should be wasted. The command was -intended particularly for the crown prince who spent money lavishly. It -seemed as if he had never learned the proper value of things, and his -extravagance was the talk of all the people in the kingdom. - -The king had had many stormy interviews with his reckless son. Again and -again did this wasteful prince promise to mend his ways, but before long -he forgot his pledge, and did something which was marked by astonishing -extravagance. - -At last the king's patience came to an end. He decided to disinherit the -prince and banish him from the royal household. Filled with wrath his -majesty sent for the youth and in sternest words gave the following -decree: - -"Henceforth you are banished from this palace! Flee from my presence!" - -The carefree manner of the prince at these words exasperated his majesty -who grew white with rage and said, "Prodigal, listen further to my stern -decree. I forbid you to wear any clothing made from skins of beasts or -the threads of the silk-worm; your exile cave shall not be lighted by -oil or taper, nor by candles of tallow or wax. You shall taste no -vegetables that grow under the earth or on vines in the sunlight. Your -hunger shall not be fed by fish, flesh, or fowl. Begone, thou Prodigal! -Go, starve upon the plain! Nevermore shalt thou waste my wealth. Thou -art banished! This is my stern decree!" - -The young prince was too much astonished at this outburst of rage to -realize the measure of the punishment the king had put upon him. He -turned and left his majesty's presence without a word. But although -somewhat dazed by his royal father's decree, the youth snapped his -finger gayly as he slammed the palace door and said in his usual -carefree way, "The king has left me the mighty help of trees. So long as -I may use the blessed trees of the earth I shall not perish nor lack -enjoyment." And whistling a merry tune he passed out of the gate of the -royal park. - -"I shall not take shelter in a dark cave," mused the prince. - -Immediately he planned to build a spacious house from carefully selected -wood. For the stout rafters he choose heavy English oak and for the -floors, smooth Norwegian pine. Beautiful pillars of palmetto were raised -to hold the roof, made of cypress shingles and strengthened by oaken -eaves and carved gargoyles. After the house was completed, the floors -were covered with curious palm-matting, dyed crimson by the stain of -tropical logwood. The rooms were furnished with rich chairs, tables, and -couches made from rosewood, black walnut, and fragrant sandal-wood. -Nothing was lacking in this home of beauty and comfort. - -The merry prince examined his house with great pride. "Now," said he, "I -mean to give a ball, and show his majesty, the king, what luxury is mine -even though he left me nothing but the precious trees to furnish my -house, clothing, and larder!" - -Accordingly, invitations were sent to the royal family, and many knights -and ladies of high degree. - -The king was very much surprised to receive word from his banished son. - -"'Tis a huge joke," said his majesty. "However, we'll accept the -invitation, and see what sport the prodigal can offer us." - -On the night of the ball the prince was dressed in a superb robe, made -from the fiber of the cocoa-tree; his fine dancing shoes were made of -caoutchouc, and on his brow he wore a coronet of laurel leaves. With -princely grace he received the king, knights, and ladies in a large hall -brilliantly lighted with candlenuts in sconces. The rooms were fragrant -with pink apple-blossoms from Maine, and rich magnolia and orange -blossoms from the Southland. - -The king and his train could not hide their astonishment at the superb -beauty of the rooms and decorations. - -"I wonder what the scapegoat will offer us to eat?" whispered the king -to the High Chancellor. - -"Providing refreshment from trees will tax his wits more than building -and furnishing a house," answered the chancellor, smiling. - -It was not long before the guests were invited into the dining room, -where a sumptuous feast awaited them. His majesty looked with -astonishment at the variety of luscious fruit heaped on large wooden -platters curiously carved. Some of them held the products of the -North,—apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, and peaches. Others were -filled with tempting fruit from the South,—bananas, oranges, -pomegranates, figs, dates, ripe olives, juicy soursops, and creamy -durions. Delicious breadfruit, from the tropics, and rich cassava cakes -from Java were served with luscious guava jam. Beautiful wooden bowls -held almonds, English walnuts, filberts, pecans, chestnuts, Chinese -nuts, and Brazilian creams. Dainty wicker baskets held sweets made of -maple sugar cream covered with chocolate or cocoanut. The king declared -that the grape juice and sweet pear cider were daintier than any wine he -had ever tasted. - -After the feast was ended the prince, with merry, twinkling eyes, said -to his father: "See what a man banishment has made of me!" - -To the youth's astonishment, his majesty smiled graciously, and, in the -presence of the High Chancellor and all the knights and ladies, the king -embraced his son and said, "Banishment has made a man of you! And, -furthermore, you have taught all of us the wonders of the woodland. -Welcome back to my heart, O Prince!" - -And the High Chancellor, knights, and ladies of high degree all said, -"Long live our plucky Prince." - -Adapted from a poem by May Bryon. - - - - - THE OAK - - - A song to the oak - The brave old oak, - Who hath ruled in the greenwood long: - Here's health and renown - To his broad green crown - And his fifty arms so strong. - There's fear in his frown - When the sun goes down, - And the fire in the west fades out; - And he showeth his might - On a wild midnight, - When the storms through his branches shout. - Then here's to the oak - The brave old oak! - Who stands in his pride alone; - And still flourish he, - A hale, green tree - When a hundred years are gone. - - H. F. CHORLEY. - - - - - SUMMER SNOW - - MRS. HUMPHREY WARD - - -A king once lived in a very hot part of Spain, where they have little -rain and where it hardly ever snows or freezes. - -This king had a very beautiful wife whom he loved very much. But the -queen had one great fault. She was always wishing for the most -impossible things. - -The king always tried to give her everything she wanted, but she was -never satisfied. - -At last, one day in winter, a very strange thing happened. A shower of -snow fell in the town where the king and queen lived. It made the hills -white, so that they looked as if some one had been dusting white sugar -over them. - -Now snow was hardly ever seen in the town, so the people talked about -it, a great deal. After the queen had looked at it a little while, she -began to cry bitterly. - -None of the ladies could comfort her, nor would she tell any one what -was the matter. There she sat at her window weeping, till the king came -to her. He could not imagine why she was crying, and begged her to tell -him. - -"I am weeping," she said, sobbing all the time, "because the hills are -not always covered with snow. See how pretty they look! And yet, I have -never, till now, seen them look like that. If you really love me, you -would find some way or other to make it snow once a year at any rate." - -"But how can I make it snow?" cried the king, in great trouble, because -she would go on weeping and weeping, and spoiling her pretty eyes. - -"I am sure I don't know," said the queen crossly. - -Well, the king thought and thought, and at last he hit upon a beautiful -plan. He sent to all parts of Spain to buy almond trees to plant. The -almond tree has a lovely pink-white blossom, you know. - -When the next spring arrived, thousands of these almond trees came into -bloom on all the hills around the town. At a distance, the hills looked -as if they were covered with white snow. - -For once the discontented queen was delighted. She could now keep saying -a nice "Thank you" to the king for all the trouble he had taken to -please her. And suddenly it seemed to the king as if a black speck in -the queen's heart had been washed away and so they lived happy ever -afterwards. - - - - - THE BOY WHO HATED TREES - - ALICE L. BECKWITH - - -"Good night, Dick. Remember, now, to wake up with the robins so that you -may be ready to help me set out our new trees." - -"Good night," answered Dick in a sulky tone, for Dick was cross. - -"Trees, trees, trees!" he mumbled to himself, as he began to undress. -"I'm so sick of hearing about trees. And now father has bought some old -twigs to set out to-morrow, and I want to go fishing. - -"I wish I lived in a land where there were no trees. We could get along -well enough without them." And with this thought he jumped into bed. - -Dick had been asleep perhaps an hour or more when he heard a queer, -rustling noise, and then a voice called out: "Here he is—the boy who -hates trees!" - -There was the strangest procession coming toward him. It was made up of -trees of all kinds. The Pine and Elm came first; the Maple and Oak -followed: the Maple's leaves were flushed scarlet, she was so excited. -The Willow was weeping, and the Poplar was trembling all over. - -Next came all the fruit trees, led by the Cherry, while the Walnut, the -White Birch, and the Palm were behind. - -What did it all mean? Dick was frightened for a moment. It seemed as if -every tree of which he had ever heard was there, and he wondered how the -room could hold them all. - -When they had all grown quiet, the Pine said: "Dear brothers and -sisters, here is a boy who hates trees; he cannot see that we are of any -use. It is more than I can stand, and I have called this meeting to see -what can be done about it. Has anyone anything to say?" - -The Cherry looked very sour. "I cannot see that boys are of any use," -she said. "Many years ago, when cherry trees were scarce in this -country, a boy named George cut down my great-grandfather just to try -his new hatchet." - -"And boys know so little," said the White Birch; "they are always -hacking me with knives, and taking off my coat, no matter how cold the -weather is. I loved a boy once, but it was many years ago. He was a -little Indian boy. He loved trees. I remember how he stood beside me one -day and said: - - "'Give me of your bark, O Birch Tree! - For the summer time is coming, - And the sun is warm in heaven, - And you need no white skin wrapper.' - -"Then he took off my bark so carefully that he did not hurt me a bit. -But he is not living now. This boy is not like him." - -"I don't like boys, either," spoke up the Apple. "One day a boy climbed -up into my branches and broke off one of my limbs. He was a very silly -boy, for he wanted green apples. Had my fruit been ripe, I would have -tossed one down to him. How happy we should be if it were not for boys!" - -The Maple was very angry. "This boy said we were of no use, but it was -only this morning that I heard him tease his grandfather for a cake of -my sugar." - -"He ate it as if he liked it, too," said the Palm. "I saw him; he was -fanning himself with one of my leaves." - -The Willow wiped her eyes. "Boys, boys, boys!" she said. "I'm so sick of -boys! This same boy made a whistle out of one of my children this very -night, when he went for the cows." - -Then a queer tree in the corner spoke in a thick voice: "We are of no -use, are we? If it were not for me, where would he get the tires for his -bicycle? There are his rubber boots, too. Why, he uses me every day -about something. But I've thought of a plan." - -The trees crowded around him, talking together excitedly. "But how shall -we do it?" Dick heard them say. "Oh," said the Elm, "the Wind will help -us. He is our friend." - -Before Dick could cry out, he found himself being carried away by the -Wind. - -"Where am I going?" he called. - -"To the land of no trees," they answered; and they bowed and smiled. -Even the Willow held up her head long enough to call, "Good-by!" and -then home and trees were left far behind. - -How fast the Wind traveled! On and on they rushed, until suddenly the -Wind dropped him and went whistling away. - -Dick felt really frightened when he found himself all alone. - -"Oh, I'm so hot!" he exclaimed. "Where am I?" - -Certainly he had never before been in such a place. - -There were no trees nor green grass anywhere in sight. As far as he -could see, there was only sand—white sand, hot and scorching. - -"It seems to me I've seen pictures in my geography like this," he said -to himself. "I can't stay here. What shall I do?" - -All at once he noticed a tiny speck far away in the distance. Now it -looked larger. He brushed away something that looked very much like a -tear, though he told himself that it was only because he was so warm. - -Yes, that speck surely moved, and was coming nearer. What if it were a -bear! - -"There is no tree to climb, and I cannot run—I am so tired, and it is -very hot." - -Nearer and nearer it came, moving slowly. Dick watched it with a beating -heart. At last he saw that it was not a single animal, but a great many -in line. - -"Oh, they are camels!" he cried. "Yes, I know they are. Once at a circus -I saw some that looked just like them—but what queer-looking men are on -them!" - -They were now very near him, and one of the men beckoned with his hand -and said something. - -"I can't understand him," said Dick to himself, "but I suppose he meant -he'll give me a ride." - -The man helped him up and they journeyed on. After a time Dick grew very -tired even of riding. - -"The camel joggles me so," he said, "and I am so thirsty I shall die. If -they would only stop a minute!" - -What was the matter? What were they saying? Each man was bowing himself -toward the ground and waving his hands. - -"I don't see what they are making all that fuss about. I can't see -anything; the sun hurts my eyes so." And Dick covered his eyes with his -hand. - -Suddenly there was a shout, and the camels stood still. Dick lifted his -head. Could he believe his eyes? Right before him was a little spot of -green grass, a spring of cool water, and one of those things he hated—a -tree. - -Hate a tree? He thought that he had never seen anything so beautiful in -his life. - -He fairly tumbled off the camel in his haste to reach it. The tears ran -down his face as he threw his arms around its trunk. - -"Dear tree!" he cried. - -"Dick, Dick, are you going to help me plant the new trees?" called his -father. - -Opening his eyes, Dick found himself in his own little room, both hands -clasping his pillow. - -Dick was soon dressed and downstairs, and so anxious was he to plant -trees that he could hardly eat his breakfast. - - * * * * * - - In just one night he had learned to see - The wonderful beauty there is in a tree. - - - - - THE FRIENDLY SUMMER TREES - - FRANK A. WAUGH - - -It is curious how friendly the forests are to the sick. The trees reach -out their arms to shelter them. In the stillness of the morning and -through the long nights they whisper to every one who listens; there lie -the patients listening and looking up through the gently waving branches -to the floating clouds by day, and to the twinkling stars by night, -until presently they are overcome by the spirit of health, which is the -spirit of the pine-trees. - -Trees appear at their best in the forest company, I think, just as men -and women appear at their best in society. The single maple tree or the -elm may be very proud and beautiful, but alone it cannot cure the sick -or even accommodate a picnic. - -So we ought to become acquainted with the trees, in their own society -and in their native surroundings. We shall then understand them much -better than when we find them lonely on our city lawns. - -There is a glorious wealth waiting for us when we come to choose our -tree friends for our homes. There are the elm, several kinds of maples, -two kinds of sycamores, the linden, many sorts of oaks, the pines and -the spruces, and almost a hundred others. Besides these big, lusty, -shade-yielding trees, there are many small, more curious or more -ornamental ones. Such are the magnolias, the maidenhair-tree, the -Kentucky coffee-tree, the sweet-gum, and the flowering dogwood. These -smaller trees are, of course, particularly suited to small lawns and -close quarters; though, wherever possible, the true American will give -first place to the big, noble, native trees like the elm and the maple. -Even if there is room for only one of these, it will seem to be the one -best friend in the garden. - -And while I am speaking of these trees, I would not forget the apple. -There is no kind of tree more beautiful in spring, more comfortable and -homelike summer and winter, and more to be chosen for a life-long -friend. Recently I was consulted by a committee of a Massachusetts town -who wanted to cut down a half-dozen sturdy old apple trees, because a -new library had been built in their midst, and the committee thought -some more rare trees were needed to keep the balance. Blue spruce or -Camperdown elm would have been choice, strange, and outlandish, but the -homely, common apple tree they would gladly sacrifice. - -We admire the tree for its size; the mere bigness of it draws our -attention; we look up to it. We admire it for its form, the form of the -elm, or the maple, or the pine, or the palm is wonderful. We admire the -tree in its leafage, for its texture and color. Why, even the shadow of -a tree is beautiful. The clever gardener places his best tree where its -shadow will be traced all the afternoon across the lawn. How cool and -pleasant the shadow lies there! - -Nowhere do trees seem so useful as in the street. Even the city yearns -for trees, and the best residence and suburban sections make these their -greatest pride. The citizens turn to the city trees as one of the most -important forms of public property. Tree-planting is to be encouraged, -and the trees now grown to maturity must be saved at any cost. Leaky gas -mains are the deadly enemies of street trees. Electric wires kill -thousands more. - -For the protection of street trees and those on public parks and -grounds, every city should have a tree-warden. These are provided for by -law in some states, but the system should become general. Truly modern -cities have officers with the title of "city forester," with the -extremely useful occupation of caring for the public trees. Such -officers should be appointed everywhere. - -The annual festival called Arbor Day, established in this country for -the promotion of tree-planting, has, unfortunately, been turned over -exclusively to the public schools, whereas it ought to be observed also -by the churches, lodges, political clubs, and women's clubs. At all -events, tree-planting should go on constantly, and should everywhere -accompany the campaign for the preservation of street trees. We may well -remember that as a rough, general rule, only one tree out of every -twenty planted ever comes to maturity. Let us, therefore, plant -liberally. - -In rural and semi-rural communities everywhere, it is a custom to secure -from the woods and pastures those trees needed for street and house-lot -planting. Where stock is collected from the wild in this way, it is best -to take the trees from the open pasture—or from recently cultivated -land, where possible. Effort should be made also to select those which -have grown on rich, well-drained soil. The theory that trees taken from -the forest will be more hardy, runs quite opposite to the fact. Indeed, -the best plan is everywhere to buy young trees from nurseries. Nursery -trees have clean, symmetrical tops, and are likely to have a hundred -times more good rootage than trees taken from the field. - -Everything is in favor of the nursery-grown tree, except the price; -however, very often the expense of digging and bringing in a half-dozen -good-sized maples from the woods is greater than the cost of better -trees of like size from the most expensive nursery in the country. - -Arbor Day is not necessarily the best day for tree-planting, especially -in the matter of big trees for streets, school grounds, and public -places. The experts prefer to handle such trees in mid-winter; they do -this even in sections where the ground freezes to a depth of two or -three feet; in fact, it is considered the height of good practice to -take up the tree from its place, accompanied by a huge block of frozen -earth. Evergreen trees, such as pines and spruces, may be handled very -successfully in August, and this season is widely chosen for the purpose -by knowing treemen. - -Many tree-lovers make the mistake of crowding their small private -grounds with their pets. If one has only a city lot thirty feet wide by -a hundred feet deep, he cannot grow a large forest. One or two large -trees will be all such a place can reasonably support; any more will -make the premises too crowded. The trees themselves will suffer, and, -besides that, there will be no opportunity to view them. There will be -no room for a flower garden, and no lawn for any purpose. - -The common mistake in planting trees on small home grounds is to place -the individual in the middle of the lawn. As a matter of design, the -center of the lawn should be kept open, and trees, at any rate, should -file along the boundaries. In our northern climate sturdy, protecting -evergreens will naturally choose a north boundary, and the shady summer -trees with heavy foliage will cast their comfortable shadows from the -south side of the garden. - -The tree-lover who hopes to get the most satisfaction out of his hobby -will not always wait to see his trees grow. It requires too many years. -About the best way to do is to adopt a tract of well-grown woodland, and -then to make the most of it. Improvement cuttings will come first; for -the axe is as important as the spade, and trees have to be cut as well -as planted. The best trees can be left and nursed and admired. If there -is space enough, forest effects can be developed; roads and paths can be -built; game-cover can be introduced, and wild life encouraged. Birds and -boys and others friends will visit you in your woods, and the days will -go by like a lusty ballad. Between you and me and the beech-tree, it -will be a jolly, pleasant company. - - - - - FOREST DAY - - SELMA LAGERLÖF - - -On the mountain's broad back there had been a forest fire ten years -before. Since that time the charred trees had been felled and removed -and the great fire-swept area had begun to deck itself with green along -the edges, where it skirted the healthy forest. However, the larger part -of the top was still barren and appallingly desolate. Charred stumps, -standing sentinel-like between the rock ledges, bore witness that once -there had been a forest fire here; but no fresh shoots sprang from the -ground. - -One day in the early summer all the children in the parish had assembled -in front of the schoolhouse near the fire-swept mountain. Each child -carried either a spade or a hoe on its shoulder and a basket of food in -its hand. As soon as all were assembled they marched in a long -procession toward the forest. The banner came first, with the teachers -on either side of it. Then followed a couple of foresters and a wagon -load of pine shrubs and spruce seeds; then the children. - -The procession did not pause in any of the birch groves near the -settlements, but marched on deep into the forest. As it moved along the -foxes stuck their heads out of their lairs in astonishment and wondered -what kind of backwoods people these were. As they marched past the old -coal pits where charcoal kilns were fired every autumn, the cross-beaks -twisted their hooked bills and asked one another what kind of coalers -these might be, who were now thronging the forest. - -Finally, the procession reached the big burnt mountain plain. The rocks -had been stripped of the fine twin-flower creepers that once covered -them; they had been robbed of the pretty silver moss and the attractive -reindeer moss. Around the dark water gathered in clefts and hollows -there was now no wood-sorrel. The little patches of soil in crevices and -between stones were without ferns, without star-flowers, without all the -green and red and light and soft and soothing things that usually clothe -the forest ground. - -It was as if a bright light flashed upon the mountain when all the -parish children covered it. Here again was something sweet and delicate, -something fresh and rosy, something young and growing. Perhaps these -children would bring to the poor abandoned forest a little new life. - -When the children had rested and eaten their luncheon, they seized hoes -and spades and began to work. The foresters showed them what to do. They -set out shrub after shrub on every clear spot of earth they could find. - -As they worked, they talked quite knowingly among themselves of how the -little shrubs they were planting would bind the soil so that it could -not get away, and of how new soil would form under the trees. By and by -seeds would drop, and, in a few years, they would be picking both -strawberries and raspberries where now there were only bare rocks. The -little shrubs which they were planting would gradually become tall -trees. Perhaps big houses and great splendid ships would be built from -them! - -If the children had not come here and planted while there was still a -little soil in the clefts, all the earth would have been carried away by -winds and water, and the mountain could never more have been clothed in -green. - -"It was well that we came," said the children. "We were just in the nick -of time." They felt very important. - -While they were working on the mountain their parents were at home. By -and by they began to wonder how the children were getting along. - -Of course it was only a joke about their planting a forest, but it might -be amusing to see what they were trying to do. - -So presently both fathers and mothers were on their way to the forest. -When they came to the outlying stock farms they met some of their -neighbors. - -"Are you going to the fire-swept mountain?" they asked. - -"That's where we're bound for." - -"To have a look at the children?" - -"Yes, to see what they are up to." - -"It's only play, of course." - -"It isn't likely that there will be many forest trees planted by the -youngsters. We have brought the coffee pot along so that we can have -something warm to drink, since we must stay there all day with only -lunch-basket provisions." - -So the parents of the children went on up the mountain. At first they -thought only of how pretty it looked to see all the rosy-cheeked little -children scattered over the gray hills. Later they observed how the -children were working,—how some were setting out shrubs, while others -were digging furrows and sowing seeds. Others again were pulling up -heather to prevent its choking the growing trees. They saw that the -children took the work seriously and were so intent upon what they were -doing that they scarcely had time to glance up. - -The fathers and mothers stood for a moment and looked on; then they, -too, began to pull up heather,—just for the fun of it. The children were -the instructors, for they were already trained and had to show their -elders what to do. - -Then it happened that all the grown-ups who had come to watch the -children took part in the work. Then, of course, it became greater fun -than before. By and by the children had even more help. Other implements -were needed, so a couple of long-legged boys were sent down to the -village for spades and hoes. As they ran past the cabins, the -stay-at-homes came out and asked, "What's wrong? Has there been an -accident?" - -"No, indeed! But the whole parish is up on the fire-swept mountain -planting a forest." - -"If the whole parish is there, we can't stay at home." - -So party after party of peasants went crowding to the top of the burnt -mountain. They stood a moment and looked on. The temptation to join the -workers was irresistible. - -"It's a pleasure to sow one's own acres in the spring and to think of -the grain that will spring up from the earth, but this work is even more -thrilling," they thought. - -Not only slender blades would come from that sowing, but mighty trees -with tall trunks and sturdy branches. It meant giving birth not merely -to a summer's grain, but to many years' growths. It meant the awakening -hum of insects, the song of the thrush, the play of grouse, and all -kinds of life, on the desolate mountain. Moreover, it was like raising a -memorial for coming generations. They could have left a bare, treeless -height as an heritage. Instead, they were to leave a glorious forest. - -Coming generations would know their forefathers had been a good and wise -folk and they would remember them with reverence and gratitude. - - - - - WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE - - - Woodman, spare that tree! - Touch not a single bough! - In youth it sheltered me, - And I'll protect it now. - 'Twas my forefather's hand - That placed it near his cot; - There, woodman, let it stand—— - Thy axe shall harm it not! - - That old familiar tree, - Whose glory and renown - Are spread o'er land and sea—— - And wouldst thou hew it down? - Woodman, forbear thy stroke! - Cut not its earth-bound ties; - Oh, spare that aged oak, - Now towering to the skies! - - My heartstrings round thee cling, - Close as thy bark, old friend! - Here shall the wild bird sing, - And still thy branches bend. - Old tree! the storm still brave! - And, woodman, leave the spot. - While I've a hand to save, - Thy axe shall harm it not! - - GEORGE P. MORRIS. - - - - - IN AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN - - - The garden was pleasant with old-fashioned flowers, - The sunflowers and hollyhocks stood up like towers; - There were dark turncap-lilies and jasemine rare, - And sweet thyme and marjoram scented the air. - - WILLIAM BRIGHTLY RANDS. - - Buttercup, Poppy, Forget-me-not, - These three bloomed in a garden spot; - And once, all merry with song and play, - A little one heard three voices say: - "Shine and shadow, summer and spring, - O thou child with the tangled hair - And laughing eyes! We thee shall bring - Each an offering passing fair." - The little one did not understand - But they bent and kissed the dimpled hand. - - EUGENE FIELD. - - - - - HOW THE ROSE BECAME QUEEN - - ALBERT BIGELOW PAINE - - -Once upon a time there was a very great garden that lay between two -ranges of blue, blue hills. And the sky above was blue, as blue as the -hills, so that you could hardly tell where the sky ended and the hills -began, and underneath was the great, beautiful garden which covered all -the lands between. - -And in this rare garden there were all the choicest flowers and fruit -that the world knew, and when the flowers were all in bloom, under that -blue, blue sky—in all the wonderful colors of gold and crimson, and -royal purple, and with all the banks of white daisies, and all the sweet -orchards of apple-bloom, there was nothing like it in the whole world, -and the sweet perfume went out so far that sailors in the ships coming -in from sea, a hundred miles away, could smell the sweet odors and would -say, "The wind blows from the garden of the Princess Beautiful." For I -must tell you that the garden was owned by a great Princess, and she was -called Beautiful by all who knew of her, and every traveler to that -distant country made his way to her white marble palace to seek -permission to look upon the most beautiful garden in the world. - -And many who came there were of high rank, like herself, and some of -them tried to win her love, for the Princess was like her name and as -beautiful as the rarest flower in all that marvelous garden. But to the -princes and kings she would not listen, for her heart and pride were -only in her flowers, and she wished to remain with them forever and be -happy in their beauty. She was only sad when she saw that some of those -who came went away with heavy hearts because she would not leave her -palace for theirs. - -Now once there came to the palace of the Princess Beautiful a great -queen. She had traveled far to see the splendid garden, and when she -came the Princess led her with all her court among the flowers. And all -that sunlit day, under the blue, blue sky, the great queen and her court -lingered in the garden—up and down the paths of white shells, where -hyacinths and lilies and daffodils and azaleas grew on every side—and -rested in the shade of blossoming orchard trees. And when it was -evening, and they had gone, and the flowers were left alone they -whispered and murmured together, for never before had they seen a queen -and her court. - -And by and by, as the days passed, the flowers decided that they, too, -must have a queen—some rare flower, fine and stately, whom they would -honor, even as they had seen their beautiful Princess honor her royal -guest. And night after night they talked of these things, but never -could decide which of their number should be chosen for the high place. - -And then one day a great sadness came upon the fair garden between the -hills. A young traveler from an unknown country had come to the white -palace, and one sunny afternoon the Princess Beautiful had led him among -the beds of primroses and lilies and daffodils. And when the sun was -going down and she turned and looked into his face, and saw how fair he -was, and how the sun made his hair like gold, how it shimmered on his -beautiful garments of velvet and fine lace. She felt for the first time -a great love arise within her heart. Then, all at once, she forgot her -garden, her palace, and her pride, forgot everything in all the world -except the fair youth who stood there with her in the sunset—and she -told him her great new love. - -And as she spoke, softly and tenderly, the words she had never spoken to -any one before, the breeze died, and the sun slipped down behind the -far-off hills. And then, as the light faded, it seemed to the Princess -Beautiful that the fair youth before her was fading, too. His face grew -dim and misty—his hair became a blur of gold—his rare garments melted -back into the beds of bloom. And behold, instead of the fair youth there -stood before her in the twilight only a wonderful golden lily with a -crimson heart. - -Then the Princess Beautiful knew that because she had cared only for her -garden and had sent from her those who had offered a great love like her -own, that this wonderful lily had come to her as a youth with a face of -radiant beauty, and with hair of gold, to awaken a human love in her -heart. And each day she mourned there by the splendid lily, and called -it to return to her as the fair youth she had loved; and at last when -its flowers had faded and the stem drooped, the white palace of the -Princess Beautiful was empty and the Princess lay beside the withered -lily in the rare garden between the hills. - -And there they made her grave and above it they built a trellis where a -white climbing rose might grow. But when the rose bloomed, instead of -being white, it was a wonderful crimson, such as no one had ever seen -before. And when the other flowers saw those beautiful crimson blossoms -they no longer mourned, for they said, "This is our beautiful Princess -Beautiful who has returned to be our queen." - -And so it was the red rose became the queen of flowers, and a symbol of -great human love. The poet Burns says: - - "My love is like a red, red rose, - That's newly blown in June." - -And it was always in June that the great crimson rose bloomed on the -grave in the garden of the Princess Beautiful. - - - - - MORNING GLORIES - - - They swing from the garden-trellis - In Ariel-airy ease; - And their aromatic honey - Is sought by the earliest bees. - - The rose, it knows their secret, - And the jessamine also knows: - And the rose told me the story - That the jessamine told the rose. - - And the jessamine said: "At midnight, - E're the red cock woke and crew, - The fays of Queen Titania - Came here to bathe in dew. - - And the yellow moonlight glistened - On braids of elfin hair; - And fairy feet on the flowers - Fell softer than any air. - - And their petticoats, gay as bubbles, - They hung up, every one, - On the morning glory's tendrils, - Till their moonlight bath was done. - - But the red cock crew too early, - And the fairies fled in fear, - Leaving their petticoats purple and pink, - Like blossoms hanging there. - - MADISON CAWEIN. - - - - - WHY ROSES HAVE THORNS - - (ALGONQUIN LEGEND) - - -In the far-off days of long ago roses had no thorns. The branches of the -bushes and the flower stems were smooth and delicate and made delicious -food for the animals. They greedily ate the leaves, stems, and lovely -blossoms; sometimes, indeed, they devoured the entire plant. - -With grief the roses saw that each year the number of bushes was growing -fewer and they feared the time would come when there would be none of -their blossoms left to gladden the summer days. At last they held a -council to see if anything could be done to prevent the animals from -destroying the bushes. But no one could think of a way out of the -difficulty. - -"We must go to Manabozho, the Great Chief," said one of them. "He will -advise us what to do." - -Accordingly, it was decided that several messengers, chosen from the -council, should seek the Great Chief and tell him how the animals were -fast destroying the roses. - -It was no easy matter to find Manabozho, for while he lived on earth -among the Red Men he took many disguises. They who sought him were -carried by the swiftest wind through valleys and meadows and far over -the hilltops. All along the path of their journey, whenever they asked -the question, "Where shall we find Manabozho?" they received the same -answer, "Travel on toward the sunrise. There you will find the Great -Chief. He is tending a wonderful garden." - -At last one morning they saw the sun shining on a marvellous garden -where vegetables grew in abundance. There were beds of cucumbers and -squash, rows of corn and beans, and many other plants, whose names the -messengers did not know. And what surprised them most was the beautiful -hedge of rose-bushes which surrounded the garden. They looked anxiously -for the Great Gardener Chief but he was nowhere to be seen. Silently the -messengers hid themselves in a forest which grew near, for they believed -Manabozho would soon return. The thought of talking to him filled them -with awe, but they were determined to be brave and tell him their -mission. - -"He values roses or he would not have chosen them for his garden hedge," -they whispered, looking with pride at the beauty of the flowering -bushes. - -While they were waiting a surprising thing happened. In the forest they -heard quiet, stealthy steps approaching. Soon they saw a procession of -animals from the woods. There were field mice, squirrels, rabbits, -foxes, coyotes, elks, and bears, all making their way to Manabozho's -garden. They were sniffing the air as if they scented something -delicious. On they came until they reached the rose-hedge where they -stopped to taste the dainty, fragrant leaves. Various cries of -satisfaction were uttered and immediately they began feasting on the -delicate bushes. Leaves, flowers, and stems were all devoured and in a -short time not one bit of the rose-hedge around the Great Chief's garden -was left. It could not have disappeared more completely if Manabozho -himself had cut it down. The dainty morsel of the rose-hedge, however, -was not enough to satisfy the hunger of the animals from the woods. They -turned their attention to the vegetables and were devouring the very -choicest of them when suddenly the smaller animals pricked up their ears -and listened. The next moment they scuttled away as fast as they could -into the forest. The larger animals took this for a sign of danger and -hurried after them. - -In a little while the messengers of the Rose Council heard a loud voice -singing. Manabozho was returning from his adventure. As he drew near his -song ceased for he saw that destruction had come to his precious garden. -His rage was terrible! In a voice which shook the neighboring hillsides -he declared he would punish the intruders. He was particularly grieved -at the destruction of his rose-hedge which he valued not only for its -beauty but because he believed it was a means of protection to his -garden. - -When the messengers saw this they came forward and stated the object of -their journey. Manabozho listened with eager interest while one of them -told the story of the rapidly decreasing number of rose-bushes. - -"Great Manabozho," said the speaker, "the animals of the woods find -rose-bushes such delicious food that they eat blossoms, leaves, and -stems. Our number is decreasing so rapidly that in a little while there -will be none left to gladden the earth. The destruction of your hedge -proves how ruthlessly the animals destroy us. Help us, O Chief! Devise -some plan to protect us." - -"You shall, indeed, have my help," said Manabozho, thoughtfully. - -For some time the chief was silent. Then he said, "I'll give _you_ -weapons and you shall protect yourselves. Sharp thorns shall grow on -your branches and needle-like prickles shall cover the stems which hold -your lovely blossoms. While you are armed with these, the cruel animals -will not venture to touch you." - -The messengers thanked Manabozho with all their hearts. Delighted with -his gift, they hastened back to tell the Council how the Great Chief had -saved the roses of the world. Ever since that day roses have had thorns. - -Adapted from _Algonquin Indian Tales_, by Egerton R. Young. Copyright, -1903, by Egerton R. Young. Reprinted by permission of the Abingdon -Press, Publishers. - - - - - SWEET PEAS - - - Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight, - With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white - And taper fingers catching at all things, - To bend them all about with tiny rings. - - JOHN KEATS. - - - - - A LEGEND OF THE PRIMROSE - - -In a cottage which stood near a large meadow lived a poor woman and her -little child Elizabeth. The mother earned a scant living by spinning and -weaving. She was not strong and could work for only a few hours at a -time. - -Each morning after the little girl had swept the cottage she ran to the -meadow and gathered a large bunch of golden primroses. They were her -mother's favorite flowers and Elizabeth knew that their sunny color -brought good cheer to the room where her mother worked. - -One fair morning Elizabeth wandered far across the meadows searching for -the brightest blossoms. She filled her arms with the sweetest primroses -she could find and turned to hasten back to the cottage when she saw -standing near her a lovely little creature. Her dress was made from the -golden petals of the primrose and so were her dainty shoes. On her head -sparkled a tiny crown studded with yellow jewels. She carried a fairy -basket which held a number of wonderfully beautiful primroses. - -"Elizabeth," said the little creature, speaking in the most friendly -way, "I'm the queen of the key-flower fairies. Tell me why you choose -daily to pluck our blossoms." - -"These are primroses," said Elizabeth, looking at the flowers in her -arms. - -"Yes, yes, I know that is the name you mortals call them but their -proper name is the key-flower," nodded the fairy. - -"They are the blossoms mother loves best," said Elizabeth, answering the -little creature's first question. "She is not strong enough to walk in -the meadow so each day I fill a bowl with primroses and put them near -her spinning wheel." - -The queen of the key-flowers fairies came close to Elizabeth, took a -blossom from her basket, and offering it to the little girl said, "Today -I'm going to send your mother a gift. Hold this flower in your hand and -walk to the hills on the east side of the meadow. You will find a path -all the way bordered with our blossoms. Follow the path carefully until -you come to a hillside in which there is a great arched doorway marked -out by the pale gold of these flowers. Touch the door gently with this -key-flower which I give you. It will open, and you may enter into an -enchanted hall." - -Elizabeth took the flower which the fairy offered her and the next -moment the tiny creature vanished. - -Stretching across the meadow Elizabeth now noticed the flower-bordered -path which the fairy had directed her to follow. It led to a sunny -hillside where the little girl found exactly what the fairy had -described—an arched doorway around which grew pale golden primroses in -full bloom. - -Very gently Elizabeth tapped with her key-flower on the door, which -immediately swung open without the least bit of noise. - -"Come in," called a silvery voice. And there, standing in a hall -marvellously lighted, stood the queen of the key-flower fairies. -Elizabeth walked into the enchanted hall. Through a crystal roof the -golden sunlight streamed on lovely hanging-baskets filled with brilliant -primroses. The floor and walls were covered with rich green moss and the -curious furniture was fashioned from pale yellow petals. On the tables -stood baskets and vases holding large bunches of primrose blossoms. -Their delicious scent filled the air. - -"This is key-flower hall," said the fairy. - -Then, pointing to some golden chests which stood near the walls she -continued, "Your key-flower will unlock those treasure-boxes. Open one -of them and see what it holds." - -Elizabeth tapped gently with her fairy primrose on one of the boxes. -Immediately the lid opened and she saw that the chest was filled with -pale golden flower petals. - -"You may take home to your mother as many flower petals as you can carry -in your apron," said the fairy. - -Elizabeth began to fill her apron with the soft golden disks, but, -strange to say, she no sooner lifted them from the treasure-chest than -they hardened into golden coins. - -The fairy laughed merrily when she saw the astonished look on -Elizabeth's face. Then, suddenly, again the little creature vanished. - -Elizabeth hurried home as fast as she could and gave the fairy's gift to -her mother. There was plenty of money to buy all the food and comforts -which the poor woman needed to make her grow strong again. - -Elizabeth loved to tell her about her adventure with the queen of the -primrose fairies and the treasure which the magic key-flower unlocked. - - - - - EVENING PRIMROSES - - - While grey was the summer evening - Hast never a small sprite seen - Lighting the fragrant torches - For the feast of the Faerie Queen? - - The buds in the primrose-bushes - Upspring into yellow light, - But ever the wee deft spirit - Escapes my bewildered sight. - - Yet oft through the dusky garden - A dainty white moth will fly, - Or, pink as a pink rose-petal, - One lightly will waver by. - - Perhaps 'tis the shape he comes in - Perhaps it is he, indeed, - Sir Moth or the merry Cobweb - Or the Whimsical Mustard-Seed! - - HELEN GRAY CONE. - - - - - LEGEND OF THE LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY - - ALBERT BIGELOW PAINE - - -Once when the Little Child of Bethlehem was playing, he grew very tired -and thirsty, and his playmate was very thirsty, too. So Jesus ran to the -well for a cup of water and hurried back with it without stopping to -drink. But his playmate was greedy, for he seized the cup and drank it -all except a few drops at the bottom; then he gave the empty cup to -Jesus, who took it and let the last few drops fall on the grass, when -suddenly, from where they fell, there flowed a little clear stream of -water with lilies-of-the-valley blooming along its bank. - - - - - KATRINA'S SUN-DIAL - - - Hours fly, - Flowers die, - New days, - New ways - Pass by, - Love stays. - - HENRY VAN DYKE. - - - - - THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLIES - - -There were once three little butterflies, one was white, one was red, -and one was yellow. They played in the sunshine and danced from one -blossom to another. They never grew tired, for they loved to play among -the flowers in the garden. - -One day a heavy rain fell and the little butterflies became very wet. -They soon hurried home but when they got to their house they found the -door locked and they could not find the key. So they had to stay -outdoors and they became wetter and wetter. - -But by and by they flew to a yellow and red striped tulip and said: - -"Dear Tulip, open your little flower cup so that we may slip in until -the rain is over?" - -The tulip answered, "I will gladly open my flower cup to the red -butterfly and the yellow one. They are like me. But the white one may -not come in." - -But the butterflies, the red and the yellow ones, said: "No, if our -white brother may not go into your flower cup with us, we will stay out -here in the rain with him." And away they flew. It rained harder and -harder and they flew to a white lily and said: "Good lily, open your -flower cup a little so that we may find shelter from this rain." The -lily answered, "I will open my flower cup so that the white butterfly -may come in because he is like me, but the red and yellow butterflies -must stay out in the rain." Then the white butterfly said: "No; if you -will not shelter my brothers, you cannot shelter me. We would rather -stay outside together and be wet than leave one another in need." - -And the three little butterflies flew farther on together. - -It happened that the jolly old sun who was behind the clouds heard all -that was said and he knew how kind the little butterfly brothers were to -each other, for, had they not stayed together in spite of the hard, hard -rain? So his sunbeams pierced the clouds and drove away the rain, and it -was clear and bright once more in the garden. The butterflies were not -wet long for the sunbeams soon dried their wings and warmed their -bodies. Then how merry they were! They danced again and played among the -flowers until it was evening, then they flew away together to their -house—and the door was wide open! - - - - - THE PINKS - - - The pinks along my garden walks - Have all shot forth their summer stalks, - Thronging their buds 'mong tulips hot, - And blue forget-me-not. - - Their dazzling snows forth-bursting soon - Will lade the idle breath of June: - And waken through the fragrant night - To steal the pale moonlight. - - ROBERT BRIDGES. - - - - - THE FLOWER'S THANKS - - LYMAN ABBOTT - - -A little flower lay drooping on the ground under an August sun. For days -there had been no rain. The earth was dry and hard. The little flower -had held up its open mouth for rain, but no rain had come. - -And now it was dying of thirst. - -As it lay dying a shadow passed over the sun. The air became dark. - -Heavy thunder rolled. Flashes of lightning chased each other across the -sky. - -The birds hushed their singing. The very leaves of the tree stood still. - -At last two big drops fell at the root of the little flower. - -A moment, and then the air was full of raindrops. They lifted the dying -flower. They washed it, fed it and brought it back to life. - -When the sun broke through the clouds, two great tears glistened on the -little flower's cheek. They were tears of thankfulness. - -Then the flower lifted up its voice and said: - -"Thank you, raindrops,—good raindrops,—you have saved my life." - -But the raindrops answered, "Thank not us; thank the clouds; they sent -us." - -Then the flower lifted up its voice and said: - -"Thank you, clouds,—good clouds,—you have saved my life." - -But the clouds answered, "Thank not us; thank the sun. It saw you dying -and called us from the ocean. The winds heard you sighing, and brought -us here to help you." - -Then the little flower turned to the wind and the sun. The wind bent -down to the earth, and stopped for a moment to hear its words. - -The sun sent down its beams to receive the flower's message. - -"Thank you, wind,—good wind," said the little flower. - -"Thank you, sun,—good sun,—you have saved my life." - -"Thank not us," said the sun and the wind; "thank the good God. He saw -you dying; He heard you sighing, He took pity on you. We, sun and winds -and clouds and falling raindrops are only the givers of His bounty." - -And the flower breathed a prayer of thanks to the great and good God. - - - - - PANSIES - - - Pansies! pansies! How I love you, pansies, - Jaunty-faced, laughing-lipped and dewy-eyed with glee; - Would my song might blossom out in little five-leaved stanzas - As delicate in fancies, - As your beauty is to me. - - JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY. - -From the Biographical Edition of the complete works of James Whitcomb -Riley. Copyright 1913. Used by special permission of the publishers, The -Bobbs-Merrill Company. - - - - - THE LITTLE HEARTSEASE - - -One morning a king went into his garden for a walk. He noticed that the -trees and flowers were drooped and somewhat withered. Turning to a great -branching oak tree, his majesty said, "Tell me what has happened to my -garden?" - -"Sire," moaned the oak tree, "I am most unhappy. See how thick my trunk -is and how gnarled and twisted my great branches are. Now the pine tree, -which stands at the other end of the garden, is a picture of grace and -beauty. How tall and slender the stem is, and what dainty needles—like -leaves—adorn the branches." - -The king walked on until he came to the pine tree. As he drew near he -heard a deep sigh. - -"What troubles you, slender pine tree?" he asked. - -"Sire," replied the pine, "I've been wishing for many a day that I could -bear luscious grapes such as ripen on the vine which trails over the -garden wall. To bear rich clusters of purple fruit must, indeed, bring -great happiness." - -The king walked on until he came to the garden wall where the grapevine -trailed. But he saw that the vine was withering and slipping down from -the wall. - -"What a rich harvest of fruit you bear this autumn!" said the king, -going close to the grapevine. But, to his surprise, he heard a deep sigh -and the grapevine said, "It is very hard to be obliged to cling to a -garden wall for support. I should like to stand erect in the sunlight -where all could see my ripe fruit." And the vine looked longingly at a -peach tree which stood near. - -The king turned down a little winding path, which led to a quieter spot -in his garden. There he saw a bright-faced pansy drinking the morning -dew, and beaming with happiness. - -"Heartsease, my brave little flower," said the king, "you seem very -cheerful. Tell me what wish you are nursing in that golden heart of -yours?" - -"Sire," answered the little flower, "my dearest wish is to be the very -best heartsease that ever I can." - - - - - LEGEND OF THE RED GERANIUM - - -Once upon a time there lived in a country far over the sea a prophet -whose name was Mohammed. He was a great leader and traveled many miles -through his country, teaching the people who looked to him for guidance. - -One scorching hot day, after a long pilgrimage through a dusty country, -the great prophet stopped to rest. A clear stream flowed near him, and -Mohammed bathed in its cool waters and then washed his travel-stained -clothes. He spread the clean linen over a tall mallow plant. Then he lay -down to rest while his garments were drying. - -After sleeping for an hour or two the prophet wakened, much refreshed. -He lifted his dry linen from the common plant, and lo! a great surprise -met his eye. The mallow had been changed into a magnificent geranium, -whose red clusters were dazzlingly bright in the sunshine. - - - - - ENCHANTED TULIPS - - - Tulips white and tulips red, - Sweeter than a violet bed! - Say, old Mother Bailey, say, - Why your tulips look so gay, - Why they smell so sweet and why - They bloom when others die? - - "By the pixies' magic power - Do my tulips always flower, - By the pixies' magic spell - Do they give so sweet a smell! - Tulips, tulips, red and white, - Fill the pixies with delight. - - "Pixie women, pixie men, - Seek my tulips from the glen; - Midnight comes, they may be heard - Singing sweet as any bird, - Singing their wee babes to rest - In the tulips they love best!" - - MAUD KEARY. - - - - - IRIS - - -Juno, the wife of Jupiter, was queen of the earth and sky. In her -beautiful golden chariot, drawn by six brilliant peacocks, the proud -queen sometimes drove on errands to all parts of the kingdom and even to -the ends of the earth. - -But when she wished a message to be delivered quickly she usually sent -Iris, her faithful messenger, who was swift as the wind, to carry out -her queen's requests. She would arch a lovely bridge of many colors from -the skies to the earth; then, in robes of violet, blue, green, yellow, -and red, she would pass over the bridge like a flash of light with her -message to the earth or, perhaps, to the depths of the sea. When the -people saw the brilliant arch in the sky they would call out, "See the -rainbow. Iris brings us a message from Juno." - -One day Juno invited all the flowers to a festival, for it was Iris's -birthday. Many flowers came clothed in wondrous beauty. While the -merry-making was at its highest, three strange flowers, who were -sisters, appeared. One wore a rich red gown, another a bright yellow, -and a third was clad in the softest violet. Each was adorned with -richest jewels. - -"Who are they and whence do they come?" asked the revelers. No one could -answer, for no one knew the names of the strange visitors; indeed, not -one flower could remember ever having seen them before. - -When the strangers neared the others to join in the festival, the rain -began to fall, and the little raindrops laughed and frolicked and danced -in glee, while the flowers caught them in their cups and quickly let -them roll away again to join the rest of their playmates. - -Soon the sun was shining gorgeously again. And right across the sky -spread the splendid arch of a rainbow, like bent sunbeams, one end of -which was held by the strange flowers. - -"The rainbow," cried the others, as soon as they saw it. "See, Iris's -bridge. And the colors worn by the strange flowers are exactly like the -red, yellow, and violet of the rainbow. Let us give our new friends the -name of Iris. It was they who brought her lovely arched bridge into our -midst." - -Ever since that day these tall, stately flowers have been called by the -name of Iris, the faithful messenger of the gods. - - - - - THE YELLOW-BIRD[3] - - - Hey! my little yellow-bird, - What you doing there? - Like a flashing sun-ray - Flitting everywhere; - Dangling down the tall weeds - And the holly-hocks, - And the lovely sunflowers - Along the garden walks. - - JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY. - -Footnote 3: - - From the Biographical Edition of the complete works of James Whitcomb - Riley. Copyright, 1913. Used by special permission of the publishers, - The Bobbs-Merrill Company. - - - - - ORIGIN OF THE SUNFLOWER - - (GREEK MYTH) - - -Clytie was the name of a beautiful nymph who lived in a coral cave far -down in the depths of the sea. It happened one morning that she ventured -to the surface of the water and looked toward the east. In the distance -where the earth and sky met she saw a marvellous sight. Aurora, the -goddess of dawn, rolled aside the soft grey curtains of the morning sky -and there, waiting for the day's journey, stood Apollo's jeweled car. - -Clytie saw the sun-god leap into his seat and take lightly in hand the -reins of his restless, prancing steeds. Then up the steep slope of the -eastern sky he drove, and the gleam from his dazzling chariot filled the -air with golden light. All day long Clytie sat on the rocks near the -shore and watched Apollo in his brilliant course. At evening when the -last beams from the sun-god's car sank into the western sea, the nymph, -with a deep sigh, returned to her coral halls. - -But she no longer took keen delight in fashioning delicate shells and -tending her seaweed gardens. She had fallen in love with the sun-god and -longed with all her heart to see him again. One morning very early she -rose to the surface of the water and wandered eastward toward a large -green meadow which was very near the place where Apollo started his -course. Again she saw the "rosy-fingered Dawn" roll aside the soft grey -curtains; again she saw the radiant beauty of the sun-god. Clytie fixed -her eyes on the driver of the golden chariot and never for one moment -lost sight of him in his day's journey through the sky. For nine days -the sea-nymph lingered in the meadow, tasting neither food nor drink, -hoping for some small sign of favour from Apollo. But he was too intent -on his marvellous course to find interest in the adoring Clytie. Her -constancy, however, touched the heart of the sun-god with pity, and he -changed her into a flower. Her slender limbs became a tall green stem, -her delicate sea-green dress turned into leaves, and her lovely face and -golden hair changed into sun-like flowers which faithfully follow the -brilliant god of day all through his course. - - - - - THE BLUEBELL - - - There is a story I have heard; - A poet learned it of a bird, - And kept its music, every word. - - About two thousand years ago, - A little flower, as white as snow, - Swayed in the silence to and fro. - - Day after day with longing eye, - The floweret watched the narrow sky - And the fleecy clouds that floated by. - - And swiftly o'er its petals white, - There crept a blueness like the light - Of skies, upon a summer night. - - And in its chalice, I am told, - The bonny bell was found to hold - A tiny star that gleamed like gold. - - - - - THE DEW MOTHER'S GIFT TO THE - ROSE - - -On warm summer evenings, when the afterglow of sunset tints the sky, the -Dew Mother comes to care for her children of the earth, the trees, -grass, and flowers. She is dressed in garments of softest grey, so -delicate and so much like the mists of the evening sky that it is very -hard, indeed, to see her wander about with her precious refreshing gift. - -One evening, after a scorching hot day, the Dew Mother had heavy work to -perform. She was needed everywhere. The fierce rays of the sun had -parched the forest leaves; the fruit in the orchards and vineyards must -be bathed in the life-giving dew; the thirsty flowers, hanging their -heads, waited patiently for her tender care and they knew she would not -forsake them. - -When the Dew Mother had completed her task she was so weary that she -felt she must rest before leaving the earth. It happened that she was in -an old-fashioned garden where she found a bed of velvet moss. Here she -lay down and slept until sunrise. When she opened her eyes she saw -bending over her a beautiful rose bush. - -"My queen of flowers, thou hast watched me through the night, and -sheltered me with tender care from the sun's first rays," said the Dew -Mother. "But what new gift can I add to the beauty of the rose whose -perfume is the richest I can bestow; whose colour is like the first -flush of the morning sky?" - -Very humbly the queen of flowers replied, "Grant me a gift of the green -moss, which made your resting place under my branches." - -So the Dew Mother gladly added the gift of delicate soft moss to the -manifold beauties of the rose, and to-day in many an old-fashioned -garden one finds the exquisite moss rose. - - - - - A YELLOW PANSY - - - To the wall of the old green garden - A butterfly, quivering, came; - His wings in the somber lichens - Played like a yellow flame. - - He looked at the grey geraniums, - And the sleepy four-o'clocks; - He looked at the low lanes bordered - With the glossy-growing box. - - He longed for the peace and the silence, - And the shadows that lengthened there, - And his wee wild heart was weary - Of skimming the endless air. - - And now in the old green garden,— - I know not how it came,— - A single pansy is blooming, - Bright as a yellow flame. - - And whenever a gay gust passes, - It quivers as if with pain, - For the butterfly-soul that is in it - Longs for the winds again! - - HELEN GRAY CONE. - - - - - MIGNONETTE - - -There was once a queen who was so fond of flowers that she wished to -make her garden the most beautiful one in the world. Messengers from her -court were sent into strange lands, and commanded to bring her majesty -rare and wonderful flowering plants to fill her garden with a wealth of -bloom. - -"It must be a garden fit for a queen," she said to those who were sent -at her bidding. - -So great was this queen's love of flowers that she ordered her servants -to keep a bouquet in every room of the palace during the flower season. -And every morning her handmaidens gathered the choicest blossoms and -placed them upon a table in the queen's own room. - -Now it chanced one day that while the handmaidens were picking the -flowers for their queen, one of them looked over the garden wall to the -blue hills that lay beyond. To her great surprise, she discovered that a -field alight with wonderful colors—yellow, blue, and crimson—stretched -before her. It reached out toward a bank of white daisies which bordered -the distant hills. - -"Come, come!" she called to the others. "See, is this not a fair sight?" - -The handmaidens came at the call and were lost in wonder at the beauty -of the scene. - -"Let us gather her majesty's bouquet this morning from the flowers -here," suggested one. "I am sure our queen does not know how much beauty -lies so close to her own garden." - -The others were well pleased with the plan. Together they climbed the -stone wall, ran into the field, and gathered a wealth of blossoms. In a -little while these field flowers graced the royal table. - -Now the queen who, as you know, loved her flowers more than any other -one thing in the world, never failed each morning to look at her bouquet -and examine with loving care each blossom in it. And it was with no -small surprise that she discovered the strange flowers placed that -morning upon her table. - -"These blossoms are rare, indeed," said she. "Is it possible that my -garden contains so many plants that are strangers to me? I have seen -blossoms more beautiful than some of these, but never before have I -enjoyed a perfume so delicious. To which one of them does it belong, I -wonder?" And the queen bent close to the bouquet to see if she could -detect the flower with the sweet odor. - -"I shall want the same kind of bouquet for many days," she said, -smiling. - -So it happened that each morning the handmaidens ran to the fields -beyond the palace garden, and gathered some of the flowers which had won -her majesty's heart. - -One morning the queen called her handmaidens to her and said, "The -flower with the delicious odor is missing. Do you know which one was not -gathered to-day?" - -"We do not know," said the maidens; "each day we have tried to bring the -same kind of flowers. We will search for it." - -But day after day the queen was disappointed, because she missed from -her flowers the one whose perfume was the sweetest she had ever enjoyed. - -Once or twice she thought the handmaidens had found the blossom, but in -a little while she knew the scent was not the one she was hoping to -find. - -One morning she said, "I'll go with you to gather the blossoms, my -handmaidens. I shall find the flower by its rare odor." - -Then the maidens told the queen about the meadow outside the royal park, -and together they went to the beautiful field, whose blossoms delighted -her majesty's heart. Many times while they were all searching for the -treasure, they saw the queen stoop over a bright flower and linger for a -moment or two. Then she would shake her head and say, "No, that is not -the perfume I am searching." - -"It must be in this meadow somewhere," said one of the maidens, "for -many days we have gathered flowers nowhere but here." - -"We'll search until we find it, then," said the queen. - -As she spoke a light breeze began to stir the flowers, and a delicate -perfume filled the air. - -"I smell the rare odor now," called out her majesty. "Come, stand near -for a moment, and enjoy it. Surely the flower is not far away." - -The handmaidens gathered round their queen. Suddenly one of them said, -"Can it be that this odor comes from the little plant under your -majesty's foot?" asked one of the maidens. - -"Surely not," answered another; "those flowers are so small and -colorless." - -The queen stooped down and took a spray from the humble little plant -which had sent forth an exquisite perfume when a careless foot had -crushed its blossoms. - -"It is! It is!" cried the queen in delight. "I have found it at last. It -shall be brought into the royal gardens, and shall be my special -treasure. What a modest little plant it is, and what rare delight it -gives." - -"Shall you give your treasure a name?" asked the handmaidens. - -The queen looked for a moment at the spray she held. Then she said, "I -shall call it Mignonette, which means 'little darling.'" - -Accordingly, the mignonette was taken from its wild life in the meadows -and brought into the gardens, where it still gives forth the sweetest of -all perfumes. - - - - - FLOWERS - - - Her garden was her pleasure and her care; - Morning and evening one could find her there - Working and wondering. Every scent and hue - Filled her with joy, with beauty pierced her through. - - For as her flowers opened to the sun - Each seemed a radiant world her soul had won, - This paradise of perfume her own hand - Had made, this glowing tapestry she planned. - From walls that kept marauding winds shut out, - A fountain splashed, a brook wound slow about - Field of spiced-candy-tuft, hedged with trim box, - Dark blue verbenas, larkspur, snow-white phlox, - And beds of heliotrope that in the night - Offered rare incense for the stars' delight. - Robin and catbird sought her iris pool, - Fluttered and bathed them in its shallow cool, - Then poised one happy moment on the banks - To offer to the stream their lyric thanks. - - EDWARD BLISS REED. - - - - - ON A MIDSUMMER DAY - - - O, grown-ups cannot understand - And grown-ups never will, - How short's the way to fairy-land - Across the purple hill: - They smile: their smile is very bland, - Their eyes are wise and chill; - And yet—at just a child's command— - The world's an Eden still. - - ALFRED NOYES. - - - - - THE FRIENDLY COWSLIP BELLS - - -One midsummer day the bright sun shone from morning until evening; not -even a wisp of white cloud floated across the blue, blue sky. The -fairies were delighted, for that night they were going to have their -gayest sport. - -"We shall have a fine revel in cowslip meadow to-night," said a happy -little creature to the fairy shoemaker who had been busy for many a day -making shoes for the midsummer revel. - -The little wrinkled old man was fastening a diamond buckle on the -queen's dancing slippers and he did not like to be bothered when he was -busy, so he merely shook his head and sang: - - "Red sky at night - Is the fairies' delight; - Red sky in the morning - Is the fairies' warning." - -"But there hasn't been a cloud as big as my thumb nail in the sky all -day long," said the merry little fairy. "How can there be rain without -clouds?" - -The shoemaker nodded his head, went on with his work, and sang again: - - "The clear blue sky - Means rain is nigh." - -One hour before midnight when the big round moon lit up the fields and -dells a rainbow troop of fairies in dainty gossamer robes and sparkling -slippers came forth from their village in the hills for the midsummer -night merry-making. - -The dancing in a ring was the greatest sport. First they formed a circle -standing very close together. Then, keeping time to the music of the -fairy fiddler, who stood in the center, the little revellers danced -round and round in a ring which grew larger and larger until the dancers -could scarcely touch one another's tiny fingers. Peals of silvery -laughter filled the air as they broke away from the ring and had a merry -game of hide and seek or catch, until the fairy fiddler's music lured -them back to the dancing ring. - -Three times they had danced in the ring; three times they had frolicked -among the grass blades in the merry games of hide and seek and catch, -when suddenly they noticed a dark shadow fall on the green dancing -rings. - -Wistfully they peered at the sky to see what was the matter. Soft clouds -were sailing right across the moon's face and the next moment a few -pattering raindrops began to fall, and the fairy shoemaker, who had -brought his work out into the fields (he never joined in the sport), -sang out in a high, ringing voice: - - "A clear blue sky - Means rain is nigh." - -The fairies all knew what he meant for he had sung the same little rhyme -several times during the day when they had rejoiced about the promise of -a clear, moonlight night. - -"What shall we do?" - -"Where shall we go?" asked the tiny creatures, for the raindrops were -beginning to fall faster. - -"See how the cowslip bells are bending. Perhaps they mean to shelter -us," said the fairy queen. - -In a twinkling groups of fairies fled to the stalks of cowslip tufts. -One after another each crept quickly into one of the hanging bells of -the flowers, and there they nestled softly, safe from the pattering -raindrops, which fell faster and faster in a midnight summer shower. How -cosy they were, cuddled up in the golden bells which swayed gently to -and fro as light breezes touched them. So delighted they were with these -lovely cradles that they sang one of their sweetest melodies when the -clouds disappeared and the full moon again flooded the meadow with -light. - -The fairies did not forget the service of the friendly cowslip bells. -They gave the flower a new name—the fairy-cup—and always in their -midsummer night's revel, at a sign from the fairy queen, they stop -dancing for a few moments, creep into the bells of the cowslips, and -sing their sweetest melody of Fairyland. - - - - - FAIRY DAWN - - - 'Tis the hour of fairy ban and spell: - The wood-tick has kept the minutes well; - He has counted them all with click and stroke, - Deep in the heart of the mountain oak, - And he has awakened the sentry elve - Who sleeps with him in the haunted tree, - To bid him ring the hour of twelve, - And call the fays to their revelry; - Twelve small strokes on his tinkling bell— - ('Twas made of the white snail's pearly shell)— - "Midnight comes, and all is well! - Hither, hither, wing your way! - 'Tis the dawn of the fairy-day." - - JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE. - - - - - ROBIN GOODFELLOW - - ERNEST RHYS - - -Once upon a time, a great while ago, when men did eat and drink less, -and were more honest, and knew no knavery, there was wont to walk many -harmless sprites called fairies, dancing in brave order in fairy rings -on green hills with sweet music. Sometimes they were invisible, and -sometimes took divers shapes. Many mad pranks would they play, as -pinching of untidy damsels black and blue, and misplacing things in -ill-ordered houses; but lovingly would they use good girls, giving them -silver and other pretty toys, which they would leave for them, sometimes -in their shoes, other times in their pockets, sometimes in bright basins -and other clean vessels. - -Now it chanced that in those happy days, a babe was born in a house to -which the fairies did like well to repair. This babe was a boy, and the -fairies, to show their pleasure, brought many pretty things thither, -coverlets and delicate linen for his cradle; and capons, woodcock, and -quail for the christening, at which there was so much good cheer that -the clerk had almost forgot to say the babe's name—Robin Goodfellow. So -much for the birth and christening of little Robin. - -When Robin was grown to six years of age, he was so knavish that all the -neighbors did complain of him; for, no sooner was his mother's back -turned, but he was in one knavish action or other, so that his mother -was constrained (to avoid the complaints) to take him with her to market -or wheresoever she went or rode. But this helped little or nothing, for, -if he rode before her, then would he make mouths and ill-favored faces -at those he met: if he rode behind her, then would he clap his hand on -the tail; so that his mother was weary of the many complaints that came -against him. Yet knew she not how to beat him justly for it, because she -never saw him do that which was worthy of blows. The complaints were -daily so renewed that his mother promised him a whipping. Robin did not -like that cheer, and, therefore, to avoid it, he ran away, and left his -mother a-sorrowing for him. - -After Robin had travelled a good day's journey from his mother's house -he sat down, and, being weary, he fell asleep. No sooner had slumber -closed his eye-lids, but he thought he saw many goodly proper little -personages in antic measures tripping about him, and withal he heard -such music, as he thought that Orpheus, that famous Greek fiddler (had -he been alive), compared to one of these had been but a poor musician. -As delights commonly last not long, so did those end sooner than Robin -would willingly they should have done; and for very grief he awaked, and -found by him lying a scroll wherein was written these lines following, -in golden letters:— - - "Robin, my only son and heir, - How to live take thou no care: - By nature thou hast cunning shifts, - Which I'll increase with other gifts. - Wish what thou wilt, thou shalt it have; - And for to fetch both fool and knave, - Thou hast the power to change thy shape, - To horse, to hog, to dog, to ape, - Transformed thus, by any means - See none thou harm'st but knaves and queans: - But love thou those that honest be, - And help them in necessity. - Do thus and all the world shall know - The pranks of Robin Goodfellow, - For by that name thou called shalt be - To age's last posterity; - And if thou keep my just command, - One day thou shalt see Fairy-land!" - -Robin, having read this, was very joyful, yet longed he to know whether -he had the power or not, and to try it he wished for some meat. -Presently a fine dish of roast veal was before him. Then wished he for -plum-pudding; he straightway had it. This liked him well, and, because -he was weary, he wished himself a horse: no sooner was his wish ended, -but he was changed into as fine a nag as you need see, and leaped and -curveted as nimbly as if he had been in stable at rack and manger a full -month. Then he wished himself a black dog, and he was so; then a green -tree, and he was so. So from one thing to another, till he was quite -sure that he could change himself to anything whatsoever he liked. - -Thereupon, full of delight at his new powers, Robin Goodfellow set out, -eager to put them to the test. - -As he was crossing a field, he met with a red-faced carter's clown and -called to him to stop. - -"Friend," quoth he, "what is a clock?" - -"A thing," answered the clown, "that shows the time of the day." - -"Why, then," said Robin Goodfellow, "be thou a clock and tell me what -time of the day it is." - -"I owe thee not so much service," answered the clown again, "but, -because thou shalt think thyself beholden to me, know that it is the -same time of the day as it was yesterday at this time!" - -These shrewd answers vexed Robin Goodfellow, so that in himself he vowed -to be revenged of the clown, which he did in this manner. - -Robin Goodfellow turned himself into a bird and followed this fellow, -who was going into a field a little from that place to catch a horse -that was at grass. The horse, being wild, ran over dyke and hedge, and -the fellow after, but to little purpose, for the horse was too swift for -him. Robin was glad of this occasion, for now or never was the time to -have his revenge. - -Presently Robin shaped himself exactly like the horse that the clown -followed, and so stood right before him. Then the clown took hold of the -horse's mane and got on his back, but he had not ridden far when, with a -stumble, Robin hurled his rider over his head, so that he almost broke -his neck. But then again he stood still and let the clown mount him once -more. - -By the way which the clown now would ride was a great pond of water of a -good depth, which covered the road. No sooner did he ride into the very -middle of the pond than Robin Goodfellow turned himself into a fish, and -so left him with nothing but the pack-saddle on which he was riding -betwixt his legs. Meanwhile the fish swiftly swam to the bank. And then -Robin, changed to a naughty boy again, ran away laughing, "Ho, ho, hoh!" -leaving the poor clown half drowned and covered with mud. - -As Robin took his way along a green hedge-side he fell to singing:— - - "And can the doctor make sick men well? - And can the gipsy a fortune tell - Without lily, germander, and cockle-shell? - With sweet-brier, - And bon-fire - And strawberry wine, - And columbine." - -And when he had sung this over, he fell to wondering what he should next -turn himself into. Then, as he saw the smoke rise from the chimneys of -the next town, he thought to himself it would be to him great sport to -walk the streets with a broom on his shoulder, and cry: - -"Chimney sweep." - -But when presently Robin did this, and one did call him, then did Robin -run away laughing, "Ho, ho, hoh!" - -Next he set about to counterfeit a lame beggar, begging very pitifully; -but when a stout chandler came out of his shop to give Robin an alms, -again he skipped off nimbly, laughing as his naughty manner was. - -That same night, he did knock at many men's doors, and when the servants -came out he blew out their candle and straightway vanished in the dark -street, with his "Ho, ho, hoh!" - -All these mirthful tricks did Robin play, that day and night, and in -these humours of his he had many pretty songs, one of which I will sing -as perfectly as I can. He sang it in his chimney-sweeper's humour, to -the tune of "I have been a fiddler these fifteen years." - - "Black I am from head to foot, - And all doth come by chimney soot. - Then, maidens, come and cherish him - That makes your chimneys neat and trim." - -But it befell that, on the very next night to his playing the -chimney-sweep, Robin had a summons from the land where are no chimneys. -For King Oberon, seeing Robin Goodfellow do so many merry tricks, called -him out of his bed with these words, saying:— - - "Robin, my son, come; quickly rise: - First stretch, then yawn, and rub your eyes; - For thou must go with me tonight, - And taste of Fairy-land's delight." - -Robin, hearing this, rose and went to him. There were with King Oberon -many fairies, all attired in green. All these, with King Oberon, did -welcome Robin Goodfellow into their company. Oberon took Robin by the -hand and led him a fair dance: their musician had an excellent bag-pipe -made of a wren's quill and the skin of a Greenland fly. This pipe was so -shrill and so sweet that a Scottish pipe, compared to it, would no more -come near it than a Jew's-harp doth to an Irish harp. After they had -danced, King Oberon said to Robin:— - - "Whene'er you hear the piper blow, - Round and round the fairies go! - And nightly you must with us dance, - In meadows where the moonbeams glance, - And make the circle, hand in hand— - That is the law of Fairy-land! - There thou shalt see what no man knows; - While sleep the eyes of men doth close!" - -So marched they, with their piper before, to the Fairy-land. There did -King Oberon show Robin Goodfellow many secrets, which he never did open -to the world. And there, in Fairy-land, doth Robin Goodfellow abide now -this many a long year. - - - - - A QUARREL IN FAIRYLAND - - (ARRANGED FROM "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S - DREAM") - - - Time—Midsummer Night. - Place—An enchanted grove. - - _Characters_ - OBERON—_King of Fairyland_ - TITANIA—_Queen of Fairyland_ - PUCK—_Robin Goodfellow_ - BOTTOM—_A clownish fellow_ - PEAS-BLOSSOM - COBWEB - MOTH } - MUSTARD SEED } _Fairies_ - ATTENDANT FAIRIES - - - SCENE I - -(_Enter, from opposite sides, a_ FAIRY _and_ PUCK) - -PUCK. - -How now, spirit! whither wander you? - -FAIRY. - - Over hill, over dale, - Thorough bush, thorough brier, - Over park, over pale, - Thorough flood, thorough fire, - I do wander everywhere, - Swifter than the moon's sphere; - And I serve the Fairy Queen, - To dew her orbs upon the green. - The cowslips tall her pensioners be. - In their gold coats spots you see; - Those be rubies, Fairy favours, - In those freckles live their savours. - I must go seek some dewdrops here, - And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear. - Farewell, thou lob of spirits; I'll be gone; - Our Queen and all her elves come here anon. - -PUCK. - - The King doth keep his revels here to-night: - Take heed the Queen come not within his sight; - For Oberon is passing fell and wrath, - Because that she as her attendant hath - A lovely boy, stolen from an Indian king. - She never had so sweet a changeling; - And jealous Oberon would have the child - Knight of his train, to trace the forests wild. - But she perforce withholds the lovèd boy, - Crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy: - And now they never meet in grove or green, - By fountain clear, or spangled starlight sheen, - But they do square, that all their elves for fear - Creep into acorn-cups and hide them there. - -FAIRY. - - Either I mistake your shape and making quite, - Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite - Called Robin Goodfellow. Are not you he - That frights the maidens of the villagery; - Skims milk, and sometime labours in the quern, - And bootless makes the breathless housewife churn; - And sometime makes the drink to bear no barn; - Misleads night-wanderers, laughing at their harm? - Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck, - You do their work and they shall have good luck. - Are not you he? - -PUCK. - - Thou speak'st aright; - I am that merry wanderer of the night. - I jest to Oberon, and make him smile, - When I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile, - Neighing in likeness of a filly foal; - And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl, - In very likeness of a roasted crab; - And when she drinks, against her lips I bob - And on her wither'd dewlap pour the ale. - The wisest aunt, telling the saddest tale, - Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me; - Then slip I from her, and down topples she, - And "tailor" cries, and falls into a cough; - And then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh, - And waxen in their mirth, and sneeze, and swear - A merrier hour was never wasted there. - But, room, fairy! here comes Oberon. - -FAIRY. - - And here my mistress. Would that he were gone! - - (_Enter, from one side_, OBERON _with his train_; - _from the other_, TITANIA _with hers_) - -OBERON. - - Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania. - -TITANIA. - - What, jealous Oberon! Fairy, skip hence. - -OBERON. - - Tarry, rash wanton: am I not thy lord? - -TITANIA. - - Then I must be thy lady. - And never, since the middle summer's spring, - Met we on hill, forest, or head, - By pavèd fountain or by rushy brook, - Or on the beached margent of the sea, - To dance our ringlet to the whistling wind, - But with thy brawls thou hast disturb'd our sport. - -OBERON. - - Do you amend it, then; it lies in you: - Why should Titania cross her Oberon? - I do but beg a little changeling boy, - To be my henchman. - -TITANIA. - - Set your heart at rest: - The Fairyland buys not the child of me. - If you will patiently dance in our round, - And see our moonlight revels, go with us; - If not, shun me, and I will spare your haunts. - -OBERON. - - Give me that boy, and I will go with thee. - -TITANIA. - - Not for thy Fairy kingdom. Fairies, away! - We shall chide downright, if I longer stay. - - (_Exit_ TITANIA _with her train_.) - -OBERON. - - Well, go thy way: thou shalt not from this grove - Till I torment thee for this injury.— - My gentle Puck, come hither. - Fetch me that flower; the herb I show'd thee once. - The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid - Will make or man or woman madly dote - Upon the next live creature that it sees. - Fetch me this herb, and be thou here again. - Ere the leviathan can swim a league. - -PUCK. - - I'll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes. - - (_Exit_ PUCK) - -OBERON. - - Having once this juice, - I'll watch Titania when she is asleep, - And drop the liquour of it in her eyes. - The next thing then she, waking, looks upon, - Be it on lion, bear, or wolf, or bull, - On meddling monkey, or on busy ape,— - She shall pursue it with the soul of love; - And ere I take this charm from off her sight,— - As I can take it with another herb,— - I'll make her render up her page to me - - (_Re-enter_ PUCK) - - Hast thou the flower there? Welcome, wanderer. - -PUCK. - - Aye, here it is. - -OBERON. - - I pray thee, give it me. - I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows, - Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows; - Quite over-canopied with lush woodbine, - With sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine. - There sleeps Titania sometime of the night, - Lull'd in these flowers with dances and delight. - And there the snake throws her enamell'd skin, - Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in; - And with the juice of this I'll streak her eyes, - And make her full of hateful fantasies. - - - SCENE II - - (_Another part of the wood_) - - (_Enter_ Titania, _with her train_) - -TITANIA. - - Come, now a roundel and a fairy song; - Then, for the third part of a minute, hence; - Some to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds; - Some war with rere-mice for their leathern wings, - To make my small elves' coats; and some keep back - The clamorous owl, that nightly hoots and wonders - At our quaint spirits. Sing me now asleep; - Then to your offices, and let me rest. - - (_The_ FAIRIES _sing_) - -FIRST FAIRY - - You spotted snakes with double tongue, - Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen; - Newt and blind-worms, do no wrong, - Come not near our fairy queen. - -_Chorus._ - - Philomel, with melody, - Sing in our sweet lullaby; - Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby. - Never harm, nor spell, nor charm, - Come our lovely lady nigh; - So, good night, with lullaby. - -SECOND FAIRY. - - Weaving spiders, come here; - Hence, you long-legged spinners, hence! - Beetles black, approach not near; - Worm nor snail, do no offense. - -_Chorus._ - - Philomel, with melody, - Sing in our sweet lullaby; - Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby. - Never harm, - Nor spell, nor charm, - Come our lovely lady nigh; - So, good night, with lullaby. - -FIRST FAIRY. - - Hence, away! now all is well; - One aloof stand sentinel. - - (_Exeunt_ FAIRIES. TITANIA _sleeps_.) - - _Enter_ OBERON, _and squeezes the flower on_ - TITANIA'S _eyelids_. - -OBERON. - - What thou seest when thou dost wake, - Do it for thy true-love take; - Love and languish for his sake: - Be it ounce, or cat, or bear, - Pard, or boar with bristled hair, - In thy eye that shall appear - When thou wak'st, it is thy dear: - Wake when some vile thing is near. - - [_Exit_ OBERON] - -(The mischievous little PUCK, wandering in the forest, meets a clownish -fellow named BOTTOM. Very slyly PUCK slips an ass's head over BOTTOM'S -hairy pate; and in this strange disguise the clown walks very near the -flowery bank where TITANIA lies sleeping. He sings in a harsh voice and -awakens the Fairy Queen. The charm makes her fall in love with BOTTOM, -since he is the first creature she sees upon waking.) - -BOTTOM (_sings_). - - The ousel cock so black of hue, - With orange-tawny bill, - The throstle with his note so true, - The wren with little quill,— - -Titania (awakening). - - What angel wakes me from my flowery bed? - -Bottom (sings). - - The finch, the sparrow, and the lark, - The plain-song cuckoo grey, - Whose note full many a man doth mark— - And dares not answer nay;— - for, indeed, who would set his wit to so - foolish a bird? Who would give a bird the - lie, though he cry "cuckoo" never so? - -TITANIA. - - I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again: - Mine ear is much enamor'd of thy note; - So is mine eye enthrallèd to thy shape, - And thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me - On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee. - -BOTTOM. - - Methinks, mistress, you should have little - reason for that: and yet, to say the truth, - reason and love keep little company together - now-a-days; the more the pity, that - some honest neighbours will not make them - friends. Nay, I can gleek upon occasion. - -TITANIA. - - Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful. - -BOTTOM. - - Not so, neither: but if I had wit enough - to get out of this wood, I have enough to - serve mine own turn. - -TITANIA. - - Out of this wood do not desire to go: - Thou shalt remain here, whether thou wilt or no. - I am a spirit of no common rate,— - The Summer still doth tend upon my state; - And I do love thee. Therefore, go with me. - I'll give thee fairies to attend on thee; - And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep, - And sing, while thou on pressèd flowers dost sleep: - And I will purge thy mortal grossness so. - That thou shalt like airy spirit go. - Peaseblossom! Cobweb! Moth! and Mustardseed! - - (_Enter_ PEASEBLOSSOM, COBWEB, MOTH, _and_ - MUSTARDSEED) - -PEASEBLOSSOM. Ready. - -COBWEB. And I. - -MOTH. And I. - -MUSTARDSEED. And I. - -ALL. Where shall we go? - -TITANIA. - - Be kind and courteous to this gentleman; - Hop in his walks, and gambol in his eyes; - Feed him with apricots and dewberries. - With purple grapes, green figs, and mulberries: - The honey-bags steal from the humble bees, - And for night-tapers crop their waxen thighs, - And light them at the fiery glow-worm's eyes, - To have my love to bed and to arise; - And pluck the wings from painted butterflies - To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes. - Nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies. - -PEASEBLOSSOM. Hail, mortal! - -COBWEB. Hail! - -MOTH. Hail! - -MUSTARDSEED. Hail! - -TITANIA. - - Come, wait upon him; lead him to my bower. - - - SCENE III - -(_Enter_ TITANIA _and_ BOTTOM; PEASEBLOSSOM, COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARDSEED, -_and other_ FAIRIES _attending_; OBERON _behind, unseen_.) - -TITANIA. - - Come, sit thee down upon this flowery bed, - While I thy amiable cheeks do coy - And stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head. - -BOTTOM. Where's Peaseblossom? - -PEASEBLOSSOM. Ready. - -BOTTOM. - - Scratch my head, Peaseblossom.—Where's - Monsieur Cobweb? - -COBWEB. Ready. - -BOTTOM. - - Monsieur Cobweb, good monsieur, - get your weapons in your hand, and kill me - a red-hipped humble-bee on the top of a - thistle; and, good monsieur, bring me the - honey-bag. Do not fret yourself too much - in the action, monsieur; and, good monsieur, - have a care the honey-bag break not; I - would be loath to have you overflown with - a honey-bag, signior. Where's Monsieur - Mustardseed? - -MUSTARDSEED (_bowing_). Ready. - -BOTTOM. - - Give me your neaf, Monsieur - Mustardseed. Pray you, leave your courtesy, - good monsieur. - -MUSTARDSEED. What's your will? - -BOTTOM. - - Nothing, good monsieur, but to - help Cavalery Cobweb to scratch. I must - to the barber's, monsieur, for methinks I - am marvellous hairy about the face; and I - am such a tender ass, if my hair do but - tickle me I must scratch. - -TITANIA. - - What, wilt thou hear some music, my sweet - love? - -BOTTOM. - - I have a reasonable good ear in - music. Let's have the tongs and the bones. - -(_Rough music is played_) - -TITANIA. - - Or say, sweet love, what thou desir'st to eat. - -BOTTOM. - - Truly, a peck of provender; I - could munch your good dry oats. Methinks - I have a great desire to a bottle of - hay: good hay, sweet hay, hath no fellow. - -TITANIA. - - I have a venturous fairy that shall - seek the squirrel's hoard, and fetch thee - thence new nuts. - -BOTTOM. - - I had rather have a handful or two - of dried peas. But, I pray you, let none of - your people stir me. I have an exposition - of sleep come upon me. - -TITANIA. - - Sleep thou: - Fairies, be gone, and be all ways away. - - (_Exeunt_ FAIRIES) - - (_Enter_ PUCK) - -OBERON (_advancing_). - - Welcome, good Robin. See'st thou this sweet sight? - Her dotage now I do begin to pity; - For, meeting her of late behind the wood, - Seeking sweet favours for this hateful fool, - I did upbraid her and fall out with her: - For she his hairy temples then had rounded - With coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers; - And that same dew, which sometime on the buds - Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls, - Stood now within the pretty flowerets' eyes - Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail. - When I had at my pleasure taunted her - And she in mild terms begg'd my patience, - I then did ask of her her changeling child, - Which straight she gave me, and her fairies sent - To bear him to my bower in Fairyland. - And now I have the boy, I will undo - This hateful imperfection of her eyes: - And, gentle Puck, take this transformed scalp - From off the head of this Athenian swain; - That, he awaking ... - May to Athens back again repair - And think no more of this night's accidents - But as the fierce vexation of a dream. - But first I will release the Fairy Queen. - - (OBERON _touches the queen's eyes with an - herb which lifts the charm_) - - Be as thou wast wont to be, - See as thou wast wont to see: - Dian's bud o'er Cupid's flower - Hath such force and blessed power. - Now, my Titania; wake you, my sweet Queen! - -TITANIA. - - My Oberon! what visions have I seen! - Methought I was enamour'd of an ass. - -OBERON. - - Sound music! Come, my Queen, take hands with me.... - -PUCK. - - Fairy King, attend and mark: - I do hear the morning lark. - -OBERON. - - Then, my Queen, in silence sad, - Trip we after the night shade: - We the globe can compass soon - Swifter than the wand'ring moon. - -TITANIA. - - Come, my lord. - - (_Exeunt_ OBERON, TITANIA, _and train_) - -PUCK. - - If we shadows have offended, - Think but this, and all is mended, - That you have but slumberéd here - While these visions did appear. - So, good-night unto you all; - Give me your hands if we be friends, - And Robin shall restore amends. - - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. - - - - - IN THE COOL OF THE EVENING - - - In the cool of the evening, when the low sweet whispers waken, - When the labourers turn them homeward, and the weary have their will, - When the censers of the roses o'er the forest-aisles are shaken, - Is it but the wind that cometh o'er the far green hill? - - For they say 'tis but the sunset winds that wander through the heather, - Rustle all the meadow-grass and bend the dewy fern; - They say 'tis but the winds that bow the reeds in prayer together, - And fill the shaken pools with fire along the shadowy burn. - - - In the beauty of the twilight, in the Garden that He loveth, - They have veiled His lovely vesture with the darkness of a name! - Thro' His Garden, thro' His Garden it is but the wind that moveth, - No more; but O the miracle, the miracle is the same! - - In the cool of the evening, when the sky is an old story - Slowly dying, but remembered, ay, and loved with passion still, - Hush! ... the fringes of His garment, in the fading golden glory, - Softly rustling as He cometh o'er the far green hill. - - ALFRED NOYES. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - FOOTNOTES: - - - - - Transcriber's Note - -The original spelling and punctuation has been retained. - -Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved. - -Italicized words and phrases in the text version are presented by -surrounding the text with underscores. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Turquoise Story Book, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TURQUOISE STORY BOOK *** - -***** This file should be named 53033-0.txt or 53033-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/0/3/53033/ - -Produced by David Edwards, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Skinner&mdash;A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - h3 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - sup { vertical-align: top; font-size: 0.6em; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .xxlarge { font-size: xx-large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - .lg-container-b { text-align: center; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-b { clear: both; } } - .lg-container-l { text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .lg-container-l { clear: both; } } - .linegroup { display: inline-block; text-align: left; } - @media handheld { .linegroup { display: block; margin-left: 1.5em; } } - .linegroup .group { margin: 1em auto; } - .linegroup .line { text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em; } - div.linegroup > :first-child { margin-top: 0; } - .linegroup .in2 { padding-left: 4.0em; } - .linegroup .in4 { padding-left: 5.0em; } - .linegroup .in6 { padding-left: 6.0em; } - div.footnote > :first-child { margin-top: 1em; } - div.footnote p { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; } } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } - div.figcenter p { text-align: center; text-indent: 0; } - .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .id001 { width:500px; } - .id002 { width:93px; } - @media handheld { .id001 { margin-left:19%; width:62%; } } - @media handheld { .id002 { margin-left:44%; width:11%; } } - .ic001 { width:100%; } - .ig001 { width:100%; } - .table0 { margin: auto; margin-top: 2em; width: 99%; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c0 { text-align: left; margin: 0.5em 0; } - .nf-center-c1 { text-align: left; margin: 1em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c001 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c002 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } - .c003 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c004 { margin-top: 2em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c005 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c006 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 2em; } - .c007 { margin-top: 1em; text-indent: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; } - .c008 { text-align: center; } - .c009 { vertical-align: top; text-align: left; padding-right: 1em; } - .c010 { vertical-align: bottom; text-align: left; padding-right: 1em; } - .c011 { vertical-align: bottom; text-align: right; } - .c012 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c013 { text-align: right; } - .c014 { text-decoration: none; } - .c015 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 0.8em; - margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; } - .c016 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 2em; } - div.footnotes { border: dashed 1px #aaaaaa; padding: 1.5em; } - div.footnotes h2 { margin-top: 1em; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Turquoise Story Book, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Turquoise Story Book - Stories and Legends of Summer and Nature - -Author: Various - -Illustrator: Maxfield Parrish - -Release Date: September 12, 2016 [EBook #53033] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TURQUOISE STORY BOOK *** - - - - -Produced by David Edwards, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>This cover was produced by the Transcriber<br />and is in the public domain.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_i'>i</span><span class='xxlarge'>The Jewel Series</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>THE DIAMOND STORY BOOK. Compiled</div> - <div class='line in4'>by <span class='sc'>Penrhyn W. Coussens</span>. Illustrations</div> - <div class='line in4'>in color by Ethel Green. <i>net</i> $1.75</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>THE EMERALD STORY BOOK. <i>Stories</i></div> - <div class='line in4'><i>of Spring, Nature, and Easter,</i> By <span class='sc'>Ada</span></div> - <div class='line in4'>and <span class='sc'>Eleanor Skinner</span>. Frontispiece</div> - <div class='line in4'>in color by Maxfield Parrish. <i>net</i> $1.75</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>THE RUBY STORY BOOK. <i>Tales of</i></div> - <div class='line in4'><i>Courage and Heroism.</i> Retold by</div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='sc'>Penrhyn W. Coussens.</span> Frontispiece</div> - <div class='line in4'>in color by Maxfield Parrish. <i>net</i> $1.75</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>THE SAPPHIRE STORY BOOK. <i>Tales</i></div> - <div class='line in4'><i>of the Sea.</i> Collected and retold by</div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='sc'>Penrhyn W. Coussens.</span> Frontispiece</div> - <div class='line in4'>in color by Maxfield Parrish. <i>net</i> $1.75</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>THE TOPAZ STORY BOOK. <i>Stories and</i></div> - <div class='line in4'><i>Legends of Autumn, Hallowe'en, and</i></div> - <div class='line in4'><i>Thanksgiving.</i> Compiled by <span class='sc'>Ada M.</span></div> - <div class='line in4'>and <span class='sc'>Eleanor L. Skinner</span>. Frontispiece</div> - <div class='line in4'>in color by Maxfield Parrish. <i>net</i> $1.75</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>THE TURQUOISE STORY BOOK.</div> - <div class='line in4'><i>Stories and Legends of Summer and</i></div> - <div class='line in4'><i>Nature.</i> By <span class='sc'>Ada M.</span> and <span class='sc'>Eleanor L.</span></div> - <div class='line in4'><span class='sc'>Skinner</span>. Frontispiece in color by</div> - <div class='line in4'>Maxfield Parrish. <i>net</i> $1.75</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_iii'>iii</span> -<img src='images/i_003.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p><span class='small'>Drawn by Maxfield Parrish</span><br /><br />SUMMER</p> -</div> -</div> -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_iv'>iv</span> - <h1 class='c002'>THE TURQUOISE<br /> <br />STORY BOOK</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div><i>Stories and Legends of</i></div> - <div><i>Summer and Nature</i></div> - <div class='c000'>COMPILED BY</div> - <div class='c000'>ADA M. SKINNER</div> - <div class='c000'>AND</div> - <div class='c000'>ELEANOR L. SKINNER</div> - <div class='c000'><i>Editors of "The Emerald Story Book," "Merry Tales," "Nursery</i></div> - <div><i>Tales from Many Lands" and "The Topaz Story Book"</i></div> - <div class='c000'>FRONTISPIECE BY</div> - <div class='c000'>MAXFIELD PARRISH</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/i_004.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>NEW YORK</div> - <div>DUFFIELD & COMPANY</div> - <div>1918</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div><span class='pageno' id='Page_v'>v</span>Copyright, 1918, by</div> - <div>DUFFIELD & COMPANY</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_vi'>vi</span> - <h2 class='c003'>INTRODUCTION</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>The beauty of the world gradually reveals -itself to the child who forms the habit of observation. -Through companionship with Nature, -supplemented by the reading of books -which foster an interest in the ever-varying -charm of the seasons, the young reader enriches -his experience by learning to interpret -"the open pages of the world about him."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Some of the stories, legends, and poems in -the present volume point out facts in Nature; -others stimulate interest because they appeal -to the young reader's fancy, quicken his sense -of humour, or attract his attention to some -spiritual significance. Also, large use has -been made of myths and wonder stories. They -evolved in the childhood of the race when the -mystery of the physical world made a deep -and serious impression upon primitive men. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_vii'>vii</span>In terms of their own experiences, they explained -and symbolized the beauty, order, and -power which they beheld.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The Turquoise Story Book" is the third -volume in a series of nature books, each of -which emphasizes the interest and beauty -characteristic of a particular season. The central -theme of this volume is the loveliness of -summer and its manifold blessings.</p> -<h3 class='c006'>ACKNOWLEDGMENTS</h3> - -<p class='c007'>The editors' thanks are due to the following -authors and publishers who have permitted -the publication of their works in this volume—to -Mr. Albert Bigelow Paine for permission -to include "How the Rose Became -Queen," and "A Legend of the Lily-of-the-Valley," -from a "Little Garden Calendar," -published by the Henry Altemus Company; to -Helen Gray Cone for her two poems, "An -Evening Primrose" and "A Yellow Pansy"; -to Frances Gillespy Wickes for "Mother -Spider"; to Edward Bliss Reed and the Yale -University Press for the poem "Flowers," -from "Sea Moods"; to Frank A. Waugh -<span class='pageno' id='Page_viii'>viii</span>and the <i>Woman's Home Companion</i> for "The -Friendly Summer Trees"; to Miss M. L. -Cook for her translation of "Why the Lady-Bug -Is Called Beloved of God"; to Lucille -Corbett for "The Story of the Dewdrop"; to -George Allen and Unwin Ltd., for permission -to retell "The Sun Princess" and "Princess -Fire-fly" from "Old World Japan Legends"; -to the Outlook Company for "The Tale of -Two Tails," and to Ernest Ingersoll and the -Outlook Company for "Birds' Nests"; to -George H. Doran Company for "The Dew -Mother," by May Byron; to the Educational -Company for "The Boy Who Hated Trees"; -to <i>Town Topics</i> for "Hatto, the Hermit," by -Selma Lagerlöf; to Charles Scribner's Sons -for the selections from Eugene Field and -Henry Van Dyke; to D. C. Heath and Company -for "Legend of Tithonus" from "Favorite -Greek Myths," by Lillian S. Hyde; to -Frederick A. Stokes Company for a selection -by Alfred Noyes; to E. P. Dutton and Company -for "Robin Goodfellow," from "English -Fairy Tales," by Ernest Rhys; to C. H. -Barbeau for permission to retell "Legend of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_ix'>ix</span>the Sun and Moon," from "Memoirs"; -to S. E. Cassino Company for "The Grubbiest -Grub" from <i>Little Folks Magazine</i>; to J. B. -Lippincott Company for permission to retell -a legend from Skinner's "Legends of Flowers, -Fruits and Trees"; to Small, Maynard and -Company for three poems from "Complete -Works of Madison Cawein"; to Macmillan -and Company Ltd., London, for a poem by -Maud Keary; to John P. Morton and Company -for "Morning Glories" from "Poet and -Nature," by Madison Cawein; to T. Fisher -Unwin Ltd. for "The Summer Princess" from -"The Enchanted Garden," by Mrs. Molesworth; -to the Macmillan Company for "Nature," -from "Preludes," by Madison Cawein, -a selection from "The Everlasting Mercy," -by John Masefield, and "In the Cool of the -Evening," from "Poems," by Alfred Noyes, -and a selection from "Gitanjali," by Rabindranath -Tagore; to Edward Abbott Parry for -"Undine" from "The First Book of Krab"; -and to Lyman Abbott for "The Flower's -Thanks."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The selections from John Burroughs, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_x'>x</span>Edith M. Thomas and John Townsend Trowbridge -are used by permission of and by special -arrangement with Houghton, Mifflin -Company, the authorized publishers of their -works.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_xii'>xii</span> - <h2 class='c003'>CONTENTS</h2> -</div> -<table class='table0' summary=''> -<colgroup> -<col width='58%' /> -<col width='32%' /> -<col width='8%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>INTRODUCTION</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>SUMMER STORIES AND LEGENDS</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'> </td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - <td class='c011'>PAGE</td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Summer (selection)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Madison Cawein</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_2'>2</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>How Summer Conquered Winter (Iroquois Legend)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_3'>3</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Legend of the Flowers (Australian)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Katherine Langlot Parker</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_8'>8</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>June (selection)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>James Russell Lowell</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_14'>14</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Sun-Goddess (Japanese Legend)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Frank Rinder</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_15'>15</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Summer Maker (Ojibway Legend) Retold from Schoolcraft</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_20'>20</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Summer (selection)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Edmund Spenser</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_27'>27</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>In the Kitchen-Garden (abridged)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Mrs. Alfred Gatty</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_28'>28</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Glad Day (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>W. Graham Robertson</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_42'>42</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Summer Princess</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Mrs. Molesworth</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_44'>44</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Midsummer (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>John Townsend Trowbridge</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_74'>74</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>SUMMER SKIES</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Selection</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Rabindranath Tagore</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Day (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Robert Browning</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>How the Sun Was Caught and Freed (Indian Legend)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_77'>77</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Day of Sunshine (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Henry W. Longfellow</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_83'>83</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Phaeton's Drive in the Sun-Chariot</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_84'>84</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Song</td> - <td class='c010'><i>William Shakespeare</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_90'>90</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Summer Sun (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Robert Louis Stevenson</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_91'>91</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Cloud (translated from the German by Eleanor L. Skinner)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Robert Reineck</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_92'>92</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Undine</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Edward Abbott Parry</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_95'>95</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Legend of the Sun, Moon and Stars (Retold)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ada M. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_116'>116</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xiii'>xiii</span>The Princess Moonbeam (Japanese Legend)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_120'>120</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Moon (selection)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Percy Bysshe Shelley</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Spacious Firmament on High (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Joseph Addison</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_125'>125</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>GREEN FIELDS AND MEADOWS GAY</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Nature's Song (selection)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Madison Cawein</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_128'>128</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Gift of Flax (Norse Legend)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_129'>129</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Story of the Dewdrop</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Lucille Corbett</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_136'>136</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Dew Mother (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>May Byron</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_140'>140</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Origin of the Dandelion (Indian Legend Retold)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_141'>141</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Prince Butterfly and Clover (Retold from the poem by Louisa M. Alcott)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ada M. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_146'>146</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Song of Clover</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Saxe Holm</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Tithonus: A Legend of the Grasshopper</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Lillian S. Hyde</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_153'>153</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Grasshopper (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Edith M. Thomas</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_155'>155</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Golden Grasshopper</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Charles Lamb</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_156'>156</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Blade of Grass</td> - <td class='c010'><i>John Ruskin</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_159'>159</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Selection</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Charles Dalmon</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Princess Fire-Fly (Japanese Legend, adapted)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Frank Rinder</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_163'>163</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>July (selection)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Susan Hartley Swett</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_168'>168</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Cuff and the Woodchuck</td> - <td class='c010'><i>John Burroughs</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_169'>169</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Why the Lady-Bug Is Said to Be Beloved of God—Translated from the French by</td> - <td class='c010'><i>M. L. Cook</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_173'>173</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>SUMMER SPINNERS</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Selection</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Madison Cawein</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_182'>182</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Story of Arachne</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_183'>183</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>How the Spider Makes Its Web</td> - <td class='c010'><i>C. William Beebe</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_188'>188</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Fairy Spinner (Southern Tale Retold)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ada M. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_192'>192</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Mother Spider</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Frances Gillespy Wickes</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_195'>195</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>IN BROOKS AND PONDS</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Brook</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Alfred Tennyson</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_200'>200</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Legend of the Water-Lily</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_201'>201</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Tale of Two Tails</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Mary H. Wilson</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_205'>205</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xiv'>xiv</span>Origin of Bullfrogs (Algonquin Legend)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_212'>212</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Woodland Waters (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Madison Cawein</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_221'>221</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Grubbiest Grub</td> - <td class='c010'><i>J. Bevan</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Dragon-Fly (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Alfred Tennyson</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_231'>231</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>ON THE WING</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Selection</td> - <td class='c010'><i>John Masefield</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Selection</td> - <td class='c010'><i>William Blake</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>How Woodpecker Changed His Colours (Micmac Legend)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_235'>235</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Retort from the Catbird (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Abbie Farwell Brown</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_238'>238</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Woodpecker Life</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Margaret Coulson Walker</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_239'>239</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Kingfisher's Necklace and Ruffle</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_252'>252</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Owl Wisdom</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Frances Wright</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_256'>256</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Birds' Nests</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ernest Ingersoll</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_261'>261</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Hatto The Hermit: The Legend of a Bird's Nest</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Selma Lagerlöf</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_267'>267</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>UNDER GREENWOOD TREES</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Song</td> - <td class='c010'><i>William Shakespeare</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_282'>282</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Plucky Prince (Adapted from the poem by May Byron)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_283'>283</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Oak (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>H. F. Chorley</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_289'>289</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Summer Snow</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Mrs. Humphrey Ward</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_290'>290</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Boy Who Hated Trees</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Alice L. Beckwith</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_293'>293</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Friendly Summer Trees</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Frank A. Waugh</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_301'>301</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Forest Day</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Selma Lagerlöf</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_309'>309</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Woodman, Spare That Tree (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>George P. Morris</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_314'>314</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>IN AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Selection</td> - <td class='c010'><i>William Brightly Rands</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_320'>320</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Selection</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eugene Field</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_320'>320</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>How the Rose Became Queen</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Albert Bigelow Paine</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_321'>321</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Morning-Glories (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Madison Cawein</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_327'>327</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Why Roses Have Thorns (Algonquin Legend Retold)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_329'>329</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Sweet Peas (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>John Keats</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_334'>334</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Legend of the Primrose</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ada M. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_335'>335</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Evening Primroses (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Helen Gray Cone</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_340'>340</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Legend of the Lily-of-the-Valley</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Albert Bigelow Paine</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_341'>341</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'><span class='pageno' id='Page_xv'>xv</span>Katrina's Sun-Dial</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Henry Van Dyke</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_341'>341</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Three Little Butterflies (Translated from Curtmann)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ada M. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_342'>342</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Pinks (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Robert Bridges</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_344'>344</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Flower's Thanks</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Lyman Abbott</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_345'>345</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Pansies (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>James Whitcomb Riley</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_347'>347</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Little Heartsease</td> - <td class='c010'> </td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_348'>348</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Legend of the Red Geranium (Mohammedan)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_351'>351</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Enchanted Tulips (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Maud Keary</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_352'>352</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Iris</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ada M. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_353'>353</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Yellow-Bird (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>James Whitcomb Riley</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_355'>355</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Origin of the Sunflower</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_356'>356</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Bluebell (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Anonymous</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_359'>359</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Dew Mother's Gift to the Rose Eleanor</td> - <td class='c010'><i>L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_360'>360</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Yellow Pansy (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Helen Gray Cone</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_362'>362</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Mignonette</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ada M. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_363'>363</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Flowers (selection)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Edward Bliss Reed</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_369'>369</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr><td class='c008' colspan='3'>ON A MIDSUMMER DAY</td></tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Selection</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Alfred Noyes</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_372'>372</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>The Friendly Cowslip Bells (English Legend)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_373'>373</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Fairy Dawn (selection)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Joseph Rodman Drake</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_377'>377</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>Robin Goodfellow</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Ernest Rhys</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_378'>378</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>A Quarrel in Fairyland (Arranged from a Midsummer Night's Dream)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Eleanor L. Skinner</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_388'>388</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c009'>In the Cool of the Evening (poem)</td> - <td class='c010'><i>Alfred Noyes</i></td> - <td class='c011'><a href='#Page_406'>406</a></td> - </tr> -</table> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_1'>1</span> - <h2 class='c003'>SUMMER STORIES AND LEGENDS</h2> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_2'>2</span> - <h2 class='c003'>SUMMER</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hang out your loveliest star, O Night! O Night!</div> - <div class='line in2'>Your richest rose, O Dawn!</div> - <div class='line'>To greet sweet Summer, her who clothed in Light</div> - <div class='line in2'>Leads Earth's best hours on.</div> - <div class='line'>Hark! how the wild birds of the woods</div> - <div class='line in2'>Throat it within the dewy solitudes;</div> - <div class='line in4'>The brook sings low and soft,</div> - <div class='line in6'>The trees make song,</div> - <div class='line'>As from her heaven aloft</div> - <div class='line'>Comes blue-eyed Summer like a girl along.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Madison Cawein.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_3'>3</span> - <h2 class='c003'>HOW SUMMER CONQUERED<br />WINTER<br /> <br />(IROQUOIS LEGEND)</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time the Great Chief, Glooscap, -who brought many blessings to the Red Men, -made a journey far into the Northland. For -days he traveled over frozen wastes of ice and -snow, where the keen wind blew without -ceasing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last he came to a lodge hollowed out of -the icebergs, where Winter, the Giant of the -Northland, dwelt. Quietly, Glooscap stalked -into the glittering lodge and sat down. There -was silence for several moments, then the Winter -Manito laid aside his scepter of ice, filled -a pipe, and, offering it to his guest, said, "Thou -art welcome. Tell me, why comest thou to -the Northland?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"To learn about the power of the Winter -Giant," answered Glooscap.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_4'>4</span>"Who can measure the strength of the Winter -King?" said the giant, shaking his white -locks, on which rested a crown of icicles.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For a long while the King and his guest sat -smoking in silence. Then the Winter Giant -began the story of his mighty deeds.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I cover the Northland with ice, and pile -up great snowdrifts which look like mountains. -I send forth the Storm Blast, which fills -the air with sleet and snow, and makes the -white bear creep into a cave for shelter. I -build the glittering icebergs, out of which my -chieftains make their lodges."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The enchantment of the frost was in Giant -Winter's words, and his guest sat spellbound. -After Glooscap had listened to many works of -wonder, he nodded his head and fell into a -deep sleep. Like an image of death he lay in -Winter's lodge for six months.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then one morning the charm of the frost -spirit was broken, and Glooscap, who awoke -with renewed vigor, left the Winter King's -lodge and journeyed toward the Southland. -After a few days of travel he was beyond the -reach of the Storm Blast. The air grew wondrously -mild and warm; instead of frozen -<span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span>wastes, he saw stretches of meadowlands and -green forests, where the birds were nesting. -He walked deep into the woodland until he -came to a dell, which was thick with flowers -and bright butterflies. On soft green moss the -Sun-Fays, led by the Fairy Queen of Summer, -were dancing gaily. For a few moments -Glooscap stood and marveled at the beauty of -the scene.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly he sprang into the midst of the -dancers, seized the Fairy Queen of Summer, -and slipped her under his blanket. Then -away he fled with her. As he ran, Glooscap, -by magic power, dropped one end of a slender -cord, made from a moose-hide, and let it trail -behind him. When the Sun-Fays saw what -had happened, they uttered a great cry, and -darted after the intruder. They seized the -end of the cord, and tugged at it with all their -fairy might, hoping to hold fast Glooscap and -rescue their Fairy Queen. But the magic -cord had no end, and the Sun-Fays were left -in the valley, while Glooscap fled through the -forest and retraced his steps to the frozen -Northland.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Again he silently entered the giant's lodge -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>hollowed out of the icebergs. The Winter -Manito laid aside his ice scepter, filled a pipe, -and offered it to his guest, saying, "Thou art -welcome. Hast thou returned to the Northland -to hear more about the strength of the -Winter Manito?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The Frost King's might is great," said -Glooscap, "but I have seen a power which is -greater than his!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Winter Giant looked scornfully at his -guest and said nothing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I have seen the wonder and beauty of -the Summer Queen's land," said Glooscap. -"There the quickening dews and gentle showers -soften the brown earth, and the grass leaps -forth. Myriad sunbeams touch the flower -buds, and unfold them into full blossoms. -Birds build their nests and rear their young in -the branches of the sheltering forests. Light -and warmth abound, and the earth is filled -with gladness."</p> - -<p class='c005'>By magic power Glooscap cast a spell over -Giant Winter. He could neither speak nor -move. As the Great Chief talked, the iceberg -lodge grew warm and big ice drops ran down -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>the giant's cheeks. Gradually the air grew -warmer and warmer. Winter's icy figure and -his wigwam melted and, in a great flood, -flowed away to the sea.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then, from her hiding place under Glooscap's -blanket, stepped forth the Summer -Queen. At her command the Sun Fairies -joined her, and together they began the marvelous -work of making the grasses grow and -the flowers bloom. Brooks and rivers flowed -through the green meadows. Birds hastened -back from the Southland and built their nests -in the forests. Soon the whole land was filled -with the joys and blessings of summer.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A LEGEND OF THE FLOWERS<br /> <br />(AUSTRALIAN)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Long, long ago the great Byamee left the -earth and went to dwell in the far-away land -of rest, which was beyond the tops of the Oobi -Oobi mountain. The earth became a dull and -desolate place after he left it, for all the flowers -that brightened the plains and hillsides -ceased to bloom.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And since there were no blossoms the bees -could no longer make honey for the earth children. -In all the land there were but three -trees where the bees lived and worked; and -no one ever touched these sacred trees, because -they belonged to Byamee.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The children cried for honey, and the mothers -took little bark baskets into the woods to -search for the sweet food. But they returned -with empty baskets and said, "There is no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>honey except on the sacred trees. We will -never touch Byamee's honey."</p> - -<p class='c005'>This obedience pleased the Great Spirit -very much and he said, "I'll send the earth -children a food as sweet as the honey for which -they hunger. It shall flow from the Bilbil -and Goolabah trees."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Soon were seen white, sugary specks on the -shining leaves of these trees, and then came -the clear manna, which ran along the branches -and down the trunks, and hardened into sugar. -The children were delighted with the sweet -food, and all the people were thankful for -Byamee's gift.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But they were not satisfied, for they still -wished to see the plains and hillsides covered -with blossoms. So deeply did they long for -the beautiful flowers, which had left the earth, -that the wise men finally said, "We will travel -to the land of Byamee, and ask him to brighten -the earth again with flowers."</p> - -<p class='c005'>They kept the plan and purpose of their -journey a secret from the tribes, and sped away -to the northeast. On and on they journeyed -until they came to the foot of the great Oobi -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>Oobi mountain, whose summit was lost in the -clouds of the sky. They walked along the base -of its rocky sides, wondering how they could -scale the steep ascent when suddenly they spied -a foothold cut in a rock, and then they noticed -another step and still another. Looking carefully -upward, they saw a pathway of steps cut -as far as they could see up the mountain side. -Up this ladder of stone they determined to -climb. On and on they went, and when the -first day's ascent was ended the top of the -mountain still seemed high above them. They -noticed, too, that they were climbing a spiral -path, which wound round and round the -mountain. Not until the end of the fourth -day's climb did they reach the summit of this -mighty mountain.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And from a basin in the marble there bubbled -forth a spring of clear, sweet water, -which the wise men drank eagerly. Their -hard journey had almost exhausted them, but -the cooling draught filled them again with new -life. At a little distance from the spring they -saw a circle of piled-up stones. They walked -to the center of it, and a voice spoke to them. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>It came from a fairy messenger of the Great -Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Why have the wise men of the earth ventured -so near to the dwelling of Byamee?" -asked the spirit voice.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And the men answered, "Since the great -Byamee left the earth no flowers have bloomed -there. We have come to ask for the gift of -flowers, because the earth is very dreary without -their gay colors."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the fairy messenger's voice said, "Attendant -spirits of the mountain, lift the wise -men into the abode of Byamee, where fadeless -flowers never cease to bloom. Of these blossoms, -wise men, you may gather as many as -you can hold in your hands. After you have -gathered the flowers the attendant spirits will -lift you back into the magic circle on the summit -of Oobi Oobi. From this place you must -return as quickly as possible to your tribes."</p> - -<p class='c005'>As the voice stopped speaking, the men were -lifted up through an opening in the sky and -set down in a land of wondrous beauty. -Everywhere brilliant flowers were blooming, -and they were massed together in lines of exquisite -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>colors, which looked like hundreds of -rainbows lying on the grass. The wise men -were overcome by the marvelous sight, and -they wept tears of joy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Remembering what they had come for, they -stooped down and gathered quickly as many -blossoms as they could hold. The spirits then -lifted them down again into the magic circle -on the top of Oobi Oobi.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There they heard again the voice of the -fairy messenger who said, "Tell your people -when you take them these flowers that never -again shall the earth be bare and dreary. All -through the seasons certain blossoms shall be -brought by the different winds, but the east -wind shall bring them in abundance to the -trees and shrubs. Among the grasses, on -plains and hillsides, flowers shall bloom as -thick as hairs on an opossom's skin. When the -sweet-breathed wind does not blow,—first to -bring the showers and then the flowers,—the -bees can make only enough honey for themselves. -During this time manna shall again -drop from the trees, and it shall take the place -of honey until the east wind once more blows -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>the rain down the mountains and opens the -blossoms for the bees. Then there will be -honey enough for all. Now make haste and -take this promise and the fadeless flowers, -which are a sign of it to your people."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The voice ceased and the wise men, carrying -the fadeless blossoms, began the journey -back to their people. Down the stone ladder, -cut by the spirits of the mountain, they went,—across -the plains, over the moors,—back to the -camp of the tribes. Their people flocked -around them, gazing with wide-eyed wonder -at the blossoms. The air was filled with a delicious -fragrance, and the flowers were as -fresh as when they were plucked in the land -of Byamee.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the people had gazed for some time -at the beautiful flowers and had heard the -promise sent to them by Byamee, the wise men -scattered their precious gift far and wide. -Some of the lovely blossoms fell on the treetops, -some on the plains and hillsides, and -ever since that far-off day the earth has been -blessed with the gift of flowers. (Adapted.)</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span> - <h2 class='c003'>JUNE</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And what is so rare as a day in June?</div> - <div class='line in2'>Then, if ever, come perfect days;</div> - <div class='line'>Then heaven tries earth if it be in tune,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And over it softly her warm ear lays;</div> - <div class='line'>Whether we look or whether we listen,</div> - <div class='line'>We hear life murmur, or see it glisten;</div> - <div class='line'>Every clod feels a stir of might,</div> - <div class='line in2'>An instinct within it that reaches and towers,</div> - <div class='line'>And, groping blindly above it for light,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>James Russell Lowell.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE SUN-GODDESS<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Frank Rinder</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>Ama-Terasu, the sun-goddess, was seated in -the Blue Plain of Heaven. Her light came as -a message of joy to the celestial deities. The -orchid and the iris, the cherry and the plum -blossom, the rice and the hemp fields answered -to her smile. The Inland Sea was -veiled in soft, rich colors.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Susa-no-o, the brother of Ama-Terasu, who -had resigned his ocean scepter, and now -reigned as the moon-god, was jealous of his -sister's glory and world-wide sway. The -Heaven Illuminating Spirit had but to whisper -and she was heard throughout her kingdom, -even in the depths of the clear pool in -the heart of the crystal. Her rice-fields, -whether situated on hillside, in sheltered valley -or by running stream, yielded abundant -harvests, and her groves were laden with fruit. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>But the voice of Susa-no-o was not so clear, -his smile was not so radiant. The undulating -fields which lay around his palace were now -flooded, now parched, and his rice crops were -often destroyed. The wrath and jealousy of -the moon-god knew no bounds, yet Ama-Terasu -was infinitely patient and forgave him all -things.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Once, as was her wont, the sun-goddess sat -in the central court of her flower home. She -plied the shuttle. Celestial weaving maidens -surrounded a fountain whose waters were -fragrant with the heavenly lotus-bloom; they -sang softly of the clouds and the wind, and the -light of the sky. Suddenly, the body of a piebald -horse fell through the vast dome at their -feet; the "Beloved of the gods" had been -flayed with a backward flaying by the envious -Susa-no-o. Ama-Terasu, trembling at the -sight, pricked her finger with the weaving -shuttle and, profoundly indignant at the -cruelty of her brother, withdrew into a cave, -and closed behind her the door of the Heavenly -Rich Dwelling.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The universe was plunged in darkness. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>Joy and goodwill, serenity and peace, hope and -love waned with the waning light. Evil Spirits -who heretofore had crouched in dim corners -came forth and roamed abroad. Then -grim laughter and discordant tones struck -terror into all hearts.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then it was that the gods, fearful for their -safety and for the life of every beautiful thing, -assembled on the bed of the tranquil River of -Heaven whose waters had been dried up. -One and all knew that Ama-Terasu alone -could help them. But how allure the Heaven-Illuminating -Spirit to set foot in this world of -darkness and strife. Each god was eager to -aid and a plan was finally devised to entice -her from her hiding place.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Ame-no-ko uprooted the holy sakaki trees -which grew on the mountain of Heaven, and -planted them around the entrance of the cave. -High on the upper branches were hung the -precious string of curved jewels which Izanagi -had bestowed upon the sun-goddess. -From the middle branches drooped a mirror -wrought of the rare metals of the celestial -mine. Its polished surface was as the dazzling -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>brilliancy of the sun. Other gods wove -fine threads of hemp and paper mulberry on -an imperial robe of white and blue which was -placed as an offering to the goddess, on the -lower branches of the Sakaki.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A palace was also built surrounded by a -garden in which the blossom-god called -forth many delicate plants and flowers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now all was ready. Ame-no-ko stepped -forward and in a loud voice entreated Ama-Terasu -to show herself. His appeal was in -vain. The great festival began. Uzume, the -goddess of mirth, led the dance and song. -Leaves of the spindle tree crowned her head; -club moss from the heavenly mount of Kagu -formed her sash; her flowing sleeves were -bound with the creeper-vine; and in her hand -she carried leaves of the wild bamboo and -waved a wand of sun-grass hung with tiny -melodious bells. Uzume blew on a bamboo -flute while eight hundred myriad deities, accompanied -her on wooden clappers and instruments -formed of bow-strings across which -were rapidly drawn stalks of reed and grass. -Great fires were lighted around the cave and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>as these were reflected in the face of the mirror -the long singing birds of eternal night -began to crow as if day had dawned. The -merriment increased. The dance grew wilder -and wilder and the gods laughed until the -heavens shook as if with thunder.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Ama-Terasu in her quiet retreat heard unmoved -the crowing of cocks and the sounds -of music and dancing; but when the heavens -shook with the laughter of the gods she -peeped from her cave and said, "What means -this? I thought heaven and earth were dark -but now there is light. Uzume dances and all -the gods laugh." Uzume answered, "It is -true that I dance and that the gods laugh because -in our midst is a goddess whose splendour -equals your own!" Ama-Terasu gazed into -the mirror and wondered greatly when she -saw therein a goddess of exceeding beauty—her -own lovely image. She stepped from -her cave and forthwith a cord of rice-straw -was drawn across the entrance. Darkness fled -from the land and there was light. Then the -eight hundred myriad deities cried, "O, may -the sun-goddess never leave us again." -(Adapted slightly.)</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE SUMMER MAKER<br /> <br />(<span class='sc'>Ojibway Legend</span>)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time the winter season lasted -for so many many months that the people -began to wonder if the frozen rivers and deep -snows would ever melt. "Will the keen north -wind never leave us?" they asked each other -anxiously. "What has become of the beautiful -warm summer?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The only person who seemed happy during -this long, cold season was Ojeeb, a mighty -hunter. He enjoyed the adventure of searching -for the big winter game and his eye was -so keen and his hand so steady that he never -failed to bring abundance of food to his wigwam.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Ojeeb's little son liked to hunt with his father -but the lad suffered much from the bitter -cold. Often his fingers became so numb that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>he could not speed his small arrow skilfully -and he would fail in his aim. This always -vexed him very much and he would wish for -the summer days to come.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day, when Ojeeb and his son were -hunting, the lad became so cold that he was -obliged to leave his father and return to the -wigwam. When he was hurrying through the -woods he heard a squirrel chattering very -loud on a pine tree. He stopped for a moment -and the squirrel said, "Don't shoot me. -I'm going to tell you a secret. I've often -heard you wish for summer. The mighty -hunter, who is your father, knows how to bring -summer back to the earth. When he comes -home beg him to send away this bitter cold -weather and bring us the warm sunny days." -Off scampered the chattering squirrel, and the -lad ran on to his wigwam.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the evening Ojeeb came home with some -excellent game which he showed with pride, -but his son took little interest in it. He began -to talk about the cruel cold weather. Finally -he said, "Father, drive away the keen winds, -the frost, and the snow, and bring summer -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>back to the earth. For many months the Red -Men have borne the trials of winter. It is -hard for some of them to get enough food, -for few are as skilful with the bow and arrow -as Ojeeb. Send away the cold days and bring -us the bright, warm summer again."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"You are asking me to perform a mighty -task," said Ojeeb, "but I'll do my best to grant -your request. It is true that I know the secret -of bringing summer back to the earth."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The next morning Ojeeb prepared a feast, -and invited a number of his animal friends -to dine with him. At the appointed time, -Otter, Beaver, Lynx, Badger, and Wolverine -all came to Ojeeb's lodge. There they feasted -and listened with interest to the mighty -hunter's plan to bring summer back to the -earth.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We shall have to take a long and dangerous -journey and perhaps we shall never return to -our homes," he said. "Are you brave enough -to help me in this mighty task?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The animals all said they were willing to -follow and help Ojeeb, and begged him to tell -them his plan. To their astonishment the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>hunter said the only way to bring back the -summer was to break through the great dome -of Sky-Land, and free the summer birds which -were imprisoned there.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"But how shall we reach Sky-Land?" asked -the animals in one voice.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I'll lead the way," said the hunter.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The next day they started on the journey -to Sky-Land. Ojeeb led the way up a steep, -smooth mountain-side. For twenty days they -traveled and finally they came to a curious -lodge in a hollow. The Mountain Manito -lived there. He gave Ojeeb and his animal -friends food, and sheltered them until they -were refreshed. The hunter told him the object -of their coming and the Manito pointed -out to them a certain pathway which led to -the summit of the mountain. For twenty -days more they traveled. They were now high -up above the clouds. The blue dome of the -sky seemed but a short distance above their -heads. They rested for awhile and gazed in -silent wonder at the beautiful canopy which -separated them from Sky-Land.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Finally Ojeeb said, "Our difficult task is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>only half done. We must leap up and break -through the dome of the Sky and set free the -summer birds. This is a mighty task I assure -you. The Mountain Manito directed me to -say that you, Otter, are to make the first trial."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Otter was delighted to be chosen first. -Without taking due consideration of the great -height, he immediately made a bound upward. -But, alas! He fell headlong through the air -to the mountain-side and rolled down, down -to the plain below. The Beaver made the -next effort, but he too missed the sky dome -and fell with a thud to the earth. Lynx made -a great leap and so did Badger but each failed -to touch the great dome of the sky.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Ojeeb was growing very anxious, indeed. -"Wolverine," he said, "measure the height -carefully. You have great skill in leaping. -Do not fail me."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Wolverine made a wonderful leap. His -ears grazed the dome. Again he sprang upward -with a mighty bound and lo! he made -a dent in the sky. A third time he tried and -such a prodigious leap he made that a great -rent was torn in the blue dome. And Wolverine -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>passed through into Sky-Land. Ojeeb -immediately sprang after him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They found themselves in a land of wondrous -beauty. The air was soft and warm and -a delicious fragrance rose from rich, green -meadows thick with brilliant flowers. Ojeeb -and Wolverine walked toward a group of -tepees which stood near a lake of crystal-clear -water bordered by cool stretches of woodland. -Evidently the people were away on a hunting -adventure for the tepees were vacant. Presently -Ojeeb saw a great cage made from the -finest of willow withes and enclosed therein -were the beautiful summer birds. Robins, -orioles, bluebirds, thrushes, jays, swallows, -woodpeckers, veeries, and redbirds, all were -flitting silently about in their prison.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Let us free the summer birds quickly," -whispered the hunter.</p> - -<p class='c005'>With Wolverine's help the cage was broken -in a very short time. Out flew the bright-feathered -prisoners. As soon as they were -free they began to sing rapturous songs of -happiness. Away they darted toward the -opening in the sky-dome and many of them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>passed through, carrying with them the warm, -summer air.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But alas! the sweet singing reached the ears -of the Sky-People who were in the neighbouring -forests. They hurried toward their tepees -to see what had happened. They soon -discovered that the summer birds had been -freed and were flying toward the earth through -a great rent in the sky-dome. Many of the -Sky-People, shouting at the top of their voices, -rushed to the opening and prevented some of -the birds from escaping. Others searched for -the intruders who had caused the confusion.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Wolverine's quick ears heard the Sky-People -running from the forest and with great -leaps he reached the hole in the sky-dome and -plunged through. Ojeeb followed as quickly -as he could but before he reached the opening -it was surrounded by some of the Sky-People. -He turned and fled in another direction, -but there was no other way of escaping -to the earth. On and on he ran until finally -he came to the land of the stars and he has -dwelt there ever since.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Among the Earth-People there was great -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>rejoicing. The warm air from Sky-Land -melted the frost and snow which had covered -the land for many, many months. In the -brown meadows the grass sprang forth and -flowers bloomed. The summer birds built -their nests in the leafy branches of the forest -and cheered the Earth-People with happy -songs.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The mighty hunter is not forgotten. Often -the Indians point to Sky-Land and say:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It was brave Ojeeb who journeyed to Sky-Land -and freed the summer birds. He gave -us the precious gift of summer and that is -why we call him 'The Summer Maker.'"</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>SUMMER</h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Then came the jolly Summer, being dight</div> - <div class='line'>In a thin, silken cassock, colour'd green,</div> - <div class='line'>That was unlinèd all, to be more light;</div> - <div class='line'>And on his head a garland well beseen</div> - <div class='line'>He wore.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Edmund Spenser.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span> - <h2 class='c003'>IN THE KITCHEN-GARDEN<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Mrs. Alfred Gatty</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>One—two—three—four—five; five neatly-raked -kitchen-garden beds, four of them side -by side, with a pathway between; the fifth a -narrow slip, heading the others, and close to -the gravel walk, as it was for succession-crops -of mustard and cress, which are often wanted -in a hurry for breakfast or tea.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Most people have stood by such beds in -their own kitchen-garden on soft spring mornings -and evenings, and looked for the coming -up of the seed which either they or the gardener -had sown.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Radishes in one, for instance, and of all -three sorts—white-turnip, red-turnip, and -long-tailed. Carrots in another; and this bed -had been dug very deep indeed that the roots -might strike freely down. Onions in another. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>Beets in the fourth, both the golden and red -varieties, while the narrow slip was half mustard -and half cress.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Such was the plan here, at least, and here, -for a time, all the seeds lay sleeping, as it -seemed. For, as the long smooth-raked beds -stretched out dark and bare under the stars, -they betrayed no symptoms of anything going -on within.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Nevertheless, there was no sleeping in the -case. The little seed-grains were fulfilling -the law of their being, each after its kind; the -grains, all but their inner germs, decaying; -the germs swelling and growing, till they rose -out of their cradles, and made their way, -through their earthen coverlid, to the light of -day.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They did not all come up quite together, of -course, nor all quite alike. But as to the time, -the gardener had made his arrangements so -cleverly, that none was very far behind his -neighbour. And as to the difference of shape -in the first young leaves, what could it signify? -It is true the young Mustards were -round and thick; the Cresses oval and pointed; -the Carrots mere green threads; the Onions -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>sharp little blades, while the Beets had an -odd, stainy look. But they all woke up to the -same life and enjoyment, and were all greeted -with friendly welcome as they appeared, by -the dew and light, and sunshine, and breezes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I find I get deeper and deeper into the -soil every day," remarked the Carrot. "I -shall be I don't know how long, at last. -I have been going down regularly, quite -straight, for weeks. Then I am tapering off -to a long point at the end, in the most beautiful -proportions possible. A traveller told -me, the other day, this was perfection, and I -believe he was right."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I knew what it was to live near the surface -in my young days," the Carrot went on; -"but never felt solid enjoyment till I struck -deeply down, where all is so rich and warm. -Pray tell me, neighbours," added he, good-naturedly -enough, "I should like to know that -your roots are as long, and slim, and orange-coloured -as mine; doing as well, in fact, and -sinking as far down. I wish us to be all perfect -alike. Perfection is the great thing to -try for."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>"When you are sure you are trying in the -right way," sneered a voice from the neighbouring -radish bed. "But if the long, slim, -orange-roots striking deep into the earth are -your idea of perfection, I advise you to begin -life over again. Dear me! I wish you had -consulted us before. Why, we stopped going -down long ago, and have been spreading out -sideways and all ways, into stout, round solid -balls ever since, close white flesh throughout, -inside; and not orange but red, without."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"White, he means," shouted another.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Red, I call it," repeated the first.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"But no matter; certainly not orange!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>And "certainly not orange!" cried they all.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"So," continued the Radish, "we are quite -concerned to hear you ramble on about growing -longer and longer, and strongly advise you -to keep your own counsel, and not mention it -to any one else. We are friendly, you know, -and can be trusted; but you really must leave -off wasting your powers and energy in the -dark inside of the ground, out of everybody's -sight and knowledge. Come to the surface, -and make the most of it, as we do, and then -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>you'll be a credit to your friends. Never mind -what travellers say. They've nothing else to -do but to walk about and talk, and they tell -us we are perfection, too. Don't trust to them, -but to what we tell you now, and alter your -course at once. Roll yourself up into a firm -round ball as fast as you can. You won't find -it hard if you once begin. You have only to——"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Let me put in a word first," interrupted -one of the long-tailed Radishes in the same -bed; "for it is of no use to go out of one extreme -into another, which you are on the high -road to do if you are disposed to take Mr. -Roundhead's advice; who, by the way, ought -to be ashamed of forcing his very peculiar -views upon his neighbours. Just look at us. -We always strike moderately down, so we -know it's the right thing to do. Solid round -balls are the most unnatural and useless things -in the world. But, on the other hand, my -dear friend, we have learnt where to stop, and -a great secret it is, but one I fear you know -nothing about at present; and as to the soil's -being better so very far down, nobody can -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>believe it, for why should it be? The great -art is to make the most of what is at hand, as -we do. Time enough to go into the depths -when you have used up what is so much -easier got at. The man who gathered some -of us yesterday, called out, 'These are just -right.' So I leave you to judge whether some -other people we know of must not be wrong."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"You rather overwhelm me," mused the -Carrot, "though it's remarkable you counsellors -should not agree among yourselves. Is -it possible, however, that I have been making -a great mistake all my life? What lost -time to look back upon! Yet a ball;—no, no, -not a ball! I don't think I could grow into a -solid round ball were I to try forever!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Not having tried, how can you tell?" -whispered the Turnip-Radish persuasively.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"But you never will, if you listen to our -old-fashioned friend next door, who has been -halting between two opinions all his life;—will -neither make an honest fat lump of it, as -I do, nor plunge down and taper with you. -But nothing can be done without an effort."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"That is true," murmured the Carrot, rather -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>sadly; "but I am too old for further efforts -myself. Mistake or no mistake, my fate is -fixed. I am too far down to get up again, -that's certain; but some of the young ones may -try. Do you hear, dears? Some of you stop -short, if you can, and grow out sideways and -all ways, into stout, round, solid balls."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, nonsense about round balls!" cried the -long-tailed Radish in disgust; "what will the -world come to, if this folly goes on! Listen -to me, youngsters, I beg. Go to a moderate -depth, and be content; and if you want something -to do, throw out a few fibres for amusement. -You're firm enough without them, I -know, but the employment will pass away -time."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"There are strange delusions abroad just -now," remarked the Onions to each other; -"do you hear all this talk about shape and -way of growth? and everybody in the dark on -the subject, though they seem to be quite unconscious -of the fact themselves. That fellow -chattered about solid balls, as if there was -no such thing as bulbs, growing layer upon -layer, and coat over coat. Of course the very -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>long orange gentleman, with his tapering root, -is the most wrong of the whole party; but I -doubt if Mr. Roundhead is much wiser when -he speaks of close, white flesh inside, and -red (of all ridiculous nonsense!) without. -Where are their flaky skins, I should like to -know? Who is ever to peel them, I wonder? -Poor things! I can't think how they got into -such ways. How tough and obstinate they -must be! I wish we lived nearer. We would -teach them a little better than that, and show -them what to do."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I have lived near you long enough," grumbled -a deep-red Beet in the next bed; "and -you have never taught me; neither shall you, -if I can help it. A pretty instructor you -would be, who think it ridiculous to be red! I -suppose you can't grow red yourself, and so -abuse the colour out of spite. Now I flatter -myself I am red inside as well as out, so I -suppose I am more ridiculous than your -friend who contrives to keep himself white -within, according to his own account; but I -doubt the fact. There, there! it is a folly to be -angry, so I say no more, except this! get red -<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>as fast as you can. You live in the same soil -as I do, and ought to be able to do so."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, don't call it red!" exclaimed a golden -Beet, who was of a gentle turn of mind; "it is -but a pale tint after all, and surely rather -amber than red; and perhaps that was what -the long-tailed orange gentleman meant."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Perhaps it was; for perhaps he calls red -orange, as you call it amber," answered the -redder Beet; "anyhow he has rather more -sense than our neighbor here, with his layer -upon layer, and coat over coat, and flaky skin -over all. Think of wasting time in such fiddle-faddle -proceedings! Grow a good honest -fleshy substance, and have done with it, and -let people see you know what life is capable -of. I always look at results. It is something -to get such a body as I do out of the surrounding -soil. That is living to some purpose, I -consider. Nobody makes more of opportunities -than I do."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Do you hear them? oh! do you hear them?" -whispered the Cress to her neighbour the -Mustard. "Do you hear how they all talk together -of their growth, and their roots, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>their bulbs, and size, and colour, and shape? -It makes me quite unhappy, for I am doing -nothing like that myself—nothing, nothing, -though I live in the same soil! What is to be -done? What do you do? Do you grow great -white solid balls, or long orange tapering -roots, or thick red flesh, or bulbs with layer -upon layer, and coat over coat? Some of them -talked of just throwing out a few fibres as a -mere amusement to pass away time; and this -is all I ever do for business. Do speak to me, -but whisper what you say, for I shame to be -heard or thought of."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I grow only fibres too," groaned the Mustard -in reply; "but I would spread every way -and all ways if I could—downwards and upwards, -and sideways and all ways, like the -rest. I wish I had never been sown. Better -never be sown and grown, than sown and -grown to such trifling purpose! The soil must -give them what it refuses to us."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Or we are weak and helpless, and cannot -take in what it offers," suggested the Cress. -"Alas! that we should have been sown only -to be useless and unhappy!"</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>And they wept the evening through. But -they alone were not unhappy. The Carrot had -become uneasy, and could follow his natural -tastes no longer in comfort, for thinking that -he ought to be a solid round ball, white inside, -and red without. The Onion had sore misgivings -that the Beet might be right after all, -and a good honest mass of red flesh be more -worth labouring for, than the pale coat-within-coat -growth in which he had indulged. It -did seem a waste of trouble, a fiddle-faddle -plan of life, he feared. Perhaps he had not -gone down far enough in soil. Some one -talked of growing fibres for amusement—he -had certainly not come to that; they were necessary -to his support; he couldn't hold fast -without them. Other people were more independent -than he was, then; perhaps wiser,—alas!</p> - -<p class='c005'>And yet the Beet himself was not quite -easy; for talk as he would, what he had called -fiddle-faddle seemed ingenious when he -thought it over, and he would like to have -persuaded himself that he grew layer upon -layer, too. But it wouldn't do.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>Perhaps, in fact, the bold little Turnip-Radishes -alone, were the only ones free from -misgivings, and believed that everybody ought -to do as they did themselves.</p> - -<p class='c005'>What a disturbance there was, to be sure! -And it got worse and worse, and they called -on the winds and fleeting clouds, the sun, and -moon, and stars above their heads, to stay their -course awhile, and declare who was right and -who was wrong.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But they called and asked in vain; till one -evening, the clouds which had been gathering -over the garden for days began to come -down in rain, and sank swiftly into the ground, -where it had been needed for long. Whereupon -there was a general cry, "Here comes a -messenger; now we shall hear!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>So out came the old inquiries again:—who -was right—who was wrong—who had got -hold of the true secret? But the Cress made -no inquiry at all, only shook with fright under -the rain; "for," thought she, "the hour of my -shame and degradation is come: poor useless -creature that I am, I shall never more hold up -my head."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>As to the Carrot, into whose well-dug bed -the rain found easiest entrance, and sank -deepest, he held forth in most eloquent style -upon the whole affair; how it was started, and -what he had said; how much he had once -hoped; how much he now feared.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now, the Rain-drops did not care to answer -in a hurry; but as they came dropping down, -they murmured, "Peace, peace, peace!" all -over the beds. And truly they seemed to bring -peace with them as they fell, so that a calm -sank all around, and then the murmur proceeded:—"Poor -little atoms in a boundless -kingdom,—each one of you good after its kind—how -came these cruel misgivings and heart-burnings -among you? Are the tops of the -mountains wrong because they cannot grow -corn like the valleys? Are the valleys wrong -because they cannot soar into the sky? Does -the brook flow in vain because it cannot spread -out like the sea? Each is good after its kind. -Peace, peace, peace. Upon one, then, upon -all—each wanted, each useful, each good after -its kind—peace, peace, peace, peace, peace!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The murmur subsided to a whisper, the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>whisper into silence; and by the time the -moon-shadows lay upon the garden there was -peace everywhere.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Nor was it broken again; for henceforth -even the Cress held up her head—she, also, -was good after her kind.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Only once or twice, that year, when the Carrots -were gathered, there came up the strangest -growths—thick, distorted lumps, that had -never struck properly down.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The gardener wondered, and was vexed, for -he prided himself on the digging of the carrot-bed. -"Anything that had had any sense might -have gone down into it, I am sure," he said. -And he was not far wrong; but you see the -Carrot had had no sense when he began to -speculate, and tried to be something he was -not intended to be.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Yet the poor clumsy thing was not quite -useless after all. For, just as the gardener -was about to fling it angrily away, he recollected -that the cook might use it for soup, -though it could not be served up at table—such -a shape as it was!</p> - -<p class='c005'>And this was exactly what she did. -(Abridged.)</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span> - <h2 class='c003'>GLAD DAY</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Here's another day, dear,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Here's the sun again</div> - <div class='line'>Peeping in his pleasant way</div> - <div class='line'>Through the window pane.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Rise and let him in, dear,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Hail him, "Hip hurray!"</div> - <div class='line'>Now the fun will all begin,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Here's another day!</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Down the coppice path, dear,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Through the dewy glade,</div> - <div class='line'>(When the Morning took her bath</div> - <div class='line in2'>What a splash she made!)</div> - <div class='line in2'>Up the wet wood-way, dear,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Under dripping green,</div> - <div class='line'>Run and meet another day</div> - <div class='line in2'>Brightest ever seen.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>Mushrooms in the field, dear,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Show their silver gleam,</div> - <div class='line'>What a dainty crop they yield</div> - <div class='line in2'>Firm as clouted cream,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Cool as balls of snow, dear,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Sweet and fresh and round!</div> - <div class='line'>Ere the early dews can go</div> - <div class='line in2'>We must clear the ground.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Such a lot to do, dear,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Such a lot to see!</div> - <div class='line'>How we ever can get through</div> - <div class='line in2'>Fairly puzzles me.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Hurry up and out, dear,</div> - <div class='line'>Then—away! away!</div> - <div class='line'>In and out and round about,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Here's another day!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>W. Graham Robertson.</span></div> - -<p class='c005'>Used by permission of John Lane Company.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE SUMMER PRINCESS<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Mrs. Molesworth</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time, in a country far to the -north of the world, lived a King and a Queen -who had everything they could wish for except -an heir to their throne. That does not -mean that they had no troubles at all. The -Queen thought she had a good many and the -King had one which was more real than any -of her fancied ones. His Queen was a terrible -grumbler. She was a grumbler by nature, -and besides this she had been a spoiled -child.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As she was very beautiful and could be very -sweet and charming when in a contented mood, -the King had fallen deeply in love with her -when he was on his travels round the world, -and had persuaded her to leave her own home -<span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>in the sunny South to accompany him to his -northern kingdom.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There she had much to make her happy. -While the first summer lasted she almost forgot -to grumble, but when the winter came -fierce and boisterous as it always is in those -lands, she grew very miserable. She shivered -with cold and, instead of bracing herself to -bear it, she wrapped herself in her furs and -sat from morning till night cowering over a -huge fire. Although she brightened up as -each summer came around, with the return of -each winter it was again the same sad story.</p> - -<p class='c005'>However, one day late in the autumn she -actually forgot her terror of the cold so far -as to remain out walking in the grounds of -the palace, though the snow clouds were gathering -thick and heavy overhead.</p> - -<p class='c005'>She was alone. For sometimes in her saddest -moods she could bear no one, not even -the most faithful of her ladies, near her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"If only I had a child of my own I would -never complain of anything again."</p> - -<p class='c005'>As the Queen uttered her wish, she raised -her eyes upwards and was startled to see some -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>snowflakes already falling; she turned to -hasten indoors, exclaiming as she went, "To -think that winter is upon us already; I shall -no longer have even the small pleasure of a -stroll in the garden. But if I had a child -to play with and care for, even the dreary -winter would not seem so long. Everything -would be bright and sunshiny to me."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Are you sure of that?" said a voice beside -her, and, glancing up, the Queen saw a lovely -figure. It was that of a beautiful woman with -golden hair wreathed with flowers. But her -face was somewhat pale and she drew round -her a mantle of russet brown as if to protect -her from the cold.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I am the Spirit of the Summer," she said. -"I knew you well in your childhood in the -South and here, too, I have watched you, -though you did not know it. Your wish shall -be fulfilled. I will bring you the child you -are longing for. But remember, the gift will -lead to no lasting happiness unless you overcome -your heart of discontent. For I can do -only my part. My brother, the powerful -Spirit of Winter is stern and severe. He has -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>heard your murmurings already, and if, when -your wish is granted you still continue them, -I tremble for the fate of your child."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Thank you, oh, thank you, sweet Spirit," -said the Queen. "I will indeed take heed for -the future and never murmur again."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I trust so," said the fairy, "for listen what -will happen if you forget your resolution. -The slightest touch of snow would, in that -case, put the child into my stern brother's -power and you would find yourself terribly -punished. Beware, therefore. I must hasten -away."</p> - -<p class='c005'>As she said this the gracious figure seemed -to disappear in a rosy haze and almost at the -same moment a cold blast driving the snowflakes -before it, came with a rush from behind -where the young Queen stood, almost lifting -her from her feet.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"That must surely be the Spirit of the Winter -himself," she thought as she hurried indoors.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Summer Spirit was true to her promise. -On the loveliest morning of all that year -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>was born a baby Princess, the prettiest baby -that ever was seen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"A true child of the summer," said the -happy Queen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"And strong to brave and enjoy the winter, -too, I trust," added the King. "She must be -a true Princess of the North, as her mother is -fast becoming, I hope," he went on with a -smile.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But his words did not please the Queen, -though they were so kindly meant.</p> - -<p class='c005'>With the possession of the child, though -she was so overjoyed to have her, the young -Queen's wayward and dissatisfied spirit began -to return. She seemed to think the Princess -was to be only hers, that the nation and even -the King, must give way, in everything that -concerned the child, to its mother's will. She -was even displeased one day when she overheard -some of her ladies admiring the beautiful -color of the child's hair and saying that -it showed her a true daughter of the North.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No such thing," said the Queen. "It -shows her a child of the sunshine and the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>summer. My sweet Rose!" for so, to please -the Queen, the baby had been named.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the whole, however, while the summer -lasted, the Queen was too happy with the child -to give way to any real murmurings and once -or twice, when she might perhaps have done -so, there was wafted to her by the breeze the -sound of a gentle, "Beware!" and she knew -the Summer Fairy was near.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So for the first winter of the child's life the -Queen was on her guard and nothing went -wrong, except now and then when the King -reproached his wife with overcare of the -child when the weather was at all severe.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I wish to make her brave and hardy," said -the King.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In some strange way, however, the princess, -child though she was, seemed to understand -what her father felt about her. It was noticed -that before she could speak at all, she would -dance in her nurse's arms and stretch out her -little hands with glee at the sight of the snowflakes -falling steadily. And once or twice -when a draught of frosty air blew upon her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>she laughed with delight instead of shrinking -or shivering.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But so well were the Queen's feelings understood -that no one ventured to tell her of -these clear signs that Rose felt herself at home -in the land of snow.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The winter passed and the summer came -again—the second summer of the child's life.</p> - -<p class='c005'>She had grown like the flowers and was as -happy as the butterflies. Never was a sweeter -or merrier child. The Queen idolized her -and the King loved her quite as dearly, though -in a wiser way. And that summer passed very -happily.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Unfortunately, however, the warm fine days -came to an end unusually early that year. -Many of the birds took flight for the South -sooner than was their wont, and the flowers -drooped and withered as if afraid of what was -coming.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Queen noticed these signs with a sinking -heart. Standing one chilly morning at -the palace windows she watched the gray -autumn sky and sighed deeply.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>"Alas, alas!" she said. "All the beauty and -brightness are going again."</p> - -<p class='c005'>She did not know that the King had entered -the room and was standing behind her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Nay," he said cheerfully. "You have no -reason to feel so sad. If you have no other -flower you have our Rose, blooming as -brightly in the winter as in the warmth."</p> - -<p class='c005'>He meant it well, but it would have been -wiser if he had said nothing. The Queen -turned toward him impatiently.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It is so," she said angrily. "Rose is like -me. She loves the summer and the sunshine. -I do not believe she would live through your -wretched northern winters but for my care. -And the anxiety is too much for me. The life -in this country is but half a life. Would that -I had known it before I ever came hither."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The King was deeply hurt and disappointed -and he left the room without speaking. He -was generally so kind and patient that this -startled her, and brought her to her senses.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"How wrong of me to grieve him so by my -wild words," she thought penitently. -"And——" A sudden horror came over her.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>The Princess's nurse picked up some fir -cones and gave them to the little girl, who -threw them about with glee and called out for -more. They were all so busy playing with -her that they did not notice how, above the -heads of the tall fir-trees, the sky was growing -dark and overcast, till suddenly a strange chill -blast made the Queen gather her mantle round -her and gaze up in alarm.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We must hasten home," she said: "it is -growing cold."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Yes, indeed," said one of the ladies; "it almost -looks like——" But the Queen interrupted -her. She could not bear even the mention -of the fatal word.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Wrap up the Princess!" she exclaimed. -"Cover her over, face and all! Never mind -if she cries! My darling, we shall be home -directly. The cold wind would hurt you," she -added.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then they hurried back to the palace as -quickly as the goats could be persuaded to go, -even the Queen herself running fast to keep -up with the little carriage.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They were within a short distance of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>palace before any snow fell, though it was -clear to be seen that it was not far off; and -the Queen was beginning to breathe again -more freely when suddenly Princess Rose, -with a cry of baby mischief, pushed away the -shawl that was over her face, shouting with -glee. At that moment the first fluttering snowflakes -began to fall. The little Princess -opened wide her eyes as she caught sight of -them, and smiled as if in greeting; and alas! -before the terrified Queen had time to replace -the covering the child had thrown off, one -solitary flake alighted on her cheek, melting -there into a tiny drop which looked like a -tear, though still the little Princess smiled.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Queen seized the child in her arms, -rushed up the long flight of steps, all through -the great halls and corridors like a mad creature, -nor stopped even to draw breath till she -had reached the Princess's apartments, and -had her safe in the rooms specially prepared -for her during the winter.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But was she safe? Was it not already too -late? With trembling dread the Queen drew -away the furs and shawls wrapped round the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>baby, almost expecting to find her changed in -some strange way; and it was with thankfulness -she saw that little Rose was still herself—sweet -and smiling in her sleep. For she was -fast asleep.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The darling, the precious angel," thought -the poor mother as she laid her in her little -cot just as the ladies and nurses and attendants -came trooping into the room.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"She is only asleep," said the Queen in a -whisper. "Nothing has happened to her. She -is sleeping sweetly."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The ladies stared. The Queen's behavior -had been so strange that they could not understand -her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It is a pity to be so anxious about the -child," they said to one another. "It will bring -no blessing," for they thought it all came from -the Queen's foolish terror lest the little Princess -should catch cold, and they shook their -heads.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the Queen seemed full of thankfulness. -She was very gentle and subdued. Many -times that afternoon she came back to see if -little Rose was well, but she was still sleeping.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>"The fresh keen air has made her drowsy, -I suppose," said the head nurse, late in the -evening when the Queen returned again.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"And she has had nothing to eat since the -middle of the day," said the mother anxiously. -"I almost think if she does not wake herself -in an hour or so you will have to rouse her."</p> - -<p class='c005'>To this the nurse agreed. But two hours -later in the Queen's next visit to the nursery, -there was a strange report to give her. The -nurse had tried to wake the baby, but it was -all in vain. Little Rose just smiled sweetly -and rolled over on her other side, without attempting -in the least to open her eyes. It -seemed cruel to disturb her. She seemed so -very sleepy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I think we must let the Princess have her -sleep out—children are like that sometimes," -said the nurse.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And the Queen was forced to agree to it, -though she had a strange sinking at the heart, -and even the King when he came to look at -his little daughter felt uneasy, though he tried -to speak cheerfully.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No doubt she will wake in the morning -<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>quite bright and merry," he said, "all the -brighter and merrier for sleeping a good -round and a half of the clock."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The morning dawned—the slow coming -winter daylight of the North found its way -into the Princess's nursery—a tiny gleam of -ruddy sunshine even managed to creep in to -kiss her dimpled cheek, but still the baby slept -as soundly as if the night was only beginning. -And matters grew serious.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was no use trying to wake her. They all -did their best—King, Queen, ladies, nurses; -and after them the great court physicians and -learned men of every kind. All were summoned -and all consulted and, as the days went -on, a hundred different things were tried—but -all to no purpose. "She is bewitched," said -the cleverest of all the doctors, and as time -went on, everybody began to agree with him. -Even the King himself was obliged to think -something of the kind was at the bottom of it, -and at last one day the Queen, unable to endure -her remorse any longer, told him the -whole story, entreating him to forgive her for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>having by her discontent and murmuring -brought upon him so great a sorrow.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The King was very kind but very grave.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I understand it now," he said. "The Summer -Fairy told you true. Our northern Winter -Spirit is indeed stern; we must submit. -If we are patient and resigned it is possible -that in the future even his cold heart may be -melted by the sight of our suffering."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It is only I who deserve it," wept the poor -Queen. "The worst part of it all is to know -that I have brought this sorrow upon you, my -dear husband."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And so repentant she was that she almost -forgot to think of herself. Never had she -been so sweet and loving a wife. She did -everything she possibly could to please and -cheer the King, concealing from him the many -bitter tears she shed as she sat for hours together -beside the sleeping child.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The winter was terribly severe—never had -the snow lain so thickly, never had the wind-blasts -raged and howled more furiously. -Often did the Queen think to herself -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>that the spirit must be infuriated at her very -presence, in his special domain.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"They might pity me now—now that I am -so punished." She bore all the winter cold -and terrors uncomplainingly, nay, even cheerfully, -nerving herself to go out alone in the -bitterest weather with a sort of hope of pleasing -the Winter Fairy; possibly, if she could -but see him, of making an appeal to him. But -for many months he held his icy sway. Often -indeed it seemed as if gentler times were never -to return.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then suddenly one night the frost went; a -mild, soft breeze replaced the fierce blast; -spring had come. And wonderful to relate, -the very next morning the Queen was roused -by loud knocking and voices at her door; -trembling, she knew not why, she opened it, -and the head nurse fell at her feet laughing -and crying at once. The Princess had awakened.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Yes; there she was, chattering in her baby -way, smiling and rosy as if nothing had been -the matter. Oh, the joy of her parents and -the jubilation all through the palace!</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>And all through the summer little Rose was -wide awake in the daytime just like other -children. She was as well and strong and -happy as a baby could be. But—the summer -will not last for ever; again returned the -autumn, bringing with it the signs of the approaching -winter and one morning when her -nurse went to awaken the Princess, she found -it was no use—Rose was sleeping again, with -a smile on her face, calm and content, but -alas! not to be awakened! And then it was -remembered that the first snow had fallen in -the night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Gradually the child's distressed parents -resigned themselves to the sad truth: their -daughter was to be theirs only for half her -life; for full six months out of every twelve, -she was to be in a sense as far away from them -as if the Winter Monarch had carried her off -to his palace of ice altogether.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But no; it was not quite so bad as that would -have been. And the Queen, who was fast -learning to count her blessings instead of her -troubles, smiled through her tears as she said -to the King, what a mercy it was that they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>were still able to watch beside their precious -child—to kiss her soft warm cheek every -night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And so it went on. In the spring the -Princess woke up again, bright and well and -lively, and in every way six months older than -when she had fallen asleep; so that, to see her -in the summer time no one could have guessed -the strange spell that was over her. She became -the sweetest and most charming girl in -the world; only one thing ever saddened her, -and that was any mention of winter, especially -snow.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What does it mean?" she would ask sometimes. -"What are they talking of? Show -me this wonderful thing! Where does it -grow? I want to see it."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But no one could make her understand; -and at these times a very strange look would -come into her blue eyes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I must see it," she said. "Some day I shall -go away and travel far, far, till I find it."</p> - -<p class='c005'>These words used to distress her mother -more than she could say; and she would -shower presents on her daughter, of flowers, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>and singing birds—all to make her think of -the sunshine and the summer. And for a time -they would please the girl, till again she shook -her head and murmured, "I want the snow."</p> - -<p class='c005'>So the years followed each other till the -Princess was sixteen. Every winter the Queen -had a faint hope, which, however, grew even -fainter and fainter, that the spell was perhaps -to be broken. But it was not so. And strange -stories got about concerning the Princess—some -saying she was a witch in disguise; others, -that she had no heart or understanding; -others, that she turned into a bird or some -animal during half her life—so that the -neighboring Princes, in spite of her beauty -and sweetness, were afraid to ask her in marriage, -and this brought new sorrow to her -parents. "What will become of her after we -are dead and gone?" they said. "Who will -care for and protect our darling? Who will -help her to rule over our nation? No people -will remain faithful to a sovereign who is only -awake half of the year. There will be revolts -and rebellion, and our angel Princess may perhaps -be put to death, or driven away."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>And they fretted so over this that the hair -of both the King and Queen grew white long -before its time. But Rose only loved them the -more on this account for she had heard some -one say that white hair was like snow; though -she kept the fancy to herself, for she knew it -troubled the Queen if ever she mentioned the -strange, mysterious word.</p> - -<p class='c005'>She was so lovely that painters came from -many countries just to see her face, and, if -possible, be allowed to make a picture of her. -And one of these portraits made its way to the -court of a King who was a distant cousin of -her father, and who had heard the strange -things said of the Princess. He was very angry -about it for he had two sons, and he was afraid -of their falling in love with the beautiful face. -So he ordered the picture to be destroyed before -the elder Prince, who was away on a visit, -came home.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the servant who was to burn the picture -thought it such a pity to do so, that he only -hid it away in a lumber-room; and thither, as -fate would have it, came the younger Prince -one day in search of a pet kitten belonging to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>his sister, which had strayed away; for he was -a Prince of a most kind and amiable nature.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The moment he saw the picture he fell in -love with it. He made inquiry, and heard -all there was to tell, then he arranged himself -for a journey and came to bid his father farewell.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I go," he said, "to woo the Princess Rose -for my bride." And in spite of all the King -could say he kept firm.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"If she is a witch," he said, "I would rather -perish by her hands than live with any other."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And amidst tears and lamentations he set -out.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He was received with great delight at the -court of Princess Rose's parents—though he -came without any pomp or display; for he -lost no time in telling the King and Queen -the reason of his visit. Knowing him to be a -Prince of most estimable character they were -overjoyed to hear of his resolve.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I only trust," said the Queen, "that all may -be well. But, as you have doubtless heard, -our darling child, despite her beauty and -goodness, is under a spell."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>She then proceeded to tell him the whole -matter of which he had already heard garbled -accounts.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He was relieved to find that the enchantment -was of no worse a nature, and declared -that it made no difference in his intentions, but -rather increased his love for the Princess.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And when he first set eyes on her (more -beautiful by far than even the beautiful portrait) -he felt that his whole life would not be -too much to devote to her even considering -her strange affliction.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"And who knows," he said to himself, "but -that such love as mine may find out a way to -release her from the spell?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Princess quickly learned to like him. -She had never before had a companion so near -her own age and the last days of the summer -passed most happily till the time came when -the Prince thought he might venture to ask -her to be his wife.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They were walking in the terrace in front -of the castle when he did so. It had been a -lovely day, but the afternoon had grown -chilly, and as the Princess listened to his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>words a cold breath of wind passed near them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Princess started; and, aware of the -Queen's anxiety about her, the Prince hastily -proposed that they should return to the house; -but Rose looked at him with a light in her -eyes which he had never before seen and a -strange smile broke over her face.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It is a new life to me," she said. "Can you -not understand, you who are yourself a child -of the North? Yes, Prince, I will marry you -on one condition, that you will show me the -snow—but on no other."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then she turned and without another word -walked slowly back to the palace.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Prince Orso, for so he was called, felt terribly -distressed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The spell is upon her," he thought to himself. -"She asks me to do what would probably -kill her or separate her forever from all who -love her."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And the King and Queen when they heard -this story were nearly as disappointed as he.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But that very night the Prince had a strange -dream. He thought he was walking in the -wood near the castle, when again a chill blast -<span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>but still more icy swept past him, and he heard -a voice speaking to him. It sounded hoarse -and stern.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Orso," it said, "you're as foolish as the -rest. Have you no trust? See what came of -rebellion against me, who, after all, love my -children as does my sister of the summer. -Leave the Princess to the leadings of her own -heart."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then with a crash of thunder the spirit went -on its way. And the Prince awoke to find that -the window of his room had been dashed in -by the force of a sudden gale which had -arisen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the next morning all was again calm. -It almost seemed as if milder weather was returning -again; and the Queen looked brighter; -but it was not so with the Princess, who was -silent and almost sad. And so things continued -for some days.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last the Prince could bear it no longer. -One afternoon when he found himself alone -with the Princess, he turned to her suddenly.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Princess," he said, "can you not give me -another answer? You must know that I would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>fain promise anything you wish; but I dare -not bind myself to what might perhaps do you -some injury."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Rose turned toward him impatiently.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"That is just it," she said. "I am always -met by excuses when I ask for the one thing -I really desire. What is there about me really -different from others? Why should I so often -hear of what others seem to understand, and -not have it explained to me? I am no longer -a child; in my dreams I see things I cannot -put in words; and beautiful as the world is I -feel that I only half know it. I long for what -they call the winter, and what they call the -snow and they never come. Only the cold -wind, which I have felt once or twice, brings -new life to me, and fills me with strange joy."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Prince hesitated. He understood her -perfectly for he was of the same brave and -hardy race. Yet the Queen's forebodings -made him tremble. The Princess's words reminded -him of his own dream; and again he -felt as if he heard the voice of the stern Winter -Spirit. And as if in answer to his uncertainty, -at that moment the howl of the cold -<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>blast sounded near them among the trees and -lurid clouds began to gather overhead.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Princess's face lighted up.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh," she exclaimed, "it is coming again!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I fear so, indeed," said Orso; and in his -terror for her he caught her hand and would -have hurried her back to the palace.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But at that moment a shrill little cry was -heard overhead not far from where they stood, -and, glancing up, they saw a bird of prey -clutching a smaller one in his claws. With a -terrible effort the captive managed to free -himself, but he was sadly wounded; and as -Rose gazed upwards in great concern she saw -him fall fluttering feebly to the ground. All -else was forgotten in the sight.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Poor bird!" she cried. "Let me go, Prince. -I must find him where he has fallen, or a -cruel death of slow suffering will be his."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Prince let her go; he dared not hold -her back, though he could have done so.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Leave her to the guidings of her own -heart," resounded in his ears.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Almost at once she was lost to his sight -among the trees which grew very closely; almost -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>at the same moment, to his horror, something -cold and soft touched his face, and snowflakes -were falling thickly. If harm was to -betide, it was too late to save her; but he -pressed forward in unspeakable anxiety.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was some little time before he found her; -and no reply came to his calls; but at last he -caught sight of something blue on the ground. -It was the Princess's robe; and there, indeed, -she lay, motionless, her eyes closed, a sweet -smile on her face, the little wounded bird -tenderly clasped in her hands.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Orso threw himself on the ground beside the -Princess.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh!" he exclaimed, "My carelessness has -killed her. How can I ever dare to face the -King and Queen? Oh, Winter Spirit! you -have indeed deceived me."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But as he said the words the Princess -opened her eyes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No, Prince," she said, "I am not dead; I -am not even asleep. It was the strange gladness -that seemed to take away my breath for a -moment, and I must have sunk down without -knowing. But now I feel stronger and happier -<span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>than ever in my life before, now that I -have seen and felt the beautiful snow of my -own country; now that I have breathed the -winter air I have been longing for always." -And she sprang to her feet, her blue eyes sparkling -with delight, looking lovelier than he -had ever seen her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Orso," she went on half shyly, "you have -done what I asked you; through you I have -seen the snow," and she held out her hand, -which, white though it was, looked pink in -comparison with the little flakes which were -fluttering down on it.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Prince was overjoyed but he hesitated.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I fear," he said, "that in reality you should -rather thank the poor little bird, or most of -all your own kind heart."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Poor little bird," she replied, looking at it -as it lay in her other hand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It is not dead. I will do all I can for it. -Let us hasten home, Prince, so that I may bind -up its poor wing. My father and mother will -be too anxious about me."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And together they returned to the palace. -One glance at the Princess as she came in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>sprinkled over with snow showed the Queen -that the spell was at last broken and her joy -was past all words.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The little bird spent all the winter in the -palace, tenderly cared for by the Princess -Rose, only flying away when the warm sunny -days returned. He pays them a visit still every -summer to show his gratitude, and in all his -travels he seldom sees a happier family than -his friends in the old palace away up in the -far, far, northern land.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span> - <h2 class='c003'>MIDSUMMER</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Around this lovely valley rise</div> - <div class='line'>The purple hills of Paradise.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Oh, softly on yon banks of haze,</div> - <div class='line'>Her rosy face the Summer lays!</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Becalmed along the azure sky</div> - <div class='line'>The argosies of cloudland lie,</div> - <div class='line'>Whose shores, with many a shining rift,</div> - <div class='line'>Far off their pearl-white peaks uplift.</div> - <div class='line'>Through all the long midsummer day</div> - <div class='line'>The meadow-sides are sweet with hay.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>John Townsend Trowbridge.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span> - <h2 class='c003'>SUMMER SKIES</h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>There comes the morning with the golden basket in her right hand</div> - <div class='line'>Bearing the wreath of beauty silently to crown the earth.</div> - <div class='line'>And there comes the evening over the lonely meadows</div> - <div class='line'>Deserted by herds, through trackless paths</div> - <div class='line'>Carrying cool draughts of peace in her golden pitcher</div> - <div class='line'>From the Western ocean of rest.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Rabindranath Tagore.</span></div> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Day!</div> - <div class='line'>Faster and more fast,</div> - <div class='line'>O'er night's brim day boils at last;</div> - <div class='line'>Boils, pure gold, o'er the cloud-cup's brim</div> - <div class='line'>Where spurting and suppressed it lay;</div> - <div class='line'>For not a froth-flake touched the rim</div> - <div class='line'>Of yonder gap in the solid gray</div> - <div class='line'>Of the eastern cloud, an hour away;</div> - <div class='line'>But forth one wavelet, then another, curled,</div> - <div class='line'>Till the whole sunrise, not to be suppressed,</div> - <div class='line'>Rose, reddened, and its seething breast</div> - <div class='line'>Flickered in bounds, grew gold, then</div> - <div class='line'>Overflowed the world.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Robert Browning.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span> - <h2 class='c003'>HOW THE SUN WAS CAUGHT AND<br />FREED</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time there lived a little Indian -boy who was very proud of his beautiful coat. -His sister had made it for him out of the skins -of ten snow-birds. Carefully she had dried -these skins, stretched them, and pieced them -into a soft, warm garment. The lad was so -fond of his coat that he wore it whenever he -left the wigwam, no matter how warm the -sun shone.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One morning the Indian lad took a long -walk and becoming very tired he threw himself -down on a grassy hillside to rest, and fell -sound asleep.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the Sun when he -saw the boy wrapped in a bird-skin coat in -summer time. "I must give this lad a hint that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>the snow and ice are gone and it is time to -lay aside winter coverings."</p> - -<p class='c005'>With all his warm might the Sun shone on -the sleeping lad. Gradually the feathers of -his coat curled up and became singed and -brown, and the garment shrank to a very small -size.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the Sun.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the Indian lad awoke he wondered -what had happened to him for he felt as if he -were caught in a trap. He sprang to his feet -and discovered that his beautiful coat had -shrunk until it was entirely too small for him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It is ruined," he cried aloud. "Ruined by -that monster Sun. He shall not play such -tricks on me and escape without punishment." -Then, shaking his fist in the Sun's face, he -shouted, "I'll make you pay for ruining my -beautiful bird-skin coat."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the Sun.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Indian lad ran back to the wigwam as -fast as he could, carrying the garment in his -hands.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"See what has happened!" he cried to his -sister. "That vicious Sun shrank my beautiful -<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>coat while I was asleep on the hillside. I can -never wear it again."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Perhaps I can stretch it for you," said his -sister.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No, no! See, the feathers are singed and -brown. It is ruined!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>He was so sorely vexed that he could neither -eat nor sleep. For twenty days he fasted in -the wigwam and wondered how he could call -the mischievous Sun to account for spoiling -the bird-skin coat.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One morning he sprang up and said to his -sister, "I have thought out a way to punish -the Sun. In his high path across the sky he -thinks he is safe from a little lad like me, but -I'll show him what I can do if you will help -me."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Tell me your plan," said the sister, wondering -how any mortal could punish the -mighty Sun.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I'll set a snare for him and catch him!" -cried her brother excitedly. "I want the -strongest cord you can find."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I've plenty of dried moose-hide; will that -be strong enough?" she asked.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>"No, no! That would never hold the Sun," -said the boy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>His sister thought a while and then said, -"I have dried sinew of deer."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But still her brother shook his head. "The -Sun is a mighty quarry. I must have something -stronger than the sinew of the deer."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Then I must search in the deep woods," -said his sister.</p> - -<p class='c005'>She left the wigwam and for nine days she -searched through the forest. At last she returned -with a twisted cord which she had -made from the strongest wood fiber. As soon -as her brother saw it he knew what to do. -He drew the twisted fiber through his lips and -immediately it became so fine and strong that -he believed nothing could break it. Round -and round his body the lad wound this cord; at -one end of it he fashioned a noose.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Confident that he was now prepared to -snare the Sun, the lad left the wigwam long -before daybreak. He walked to the spot -where the Sun first peeps over the rim of the -earth, and there he securely fixed the noose. -Then as he walked back to the lodge he unwound -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>from his body the cord, and held fast -to the end of it.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Sun was caught in this snare! His -shining head was held tight in the noose and -he could not travel across his Sky-Path. A -strange dull light filled the air.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In his wigwam the Indian lad was delighted. -He danced about joyously and said, -"The mighty Sun will learn that he cannot -play a trick on me and escape without punishment."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But while the Indian lad laughed and sang -because he had caught the Sun in his noose -the Animals were in deep trouble for there -was no daylight in the world. They walked -cautiously about, filled with fear and wonder.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What has happened to the Sun? Has he -strayed from his Sky-Path?" they whispered -to each other.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After a while they discovered that the Sun -was caught in a great noose and they called a -Council in order to decide what to do.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Of course we must free the Sun," said all -the Animals, but when one of them asked how -this could be done there was silence in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>Council for a long time, because all the Animals -knew about the Sun's great heat and -feared to go near enough to break the cord.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last the mole said, "I'll free the Sun. -I'm not afraid. My teeth are very sharp and -I'm sure they can gnaw through the cord of -the noose."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accordingly she crept near to the edge of -the earth where the Sun was held fast. The -heat was intense but the mole was determined -not to give up her undertaking. She gnawed -and gnawed, until the cord was cut in two. -Then up into the sky sprang the Sun with a -mighty bound. Before the Mole could run -away, however, the Sun's white light shone -full in her eyes, and from that day she has not -been able to see very well. Her eyes are extremely -small and are almost hidden by fur. -That is why she lives in dark places and seldom -comes out into the sunlight. But the -Animals are all grateful to her and they often -say, "It was the brave Mole who cut the -Indian boy's noose which held the Sun."</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A DAY OF SUNSHINE</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>O gift of God! O perfect day!</div> - <div class='line'>Whereon shall no man work, but play;</div> - <div class='line'>Whereon it is enough for me,</div> - <div class='line'>Not to be doing, but to be.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>I hear the wind among the trees</div> - <div class='line'>Playing celestial symphonies;</div> - <div class='line'>I see the branches downward bent,</div> - <div class='line'>Like keys of some great instrument.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And over me unrolls on high</div> - <div class='line'>The splendid scenery of the sky,</div> - <div class='line'>Where through a sapphire sea the sun</div> - <div class='line'>Sails like a golden galleon.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span> - <h2 class='c003'>PHAETON'S DRIVE IN THE SUN-CHARIOT</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time there lived in sunny Greece -a lad named Phaeton. He was a son of Clymene, -an ocean nymph, and Apollo, the god -of the sun.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One morning when the lad was playing with -some of his companions he said, "It is my -father who drives the glorious sun-car across -the sky, and brings daylight into the world. -I am the son of bright Apollo."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now this was by no means the first time -that Phaeton had boasted about his high lineage, -for he was indeed very proud of his -father. He was much surprised, however, to -hear his playmates laugh. One of them -looked scornfully at him and said, "You are -telling us an idle tale. We do not believe that -you are a child of the mighty Sun."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>Another added quickly, "Why don't you -prove your boast? If you are the son of -Apollo give some sign of your heavenly birth."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Indignant at these taunts Phaeton sought -his mother and told her about the jeering -insults he had been obliged to bear.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"They refuse to believe what I say until I -offer proof," he cried. "Let me go to the palace -of the sun and speak to my father. He -will advise me how to prove my claim."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Clymene hesitated to grant this request because -she knew the proposed journey was attended -by many dangers; but finally she gave -consent and carefully directed Phaeton to the -abode of Apollo.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the far east stood the shining sun palace -wrought from burnished gold, bright silver, -and polished ivory. The walls, marvellously -designed, were thickly set in emeralds, rubies, -sapphires and diamonds; the slender jewelled -pinnacles shone with dazzling light.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Phaeton was awed by the splendour which -he saw but he entered the palace and approached -the sun god who sat on a glittering -throne. Immediately Apollo greeted his son -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>and asked what favour he sought. Encouraged -by the question Phaeton lost all trace of fear -and said, "O, Light of the World, the children -of men declare that I am not the son of Apollo. -They sneer at me and say that my claim is -nothing but an idle boast. Grant me some -means of proving to them that I am indeed a -child of the mighty Sun."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Apollo laid aside the beams that shone on -his brow, bade Phaeton come nearer to him, -and said, "Thou art indeed my son. By the -mighty river Styx I promise to grant thee any -boon thou shalt ask."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Eagerly Phaeton replied, "For one day let -me drive the sun-chariot across the sky. No -one will ever again deny my high lineage if -Apollo grant me this boon."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The sun-god immediately saw what a rash -promise he had made. Three times he shook -his bright head and then replied, "I beg thee, -Phaeton, choose another boon for none but -Phoebus Apollo can drive the horses of the -sun-chariot. The path through high heaven -is beset with dangers. First the steeds must -climb the steep ascent of the eastern sky; then -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>they must be guided through the middle way -which is a dizzy height above earth and sea; -and last of all, their path lies down the dangerous -slope of the west. Also frightful monsters -must be passed on the road through the sky. -I beg thee choose another boon. This one -may bring thee punishment instead of glory."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But Phaeton was not dissuaded, and finally -Apollo led the headstrong youth to the place -where the fire-breathing horses and brilliant -chariot stood. The axle-tree, poles, and wheel-rims -were gold; the spokes, silver. The body -of the car was thickly set with chrysolites -and diamonds which reflected the sun's brilliance. -While Phaeton gazed admiringly at -all this beauty, Aurora the goddess of the -Dawn threw open the purple doors of the East -and pointed to the pathway strewn with roses. -The Stars quickly withdrew and when the sun -god saw the Moon make ready to depart he -swiftly ordered the Hours to harness up the -horses. Then Apollo quickly bound the Sun's -rays on the impatient lad's brow and anointed -his face with a cooling essence to protect his -skin from the burning flames.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>Phaeton leaped into the car, seized the -reins, stood erect, and thanked Apollo for the -great privilege of driving the chariot. In his -eager haste to start the youth failed to note his -father's words of warning. "Hold the reins -firmly and be sparing of the whip. The steeds -need no urging; the labour is to hold them in -check. Do not drive too high for fear of burning -the heavens; nor too low, or the earth -will be set on fire. Keep in the well-worn ruts -of the middle path. The time to start has -come, for Night is passing out of the Western -gates. Heed carefully my words in this hazardous -journey."</p> - -<p class='c005'>With an impatient bound the fire-breathing -steeds sprang forth. They dashed lightly over -the clouds and outran the morning breezes in -their eagerness to mount the eastern slope of -the sky. In a little while they discovered that -the car was lighter than usual, and that the -sun-god was not holding the reins. Then -they plunged madly forward and turned aside -from the middle track. This headlong speed -of the horses filled Phaeton's heart with terror, -especially when he realized he had no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>power to guide them. He forgot the names of -the horses; in despair he was obliged to let -them take their own course. Nearer and -nearer to the earth's broad plains dashed the -chariot of the sun. The fountains and rivers -were dried up by the scorching heat; the forest -trees became withered and burned; the -grassy hillsides, parched and brown; the harvest -fields were set on fire, even the people of -the land over which the sun chariot passed -were blackened by the extreme heat, and -to this day their descendants have dark skins.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In a loud cry of agony the people called on -Jupiter, king of the gods, to save them from -destruction. The all-powerful one aroused -himself from a deep sleep and saw, at a glance, -the cause of this terrible suffering. Angered -at the thought that a youth should dare drive -the horses of the sun, Jupiter hurled one of his -deadliest thunderbolts at the unfortunate -Phaeton, who fell from the chariot like a -shooting star and sank into the depths of the -river Eradinus.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Clymene deeply mourned her son's death, -and Phaeton's three sisters bewailed his loss -<span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>for many days. Finally the gods, in pity, -changed them into poplar trees, in order that -they might always be near the river into which -Phaeton fell.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>SONG</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hark, hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And Phoebus 'gins arise,</div> - <div class='line'>His steeds to water at those springs</div> - <div class='line in2'>On chaliced flowers that lies;</div> - <div class='line'>And winking Mary-buds begin</div> - <div class='line in2'>To ope their golden eyes:</div> - <div class='line'>With everything that pretty is,</div> - <div class='line in2'>My lady sweet, arise.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>William Shakespeare.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span> - <h2 class='c003'>SUMMER SUN</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Great is the sun, and wide he goes</div> - <div class='line'>Through empty heaven without repose,</div> - <div class='line'>And in the blue and glowing days</div> - <div class='line'>More thick than rain he showers his rays.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Though closer still the blinds we pull</div> - <div class='line'>To keep the shady parlour cool,</div> - <div class='line'>Yet he will find a chink or two</div> - <div class='line'>To slip his golden fingers through.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The dusty attic, spider-clad,</div> - <div class='line'>He, through the keyhole maketh glad;</div> - <div class='line'>And through the broken edge of tiles,</div> - <div class='line'>Into the laddered hayloft smiles.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Meantime his golden face around</div> - <div class='line'>He bares to all the garden ground,</div> - <div class='line'>And sheds a warm and glittering look</div> - <div class='line'>Among the ivy's inmost nook.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Above the hills, along the blue,</div> - <div class='line'>Round the bright air with footing true,</div> - <div class='line'>To please the child, to paint the rose,</div> - <div class='line'>The gardener of the World, he goes.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Robert Louis Stevenson.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE CLOUD<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Robert Reineck</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>One hot summer morning a little cloud rose -out of the sea, and floated playfully across the -blue sky. The dreary brown earth, parched -with a long drouth, lay far below. The little -cloud looked down and saw the poor people -toiling away with heavy hearts, while she, -carefree and happy, floated along on the fresh -morning breeze.</p> - -<p class='c005'>She said to herself, "Oh, how much I wish -I could help the poor people down there. If -I could but lighten their work, or refresh -them with food and drink!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>As the day passed and the cloud grew larger, -the wish to help the suffering people filled her -heart.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On earth it grew hotter and hotter, and the -people were fainting with heat, but they could -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>not stop their work, for they were very poor. -Sometimes they looked pleadingly up into the -sky. It seemed as if they were saying to the -cloud: "Oh, if you could but help us!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I will help you! I will, indeed!" said the -cloud, and she began immediately to sink -softly toward the earth.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As she floated down she suddenly remembered -something which she had heard when -she was a tiny child, rocked in the lap of -Mother Ocean. Someone had told her that -clouds die if they float too near the earth.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For a moment she wavered in her thought -and drifted to and fro. But at last she stood -still and spoke bravely and cheerfully, "Men -of the earth, I will help you, come what may."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly she grew large, and strong and -powerful. Never before had she dreamed -herself capable of such strength. Like an -angel of blessing she stood above the earth, -lifted her head, and spread her wings far over -the broad fields.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So great and mighty she appeared that men -and beasts marvelled at the sight; the trees, -grass, and flowers bowed their heads before -<span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>her, but in their hearts they knew she would -help them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Yes, I will help you," cried the cloud once -more. "Take me to yourselves! I die for -you!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>A mighty purpose filled the cloud's heart, -and a holy light shone from her face. She -sank nearer to the earth. The next moment a -blessed shower of rain refreshed the hills and -valleys.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The rain was the cloud's deed; the rain was -the cloud's death; but through her death she -was glorified.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After the shower was over, a lovely rainbow, -made of the purest rays of heavenly -light, arched across the sky. It was the last -greeting of a love so great that it could serve.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Soon the rainbow, too, disappeared, but the -memory of the blessing which the shower had -brought to the earth was kept in the hearts of -men for many years to come.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span> - <h2 class='c003'>UNDINE<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Edward Abbott Parry</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time there was a child wave -named Undine. "Undine the Beautiful," -they called her, because, when she was quite -a little ripple, she sparkled more brilliantly -than any of her thousand brothers and sisters, -and not one of them was so crystal clear or -dressed in such wonderful shades of sapphire -blue and emerald green. She was born at the -mouth of a white limestone rock cave on the -coast of Devonshire. The fourteenth of August -was her birthday. Never had there -been such a lovely little ripple as Undine. -The old Tide let her run up and down on his -back when he came into the bay where she -lived. She kept close by the cave for a time, -and grew big and strong, and became first a -billow and then a wavelet; but when a month -<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>had passed she was a full-grown wave—only -a small one, of course, but still a wave.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Her father was a well known Devonshire -coast wave, a jolly compact old sea salt roller, -with a great thatch of creamy foam on his -head. He ran up and down the coast and out -to sea in a lazy, aimless kind of way, playing -with the fishing smacks and rolling over the -porpoises.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He had a kindly look and was a friendly -fellow as a rule, but could be as cruel and -fierce as the worst of them, when he was -roused. Old Lobster-Pot they called him, because -he loved, when he could, to dive down -and wash the lobsters out of their baskets, and -then come and dance round the fishermen's -boats in the morning when they pulled them -up, and laugh at them when they found all -their hard work had been for nothing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Undine's mother was a tall, graceful wave -with a beautiful green breast, on which she -rested her white surge head proudly like a -royal swan. Her name was Mora. She -thought it vulgar to play with the lobster-pots, -and when her children were old enough -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>she took them across the sea to stay at the -French seaside towns for the bathing season. -She liked to hear the people on the pier cry -out, "Oh! look at that lovely wave!" as she -held back her glorious head and rushed -through the girders of the pier, splashing and -sparkling in the sun, and followed by her -merry family tumbling headlong after her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Little Undine saw nothing of her mother -and father during the first months of her life. -She never went outside the bay, but rippled -up and down in front of a large cave, diving -under the ruddy golden seaweed to look at the -quiet sea anemones. They were wonderful -fellows, she thought. Even the youngest of -them could sit still for hours. You never saw -sea anemones fidgeting about, and as for turning -head over heels, they do not even think of -it. But Undine was a restless young thing, -full of life and spirits, never still for a moment; -and the sea anemones loved her, for -she was always gentle and kind to them. Ah! -those were happy times!</p> - -<p class='c005'>The old waves like to go voyaging about -and to see something of the wide world, so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>they are sensible enough to pack their children -off to school as soon as they are born. -The ripples have a class to themselves. They -are taught to walk in rows, and each one -learns to keep his place. You cannot teach -a ripple much more than that, but that is -something. There was a wave school in the -bay in which Undine lived. The Zephyr -taught the ripple class. They went every -morning at sunrise, and had drill in a pool -behind the rocks. It was a pretty sight. The -sea anemones, red and white, opened out on -the rocks to look on, lazy star-fishes stretched -themselves upon the sands and laughed when -the little ripples tried to move them higher up -the beach, even those snarly little periwinkles -peeped out of their black shells to see what -was going on, and the old hermit crab, grumbling -all the while at being roused up so -early, sat at the door of his shell, and beat -time to the marching with one of his -claws.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"One, two, three, four," said the gentle -Zephyr. "Heads up! Keep your place! Let -the little ripples have plenty of room. Now, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>Undine, dear, throw your shadow well forward."</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the morning drill was done, the -Zephyr used to say to the ripples, "Now you -shall have a holiday; go and play together. -Love one another. Be as good as you can. -Be kind to all the world, and you will be -happy." Then she kissed them all lightly, -and flew away across the yellow sand and the -heather-covered rocks, and they saw her no -more until next morning. But they could -hear her singing on the cliff one of those songs -about the waves she loved so well, and when -the chorus came they would join in, for she -had taught it to them in the class, and it went -this way:</p> -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Oh, children may be naughty</div> - <div class='line'>And monkeys may be bad,</div> - <div class='line'>Young fishes, too, will often do</div> - <div class='line'>What makes their teacher sad.</div> - <div class='line'>Did we expect them to behave,</div> - <div class='line'>We should expect too much,</div> - <div class='line'>But a ripple is a little wave</div> - <div class='line'>And should behave as such,</div> - <div class='line in4'>Yes, must behave as such.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Ah! the Zephyr was a kind teacher, and -took such pains with the little ripples in her -class, that in a week they were ready to go -into the Upper School.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They had good playtimes, too. The old -Tide let them play sea-horses on his back. -Then there was "Hide and Seek" round the -rocks, "Hunt the Cockle," and "Ripple-Chivy." -It is no use telling you how to play -those games, for children cannot play them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One of their favourite sports was to race up -the sand and see who could get farthest; Undine -was very clever at that game. One day -when they were doing this, a little boy and his -elder sister were paddling in the water, sailing -a boat. He was a bonny, little fellow, -about four years old, and when Undine came -running up the sand, rocking his toy boat and -splashing the sails, he clapped his hands and -cried out, "Look at that great, big, lovely -wave!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Undine could not help laughing at the little -fellow's glee, but she liked to be called a -big wave.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At that moment a nasty, rough ripple who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>was quite big enough for the billow class—came -rushing along, and the little boy got -in his way and spoiled his run up the sand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Knock him over!" shouted a lot of the bigger -ripples. "He is spoiling the game!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Leave him alone," cried Undine, as she -floated gracefully back again.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But several of the bigger ripples rushed -up at the same time, and, knocking over the -little fellow, rolled him in the wet.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Undine! Undine!" he called out in his -terror, as they tumbled over him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Undine rushed back to help him, but she -was not strong enough. He knew nothing of -Undine, the ripple. It was his sister, who -was also named Undine, for whom he was -calling; and she had run into the water at his -first cry, and, picking him up in her arms, -had carried him out onto the dry sand. But -the nasty, little ripples had now caught hold -of his boat, and were pushing it out to sea.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Undine, Undine," sobbed the little chap; -"I want my boat, I want my boat!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>His sister could not reach it, and the two -stood, hand-in-hand, helpless on the beach, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>while the little boat drifted away. Bravely -did our Undine, when she heard the call, dash -forward to do battle with the naughty little -ripples, who called out angrily, "Shut up! -Wash it out to sea! Swamp it! He was -spoiling our game."</p> - -<p class='c005'>They were too strong for poor Undine, and -would have destroyed the little boat, or -washed it away, had not the kind Zephyr, -hearing all the noise, swept down from the -cliffs, filled the sails of the toy boat and -wafted it to shore. After this she blew the -naughty little ripples away, and they went -into rock pools and sulked by themselves.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the Zephyr had returned to the cliffs -the big, rough ripple who had knocked over -the little boy cried out fiercely: "When I am -a wave I shall kill all the boys I can and -swamp their boats. That is what my big -brother is taught to do, and he is a wave and -goes out to sea."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Zephyr often heard this sort of talk -among the ripples, and when Undine asked -her why they said these things, she kissed her -gently and told her not to be angry even with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>the ripples, who did not know what they were -saying, and begged her when she grew up to -be kind and good to everyone, for then she -would be happy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>However, she was not altogether happy just -at first, for the other ripples were not at all -pleased with her, and would not speak to her. -The little boy was carried off the beach by his -sister, so Undine was left all alone, and hid -herself under some dark brown seaweed in -the cleft of a rock and cried herself to sleep, -when she dreamed that the pretty little boy -was a beautiful wave, and was dancing with -her, hand-in-hand, over the wide ocean.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The next day she was moved into the billow -class. The Master was the South Wind. He -had just come home from college. He taught -them cresting and breaking on rocks. He was -a bright, clever fellow, but he told them nothing -about being good and kind as the Zephyr -had done. After a week in the billow class, -Undine and several of her young friends were -moved up into the wavelet class. This was -taught by a young wave, and here they -learned rushing, leaping, rolling, and marching -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>in open order. The young wave told them -exciting stories of wrecks and drowning men, -and repeated to them all that nonsense about -Britannia wanting to rule the waves, and insisted -on the duty of all good waves to go -about fighting men, and killing as many as -possible. This he called "Patriotism," and -Undine listened to his eloquent stories until -she had nearly forgotten all that the kind -Zephyr had tried to teach her. But the fierce -young wave could not change Undine's real -nature, and she remained, at heart, a kind and -gentle wave. Outwardly she grew tall and -strong, and her mother and father and all her -brothers and sisters still called her "Undine -The Beautiful."</p> - -<p class='c005'>At the end of a month she passed all her -examinations, and was a first-class wave ready -to go to sea. That was a great day when they -all left school. Old Lobster Pot and his good -wife Mora came to fetch them away. The -South Wind made an oration in Latin about -the duty of waves to fight for their country.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It began, <i>Anna virumque cano</i>, and old -Lobster Pot said it was very original and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>clever. The Zephyr sighed to see all these -young waves, full of bright hope and eager -fancies, passing out of the quiet bay into the -open Channel and the wide world.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They sailed along in open order among the -fishing boats, and yachts, and steamers. The -nasty, rough ripple that had knocked down the -little boy, and tried to steal his boat, had -grown into a handsome big wave. Surger, -they called him, because of his handsome head -and fine flowing surge when he broke over -the sand banks. He was very fond of Undine -now, and kept close to her, as they sailed up -the channel. It was a glorious day. The sun -shone brightly, the gulls swooped down and -floated for a few moments on Undine's shoulders, -and then soared away down the breeze. -The boats leaped merrily in front of them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Shall we see any wrecks to-day?" asked -Undine.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I hope so," shouted Surger; and he shook -his curly white head, and shot in front of Undine, -who could not help admiring his handsome -presence.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Wrecks! Nonsense!" growled out old -<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>Lobster Pot from behind. "These are the -holidays, and we are going to picnic up the -river."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then they turned aside from the channel -and went past a castle on a high rock, underneath -steep cliffs, across wide mudbanks, lifting -up the boats which were lying asleep -among the damp seaweed. Some of the waves—lazy -old fellows these—went off into the -harbour for a quiet snooze, others ran up the -river into long creeks, forcing their way -roughly among the quiet country streams. -Old Lobster Pot and his wife went straight -along the big river. There Undine saw many -strange sights. Trees and flowers, horses and -carts, men, women, and children; but not one -among them so beautiful, to her thinking, as -the little blue-eyed boy she had tried to rescue -from the naughty ripples. There, too, -along the banks of the river, she saw wide, -waving fields of green turning to gold, which -rustled in the breeze, and she shouted to them -to join her; for she felt so happy herself she -wanted everyone else to be happy, too. But -they did not understand her language, so they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>made no answer; for they were only wheatfields.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last they came to a big city, and ran between -high walls of white stone, and saw tall -buildings and the big towers of the cathedral, -and here and there were crowds of people. -"Oh! oh!" cried Undine and Surger together, -"this is beautiful." The cathedral clock -chimed four. Old Lobster Pot shook his head -and called out the order for return.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Time is up," he said; "we must be moving -down again now, or the river will be on to -us."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Surger laughed and cried out, "I will run -another mile before I return, anyhow;" and -he rushed up through the city with new force.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Undine followed him, but now she felt a -faint, weary feeling coming over her. Her -beauty was going, and her lovely colours -changing to a gray, inky hue. The river was -forcing its way down against them, and she -and Surger were soon glad to follow old Lobster -Pot down the river again. Back they -went, past the fields, and soon they felt the -pure sea breeze, and lent a hand to swing the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>huge ships round at their moorings under the -cliffs. They were glad enough to escape from -the dull, cold river that was rushing after -them, and sweep round the headland into the -good salt sea, where they could feel alive -again, free and joyous, and afraid of no one -in their own country.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Many a time did they run up rivers like -that, and Undine looked out for the little blue-eyed -boy; but she never saw him. Sometimes -they went out to the wide ocean, or visited the -coast towns with Mora, and splashed the ladies -bathing, and made them scream and -laugh. Always Undine was looking for her -little friend, but she never saw him. Many -were the journeys she made, and wonderful -were the sights she saw; indeed, one could fill -a book with all that Undine did and saw when -she grew up and became a wave.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was now October, and had been wonderfully -warm, close weather for the time of the -year. The waves were rolling lazily about -out at sea some three miles from the land. -They arched their huge backs and pressed silently -after each other, doing "Serpent drill," -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>as they called it, and weary work it was. The -little waves were slapping at each other angrily, -for no better reason than that they had -been told not to, but had nothing else to do. -They all seemed uneasy and troubled, yet -Undine could not have told you why she felt -in such a strange condition of pent-up excitement. -A rumour ran round that there was to -be a Storm War that evening, and almost before -they had begun to discuss whether this -was likely to be true, the clouds lowered, the -sky grew black and dismal, the wind trumpeted -out shouts of battle, huge waves bigger -than old Lobster Pot rushed up the channel -in answer to the summons, and the whole sea -was one seething angry mass of cruel waves -bent on destruction.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now the great battalions of the Sea Wolves, -as they call their fiercest fighting waves, came -thundering up from the Atlantic, breaking all -before them. Undine had never seen such -wild, handsome fellows before. Everyone -joined them, and soon the sea was nothing but -a reckless mob of madly enraged waves, moaning -and wailing horribly in a frenzy of rage. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>Down came the sleet and hail in sharp volleys, -as though from a battery of artillery, -which had taken up its position behind the -thick clouds. A solitary storm bird was -driven before the wet rushing wind, with stiff -wings and bent claws, squealing miserably, as -though to warn the vessels of their doom.</p> - -<p class='c005'>If you have not been a wave, you cannot -understand the wild feeling that seizes you -when the Storm War begins. Even gentle -Undine quivered with rage, and sought about -for something to destroy. As for Surger, he -was leaping about and yelling like a mad -thing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The fishing smacks had hauled up their -nets, or cut them adrift, and were speeding for -the shore. Some few smaller boats had made -for the beach earlier, suspecting danger. Old -Lobster Pot hurried round among his family, -giving orders in loud tones of command.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"There's for you," he shouted to Undine and -Surger, as a small open boat with a single lug -sail rushed through the surf. "He will be -making for the little bay by the cave. Away -with you! Drive him on to the rocks!"</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>A solitary man half-sat and half-stood in the -stern of the boat, his back to the tiller, the -end of the sheet in his hand. It was passed -securely round a pin near to him. He stooped -down to cover up with a spare sail two little -children, girl and boy, who were lying frightened -at the bottom of the boat. Then he set -his teeth, and stared through the blinding hail -into the gathering darkness, to find the opening -into the little bay.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Undine and Surger rushed on to the slender -little vessel with all their force. The man -skilfully made way for them, and they passed -under the keel of the boat, doing no harm. -The wind howled and shrieked at them for -their failure, and caught the boat with all its -might, driving it past the two waves and nearer -to the rocks. Then Undine and Surger raced -on alongside the little boat until it neared the -opening to the bay, and as the man tried to -turn her into the safe harbour, the wind made -a terrible effort, and the two waves, leaping -together at the side of the boat, crashed her -into the rocks.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In a moment the man had thrown back the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>sail and seized, from the bottom of the boat, -the two children, who were lying hidden under -the sail. They were the little blue-eyed -boy and his sister, Undine. Bravely he -struggled with them across the rocks and -through the surf to gain the beach. Surger -and Undine were after him, for in her rage -and fury she had not seen that it was the little -blue-eyed boy. Mora and Old Lobster Pot, -with many other big waves, seeing what had -happened, were rushing across the sea towards -the bay, for fear Surger and Undine should -not be strong enough to drown the man and -his children. Happily they were too late; for -before they arrived, the man had gained the -shore and pulled himself up the slope of the -beach, saving the girl in his arms, but Surger -managed to knock the little boy out of his -grasp, and was rolling him down again into -the sea to drown him. The man and the girl -were too stunned and bruised to know whether -they were saved or drowned. A coastguard -was running down the cliff, but he would have -been too late to save the little boy, had not -Undine heard him calling out in despair, as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>Surger dragged him underneath the waves, -"Undine! Undine! Save me! Save me!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The waters were falling on him, doing their -best to choke him, when Undine heard the -call, and for the first time since she had been -a little ripple, remembered what the Zephyr -had taught her of love and pity. In a moment -she had forgotten her anger, and the fierce -commands of Old Lobster Pot, and the battle -shouts of the Storm War; she thought only -of the beautiful little blue-eyed boy, who was -being dragged under the water and drowned. -She rushed past Surger, who tried his best to -stop her, and, heedless of the shouts of Old -Lobster Pot and Mora, who yelled out, "Kill -him! Drown him!" and caring nothing for -all the rage and raving of the mad waves that -pressed round her, she caught up the little -boy on her breast, and with all her might -threw him on to the soft sand, just as the coastguard -reached the edge of the sea, and was -there to pull him out.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then, half ashamed and half overjoyed at -what she had done, she turned back and fled -away out to sea. And there arose such a yell -<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>and a shout from the assembled waves, -mingled with the groaning and howling of -angry wind, that she sped on in the wildest -terror like a hunted hare. And all the waves -of the sea, full of rage that one of their number -should turn traitor and coward and save a -mortal man in a time of Storm War—gathered -together and chased after her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Away she went down the Channel, across -the Bay of Biscay, round Cape Finisterre, and -through the gates of Gibraltar into the warm -Mediterranean; and after her in hot pursuit -raced a surging crowd of fierce and angry -waves. But they were not to punish her for -her brave deed, for there, near the warm -shores of Sicily, they say she met the good -Zephyr, who saved her from her pursuers, -taking her into her arms and changing her into -a beautiful cloud.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And the glorious Sun heard the story of -Undine, and was so pleased with what she had -done that he made her one of his special evening -attendants and gave her a splendid robe -of amber and gold. And if you look in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>sky when the sun is setting in the sea, you may -see Undine even to this day, a beautiful golden -cloud gazing lovingly down at the world -she used to live in.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span> - <h2 class='c003'>LEGEND OF THE SUN, MOON, AND<br />STARS<br /> <br />(WYANDOTTE)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>There was a time when the Indians called -the Little Turtle, the Keeper of the Heavens. -That was when the Indians thought the earth -was a Great Island, which rested upon the Big -Turtle's back. It came about in this way. -When the Great Island was first made there -were no Sun and no Moon and no Stars. In -order to know what to do the old Turtle called -a meeting of all the animals. When they had -all gathered together the old Turtle told them -that there was no light. After a long discussion -as to what could be done to mend matters -the animals grew weary and were about to go -home and let the Great Island continue in -darkness, when the Little Turtle spoke up and -said: "If I were able to climb into the sky I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>could gather some of the lightning and make -light."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Go," said Big Turtle. "It will do no harm -to try."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now the Little Turtle had very great powers -for, as soon as he had made up his mind to -go, a vast cloud full of thunder and lightning -slowly rolled down toward the animals, and -came so near that Little Turtle climbed into it -and was soon carried into the Sky.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As soon as Little Turtle arrived there he -went around and gathered as much as he could -of the lightning and kindled a great round -flame, which stood still in the Sky. But it did -not light all of the Great Island. The Sun, as -Little Turtle had made it, was not satisfactory, -so another meeting of all the animals was -called. To this Council Little Turtle came in -the cloud.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was decided to give the Sun life and -spirit, so that he could run about the Sky by -day. Some animals were told to bore a hole -through the earth so that the Sun could go -through it and be back in the East by night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This the animals did. But the Sun sometimes -<span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>loitered in this earth passage and too -often the world was left in total darkness. -Again the animals were dissatisfied, and a -third meeting was called to decide the best -plan and to scold the Sun for his neglect.</p> - -<p class='c005'>To this third meeting the Sun and the Little -Turtle and all the other animals came. They -decided then and there that the Little Turtle -should make the Sun a wife, and that she -should shine while he was going back to the -East through the earth passage.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the Little Turtle made the Moon, -and gave her as a wife to the Sun. She was -smaller and not so powerful as he. You can -see her in the Sky. The Stars that run about -the Sky are their many children.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day the Moon ran into the earth passage -earlier than she should have done, and -before the Sun himself had passed through. -So offended was he that he robbed her of all -her heat and much of her light, and she was -never able to keep pace with him in the Sky.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Not knowing why her light had grown dim, -or what had become of her, the Little Turtle -went out to see what was the matter. He -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>found the Moon lingering along the underground -trail. There was just a little light and -heat left to her, and barely a strip of her once -glorious body—just as much as one sees of the -new Moon nowadays.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Little Turtle brought her out and tried to -mend her. But it was of no use. She would -become better for a time and then relapse. -Soon she would improve again until she was -almost as strong as ever she had been; then -again she would begin to fade away until at -last only a tiny strip was left of her, and she -had almost no heat. And this trick of changing -has been repeated many, many times. Indeed, -to this day the Moon continually changes -her shape.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE PRINCESS MOONBEAM<a id='r1' /><a href='#f1' class='c014'><sup>[1]</sup></a><br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Mary F. Nixon-Roulet</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>A woodman once dwelt with his wife at -the edge of the forest, under the shadow of -the Honorable Mountain. The two were industrious -and good, but though they loved -each other they were not happy. No children -had come to bless them and this the wife -mourned deeply. The husband pitied her and -treated her very kindly, yet still she was -sad. As she gazed upon the snows of Fujiyama -her heart swelled within her and she -prostrated herself and said, "Fuji no Yama, -Honorable Mountain, my heart is heavy because -no childish arms encircle my neck, no -little head nestles in my bosom. From thy -eternal purity send some little white soul to -comfort me!"</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>The Honorable Mountain spoke not; yet as -she prayed, lo, from its heights there sparkled -and glowed a tiny light. Fitful and gleaming -it seemed, yet it had a silver radiance as of -the moon.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The woodman's wife beheld it, and she -called to her husband eagerly, "Come hither, -I pray you. See the strange light which -comes from Fuji San. I seem to see a face -smiling at me. It is the face of a little child."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then her husband smiled at her fancy, but, -because he loved her so, he said, indulgently, -"I will go and see what it is."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I thank you, my lord; go quickly!" she -replied.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So, quickly he went to the forest, and as he -neared a mountain stream, with Fuji gleaming -cold and white in the moonlight, he saw the -strange light, which seemed to hover and rest -upon the branches of a tall bamboo. Hastening -thither he found there a moon child, a -tiny, fragile, fairy thing, more beautiful than -any child he had ever seen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Little creature," he said, "who are you?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"My name is Princess Moonbeam," she answered -sweetly. "My mother is the Moon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>Lady, and she has sent me to Earth because -every Moon Child must do some good thing, -else will its silvery light become pale and wan -and be of no avail."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Little Princess," he said eagerly, "the best -of good deeds is to comfort a sad heart. Come -home with me and be a child to my wife, who -weeps for children. Thus will your beams -grow bright."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I will go with you," said the little Moonbeam, -and, rejoicing greatly, he bore her -tenderly to his wife.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I bring you a treasure," he said. "The -Moon Lady sends you this beam of light to -lighten your sad heart."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then was his wife much overjoyed and she -took the little creature to her bosom and cared -for her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Lovelier grew the Moon Child every year -and much she rejoiced the hearts of her foster -parents. Her hair was like a golden aureole -about her face. Her eyes were deep and -tender, her cheeks were pale and delicate, and -about her there was a subtle and unearthly -charm. Every one loved her, even the emperor's -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>son, who, hunting in the forest, saw -her lighting up the humble cottage with her -heavenly light. He loved her dearly and she -loved him, but alas! she could not marry him, -because her life upon the earth could be but -twenty years. Then she must return to her -home in the moon, for so willed her mother -the Moon Lady.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last the day came when she must go. -Her parents wept, and could not be consoled; -and her lover, who was now the emperor, -could not keep her, although he besought -High Heaven to spare her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Her mother caught her up in a silver moonbeam; -and all the way to the moon the little -Princess wept silvery tears. As the tears fell -from her eyes, lo! they took wings and floated -away looking for the form of the emperor -who might see her no more.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the silver-bright tears are seen to this -day floating hither and yon about the vales -and marshes of fair Nippon. The children -chase them with happy cries, and say, "See -the fireflies! How fair they are! Whence -came they?"</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>Then their mothers relate to them the legend -and say, "These are the tears of the little -Princess, flitting to seek her beloved"; and -over all, calm and eternal, smiles the Honorable -Mountain.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>THE MOON</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>That orbèd maiden, with white fire laden,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Whom mortals call the moon,</div> - <div class='line'>Glides glimmering o'er my fleece-like floor,</div> - <div class='line in2'>By the midnight breezes strewn;</div> - <div class='line'>And wherever the beat of her unseen feet,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Which only the angels hear,</div> - <div class='line'>May have broken the woof of my tent's thin roof,</div> - <div class='line in2'>The stars peep behind her and peer;</div> - <div class='line'>And I laugh to see them whirl and flee,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Like a swarm of golden bees,</div> - <div class='line'>When I widen the rent in my wind-built tent,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Till the calm rivers, lakes, and seas,</div> - <div class='line'>Like strips of the sky fallen through me on high,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Are each paved with the moon and these.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Percy Bysshe Shelley.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE SPACIOUS FIRMAMENT ON<br />HIGH</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The spacious firmament on high,</div> - <div class='line in2'>With all the blue ethereal sky,</div> - <div class='line'>And spangled heaven, a shining frame,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Their great Original proclaim;</div> - <div class='line'>Th' unwearied sun, from day to day,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Does his Creator's power display,</div> - <div class='line'>And publishes to every land</div> - <div class='line in2'>The work of an Almighty hand.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Soon as the evening shades prevail,</div> - <div class='line in2'>The moon takes up the wondrous tale,</div> - <div class='line'>And nightly to the listening earth</div> - <div class='line in2'>Repeats the story of her birth;</div> - <div class='line'>While all the stars that round her burn,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And all the planets in their turn,</div> - <div class='line'>Confirm the tidings as they roll,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And spread the truth from pole to pole.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>What though, in solemn silence, all</div> - <div class='line in2'>Move round the dark terrestrial ball?</div> - <div class='line'>What though no <i>real</i> voice or sound</div> - <div class='line in2'>Amid their radiant orbs be found?</div> - <div class='line'>In <i>Reason's</i> ear they all rejoice,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And utter forth a glorious voice,</div> - <div class='line'>Forever singing, as they shine,</div> - <div class='line in2'>"<i>The Hand that made us is divine!</i>"</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Joseph Addison.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span> - <h2 class='c003'>GREEN FIELDS AND MEADOWS<br />GAY</h2> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span> - <h2 class='c003'>NATURE'S SONG</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>There is no rhyme that is half so sweet</div> - <div class='line'>As the song of the wind in the rippling wheat;</div> - <div class='line'>There is no meter that is half so fine</div> - <div class='line'>As the lilt of the brook under rock and vine;</div> - <div class='line'>And the loveliest lyric I ever heard</div> - <div class='line'>Was the wildwood strain of a forest bird.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Madison Cawein.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE GIFT OF FLAX<br /> <br />(NORSE LEGEND)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>In a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains -there once lived a shepherd with his wife and -children. They were very poor, indeed, and -were obliged to work hard in order to earn the -scantiest living.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The good wife was most helpful to her husband. -She kept the cottage spotlessly clean, -and mended the children's clothes with patient -skill. Every day the shepherd took his small -flock of sheep to pasture on the side of a mountain, -whose tall, white summit was hidden in -the clouds. He often carried a crossbow, and -sometimes he brought home some mountain -game, which provided a fine meal for his family.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day, while he was watching his sheep, -he saw, a short distance above him, a fine reindeer -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>drinking from a pool in the basin of a -rock. The shepherd seized his crossbow and -took aim to shoot the quarry, but before he -could speed an arrow, the deer scented danger -and leaped away up the steep slope of the -mountain-side. The shepherd pursued his -game with eager haste, climbing up the dangerous -paths with a sureness of foot which -comes only to those whose lives are spent -among the mountain fastnesses.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It grew bitterly cold as the shepherd -pressed on and on, and he saw the glittering -ice-fields near the mountain top.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"'Tis the most fleet-footed quarry I ever -followed," said the hunter, stopping for a moment's -rest. "After this hard chase, I'm afraid -I must give up the game."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly he saw the reindeer slacken pace, -and walk into the entrance of a cavern in the -glacier.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I'll make one more effort," said the tired -hunter, climbing on until he reached the opening -where the reindeer disappeared. In a few -moments he reached a dark passage, at the end -of which he saw glittering, coloured lights. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>His heart beat fast, but he walked on toward -the brilliant opening.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The desire to see the lighted hall at the end -of the passageway now took possession of the -hunter and, strange to say, he forgot all about -the quarry, which had led him to this marvelous -place. When he reached the threshold -of the opening he was obliged to shade his eyes -with both hands. Rainbow colours sparkled -from the walls and ceiling, which were thickly -set with precious stones. A floor of shining -white marble added to the beauty of the place. -The shepherd stood in silent wonder.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Welcome to the Hall of Mists," said a -queenly voice, but still he stood gazing from -the entrance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The queen repeated her words of welcome, -and the shepherd walked humbly forward toward -a beautiful woman, clothed in silvery -white robes girdled with gold. On her bright -hair was a crown of jeweled blossoms. She -held a distaff in her right hand; in her left, a -bunch of flowers the colour of the sky on a fair -summer day. She was attended by many -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>youthful maidens, who stood back of the queen -near jeweled spinning wheels.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Filled with awe, the shepherd threw himself -on his knees at the feet of this Queen of the -Air.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Have no fear, my good man," she said in -a gentle voice. "Perseverance and courage led -thee up a dangerous path, but thou hast not -laboured in vain. Thou shalt be rewarded for -thy dauntless chase. Choose anything thou -wilt from my jeweled Hall of Mists."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Without hesitating a moment, the shepherd -said, "Gracious Queen, there is nothing in the -world I should like to have so much as the -flowers your majesty holds."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Queen of the Air smiled and put the -blossoms into his hand. Then she took up a -measure of small seed, which stood near her, -and said: "Thou hast made a wise choice, my -good man. Sow this seed in the field near -your cottage. Farewell."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly a peal of thunder rang through -the air, and the brilliant light in the Hall of -Mists changed to total darkness. In a twinkling -the bewildered man found himself once -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>more upon the mountain-side not far from the -spot where he had left his sheep grazing. At -first he thought he had been dreaming, but -there in one hand he held a bunch of blue flowers; -in the other, a measure of seed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He hastened home, told the marvelous adventure -to his wife, and showed her the blue -flowers and the measure of seed. For awhile -she listened in wide-eyed wonder, but when the -shepherd said the Queen bade him choose anything -he wished from the jeweled hall, the -good wife said impatiently: "Do not tell me -that you chose a bunch of flowers when you -might have had a precious stone! How could -you be so foolish? One jewel would have -made us rich for life."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Let us see what the seed will bring forth," -answered her husband. "I shall plant it to-morrow."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accordingly, the next day he plowed the -ground and planted the seed. He was amazed -to find that the small measure held enough to -sow a very large field. In a short time, tiny -green shoots covered the ground. With eager -interest, the shepherd watched the little plants -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>grow and burst into blossoms exactly like those -the Queen of the Air had given to him. In a -few weeks he saw the star-like blossoms wither -and seeds begin to form and ripen. One night -the shepherd dreamed he saw a beautiful -woman, clothed in silver white, float over his -field and bless the ripening stalks.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The next evening an old woman knocked at -the cottage door. When the shepherd invited -her to come in, he noticed she carried in her -hand a number of stalks from his field.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I've come to teach you what wonderful -use you can make of these stalks," she said.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Very gently and patiently she taught the -shepherd and his wife how to separate delicate -fibers from the woody core; how to spin them -into thread and weave the thread into linen. -Last of all she told them how to bleach the useful -linen. It was a wonderful evening for the -peasant and his wife.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the old woman rose to leave the cottage, -she said to the shepherd, "In the Queen's -Hall of Mists you asked for the gift of blue -flax flowers. To-night you have learned what -a priceless blessing you chose. Farewell."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>She left the cottage very quickly and when -the shepherd and his wife went to the door to -see which way she went lo! she had disappeared. -In a short time all the people in the -valley heard the wonderful story of making -linen. For awhile they bought the linen which -was made from the shepherd's first field of -flax. But they bought some of his seed, too, -and the next year they were able to spin their -own thread and weave their linen. The blessing -which came from the shepherd's choice -was shared by all the people in the valley.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE STORY OF THE DEWDROP<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Lucile Corbett</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>One day as the children were coming home -from school, the snowflakes began dropping -lazily to the ground. One beautiful star-shaped -flake fell on a little girl's hand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, you pretty, pretty snow fairy. Where -did you come from? Did you tumble off a -fleecy cloud, or did you dance all the way from -Frostland to show us your soft, lacy dress?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>To the little girl's surprise, a tiny voice said: -"Do you really want me to tell you where I -came from? I was not always a snowflake, and -will not return to Frostland for a long, long -time. I can stay with you but a little while; -then, when the bright sun comes and the south -wind calls, I must leave you, for I have much -to do. Many things in the woods need my -help.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>"Last spring, when the earth became soft, -the sky blue, and the warm breeze played with -the sun, I was sent from the clouds to give the -violets a drink of water. Taking the form of -a sparkling dewdrop, I stooped and kissed the -dark green leaves, and a violet held me in -her arms until the sturdy oak called.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"A sunbeam drew me up, up, and up, then -let me gently drop in the quiet pitter-patter of -rain. I reached down, down to the roots, giving -him new life, so that he put forth leaves -which sheltered and protected the violets all -summer.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"From the roots of the sturdy oak I traveled -on and on and on until the babbling brook -called. I turned into a tiny stream of clear -water, and the brook rocked me as it went murmuring -through a shady dell. The birds -dipped into the cool water, then shook their -wings till the drops glistened like diamonds in -the sunlight. The willow tree bent and looked -at herself in the mirror of water, the ferns -crept nearer and nearer, and the small white -pebble was worn smooth by the laughing -brook, as it sang on its way to the sea.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>"When I reached the big, broad waters, I -found many, many dewdrops, which had been -changed into rain and into streams to help the -plants, the flowers, and trees. Ships, looking -like great white birds, sailed on the waters. -Suddenly a storm came up, the sea grew dark -and angry-looking. I was turned into white -foam, and the waves tossed me higher and -higher until the ships went down. The seagulls -flapped their wings and gave their cry -of warning for all things in the forest to keep -away from the wild billows.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"After the storm, I was carried up and up -in the air as mist, so that I blotted out all sight -of land. I drew closer and closer to the small -islands, and wrapped them in a thick blanket -of fog. The wind sighed, the flowers closed -their beautiful petals, and the birds hid their -heads under their wings in fear of this clinging -white monster.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The winter winds came along and carried -me into the far Northland, where the Ice King -reigns supreme. Here I found little men -dressed in fur to keep them warm. Great -white bears walked on huge cakes of ice. But -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>the birds and flowers could not live in that still, -cold land. The silence was broken only by the -crunching of the ice. I, too, became ice, and -drifted slowly out on the shining white waste.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Then again came the sun, warm and strong, -and forced back the cold north wind. Instead -of being a thick white cake of ice, I became a -tiny, fluffy bit of frost, as white as ermine, as -soft, as soft as down. Gently the north wind, -who was now a slave of the mighty sun, gathered -me up and carried me into a strange land, -a very strange land. The earth was hard, the -trees bare, and the flowers were all dead. -Dark, sullen-looking clouds took me from the -north wind and sent me floating down, down -through space until I reached your hand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"When you gather up a handful of snow to -make a big, round snowball, do not forget that -once we were bright dewdrops sparkling in the -morning sun. And when you wade in the little -brook in the summer time, we will flow over -your bare feet and sing you a song of the sea."</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE DEW MOTHER</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The tall Dew Mother, dressed in grey,</div> - <div class='line'>Last night at dusk went down the way,</div> - <div class='line'>By winding lane and meadow deep,</div> - <div class='line'>And kissed each little flower to sleep.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And some sweet buds so drowsy sat,</div> - <div class='line'>They hardly heard her pit-a-pat,——</div> - <div class='line'>They scarcely knew that they were found,——</div> - <div class='line'>Already dreams had wrapped them round.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>But she, so pale and kind and tall,</div> - <div class='line'>Her cool, sweet kisses laid on all,</div> - <div class='line'>And left each leaf a dewdrop bright</div> - <div class='line'>To play with in the morning light.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>May Byron.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span> - <h2 class='c003'>ORIGIN OF THE DANDELION<br /> <br />(INDIAN LEGEND)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>The gentle South Breeze, whom the Indians -call Shawondasee, lay asleep on the soft grass -in front of his wigwam. His face was turned -toward the Northland, and he was dreaming -of the joys and blessings he would send there -to fill the summer days with gladness.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In the spring he had told the bluebird and -swallow that it was time to build their nests in -the budding Northland. His warm breath -had melted the winter snows and enticed the -brooks and rills to flow again toward the sea. -Now the last days of spring were waning and -summer was at hand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Shawondasee smiled in his dream. He -wafted gentle showers to the meadows of the -Northland and blossoms opened their faces to -the sun. Little children clapped their hands -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>in glee when they saw the shining buttercups -and the daisies with golden hearts.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The laughter which Shawondasee heard in -his dream wakened him. Slowly he opened -his eyes and looked dreamily at the great -stretches of prairie which lay before him. In -a little while the South Breeze aroused himself -and gazed intently toward the Northland. -There among the slender waving grasses he -saw a beautiful maiden. Her tall, graceful -figure was clothed in delicate green, and her -moccasins were of the same color. Her hair -was yellow as gold. Merrily she danced -about the prairie, nodding and smiling at -Shawondasee, who became enchanted with her -grace and beauty.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"'Tis the loveliest vision I've ever seen," -murmured the South Breeze softly. "Surely -she is a daughter of the Sun, and he has made -her wonderful hair out of his own beams."</p> - -<p class='c005'>All day long he watched her dancing gaily -on the northern prairie, and at night when he -went into his wigwam, he said, "I shall journey -northward and woo the sunny-haired -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>maiden. Gently will I woo her to be my -bride."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The next day when Shawondasee came -sleepily out of his wigwam, there, in the morning -light, he saw the graceful maiden flitting -about on the prairie. All the while she nodded -her golden head and smiled gaily at him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"There is plenty of time to woo her," sighed -Shawondasee; "I'll enjoy her dancing a little -longer before I journey northward and ask her -to live with me in the Southland."</p> - -<p class='c005'>One morning when South Breeze came out -of his wigwam to watch the dancing maiden, -he noticed a great change had come to her. -On her head was a fleecy white crown.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What has happened to my golden-haired -prairie maiden?" he sighed. "Can it be that -my rough brother, North Wind, has crowned -her with snow?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>He sprang to his feet and hastened toward -the northern plains. As he drew near the -maiden, he saw that her golden hair had, indeed, -gone, and in its place were tresses soft -and white as the snow.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Shawondasee's heart was filled with sorrow. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>His breath came quick and fast and, as he -came very near to the maiden, he drew a deep, -deep sigh.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly the strangest thing happened. -All the air was filled with soft, downy fibers, -which flitted over the prairie like the tiniest -fairy sails and, in a little while, sank lightly -among the waving grasses. Shawondasee -closed his eyes for a moment, and when he -opened them, lo! the prairie maiden had vanished.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I cannot give up my beautiful maiden," -sighed South Breeze. "I shall not go back to -the Southland until I have found her."</p> - -<p class='c005'>For weeks he wandered over the meadows, -but no trace of the maiden could he find. One -day Kabibonokka, the rough North Wind, -blew sharp and shrill. His cold blast made -the gentle Shawondasee shiver and hasten back -to his warm wigwam in the South.</p> - -<p class='c005'>During the cold winter months while Kabibonokka, -with his icy breath, stalked over -the prairie, Shawondasee stayed in his wigwam -and mourned the loss of his prairie -maiden. But when the warm days came again -<span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>and the grass sprang up on the northern plains, -the South Breeze came forth and planned to -journey northward.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day he looked toward the prairie where -a year ago he had seen the dancing, golden-haired -maiden. A marvelous sight greeted -him. Hundreds of bright yellow flowers -among the waving grasses nodded and smiled -at him. The prairie was shining with golden -dandelions.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span> - <h2 class='c003'>PRINCE BUTTERFLY AND CLOVER</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>In a quiet, pleasant meadow, where green old -trees waved their branches as the summer -winds went singing by, bloomed a sisterhood of -flowers. A neighbouring brook rippled musically, -and passing clouds cast shadows upon the -waving grass below.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The flowers were very happy together in -this pleasant spot. No cold winds came to -blight them, no rude hands tore them from -their stems. Warm sunbeams smiled on them -all day long, and the dewdrops refreshed them -at night with a cooling drink.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One morning when the flowers awoke, fragrant -and fresh, a little worm came creeping -by.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, pity and love me," sighed the little -worm. "Give me shelter, dear flowers. I am -<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>lonely, poor, and weak. A little spot for a -resting place is all I ask. Only let me lie in -the deep, green moss and weave my little tomb -and sleep my long, unbroken sleep until -spring's first flowers come. Then will I come -forth in fairy dress, and repay your gentle care -for a poor worm. Kind flowers, let me stay."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But none of the proud flowers would give -shelter to the poor worm. Wild Rose showed -her little thorns while her soft face glowed -with pride. Violet hid beneath some drooping -ferns and the daisy turned her face away. -Little Houstonia laughed scornfully, as she -danced on her slender stem, while Cowslip -bent down and whispered the tale to the brook.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A blue-eyed Grass looked down on the poor -worm as she silently turned away.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"You will harm our delicate leaves," she -said; "that is why you may not stay."</p> - -<p class='c005'>At that moment a sweet voice called from -a distance:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Come here, poor worm, come to me. The -sun lies warm in this quiet spot. I will share -my home with you."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The flowers all looked in wonder to see who -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>had offered the worm a home. To their surprise, -they found Clover Blossom, with fluttering -wings, beckoning him to come. From -her snug little nook where the cool winds -rustled by, and the murmuring bees and butterflies -loved to come, her rosy face smiled -kindly down as the friendless worm drew -near.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Poor thing, you are welcome here," she -said in a soft voice. "In the soft, green moss -close at my side you may sleep until spring -comes. I will spread my leaves over you, and -guard you through the long winter."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then, deep in a moss bed, the grateful worm -spun his winter home, and lay down for his -long rest.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And well did Clover Blossom keep her -watch. Autumn came and took all her sister -flowers. Then when it was time for her to -go, she spread her withered leaves softly over -the sleeping worm, and bent her faithful little -head beneath the winter snow.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Spring came again and the flowers arose -from their winter sleep. How gaily they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>danced on their slender stems, and sang their -songs with the rippling waves of the brook. -The warm winds kissed their cheeks, as one -by one they came again to dwell in their summer -homes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Little Clover Blossom bloomed once more, -and watched patiently by the mossy bed where -the worm still lay quietly sleeping. Her sister -flowers cried scornfully, as they waved in -the summer air, "Come and dance with us, -Little Clover. That ugly worm was poor and -friendless. He will not come again in fairy -dress. Don't believe what a worm tells you—at -any rate, he lies in the green moss dead. So -come and be happy with us."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But Little Clover kept watch for she did not -doubt the poor worm's truth; she trusted that -he would come as he had said.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last she felt the moss at her side move, -then a small cell opened wide, and out flew -a glittering butterfly that soared up to the summer -sky on golden wings!</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the flowers cried out, "Clover, your -watching was in vain. It is as we told you, -he will never come again." And the unkind -<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>flowers danced for joy as they watched him -silently soar away.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Little Clover bowed her head in silence. As -she drooped she heard a Daisy say:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"O sisters look, I see him now. He is floating -back from cloudland. Spread wide your -leaves that he may choose the one he deems -most fair."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then Wild Rose glowed with a deep blush -as she proudly waved on her stem; Cowslip -bent to look at herself in the rippling brook, -little Houstonia merrily danced and spread -out her white leaves wide; and Daisy whispered -her joy and hope to Violet, who peeped -out from the tall green ferns to watch the glittering -form of the butterfly that shone in the -summer sky.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Nearer and nearer the bright form came, -and fairer and fairer grew the blossoms. Each -welcomed him in her sweetest tones and each -offered him honey and dew. But in vain did -they beckon and smile and call. He floated -past Violet, Daisy, and Rose, and went -straight to the pleasant home of Clover Blossom, -the flower most truly fair.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>"Dear flower," he said, "when I was alone -and friendless you watched over me and cared -for me. And now I will try to show the thanks -the poor worm could not tell.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Sunbeam, breeze shall come to thee,</div> - <div class='line'>And the coolest dews that fall;</div> - <div class='line'>Whate'er a flower can wish is thine,</div> - <div class='line'>For thou art worthy all.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"And the home thou shared with the friendless worm</div> - <div class='line'>The butterfly's home shall be,</div> - <div class='line'>And thou shalt find, dear, faithful flower,</div> - <div class='line'>A loving friend in me."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Then, through the long, bright summer -hours, through sunshine and rain, lived happily -together Clover and Prince Butterfly.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A SONG OF CLOVER</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>I wonder what the Clover thinks,</div> - <div class='line'>Intimate friend of Bobolinks,</div> - <div class='line'>Lover of Daisies, slim and white,</div> - <div class='line'>Waltzer with Buttercups at night;</div> - <div class='line'>Keeper of Inn for traveling Bees,</div> - <div class='line'>Serving to them wine dregs and lees</div> - <div class='line'>Left by the Royal Humming Birds</div> - <div class='line'>Who sip and pay with fine-spun words;</div> - <div class='line'>Fellow with all the lowliest,</div> - <div class='line'>Peer of the gayest and the best,</div> - <div class='line'>Comrade of winds, beloved of sun,</div> - <div class='line'>Kissed by the Dewdrops, one by one;</div> - <div class='line'>Prophet of Good-Luck mystery</div> - <div class='line'>By sign of four which few may see;</div> - <div class='line'>Emblem of comfort in the speech</div> - <div class='line'>Which poor men's babies early reach;</div> - <div class='line'>Sweet by the roadsides, sweet by rills,</div> - <div class='line'>Sweet in the meadows, sweet on hills,</div> - <div class='line'>Sweet in its every living breath,</div> - <div class='line'>Sweetest, perhaps, at last, in death!</div> - <div class='line'>Oh! who knows what the Clover thinks!</div> - <div class='line'>No one! unless the Bobolinks.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Saxe Holm.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span> - <h2 class='c003'>TITHONUS: A LEGEND OF THE<br />GRASSHOPPER<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Lillian S. Hyde</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Every day when Helios drove his wonderful -horses and fiery chariot across the sky, Aurora -opened the gates of pearl and drew back the -dark curtains of the night; for Aurora was the -Goddess of the Dawn. She was so beautiful -that the whole sky flushed pink with pleasure -when she appeared in the east.</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the earth lived a mortal called Tithonus, -who loved Aurora so well that he never failed -to leave his bed while it was still dark to watch -for her coming. Aurora loved Tithonus in return, -and one day she flew to the king of the -gods, and begged of him that Tithonus might -be given a draft of nectar, and so become immortal.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Jupiter granted this request, and Aurora -<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>took Tithonus up to Mount Olympus to live in -her golden house.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The goddess had forgotten to ask that -Tithonus might never grow old. Therefore, -the time came when grey hairs could be seen -among his golden curls. Aurora was always -kind to him and continued to give him beautiful -garments, and to feed him on ambrosia. -Still, Tithonus grew older and older and, in -time, after several hundred years, he was so -very old that he could not move at all. Little -was left of him but his voice, and even that had -grown high and thin. Aurora felt so sorry to -see him withering away in this manner that -she changed him into a little insect, and sent -him down to earth again where men called him -the grasshopper.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Very glad to be free and active once more, -Tithonus hops about in the fields all day, -chirping cheerfully to Aurora.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE GRASSHOPPER</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Shuttle of the sunburnt grass,</div> - <div class='line'>Fifer in the dun cuirass,</div> - <div class='line'>Fifing shrilly in the morn,</div> - <div class='line'>Shrilly still at eve unworn;</div> - <div class='line'>Now to rear, now in the van,</div> - <div class='line'>Gayest of the elfin clan:</div> - <div class='line'>Though I watch their rustling flight,</div> - <div class='line'>I can never guess aright</div> - <div class='line'>Where their lodging-places are;</div> - <div class='line'>'Mid some daisy's golden star,</div> - <div class='line'>Or beneath a roofing leaf,</div> - <div class='line'>Or in fringes of a sheaf,</div> - <div class='line'>Tenanted as soon as bound!</div> - <div class='line'>Loud thy reveille doth sound,</div> - <div class='line'>When the earth is laid asleep,</div> - <div class='line'>And her dreams are passing deep,</div> - <div class='line'>On mid-August afternoons;</div> - <div class='line'>And through all the harvest moons,</div> - <div class='line'>Nights brimmed up with honeyed peace,</div> - <div class='line'>Thy gainsaying doth not cease.</div> - <div class='line'>When the frost comes, thou art dead;</div> - <div class='line'>We along the stubble tread,</div> - <div class='line'>On blue, frozen morns, and note</div> - <div class='line'>No least murmur is afloat:</div> - <div class='line'>Wondrous still our fields are then,</div> - <div class='line'>Fifer of the elfin men!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Edith M. Thomas.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE GOLDEN GRASSHOPPER<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Charles Lamb</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>It chanced upon a time that while the fairies -were looking for cowslips in the meads, while -yet the dew was hanging on the buds like -beads, they found a babe left in its swathing-clothes—a -little, sorrowful, deserted thing. It -was a pity to see the abandoned little orphan -left in that way.</p> - -<p class='c005'>How the cold dew kept wetting its childish -coats; and its little hair, like gossamer, how it -was bedabbled! Its pouting mouth, unknowing -how to speak, lay half-opened like a rose-lipped -shell; and its cheek was softer than any -peach, upon which the tears, for very roundness, -could not long dwell, but fell off in clearness -like pearls—some on the grass, and some -on his little hand; and some haply wandered to -the little dimpled well under his mouth.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>Pity it was, too, to see how the burning sun -had scorched its helpless limbs; for it lay -without shade or shelter, for foul weather or -fair. So, having compassion on its sad plight, -the fairies turned themselves into grasshoppers -and swarmed about the babe, making such -shrill cries as that pretty little chirping creature -makes in its mirth, till, with their noise, -they attracted the attention of a passing rustic, -a tender-hearted kind who, wondering at their -small but loud concert, strayed aside curiously, -and found the babe where it lay in the remote -grass, and, taking it up, wrapped it in his russet -coat, and bore it to his cottage, where his -wife kindly nurtured it till it grew up a goodly -personage.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This babe prospered and, in time, became -the famous Sir Thomas Gresham, one of the -greatest merchants of England. He afterwards -adopted the grasshopper as his crest, -and you may see to this day, on a tall staff high -above the roof of the Royal Exchange in London, -a huge Golden Grasshopper to remind -you of the wisest, richest, and greatest of all -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>the men who built up the trade and commerce -of England.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Witness his goodly vessels on the Thames,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Whose holds were fraught with costly merchandise,——</div> - <div class='line'>Jewels from Ind, and pearls for costly dames,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And gorgeous silks that Samarcand supplies:</div> - <div class='line in2'>Witness that Royal Bourse he bade arise,</div> - <div class='line'>The mart of merchants from the East and West;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Whose slender summit pointing to the skies,</div> - <div class='line'>Still bears, in token of his grateful breast,</div> - <div class='line'>The tender grasshopper, his chosen crest."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Thomas Hood.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A BLADE OF GRASS<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>John Ruskin</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Gather a single blade of grass, and examine -for a minute its narrow, sword-shaped strip -of fluted green. Nothing there, as it seems -of notable goodness or beauty. A very little -strength and a very little tallness, and a few -delicate long lines meeting in a point, not a -perfect point either, but blunt and unfinished, -by no means a creditable or apparently much-cared-for -example of Nature's workmanship, -made only to be trodden on to-day, and to-morrow -to be cast into the oven, and a little -pale and hollow stalk, feeble and flaccid, leading -down to the dull brown fiber of roots.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And yet, think of it well, and judge whether -of all the gorgeous flowers that beam in summer -air, and of all strong and goodly trees, -pleasant to the eyes, or good for food, stately -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>palm and pine, strong ash and oak, scented -citron, burdened vine, there be any by man so -deeply loved, by God so highly graced, as that -narrow point of feeble green. And well does -it fulfill its mission. Consider what we owe -merely to the meadow grass, to the covering of -the dark ground by that glorious enamel, by -the companies of those soft, and countless, and -peaceful spears.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The fields! Follow forth but for a little -time the thoughts of all that we ought to recognize -in these words. All spring and summer -is in them, the walks by silent and scented -paths, the rests in noonday heat, the joy of -herds and flocks, the power of all shepherd -life and meditation, the life of sunlight upon -the world falling in emerald streaks, and falling -in soft blue shadows where else it would -have struck upon the dark mold or scorching -dust.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Pastures beside the pacing brooks, soft banks -and knolls of lowly hills, thymy slopes of -down, overlooked by the blue line of lifted sea, -crisp lawns, all dim with early dew, or smooth -in evening warmth of barred sunshine, dinted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>by happy feet, and softening in their fall the -sound of loving voices,—all these are summed -in those simple words; and these are not all.</p> - -<p class='c005'>We may not measure to the full the depth of -this heavenly gift in our own land, though still -as we think of it longer, the infinite of that -meadow sweetness, Shakespeare's peculiar joy -would open on us more and more; yet we have -it but in part. Go out in the springtime among -the meadows that slope from the shores of the -Swiss lakes to the root of the lower mountains. -There, mingled with the taller Gentians, -and the white Narcissus, the grass grows -deep and free; and as you follow the winding -mountain paths, beneath arching boughs, all -veiled with blossoms—paths that forever -droop and rise over the green banks and -mounds sweeping down in scented undulation -steep to the blue water, studded here and there -with new-mown heaps filling all the air with -fainter sweetness,—look up towards the -higher hills, where the waves of everlasting -green roll silently into their long inlets among -the shadows of the pines; and we may, perhaps, -at last know the meaning of those quiet -<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>words of the Psalmist, "He maketh the grass -to grow upon the mountains."</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Then Aurora, the Sun's</div> - <div class='line in2'>Rosy handmaiden, runs</div> - <div class='line'>With a basket of fruit blossoms poised on her head,</div> - <div class='line'>Green ones and pink ones and white ones, and red,</div> - <div class='line'>And with both hands uplifted, outscatters them wide</div> - <div class='line'>Through gardens and orchards on every side,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Such abundance,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Redundance,</div> - <div class='line in2'>On every side</div> - <div class='line'>Of blossoms for apples and damsons and cherries,</div> - <div class='line'>For currants and quinces, pears, plums and strawberries,</div> - <div class='line'>That the labourers call to each other to see</div> - <div class='line'>What a wonderful fruit year 'tis likely to be.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Charles Dalmon.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span> - <h2 class='c003'>PRINCESS FIRE-FLY<br /> <br />(JAPANESE LEGEND)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Deep in the pink petals of a lotus bloom that -grew in the castle moats of Fukui, lived Hi-o, -the king of the Fire-Flies. In this beautiful -flower his daughter, the Princess Hotaru, -passed her childhood exploring every shady -nook and fragrant corner of the bell-like palace, -listening to the buzz of life around, and -peeping over the edge of the petals at the -wonderful world which lay mysteriously beyond. -The princess had few youthful companions, -but, as she daily bade her father farewell, -she dreamed of the time when she, too, -would fly abroad, and her brilliant light would -attract unusual admiration.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Gradually, a beautiful sheen o'erspread her -body; night by night it became brighter, until -at last her home, in the hours of darkness, was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>as a lamp of coral wherein shone a lamp of -gold. So glorious was her light that the stars -paled before it, and the bright, sickle moon -withdrew behind a cloud from jealousy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Princess was now allowed to fly from -her home, to loiter among the pleasant rice -fields, and to explore the indigo meadows -which lay far off on the horizon. She had no -lack of friends and would-be lovers. Thousands -of insects, attracted by her magic light, -came and offered their homage, but the Princess -cared for none of their attentions and -though she spoke politely to them all, she gave -encouragement to none.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One evening the Princess said to her -mother, the Queen:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I have had many admirers but no one has -found a way to my heart. To-night I shall -hold court and if any of them love me they -will come to me here. Then I shall set them -an impossible task. If they are wise they -will not attempt to do it, but if they love their -lives more than they love me I do not want -them. I shall say to one and all: 'Only he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>who loves me more than life shall call me -bride.'"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"As you will," said her mother. And that -evening, seated upon a throne formed of the -heart of a lotus, Princess Hotaru held her -court.</p> - -<p class='c005'>No sooner had twilight set in than forth -came the golden beetle and laid his fortunes -at her feet.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Go and bring me fire and I will be your -bride," said Hotaru.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Bowing his head the green-gold creature -spread his wings and left the court with a -stately whirr.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Next came cockchafer, who wooed her in -passionate words. But to him she gave the -same answer. "Bring me fire and you may -have me for your wife."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Dragon-fly, proud in his gorgeous colours, -offered his heart and his hand, quite sure that -he would be accepted at once. The humble -hawk-moth persistently addressed the lovely -Princess. As the evening wore on countless -other insects gained an audience, but the answer -to them all was ever the same, "The -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>treasure of fire shall be my bridegroom's -gift."</p> - -<p class='c005'>One by one they took wing, enraptured by -the hope of success and unconscious that they -were all bent on the same errand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But none ever came back to wed the Princess. -The hawk-moth entered a temple and -circled round and round the tall wax lights, -coming nearer and nearer each time. "Now -to win the Princess!" he murmured. Alas! -the foolish creature darted forward to snatch -a flash of flame, but the flame singed his wings -and he fell helpless to the ground.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The beetle whizzed off to a neighbouring -house and watched intently for a moment or -two a log fire crackling on a hearth. He then -boldly caught at a tongue of flame, hoping to -carry it to the Princess. But he, too, was -buried by the fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The dragon-fly, notwithstanding his sunlit -splendours, could not fulfill the bidding of the -Lady of the Lotus Bloom. He also fell a -prey to her imperious command. Others there -were who tried to steal from the diamond its -heart of fire, or winged their way to the great -<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>mountain, or sped to the depths of the valley -in their search for the great gift.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But all their efforts to bring the treasure of -fire were in vain. The sun in roseate splendour -shone on the bodies of the insect lovers who -had given up their lives in their devotion to -the Princess.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now tidings came to Hi-maro, the Prince -of the Fire-Flies, on the north side of the -castle moat, that Princess Hotaru was exceedingly -beautiful, whereupon he fled swiftly to -her home among the lotus flowers, to ask of -her father his daughter in marriage. The father -agreed to the Prince's request with the -condition that the Prince should come in person -bringing the Princess the gift of fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Even as a flood of light the Prince at the -head of his host of fire-flies came and filled -the lotus palace with a blaze of glory.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But Hotaru herself was so beautiful that her -charms were not dimmed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One look passed between the youth and the -maiden and the visit ended in the Prince's -wooing and winning the Princess. He took -her to his palace on the north side of the castle -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>moat and there they lived happily for many -years.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Many, many years have passed since Hi-maro -won the Princess and still it is the fancy -of all Fire-Fly Princesses to send their suitors -in search of fire as a love-offering. It is for -this reason that we see many thousand insects -hovering around the evening lights in the vain -hope of securing a flash of fire that shall win -them their prize. (Adapted.)</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>JULY</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>When the scarlet cardinal tells</div> - <div class='line in2'>Her dreams to the dragon-fly</div> - <div class='line'>And the lazy breeze makes a nest in the trees</div> - <div class='line in2'>And murmurs a lullaby,</div> - <div class='line in4'>It is July.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Susan Hartley Swett.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span> - <h2 class='c003'>CUFF AND THE WOODCHUCK<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>John Burroughs</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>I knew a farmer in New York who had a -very large bob-tailed churn dog by the name -of Cuff. The farmer kept a large dairy and -made a great deal of butter, and it was the -business of Cuff to spend nearly half of each -summer day treading the endless round of -the churning machine. During the remainder -of the day he had plenty of time to sleep and -rest, and sit on his hips and survey the landscape.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day, sitting thus, he discovered a woodchuck -about forty rods from the house, on a -steep hillside, feeding about near his hole, -which was beneath a large rock. The old dog, -forgetting his stiffness, and remembering the -fun he had had with woodchucks in his earlier -days, started off at his highest speed, vainly -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>hoping to catch this one before he could get -to his hole. But the woodchuck, seeing the -dog come labouring up the hill, sprang to the -mouth of his den, and, when his pursuer was -only a few yards off, whistled tauntingly and -went in. This occurred several times, the old -dog marching up the hill, and then marching -down again, having had his labour for his -pains.</p> - -<p class='c005'>I suspect that he revolved the subject in his -mind while revolving the great wheel of the -churning machine, and that some turn or other -brought him a happy thought, for next time -he showed himself a strategist. Instead of -giving chase to the woodchuck, when first discovered, -he crouched down to the ground, and, -resting his head on his paws, watched him. -The woodchuck kept working away from his -hole, lured by the tender clover, but, not unmindful -of his safety, lifted himself up on -his haunches every few moments and surveyed -the approaches.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Presently, after the woodchuck had let himself -down from one of these attitudes of observation -and resumed his feeding, Cuff started -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>swiftly but stealthily up the hill, precisely -in the attitude of a cat when she is stalking a -bird. When the woodchuck rose up again, -Cuff was perfectly motionless and half hid by -the grass. When he again resumed his clover, -Cuff sped up the hill as before, this time crossing -a fence, but in a low place, and so nimbly -that he was not discovered. Again the woodchuck -was on the lookout; again Cuff was motionless -and hugging the ground.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As the dog neared his victim, he was partially -hidden by a swell in the earth, but still -the woodchuck from his lookout reported "All -right," when Cuff, having not twice as far to -run as the chuck, threw all stealthiness aside -and rushed directly for the hole. At that moment -the woodchuck discovered his danger -and, seeing that it was a race for life, leaped -as I never saw marmot leap before. But he -was two seconds too late, his retreat was cut -off, and the powerful jaws of the old dog -closed upon him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The next season Cuff tried the same tactics -again with like success, but when the third -<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>woodchuck had taken up his abode at the fatal -hole, the old churner's wits and strength had -begun to fail him, and he was baffled in each -attempt to capture the animal.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span> - <h2 class='c003'>WHY THE LADY-BUG IS SAID TO BE<br />BELOVED OF GOD<br /> <br />Translated from the French by <span class='sc'>M. L. Cook</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>A long time ago, in France, the great lords -had full power over the people. They had -power to make them work and fight, and they -judged them and punished them when they -did wrong.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now there was a lord in these times, who -had a dearly beloved younger brother; and -this brother was found dead one morning, -lying near a hedge, from behind which the -murderer must have sprung to strike him -down.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The lord ordered the murderer to be taken, -if possible, and vowed that if he was found -he should suffer a punishment for his crime.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The very evening after his brother's death, -when the lord was praying in his room, there -entered his steward, Crondas, who said to him:</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>"My lord, I have discovered your brother's -murderer, and have had him brought here -that he may appear before you."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Let him be brought to me," said the lord, -"and if you see in me any signs of mercy, -remind me of the crime he has committed, -that I may punish him as he deserves."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Crondas made a sign to the servants; and -they brought in a peasant with a white, -shocked face, who fell on his knees before his -master, exclaiming:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Have mercy upon me, my lord! I swear -to you I have committed no crime!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the lord demanded of Crondas the -proofs of the man's guilt, Crondas showed him -a purse, saying:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"My lord, if you are inclined to believe -what this man says, I only beg you to ask the -scoundrel how he happened to have in his -house this purse, which belonged to your dead -brother."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I recognize it," said the lord, with deep -feeling.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"And this, my lord, do you also recognize -it?" said Crondas, showing him a gold ring.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>"Yes," said the lord again; "it is the ring my -brother always wore on the ring finger of his -left hand."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"My lord," went on Crondas, "I found -these things myself, in a hiding-place in this -man's house. Now, does he dare say, on his -knees, that he is innocent of the dreadful -crime with which he is charged?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Not being able to explain the presence of -the things in his house, the poor peasant was -judged to be guilty, and condemned to be -killed on the very spot where his victim's -body had been found. While he lay in prison, -waiting for his execution, all the peasants -round about visited the lord and begged him -not to punish the man. They all said of him—what -we say when we wish to credit anyone -with unusual kindness and gentleness:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We have known him long, my lord, and -we know he would not even crush an insect -in his path."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But Crondas, who never left the lord, said -to each one:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Bah! that is no reason why he should not -kill a man; and if he is not punished, many -<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>others will be encouraged to be murderers. -Let him suffer for his misdeeds."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And to every effort the peasants made to -put off the day of punishment, Crondas replied:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Ah, my lord, these people know how merciful -you are. They think that, the first anguish -of your grief once past, you will pardon -the murderer."</p> - -<p class='c005'>At this the lord never failed to cry:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No, no, never! He shall be punished."</p> - -<p class='c005'>So the lord, urged by Crondas, ordered the -men to prepare to execute the peasant, adding -that he wished to be present, that he might -see perish the wretch who had killed his -brother.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Crondas was very active in the preparations, -bringing faggots to help build the fire, and -arranging with his own hands a sort of throne -made of branches for his lord. Then he went -to tell him all was ready, and the lord came, -followed by a crowd of people, who wept and -lamented over the peasant's unjust death.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Crondas then said to the servants:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Tie him, and set fire to the pile."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>Meantime the lord was watching the proceedings -with deep attention and saying nothing; -but his eyes went from the peasant to -Crondas and from Crondas back to the peasant, -then to the servants who stood by the -faggots ready to light the fire.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And as the servants were slow in obeying, -Crondas cried to them:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Come, come, hurry up! Our lord is waiting."</p> - -<p class='c005'>He was in haste to see the death of the peasant; -but the poor man said to those who were -about to tie him:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, let me make a last prayer, I beg of -you!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>And, though Crondas begged the lord not -to grant this request, the lord extended his -hand to command the servants to grant to the -peasant that which he had asked; and, as he -did so, he saw Crondas make a sign of impatience.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The peasant, dropping his sad, haggard -eyes, was about to kneel on a stone not far -from where his lord was sitting; but, seeing -on the stone a little lady-bug just at the place -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>where his knee was at rest, he put it to one -side gently, with his hand, so as not to crush -it. Then, kneeling down, he began to pray.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As the lord watched him, he noticed that the -little creature, whose life he had just spared, -suddenly opened its bright wings and, taking -flight, lighted on Crondas's left hand. Crondas, -for no reason except that he was perhaps -annoyed at having to wait so long for the -execution, put a finger of his right hand -on the insect, and almost crushed it. When -he lifted it, a pair of broken red wings faintly -quivered.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At this moment the peasant, having finished -his prayer, rose from the stone. The -lord, descending from his throne, cried suddenly:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Let that man go! Do not kill him; he is -not my brother's murderer. That is impossible!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>While speaking thus, the lord kept his eyes -fixed on the face of Crondas, which suddenly -grew white with fear. However, Crondas approached -his master, saying:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"But the proofs, my lord? The proofs are -<span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>there. If you do not find them sufficient to -convict this man, whom can you accuse of the -murder?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the lord, taking Crondas's hand, cried -loudly:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Whom can I accuse? Perhaps you, Crondas, -for there is blood upon your hand. At -the very moment when you pretended to be -full of horror for the crime of murder, you -killed for mere pleasure this poor little creature, -which had lighted unsuspectingly upon -your hand, but which the peasant, unjustly -condemned, had spared, when his own death -stared him in the face."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then, seizing Crondas, and looking sternly -and fixedly at the cowering fellow, the lord -thundered:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Now, confess your sin!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Crondas grew more ghastly than before and, -trying to control his voice, faltered out:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I confess. Have mercy, my lord! I killed -your brother because he threatened to tell you -of my dishonesty toward you. I took his purse -and ring, and hid them in this man's house, to -make you think it was he who had sinned. I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>am the guilty one. Do with me as you will. -Punish me in his place."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The lord did as Crondas had said, and the -murderer suffered for his sin instead of the -peasant, who was made steward in Crondas's -place. No one pleaded for the guilty man's -life, for he had been hard and cruel, and no -man was his friend.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now all the people of the country felt the -good God himself had sent the little red lady-bug -that it might teach the lord to administer -justice. Since then everyone who sees such -an insect takes care not to hurt it, and says:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"That is the insect beloved of God. Perhaps -it is on its way now to help someone. I -would not harm it, for my hand would be -stained with blood."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And the story has been handed down from -peasant to peasant, and is known throughout -the whole of France.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And that is why the lady-bug is called in -France "La petite bete au bon Dieu," which -means "the little insect beloved of God"; and -that is why everyone has reverence for it and -loves it, and would not take its life.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span> - <h2 class='c003'>SUMMER SPINNERS</h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>An angular spider weaves</div> - <div class='line'>Great webs between the trees,</div> - <div class='line'>Webs that are witches' sieves.</div> - <div class='line'>And honey- and bumble-bees</div> - <div class='line'>Go droning among the leaves</div> - <div class='line'>Like the fairies' oboës.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Madison Cawein.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE STORY OF ARACHNE<br /> <br />(GREEK MYTH)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time there lived a beautiful -Grecian maiden named Arachne, who could -card and spin, weave and embroider with -marvelous skill. She became so proud of her -art that she boasted no one in the whole land -could equal her.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So great was her fame that many traveled -from afar to see the beautiful garments which -she made. Whenever she sat at her loom a -group of people stood near so that they might -see her work in the making. Indeed, it is said, -that even the nymphs left their haunts among -streams and groves to behold the grace and -ease with which this maiden worked.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day a group of people stood watching -Arachne at her loom. Their admiration -<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>knew no bounds. They looked at each other -in astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"See how deftly she rolls the wool into soft -fleecy balls," said one.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"And with what delicate grace she cards -it," said another. "It is as light and fine as -the mists of the morning. She is wonderful, -indeed."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Surely the maiden has more than human -skill," added the first speaker. "I believe -Minerva, the goddess of spinning and weaving, -taught her how to throw that swift -shuttle."</p> - -<p class='c005'>When Arachne heard these last words she -stopped her work, tossed her head, and said -haughtily, "I did not learn my art from -Minerva, but I'm quite sure I can equal the -goddess in skill."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Hush!" cried one of the bystanders. -"Those are rash words, indeed. No mortal -can compare with the gods."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But Arachne's pride knew no bounds. She -tossed her head again and said, "I'm willing -at any time to match my skill with Minerva's. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>If she can prove herself to be my superior I'll -bear any punishment she may name."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The people were very much frightened to -hear the maiden boast in this manner. They -slipped away to their homes in fear and -dread.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A few days after this conversation happened -Arachne was seated at her loom. As -usual many who were interested stood watching -her. Suddenly there appeared before her -an aged woman leaning on a staff, who said, -"Lo, I've come to give you advice which I -have learned through the years. Beware of -pride and boastfulness. True knowledge -teaches humility. Seek for fame among mortals -if you like, but never try to match your -skill with Minerva's. Your proud boasting -has offended the goddess. Ask humbly for her -forgiveness and I believe she will pardon -your rash words."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Arachne laughed scornfully and said, "Old -woman, begone! I care not for your advice. -If Minerva's skill is greater than mine let the -goddess prove it by fair trial. Why does she -not come herself to see me?"</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>Then a marvelous thing happened. In a -twinkling the bent figure of the old woman -changed to the shining form of the goddess -Minerva. The nymphs who stood near bowed -reverently and the people drew back in -breathless awe.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"A contest in weaving shall begin at once," -declared the goddess.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Arachne's face flushed and then grew pale -but she was not daunted. In her foolish pride -she felt sure of victory.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Minerva now commanded that two looms be -set up. In a few moments this was done; then -each took her place and made ready by tying -the web to the beam.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now began the famous contest. With rare -grace and ease the goddess and the maiden -threw their swift shuttles. Silently the skilled -weavers worked until each web was finished. -Then Arachne glanced at her rival's marvelous -web. The maiden never had dreamed -of a vision so beautiful. Her heart sank, for, -in a moment, she knew how foolish she had -been to match her skill with Minerva's. Poor -Arachne could not bear the great blow to her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>pride. In her grief she hung her head. -But quickly Minerva sprinkled the maiden's -body with magic juices and said, "Boastful -Arachne, thou art now changed into a spider. -Thou and thy descendants shall spin through -the ages to come."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And there hanging to a slender thread was -the first spider.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span> - <h2 class='c003'>HOW THE SPIDER MAKES ITS WEB<a id='r2' /><a href='#f2' class='c014'><sup>[2]</sup></a><br /> <br /><span class='sc'>C. William Beebe</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Nature has provided spiders with an organ -filled always with liquid which, on being exposed -to the air, hardens, and can be drawn -out into the slender threads we know as cobwebs. -The silk-worm encases its body with a -mile or more of gleaming silk, but there its -usefulness is ended as far as the silkworm is -concerned. But spiders have found a hundred -uses for their cordage, some of which -are startlingly similar to human inventions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Those spiders which burrow in the earth -hang their tunnels with silken tapestries impervious -to wet, which, at the same time, act -as lining to the tube. Then the entrance may -be a trap-door of soil and silk, hinged with -strong silken threads; or in the turret spiders, -which are found in our fields, there is reared -a tiny tower of leaves or twigs bound together -with silk. Who of us has not teased the inmate -by pushing a bent straw into his stronghold -and awaiting his furious onslaught upon -the innocent stalk!</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>A list of all the uses of cobwebs would take -more space than we can spare; but of these -the most familiar is the snare set for unwary -flies,—the wonderfully ingenious webs which -sparkle with dew among the grasses or stretch -from bush to bush. The framework is of -strong webbing and upon this is closely woven -the sticky spiral which is so elastic, so ethereal, -and yet strong enough to entangle a good-sized -insect. How knowing seems the little -worker, as when, the web and his dew of concealment -being completed, he spins a strong -cable from the center of the web to the entrance -of his watch-tower. Then, when a -trembling of his aerial spans warn him of a -capture, how eagerly he seizes his master cable -and jerks away in it, thus vibrating the whole -structure and making more certain the confusion -of his victim.</p> - -<p class='c005'>What is more interesting than to see a great -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>yellow garden-spider, hanging head downwards -in the center of his web, when we approach -too closely, instead of deserting his -snare, set it vibrating back and forth so rapidly -that he becomes a mere blur; a more certain -method of escaping the onslaught of a bird -than if he ran to the shelter of a leaf.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Those spiders which leap upon their prey -instead of setting snares for it have still a use -for their thready life, throwing out a cable -as they leap, to break their fall if they miss -their foothold. What a strange use of the -cobweb is that of the little flying spiders! Up -they run to the top of a post, elevate their -abdomens and run out several threads which -lengthen and lengthen until the breeze catches -them and away go the wingless aeronauts for -yards or for miles as fortune and wind and -weather may dictate! We wonder if they can -cut loose or pull in their balloon cables at -will.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Many species of spiders spin a case for -holding their eggs, and some carry this about -with them until the young are hatched.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A most fascinating tale would unfold could -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>we discover all the uses of cobweb when the -spiders themselves are through with it. Certain -it is that our ruby-throated humming -bird robs many webs to fasten together the -plant down, wood pulp, and lichens which -compose her dainty nest.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Search the pond and you will find another -member of the spider family swimming about -at ease beneath the surface, thoroughly -aquatic in habits, but breathing a bubble of -air which he carries about with him. When -his supply is low he swims to a submarine -castle of silk, so air-tight that he can keep -it filled with a large bubble of air, upon which -he draws from time to time.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And so we might go on enumerating almost -endless uses for the web which is Nature's -gifts to these little waifs, who ages ago left the -sea and have won a place for themselves in -the sunshine among the butterflies and flowers.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE FAIRY SPINNER<br /> <br />(SOUTHERN TALE)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Many years ago there lived at a swamp's -edge a tiny fairy who occupied her time in -spinning, and made the most beautiful and -delicate fabrics imaginable.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Her wheel whirled so fast that it was nothing -but a blur such as a fly's wings make when -he is tangled in a flower, and her spindle was -the sting of a bumble-bee—her uncle—who -had left it to her, for any good use in amends -for a life so grouchy that none of the other -creatures would have anything to do with -him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Still, one inhabitant of the swamp was worse -than the bee, and the fairy was mightily disturbed -when she discovered that he had taken -up his abode in the very next bush. He was -an enormous spider, big as a bird and hideously -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>gorgeous with red, blue, and yellow. He -took some pride in himself as a spinner, but -when he saw the shining tissue that the fairy -was weaving he realized that his own art was -cheap and poor in comparison and he was -jealous and determined to destroy her. She -caught up her wheel and spindle and ran with -the spider in pursuit. She asked the mouse -for shelter, but he was afraid, and shut the -door. She begged the toad to protect her, -but he only ran out his tongue. Finally a fire-fly -came along, with his lantern lit. He saw -the fairy; he saw the spider, and, calling to the -fairy to follow, he flew with her across the -field, lighting the way, for it was now night. -They soon reached a bush which bore a handsome -pink blossom.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Jump into the flower," commanded the -fire-fly. Still clutching her wheel, the fairy -put her last strength into a spring and alighted -in the heart of the blossom. The spider was -close upon her, but as he put his ugly claw -on the lower petal to draw himself up after -her, she gave him such a stab in the leg with -her spindle that he lost his hold and fell to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>the ground. In another second the flower -closed over the fairy, gathering its petals so -tightly that the spider could not get in. He -wove his web about it, believing that he would -catch her when she ventured out in the morning. -But when morning came she did not appear. -The spider kept watch, but finally the -petals dropped to the earth and when he saw -no fairy he knew it was all up, so he bit his -own body and died. But the fairy was not -dead. She remained snuggled in the little ball -that the plant put out behind the blossom and -in a few days the ball opened and all the beautiful -fabric she had been spinning while in -hiding poured out in a tassel of snowy white. -And men wove the threads to make garments -for themselves, and they bless the fairy of the -cotton plant and are glad when she escapes -the weevil as well as the spider.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span> - <h2 class='c003'>MOTHER SPIDER<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Frances Gillespy Wickes</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>It was a beautiful day in midsummer. The -meadow was alive with busy little people astir -in the bright sunlight. A long line of ants -came crawling down the path carrying provisions -to their home under the elm tree; and -an old toad came hopping down through -the grass, blinking in the warm sun. Just a -little higher up the bees were droning drowsily -as they flew from flower to flower; and -above them all, seeming almost in the blue -sky, a robin was calling to his mate.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Pretty soon Mrs. Spider came down the -path. She seemed to be in a great hurry. -She looked neither to the right nor to the -left, but kept straight ahead, holding tightly -to a little white bag which she carried in her -mouth. She was just rushing past Mr. Toad -<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>when a big black beetle came humping by, -stumbled against Mrs. Spider, and knocked -the bag out of her mouth.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In an instant Mrs. Spider pounced down -upon him, and, though he was so much bigger -than she, he tumbled over on his back. While -he was trying to kick himself right side up -once more, Mrs. Spider made a quick little -dash, took up her bag, and scuttled off through -the grass.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Well, I never," said Grasshopper Green, -who was playing see-saw on a blade of grass.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No, nor I," grumbled Mr. Beetle, as he -wriggled back to his feet. "I didn't want her -bag. She needn't have made such a fuss."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"She must have had something very fine in -that bag," said Grasshopper Green, "for -she was so frightened when she dropped it. -I wonder what it was"—and he balanced himself -on his grass blade until a stray breeze blew -him off, and then he straightway forgot about -Mrs. Spider altogether.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Two weeks after this Grasshopper Green -started out for a little exercise after breakfast. -Just as he reached the edge of the brook -<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>he saw Mrs. Spider coming toward him. She -was moving quite slowly, and no longer carried -the little white bag. As she came nearer, -he could see that she had something on her -back.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Good morning, neighbor," called Grasshopper -Green. "May I help you carry your -things?" "Thank you," she said, "but they -wouldn't stay with you, even if they could stay -on when you give such great jumps."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"They!" cried Grasshopper Green. And -then, as he came nearer, he saw that the things -on Mrs. Spider's back were wee little baby -spiders.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Aren't they pretty children?" she asked -proudly. "I was so afraid that something -would happen to my eggs that I never let go -of the bag once, except when that stupid Mr. -Beetle knocked it out of my mouth."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, ho," said Grasshopper Green, "so -that was what frightened you so! Your bag -was full of eggs! And, now, you are going -to carry all these children on your back? -Doesn't it tire you dreadfully?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I don't mind that a bit," said Mrs. Spider, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>"if only the children are well and safe. In a -little while, you know, they will be able to -run about by themselves, and then we shall be -so happy here in the meadow grass. Oh, it's -well worth the trouble, neighbor Grasshopper."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Yes," said Grasshopper Green, "I have a -dozen wee boys of my own at home; and that -reminds me that it is time to go home to -breakfast! Good-bye, neighbor. I hope the -children will soon be running about with you. -You certainly are taking good care of them. -Good-bye."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then home he went; and the proud, happy -mother Spider kept on her way to hunt for a -breakfast for the babies she loved so well.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span> - <h2 class='c003'>IN BROOKS AND PONDS</h2> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE BROOK</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>I chatter over stony ways</div> - <div class='line in2'>In little sharps and trebles,</div> - <div class='line'>I bubble into eddying bays,</div> - <div class='line in2'>I babble on the pebbles.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Among the skimming swallows;</div> - <div class='line'>I make the netted sunbeams dance</div> - <div class='line in2'>Against my sandy shallows.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Alfred Tennyson.</span></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span> - <h2 class='c003'>LEGEND OF THE WATER-LILY</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>One night, long, long ago when the Moon of -Flowers shone softly on the prairie a group of -Indian youths sitting in a circle on the grass -were talking about the stars. One of the -braves, a young chieftain, gazed intently toward -the south. On a wooded hill back of -his wigwam twinkled a star which was the -brightest he had ever seen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Surely the star has a message for the Red -Men. Who can read it?" the watchers asked -each other.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Each night during the beautiful Moon of -Flowers the star grew more and more radiant -until its glorious light filled the southern sky, -but not one of the Indian youths had been able -to explain the meaning of the light.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One night after the Moon of Flowers had -given her place in Sky Land to the Hot Moon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>the chief dreamed that a beautiful maiden -stood by his side and said, "Young brave, how -beautiful your world is when the Summer -Queen reigns. Great stretches of prairie -glisten with dandelions and red lilies; butterflies -flit about in the sunlight; gentle breezes -touch the forest leaves and they sing soft answers -to the rapture of the birds; little children -shout for joy in merry laughter. I long -to live among you. Ask your wise men how I -may become a part of this beauty, and how I -may add to the children's happiness."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the young chief awakened. He -sprang to his feet, called his braves together -in the council-lodge and told them his dream.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It's the message of the radiant star," they -said. "Let us smoke the pipe of peace as a -sign of our welcome."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accordingly a band of young braves led by -the chieftain climbed the wooded hill and -smoked a pipe of peace filled with sweet-scented -herbs. Then they stretched forth -their hands towards the star and bade welcome -to her. At the close of their ceremonies -the light grew more luminous than ever before -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>and the braves knew their welcome was -understood. They walked back to the village -and the star followed them all the way, and -shone over their wigwams until daybreak.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At night the chief dreamed that the beautiful -maiden stood again by his side. "I'm -coming to dwell among your people," she said. -"I'm wondering what form I shall take in -order to add to the children's joy."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"They love to hear the birds sing," said the -chief.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the maiden shook her head. "I shall -not live in the tree-tops," she answered.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Choose your own way to live, Star-Maiden," -said the chief.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I shall live among you as a flower," she -said. "Surely the children's hearts are gladdened -by the blossoms of the earth."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"They are, indeed," declared the chief. -"The mountain-rose is wondrously beautiful."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, but it is too far away from the children," -sighed the maiden.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The prairie dandelion makes our little ones -clap their hands in glee," suggested the chief.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The maiden thought awhile; then she said, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>"The buffalo's hoof often crushes the prairie -dandelion."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The chief was sorely puzzled. Finally he -said, "You would be safe from harm if you -should choose the rocky cliffs for your blooming -place."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the maiden said, "The children seldom -climb the cliffs. I must live where the children -can see me."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly her face brightened and she said, -"I know! I know! I'll live in the clear -streamlet and bloom on its surface. I shall -feel soft breezes blow and hear the birds sing. -In the branches which bend over me the warblers -will build their nests. The children will -play on the banks, and they will touch me with -their little hands as they glide safely along in -their canoes. Look for me in the streamlet."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the young brave awakened. He -sprang up and walked to a clear stream which -flowed near the Indian village. On the waters -floated beautiful white blossoms with delicate -waxen leaves. Hundreds of lovely water-lilies -were waiting there to surprise the Indian -children and bring added joy into their lives.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE TALE OF TWO TAILS<br /><span class='sc'>Mary H. Wilson</span></h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Taddypole and Pollywog</div> - <div class='line'>Lived together in a bog;</div> - <div class='line'>Here you see the very pool</div> - <div class='line'>Where they went to summer school.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"By and by—'tis true, though strange,</div> - <div class='line'>O'er them came a wondrous change;</div> - <div class='line'>Here you see them on a log,</div> - <div class='line'>Each a most decided Frog."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Mother's Portfolio.</span></div> - -<p class='c005'>The little pond behind the machine-shop was -full of tadpoles—wee fellows—all head and -tail. Jolliest of these were Taddypole and -Pollywog, two little cousins, who spent their -time in countless swimming matches or games -of hide-and-seek among the stones which bordered -the pond.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>Barefooted boys and girls peeped over the -edge of the water to watch the tadpoles darting -hither and thither; then, with merry -shouts, returned to their own play.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Taddy's and Pollie's round eyes watched -them curiously. Sometimes when the landbabies -waded in the shallow water these tiny -water-babies played fearlessly around their -feet, nibbling their toes or playing leapfrog -over them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So they passed merry days and when the twilight -came, Taddy and Pollie were ready to -listen to the band concert. This, unfortunately, -was given on land, so the little tadpoles -could not be present, but from the water they -could catch glimpses of Father Frog booming -away on his big bass drum, and hear the sweet -chirping chorus of the tiny frog violinists in -the marsh near by.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, Pollie," cried Tadpole, "if we could -only go to the concert! Why, I'd be willing to -give up hide-and-seek for a week just to get a -little nearer to the music."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I know," said Pollywog gloomily. "I want -to go myself, the very worst kind of way. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>There's no use wishing, though, for we have no -clothes that would be suitable. Only green -silk dress suits with polka dots are worn this -year. Besides, we can't stand it out of the -water. It's too warm or something, I don't -know just what, but I always feel half -smothered if I try."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Besides," reflected Taddy, "we haven't -been invited. Only musicians are asked, and -we can't sing, you know."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Splash! Ker-Chunk! Father Frog hopped -into the water, then out again on a broad stone, -where he began thundering a bass solo:</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>"Come along, come along,</div> - <div>Come along!"</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, how I wish we could!" cried the little -tadpoles, feeling that this was a personal invitation. -They swam as close as possible to the -stone, and gazed admiringly at the great -singer.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Could what?" grumbled Father Frog.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Wish we could go to the concert."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Ker-chug!" answered Father Frog.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>It sounded very much like a hoarse chuckle. -"Why don't you go?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No invitation."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No dress suit."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Can't breathe out of the water."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The tadpoles' voices were very mournful -as they gave their reasons.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I invite you," said Father Frog, "to the -July concert three weeks from to-day. Your -dress suits will be ready, and as far as breathing -is concerned it's all practice. Would you -believe it?" he said in a hoarse whisper, "I -couldn't stay out of the water very well myself -at one time, but I practised breathing -every day, until now it is the easiest thing in -the world. But speaking of practice making -perfect reminds me I must rehearse my song -for the concert.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>"Come along, come along,</div> - <div>Come along!"</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Let's go down in the sand," whispered -Pollie. "I can always think better down -there; and, really, this is all so surprising I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>must think it over. Oh, Taddy, do you think -we could truly go to the concert?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Taddy swished his tail and dived down -without answering, feeling this to be too much -of a problem for a tadpole to decide.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It's very strange," said Taddy a few days -later; "it certainly seems as if we were getting -legs—what use have tadpoles for them? We -only need our strong tails for swimming."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Taddy," cried Pollie, "there's something -still stranger. Our tails are shrinking. If they -don't stop they will disappear, and then what -could we do?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Grr-nm, grr-nm!" sounded Father Frog's -hoarse voice. "Getting ready for the concert, -I see! Well, when you lose those ridiculous -tails you will look much better."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Lose them!" exclaimed the tadpoles; "and -what do you think we could do without them?" -But Father Frog had disappeared, leaving -only the echo of his "Come along."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I feel as if something strange were about -to happen," said Pollie. "I'm tired of tag and -hide-and-seek; let's think of some new game."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We might practice breathing, as Father -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>Frog advised," suggested Taddy; "let's go to -the top of the water and see who can keep his -head out the longer."</p> - -<p class='c005'>This new game interested the tadpoles very -much, and in a week's time they began really -to enjoy the air.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I can stay out a long while now," announced -Taddy triumphantly, "and since my -front legs appeared I can jump quite high."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Our tails are quite gone," said Pollie, "and -I don't know but that it is an improvement. I -think I like legs better than tails, and hopping -is much more fun than swimming. Some day -I mean to hop up on that wet stone where -Father Frog sits so often. Wouldn't he be surprised -to see me there?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What fun!" exclaimed Taddy. "Try it -now. There, you did it! Oh, Pollie, how fine -you look! Do you like it up there? I'm -coming, too, Pollie. Hurrah!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Ho, ho!" chuckled Father Frog from the -land. "Are you ready for the concert, little -frogs?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Taddy and Pollie looked at each other in -astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>"Are we frogs?" they cried.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Why, yes."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, Taddy, and you have your green suit!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"So have you, Pollie."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Why, I shouldn't be surprised at anything -now, not even if we could sing. Let's try," and -both little frogs lifted up their voices and -sang.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Che-weep, che-weep, che-weep."</p> - -<p class='c005'>They looked so droll, and sang with such a -funny chirp, that Father Frog fell off the -bank splash into the water with laughter.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Taddy and Pollie didn't mind this in the -least, for they were sure that Che-weep was -the most beautiful song in the world.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And this is the way Taddypole and Pollywog -lost their tails, and gained their voices in -time for the July concert.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span> - <h2 class='c003'>ORIGIN OF BULLFROGS</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time in a mountain valley there -was a group of Indian lodges where the people -dwelt very happily. It was an excellent -place for a village. In the thick forests which -covered the mountain slopes there was abundance -of game, and through the valley flowed -a sparkling clear brook fed by a full torrent -and many slender rills which leaped down -the wild mountain sides. So pure and delicious -was the water from this stream that the -Indians felt sure it was a gift to them from -the Great Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Each day it was the custom for the Indian -maidens to take their kettles to the brook and -fill them with water. They were much surprised -one summer morning to note that the -stream was not so deep as usual.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>"Is it because we have had little rain -lately?" they asked each other.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They reported what they had noticed to the -villagers who said, "Our brook will not fail -us. The weather has been very dry of late; -but soon we shall have plenty of rain which -will swell the waters of our precious stream."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But, strange to say, the rain did not deepen -the brook and when the Indians saw that the -water was becoming shallower each day they -were very much alarmed. One morning they -found that the brook and the waters which fed -it had entirely disappeared. With sad hearts -they gazed at the bed of shining pebbles which -marked the course of their beloved stream.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Is the Great Spirit angry with us?" they -whispered. "What have we done to make -him take away our life-giving water?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The chief called the men to the council -lodge in order to determine the best thing -to do.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now it happened that the people of the -happy village had often heard rumors of another -group of Indians who lived higher up -on the mountain. After much deliberation a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>wise man rose in the council lodge and said, -"Let us send one of our fleet-footed braves on -a journey to discover this village which we -have heard about but whose people we know -not. Perhaps they can tell him what has -stopped the flow of waters. Let the runner -follow the bed of the mountain stream which -leaped most willingly to our precious brook."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accordingly a swift runner was chosen to -search for the other Indian village. He was -advised to follow a trail which led to the -source of the brook. It was a hazardous journey -up the slippery path of the mountain -slope which was covered with dense thickets -of tangled underbrush and forest trees.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For three days the young brave pursued his -task of climbing the mountain. At last he -came to a small stretch of level plain and there -he saw a group of wigwams. Back of the -village the runner could see a clear stream of -water whose course further down the mountain -had been stopped by a large dam which -checked the water and turned it into a great -pond. Several Indians came out of their wigwams -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>and gazed coldly at the stranger. Not -a word of welcome did they give.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Why have you done this mischief?" asked -the runner, pointing to the dam. "Know you -not that this stopping of the mountain brook -has cut off the supply of water to us who live -in the valley below?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The dam was built by the order of our -chief," replied one of the men.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Lead me to him that I may tell him the -misery he has caused my people. Surely he -will be merciful," said the runner.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But no one offered to lead the way. In a -little while one of them pointed to the pond -and said, "The chief lives there."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The runner went quickly to the edge of the -pond and there, lying in the mud, he saw a -monster whose bloated body of giant size was -half hidden. His great yellow eyes bulged -out like knots on a tree-trunk; his mouth -reached almost from ear to ear. At the approach -of the Indian this creature aroused -himself and stretched out his great broad -skinny feet.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>In a hoarse frog-like voice the monster chief -croaked, "What do you want? What do you -want?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I came to see why the brook which brought -our village water has dried up. It is because -you have built a dam to stop its course," said -the runner.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What do I care?" lazily replied the chief. -"What do I care?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We cannot live without the water from -our brook," pleaded the Indian.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What do I care?" again croaked the monster. -"If you want water go somewhere else! -Go somewhere else!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"My people are dying from thirst! No -one may rightfully keep for his own use the -water from a mountain stream. The Great -Spirit sent the brook to our village!" said the -runner earnestly.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The monster rolled his great yellow eyes for -several minutes. Then he said, "Shoot a hole -in the wall of the dam with one of your arrows. -Your people may have as much water -as will flow through the arrow hole."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Very swiftly the runner sped an arrow. It -<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>pierced the wall and a slender stream of water -trickled through the opening.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Begone!" croaked the monster when he -saw the water flowing. "Begone! Begone!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Feeling encouraged at the hope that enough -water would flow to supply the needs of his -people the runner hastened back to the village. -When he told what had happened there was -great rejoicing, especially when the Indians -saw a slender stream of water flowing into the -brook's dry bed. But, alas! The water did -not continue to flow. In a few weeks the people -were again suffering from thirst. A council -of all the men in the village was held and -earnestly they implored the Great Spirit to -help them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After much deliberation it was decided that -the bravest man among them should go to the -Frog Chief, and challenge him to do battle for -the mountain water. "Let us hope that our -warrior will stay this monster whose selfishness -is bringing destruction to us," said one of -the leaders.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Many of the young men offered to go, each -declaring his willingness to do battle, even at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>the greatest risk, with the monster chief. -While several braves were clamoring for this -great privilege of fighting for the good of the -village, there appeared in the doorway of the -council lodge a warrior who was marvelous to -see. His flashing eyes were encircled with -green rings; his cheeks were as red as blood. -Great clam shells hung from his ears, and tall -eagle plumes nodded on his head. It was -Glooscap, the spirit who brought great blessings -to the Indians and who sometimes took -human shape in order to help them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The silence of the council was broken by -this mighty warrior who said, "I will undertake -to do battle with the monster who has -stopped the flow of water to your brook. He -shall account to me for this wicked deed."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then swiftly he departed and followed the -mountain trail to the upper village.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In a short time he reached the place and -sat down near the group of wigwams to rest. -The people saw him, but they offered him -neither food nor drink.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Fetch me water to quench my thirst," said -Glooscap to a small boy who came near.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>After a long while the lad returned with a -drinking vessel half filled with muddy water. -Glooscap took the cup, emptied the contents -on the grass and said, "I want clean water from -the mountain brook."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I cannot give it to you," said the lad. "Our -chief drinks all the clean water."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Then lead me to your chief," said Glooscap. -"He shall give me pure water."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Quaking with fear, the Indian boy led -Glooscap to the pond where the monster chief -lay sunning himself.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What do you want?" croaked the yellow-eyed -creature.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I've come to you for a drink of pure -water," said Glooscap.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Go somewhere else! Go somewhere else!" -said the monster hoarsely.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The mighty Glooscap now rushed forward -with his spear, thrust it through the chief's -great body, and lo! a stream of water rushed -forth with such force that it broke the dam -and flowed down the mountain in a clear, -sparkling torrent. The monster chief had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>swallowed all the pure water of the mountain -streams.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then Glooscap rose to a giant's height, -caught the monster in his powerful hand and -squeezed him with all his might. When he -loosened his grasp there in his hand was a -great bullfrog with crumpled back, yellow, -bulging eyes, wide mouth, and broad, skinny -feet. Glooscap flung the creature back into -the pond and ever since that day croaking bull-frogs -may be found in muddy streams.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span> - <h2 class='c003'>WOODLAND WATERS</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Through leaves of the nodding trees</div> - <div class='line'>Where blossoms sway in the breeze,</div> - <div class='line'>Pink bag-pipes make for the bees,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Whose slogan is droning and drawling,</div> - <div class='line'>Where columbine scatters its bells</div> - <div class='line'>And the wild bleeding-heart its shells</div> - <div class='line'>O'er mosses and rocks of the dells</div> - <div class='line in2'>The brook of the forest is calling.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>You can hear it under the hill</div> - <div class='line'>When the wind in the wood is still,</div> - <div class='line'>And, strokes of a fairy drill,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Sounds the bill of the yellow-hammer.</div> - <div class='line'>By the Solomon's seal it slips</div> - <div class='line'>Cohosh and the grass that drips</div> - <div class='line'>Like the sound of an Undine's lips</div> - <div class='line in2'>Is the sound of its falls that stammer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Madison Cawein.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE GRUBBIEST GRUB<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>J. Bevan</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>"There's no use trying," said the newest newt; -"you'll never be anything <i>but</i> grubby."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The newest newt lived at the bottom of the -garden pond. He was a very elegant newt. -The orange spots on his waistcoat were the -brightest to be seen in all the garden.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grubbiest grub was not elegant. He -was unquestionably the very grubbiest thing in -the garden pond. However, he had ambitions.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"But there's no use trying," said the newest -newt again. "I myself saw you fall from a -willow leaf not so long since, and had ideas -about you. I thought, perhaps, you might be -some new kind of egg and hatch into a royal -turtle. But I watched you, and you didn't -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>hatch—you grew just like a tadpole. Only -you didn't grow even into a frog."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grubbiest grub said nothing. His heart -grew a little bitter as he thought, "Not even -into a frog."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"But cheer up," said the newest newt, -"there's mud enough at the bottom of the garden -spot for all of us. And it's not a bad place—aristocratic -turtles in the neighbourhood, -and I live here."</p> - -<p class='c005'>He was off with an extra swirl of his extra -shiny tail. He was due at the turtles' ball at -sunset. He was always being invited somewhere -because of the orange on his waistcoat.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grubbiest grub was never invited anywhere, -and he didn't look like anything that -anybody had ever seen, and didn't seem related -to anybody. And his heart rebelled.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Up above the pond there is light," he said. -"I know that, and there is some strange -thing—tall, and coloured like—like——" He -couldn't think what. He had only pond grass -and pond creatures to compare it to. -"Like——" A little fish swam slowly past -him, and, as it turned, the long light, sifting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>through the water from the sunset, caught colours -on its body. "Like that!" said the grubbiest -grub.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The fish was swaying slowly. Then it saw -the grubbiest grub. "Good evening," said the -sparkling fish; "and isn't there a party?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"To be sure," answered the grubbiest grub, -"but you see I'm not invited."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The sparkling fish looked again. "Why," -she said, "I thought you belonged to that set of -newts and turtles, and the better class of pond -frogs. Anyway, why aren't you invited?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I'm far too grubby," said the grubbiest -grub; "didn't you know?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The little silver fish swam slowly around the -grub.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I think you belong above," she said at last; -"don't you ever want to go up there?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I have dreamed of a thing gleaming like—like——"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Rainbows," said the shining fish.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Rainbows," repeated the grubbiest grub, -"and I have wanted so to find one. But I never -could tell anyone. The newt would have died -laughing."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>"So you're afraid of being laughed at!" said -the fish. "I think you <i>do</i> belong to the turtle -set." And she swam away.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly something seemed to sting and -burn into the heart of the grubby grub. The -look the silver fish had given him was worse -than the laughter of any number of newts. "I -<i>will</i> go and find the thing I dreamed," he said.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grubbiest grub started slowly up a mass -of tangled roots and thence on to a long, thin -stem. The wave that rippled round the stem -saw the grub coming. "You don't belong -here," he said.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Please," entreated the grub, and his poor -grubby face looked so sad that the wave paused -a moment before he brushed him off.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Well—what do you want here?" asked the -wave. "We can't have grubs eating out our -lily hearts, you know."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grub took a deep breath, and clung on -tightly to the lily stem. He was terribly afraid -of being laughed at, but he thought of the silver -fish and the pain that was worse than any -laughter. "I don't want to eat your lily's -<span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>heart," he said; "I'm only looking for a thing -I—dreamed."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Strange, the wave didn't laugh. He only -looked more closely at the grubby grub. "Oh, -you're <i>that</i> kind," he said. "Sure enough. -Well, go along. Take the first turning by the -moss roots, and good luck to you."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grubbiest grub went on. He found -moving upward easier as he grew more used -to it. At the place where the moss roots clung -most closely to the lily stem, he turned off, -then along the moss roots to the edge of the -pond, and on up to a broad shaft of green -pointing still higher.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grubbiest grub paused. He was very, -very tired, and everything was new and strange -to him. He had never breathed the air before, -nor seen the stars.</p> - -<p class='c005'>About him were many voices, and there -were points of light and trails, and flashes of -gold, such as the silver fish had scattered in -the water. There was darkness, too, reaching -beneath to clutch him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grubbiest grub clung tightly to the shaft -of green. "What am I doing here? What -<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>am I doing here?" he asked himself, and his -back ached and his sides ached, and his heart -was numb with aching.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Why, you are waiting for the morning," -said a little voice beside him. "Don't be -frightened. I've seen your kind before. You -came up from the mud, and if you wait till -daylight you'll have wings and fly away. The -children in the big house will clap their hands -and say, "Look, look, another dragon-fly! -Your wings are like rainbows."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"You can't be laughing at me," said the -grubbiest grub; "your voice is kind."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Why should I laugh?" said the little voice. -"I am one of the grass-blade spirits, and I love -all things with wings."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"But I have no wings," said the grubby -grub, "and it seems darker."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No, no," said the grass-blade spirit. "It's -only the moon gone for a moment. But, oh!" -she cried, as the moon flickered through on the -broad green shaft again, "your shell has broken -open."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And sure enough, there sat a pale wisp of a -dragon-fly in the moonlight. "But I have no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>wings," he cried in disappointment. "I cannot -fly."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Only wait," said the grass-blade spirit, and -he waited in eager, trembling excitement.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He waited while the stars turned round the -heavens and the moon sank.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then his heart lifted up, and he felt his -wings, and he flew.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He flew, trembling, quivering, white but -touched with iridescent colour, on, on above -the pointed shaft, on still in the dawn.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grass-blade spirit watched. "Yes! yes!" -he cried from below; "splendid—O beautiful -spirit—but higher!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Higher he went, and then he sank exhausted.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"You have found your dream," cried the -grass-blade spirit, as the dragon-fly felt the -warmth about him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He opened his eyes. He saw blue and -gold and yellow of sunlight flashing in the -dawn. About him was fragrance and rest and -peace.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I love you," said the iris flower, where he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>had fallen; "and I have waited for you—it is -day."</p> - -<p class='c005'>So the poor grub, with the funny, blinking -eyes and the puffy face had fallen on the petals -of a great sweet iris flower. Of course, as you -know, every flower is the house of a fairy. -And this house was a palace of blue flowers -veined in gold, and blue fringes and tassels in -the inmost inner room, where the wonderful -fairy lived who was the flower princess.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The iris-flower princess rose from her couch -of lavender and gold. It was then that she -said, "I have waited for you—it is day."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And it was day, sparkling and gleaming on -all the grass-blades.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The grubbiest grub—who was a dragon-fly -prince now, in green velvet and a silken cloak, -shimmering like wings behind him—and the -flower princess stood on the flower palace steps, -and looked out across the grass-blades.</p> - -<p class='c005'>All the little grass-blade spirits cried, "All -hail, Prince Dragon-Fly!" and the flower princess—who -would be queen now of all the -winged folk as well—called to the grass-blade -spirit who had urged Prince Dragon-Fly to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>find her. And as the little grass-blade fairy -knelt there at her feet, she proclaimed him -"Knight of the Grass-Blades, Keeper of the -Dewdrops, and Lord High Admiral of the -Garden Pond."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The folk at the bottom of the garden pond, -however, went on just the same in spite of the -New Dewdrop—High Lord, Grass-Blade -Admiral. In fact, they didn't even know that -there was a new admiral, and they never -dreamed of the great coronation ceremony -that was to make the poor little despised -grubby thing the king of the winged creatures. -They just thought about themselves as usual, -and the success of the last ball, and the aristocratic -turtles, and the extra shiny mud floor -where the newest newt with the orange spots -on his waistcoat had danced so beautifully -with Sir Fat-Frog's fattest daughter.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE DRAGON-FLY</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>To-day I saw the dragon-fly</div> - <div class='line'>Come from the wells where he did lie;</div> - <div class='line'>An inner impulse rent the veil</div> - <div class='line'>Of his old husk! from head to tail</div> - <div class='line'>Came out clear plates of sapphire mail.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>He dried his wings: like gauze they grew;</div> - <div class='line'>Through crofts and pastures wet with dew</div> - <div class='line'>A living flash of light he flew.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Alfred Tennyson.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span> - <h2 class='c003'>ON THE WING</h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>Out of a tuft a little lark</div> - <div class='line'>Went higher up than I could mark,</div> - <div class='line'>His little throat was all one thirst</div> - <div class='line'>To sing until his heart should burst,</div> - <div class='line'>To sing aloft in golden light</div> - <div class='line'>His song from blue air out of sight.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>John Masefield.</span></div> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>When birdies sing on every tree.</div> - <div class='line'>The distant huntsman winds his horn,</div> - <div class='line'>And the skylarks sing with me,</div> - <div class='line in2'>O what sweet company.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>William Blake.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span> - <h2 class='c003'>HOW WOODPECKER CHANGED HIS<br />COLOURS<br /> <br />(MICMAC LEGEND)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Long, long ago Woodpecker wore a plain suit -of dark grey feathers with a few white patches -on it. He often looked admiringly at the -bright colours which many of the birds wore, -and sometimes his gay companions taunted -him about his plain clothes. Then Grey -Woodpecker would leave the woods for awhile -and flit about an Indian village.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Here he made friends with an Indian girl -whose name was Pretty-Dancing-Maiden who -was the pride of her people. There was no -sport she loved so much as dancing, and the -graceful movements of her slender figure and -dainty feet made all the people call her the -best dancer in the village.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Whenever this maiden dressed for a dance -Grey Woodpecker helped her paint her face -<span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>with many colours. When she was ready he -would hop a little distance off and, with his -head on one side, say, "Pretty-Dancing-Maiden -is more beautiful than any bird of the -forest."</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day after she had finished painting he -looked admiringly at her but said nothing. -The maiden laughed merrily and asked, -"What colour needs deepening, Grey Woodpecker?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Red! <i>Red! Red!</i>" was his answer, for the -bird loved the brilliant colour best which the -maiden used on her cheeks and smiling lips.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then Pretty-Dancing-Maiden always took -up the bits of wood which she used for brushes, -dipped them into red paint, and again touched -daintily her cheeks and lips. And with a -merry good-bye to Grey Woodpecker she ran -lightly out of the wigwam to the dance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It happened one evening after the maiden -had gayly dressed for the dance and waved -good-bye to her little feathered friend, the bird -looked intently at the bits of wood which the -maiden had used to put on the beautiful red -paint. In a little while his eyes twinkled merrily -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>and he said, "I'll make myself beautiful -too! I'll use Pretty-Dancing-Maiden's red -paint brushes and brighten my suit of plain -grey and white."</p> - -<p class='c005'>He took up the wooden brushes and rubbed -the red paint over his ears. Two brilliant -stripes he made, for there was plenty of the -colour on the bits of sticks. How happy he -was!</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The birds of the forest shall never again -call me a bird of plain clothes," said he.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And ever since that far-off day the woodpeckers -have worn red stripes over their ears.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A RETORT FROM THE CATBIRD</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>I heard the Catbird in the bush</div> - <div class='line in2'>With breathless ecstasy;</div> - <div class='line'>No bobolink or fluttering thrush</div> - <div class='line in2'>Made carol sweet as he.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>It bubbled like a mountain rill</div> - <div class='line in2'>Drenching the weary day,</div> - <div class='line'>With eddying turn and rippling trill,</div> - <div class='line in2'>A magic roundelay.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>I heard the Catbird once again.</div> - <div class='line in2'>A harsh, discordant note,</div> - <div class='line'>Which pierced the shuddering ear with pain,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Came from the selfsame throat.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>O bird perverse! That heavenly voice</div> - <div class='line in2'>Tuned to so sharp a key!</div> - <div class='line'>Why cease to make the air rejoice</div> - <div class='line in2'>Debasing minstrelsy?</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Why not be ever at your best?</div> - <div class='line in2'>Again the peevish mew</div> - <div class='line'>Answering, accusing me with zest:</div> - <div class='line in2'>"Are you?" he cried, "are y-o-u?"</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Abbie Farwell Brown.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span> - <h2 class='c003'>WOODPECKER LIFE<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Margaret Coulson Walker</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>On the thirteenth of July a red-mutched -woodpecker knocked on the stricken bough of -a lofty elm to crave of the Dryad within hospitality -for a season. Yes, her wish would be -granted, but only on condition that she would -dig out a shelter for herself there in the hard, -dry wood.</p> - -<p class='c005'>What had gone wrong in the woodpecker -family that she was in need of shelter this late -in the year? Earlier in the summer she and -her mate had burrowed out a comfortable -home in a great oak tree not two hundred yards -away. Then they were on the best of terms -and had relieved each other at the task of digging -out their dwelling place. Twenty or -twenty-five minutes at a time was thought long -enough for either of them to devote to so labourious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>a task in the springtime; then the -other spent an equal time at the work, while -the one off duty hurried away to partake of refreshments -or to seek rest in change of occupation.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then there seemed to be some joy in their -lives, for when they had occasionally found -time for recreation, they had chased each other -around the tree trunks and given utterance to -their enjoyment of the game in many a peal -of cackling laughter. Near the base of a tree -the game began, and, spirally round and round -its trunk, they pursued each other, the one in -the lead every now and then casting a challenging -look behind, then hurrying upward -faster than before. Their playtimes were -brief, however, for the unfinished burrow was -calling.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When this was completed and later a half -dozen or more eggs were laid, though madam -spent most of her time in dispensing warmth -to them, her mate also did his share. Together -they had devoted their energies to providing -for the little ones that pecked their way out -of the round, white eggs. Many long journeys -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>were they compelled to take, and many were -the hours spent in search of suitable food for -their hungry offspring; but on their return -their throats were always full to the brim with -the nourishment which they pumped into infant -throats as, hanging head downward over -them, they clung with their claws to the entrance -of their home. And when, after a time, -the chicks were old enough to scramble about -on the trunk of the tree outside their home, a -wheezy call from one of them was enough to -bring one or both of the parents, with throat -distended with the best the wood afforded, to -minister to their wants. Together they had -driven away the over-solicitous squirrels and -meddlesome sparrows who came to visit them. -Together they had guided their asthmatic -young family about the wood, teaching them -by example, if not by precept, where food was -to be found, and how to meet the dangers they -were likely to encounter at any moment.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The accidents of nature had depleted the -brood, till now but two of them were left. A -ball of baby feathers in the home of an owl -living in the wood told the story of the passing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>of one of them; the gladness which attended -the home-coming of a foraging mother -squirrel marked the taking off of another; so -they had gone, till only these two remained, -wheezy and exacting.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Of late the care of them had fallen mainly -on the father, who picked up a living for them -as best he could. At times he seemed to try to -get away from them—a futile effort, for when -they did not follow his undulating flight in -their awkward up-and-down fashion, they -went in search of him if he was gone a few -minutes overtime.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Here on the thirteenth of July was the -mother seeking shelter away from her former -home. Had there been a family disagreement? -Was the home-nest no longer large -enough for the parent birds and their now almost -grown-up family? Was she planning for -a new brood? Surely not! It would be impossible -to rear in a single season two broods -requiring so much care.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Whatever her purpose, here she was, drawing -her plans on the under side of the dry old -bough. Soon she began to peck out an entrance, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>and it was not long before the chips -were flying in every direction. More than an -hour she worked, then flew to the dead top of -a tree across the way, where she sat for a brief -time resting and sunning herself. Twice she -left her perch to dart out after passing insects, -then returned to her labour. Occasionally she -swung around to the top side of the dead -branch, and tore off bits of bark either for the -purpose of seeing if the hole was going clear -through or for securing the insect fare lurking -under it. This part of the work continued -at intervals, till the bark was removed from all -the excavated portion of the bough. All day, -until about five o'clock, she spent at her task -with but little rest, then there was a long visit -to the rest perch in the neighbouring treetop.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The early morning hours were probably devoted -to commissary tours; for it was almost -eight o'clock when she appeared on the scene -of her labours and again began to wield the -pick. About ten o'clock her spouse appeared -and arranged himself comfortably on the same -limb about a foot away from the hole she was -digging, but not by so much as a single stroke -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>did he assist her. Soon a wheezy, whistling -cry called him to duties as insistent as home -building, and he departed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After watching the progress of woodpecker -affairs for some time, a dweller in the house -under the tree decided to lend a hand. A -worm-eaten hitching-post stood near, on which -was placed pieces of bread for the hungry little -wielder of the pick. This not only satisfied -her wants, but served also to bring her mate -and offspring near occasionally. At first the -young members of the family refused to pick -up this food set before them, but, instead, -clung to a neighbouring tree and called vociferously -for help. Then the father took the bits -of bread and pushed them far down into the -screaming throats. The young Romulus must -have possessed wonderful powers of endurance -if the woodpeckers of old ministered to -him as vigorously in response to his infantile -wails as the woodpeckers of to-day respond to -the screaming demands of their own offspring. -How gentle the wolf must have seemed in comparison!</p> - -<p class='c005'>Several times the young woodpeckers followed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>the father to the limb in which the -mother was chiseling a home. Together they -watched her work, but during the first three -days seemed to take no interest whatever in -the hole she was making. Then the father -went in and examined the opening, but flew -away without giving any real aid. And all -through the work his assistance seemed to be -limited to inspection.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In her digging, the mother woodpecker -clung with her claws to the opening of the -burrow, and, head downward, pecked rapidly. -Sometimes she would throw out chips—which -were little more than coarse sawdust—after -three or four blows; again, she worked for a -minute or two, then threw out several billfuls -at a time. In throwing out these chips she -slipped backward and forward over the lower -edge of the opening, after the manner of that -old-fashioned toy called a "supple jack." -First she threw her chips to one side, then to -the other, till the ground beneath the burrow, -for a space thirty feet in circumference, was -generously sprinkled with them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Though several persons were watching her, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>and though squirrels were springing about -among the branches, she was not disturbed, -but went steadily on with her task. While she -was away on short vacations, the wren, dwelling -in the porch roof beneath, frequently investigated -the hole she was digging—sparrows -examined it, and squirrels looked into it, but it -was very noticeable that they all had an eye -on her return. Once, in her absence, one of -her own young woodpeckers scrambled to the -edge of the hole, and peeped in for a moment, -then scuttled back again to the place where the -dead branch joined the trunk of the tree, and, -in his usual noisy manner, demanded food.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was near the end of the third day's labour -that the woodpecker was first seen "trying on" -her new home. Then she went into it, and, -nestling there, with head up for the first time, -looked out of the window. Evidently, the -pocket was neither deep enough nor wide -enough, for after this she worked on both bottom -and sides of it, scattering chips as before. -The work periods were shorter now and the -rests more frequent, showing that her strength -was failing. On the afternoon of the fifth day, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>when the burrow was finished, completely exhausted, -she made her way to the roof of the -house, where, with wings spread, she lay for -more than an hour. Seemingly too tired to -reach her usual resting place in the treetop -across the way, she lay there gathering strength -for the longer flight.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Though the sexes are alike in the redhead -family, it was not difficult to distinguish them -in this case, for the feathers about the head -and neck of the mother were much more worn -than those of her less industrious mate. Yet -it may be an injustice to him to accuse him of -indolence, for was he not purveying to their -younglings?—a task which may have taxed his -energies to the limit. Perhaps, after all, it was -only a case of division of labour.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After the completion of the burrow, though -the woodpecker was anxiously watched for, -for several days, she was not seen near it again, -though the usual bits of bread placed on the -hitching-post brought her to its neighbourhood.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The experiment was tried of putting some of -the crusts on the top of the post and stuffing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>others tightly into the large worm-holes. The -latter were invariably taken first. Though the -young birds came there regularly to be fed, -more than a week passed before they made the -slightest effort to help themselves. They -would cling to the sides of the post, and, with -upward-pointing, open bills, whistle asthmatically -for the food, which the parents were -compelled to place in their throats. Whether -it was wilfulness or inability that caused them -to act as they did, it was impossible to determine.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The whistling of the young birds, which was -once believed to predict rain, or to be a demand -for it from a thirsty throat, always precedes -or accompanies the taking of food. It is, -doubtless, a little more frequent before showers, -for at such times the older birds are able -to collect more beetles and other insects that -come out then from their shelters into the -open.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The old belief that woodpeckers are ever -athirst because of their inability to drink any -save the rain that falls into their open throats -or the drops that fall from the leaves, may have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>some foundation. In the case of this family, -though a basin of water was always conveniently -near, and though sparrows, robins, bluejays, -and wrens constantly patronized it, no -woodpecker was ever seen to refresh himself -from it—many as there were of them in the vicinity.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When more bread than the four birds could -consume was placed in the post, the older ones -carried a part of it away—usually the larger -pieces on top—for future use, or pounded it -tightly into worm-holes in the same post, but -never into the ones in which they found it.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Several weeks after the burrow was finished, -one evening just about sunset, a redhead was -seen peeping from the window in the treetop; -then it was drawn back, and again it appeared -and was withdrawn to be seen no more during -the evening. It was a dormitory, then, that -you hollowed out for yourself, was it, my lady?</p> - -<p class='c005'>One morning, near the close of August, it -was noticed that the entrance to the lodging -was distinctly larger, and that a patch of daylight -showed through from the other side. -Whether, for some reason, the bird herself had -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>enlarged the opening before departing for the -South, or whether this had been done by mischievous -squirrels on murder bent, is not -known; but certain it is that the red-mutched -labourer was gone. Others of her kind lingered -in the grove for a week or more, and -though food was placed on the accustomed -post, neither she nor any of her immediate -family appeared to claim it.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When he is gone, the most accomplished -songsters are not missed more than the red-headed -woodpecker, whose broad patches of -clear colour enliven the wood. Though he may -no longer assist in the growth of the forests by -bringing refreshing showers, as he is said to -have done in the long time ago, he certainly -is doing much in his own way to preserve -them. Well might the ancients have made a -god of him. He still possesses one of the gifts -which won that honour for him—the power of -producing thunder—and in a way that mortals -can understand. Hear it rumbling among the -dead treetops, as the bird drums rapidly on the -dry wood and sets it to vibrating, then quickly -lays his hollow bill against it to add resonance -<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>to the peal. Vulcan himself could not have -felt greater satisfaction than he, as he stops to -listen, in conscious pride over his accomplishment.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Whether he is a god made manifest in feathers, -or merely an old woman under a curse, expiating -the crime of selfishness in picking up -a living where there seems to be no life, and in -sharing this scant fare with the hungry, as we -see this bird with breast flattened and shoulders -bent by hard work, while our sympathies -are awakened, we bless the day that gave to the -world this tireless little labourer of the woods.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span> - <h2 class='c003'>KINGFISHER'S NECKLACE AND<br />RUFFLE</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Kingfisher is very proud, indeed, of his white -collar and ruffled head-dress, but there was a -time in the long, long ago when he had neither -of these ornaments. He wore a plain suit of -gray-blue feathers and his head was as smooth -as a robin's.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In that far-off time Kingfisher lived near a -large lake, which was bordered by long -stretches of pine trees. He chose this place -for a home because he could catch plenty of -fish in the clear waters of the lake. Also, he -had made a friend of Wolf, who lived with the -great spirit, Manabozho, in a bear-skin wigwam, -which stood on the shore.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Wolf was a mighty hunter and provided -Manabozho with plenty of food. It happened -one season that game was scarce in the forest -<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>near the wigwam, and Wolf decided to hunt -in the woods on the opposite side of the lake.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Brother Wolf," said Manabozho, "see how -dense the pine woods over there are. No -hunter has ever ventured into that tangled forest."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"That is why I shall surely find plenty of -game there," answered Wolf.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accordingly, early next morning Wolf ran -around the long margin of the lake until he -came to the thick forest. He soon caught all -the game he could carry, but instead of returning -with it to the lodge, he stopped to fish on -Big Rock, which jutted out into the lake.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Kingfisher, perched on one of the tall pine -trees, called out: "Wolf, do not fish from Big -Rock. The sea-serpents are lurking near, and -they will catch you."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I want some fine fish to take to Manabozho," -answered Wolf. "I'm not afraid of -the sea-ser——!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>He had not finished speaking when, in a -very mysterious way, something gave his fishing-line -a mighty jerk, and Wolf was pulled -headlong into the water.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>Manabozho had no game for supper. All -night he listened for the footsteps of his faithful -hunter, but Wolf did not return to the -lodge. In the morning the great spirit began -to search for his companion. He traveled all -around the long margin of the lake, but not a -single trace of Wolf could he find. Near Big -Rock, on a tall pine tree, sat Kingfisher. -Manabozho had never before spoken to the -plain little bird, who was very much surprised -when the great spirit said, "Kingfisher, can -you tell me what has happened to Manabozho's -brother Wolf? I'll give you a beautiful -necklace of wampum if you can help me find -him."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Kingfisher flew down from the pine tree to -a branch near the great spirit and said, "Yesterday -I saw your brother Wolf fishing from -Big Rock. A sea-serpent pulled him under -the water. If you would rescue him you must -watch on this side of the lake. When the sun -is highest the sea-serpents come to the rocks to -sun themselves."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Manabozho was so pleased with the information -that he put a necklace of beautiful -<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>white wampum around Kingfisher's neck.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"You must not tell the serpents that I am -watching for Wolf," said Manabozho.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But Kingfisher was looking in the mirror -of the lake, admiring his new necklace, so he -did not hear the great spirit's words. Manabozho -became suspicious and seized the little -bird by the head. Kingfisher wriggled and -twisted, and finally freed himself from the -hand of the angry Manabozho and flew away. -But the feathers on Kingfisher's head were -very much ruffled in the struggle, and he has -worn them so ever since; also, to this day, he -wears Manabozho's gift of the beautiful white -necklace.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span> - <h2 class='c003'>OWL WISDOM<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Frances Wright</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time the owls were the largest -and the most dull and stupid of all the birds -of the air. While the eagle soared above the -mountain's crest to hail the sun before his rising, -and the lark carolled his matin in the blue -fields of ether, the owls were snoring; when -the thrush and the blackbird, retreating from -the heat of noon, filled the deep groves with -their melody, the owls snored out the sylvan -concert; and when the soft cushat poured his -evening tale of love into the ear of his listening -mate, the owls were still snoring in their -unbroken and dreamless sleep.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It chanced, most naturally, that when towards -midnight, the heavy, big-headed creatures -half-opened their stupid eyes, and half-stretched -first one drowsy pinion and then the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>other, that their stomachs craved for food; -whereupon, after much yawning and stretching, -they dragged themselves from their holes -and went prowling after bats and mice in the -dark. Tired with their hunt, and not over content -with their supper, which was both -coarse and scanty, they thus laid their heads -together, and, however dull by nature, and -doubly dulled by sleep, they were for once -stimulated by hunger and disappointment to -something like ingenuity.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Said an old gray-headed owl: "This barbarous -exercise ill suits with my years and my -gravity."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"And this barbarous fare," said a pert, idle -youngster, "ill suits with the youthful activity -of my stomach."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I'll stake my reputation upon it," said a -third, shaking his dull head, "but that proud, -self-sufficient gormandizing eagle has eaten a -whole sheep for his supper."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"And I'll stake mine," yawned a fourth, -"that his first cousin, the vulture, and his second -cousin, the hawk, have feasted; the one on -<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>a fat lamb, and the other on a hen and chickens."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Chut," said the first old grey-beard, "we'll -feast ere long on sheep, lamb, hen, chickens, -and all; ay! mayhap on the eagle's own little -ones, to say nothing of his cousins."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"How so," hooted out the whole junto—"you -would not fight the king of birds?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Let me alone for that; there are better -weapons than beak or talons; and so he and his -subjects shall find. But you must all aid in the -enterprise."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"If there be no fighting, and not too much -labour, and not too much——"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Peace! there shall be nothing but sleeping!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Sleeping?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Ay! and some talking. But leave that to -me."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Here all the heavy heads poked forward, -closing in a circle round their Nestor; while -all their great round eyes opened in full stare -upon his.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"To-morrow you must all sleep as usual, until -I give a long hoot; then you must all open -<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>your eyes and observe what shall chance."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Tired with so unusual a debate, all went to -sleep accordingly, and snored louder than -usual; until, just as the sun had awakened to -full life and stir all the feathered tribe, the -old owl hooted and screeched forth such a yell, -as first terrified and then attracted on wings, -spurred by curiosity, though still trembling -with fear, every bird of the air from the giant -eagle to the diminutive wren.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"A vision! a vision!" cried the owl; and -again he screeched and again he hooted, rustling -up all his feathers, flapping his wings, -blinking his eyes, and tumbling head over tail -like a bird distracted.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Every creature present stared and wondered.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"A vision, a vision! A miracle, a miracle!" -again shouted the owl.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I have seen a bird larger than the ostrich -and stronger than the eagle. Lightnings flame -from his eyes, and thunder roars from his beak. -He has spoken; and lo! his command was: -<i>The owls are my servants and to them I make -known my will. Let all the birds of the air</i> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span><i>hearken to their voice. Let them do their bidding, -respect their repose, and feed them with -the fat of the land; or, behold, I will feed upon -them.</i>"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Thereupon, the owls set up a hoot in chorus, -and all the birds scattered to the four winds to -collect food for the servants to eat, lest the unseen -master should eat them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>From this time forth these stupid owls were -deemed the wisest of the birds of the air; they -supped every night upon fat yearlings; and -when they hooted all the feathered tribe -clapped their wings and sang a song of praise.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span> - <h2 class='c003'>BIRDS' NESTS<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Ernest Ingersoll</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>A bird's nest is a bird's house. Sometimes it -is strong, well made and tightly roofed, and -sometimes it is not, just as with men's houses. -The principal difference between the bird's -house and ours is that we build ours to be used -all the year round, while the bird prefers to -make a new one each summer. There are -some birds, such as the fish-hawk, however, -that keep the same nest many years in succession, -repairing it each spring; and I think -more birds would do so were it not that their -houses are usually made so slightly that the -winter's gales knock them to pieces when the -owners are absent at some Southern health resort. -This is a pity, too, for many of our commonest -nests are exceedingly pretty and call -for a great deal of work and care on the part -<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span>of the builders, whose only tools are their feet -and beaks.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Take, for instance, the lovely hammock-like -basket, hung by its rim beneath the fork -of some low branch, which is made by the little -grey, red-eyed vireo, which carols to us all -the early summer days from every garden and -orchard. Such a nest was hung in a maple -close to my porch. The bird had built it -within arm's length of where we were constantly -passing, yet we never saw it until it was -quite finished; and the only way we could get -a look at it then was by pulling aside a branch. -This care was not taken from fear of us, but in -the hope that the cradle would escape the -sharp eyes of red squirrels, weasels, bluejays, -and other creatures who hunt for and rob -birds' nests of eggs and young to get food for -themselves. I am happy to say, however, that -the vireo's nest was not disturbed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>How to hide their nests safely is the great -question in the minds of all the little birds. -The big, strong ones do not need to worry -about that so much, because they can drive -away most robbers; therefore, we find that the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>hawks and crows, jays, kingbirds, and others -able to take care of themselves, usually set -their baskets in the crotch of some tree, where -they can be seen easily enough, but all nests of -this kind are strongly made, and fastened so -that the winds shall not rock them out of their -places or spill the contents.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the <i>little</i> birds try to hide their homes -in various clever ways. A good many seek -holes and crannies. The woodpeckers are able -to dig these for themselves, for their beaks are -like chisels. Others, like the wrens, bluebirds, -nuthatches, chicadees, and so forth, find knot-holes, -places where a branch has broken off, -and various small hollows, in which to make -their beds, where the young will be snug in -bad weather, and pretty safe from all enemies -except snakes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Others, like the kingfisher, the sand-swallow, -and certain sea-birds, make or find holes -in earth-banks and rocky cliffs, so that their -babies are born in a tiny cave. All of our swallows, -before the country was settled by white -people, lived in this manner or in hollow trees; -but as soon as civilization came those we soon -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>named barn-swallows left the wilds and put -their nests under the roofs of barns and other -outbuildings. Then some one, remembering -the ways of old England, began to put bird-houses -in the gardens; and now, in all parts of -the United States, you may find those cousins -of the swallows, the purple martins, living by -the dozen in these lofty little hotels on the top -of a pole.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The nests of the cliff-swallows are little jugs -of mud, plastered by their bases to the face of -the rock. The birds make them by bringing -pellets of mud in their bills from some stream-side, -and putting them one upon another, until -each pair has formed a windowless, bottle-like -house, with a front door like the neck of the -jug, so small that no big bird can enter it. -These are very safe and snug nests, and the -birds can sit in their doorways and gossip with -each other very sociably, for the nests are -crowded together like the houses in a city -block. This is the same kind of swallow that -now puts its nest in rows along the outside of -our barns under the eaves; but often they are -mere cups instead of jugs, because the barn -<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>roof sheds the rain, and a clay roof is no longer -necessary to protect the feather bed inside.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Another one of the small birds that is more -and more coming to seek our protection and -sympathy is the greenish-brown flycatcher that -(as some folks think) calls out her own name -every few minutes, <i>Phoebe, Phoebe</i>. She -makes her home very solidly of mud and moss, -lined with horse-hair, and in the old days always -rested it on a ledge of rock, as many still -do. Most of the phoebes, however, now think -it easier and safer to get under a roof, and so -they put their mossy cups on the stone piers or -supporting timbers of bridges, among the rafters -of sheds and porches, and in similar places.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A great number and wide variety of birds -make their houses upon the ground. Most of -the sea-birds do so—along the ledges of the -sea-cliff. Nearly all the water fowl and game -birds (except herons) also do so; and most of -the ducks and similar birds nestle among the -wet reeds of marshes, where their rude bedding -is damp all the time and sometimes soaking -wet. To keep their eggs warm when they -have to leave them for a time, many of the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>ducks pluck a large quantity of downy feathers -from their breasts with which to cover the -eggs. The eider of the arctic regions is the -foremost in this practice, and the eider-down -sold in shops is gathered from their nests; but -it is a habit of many other ducks. One of the -most interesting of these ground-nest birds is -the least bittern, a solitary bird frequenting -swamps and marshy places.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Not only the water-birds, however, but some -of the smallest and prettiest of our songsters -choose to dwell and lay their eggs close to the -ground, although they seem to be exposed -there to many more dangers than are those in -the treetops or elsewhere. None try more anxiously -to hide their homes than do these -ground-nesters, arching the grasses above -them, or building little sheds of leaves to protect -and hide the shining eggs. (Adapted.)</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span> - <h2 class='c003'>HATTO THE HERMIT: THE<br />LEGEND OF A BIRD'S NEST<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Selma Lagerlöf</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Hatto, the hermit, stood in the desert and -prayed to God. The storm was on, and his -long hair and beard blew about him as wind-whipped -grass blows about an old ruin. But -he did not brush back the hair from his eyes, -nor did he fasten his long beard to his girdle, -for his arms were raised in prayer. Since sunrise -he had held his gaunt, hairy arms out-stretched -toward heaven, as untiring as a tree -stretching out its boughs, and thus he would -remain until evening. It was a great thing for -which he was praying.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He was a man who had suffered much from -the wickedness and dishonesty of the world. -He himself had persecuted and tortured others, -and persecution and torture had been his -portion, more than he could endure. Therefore, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>he had gone forth into the wilderness, -had dug himself a cave on the river bank, -and had become a holy man whose prayers -found hearing at the throne of God.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Hatto, the hermit, stood on the river bank -before his cave and prayed the great prayer of -his life. He prayed God to send down the Day -of Judgment upon this wicked world. He -cried to the angels of the trumpets, who are to -herald the end of the reign of sin.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Round about him was the wilderness, barren -and desolate. But a little up the bank -stood an old willow with shortened trunk, -which swelled out at the top of a round hump -like a queer head, and from it new, freshly -green twigs were sprouting. Every autumn -the peasants from the unwooded flatlands -robbed the willow of her fresh new shoots. -But every year the tree put forth new ones, and -on stormy days the slender, flexible twigs -whipped about the old willow, as hair and -beard whipped about Hatto, the hermit.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was just on this day that a pair of water -thrushes, who usually built their nest on the -trunk of the old willow between the new twigs, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>had decided to begin their work. But the wild -whipping of the twigs disturbed the birds. -They flew up with their bits of dry grass with -nothing accomplished. Then it was that they -caught sight of old Hatto.</p> - -<p class='c005'>No one now living can picture to himself -how moss-grown and dried-up, how gnarled -and black and generally unlike a human being, -such an old desert hermit can become. His -skin clung so close to forehead and cheekbones -that his head looked like a skull, and -only a tiny gleam down in the depth of his eyeballs -showed that there was still life in him. -The dried-up muscles gave no curve to the -body; the outstretched naked arms were -merely a couple of narrow bones, covered with -hard, wrinkled, bark-like skin. He wore an -old black cloak, clinging close to his body. He -was tanned brown by the sun and black with -dirt. His hair and beard alone were of a -lighter shade, for rain and sunshine had faded -them to the grey-green hue of the under side -of willow leaves.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The birds, flying about uneasily and seeking -a place for their nest, took Hatto the hermit to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>be another old willow cut off by axe and saw -in its heavenward striving. They flew about -him many times, flew away and returned again, -took note of the guide posts on the way to him, -calculated his position in regard to protection -from storm and birds of prey, found it rather -unfavourable, but decided to locate there on -account of the close vicinity of the stream and -the reeds, their chief source of supply. One -of the birds shot down suddenly and laid a bit -of grass in the hermit's outstretched hand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The storm had abated a little, so that the -straw was not blown from his hand at once, -but the hermit did not pause in his prayer, -"Come soon, O Lord, come to destroy this -world of sin, that mankind may not more increase -its load of guilt."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The storm roared out again, and the bit of -grass fluttered out of the hermit's great bony -hand. But the birds came again and endeavoured -to erect the cornerstone of their new -home between his fingers. Suddenly a dirty, -clumsy thumb laid itself over the grass spears -and held them in firm position, while four fingers -reached over the palm, making a peaceful -<span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>niche where a nest would be safe. The hermit -continued his untiring supplications, and -before his eyes danced fever visions of the day -of judgment. The earth trembled, the skies -shot fire. He saw the black clouds of hurrying -birds beneath the glowing firmament; -herds of fleeing animals spread over the earth. -But while his soul was filled with these visions -of fever, his eyes began to watch the flight of -the tiny birds that came and went with lightning -dashes, laying new straws in the nest with -little chirps of pleasure.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The old man did not move. He had made -a vow to stand the entire day with outstretched -arms, in order to force God to hear him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The little thrushes built and built busily all -the day, and their work progressed finely. -There was no lack of material in this wilderness -of rolling ground with stiff grass and -brush, and on the river bank, with its reeds and -rushes. They could not take time for dinner -or supper. They flew back and forth, glowing -with interest and pleasure, and when dusk -came they had reached the peak of their roof.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But before evening fell the hermit's eyes -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>had come to rest on their labour more and -more. He watched them in their flight; he -scolded them when they were clumsy; he -grieved when the wind spoiled their efforts, -and he became almost angry when they -stopped a moment to rest.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the sun sank and the birds sought their -accustomed resting place among the reeds, safe -from all harm, for no enemy could approach -without a warning splash of the water or -a quivering of the reeds.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the morning broke, the thrushes -thought at first that the events of the preceding -day had been but a beautiful dream.</p> - -<p class='c005'>They found their guideposts and flew -straight to their nest, but the nest had disappeared. -They peered out over the moors and -flew high up to gain a wider view. But there -was no sign of nest or tree. Finally they sat -down on a stone by the water and thought the -matter over. They wagged their tails and -turned their heads to right and left. Where -were nest and tree?</p> - -<p class='c005'>But scarcely had the sun raised itself a -hand's breadth over the belt of woods beyond -<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>the stream, when their tree suddenly came -wandering up and stood itself upon the selfsame -place it had occupied the day before. It -was as black and as gnarled as before, and it -carried their nest on the tip of something that -was probably a thin, upright bough.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The birds began to build again without attempting -to ponder further over the many -miracles of nature.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Hatto, the hermit, who chased the little -children from his cave and told them it were -better for them if they had never seen the light -of day; he who waded out deep into the mud -of the river to hurl curses after the flagged -boats filled with gay young people rowing -past; he from whose evil glance the shepherds -carefully guarded their flocks, he did not return -to his place on the river bank because of -thought for the little birds. But he knew that -not only every letter in the Holy Book has its -own mystical meaning, but that everything -that God allows to happen in the natural world -has its significance also. And he had discovered -what it might mean, this sign of the birds -building in his hand: God had willed that he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>should stand with outstretched arm until the -birds had raised their young—could he do -this, then would his prayer be heard.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But on this day his glance followed the motions -of the birds with greater attention. He -saw the rapid completion of the nest. The -tiny builders flew around it and examined it -carefully. They brought a few rags of moss -from the real willow and plastered them on -the outside as a finishing decoration. They -brought the softest young grass, and the female -bird pulled the down from her breast -to furnish the inside.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The peasants of the neighbourhood, who -feared the evil power which the prayers of -the hermit might have with God, were used to -bring him bread and milk to soften his anger. -They came now, and found him standing motionless, -the bird's nest in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"See how the holy man loves the little creatures," -they said, and feared him no longer. -They raised the milk can to his lips and fed -him with the bread. When he had eaten and -drunk he drove them away with curses, but -they smiled at his anger.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>His body had long since become the servant -of his will. He had taught it obedience by -hunger and scourge, by days of kneeling and -sleepless nights. Now his muscles of steel -held his arm outstretched days and weeks, and -while the mother bird sat on her eggs and -did not leave the nest, he would not go to his -cave even to sleep at night. He learned how -to sleep standing with outstretched arm.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He grew accustomed to the two uneasy little -eyes that peered down at him over the edge -of the nest. He watched for rain and hail, and -protected the nest as well as he could.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day the little mother left her place. -Both thrushes sat on the edge of the nest, their -tails moving rapidly, holding great consultation -and looking very happy, although the -whole nest seemed filled with a frightened -squeaking. After a little they set out upon -an energetic gnat hunt.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One gnat after another fell before them, and -was brought home to that which squeaked and -peeped up there in his hand. And the peeping -grew more intense whenever the food was -brought in. It disturbed the holy man at his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>prayers. Gently, very gently, his arm sank -down on the joints that had almost lost the -power of motion, until his deep-set, glowing -eyes peered into the nest.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Never had he seen anything so ugly and so -miserable—naked little bodies, with a few -scattered down tufts, no eyes, no strength to -fly, nothing but six great open beaks.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He could not understand it himself, but he -liked them just as they were. He had not -thought to make an exception of the old birds -in his prayers for the great Doom, but when -he now implored God to release the world -through utter destruction, he made a silent -exception in favour of these six little helpless -creatures.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the peasant women brought him food -he no longer rewarded them with curses. As -he was necessary for the little ones up there -in his hand, he was glad that the people did -not let him starve.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Soon six little round heads peered all day -over the edge of the nest. Old Hatto's arm -sank to the level of his eyes more and more -frequently. He saw the feathers grow out of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>the red skin; he saw the eyes open and the -little bodies round out. The fortunate inheritance -of all the beauty with which nature -endows the feathered denizens of the air came -early into their heritage.</p> - -<hr class='c015' /> - -<p class='c005'>And, meanwhile, the prayers for the great -destruction came more and more slowly from -Hatto's lips.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He believed he had God's promise that it -should come as soon as the little birds were -able to fly. And now he stood there seeking -an escape from God. For he could not sacrifice -these six little ones, whom he had -watched and cared for.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It had been different before, when he had -had nothing of his own to care for. Love of -the small and the helpless—that love which -every little child must teach to the dangerous -grown man—this love came over him and -made him hesitate.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Sometimes he wished that he could throw -the entire nest into the stream, for he still believed -that those alone are to be envied who -die without having known care or sin. Was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>it not his duty to save these little ones from -beasts of prey, from cold and hunger and all -of the many ills of life? But just as he was -pondering on this, a hawk swooped down on -the nest to kill the little ones. Hatto caught -the robber in his left hand, whirled him -around his head, and threw him far out into -the stream.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then came the day when the little ones were -ready to fly. One of the old birds sat inside -the nest, trying to push the young ones out on -the edge, while the other flew about and -showed them how easy it was if they would -only try. But as the young ones would not -overcome their fear, both old birds flew out -before them, showing off all their prettiest -arts and tricks. They turned and twisted in -the air, they shot up straight as does the lark, -or they hung motionless on rapidly fluttering -wings.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the little ones would not move, and -then Hatto decided to interfere in the matter -himself. He gave them a careful push with -one finger, and thus ended the dispute. They -tumble out, trembling and uncertain, hitting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>at the air as bats do; they sink down, but rise -up again; they find the proper motion and -use it at once to regain the nest. The old -birds come back to them in happy pride, and -Hatto chuckles.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was he who had brought the matter to -such a happy conclusion. And now he pondered -most seriously the question as to -whether a loophole of escape could be found -for God.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Perhaps, when one comes to think of it, -God holds this earth like a bird's nest in -His right hand and perhaps He loves those -within it—all the helpless children of earth. -Perhaps He is merciful to them whom He had -vowed to destroy, just as the hermit was merciful -to the little birds. Of course the hermit's -birds were much better than God's human -beings, but he could still understand that God -might have pity for them in His heart.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Next day the nest was empty, and the bitterness -of loneliness came over the hermit. His -arm sank slowly down at his side, and it -seemed to him that all nature held its breath -to hear the roar of the trumpets announcing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>the Last Judgment. But in the same moment -all the birds returned and settled down on his -head and shoulders, for they had no fear of -him. And a light shot through the tortured -brain of the old hermit. He had lowered his -arm every day to look at the birds.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And then, as he stood there, the six young -birds flying about him, he nodded, smiling, to -some one whom he could not see.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Thou art free," he said. "Thou art free. -I did not keep my vow, therefore Thou needst -not keep Thine."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And it seemed to him that the hills ceased -from trembling and that the river sank quietly -into its bed to rest.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span> - <h2 class='c003'>UNDER GREENWOOD TREES</h2> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span> - <h2 class='c003'>SONG</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Under the greenwood tree</div> - <div class='line in2'>Who loves to lie with me</div> - <div class='line in2'>And tune his merry note</div> - <div class='line in2'>Unto the sweet bird's throat—</div> - <div class='line'>Come hither, come hither, come hither!</div> - <div class='line in4'>Here shall he see</div> - <div class='line in4'>No enemy</div> - <div class='line'>But winter and rough weather.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>William Shakespeare.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE PLUCKY PRINCE</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time there lived a king who was -exceedingly rich. His palace was built of -rare marble; in his majesty's dining room food -was served on plates and in vessels of pure -gold; the royal family wore robes fashioned -from richest silk and costliest ermine. But, -although the king's household lived in this -royal way, his majesty gave strict orders to -all in the palace that nothing should be wasted. -The command was intended particularly for -the crown prince who spent money lavishly. -It seemed as if he had never learned the -proper value of things, and his extravagance -was the talk of all the people in the kingdom.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The king had had many stormy interviews -with his reckless son. Again and again did -this wasteful prince promise to mend his ways, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>but before long he forgot his pledge, and did -something which was marked by astonishing -extravagance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last the king's patience came to an end. -He decided to disinherit the prince and banish -him from the royal household. Filled with -wrath his majesty sent for the youth and in -sternest words gave the following decree:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Henceforth you are banished from this -palace! Flee from my presence!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The carefree manner of the prince at these -words exasperated his majesty who grew white -with rage and said, "Prodigal, listen further -to my stern decree. I forbid you to wear any -clothing made from skins of beasts or the -threads of the silk-worm; your exile cave shall -not be lighted by oil or taper, nor by candles -of tallow or wax. You shall taste no vegetables -that grow under the earth or on vines in the -sunlight. Your hunger shall not be fed by -fish, flesh, or fowl. Begone, thou Prodigal! -Go, starve upon the plain! Nevermore shalt -thou waste my wealth. Thou art banished! -This is my stern decree!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The young prince was too much astonished -<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>at this outburst of rage to realize the measure -of the punishment the king had put upon him. -He turned and left his majesty's presence without -a word. But although somewhat dazed -by his royal father's decree, the youth snapped -his finger gayly as he slammed the palace door -and said in his usual carefree way, "The king -has left me the mighty help of trees. So long -as I may use the blessed trees of the earth I -shall not perish nor lack enjoyment." And -whistling a merry tune he passed out of the -gate of the royal park.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I shall not take shelter in a dark cave," -mused the prince.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Immediately he planned to build a spacious -house from carefully selected wood. For the -stout rafters he choose heavy English oak and -for the floors, smooth Norwegian pine. -Beautiful pillars of palmetto were raised -to hold the roof, made of cypress shingles -and strengthened by oaken eaves and carved -gargoyles. After the house was completed, the -floors were covered with curious palm-matting, -dyed crimson by the stain of tropical logwood. -The rooms were furnished with rich -<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>chairs, tables, and couches made from rosewood, -black walnut, and fragrant sandal-wood. -Nothing was lacking in this home of beauty -and comfort.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The merry prince examined his house with -great pride. "Now," said he, "I mean to give -a ball, and show his majesty, the king, what -luxury is mine even though he left me nothing -but the precious trees to furnish my house, -clothing, and larder!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accordingly, invitations were sent to the -royal family, and many knights and ladies of -high degree.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The king was very much surprised to receive -word from his banished son.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"'Tis a huge joke," said his majesty. -"However, we'll accept the invitation, and see -what sport the prodigal can offer us."</p> - -<p class='c005'>On the night of the ball the prince was -dressed in a superb robe, made from the fiber -of the cocoa-tree; his fine dancing shoes were -made of caoutchouc, and on his brow he wore -a coronet of laurel leaves. With princely -grace he received the king, knights, and ladies -in a large hall brilliantly lighted with candlenuts -<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>in sconces. The rooms were fragrant -with pink apple-blossoms from Maine, and -rich magnolia and orange blossoms from the -Southland.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The king and his train could not hide their -astonishment at the superb beauty of the rooms -and decorations.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I wonder what the scapegoat will offer us -to eat?" whispered the king to the High Chancellor.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Providing refreshment from trees will tax -his wits more than building and furnishing a -house," answered the chancellor, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was not long before the guests were invited -into the dining room, where a sumptuous -feast awaited them. His majesty looked with -astonishment at the variety of luscious fruit -heaped on large wooden platters curiously -carved. Some of them held the products of -the North,—apples, pears, plums, cherries, -grapes, and peaches. Others were filled with -tempting fruit from the South,—bananas, -oranges, pomegranates, figs, dates, ripe olives, -juicy soursops, and creamy durions. Delicious -breadfruit, from the tropics, and rich cassava -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>cakes from Java were served with luscious -guava jam. Beautiful wooden bowls held almonds, -English walnuts, filberts, pecans, chestnuts, -Chinese nuts, and Brazilian creams. -Dainty wicker baskets held sweets made of -maple sugar cream covered with chocolate or -cocoanut. The king declared that the grape -juice and sweet pear cider were daintier than -any wine he had ever tasted.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After the feast was ended the prince, with -merry, twinkling eyes, said to his father: "See -what a man banishment has made of me!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>To the youth's astonishment, his majesty -smiled graciously, and, in the presence of the -High Chancellor and all the knights and ladies, -the king embraced his son and said, "Banishment -has made a man of you! And, furthermore, -you have taught all of us the wonders -of the woodland. Welcome back to my -heart, O Prince!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>And the High Chancellor, knights, and ladies -of high degree all said, "Long live our -plucky Prince."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Adapted from a poem by May Bryon.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE OAK</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>A song to the oak</div> - <div class='line in2'>The brave old oak,</div> - <div class='line'>Who hath ruled in the greenwood long:</div> - <div class='line in2'>Here's health and renown</div> - <div class='line in2'>To his broad green crown</div> - <div class='line'>And his fifty arms so strong.</div> - <div class='line in2'>There's fear in his frown</div> - <div class='line in2'>When the sun goes down,</div> - <div class='line'>And the fire in the west fades out;</div> - <div class='line in2'>And he showeth his might</div> - <div class='line in2'>On a wild midnight,</div> - <div class='line'>When the storms through his branches shout.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Then here's to the oak</div> - <div class='line in2'>The brave old oak!</div> - <div class='line'>Who stands in his pride alone;</div> - <div class='line in2'>And still flourish he,</div> - <div class='line in2'>A hale, green tree</div> - <div class='line'>When a hundred years are gone.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>H. F. Chorley.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span> - <h2 class='c003'>SUMMER SNOW<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Mrs. Humphrey Ward</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>A king once lived in a very hot part of Spain, -where they have little rain and where it hardly -ever snows or freezes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>This king had a very beautiful wife whom -he loved very much. But the queen had one -great fault. She was always wishing for the -most impossible things.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The king always tried to give her everything -she wanted, but she was never satisfied.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last, one day in winter, a very strange -thing happened. A shower of snow fell in the -town where the king and queen lived. It made -the hills white, so that they looked as if some -one had been dusting white sugar over them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now snow was hardly ever seen in the town, -so the people talked about it, a great deal. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>After the queen had looked at it a little while, -she began to cry bitterly.</p> - -<p class='c005'>None of the ladies could comfort her, nor -would she tell any one what was the matter. -There she sat at her window weeping, till the -king came to her. He could not imagine why -she was crying, and begged her to tell him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I am weeping," she said, sobbing all the -time, "because the hills are not always covered -with snow. See how pretty they look! And -yet, I have never, till now, seen them look like -that. If you really love me, you would find -some way or other to make it snow once a year -at any rate."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"But how can I make it snow?" cried the -king, in great trouble, because she would go on -weeping and weeping, and spoiling her pretty -eyes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I am sure I don't know," said the queen -crossly.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Well, the king thought and thought, and at -last he hit upon a beautiful plan. He sent to -all parts of Spain to buy almond trees to plant. -The almond tree has a lovely pink-white blossom, -you know.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>When the next spring arrived, thousands of -these almond trees came into bloom on all the -hills around the town. At a distance, the hills -looked as if they were covered with white -snow.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For once the discontented queen was delighted. -She could now keep saying a nice -"Thank you" to the king for all the trouble he -had taken to please her. And suddenly it -seemed to the king as if a black speck in the -queen's heart had been washed away and so -they lived happy ever afterwards.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE BOY WHO HATED TREES<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Alice L. Beckwith</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>"Good night, Dick. Remember, now, to wake -up with the robins so that you may be ready to -help me set out our new trees."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Good night," answered Dick in a sulky -tone, for Dick was cross.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Trees, trees, trees!" he mumbled to himself, -as he began to undress. "I'm so sick of -hearing about trees. And now father has -bought some old twigs to set out to-morrow, -and I want to go fishing.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I wish I lived in a land where there were -no trees. We could get along well enough -without them." And with this thought he -jumped into bed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Dick had been asleep perhaps an hour or -more when he heard a queer, rustling noise, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>and then a voice called out: "Here he is—the -boy who hates trees!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>There was the strangest procession coming -toward him. It was made up of trees of all -kinds. The Pine and Elm came first; the -Maple and Oak followed: the Maple's leaves -were flushed scarlet, she was so excited. The -Willow was weeping, and the Poplar was -trembling all over.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Next came all the fruit trees, led by the -Cherry, while the Walnut, the White Birch, -and the Palm were behind.</p> - -<p class='c005'>What did it all mean? Dick was frightened -for a moment. It seemed as if every tree of -which he had ever heard was there, and he -wondered how the room could hold them all.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When they had all grown quiet, the Pine -said: "Dear brothers and sisters, here is a boy -who hates trees; he cannot see that we are of -any use. It is more than I can stand, and I -have called this meeting to see what can be -done about it. Has anyone anything to say?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Cherry looked very sour. "I cannot see -that boys are of any use," she said. "Many -years ago, when cherry trees were scarce in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>this country, a boy named George cut down -my great-grandfather just to try his new -hatchet."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"And boys know so little," said the White -Birch; "they are always hacking me with -knives, and taking off my coat, no matter how -cold the weather is. I loved a boy once, but -it was many years ago. He was a little Indian -boy. He loved trees. I remember how he -stood beside me one day and said:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"'Give me of your bark, O Birch Tree!</div> - <div class='line'>For the summer time is coming,</div> - <div class='line'>And the sun is warm in heaven,</div> - <div class='line'>And you need no white skin wrapper.'</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"Then he took off my bark so carefully that -he did not hurt me a bit. But he is not living -now. This boy is not like him."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I don't like boys, either," spoke up the -Apple. "One day a boy climbed up into my -branches and broke off one of my limbs. He -was a very silly boy, for he wanted green apples. -Had my fruit been ripe, I would have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>tossed one down to him. How happy we -should be if it were not for boys!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Maple was very angry. "This boy said -we were of no use, but it was only this morning -that I heard him tease his grandfather for -a cake of my sugar."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"He ate it as if he liked it, too," said the -Palm. "I saw him; he was fanning himself -with one of my leaves."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The Willow wiped her eyes. "Boys, boys, -boys!" she said. "I'm so sick of boys! This -same boy made a whistle out of one of my children -this very night, when he went for the -cows."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then a queer tree in the corner spoke in a -thick voice: "We are of no use, are we? If -it were not for me, where would he get the -tires for his bicycle? There are his rubber -boots, too. Why, he uses me every day about -something. But I've thought of a plan."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The trees crowded around him, talking together -excitedly. "But how shall we do it?" -Dick heard them say. "Oh," said the Elm, -"the Wind will help us. He is our friend."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>Before Dick could cry out, he found himself -being carried away by the Wind.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Where am I going?" he called.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"To the land of no trees," they answered; -and they bowed and smiled. Even the Willow -held up her head long enough to call, "Good-by!" -and then home and trees were left far behind.</p> - -<p class='c005'>How fast the Wind traveled! On and on -they rushed, until suddenly the Wind dropped -him and went whistling away.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Dick felt really frightened when he found -himself all alone.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, I'm so hot!" he exclaimed. "Where -am I?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Certainly he had never before been in such -a place.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There were no trees nor green grass anywhere -in sight. As far as he could see, there -was only sand—white sand, hot and scorching.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It seems to me I've seen pictures in my -geography like this," he said to himself. "I -can't stay here. What shall I do?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>All at once he noticed a tiny speck far away -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>in the distance. Now it looked larger. He -brushed away something that looked very -much like a tear, though he told himself that -it was only because he was so warm.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Yes, that speck surely moved, and was coming -nearer. What if it were a bear!</p> - -<p class='c005'>"There is no tree to climb, and I cannot -run—I am so tired, and it is very hot."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Nearer and nearer it came, moving slowly. -Dick watched it with a beating heart. At last -he saw that it was not a single animal, but a -great many in line.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Oh, they are camels!" he cried. "Yes, I -know they are. Once at a circus I saw some -that looked just like them—but what queer-looking -men are on them!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>They were now very near him, and one of -the men beckoned with his hand and said -something.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I can't understand him," said Dick to himself, -"but I suppose he meant he'll give me a -ride."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The man helped him up and they journeyed -on. After a time Dick grew very tired even -of riding.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>"The camel joggles me so," he said, "and I -am so thirsty I shall die. If they would only -stop a minute!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>What was the matter? What were they -saying? Each man was bowing himself -toward the ground and waving his hands.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I don't see what they are making all that -fuss about. I can't see anything; the sun hurts -my eyes so." And Dick covered his eyes with -his hand.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Suddenly there was a shout, and the camels -stood still. Dick lifted his head. Could he -believe his eyes? Right before him was a -little spot of green grass, a spring of cool water, -and one of those things he hated—a tree.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Hate a tree? He thought that he had never -seen anything so beautiful in his life.</p> - -<p class='c005'>He fairly tumbled off the camel in his haste -to reach it. The tears ran down his face as he -threw his arms around its trunk.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Dear tree!" he cried.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Dick, Dick, are you going to help me plant -the new trees?" called his father.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Opening his eyes, Dick found himself in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>his own little room, both hands clasping his -pillow.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Dick was soon dressed and downstairs, and -so anxious was he to plant trees that he could -hardly eat his breakfast.</p> - -<hr class='c015' /> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>In just one night he had learned to see</div> - <div class='line'>The wonderful beauty there is in a tree.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE FRIENDLY SUMMER TREES<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Frank A. Waugh</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>It is curious how friendly the forests are to -the sick. The trees reach out their arms to -shelter them. In the stillness of the morning -and through the long nights they whisper to -every one who listens; there lie the patients -listening and looking up through the gently -waving branches to the floating clouds by day, -and to the twinkling stars by night, until presently -they are overcome by the spirit of health, -which is the spirit of the pine-trees.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Trees appear at their best in the forest company, -I think, just as men and women appear -at their best in society. The single maple tree -or the elm may be very proud and beautiful, -but alone it cannot cure the sick or even accommodate -a picnic.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So we ought to become acquainted with the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>trees, in their own society and in their native -surroundings. We shall then understand -them much better than when we find them -lonely on our city lawns.</p> - -<p class='c005'>There is a glorious wealth waiting for us -when we come to choose our tree friends for -our homes. There are the elm, several kinds -of maples, two kinds of sycamores, the linden, -many sorts of oaks, the pines and the spruces, -and almost a hundred others. Besides these -big, lusty, shade-yielding trees, there are many -small, more curious or more ornamental ones. -Such are the magnolias, the maidenhair-tree, -the Kentucky coffee-tree, the sweet-gum, and -the flowering dogwood. These smaller trees -are, of course, particularly suited to small -lawns and close quarters; though, wherever -possible, the true American will give first -place to the big, noble, native trees like the -elm and the maple. Even if there is room for -only one of these, it will seem to be the one -best friend in the garden.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And while I am speaking of these trees, I -would not forget the apple. There is no kind -of tree more beautiful in spring, more comfortable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>and homelike summer and winter, and -more to be chosen for a life-long friend. Recently -I was consulted by a committee of a -Massachusetts town who wanted to cut down -a half-dozen sturdy old apple trees, because a -new library had been built in their midst, and -the committee thought some more rare trees -were needed to keep the balance. Blue spruce -or Camperdown elm would have been choice, -strange, and outlandish, but the homely, common -apple tree they would gladly sacrifice.</p> - -<p class='c005'>We admire the tree for its size; the mere -bigness of it draws our attention; we look up -to it. We admire it for its form, the form of -the elm, or the maple, or the pine, or the palm -is wonderful. We admire the tree in its leafage, -for its texture and color. Why, even the -shadow of a tree is beautiful. The clever gardener -places his best tree where its shadow will -be traced all the afternoon across the lawn. -How cool and pleasant the shadow lies there!</p> - -<p class='c005'>Nowhere do trees seem so useful as in the -street. Even the city yearns for trees, and the -best residence and suburban sections make -these their greatest pride. The citizens turn -<span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>to the city trees as one of the most important -forms of public property. Tree-planting is to -be encouraged, and the trees now grown to -maturity must be saved at any cost. Leaky gas -mains are the deadly enemies of street trees. -Electric wires kill thousands more.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For the protection of street trees and those -on public parks and grounds, every city should -have a tree-warden. These are provided for -by law in some states, but the system should -become general. Truly modern cities have -officers with the title of "city forester," with -the extremely useful occupation of caring for -the public trees. Such officers should be appointed -everywhere.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The annual festival called Arbor Day, established -in this country for the promotion of -tree-planting, has, unfortunately, been turned -over exclusively to the public schools, whereas -it ought to be observed also by the churches, -lodges, political clubs, and women's clubs. At -all events, tree-planting should go on constantly, -and should everywhere accompany the -campaign for the preservation of street trees. -We may well remember that as a rough, general -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>rule, only one tree out of every twenty -planted ever comes to maturity. Let us, therefore, -plant liberally.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In rural and semi-rural communities everywhere, -it is a custom to secure from the woods -and pastures those trees needed for street and -house-lot planting. Where stock is collected -from the wild in this way, it is best to take the -trees from the open pasture—or from recently -cultivated land, where possible. Effort should -be made also to select those which have grown -on rich, well-drained soil. The theory that -trees taken from the forest will be more hardy, -runs quite opposite to the fact. Indeed, the -best plan is everywhere to buy young trees -from nurseries. Nursery trees have clean, -symmetrical tops, and are likely to have a hundred -times more good rootage than trees taken -from the field.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Everything is in favor of the nursery-grown -tree, except the price; however, very often the -expense of digging and bringing in a half-dozen -good-sized maples from the woods is -greater than the cost of better trees of like size -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>from the most expensive nursery in the country.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Arbor Day is not necessarily the best day -for tree-planting, especially in the matter of -big trees for streets, school grounds, and public -places. The experts prefer to handle such -trees in mid-winter; they do this even in sections -where the ground freezes to a depth of -two or three feet; in fact, it is considered the -height of good practice to take up the tree from -its place, accompanied by a huge block of -frozen earth. Evergreen trees, such as pines -and spruces, may be handled very successfully -in August, and this season is widely chosen for -the purpose by knowing treemen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Many tree-lovers make the mistake of -crowding their small private grounds with -their pets. If one has only a city lot thirty feet -wide by a hundred feet deep, he cannot grow -a large forest. One or two large trees will be -all such a place can reasonably support; any -more will make the premises too crowded. -The trees themselves will suffer, and, besides -that, there will be no opportunity to view -<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>them. There will be no room for a flower garden, -and no lawn for any purpose.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The common mistake in planting trees on -small home grounds is to place the individual -in the middle of the lawn. As a matter of design, -the center of the lawn should be kept -open, and trees, at any rate, should file along -the boundaries. In our northern climate -sturdy, protecting evergreens will naturally -choose a north boundary, and the shady summer -trees with heavy foliage will cast their -comfortable shadows from the south side of the -garden.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The tree-lover who hopes to get the most -satisfaction out of his hobby will not always -wait to see his trees grow. It requires too -many years. About the best way to do is to -adopt a tract of well-grown woodland, and -then to make the most of it. Improvement cuttings -will come first; for the axe is as important -as the spade, and trees have to be cut as -well as planted. The best trees can be left and -nursed and admired. If there is space enough, -forest effects can be developed; roads and -paths can be built; game-cover can be introduced, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>and wild life encouraged. Birds and -boys and others friends will visit you in your -woods, and the days will go by like a lusty -ballad. Between you and me and the beech-tree, -it will be a jolly, pleasant company.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span> - <h2 class='c003'>FOREST DAY<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Selma Lagerlöf</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>On the mountain's broad back there had been -a forest fire ten years before. Since that time -the charred trees had been felled and removed -and the great fire-swept area had begun to -deck itself with green along the edges, where -it skirted the healthy forest. However, the -larger part of the top was still barren and appallingly -desolate. Charred stumps, standing -sentinel-like between the rock ledges, bore -witness that once there had been a forest fire -here; but no fresh shoots sprang from the -ground.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day in the early summer all the children -in the parish had assembled in front of -the schoolhouse near the fire-swept mountain. -Each child carried either a spade or a hoe on -its shoulder and a basket of food in its hand. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>As soon as all were assembled they marched -in a long procession toward the forest. The -banner came first, with the teachers on either -side of it. Then followed a couple of foresters -and a wagon load of pine shrubs and -spruce seeds; then the children.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The procession did not pause in any of the -birch groves near the settlements, but -marched on deep into the forest. As it moved -along the foxes stuck their heads out of their -lairs in astonishment and wondered what kind -of backwoods people these were. As they -marched past the old coal pits where charcoal -kilns were fired every autumn, the cross-beaks -twisted their hooked bills and asked one another -what kind of coalers these might be, who -were now thronging the forest.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Finally, the procession reached the big -burnt mountain plain. The rocks had been -stripped of the fine twin-flower creepers that -once covered them; they had been robbed of -the pretty silver moss and the attractive reindeer -moss. Around the dark water gathered -in clefts and hollows there was now no wood-sorrel. -The little patches of soil in crevices -<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>and between stones were without ferns, without -star-flowers, without all the green and red -and light and soft and soothing things that -usually clothe the forest ground.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was as if a bright light flashed upon the -mountain when all the parish children covered -it. Here again was something sweet and -delicate, something fresh and rosy, something -young and growing. Perhaps these children -would bring to the poor abandoned forest a -little new life.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the children had rested and eaten -their luncheon, they seized hoes and spades -and began to work. The foresters showed -them what to do. They set out shrub after -shrub on every clear spot of earth they could -find.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As they worked, they talked quite knowingly -among themselves of how the little -shrubs they were planting would bind the soil -so that it could not get away, and of how new -soil would form under the trees. By and by -seeds would drop, and, in a few years, they -would be picking both strawberries and raspberries -where now there were only bare rocks. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>The little shrubs which they were planting -would gradually become tall trees. Perhaps -big houses and great splendid ships would be -built from them!</p> - -<p class='c005'>If the children had not come here and -planted while there was still a little soil in the -clefts, all the earth would have been carried -away by winds and water, and the mountain -could never more have been clothed in green.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It was well that we came," said the children. -"We were just in the nick of time." -They felt very important.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While they were working on the mountain -their parents were at home. By and by they -began to wonder how the children were getting -along.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Of course it was only a joke about their -planting a forest, but it might be amusing to -see what they were trying to do.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So presently both fathers and mothers were -on their way to the forest. When they came -to the outlying stock farms they met some of -their neighbors.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Are you going to the fire-swept mountain?" -they asked.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>"That's where we're bound for."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"To have a look at the children?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Yes, to see what they are up to."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It's only play, of course."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It isn't likely that there will be many forest -trees planted by the youngsters. We have -brought the coffee pot along so that we can -have something warm to drink, since we must -stay there all day with only lunch-basket -provisions."</p> - -<p class='c005'>So the parents of the children went on up -the mountain. At first they thought only of -how pretty it looked to see all the rosy-cheeked -little children scattered over the gray -hills. Later they observed how the children -were working,—how some were setting out -shrubs, while others were digging furrows -and sowing seeds. Others again were pulling -up heather to prevent its choking the growing -trees. They saw that the children took -the work seriously and were so intent upon -what they were doing that they scarcely had -time to glance up.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The fathers and mothers stood for a moment -and looked on; then they, too, began to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>pull up heather,—just for the fun of it. The -children were the instructors, for they were -already trained and had to show their elders -what to do.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then it happened that all the grown-ups -who had come to watch the children took part -in the work. Then, of course, it became -greater fun than before. By and by the children -had even more help. Other implements -were needed, so a couple of long-legged boys -were sent down to the village for spades and -hoes. As they ran past the cabins, the stay-at-homes -came out and asked, "What's wrong? -Has there been an accident?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"No, indeed! But the whole parish is up -on the fire-swept mountain planting a forest."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"If the whole parish is there, we can't stay -at home."</p> - -<p class='c005'>So party after party of peasants went crowding -to the top of the burnt mountain. They -stood a moment and looked on. The temptation -to join the workers was irresistible.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It's a pleasure to sow one's own acres in -the spring and to think of the grain that will -<span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>spring up from the earth, but this work is -even more thrilling," they thought.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Not only slender blades would come from -that sowing, but mighty trees with tall trunks -and sturdy branches. It meant giving birth -not merely to a summer's grain, but to many -years' growths. It meant the awakening hum -of insects, the song of the thrush, the play of -grouse, and all kinds of life, on the desolate -mountain. Moreover, it was like raising a -memorial for coming generations. They -could have left a bare, treeless height as an -heritage. Instead, they were to leave a glorious -forest.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Coming generations would know their -forefathers had been a good and wise folk and -they would remember them with reverence -and gratitude.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span> - <h2 class='c003'>WOODMAN, SPARE THAT TREE</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Woodman, spare that tree!</div> - <div class='line in2'>Touch not a single bough!</div> - <div class='line'>In youth it sheltered me,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And I'll protect it now.</div> - <div class='line'>'Twas my forefather's hand</div> - <div class='line in2'>That placed it near his cot;</div> - <div class='line'>There, woodman, let it stand——</div> - <div class='line in2'>Thy axe shall harm it not!</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>That old familiar tree,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Whose glory and renown</div> - <div class='line'>Are spread o'er land and sea——</div> - <div class='line in2'>And wouldst thou hew it down?</div> - <div class='line'>Woodman, forbear thy stroke!</div> - <div class='line in2'>Cut not its earth-bound ties;</div> - <div class='line'>Oh, spare that aged oak,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Now towering to the skies!</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>My heartstrings round thee cling,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Close as thy bark, old friend!</div> - <div class='line'>Here shall the wild bird sing,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And still thy branches bend.</div> - <div class='line'>Old tree! the storm still brave!</div> - <div class='line in2'>And, woodman, leave the spot.</div> - <div class='line'>While I've a hand to save,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Thy axe shall harm it not!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>George P. Morris.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span> - <h2 class='c003'>IN AN OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>The garden was pleasant with old-fashioned flowers,</div> - <div class='line'>The sunflowers and hollyhocks stood up like towers;</div> - <div class='line'>There were dark turncap-lilies and jasemine rare,</div> - <div class='line'>And sweet thyme and marjoram scented the air.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>William Brightly Rands.</span></div> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Buttercup, Poppy, Forget-me-not,</div> - <div class='line'>These three bloomed in a garden spot;</div> - <div class='line'>And once, all merry with song and play,</div> - <div class='line'>A little one heard three voices say:</div> - <div class='line'>"Shine and shadow, summer and spring,</div> - <div class='line in2'>O thou child with the tangled hair</div> - <div class='line'>And laughing eyes! We thee shall bring</div> - <div class='line in2'>Each an offering passing fair."</div> - <div class='line'>The little one did not understand</div> - <div class='line in2'>But they bent and kissed the dimpled hand.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Eugene Field.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span> - <h2 class='c003'>HOW THE ROSE BECAME QUEEN<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Albert Bigelow Paine</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time there was a very great -garden that lay between two ranges of blue, -blue hills. And the sky above was blue, as -blue as the hills, so that you could hardly tell -where the sky ended and the hills began, and -underneath was the great, beautiful garden -which covered all the lands between.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And in this rare garden there were all the -choicest flowers and fruit that the world knew, -and when the flowers were all in bloom, under -that blue, blue sky—in all the wonderful -colors of gold and crimson, and royal purple, -and with all the banks of white daisies, -and all the sweet orchards of apple-bloom, -there was nothing like it in the whole world, -and the sweet perfume went out so far that -sailors in the ships coming in from sea, a hundred -<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>miles away, could smell the sweet odors -and would say, "The wind blows from the -garden of the Princess Beautiful." For I -must tell you that the garden was owned by -a great Princess, and she was called Beautiful -by all who knew of her, and every traveler -to that distant country made his way to her -white marble palace to seek permission to -look upon the most beautiful garden in the -world.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And many who came there were of high -rank, like herself, and some of them tried to -win her love, for the Princess was like her -name and as beautiful as the rarest flower in -all that marvelous garden. But to the princes -and kings she would not listen, for her heart -and pride were only in her flowers, and she -wished to remain with them forever and be -happy in their beauty. She was only sad when -she saw that some of those who came went -away with heavy hearts because she would not -leave her palace for theirs.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now once there came to the palace of the -Princess Beautiful a great queen. She had -traveled far to see the splendid garden, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>when she came the Princess led her with all -her court among the flowers. And all that -sunlit day, under the blue, blue sky, the great -queen and her court lingered in the garden—up -and down the paths of white shells, where -hyacinths and lilies and daffodils and azaleas -grew on every side—and rested in the shade -of blossoming orchard trees. And when it -was evening, and they had gone, and the flowers -were left alone they whispered and murmured -together, for never before had they -seen a queen and her court.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And by and by, as the days passed, the flowers -decided that they, too, must have a queen—some -rare flower, fine and stately, whom -they would honor, even as they had seen their -beautiful Princess honor her royal guest. -And night after night they talked of these -things, but never could decide which of their -number should be chosen for the high place.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And then one day a great sadness came upon -the fair garden between the hills. A young -traveler from an unknown country had come -to the white palace, and one sunny afternoon -the Princess Beautiful had led him among the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>beds of primroses and lilies and daffodils. -And when the sun was going down and she -turned and looked into his face, and saw how -fair he was, and how the sun made his hair -like gold, how it shimmered on his beautiful -garments of velvet and fine lace. She felt for -the first time a great love arise within her -heart. Then, all at once, she forgot her garden, -her palace, and her pride, forgot everything -in all the world except the fair youth -who stood there with her in the sunset—and -she told him her great new love.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And as she spoke, softly and tenderly, the -words she had never spoken to any one before, -the breeze died, and the sun slipped down behind -the far-off hills. And then, as the light -faded, it seemed to the Princess Beautiful -that the fair youth before her was fading, too. -His face grew dim and misty—his hair became -a blur of gold—his rare garments melted -back into the beds of bloom. And behold, -instead of the fair youth there stood before -her in the twilight only a wonderful golden -lily with a crimson heart.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the Princess Beautiful knew that because -<span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>she had cared only for her garden and -had sent from her those who had offered a -great love like her own, that this wonderful -lily had come to her as a youth with a face -of radiant beauty, and with hair of gold, to -awaken a human love in her heart. And each -day she mourned there by the splendid lily, -and called it to return to her as the fair youth -she had loved; and at last when its flowers -had faded and the stem drooped, the white -palace of the Princess Beautiful was empty -and the Princess lay beside the withered lily -in the rare garden between the hills.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And there they made her grave and above it -they built a trellis where a white climbing rose -might grow. But when the rose bloomed, instead -of being white, it was a wonderful crimson, -such as no one had ever seen before. And -when the other flowers saw those beautiful -crimson blossoms they no longer mourned, for -they said, "This is our beautiful Princess -Beautiful who has returned to be our queen."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And so it was the red rose became the queen -of flowers, and a symbol of great human love. -The poet Burns says:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>"My love is like a red, red rose,</div> - <div class='line'>That's newly blown in June."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>And it was always in June that the great -crimson rose bloomed on the grave in the -garden of the Princess Beautiful.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span> - <h2 class='c003'>MORNING GLORIES</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>They swing from the garden-trellis</div> - <div class='line in2'>In Ariel-airy ease;</div> - <div class='line'>And their aromatic honey</div> - <div class='line in2'>Is sought by the earliest bees.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The rose, it knows their secret,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And the jessamine also knows:</div> - <div class='line'>And the rose told me the story</div> - <div class='line in2'>That the jessamine told the rose.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And the jessamine said: "At midnight,</div> - <div class='line in2'>E're the red cock woke and crew,</div> - <div class='line'>The fays of Queen Titania</div> - <div class='line in2'>Came here to bathe in dew.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And the yellow moonlight glistened</div> - <div class='line in2'>On braids of elfin hair;</div> - <div class='line'>And fairy feet on the flowers</div> - <div class='line in2'>Fell softer than any air.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>And their petticoats, gay as bubbles,</div> - <div class='line in2'>They hung up, every one,</div> - <div class='line'>On the morning glory's tendrils,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Till their moonlight bath was done.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>But the red cock crew too early,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And the fairies fled in fear,</div> - <div class='line'>Leaving their petticoats purple and pink,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Like blossoms hanging there.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Madison Cawein.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span> - <h2 class='c003'>WHY ROSES HAVE THORNS<br /> <br />(ALGONQUIN LEGEND)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>In the far-off days of long ago roses had no -thorns. The branches of the bushes and the -flower stems were smooth and delicate and -made delicious food for the animals. They -greedily ate the leaves, stems, and lovely blossoms; -sometimes, indeed, they devoured the -entire plant.</p> - -<p class='c005'>With grief the roses saw that each year the -number of bushes was growing fewer and they -feared the time would come when there would -be none of their blossoms left to gladden the -summer days. At last they held a council to -see if anything could be done to prevent the -animals from destroying the bushes. But no -one could think of a way out of the difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We must go to Manabozho, the Great -<span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>Chief," said one of them. "He will advise us -what to do."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accordingly, it was decided that several -messengers, chosen from the council, should -seek the Great Chief and tell him how the -animals were fast destroying the roses.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It was no easy matter to find Manabozho, -for while he lived on earth among the Red -Men he took many disguises. They who -sought him were carried by the swiftest wind -through valleys and meadows and far over the -hilltops. All along the path of their journey, -whenever they asked the question, "Where -shall we find Manabozho?" they received the -same answer, "Travel on toward the sunrise. -There you will find the Great Chief. He is -tending a wonderful garden."</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last one morning they saw the sun shining -on a marvellous garden where vegetables -grew in abundance. There were beds of -cucumbers and squash, rows of corn and beans, -and many other plants, whose names the messengers -did not know. And what surprised -them most was the beautiful hedge of rose-bushes -which surrounded the garden. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>looked anxiously for the Great Gardener -Chief but he was nowhere to be seen. Silently -the messengers hid themselves in a forest -which grew near, for they believed Manabozho -would soon return. The thought of -talking to him filled them with awe, but they -were determined to be brave and tell him their -mission.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"He values roses or he would not have -chosen them for his garden hedge," they whispered, -looking with pride at the beauty of the -flowering bushes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>While they were waiting a surprising thing -happened. In the forest they heard quiet, -stealthy steps approaching. Soon they saw a -procession of animals from the woods. There -were field mice, squirrels, rabbits, foxes, coyotes, -elks, and bears, all making their way to -Manabozho's garden. They were sniffing the -air as if they scented something delicious. On -they came until they reached the rose-hedge -where they stopped to taste the dainty, fragrant -leaves. Various cries of satisfaction -were uttered and immediately they began -feasting on the delicate bushes. Leaves, flowers, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>and stems were all devoured and in a -short time not one bit of the rose-hedge around -the Great Chief's garden was left. It could -not have disappeared more completely if -Manabozho himself had cut it down. The -dainty morsel of the rose-hedge, however, was -not enough to satisfy the hunger of the animals -from the woods. They turned their attention -to the vegetables and were devouring -the very choicest of them when suddenly the -smaller animals pricked up their ears and -listened. The next moment they scuttled away -as fast as they could into the forest. The -larger animals took this for a sign of danger -and hurried after them.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In a little while the messengers of the Rose -Council heard a loud voice singing. Manabozho -was returning from his adventure. As -he drew near his song ceased for he saw that -destruction had come to his precious garden. -His rage was terrible! In a voice which shook -the neighboring hillsides he declared he -would punish the intruders. He was particularly -grieved at the destruction of his rose-hedge -which he valued not only for its beauty -<span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>but because he believed it was a means of protection -to his garden.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the messengers saw this they came -forward and stated the object of their journey. -Manabozho listened with eager interest -while one of them told the story of the rapidly -decreasing number of rose-bushes.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Great Manabozho," said the speaker, "the -animals of the woods find rose-bushes such delicious -food that they eat blossoms, leaves, and -stems. Our number is decreasing so rapidly -that in a little while there will be none left -to gladden the earth. The destruction of your -hedge proves how ruthlessly the animals destroy -us. Help us, O Chief! Devise some -plan to protect us."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"You shall, indeed, have my help," said -Manabozho, thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='c005'>For some time the chief was silent. Then -he said, "I'll give <i>you</i> weapons and you shall -protect yourselves. Sharp thorns shall grow -on your branches and needle-like prickles -shall cover the stems which hold your lovely -blossoms. While you are armed with these, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>the cruel animals will not venture to touch -you."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The messengers thanked Manabozho with -all their hearts. Delighted with his gift, they -hastened back to tell the Council how the -Great Chief had saved the roses of the world. -Ever since that day roses have had thorns.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Adapted from <i>Algonquin Indian Tales</i>, by Egerton R. -Young. Copyright, 1903, by Egerton R. Young. Reprinted -by permission of the Abingdon Press, Publishers.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>SWEET PEAS</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Here are sweet peas, on tiptoe for a flight,</div> - <div class='line in2'>With wings of gentle flush o'er delicate white</div> - <div class='line'>And taper fingers catching at all things,</div> - <div class='line in2'>To bend them all about with tiny rings.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>John Keats.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A LEGEND OF THE PRIMROSE</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>In a cottage which stood near a large meadow -lived a poor woman and her little child Elizabeth. -The mother earned a scant living by -spinning and weaving. She was not strong -and could work for only a few hours at a -time.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Each morning after the little girl had swept -the cottage she ran to the meadow and gathered -a large bunch of golden primroses. They -were her mother's favorite flowers and Elizabeth -knew that their sunny color brought good -cheer to the room where her mother worked.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One fair morning Elizabeth wandered far -across the meadows searching for the brightest -blossoms. She filled her arms with the -sweetest primroses she could find and turned -to hasten back to the cottage when she saw -<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>standing near her a lovely little creature. Her -dress was made from the golden petals of the -primrose and so were her dainty shoes. On -her head sparkled a tiny crown studded with -yellow jewels. She carried a fairy basket -which held a number of wonderfully beautiful -primroses.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Elizabeth," said the little creature, speaking -in the most friendly way, "I'm the queen -of the key-flower fairies. Tell me why you -choose daily to pluck our blossoms."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"These are primroses," said Elizabeth, -looking at the flowers in her arms.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Yes, yes, I know that is the name you mortals -call them but their proper name is the -key-flower," nodded the fairy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"They are the blossoms mother loves best," -said Elizabeth, answering the little creature's -first question. "She is not strong enough to -walk in the meadow so each day I fill a bowl -with primroses and put them near her spinning -wheel."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The queen of the key-flowers fairies came -close to Elizabeth, took a blossom from her -basket, and offering it to the little girl said, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>"Today I'm going to send your mother a gift. -Hold this flower in your hand and walk to the -hills on the east side of the meadow. You will -find a path all the way bordered with our -blossoms. Follow the path carefully until -you come to a hillside in which there is a great -arched doorway marked out by the pale gold -of these flowers. Touch the door gently with -this key-flower which I give you. It will open, -and you may enter into an enchanted hall."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Elizabeth took the flower which the fairy -offered her and the next moment the tiny -creature vanished.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Stretching across the meadow Elizabeth -now noticed the flower-bordered path which -the fairy had directed her to follow. It led -to a sunny hillside where the little girl found -exactly what the fairy had described—an -arched doorway around which grew pale -golden primroses in full bloom.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Very gently Elizabeth tapped with her -key-flower on the door, which immediately -swung open without the least bit of noise.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Come in," called a silvery voice. And -there, standing in a hall marvellously lighted, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>stood the queen of the key-flower fairies. -Elizabeth walked into the enchanted hall. -Through a crystal roof the golden sunlight -streamed on lovely hanging-baskets filled with -brilliant primroses. The floor and walls were -covered with rich green moss and the curious -furniture was fashioned from pale yellow -petals. On the tables stood baskets and vases -holding large bunches of primrose blossoms. -Their delicious scent filled the air.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"This is key-flower hall," said the fairy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then, pointing to some golden chests which -stood near the walls she continued, "Your key-flower -will unlock those treasure-boxes. Open -one of them and see what it holds."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Elizabeth tapped gently with her fairy -primrose on one of the boxes. Immediately -the lid opened and she saw that the chest was -filled with pale golden flower petals.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"You may take home to your mother as -many flower petals as you can carry in your -apron," said the fairy.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Elizabeth began to fill her apron with the -soft golden disks, but, strange to say, she no -<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>sooner lifted them from the treasure-chest -than they hardened into golden coins.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The fairy laughed merrily when she saw -the astonished look on Elizabeth's face. -Then, suddenly, again the little creature vanished.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Elizabeth hurried home as fast as she could -and gave the fairy's gift to her mother. There -was plenty of money to buy all the food and -comforts which the poor woman needed to -make her grow strong again.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Elizabeth loved to tell her about her adventure -with the queen of the primrose fairies -and the treasure which the magic key-flower -unlocked.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span> - <h2 class='c003'>EVENING PRIMROSES</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>While grey was the summer evening</div> - <div class='line in2'>Hast never a small sprite seen</div> - <div class='line'>Lighting the fragrant torches</div> - <div class='line in2'>For the feast of the Faerie Queen?</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The buds in the primrose-bushes</div> - <div class='line in2'>Upspring into yellow light,</div> - <div class='line'>But ever the wee deft spirit</div> - <div class='line in2'>Escapes my bewildered sight.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Yet oft through the dusky garden</div> - <div class='line in2'>A dainty white moth will fly,</div> - <div class='line'>Or, pink as a pink rose-petal,</div> - <div class='line in2'>One lightly will waver by.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Perhaps 'tis the shape he comes in</div> - <div class='line in2'>Perhaps it is he, indeed,</div> - <div class='line'>Sir Moth or the merry Cobweb</div> - <div class='line in2'>Or the Whimsical Mustard-Seed!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Helen Gray Cone.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span> - <h2 class='c003'>LEGEND OF THE LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Albert Bigelow Paine</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once when the Little Child of Bethlehem was -playing, he grew very tired and thirsty, and -his playmate was very thirsty, too. So Jesus -ran to the well for a cup of water and hurried -back with it without stopping to drink. But -his playmate was greedy, for he seized the cup -and drank it all except a few drops at the bottom; -then he gave the empty cup to Jesus, who -took it and let the last few drops fall on the -grass, when suddenly, from where they fell, -there flowed a little clear stream of water with -lilies-of-the-valley blooming along its bank.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>KATRINA'S SUN-DIAL</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hours fly,</div> - <div class='line'>Flowers die,</div> - <div class='line'>New days,</div> - <div class='line'>New ways</div> - <div class='line'>Pass by,</div> - <div class='line'>Love stays.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Henry van Dyke.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLIES</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>There were once three little butterflies, one -was white, one was red, and one was yellow. -They played in the sunshine and danced from -one blossom to another. They never grew -tired, for they loved to play among the flowers -in the garden.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day a heavy rain fell and the little butterflies -became very wet. They soon hurried -home but when they got to their house they -found the door locked and they could not find -the key. So they had to stay outdoors and -they became wetter and wetter.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But by and by they flew to a yellow and red -striped tulip and said:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Dear Tulip, open your little flower cup -so that we may slip in until the rain is over?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The tulip answered, "I will gladly open my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>flower cup to the red butterfly and the yellow -one. They are like me. But the white one -may not come in."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the butterflies, the red and the yellow -ones, said: "No, if our white brother may not -go into your flower cup with us, we will stay -out here in the rain with him." And away -they flew. It rained harder and harder and -they flew to a white lily and said: "Good lily, -open your flower cup a little so that we may -find shelter from this rain." The lily answered, -"I will open my flower cup so that the -white butterfly may come in because he is like -me, but the red and yellow butterflies must stay -out in the rain." Then the white butterfly -said: "No; if you will not shelter my brothers, -you cannot shelter me. We would rather -stay outside together and be wet than leave -one another in need."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And the three little butterflies flew farther -on together.</p> - -<p class='c005'>It happened that the jolly old sun who was -behind the clouds heard all that was said and -he knew how kind the little butterfly brothers -were to each other, for, had they not stayed -<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>together in spite of the hard, hard rain? So -his sunbeams pierced the clouds and drove -away the rain, and it was clear and bright -once more in the garden. The butterflies -were not wet long for the sunbeams soon dried -their wings and warmed their bodies. Then -how merry they were! They danced again -and played among the flowers until it was evening, -then they flew away together to their -house—and the door was wide open!</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>THE PINKS</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The pinks along my garden walks</div> - <div class='line'>Have all shot forth their summer stalks,</div> - <div class='line'>Thronging their buds 'mong tulips hot,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And blue forget-me-not.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Their dazzling snows forth-bursting soon</div> - <div class='line'>Will lade the idle breath of June:</div> - <div class='line'>And waken through the fragrant night</div> - <div class='line in2'>To steal the pale moonlight.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Robert Bridges.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE FLOWER'S THANKS<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Lyman Abbott</span></h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>A little flower lay drooping on the ground -under an August sun. For days there had -been no rain. The earth was dry and hard. -The little flower had held up its open mouth -for rain, but no rain had come.</p> - -<p class='c005'>And now it was dying of thirst.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As it lay dying a shadow passed over the -sun. The air became dark.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Heavy thunder rolled. Flashes of lightning -chased each other across the sky.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The birds hushed their singing. The very -leaves of the tree stood still.</p> - -<p class='c005'>At last two big drops fell at the root of the -little flower.</p> - -<p class='c005'>A moment, and then the air was full of raindrops. -They lifted the dying flower. They -<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>washed it, fed it and brought it back to life.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the sun broke through the clouds, two -great tears glistened on the little flower's -cheek. They were tears of thankfulness.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the flower lifted up its voice and said:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Thank you, raindrops,—good raindrops,—you -have saved my life."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the raindrops answered, "Thank not us; -thank the clouds; they sent us."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the flower lifted up its voice and said:</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Thank you, clouds,—good clouds,—you -have saved my life."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But the clouds answered, "Thank not us; -thank the sun. It saw you dying and called -us from the ocean. The winds heard you -sighing, and brought us here to help you."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the little flower turned to the wind -and the sun. The wind bent down to the -earth, and stopped for a moment to hear its -words.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The sun sent down its beams to receive the -flower's message.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Thank you, wind,—good wind," said the -little flower.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>"Thank you, sun,—good sun,—you have -saved my life."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Thank not us," said the sun and the wind; -"thank the good God. He saw you dying; He -heard you sighing, He took pity on you. We, -sun and winds and clouds and falling raindrops -are only the givers of His bounty."</p> - -<p class='c005'>And the flower breathed a prayer of thanks -to the great and good God.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>PANSIES</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Pansies! pansies! How I love you, pansies,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Jaunty-faced, laughing-lipped and dewy-eyed with glee;</div> - <div class='line'>Would my song might blossom out in little five-leaved stanzas</div> - <div class='line'>As delicate in fancies,</div> - <div class='line in2'>As your beauty is to me.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>James Whitcomb Riley.</span></div> - -<p class='c005'>From the Biographical Edition of the complete works of -James Whitcomb Riley. Copyright 1913. Used by special -permission of the publishers, The Bobbs-Merrill Company.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE LITTLE HEARTSEASE</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>One morning a king went into his garden for -a walk. He noticed that the trees and flowers -were drooped and somewhat withered. Turning -to a great branching oak tree, his majesty -said, "Tell me what has happened to my garden?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Sire," moaned the oak tree, "I am most -unhappy. See how thick my trunk is and how -gnarled and twisted my great branches are. -Now the pine tree, which stands at the other -end of the garden, is a picture of grace and -beauty. How tall and slender the stem is, and -what dainty needles—like leaves—adorn the -branches."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The king walked on until he came to the -pine tree. As he drew near he heard a deep -sigh.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>"What troubles you, slender pine tree?" he -asked.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Sire," replied the pine, "I've been wishing -for many a day that I could bear luscious -grapes such as ripen on the vine which trails -over the garden wall. To bear rich clusters -of purple fruit must, indeed, bring great happiness."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The king walked on until he came to the -garden wall where the grapevine trailed. But -he saw that the vine was withering and slipping -down from the wall.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What a rich harvest of fruit you bear this -autumn!" said the king, going close to the -grapevine. But, to his surprise, he heard a -deep sigh and the grapevine said, "It is very -hard to be obliged to cling to a garden wall for -support. I should like to stand erect in the -sunlight where all could see my ripe fruit." -And the vine looked longingly at a peach tree -which stood near.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The king turned down a little winding path, -which led to a quieter spot in his garden. -There he saw a bright-faced pansy drinking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>the morning dew, and beaming with happiness.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Heartsease, my brave little flower," said -the king, "you seem very cheerful. Tell me -what wish you are nursing in that golden heart -of yours?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Sire," answered the little flower, "my dearest -wish is to be the very best heartsease that -ever I can."</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span> - <h2 class='c003'>LEGEND OF THE RED GERANIUM</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time there lived in a country far -over the sea a prophet whose name was Mohammed. -He was a great leader and traveled -many miles through his country, teaching -the people who looked to him for guidance.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One scorching hot day, after a long pilgrimage -through a dusty country, the great prophet -stopped to rest. A clear stream flowed near -him, and Mohammed bathed in its cool waters -and then washed his travel-stained clothes. -He spread the clean linen over a tall mallow -plant. Then he lay down to rest while his garments -were drying.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After sleeping for an hour or two the -prophet wakened, much refreshed. He lifted -his dry linen from the common plant, and lo! -a great surprise met his eye. The mallow had -been changed into a magnificent geranium, -whose red clusters were dazzlingly bright in -the sunshine.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span> - <h2 class='c003'>ENCHANTED TULIPS</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Tulips white and tulips red,</div> - <div class='line'>Sweeter than a violet bed!</div> - <div class='line'>Say, old Mother Bailey, say,</div> - <div class='line'>Why your tulips look so gay,</div> - <div class='line'>Why they smell so sweet and why</div> - <div class='line'>They bloom when others die?</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"By the pixies' magic power</div> - <div class='line'>Do my tulips always flower,</div> - <div class='line'>By the pixies' magic spell</div> - <div class='line'>Do they give so sweet a smell!</div> - <div class='line'>Tulips, tulips, red and white,</div> - <div class='line'>Fill the pixies with delight.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Pixie women, pixie men,</div> - <div class='line'>Seek my tulips from the glen;</div> - <div class='line'>Midnight comes, they may be heard</div> - <div class='line'>Singing sweet as any bird,</div> - <div class='line'>Singing their wee babes to rest</div> - <div class='line'>In the tulips they love best!"</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Maud Keary.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span> - <h2 class='c003'>IRIS</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Juno, the wife of Jupiter, was queen of the -earth and sky. In her beautiful golden chariot, -drawn by six brilliant peacocks, the proud -queen sometimes drove on errands to all parts -of the kingdom and even to the ends of the -earth.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But when she wished a message to be delivered -quickly she usually sent Iris, her faithful -messenger, who was swift as the wind, to -carry out her queen's requests. She would -arch a lovely bridge of many colors from the -skies to the earth; then, in robes of violet, blue, -green, yellow, and red, she would pass over -the bridge like a flash of light with her message -to the earth or, perhaps, to the depths of the -sea. When the people saw the brilliant arch -in the sky they would call out, "See the rainbow. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>Iris brings us a message from Juno."</p> - -<p class='c005'>One day Juno invited all the flowers to a -festival, for it was Iris's birthday. Many flowers -came clothed in wondrous beauty. While -the merry-making was at its highest, three -strange flowers, who were sisters, appeared. -One wore a rich red gown, another a bright -yellow, and a third was clad in the softest violet. -Each was adorned with richest jewels.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Who are they and whence do they come?" -asked the revelers. No one could answer, for -no one knew the names of the strange visitors; -indeed, not one flower could remember ever -having seen them before.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When the strangers neared the others to -join in the festival, the rain began to fall, and -the little raindrops laughed and frolicked and -danced in glee, while the flowers caught them -in their cups and quickly let them roll away -again to join the rest of their playmates.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Soon the sun was shining gorgeously again. -And right across the sky spread the splendid -arch of a rainbow, like bent sunbeams, one end -of which was held by the strange flowers.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"The rainbow," cried the others, as soon as -<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>they saw it. "See, Iris's bridge. And the colors -worn by the strange flowers are exactly like -the red, yellow, and violet of the rainbow. Let -us give our new friends the name of Iris. It -was they who brought her lovely arched -bridge into our midst."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Ever since that day these tall, stately flowers -have been called by the name of Iris, the faithful -messenger of the gods.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>THE YELLOW-BIRD<a id='r3' /><a href='#f3' class='c014'><sup>[3]</sup></a></h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Hey! my little yellow-bird,</div> - <div class='line in2'>What you doing there?</div> - <div class='line'>Like a flashing sun-ray</div> - <div class='line in2'>Flitting everywhere;</div> - <div class='line'>Dangling down the tall weeds</div> - <div class='line in2'>And the holly-hocks,</div> - <div class='line'>And the lovely sunflowers</div> - <div class='line in2'>Along the garden walks.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>James Whitcomb Riley.</span></div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span> - <h2 class='c003'>ORIGIN OF THE SUNFLOWER<br /> <br />(GREEK MYTH)</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>Clytie was the name of a beautiful nymph -who lived in a coral cave far down in the -depths of the sea. It happened one morning -that she ventured to the surface of the water -and looked toward the east. In the distance -where the earth and sky met she saw a marvellous -sight. Aurora, the goddess of dawn, -rolled aside the soft grey curtains of the morning -sky and there, waiting for the day's journey, -stood Apollo's jeweled car.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Clytie saw the sun-god leap into his seat and -take lightly in hand the reins of his restless, -prancing steeds. Then up the steep slope of -the eastern sky he drove, and the gleam from -his dazzling chariot filled the air with golden -light. All day long Clytie sat on the rocks -near the shore and watched Apollo in his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>brilliant course. At evening when the last -beams from the sun-god's car sank into the -western sea, the nymph, with a deep sigh, returned -to her coral halls.</p> - -<p class='c005'>But she no longer took keen delight in fashioning -delicate shells and tending her seaweed -gardens. She had fallen in love with -the sun-god and longed with all her heart to -see him again. One morning very early she -rose to the surface of the water and wandered -eastward toward a large green meadow which -was very near the place where Apollo started -his course. Again she saw the "rosy-fingered -Dawn" roll aside the soft grey curtains; again -she saw the radiant beauty of the sun-god. -Clytie fixed her eyes on the driver of the -golden chariot and never for one moment lost -sight of him in his day's journey through the -sky. For nine days the sea-nymph lingered in -the meadow, tasting neither food nor drink, -hoping for some small sign of favour from -Apollo. But he was too intent on his marvellous -course to find interest in the adoring -Clytie. Her constancy, however, touched -the heart of the sun-god with pity, and he -<span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>changed her into a flower. Her slender limbs -became a tall green stem, her delicate sea-green -dress turned into leaves, and her lovely -face and golden hair changed into sun-like -flowers which faithfully follow the brilliant -god of day all through his course.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE BLUEBELL</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>There is a story I have heard;</div> - <div class='line'>A poet learned it of a bird,</div> - <div class='line'>And kept its music, every word.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>About two thousand years ago,</div> - <div class='line'>A little flower, as white as snow,</div> - <div class='line'>Swayed in the silence to and fro.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Day after day with longing eye,</div> - <div class='line'>The floweret watched the narrow sky</div> - <div class='line'>And the fleecy clouds that floated by.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And swiftly o'er its petals white,</div> - <div class='line'>There crept a blueness like the light</div> - <div class='line'>Of skies, upon a summer night.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And in its chalice, I am told,</div> - <div class='line'>The bonny bell was found to hold</div> - <div class='line'>A tiny star that gleamed like gold.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE DEW MOTHER'S GIFT TO THE<br />ROSE</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>On warm summer evenings, when the afterglow -of sunset tints the sky, the Dew Mother -comes to care for her children of the earth, -the trees, grass, and flowers. She is dressed in -garments of softest grey, so delicate and so -much like the mists of the evening sky that it -is very hard, indeed, to see her wander about -with her precious refreshing gift.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One evening, after a scorching hot day, the -Dew Mother had heavy work to perform. -She was needed everywhere. The fierce rays -of the sun had parched the forest leaves; the -fruit in the orchards and vineyards must be -bathed in the life-giving dew; the thirsty flowers, -hanging their heads, waited patiently for -her tender care and they knew she would not -forsake them.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>When the Dew Mother had completed her -task she was so weary that she felt she must -rest before leaving the earth. It happened -that she was in an old-fashioned garden where -she found a bed of velvet moss. Here she -lay down and slept until sunrise. When she -opened her eyes she saw bending over her a -beautiful rose bush.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"My queen of flowers, thou hast watched me -through the night, and sheltered me with tender -care from the sun's first rays," said the -Dew Mother. "But what new gift can I add -to the beauty of the rose whose perfume is the -richest I can bestow; whose colour is like the -first flush of the morning sky?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Very humbly the queen of flowers replied, -"Grant me a gift of the green moss, which -made your resting place under my branches."</p> - -<p class='c005'>So the Dew Mother gladly added the gift -of delicate soft moss to the manifold beauties -of the rose, and to-day in many an old-fashioned -garden one finds the exquisite moss rose.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A YELLOW PANSY</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>To the wall of the old green garden</div> - <div class='line in2'>A butterfly, quivering, came;</div> - <div class='line'>His wings in the somber lichens</div> - <div class='line in2'>Played like a yellow flame.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>He looked at the grey geraniums,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And the sleepy four-o'clocks;</div> - <div class='line'>He looked at the low lanes bordered</div> - <div class='line in2'>With the glossy-growing box.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>He longed for the peace and the silence,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And the shadows that lengthened there,</div> - <div class='line'>And his wee wild heart was weary</div> - <div class='line in2'>Of skimming the endless air.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And now in the old green garden,—</div> - <div class='line in2'>I know not how it came,—</div> - <div class='line'>A single pansy is blooming,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Bright as a yellow flame.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And whenever a gay gust passes,</div> - <div class='line in2'>It quivers as if with pain,</div> - <div class='line'>For the butterfly-soul that is in it</div> - <div class='line in2'>Longs for the winds again!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Helen Gray Cone.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span> - <h2 class='c003'>MIGNONETTE</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>There was once a queen who was so fond of -flowers that she wished to make her garden -the most beautiful one in the world. Messengers -from her court were sent into strange -lands, and commanded to bring her majesty -rare and wonderful flowering plants to fill her -garden with a wealth of bloom.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It must be a garden fit for a queen," she -said to those who were sent at her bidding.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So great was this queen's love of flowers -that she ordered her servants to keep a bouquet -in every room of the palace during the -flower season. And every morning her handmaidens -gathered the choicest blossoms and -placed them upon a table in the queen's own -room.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now it chanced one day that while the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>handmaidens were picking the flowers for -their queen, one of them looked over the garden -wall to the blue hills that lay beyond. To -her great surprise, she discovered that a field -alight with wonderful colors—yellow, blue, -and crimson—stretched before her. It -reached out toward a bank of white daisies -which bordered the distant hills.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Come, come!" she called to the others. -"See, is this not a fair sight?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The handmaidens came at the call and were -lost in wonder at the beauty of the scene.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Let us gather her majesty's bouquet this -morning from the flowers here," suggested -one. "I am sure our queen does not know how -much beauty lies so close to her own garden."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The others were well pleased with the plan. -Together they climbed the stone wall, ran into -the field, and gathered a wealth of blossoms. -In a little while these field flowers graced the -royal table.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now the queen who, as you know, loved her -flowers more than any other one thing in the -world, never failed each morning to look at -her bouquet and examine with loving care -<span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>each blossom in it. And it was with no small -surprise that she discovered the strange flowers -placed that morning upon her table.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"These blossoms are rare, indeed," said she. -"Is it possible that my garden contains so many -plants that are strangers to me? I have seen -blossoms more beautiful than some of these, -but never before have I enjoyed a perfume so -delicious. To which one of them does it belong, -I wonder?" And the queen bent close -to the bouquet to see if she could detect the -flower with the sweet odor.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I shall want the same kind of bouquet for -many days," she said, smiling.</p> - -<p class='c005'>So it happened that each morning the handmaidens -ran to the fields beyond the palace -garden, and gathered some of the flowers -which had won her majesty's heart.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One morning the queen called her handmaidens -to her and said, "The flower with the -delicious odor is missing. Do you know which -one was not gathered to-day?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We do not know," said the maidens; "each -day we have tried to bring the same kind of -flowers. We will search for it."</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>But day after day the queen was disappointed, -because she missed from her flowers -the one whose perfume was the sweetest she -had ever enjoyed.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Once or twice she thought the handmaidens -had found the blossom, but in a little while she -knew the scent was not the one she was hoping -to find.</p> - -<p class='c005'>One morning she said, "I'll go with you to -gather the blossoms, my handmaidens. I shall -find the flower by its rare odor."</p> - -<p class='c005'>Then the maidens told the queen about the -meadow outside the royal park, and together -they went to the beautiful field, whose blossoms -delighted her majesty's heart. Many -times while they were all searching for the -treasure, they saw the queen stoop over a -bright flower and linger for a moment or two. -Then she would shake her head and say, "No, -that is not the perfume I am searching."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It must be in this meadow somewhere," -said one of the maidens, "for many days we -have gathered flowers nowhere but here."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We'll search until we find it, then," said -the queen.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>As she spoke a light breeze began to stir the -flowers, and a delicate perfume filled the air.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I smell the rare odor now," called out her -majesty. "Come, stand near for a moment, -and enjoy it. Surely the flower is not far -away."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The handmaidens gathered round their -queen. Suddenly one of them said, "Can it be -that this odor comes from the little plant under -your majesty's foot?" asked one of the maidens.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Surely not," answered another; "those -flowers are so small and colorless."</p> - -<p class='c005'>The queen stooped down and took a spray -from the humble little plant which had sent -forth an exquisite perfume when a careless foot -had crushed its blossoms.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"It is! It is!" cried the queen in delight. -"I have found it at last. It shall be brought -into the royal gardens, and shall be my special -treasure. What a modest little plant it is, and -what rare delight it gives."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Shall you give your treasure a name?" -asked the handmaidens.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The queen looked for a moment at the spray -she held. Then she said, "I shall call it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>Mignonette, which means 'little darling.'"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Accordingly, the mignonette was taken from -its wild life in the meadows and brought into -the gardens, where it still gives forth the sweetest -of all perfumes.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span> - <h2 class='c003'>FLOWERS</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Her garden was her pleasure and her care;</div> - <div class='line'>Morning and evening one could find her there</div> - <div class='line'>Working and wondering. Every scent and hue</div> - <div class='line'>Filled her with joy, with beauty pierced her through.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>For as her flowers opened to the sun</div> - <div class='line'>Each seemed a radiant world her soul had won,</div> - <div class='line'>This paradise of perfume her own hand</div> - <div class='line'>Had made, this glowing tapestry she planned.</div> - <div class='line'>From walls that kept marauding winds shut out,</div> - <div class='line'>A fountain splashed, a brook wound slow about</div> - <div class='line'>Field of spiced-candy-tuft, hedged with trim box,</div> - <div class='line'>Dark blue verbenas, larkspur, snow-white phlox,</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>And beds of heliotrope that in the night</div> - <div class='line'>Offered rare incense for the stars' delight.</div> - <div class='line'>Robin and catbird sought her iris pool,</div> - <div class='line'>Fluttered and bathed them in its shallow cool,</div> - <div class='line'>Then poised one happy moment on the banks</div> - <div class='line'>To offer to the stream their lyric thanks.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Edward Bliss Reed.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span> - <h2 class='c003'>ON A MIDSUMMER DAY</h2> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>O, grown-ups cannot understand</div> - <div class='line in2'>And grown-ups never will,</div> - <div class='line'>How short's the way to fairy-land</div> - <div class='line in2'>Across the purple hill:</div> - <div class='line'>They smile: their smile is very bland,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Their eyes are wise and chill;</div> - <div class='line'>And yet—at just a child's command—</div> - <div class='line in2'>The world's an Eden still.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Alfred Noyes.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span> - <h2 class='c003'>THE FRIENDLY COWSLIP BELLS</h2> -</div> -<p class='c004'>One midsummer day the bright sun shone -from morning until evening; not even a wisp -of white cloud floated across the blue, blue -sky. The fairies were delighted, for that -night they were going to have their gayest -sport.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"We shall have a fine revel in cowslip -meadow to-night," said a happy little creature -to the fairy shoemaker who had been busy for -many a day making shoes for the midsummer -revel.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The little wrinkled old man was fastening -a diamond buckle on the queen's dancing -slippers and he did not like to be bothered -when he was busy, so he merely shook his head -and sang:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>"Red sky at night</div> - <div class='line'>Is the fairies' delight;</div> - <div class='line'>Red sky in the morning</div> - <div class='line'>Is the fairies' warning."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>"But there hasn't been a cloud as big as my -thumb nail in the sky all day long," said the -merry little fairy. "How can there be rain -without clouds?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>The shoemaker nodded his head, went on -with his work, and sang again:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"The clear blue sky</div> - <div class='line'>Means rain is nigh."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>One hour before midnight when the big -round moon lit up the fields and dells a rainbow -troop of fairies in dainty gossamer robes -and sparkling slippers came forth from their -village in the hills for the midsummer night -merry-making.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The dancing in a ring was the greatest -sport. First they formed a circle standing -very close together. Then, keeping time to -the music of the fairy fiddler, who stood in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>center, the little revellers danced round and -round in a ring which grew larger and larger -until the dancers could scarcely touch one -another's tiny fingers. Peals of silvery laughter -filled the air as they broke away from the -ring and had a merry game of hide and seek -or catch, until the fairy fiddler's music lured -them back to the dancing ring.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Three times they had danced in the ring; -three times they had frolicked among the -grass blades in the merry games of hide and -seek and catch, when suddenly they noticed a -dark shadow fall on the green dancing rings.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Wistfully they peered at the sky to see what -was the matter. Soft clouds were sailing right -across the moon's face and the next moment -a few pattering raindrops began to fall, and -the fairy shoemaker, who had brought his -work out into the fields (he never joined in -the sport), sang out in a high, ringing voice:</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"A clear blue sky</div> - <div class='line'>Means rain is nigh."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>The fairies all knew what he meant for he -had sung the same little rhyme several times -<span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>during the day when they had rejoiced about -the promise of a clear, moonlight night.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"What shall we do?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Where shall we go?" asked the tiny creatures, -for the raindrops were beginning to fall -faster.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"See how the cowslip bells are bending. -Perhaps they mean to shelter us," said the -fairy queen.</p> - -<p class='c005'>In a twinkling groups of fairies fled to the -stalks of cowslip tufts. One after another -each crept quickly into one of the hanging -bells of the flowers, and there they nestled -softly, safe from the pattering raindrops, -which fell faster and faster in a midnight -summer shower. How cosy they were, cuddled -up in the golden bells which swayed gently -to and fro as light breezes touched them. -So delighted they were with these lovely cradles -that they sang one of their sweetest melodies -when the clouds disappeared and the -full moon again flooded the meadow with -light.</p> - -<p class='c005'>The fairies did not forget the service of the -friendly cowslip bells. They gave the flower -<span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>a new name—the fairy-cup—and always in -their midsummer night's revel, at a sign from -the fairy queen, they stop dancing for a few -moments, creep into the bells of the cowslips, -and sing their sweetest melody of Fairyland.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>FAIRY DAWN</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>'Tis the hour of fairy ban and spell:</div> - <div class='line'>The wood-tick has kept the minutes well;</div> - <div class='line'>He has counted them all with click and stroke,</div> - <div class='line'>Deep in the heart of the mountain oak,</div> - <div class='line'>And he has awakened the sentry elve</div> - <div class='line in2'>Who sleeps with him in the haunted tree,</div> - <div class='line'>To bid him ring the hour of twelve,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And call the fays to their revelry;</div> - <div class='line'>Twelve small strokes on his tinkling bell—</div> - <div class='line'>('Twas made of the white snail's pearly shell)—</div> - <div class='line in2'>"Midnight comes, and all is well!</div> - <div class='line'>Hither, hither, wing your way!</div> - <div class='line in2'>'Tis the dawn of the fairy-day."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Joseph Rodman Drake.</span></div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span> - <h2 class='c003'>ROBIN GOODFELLOW<br /> <br /><span class='sc'>Ernest Rhys</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>Once upon a time, a great while ago, when -men did eat and drink less, and were more -honest, and knew no knavery, there was wont -to walk many harmless sprites called fairies, -dancing in brave order in fairy rings on green -hills with sweet music. Sometimes they were -invisible, and sometimes took divers shapes. -Many mad pranks would they play, as pinching -of untidy damsels black and blue, and misplacing -things in ill-ordered houses; but lovingly -would they use good girls, giving them -silver and other pretty toys, which they would -leave for them, sometimes in their shoes, other -times in their pockets, sometimes in bright -basins and other clean vessels.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Now it chanced that in those happy days, a -babe was born in a house to which the fairies -<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>did like well to repair. This babe was a boy, -and the fairies, to show their pleasure, brought -many pretty things thither, coverlets and delicate -linen for his cradle; and capons, woodcock, -and quail for the christening, at which -there was so much good cheer that the clerk -had almost forgot to say the babe's name—Robin -Goodfellow. So much for the birth -and christening of little Robin.</p> - -<p class='c005'>When Robin was grown to six years of age, -he was so knavish that all the neighbors did -complain of him; for, no sooner was his mother's -back turned, but he was in one knavish -action or other, so that his mother was constrained -(to avoid the complaints) to take him -with her to market or wheresoever she went -or rode. But this helped little or nothing, -for, if he rode before her, then would he make -mouths and ill-favored faces at those he met: -if he rode behind her, then would he clap his -hand on the tail; so that his mother was weary -of the many complaints that came against him. -Yet knew she not how to beat him justly for -it, because she never saw him do that which -was worthy of blows. The complaints were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>daily so renewed that his mother promised -him a whipping. Robin did not like that -cheer, and, therefore, to avoid it, he ran away, -and left his mother a-sorrowing for him.</p> - -<p class='c005'>After Robin had travelled a good day's -journey from his mother's house he sat down, -and, being weary, he fell asleep. No sooner -had slumber closed his eye-lids, but he thought -he saw many goodly proper little personages -in antic measures tripping about him, and -withal he heard such music, as he thought -that Orpheus, that famous Greek fiddler (had -he been alive), compared to one of these had -been but a poor musician. As delights commonly -last not long, so did those end sooner -than Robin would willingly they should have -done; and for very grief he awaked, and -found by him lying a scroll wherein was -written these lines following, in golden letters:—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Robin, my only son and heir,</div> - <div class='line'>How to live take thou no care:</div> - <div class='line'>By nature thou hast cunning shifts,</div> - <div class='line'>Which I'll increase with other gifts.</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>Wish what thou wilt, thou shalt it have;</div> - <div class='line'>And for to fetch both fool and knave,</div> - <div class='line'>Thou hast the power to change thy shape,</div> - <div class='line'>To horse, to hog, to dog, to ape,</div> - <div class='line'>Transformed thus, by any means</div> - <div class='line'>See none thou harm'st but knaves and queans:</div> - <div class='line'>But love thou those that honest be,</div> - <div class='line'>And help them in necessity.</div> - <div class='line'>Do thus and all the world shall know</div> - <div class='line'>The pranks of Robin Goodfellow,</div> - <div class='line'>For by that name thou called shalt be</div> - <div class='line'>To age's last posterity;</div> - <div class='line'>And if thou keep my just command,</div> - <div class='line'>One day thou shalt see Fairy-land!"</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Robin, having read this, was very joyful, yet -longed he to know whether he had the power -or not, and to try it he wished for some meat. -Presently a fine dish of roast veal was before -him. Then wished he for plum-pudding; he -straightway had it. This liked him well, and, -because he was weary, he wished himself a -horse: no sooner was his wish ended, but he -was changed into as fine a nag as you need -see, and leaped and curveted as nimbly as if -<span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>he had been in stable at rack and manger a -full month. Then he wished himself a black -dog, and he was so; then a green tree, and he -was so. So from one thing to another, till he -was quite sure that he could change himself -to anything whatsoever he liked.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Thereupon, full of delight at his new powers, -Robin Goodfellow set out, eager to put -them to the test.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As he was crossing a field, he met with a -red-faced carter's clown and called to him to -stop.</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Friend," quoth he, "what is a clock?"</p> - -<p class='c005'>"A thing," answered the clown, "that -shows the time of the day."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"Why, then," said Robin Goodfellow, "be -thou a clock and tell me what time of the day -it is."</p> - -<p class='c005'>"I owe thee not so much service," answered -the clown again, "but, because thou -shalt think thyself beholden to me, know that -it is the same time of the day as it was yesterday -at this time!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>These shrewd answers vexed Robin Goodfellow, -so that in himself he vowed to be revenged -<span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>of the clown, which he did in this -manner.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Robin Goodfellow turned himself into a -bird and followed this fellow, who was going -into a field a little from that place to catch a -horse that was at grass. The horse, being -wild, ran over dyke and hedge, and the fellow -after, but to little purpose, for the horse was -too swift for him. Robin was glad of this -occasion, for now or never was the time to -have his revenge.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Presently Robin shaped himself exactly like -the horse that the clown followed, and so stood -right before him. Then the clown took hold -of the horse's mane and got on his back, but -he had not ridden far when, with a stumble, -Robin hurled his rider over his head, so that -he almost broke his neck. But then again he -stood still and let the clown mount him once -more.</p> - -<p class='c005'>By the way which the clown now would ride -was a great pond of water of a good depth, -which covered the road. No sooner did he -ride into the very middle of the pond than -Robin Goodfellow turned himself into a fish, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span>and so left him with nothing but the pack-saddle -on which he was riding betwixt his -legs. Meanwhile the fish swiftly swam to the -bank. And then Robin, changed to a naughty -boy again, ran away laughing, "Ho, ho, hoh!" -leaving the poor clown half drowned and covered -with mud.</p> - -<p class='c005'>As Robin took his way along a green hedge-side -he fell to singing:—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"And can the doctor make sick men well?</div> - <div class='line'>And can the gipsy a fortune tell</div> - <div class='line'>Without lily, germander, and cockle-shell?</div> - <div class='line in2'>With sweet-brier,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And bon-fire</div> - <div class='line in2'>And strawberry wine,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And columbine."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>And when he had sung this over, he fell to -wondering what he should next turn himself -into. Then, as he saw the smoke rise from -the chimneys of the next town, he thought to -himself it would be to him great sport to walk -the streets with a broom on his shoulder, and -cry:</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span>"Chimney sweep."</p> - -<p class='c005'>But when presently Robin did this, and one -did call him, then did Robin run away laughing, -"Ho, ho, hoh!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>Next he set about to counterfeit a lame -beggar, begging very pitifully; but when a -stout chandler came out of his shop to give -Robin an alms, again he skipped off nimbly, -laughing as his naughty manner was.</p> - -<p class='c005'>That same night, he did knock at many -men's doors, and when the servants came out -he blew out their candle and straightway vanished -in the dark street, with his "Ho, ho, -hoh!"</p> - -<p class='c005'>All these mirthful tricks did Robin play, -that day and night, and in these humours of his -he had many pretty songs, one of which I will -sing as perfectly as I can. He sang it in his -chimney-sweeper's humour, to the tune of "I -have been a fiddler these fifteen years."</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Black I am from head to foot,</div> - <div class='line'>And all doth come by chimney soot.</div> - <div class='line'>Then, maidens, come and cherish him</div> - <div class='line'>That makes your chimneys neat and trim."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>But it befell that, on the very next night -to his playing the chimney-sweep, Robin had -a summons from the land where are no chimneys. -For King Oberon, seeing Robin Goodfellow -do so many merry tricks, called him -out of his bed with these words, saying:—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>"Robin, my son, come; quickly rise:</div> - <div class='line'>First stretch, then yawn, and rub your eyes;</div> - <div class='line'>For thou must go with me tonight,</div> - <div class='line'>And taste of Fairy-land's delight."</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Robin, hearing this, rose and went to him. -There were with King Oberon many fairies, -all attired in green. All these, with King -Oberon, did welcome Robin Goodfellow into -their company. Oberon took Robin by the -hand and led him a fair dance: their musician -had an excellent bag-pipe made of a wren's -quill and the skin of a Greenland fly. This -pipe was so shrill and so sweet that a Scottish -pipe, compared to it, would no more come -near it than a Jew's-harp doth to an Irish -harp. After they had danced, King Oberon -said to Robin:—</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>"Whene'er you hear the piper blow,</div> - <div class='line'>Round and round the fairies go!</div> - <div class='line'>And nightly you must with us dance,</div> - <div class='line'>In meadows where the moonbeams glance,</div> - <div class='line'>And make the circle, hand in hand—</div> - <div class='line'>That is the law of Fairy-land!</div> - <div class='line'>There thou shalt see what no man knows;</div> - <div class='line'>While sleep the eyes of men doth close!"</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>So marched they, with their piper before, -to the Fairy-land. There did King Oberon -show Robin Goodfellow many secrets, which -he never did open to the world. And there, -in Fairy-land, doth Robin Goodfellow abide -now this many a long year.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span> - <h2 class='c003'>A QUARREL IN FAIRYLAND<br /> <br />(<span class='sc'>Arranged from "A Midsummer Night's<br />Dream"</span>)</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Time—Midsummer Night.</div> - <div class='line'>Place—An enchanted grove.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><i>Characters</i></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Oberon</span>—<i>King of Fairyland</i></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Titania</span>—<i>Queen of Fairyland</i></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Puck</span>—<i>Robin Goodfellow</i></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Bottom</span>—<i>A clownish fellow</i></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Peas-blossom</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Cobweb</span></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Moth</span> }</div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Mustard Seed</span> } <i>Fairies</i></div> - <div class='line'><span class='sc'>Attendant Fairies</span></div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<h3 class='c006'>SCENE I</h3> -<p class='c007'>(<i>Enter, from opposite sides, a</i> <span class='sc'>Fairy</span> <i>and</i> -<span class='sc'>Puck</span>)</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Puck.</span></p> - -<p class='c005'>How now, spirit! whither wander you?</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span><span class='sc'>Fairy.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Over hill, over dale,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Thorough bush, thorough brier,</div> - <div class='line'>Over park, over pale,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Thorough flood, thorough fire,</div> - <div class='line'>I do wander everywhere,</div> - <div class='line'>Swifter than the moon's sphere;</div> - <div class='line'>And I serve the Fairy Queen,</div> - <div class='line'>To dew her orbs upon the green.</div> - <div class='line'>The cowslips tall her pensioners be.</div> - <div class='line'>In their gold coats spots you see;</div> - <div class='line'>Those be rubies, Fairy favours,</div> - <div class='line'>In those freckles live their savours.</div> - <div class='line'>I must go seek some dewdrops here,</div> - <div class='line'>And hang a pearl in every cowslip's ear.</div> - <div class='line'>Farewell, thou lob of spirits; I'll be gone;</div> - <div class='line'>Our Queen and all her elves come here anon.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Puck.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>The King doth keep his revels here to-night:</div> - <div class='line'>Take heed the Queen come not within his sight;</div> - <div class='line'>For Oberon is passing fell and wrath,</div> - <div class='line'>Because that she as her attendant hath</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span>A lovely boy, stolen from an Indian king.</div> - <div class='line'>She never had so sweet a changeling;</div> - <div class='line'>And jealous Oberon would have the child</div> - <div class='line'>Knight of his train, to trace the forests wild.</div> - <div class='line'>But she perforce withholds the lovèd boy,</div> - <div class='line'>Crowns him with flowers and makes him all her joy:</div> - <div class='line'>And now they never meet in grove or green,</div> - <div class='line'>By fountain clear, or spangled starlight sheen,</div> - <div class='line'>But they do square, that all their elves for fear</div> - <div class='line'>Creep into acorn-cups and hide them there.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Fairy.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Either I mistake your shape and making quite,</div> - <div class='line'>Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite</div> - <div class='line'>Called Robin Goodfellow. Are not you he</div> - <div class='line'>That frights the maidens of the villagery;</div> - <div class='line'>Skims milk, and sometime labours in the quern,</div> - <div class='line'>And bootless makes the breathless housewife churn;</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_389'>389</span>And sometime makes the drink to bear no barn;</div> - <div class='line'>Misleads night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?</div> - <div class='line'>Those that Hobgoblin call you and sweet Puck,</div> - <div class='line'>You do their work and they shall have good luck.</div> - <div class='line'>Are not you he?</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Puck.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Thou speak'st aright;</div> - <div class='line'>I am that merry wanderer of the night.</div> - <div class='line'>I jest to Oberon, and make him smile,</div> - <div class='line'>When I a fat and bean-fed horse beguile,</div> - <div class='line'>Neighing in likeness of a filly foal;</div> - <div class='line'>And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl,</div> - <div class='line'>In very likeness of a roasted crab;</div> - <div class='line'>And when she drinks, against her lips I bob</div> - <div class='line'>And on her wither'd dewlap pour the ale.</div> - <div class='line'>The wisest aunt, telling the saddest tale,</div> - <div class='line'>Sometime for three-foot stool mistaketh me;</div> - <div class='line'>Then slip I from her, and down topples she,</div> - <div class='line'>And "tailor" cries, and falls into a cough;</div> - <div class='line'>And then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh,</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_390'>390</span>And waxen in their mirth, and sneeze, and swear</div> - <div class='line'>A merrier hour was never wasted there.</div> - <div class='line'>But, room, fairy! here comes Oberon.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Fairy.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>And here my mistress. Would that he were gone!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>(<i>Enter, from one side</i>, <span class='sc'>Oberon</span> <i>with his train</i>;</div> - <div class='line'><i>from the other</i>, <span class='sc'>Titania</span> <i>with hers</i>)</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>What, jealous Oberon! Fairy, skip hence.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Tarry, rash wanton: am I not thy lord?</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Then I must be thy lady.</div> - <div class='line'>And never, since the middle summer's spring,</div> - <div class='line'>Met we on hill, forest, or head,</div> - <div class='line'>By pavèd fountain or by rushy brook,</div> - <div class='line'>Or on the beached margent of the sea,</div> - <div class='line'>To dance our ringlet to the whistling wind,</div> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_391'>391</span>But with thy brawls thou hast disturb'd our sport.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>Do you amend it, then; it lies in you:</div> - <div class='line'>Why should Titania cross her Oberon?</div> - <div class='line'>I do but beg a little changeling boy,</div> - <div class='line'>To be my henchman.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Set your heart at rest:</div> - <div class='line in2'>The Fairyland buys not the child of me.</div> - <div class='line in2'>If you will patiently dance in our round,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And see our moonlight revels, go with us;</div> - <div class='line in2'>If not, shun me, and I will spare your haunts.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Give me that boy, and I will go with thee.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Not for thy Fairy kingdom. Fairies, away!</div> - <div class='line in2'>We shall chide downright, if I longer stay.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'>(<i>Exit</i> <span class='sc'>Titania</span> <i>with her train</i>.)</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Well, go thy way: thou shalt not from this grove</div> - <div class='line in2'>Till I torment thee for this injury.—</div> - <div class='line in2'>My gentle Puck, come hither.</div> - <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_392'>392</span>Fetch me that flower; the herb I show'd thee once.</div> - <div class='line in2'>The juice of it on sleeping eyelids laid</div> - <div class='line in2'>Will make or man or woman madly dote</div> - <div class='line in2'>Upon the next live creature that it sees.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Fetch me this herb, and be thou here again.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Ere the leviathan can swim a league.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Puck.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>I'll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'>(<i>Exit</i> <span class='sc'>Puck</span>)</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Having once this juice,</div> - <div class='line in2'>I'll watch Titania when she is asleep,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And drop the liquour of it in her eyes.</div> - <div class='line in2'>The next thing then she, waking, looks upon,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Be it on lion, bear, or wolf, or bull,</div> - <div class='line in2'>On meddling monkey, or on busy ape,—</div> - <div class='line in2'>She shall pursue it with the soul of love;</div> - <div class='line in2'>And ere I take this charm from off her sight,—</div> - <div class='line in2'>As I can take it with another herb,—</div> - <div class='line in2'>I'll make her render up her page to me</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>(<i>Re-enter</i> <span class='sc'>Puck</span>)</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Hast thou the flower there? Welcome, wanderer.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_393'>393</span><span class='sc'>Puck.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Aye, here it is.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>I pray thee, give it me.</div> - <div class='line in2'>I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Quite over-canopied with lush woodbine,</div> - <div class='line in2'>With sweet musk-roses, and with eglantine.</div> - <div class='line in2'>There sleeps Titania sometime of the night,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Lull'd in these flowers with dances and delight.</div> - <div class='line in2'>And there the snake throws her enamell'd skin,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Weed wide enough to wrap a fairy in;</div> - <div class='line in2'>And with the juice of this I'll streak her eyes,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And make her full of hateful fantasies.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<h3 class='c006'>SCENE II</h3> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c000'> - <div>(<i>Another part of the wood</i>)</div> - <div class='c000'>(<i>Enter</i> Titania, <i>with her train</i>)</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Come, now a roundel and a fairy song;</div> - <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_394'>394</span>Then, for the third part of a minute, hence;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Some to kill cankers in the musk-rose buds;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Some war with rere-mice for their leathern wings,</div> - <div class='line in2'>To make my small elves' coats; and some keep back</div> - <div class='line in2'>The clamorous owl, that nightly hoots and wonders</div> - <div class='line in2'>At our quaint spirits. Sing me now asleep;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Then to your offices, and let me rest.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>(<i>The</i> <span class='sc'>Fairies</span> <i>sing</i>)</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>First Fairy</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>You spotted snakes with double tongue,</div> - <div class='line in6'>Thorny hedgehogs, be not seen;</div> - <div class='line in4'>Newt and blind-worms, do no wrong,</div> - <div class='line in6'>Come not near our fairy queen.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><i>Chorus.</i></p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Philomel, with melody,</div> - <div class='line in4'>Sing in our sweet lullaby;</div> - <div class='line'>Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby.</div> - <div class='line in4'>Never harm, nor spell, nor charm,</div> - <div class='line in4'>Come our lovely lady nigh;</div> - <div class='line in4'>So, good night, with lullaby.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Second Fairy.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Weaving spiders, come here;</div> - <div class='line in6'><span class='pageno' id='Page_395'>395</span>Hence, you long-legged spinners, hence!</div> - <div class='line in4'>Beetles black, approach not near;</div> - <div class='line in6'>Worm nor snail, do no offense.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><i>Chorus.</i></p> - -<div class='lg-container-b'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Philomel, with melody,</div> - <div class='line in4'>Sing in our sweet lullaby;</div> - <div class='line'>Lulla, lulla, lullaby, lulla, lulla, lullaby.</div> - <div class='line in6'>Never harm,</div> - <div class='line in6'>Nor spell, nor charm,</div> - <div class='line in4'>Come our lovely lady nigh;</div> - <div class='line in4'>So, good night, with lullaby.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>First Fairy.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Hence, away! now all is well;</div> - <div class='line in4'>One aloof stand sentinel.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'>(<i>Exeunt</i> <span class='sc'>Fairies</span>. <span class='sc'>Titania</span> <i>sleeps</i>.)</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><i>Enter</i> <span class='sc'>Oberon</span>, <i>and squeezes the flower on</i></div> - <div><span class='sc'>Titania's</span> <i>eyelids</i>.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>What thou seest when thou dost wake,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Do it for thy true-love take;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Love and languish for his sake:</div> - <div class='line in2'>Be it ounce, or cat, or bear,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Pard, or boar with bristled hair,</div> - <div class='line in2'>In thy eye that shall appear</div> - <div class='line in2'>When thou wak'st, it is thy dear:</div> - <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_396'>396</span>Wake when some vile thing is near.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'>[<i>Exit</i> <span class='sc'>Oberon</span>]</div> - -<p class='c005'>(The mischievous little <span class='sc'>Puck</span>, wandering -in the forest, meets a clownish fellow named -<span class='sc'>Bottom</span>. Very slyly <span class='sc'>Puck</span> slips an ass's head -over <span class='sc'>Bottom's</span> hairy pate; and in this strange -disguise the clown walks very near the flowery -bank where <span class='sc'>Titania</span> lies sleeping. He sings -in a harsh voice and awakens the Fairy Queen. -The charm makes her fall in love with <span class='sc'>Bottom</span>, -since he is the first creature she sees -upon waking.)</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom</span> (<i>sings</i>).</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>The ousel cock so black of hue,</div> - <div class='line in6'>With orange-tawny bill,</div> - <div class='line in4'>The throstle with his note so true,</div> - <div class='line in6'>The wren with little quill,—</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Titania (awakening).</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>Bottom (sings).</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>The finch, the sparrow, and the lark,</div> - <div class='line in6'>The plain-song cuckoo grey,</div> - <div class='line in4'>Whose note full many a man doth mark—</div> - <div class='line in6'><span class='pageno' id='Page_397'>397</span>And dares not answer nay;—</div> - <div class='line in4'>for, indeed, who would set his wit to so</div> - <div class='line in4'>foolish a bird? Who would give a bird the</div> - <div class='line in4'>lie, though he cry "cuckoo" never so?</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>I pray thee, gentle mortal, sing again:</div> - <div class='line in2'>Mine ear is much enamor'd of thy note;</div> - <div class='line in2'>So is mine eye enthrallèd to thy shape,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And thy fair virtue's force perforce doth move me</div> - <div class='line in2'>On the first view to say, to swear, I love thee.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Methinks, mistress, you should have little</div> - <div class='line in2'>reason for that: and yet, to say the truth,</div> - <div class='line in2'>reason and love keep little company together</div> - <div class='line in2'>now-a-days; the more the pity, that</div> - <div class='line in2'>some honest neighbours will not make them</div> - <div class='line in2'>friends. Nay, I can gleek upon occasion.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Thou art as wise as thou art beautiful.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Not so, neither: but if I had wit enough</div> - <div class='line in2'>to get out of this wood, I have enough to</div> - <div class='line in2'>serve mine own turn.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_398'>398</span><span class='sc'>Titania</span>.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Out of this wood do not desire to go:</div> - <div class='line in2'>Thou shalt remain here, whether thou wilt or no.</div> - <div class='line in2'>I am a spirit of no common rate,—</div> - <div class='line in2'>The Summer still doth tend upon my state;</div> - <div class='line in2'>And I do love thee. Therefore, go with me.</div> - <div class='line in2'>I'll give thee fairies to attend on thee;</div> - <div class='line in2'>And they shall fetch thee jewels from the deep,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And sing, while thou on pressèd flowers dost sleep:</div> - <div class='line in2'>And I will purge thy mortal grossness so.</div> - <div class='line in2'>That thou shalt like airy spirit go.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Peaseblossom! Cobweb! Moth! and Mustardseed!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>(<i>Enter</i> <span class='sc'>Peaseblossom</span>, <span class='sc'>Cobweb</span>, <span class='sc'>Moth</span>, <i>and</i></div> - <div><span class='sc'>Mustardseed</span>)</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Peaseblossom.</span> Ready.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Cobweb.</span> And I.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Moth.</span> And I.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Mustardseed.</span> And I.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_399'>399</span><span class='sc'>All</span>. Where shall we go?</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania</span>.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Be kind and courteous to this gentleman;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Hop in his walks, and gambol in his eyes;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Feed him with apricots and dewberries.</div> - <div class='line in2'>With purple grapes, green figs, and mulberries:</div> - <div class='line in2'>The honey-bags steal from the humble bees,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And for night-tapers crop their waxen thighs,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And light them at the fiery glow-worm's eyes,</div> - <div class='line in2'>To have my love to bed and to arise;</div> - <div class='line in2'>And pluck the wings from painted butterflies</div> - <div class='line in2'>To fan the moonbeams from his sleeping eyes.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Nod to him, elves, and do him courtesies.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Peaseblossom.</span> Hail, mortal!</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Cobweb.</span> Hail!</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Moth.</span> Hail!</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Mustardseed.</span> Hail!</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania</span>.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in2'>Come, wait upon him; lead him to my bower.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_400'>400</span> - <h3 class='c006'>SCENE III</h3> -</div> - -<p class='c007'>(<i>Enter</i> <span class='sc'>Titania</span> <i>and</i> <span class='sc'>Bottom</span>; <span class='sc'>Peaseblossom</span>, -<span class='sc'>Cobweb</span>, <span class='sc'>Moth</span>, <span class='sc'>Mustardseed</span>, <i>and -other</i> <span class='sc'>Fairies</span> <i>attending</i>; <span class='sc'>Oberon</span> <i>behind, -unseen</i>.)</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania</span>.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Come, sit thee down upon this flowery bed,</div> - <div class='line in2'>While I thy amiable cheeks do coy</div> - <div class='line in2'>And stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span> Where's Peaseblossom?</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Peaseblossom.</span> Ready.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Scratch my head, Peaseblossom.—Where's</div> - <div class='line in2'>Monsieur Cobweb?</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Cobweb.</span> Ready.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Monsieur Cobweb, good monsieur,</div> - <div class='line in2'>get your weapons in your hand, and kill me</div> - <div class='line in2'>a red-hipped humble-bee on the top of a</div> - <div class='line in2'>thistle; and, good monsieur, bring me the</div> - <div class='line in2'>honey-bag. Do not fret yourself too much</div> - <div class='line in2'>in the action, monsieur; and, good monsieur,</div> - <div class='line in2'>have a care the honey-bag break not; I</div> - <div class='line in2'>would be loath to have you overflown with</div> - <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_401'>401</span>a honey-bag, signior. Where's Monsieur</div> - <div class='line in2'>Mustardseed?</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Mustardseed</span> (<i>bowing</i>). Ready.</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Give me your neaf, Monsieur</div> - <div class='line in2'>Mustardseed. Pray you, leave your courtesy,</div> - <div class='line in2'>good monsieur.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Mustardseed.</span> What's your will?</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Nothing, good monsieur, but to</div> - <div class='line in2'>help Cavalery Cobweb to scratch. I must</div> - <div class='line in2'>to the barber's, monsieur, for methinks I</div> - <div class='line in2'>am marvellous hairy about the face; and I</div> - <div class='line in2'>am such a tender ass, if my hair do but</div> - <div class='line in2'>tickle me I must scratch.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>What, wilt thou hear some music, my sweet</div> - <div class='line in2'>love?</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>I have a reasonable good ear in</div> - <div class='line in2'>music. Let's have the tongs and the bones.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'>(<i>Rough music is played</i>)</p> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Or say, sweet love, what thou desir'st to eat.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Truly, a peck of provender; I</div> - <div class='line in2'>could munch your good dry oats. Methinks</div> - <div class='line in2'>I have a great desire to a bottle of</div> - <div class='line in2'>hay: good hay, sweet hay, hath no fellow.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='pageno' id='Page_402'>402</span><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>I have a venturous fairy that shall</div> - <div class='line in2'>seek the squirrel's hoard, and fetch thee</div> - <div class='line in2'>thence new nuts.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Bottom.</span></p> -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>I had rather have a handful or two</div> - <div class='line in2'>of dried peas. But, I pray you, let none of</div> - <div class='line in2'>your people stir me. I have an exposition</div> - <div class='line in2'>of sleep come upon me.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Sleep thou:</div> - <div class='line in2'>Fairies, be gone, and be all ways away.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'>(<i>Exeunt</i> <span class='sc'>Fairies</span>)</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>(<i>Enter</i> <span class='sc'>Puck</span>)</div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon</span> (<i>advancing</i>).</p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Welcome, good Robin. See'st thou this sweet sight?</div> - <div class='line in2'>Her dotage now I do begin to pity;</div> - <div class='line in2'>For, meeting her of late behind the wood,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Seeking sweet favours for this hateful fool,</div> - <div class='line in2'>I did upbraid her and fall out with her:</div> - <div class='line in2'>For she his hairy temples then had rounded</div> - <div class='line in2'>With coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers;</div> - <div class='line in2'>And that same dew, which sometime on the buds</div> - <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_403'>403</span>Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Stood now within the pretty flowerets' eyes</div> - <div class='line in2'>Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail.</div> - <div class='line in2'>When I had at my pleasure taunted her</div> - <div class='line in2'>And she in mild terms begg'd my patience,</div> - <div class='line in2'>I then did ask of her her changeling child,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Which straight she gave me, and her fairies sent</div> - <div class='line in2'>To bear him to my bower in Fairyland.</div> - <div class='line in2'>And now I have the boy, I will undo</div> - <div class='line in2'>This hateful imperfection of her eyes:</div> - <div class='line in2'>And, gentle Puck, take this transformed scalp</div> - <div class='line in2'>From off the head of this Athenian swain;</div> - <div class='line in2'>That, he awaking ...</div> - <div class='line in2'>May to Athens back again repair</div> - <div class='line in2'>And think no more of this night's accidents</div> - <div class='line in2'>But as the fierce vexation of a dream.</div> - <div class='line in2'>But first I will release the Fairy Queen.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div>(<span class='sc'>Oberon</span> <i>touches the queen's eyes with an</i></div> - <div><i>herb which lifts the charm</i>)</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Be as thou wast wont to be,</div> - <div class='line in2'>See as thou wast wont to see:</div> - <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_404'>404</span>Dian's bud o'er Cupid's flower</div> - <div class='line in2'>Hath such force and blessed power.</div> - <div class='line in2'>Now, my Titania; wake you, my sweet Queen!</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>My Oberon! what visions have I seen!</div> - <div class='line in2'>Methought I was enamour'd of an ass.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Sound music! Come, my Queen, take hands with me....</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Puck.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Fairy King, attend and mark:</div> - <div class='line in2'>I do hear the morning lark.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Oberon.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Then, my Queen, in silence sad,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Trip we after the night shade:</div> - <div class='line in2'>We the globe can compass soon</div> - <div class='line in2'>Swifter than the wand'ring moon.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Titania.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>Come, my lord.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'>(<i>Exeunt</i> <span class='sc'>Oberon</span>, <span class='sc'>Titania</span>, <i>and train</i>)</div> - -<p class='c005'><span class='sc'>Puck.</span></p> - -<div class='lg-container-l'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in4'>If we shadows have offended,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Think but this, and all is mended,</div> - <div class='line in2'>That you have but slumberéd here</div> - <div class='line in2'><span class='pageno' id='Page_405'>405</span>While these visions did appear.</div> - <div class='line in2'>So, good-night unto you all;</div> - <div class='line in2'>Give me your hands if we be friends,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And Robin shall restore amends.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>William Shakespeare.</span></div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_406'>406</span> - <h2 class='c003'>IN THE COOL OF THE EVENING</h2> -</div> -<div class='lg-container-b c012'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>In the cool of the evening, when the low sweet whispers waken,</div> - <div class='line in2'>When the labourers turn them homeward, and the weary have their will,</div> - <div class='line'>When the censers of the roses o'er the forest-aisles are shaken,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Is it but the wind that cometh o'er the far green hill?</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>For they say 'tis but the sunset winds that wander through the heather,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Rustle all the meadow-grass and bend the dewy fern;</div> - <div class='line'>They say 'tis but the winds that bow the reeds in prayer together,</div> - <div class='line in2'>And fill the shaken pools with fire along the shadowy burn.</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'><span class='pageno' id='Page_407'>407</span>In the beauty of the twilight, in the Garden that He loveth,</div> - <div class='line in2'>They have veiled His lovely vesture with the darkness of a name!</div> - <div class='line'>Thro' His Garden, thro' His Garden it is but the wind that moveth,</div> - <div class='line in2'>No more; but O the miracle, the miracle is the same!</div> - </div> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line'>In the cool of the evening, when the sky is an old story</div> - <div class='line in2'>Slowly dying, but remembered, ay, and loved with passion still,</div> - <div class='line'>Hush! ... the fringes of His garment, in the fading golden glory,</div> - <div class='line in2'>Softly rustling as He cometh o'er the far green hill.</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='c013'><span class='sc'>Alfred Noyes.</span></div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div class='footnotes'> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c016'>FOOTNOTES:</h2> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f1'> -<p class='c005'><a href='#r1'>1</a>. From Nixon-Roulet's "Japanese Folk Stories and Fairy -Tales." Copyright, 1908, by American Book Company, -Publishers.</p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f2'> -<p class='c005'><a href='#r2'>2</a>. From Beebe's <i>The Log of the Sun</i>, by permission of Henry -Holt Company.</p> -</div> -<div class='footnote' id='f3'> -<p class='c005'><a href='#r3'>3</a>. From the Biographical Edition of the complete works of -James Whitcomb Riley. Copyright, 1913. Used by special -permission of the publishers, The Bobbs-Merrill Company.</p> -</div> - -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c003'>Transcriber's Note</h2> -</div> - -<p class='c004'>The original spelling and punctuation has been retained.</p> - -<p class='c005'>Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been -preserved.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Turquoise Story Book, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TURQUOISE STORY BOOK *** - -***** This file should be named 53033-h.htm or 53033-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/0/3/53033/ - -Produced by David Edwards, readbueno and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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