AtomE ■SUPPLEMEMTARY REAeERS.' Stories CATHERINE T. BRYCE 5JcuJ lork ^tate (CoUcge of AgricultutB ailjata. K. ?. Htbrarg Cornell University Library PZ 7.B91t That's why stories, 3 1924 014 479 293 The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924014479293 The Book of Begin minus How we got the First Snowdrop The First Birds . The Lady Slipper Orchid . The Mountain Ash . The Sighing Pine Tree Why tlie Kobin says " Cheer-up The White Rabbit The Elf A^fD Flowek Folk The Rainbow Fairies The Four-leaf Clover The Firefly A Flower Legend The Forget-me-not The Elf's Flower PAGE 1 3 7 11 18 23 28 36 41 43 50 67 64 70 79 Rewaeds and Judgments The Drones and the Workers The Golden-rod . The Stone of Gratitude The Golden Cock Why the Owl says " Who " Lucky Escapes Why the Cat washes after Eating Why Turtles stay near the Water How the Oak Leaves came to have JN etches 97 99 102 109 115 124 133 136 133 145 SaME Wishes .... The Lazy Raccoon Jupiter and the Bee . How we got the Eirst Camel 157 169 167 169 IT (HE snow lay deep upon the ground. The cold wind blew. The leafless branches of the groat trees swayed and groaned. A little child stood shivering in the snow. Slie looked on the cold snow- covered eai'th. 81ie looked up at the cold gray sky. Then she began to weep l)itterly. An angel saw the poor child. He felt sorry for her. lie flew to comfort her. ^' Why do yon weep, my child ? " he said. Withont looking np the child sobbed ; "Oh, the winter is so cold! It is so long ! I am snre the beantifnl spring will never come ! " "Look np, my child," said the angel. Slowly the little maid raised her eyes to the angel's face. When she saw the wonderful light on his face, she was frightened. She would have tallen, but the angel stretched out his hand. " l)o not be afraid, my cliild," he said. " I have come to comfort 3^ou." As he sj^oke a snowflake fell on his hand. " See tliis snowflake," he said. " It shall change to a flower before }'Our ej^es." He shook tlie snowflake from his hand. As it touched the ground, it turned into a sweet white -^^ flower. ^^^=3^,: The child looked at it m wonder, 5 She quite forgot her fear of the angel as she looked at the dainty white flower. '' Every spring this little white flower shall blossom on the earth," said tlie angel. "It will come to tell you that no matter how long and cold the winter may be, the sweet spring will surely come. So be glad, little maiden, and weep no more." As he said this, the angel flew away. But where he had stood there sprang up a ring of fair white flowers. The little maiden stood and looked at them. A sweet smile chased away the tears. "How beautiful!" she said. "T will be glad, for I know the spring will soon be here." And that is how we got our hrst dainty snowdrops. THE FIRST BIRDS ^'^^ AIN'T, many hundreds of moons 31^ ago, the Great Spirit visited the earth. He stood on the top of a high mountain and looked all around him. " How fair and beautiful the earth is ! " he said. " It would be more beautiful if there were more trees." So saying, he walked along the mountain side. Up and down tlie mountain and through the valley he went. Wherever he stepped, a little green tree sprang up. " Now, little trees," he said, "grow, and grow, and grow" 8 All suinmei' the Gi'eat Spirit watclied over the little trees. lie sent the cool rahis that they might have water to drink. He sent the warm sun to shine npon tlieni. The little trees grew nearer and nearer to the slvy. At last the autnnm came. Then tlie trees became more beautiful. Their leaves turned to red and gold. They dropped from the trees and were blown about by tlie wind. The Great Spirit looked at them. "How lovely they are!" he said. " They are too beautiful to die. How can I save tlieni ? " The Great Spirit thought and 9 thought. Then he breathed softly upon the leaves, and what do you think happened ? The bright leaves were changed into beautiful birds. Up into the air they flew, singing glad songs of praise. And that is how we got our first birds. THE LADY SLIPPER ORCHID T was long ago, long before any white men lived in onr land. Only the Indians lived in their wigwams by the streams and hunted in the forests. Winona was an Indian princess. So tiny was she that when she stood beside her father, her little head but reached that mighty chief's elbow. But so dainty and pretty was the little maid, and so kind and gentle, that all the people loved her. The grimmest old warrior looked kindly on the little prin- cess as she flitted among the wigwams. 11 One briglit spring morning, Winona walked tlirongli the forest. The birds were singing as they built tlieir nests, and Winona sang with them. She, too, was glad tlie long cold winter was over and beautiful spring had come back to the woods. Tlie May- flowers were fresh and sweet, dressed in their glossy green leaves. And 12 our little Indian maiden was just as fair and bright in lior pretty soft dress of deerskin. Winona- picked tlie sweet blossoms, and sitting down beside, the brook began weaving them in her long hair. " Grr — ! Gr-r — ! " gi'owled a deep voice. " What is that ? " cried the wee maiden, springing to her feet in terror. '' Grr— ! Git-— ! Grr— ! " came tlie growl once more, this time near-er and louder tlian before. "The bear! the ever hungry bear!" cried Winona. "Whither shall I flee?" Throngh the woods ran the httle maiden. In her haste she crushed the sweet blossoms under her feet. The brambles tore her dress. The flowers dropped from her long braids. But she heeded not. On and on she rushed. As she ran oile of her moccasins fell otf. At last, breathless and almost dead with fright, she came to the edge of 14 the forest. What was her joy to sec her father and some of his young braves coming towards her ! " What is the matter ? Speak ! " cried her father. " The Ix^Hi- ! the hungry bear ! " gasped Winona. "We have come to hunt him," cried the braves. " Where, where is he ? " Winona pointed to the forest, then fainted at lier father's feet. " Look uj) ! Look up, iiij chikl," said the okl chief " I)o not fear. The young braves of our tribe have gone after the bear. Soon they will return with him." 15 Even as he spoke, they heard the hunter's sons; from the forest: — " We have sought the hungry bear ! We have met the hungry bear ! We have slain the hungry bear ! The bear, the great bear, is no more ! " Then Winona sat up. " Whei'e is your moccasin ? " asked the okl chief " I have lost it in the forest as I ran from the bear. I will go back and look for it. V Long Winona searched for her moc- casin, and the young braves hel])ed her. But no moccasin coukl they iind. " Behold ! see what I have found ! " cried a young brave. 16 Winona, the chief, and the other braves S'athered around him. In his hand he held a strange pinl^ flower. Sncli a flower had never been seen on tlie eaj'tli before. Wliere could it have come from ? " See," said the brave, " it is shaped just like an Indian moccasin." '' So it is," cried all the others. "It is Winona's moccasin," said the wise old chief ''The Manitou of the forest has found Winona's moccasin, and changed it into this strange flower." Whether this is true or not, I can- not say. But Winona never found her moccasin of deerskin. And every year 17 the strange flower returns to the forest. The Indians call it the moccasin flower. The white men call it the lady slipper orchid. THE MOUNTAIN ASH ODIN, the king of the gods, had a beautiful cup. It was made of bright shining gold. Around it were set sparkling gems. JN'ever in the world has there been such a beautiful cup as Odin's. Every day he drank from it; 18 and every day lie I'elt happy to think he had such a tine cup. But one day when he called for his cup, his servants rushed in with white faces. " It is gone ! Your beautiful cup is gone! " they cried. " (xoue ! " said Odin. " What do you mean ? " " It has been stolen," cried all the people. They all stood and looked at one another. Every one knew who had done this wicked deed. At last Odin spoke. "ISTo one but the wicked dwarfs that live under the i& ground would steal my cup/' he said. All the people nodded their heads. They knew that this was so. " ^ow/' said Odin, " how shall we get it back ? Who will go to the under- world for my golden cup ? " 'No one answered. They were all afraid, for well they knew that the dwarfs would kill any one who tried to get back the cup. "Is there no one brave enough to go ? " asked Odin. '^ I will," said the eagle. '' Then," said Odin, " I call you the bravest of animals." The eagle flew down to the under- 20 world. He soon saw the cup, for the gems sparkled brightly in the dark. Quickly he seized it in his talons and liew away. But the dwarfs had seen him. Out of their caves they came swarming. They seized sharj: rocks and threw them at the eagle. Many of them hit him. This the dwarfs knew, for drops of blood and feathers fell thick and fast to the earth. Still the brave bird flew on, • — up, up, i\]). At last he reached Odin's throne. He dropped the cup in Odin's lap, then fell to the ground dead. ''Truly/' said Odin, "he was the bravest of animals." The eagle's brave deed can never be forgotten, for wherever a feather and a drop of blood fell a beautifid tree sprang up. Its leaves look like feath- ers. On it grow bright red berries, like drops of blood. 22 We know how this tree ciime on the earth. But people who did not know this story called it the mountain ash. THE SIGHING PINE TREE Vy LONGr, long time ago, a little J -JL pine tree lived in a great forest. This forest was in a far-away country. The little pine tree was ver}^ l^^PPJ- Many tall brothers grew around it. All day they held up their heads and sang in the sunshine. 23 Sometimes a great storm swept through the forest. But the little pine and its brothers did not fear. They danced in the wind. Tliej sang louder than ever. '' Ho, ho, ho ! old wind," they cried. " You cannot break us. VVe bend before your blasts. The harder you blow, the louder we laugh. Ho, ho, ho ! Bend, brothers, bend before the mighty wind." One day, a stranger came into the forest. ''What beautiful trees!" he said. "I never saw any like them before. Tliey are so tall and straight, and they sing so sweetly." 24 When the trees liearcl this, the}^ were glad and sang their sweetest, softest tunes for the stranger. Bnt his next words filled them with alarm. " I must take one of tliem to my home "away across the seas." " Oh, do not take me ! Do not take me ! " cried every tree. But the stranger did not know what they said. He did not even know that they were talking. He thought they were still singing. "I shall take this smallest one," he said. " It will be easiest to move." How the pine trees cried and bent their tall heads ! " Alas ! alas ! 25 alas ! " they sighed. " Our dear Uttle brother ! Oh, do not take him away from us ! " But tlie stranger did not hear them. Yery carefully he took the little pine tree from its soil. He carried it away across the seas, and planted it in a beau- tiful new land. Here the birds sang to it, and the wind rocked it as of old. But the little tree was, oh, so homesick ! It no longer sang. All its soft sweet songs were changed to sighs. The little pine tree has groAvn to be a great old tree. But still when the 26 wind l)lows, you can hear it and its children sighing for their own forest in the far-away land. 27 WHY THE ROBIN SAYS "CHEER-UP" I rT was long ago, when tlie world was almost young. Away in tlie Nortlilands snow and ice covered the ground. Cold winds blew and drove the snow and sleet into people's faces. The sun liad not slione for montlis. But tlie people were brave and said, "]^[ever mind, the spring wiU surely come." So they made great fires, and kept busy and happy. 28 Yet day after day passed, and tlie spring did not retni-n. "I tliink it is getting colder," grnmbled one old man. " The spring will never come," said another. " We shall all die of the cold," said a third. So one after another began to grnmljle, and soon most of tlie people grew very unhappy. Then a dreadful sickness broke out, and many of them died. ISTow among the peoj^le was one who never complained. This was the king's daughter, tlie little Princess Hearts- ease. Eveiy day and all day long, she went from house to house, cheering the sad, nursing the sick, and comforting those in sorrow. "Be brave, only be brave," she said, "and the spring w^ill surely come." But one sad day, httle Princess Heart's-ease did not visit the sick. She lay on her little white bed, tossing and moaning with pain. She, too, had been stricken with the great sickness. Many loving friends watched beside her, while the bright happy child grew^ weaker and weaker. "She will die!" sobbed all the people. "If the spring and the warm weather will onl}^ come," said the couit doctor, "our Princess Heart's-ease may live." 80 II Away in the south the spring was very busy. Slie Ivnew she was late tliis year, and it made her very sad. She did want to get to the ^JN^orthland so much! But she just could not, till she had finished her work in the south. One morning, she called all her birds to her and said : "My dear children, I am afraid the people in the J^orthland ai'e very sad. They will think I ha^ e for- gotten them. Will one of you fly to them and tell them I am surely coming ? " "I will! I will!" sang Kobin Red- breast, and away he flew. 31 When he reached the Northland, he found all the people in deep sorrow. Little Princess Heart's-ease was dying, they thought. Straight to the king's j^alace flew Hobin. Right well he knew the window of the little princess' room ! Lighting on the sill, he sang, oh ! so sweetly : " Cheer-up Cheer-up ! Cheer-up ! " "Listen," whispered the little prin- 32 cess. " I hear a robin. Open the window." Softly the window was opened, and Robin sang on : '' Cheer-up ! Cheer-up ! Cheer-up ! " " I will cheer up, ] lobin," said Princess Heart's-ease. " I know what you mean. kSpring is on the way. Is she not, you brave little bird ? " As she spoke, the iirst mild spring breeze sighed thi'ough the window. " It smells of Adolets," said Princess Heart \s-ease. "The long, cold, dark winter is over. Beautiful spring is here again." In a few weeks, spring had made the earth beautiful once more. Birds 33 sang in the leafy trees. The skies were soft and blue. Princess Heart's- ease and all the people grew happy and strong again. And how they did love the little Kobin who had cheered them so much ! " Never fear ! " said spring. " I shall always return. And that you may know I am on the way, I shall send Robin CA^ery year to tell you I am coming and to sing his glad ' Cheer-up ! Cheer-up ! ' " THE WHITE RABBIT V^V OTHER/' saicnVill, "my teacher \*^ says that before any white men came to America tlie Indians lived liere." " Tliat is true, my boy," said mother, looking up from her sewing and smiling. She knew from Wilfs tone that he had something more to say. So she waited for his next words. " Well, mother, I've l)een wondering who lived here before the Indians did," said Will. 35 a That is a question I cannot an- swer-," said mother. "But if you wish, I will tell you the story tliat the mothers of one tribe of Indians tell their little sons, when they ask the same question." " Oh, do, mother ! " said Will, and he brought his chair OA^er close to mother's. " A long, long time ago," began mother, "there wei'e no people living on the earth, — nothing but plants and animals. 'Now it happened that a great many white rabbits lived in their burrows in a great field. " One morning, a little Avhite rabbit 36 crawled through his burrow to the door that led into the upper workl. He sniffed the fresh air. " ' IIow good it smeUs ! ' he thought. ^'He crept out into the field. "^'IIow beautiful the ujDper world is ! ' he said. 'I should like to live always above ground.' "He wanted to see more of the beautiful L • -iA-S- 37 world, so he stood upright on his hind legs. '''How far I can see!' he sighed. 'I wish I might always Avalk upright. Then I could see more and more of the lovely upper world.' "]N^ow the Great Manitou happened to be near the little rabbit, and he heard every wish that he made. "'Little white rabbit,' he said, -'be- cause you see the beauty of the uppei* world and love it, you shall live in it always. And upright jqu shall walk through my lovely earth.' " So saying, lie touched the little white rabbit, and lo ! he was no longer 88 a rabbit, but an Indian, — the first Indian ever made. "'Becanse yon came from a rabbit, yon shall take the white ral^bit as the sign of yonr tribe,' said Manitou. ' Because you wished to walk up- right, you shall bow to none but the Great Spirit.' "And that is how the Indians came to live on the earth. That is why they walk so straight. And that is why they would rather die than be- come the servant of any man." "Do all the Indians believe that, mother?" asked Will. "]N'o, only one tribe. Each tribe has 39 its own story. Some clay I hope you will knoAV tliem all. That is the only one I have time to tell you to-day. So run out-doors and play with your little friend." "Yes, mother, and we will play the story of the White Rabbit." 40 'we/ "o;hts. A FLOWER LEGEND OIN'CE, in the long ago time, the angel of the flowers came to earth to visit them. 64 First she visited a great, red rose. It was so beautiful that it filled the angel's heart ^vdth joy. "Dear Rose," she said, "is there anj^hing you wish to make 3^ou more happy ? " Oh, yes ! " answered the rose. Tell me jouv Avish and 1 shall grant it," said the angel. "You see how very beautiful I am," said the rose. " Every one who comes along and sees ni}^ beauty wants to pick me. Please give me some sharp thorns, so that I may pmiish those who try to carry me from my home." This wish displeased the angel. But 65 because she had promised, she had to grant it ; and ever since, roses have had thorns. I^ext the fairy went to the home of the violet. " And you, little Yiolct, what wish shall I grant you?" she asked. The violet thought a moment, then she said : ^' I love my quiet home in the woods. The tall trees shelter me. The little brooks give me cool water to drink. I have no wish but to live quietly in my lovely, woodland home." And the violet still lives content in the woods. In the fields, the angel found the daisy. " Dear Daisy/' she said, " what wish shall I grant you ? " The daisy answered : " I love the day and the bright sunshine. ''The darkness of night fills me with 67 fears. So pray grant that I may sleep through the dark night, when the dear little children sleep, and waken with them to the glad light of day." " Your wish is granted," said the angel. And ever since, the daisy has closed her eye at night, and opened it to greet the children in the mornino;. CD Hidden aAvay in her spft leaves, the angel found a purple pansy. " Little Pansy," she said, " what wish shall I grant you?" The little pansy answered : " Even hid- den away in my quiet corner, I hear that there is sorrow in the world. I would comfort those who are sad, but I am 68 afraid I am too little to do anything so good and great." "Bless you, little Pansy," said the angel. " You only think of others. Here- after you shall be called Heart's-ease, and you shall comfort whoever looks upon you." Then she stooped and kissed the little j^ansy. '^ Dear Pansy," she said, " the work you have chosen is an angel's work, so you shall have an angel's face." That is hoAv the pansy got its sweet face. And to this day people love the pansy, and many still call it, "Heart's- ease." 69 THE FORGET-ME-^NOT Vj"WAY across the ocean lived ^^ JL Hans, a little goatherd. He and liis mother Kved alone in a httle house at the foot of a high mountain. While his mother worked in the house or in the little garden, Hans led his goats up the mountain and watched them as they ate the sweet grass. 70 At evening when Hans had driven the goats home and his mother had finished her work, they rested befoi-e the bi'igiit tire in theii' nice, clean, little house. This was the time that Hans hked best. For often his mother told him fine stories while she knitted and he carved some pretty wooden toy to sell in the village. One of the stories he liked best was about a little, gray plant. This little, gray plant, said his mother, grew on the very highest peak of f he mountain. The fairy king had planted it there. When boiled in water, it would cure all sickness. But no one could find 71 it unless he was brave and good. Many people had tried, but all had given up, because the way to the highest peak was so long and tire- some. One night when Hans came home, he found his mother very ill. He did everything he could think of to make her feel better, but she grew worse and wor'se. " I will go for the little, gray plant," said Hans. " I will start in the morn- ing as soon as it is light." ''^0, no, my child," said his mother. " Do not go. The plant is covered deep under ice and snow. You know 72 the highest peak is always covered with snow. I am afraid you will die on the cold, white monntain." "Do not fear, mother," said Hans. " I know I shall find the plant. Do let me try." At last his mother gave her con- sent. So, early in the morning, having asked a neighbor to stay with his mother, Hans began to climb the mountain. At first the way was easy. He had climbed it often with his goats. But after a while the mountain grew very steep and there was no path. Still on and on he climbed. Once 73 he almost stopped. That was when he saw a lovely blue flower. It grew right out of the rock and was so pretty ! It almost seemed to say, '^ Pick me, Hans; pick me." But Hans said: "I cannot stop to pick flowers now. I must liurry and find the little, gray plant. I will pick you when I come back." As he huri'ied up the mountain, he thought he heard the little, blue flower say, "Forget me not." " ^0, I'll not forget yon," said Hans ; " but first I must find the little, gray plant." 74 And now Hans came to the highest peak. How coki it was! How deep the snow! Hans went right to work. He pushed the snow to right and left with his little, bare hands, and looked and looked for the little, gray plant. It grew colder and colder. It seemed as if his hands would freeze, but still he kept on searching. And when he did find the little, gray plant, how he shouted for joy ! He jumped and clapped his hands till he be- came quite warm. Then lie gathered the little, gray plant, and putting it carefully in his pocket, ran down the mountain. 75 But Hans did not forget the prett}", blue flower. " jN^ow I may pick it," he said. And he ran to where it grew. As he took hokl of the stem to Ijreak it, the strangest thing happened. A great door opened right into the mountain. " Do not be afraid, Hans," said the httle, bhie flower. ''Walk right in, only carry me in yonr hand." In throu2:h the door walked Hans. And what a sight met his eyes ! He found himself in a great cave. On the floor wei'e heaps and heaps of gold and jewels. 76 A little, brown dwarf sat on a golden throne at one end of tlie cave. Hans bowed low before him. "Help yonrself, Hans," said the dwarf "This treasure is all mine, and I give you all you can carr}', because you are so kind and ])rave." Hans thanked the dwarf and then filled all his pockets and even his hat with gold and gems. As ho was leav- ing the cave, he heard a little voice say, " Forget me not, Hans." Hans turned and picked up the little blue flower. Then he walked out of the cave, and the great door closed behind him. Hans ran all the rest of the way home. The little gray plant was boiled, and as soon as the mother had taken it, she became well again. Then Hans showed her all his gold and jewels, and told her how he had found them. "It is well," said his mother, "that 78 you carried the little blue flower from the elf's cave. If you had forgotten it, the gold and gems would have turned to rocks." "Then all our luck came from the little flower," said Hans. " Let us plant it in our garden and call it ' Tlie For- get-me-not.' " r THE ELF'S FLOWER ]^ a little hut in a forest lived a widow with her three sons. The 79 mother made baskets of reeds. These she carried to a town on the other side of the forest and sokl. In this way she earned enongh money to bny food and clothing for hei'self and her sons. The oldest son was a great help to his mother. He cut the reeds for the baskets and helped her carry tbem to town. Many a time she said : " Oh, Peter, my son, how conld I ever live without 3^ou ! You are such a good son ! " The other l303^s were lazy. They never helped tbeir mother. Often she said, " Oh, Hans and Carl, whatever will become of you ! " 80 One moi'ning the mother called the boys to her. " M}^ sons," she said, " I am ill — very ill, I fear. I can make no more baskets. What shall we do?" ''Who will buy us bread?" asked Hans and Carl. "We shall starve!" And the seltisli i)oys began to cry. "Cheer up, mother," answered Peter. "I will take care of you. I know hoAV to make l)askets and I will work just as hard as I can." But Peter had to take care of his sick mother, for his selfish brothers would not stay with her. So he could not go for the reeds. His bi'othei's brought in a few, but they 81 said it made them tired, and soon stopped bringing any. Soon the little money they had was spent, and one night when Hans and Carl came home, theve was no snppei' on the table. "Where is our supper?" they called to Peter. "There is not a piece of bread in the house, nor have I a penny left to bu}^ more," answered Peter. Then how frightened Hans and Carl were. They wished they had not been quite so lazy. They sat in a cornei* crying, while Peter tried to cheer their poor mother. "Tinkle! tinkle! tinkle!" sounded a 82 tiny bell. The family looked around in surprise, but could see no one. " Tinkle ! tinkle ! tinkle ! " sounded the bell again. This time it seemed to be just back of Peter, He turned around. There stood the queerest little elf in the world. His face was bright and smiling. On his head he wore a 83 cap of pure gold. His hair was long and white. He was dressed in a bright green suit, and long, pointed green shoes. To the toe of each shoe was fastened a tiny silver bell. AV^hen he walked they tinkled and made the sweetest music. Peter was so surprised he just stood and stared at his strange visitor. "Well, what do you think of me, Peter ? " asked the wee man, and he danced lightly over the floor to the music of his silver bells. Without waiting for an answer — and, to tell the truth, Peter was too surprised to talk — the elf went on. 84 " I have watched you for a long time, Peter. I am glad 3^011 are such a good son. To-night I have come to help you. Do jow kno)v the grassy meadow on the other side of the forest ? " " Yes," answei'ed Peter. ''Well, go there at sunrise for tlie next three mornings and you will lind the meadow covered with gold pieces. Take all you want. They are yours." "Tinkle! tinkle! tinkle!" sounded the bells, and before Peter could wink, the elf was gone. " Oh, Peter ! " cried Hans, " I will go to-morrow ! " 85 "^o, let me go," said Carl. "I can ca]Ty more gold than Hans." Peter thought a minute. He wanted to go himself, but he also wanted to please his brothers. At last he said : " We will all have a chance to gather the elfs gold. Hans, 3^ou are the youngest, so you may go to-morrow. Carl may go the next morning, and I will go last. But remember, — we must be in the meadow at sunrise. Can you get there so early ? " " Of course," said Hans. '' I will sleep in the w^oods all night and be in the meadow before the sun rises." 86 '' Good," said Peter. " Carl and I will do the same when onr tnrns come." Hans said 2;ood-bY to his mother and brothers and walked whisthng into the forest. They were all so happy that they quite forgot th^e}^ had to go to bed witliont snpper. 'Nex.t morning the little family looked for Hans' return. But no Hans came. The morning passed, then the after- noon. Just as it was growing dark, they saw Hans walking slowly towards the house. " Hans ! Hans ! Did you get the gold ? Why are jon so late ? " they called. 87 " IN"©, I didn't get the gold," answered Hans. "I was so tired, walking so far last night, that I slept until after noon. Then I ran to the meadow. But not a gold piece could I find, and I'm tired and ^-^ hungry." /■.!: "Oh, Hans!" said Petei', " you know the elf said Ave must be in the meadow at sunrise. Carl, can I trust you to be in time to-morrow ? " " Of course," said Carl. " I will start otf at once." Peter stood at the door, watching 88 ' Carl as he went into tlife woods. " I do lK)]:)e be will be in time/' be thougbt. "If be is late, poor motber will die for want of food.^' Tbe next day, a little after noon, Caii came rnnning tbrongb tbe woods carrying a basket. "Ob, Carl, did yon tind tbe gold?" called Peter and Hans. " IN^o, I found no gold. 1 o\'erslept and did not get to tbe meadow until an bour aftei' sunrise. Tbere was no gold to be seen, only a few pieces of silver. I took tbem to town and bought this basket of food." " I am glad you thought of the food," 89 said Peter, as he took the basket from his brother. " But I am sorrj you were not iu the meadow at sunrise." " So am I, Peter," answered CarL " I will try after this to help you all I can." After giving his sick inother some food and telling Carl just what to do for her while he w^as away, Peter took a large bag and went oif into the forest. When he came to the edge near the meadow, he lay down under a large tree. But you may be sure he slept very little. He was so afraid that he would not be in the meadoAY in time. jVext morning when the sun rose OA^er the meadow, there stood Peter, 90 bag in hand. And what a sight he beheld ! The meadow was just covered with shining gokl pieces ! "Tinkle! tinkle! tinlde ! " sounded a tiny Ijell, and tliere stood the elf man. "Good morn- ing, Peter," lie said. " Your --- Uzj l;)rothers did not get here in time, l)ut I knew you would. So I have come to help you. Let's get to work." 91 How Peter and the elf man did wo]'k! They soon had Peter's bag; fnll. Then three nioi-e bags that the elf man had brouglit. " ^^)n may can-y your l)ag home with yon,'' said the eh' man. " The other three Ijags yon can hide in a lioUow ti'ee tliat I will show yon. There they will l)e safe nntil yon wish to carry tln^n away." Peter tried to thank his kind friend, but the elf man said : '' jVo, no, Peter. Do not thank me. I helped yon be- cause you wei'e such a gaod son. You now haye all the gold A^on yill eyer need, so no more gold pieces mil eyer 92 be seen in the meadow. But I 8liall leave sonietliing liere tluit you and your brothers may remember me." As he said tliis, tlie elf man planted a piece of gold in the meadow. Than with a "Tinkle! tinkle! tinkle!" he disappeared. Peter was now the lichest man in the country. His mother grew well and strong again, but slie no longer had to make baskets. Peter shared his gold with her and his brothers. But I nmst tell you what grew from the piece of gold that the elf man planted in the meadow. First ap- peared some green leaves. Then a bright golden flower, "just like Peter's gold pieces," Hans said, luifolded. Aftei- a few days the golden flower dis- appeared and in its place stood a silver ball. " Jnst the color of my silvei' pieces," said Carl. While the brothers looked at it, the wind swept by and the silver was gone. " Oh," cried Hans, " I know what the elf man meant ! If Ave work eaiiv, we find gold as Peter did. If we are late at work, we earn only silver like you, Carl. But if we sleep all day, we find just what I found — nothing." Carl and Hans were ashamed of their lazy lives, and from that time on worked 94 early and late, helping all who needed their aid. Whenever they grew tired, they walked ont to the meadow and looked at the "Elf Flower" and so never forgot the lesson it taught. Woidd 3^on like to look at this won- derful flower ? You may easily do so. Foi' it is our common dandelion. And now you know why tlie dandehon is first gold, then silver, then nothing. 95 THE DRONES x\XD THE ^YORKERS OXE da}" a part}" of drones got into a beehive. They claimed tlie honey and the honeycondj that they found there. They tried to drive the workers out. Eut the workers said : '' Tliis is our honey and oui" honeycondo. V\e made the cond) and gathered the honey our- selves. ^^Q will not let you have it." 99 So the drones and the workers began to fight. After a while tlie workers said : "Letns ask Jndge Wasp to settle the matter. He always judges wisely." " Agreed/' answered the drones, who were tired of fighting. Off to Judge Wasp they flew. "These drones are tr^dng to steal our honey and honeyconilj," said the workers. " It is our honey and honeycomb," said the drones. " iS'o, it is ours/' said the workers. '' It is ours ! It is ours ! " cried the di'ones. 100 ^' Be still, all of you," said Judge Wasp. "Let me tliiiik." The drones and Avorkers waited f()r a few minutes. Then Judge Wasp said : " l^otli parties must make and till some comb before me. I ean then tell whieh part}^ makes honey like that in the hive." At once the workers set t<:> work. First the}^ made the eondj • then they filled it with honey. Tlie drones buzzed qromid for a short time, then the}^ tlew away. " It is plain," said the wise judge, " that the honey belongs to the work- ers." 101 THE GOLDEN-ROD >Tr BUNCH of tall, green weeds J ^ grew in a field. The wild flowers that lived near would have nothing to do with them. "How common these weeds are/' they said. " They never have a floAvei'. Don't let ns speak to them." And they di'ew themselves np prondly. 102 The poor weeds heai'd these unkind remarks and dreAV neai'er to the fence to get ont of the way of their proud neighbors. One warm day a poorly dressed man came into tlie iiekl. He was ohl and feeble. As soon as they saw liim, the weeds felt sorry for him. "He looks poor and conmion like ourselves," they said. I^ut there was something very un- common about this old man. lie knew the language of the trees and flowei-s. Standing under the tall ti'ees in the field, he said: "Dear trees, I am tired. I have? 103 walked many miles this warm clay and I still have a long way to go. Yon see T am old and feeble. Will one of yon please give me a staff on which to lean?" " Give yon a staff! " cried all the trees. " Break one of onr branches for a poor old man like yon ! JN'o, indeed ! Yon will get no staff from ns." " Jnst a httle one," begged the old man. " You grow so fast that a little branch will never be missed." '' Go away at once," said the trees. " Yon will get no staff fi^om ns." The old man tnrned sadly away. ''Serves him right," said the wild 104 flowers. "Who would ghe any thing to such a poor old man ! " And they drew themselves away as ho passed them. The weeds had listened to every word that had been spoken. Their pity for the old man grew gi-eater and s;reater. " Old man," they called, " come here." The old man tottered to the corner where the weeds grew. "We are sorry for yon," said the weeds. " If we had a good strong staif, we would give it to you •, and what we have, we give you gladly. Right in the center you will find our 105 thickest stalk. It is not very big, but take it. It is perhaps better than no statf." Tlie old mail bent over and cut the thickest stalk. Then he held it up, so that the trees and the wild flowers could see it. As they looked upon it, a strange thing happened. Before their wonder- ing eyes it turned into a rod of pure gold. Before a word could be spoken another strange change took place. A bright light shone around the old man for a minute. Then he, too, was changed. Instead of a poor old man, a beautiful fairy stood before them. 106 '' I am the king of tho ti'ees and flowers," lie said. " I wanted to find out if you were kind and Ljving. That is why I came to you, dressed lilve a poor okl man. Only these poor weeds have shown me kindness; and I shall reward them." So saying, he touched the weeds 107 with the rod of gohl, and tliey were covered with chisters of gokleii stars. 'No wikl flower in the fiehl was half so IjeantifuL " Hereafter, 3"on shall no longer be called ' common weeds/ hut Golden- rod. And whenever trees, flowers, or people look at jou, they shall remem- ber } oiu' kindness to a poor old man." And that is how we got our first golden-rod. i-'^t^^S^i 108 ■ "Till" '')i"'ir i|| \\ ^"^ 1 ^^ n J 9^M, Vi- mwMW^B ^t^ii xSt^^^S^P^^^^^Swrt \ \ \ '"SiiUiL^ 1^ r-''-T-'~^rrda^ • -.i^-JB- THE STONE OF GRATITUDE ^^^W AI^Y, many years ago there ^Jl^ lived a very good king. All his people loved him because he was so kind and just. Bnt alas! the poor khig was blind. " I cannot see if my people are unhappy," he said. "P>ut I can always listen to their sorrows and help them." So he said to his servants: '^Hang 109 this great gong of brass before my palace gates. If any one is wronged, he may sound the gong. Then I will listen to his troubles and help him." For 3^ears the great gong hung in its place. Many people sounded it, and the king listened to all. And every one — old and young, rich and poor^ found the king ever kind and helpful. One day the gong sounded. Out rushed a soldier to see who was there. What was his surprise to see a great snake striking the gong with its tail ! The soldier was about to diive it away, when the king came out. ''Who is it?" he asked. 110 "A great, ugly snake/' said the sol- dier. " Shall I drive it away ? " ''JN'o," answered the king. " The gong is for every one who is wronged. Let the snake come forward and tellits tale." Ill The snake crept to tlie king's feet. Then slie hfted her head and began to speak. " king," slie said, '^ laj nest is at the foot of yonder tall oak tree. In it my litth"! ones and I were so ha2)py. This morning I went to find food for my babies. AVhen I came back to my nest, I fonnd a strange beast in it. He liad killed all my children and now claims my nest. I cannot drive him away, because he is covered with sharp needles. king, will you not drive this wicked beast from my nest ? " " Indeed I will," said the kino;. He at once sent a soldier to the 112 nest to kill the porcupine who hud slain the bab}^ snakes. Then he spoke a few kind Avords to the poor niotlier snake l^efore she crept away to her sad, empty little home. Late that night the palace was very still. Every one was a§leep. If the soldiers before the doors had been awake, they would have heard a queer sound. "Swish! swish! swish!" it came — nearer and nearer to the pal- ace. Up the steps, past the sleeping soldiers, glided the mother snake. In through the door she crept. Then through the halls, till she came to the king's room. Across the floor she 113 glided, up to the Yerj bed on which the Idng slept. She lifted her head and listened. The king never stirred. Very softly she laid upon eacli of the king's closed eyelids a shining topaz. " Thus I thank the good king and pay him for his kindness to a poor snake," she Ayhispered softly. Then she quietly and quickly glided from the room and from tlie palace back to her own little nest. JN'ext morning, when the king awoke, there was great joy in the palace. A wonderful, joyful thing had happened. The king was no longer blind. The mother snake had cured him. 114 And that is why the topaz is called the stone of gratitude. 5 THE GOLDEN COCK 'E is the most beautiful 3^oung cock in the harnyard," said the gray hen. The new cock strntted proudly and pretended he did not hear. ''lie is the most beautiful cock that evei' lived in this barnyard," said the white hen. 115 The new cock flapped his wings and crowed. " Just Hsten ! " said the bkick hen. " What a sAveet voice lie lias ! " ''And see his long, sharp spurs/' said the l)rown hen. By this time tlie new cock was so proud that he didn't know what to do. So he flapped his wings and crowed again. "Look at his feathers," cried the old speckled hen. " When the sun shines on them, they look like gold." " Gold ! Who is talking about gold ? " cackled a new Aoice. The cock turned round. There stood 116 an old gray goose. All the hens bowed low and said, " Good day, dear Mrs. Goose." The new cock stared in wonder. He thought it was right that all the hens should admire him. Who could help admiring such a fine fellow ? But why should they all bow down to an old gray goose ? 117 " Dear Mrs. Goose," said the black hen, pointing to the 3"oung cock, " this young cock has come to live in the barnj-ard. I hope yon will like him." ^'I may if he doesn't crow too ottcn," said the old gray goose. "I hate to hear cocks crow. And " — pointing right at the young cock — "don't you crow too early in the morning." So saying, she walked pi'oudly away. The cock could scarcely believe his ears. JYot like his crowing ! His beau- tiful voice ! How dare she say such a thing ! The hens crowded around him, all cackling at once. 118 " You must do just Avhat slie says," said the gray hen. "Don't make her cross," said the black hen. " We all try to please tier," said the s^jeckled hen. But why?" cried the cock. Because," said the white hen, "her great-great-great-grandmother once laid a golden egg." " Golden egg ! " said the cock. " What is golden ? " " Why, your feathers are golden when the sun shines on them," ciied all the hens. " Then," answered the cock, " if the 11.9 sun makes things golden^ I shall have it turn me into a golden cock. A golden cock is more wonderful than a golden egg^ T should say. And when I am a golden cock, every one in the barnyard, the old gray goose and all, must obey me." ^Next morning the cock went to call on his friend the eagle. ''Dear Mr. Eagle," he said, "you can fly higher than any bird in the worid. Can't you ? " ''Yes," answered the eagle. " Can you fly to the sun ? " " I never tried. But why do you ask ? " 120 " Oh, Mr. Eagle, if I can only get to the 81U1, luy feathers will be golden. Deal- Mr. Eagle, kind Mr. Eagle, do try to fly to the sun and cany nie with you." " Yeiy well, little cock, jump on my back, and I will do nij Ijest for you." Tip into the air flew Mr. Eagle, — above the houses, above the trees, above the higliest mountain, above even tlie clouds, he flew! " I am tii-ed, little cock," he said, " T can fly no higher." " Oh, please, Mr. Eagle, just try a little more." 121 The eagle tried and flew a little near-er the sun. '^It is so hot, and I am so tired, I can go no higher," he said, at last; and dropped slowly to the earth. 122 But the cock jumped from the eagle's back, and flew right into the face of the sun ! And the sun did turn him into a golden cock ! ]>ut, oh, how hea\y he was! Down, down he dropped j-ight on to the point of a high church stee[)le, and tliere he stuck fast. And there he stands till this very day. This is how we got our first cock weather vane. The last I heartl, the old gra}^ goose was still ruling the biU'nyard. 123 K 8^ - {1 \ V ^j B. " V ^ y 9 ^ ^p^ gjffiaaa^i 1 uj £^ m Er WHY THE OWL SAYS "WHO" OIN^G, long, long ago, the owl was one of the sweetest singers among the birds. More than that, he could speak the language of man. He was truly tlie wisest l)ird in the world. In those days he was not a night Ijird, Ijut flew about in the bright sunshine and sanir in the trees. One day a great eagle flew down from his nest on a high mountain. He 124 was looking for food for liis baljy eagles.. His briglit eye soon spied a dear, wee baby rolling on the grass before a little house. The eagle flew ronnd and round. Then down he came. Quickly seizing the baljy in his strong talons, he flew with it towards his nest. On his way he saw the owl fly- ing about. He was afr-aid the owl would tell who had carried ofl" the baby, so he called to him : " See here, you little gi'ay owl, don't tell any one that I stole this baby. If you do I'll, I'll—" ISTow the owl was a great coward. 125 So he answered in a quaking voice : " Yes, Mr. Eagle, I hear. I'll never tell." "Well, see that you don't," cried the eagle, as he rose higher and higlior in tlie air. The baby's pitiful little cries grew fainter and fainter, and then died away. The owl was just going to fly to his nest, when the baby's niotlier and father rushed into the woods. The man carried a sti'ong cliib. " There are the mother and father,'' said the owl to himself " I must keep them talking here till the eagles have eaten the baby." 126 " Oh, owl ! who has carried off my baby ? " cried the poor mother. ''Who! Who! Who!" said tlic owl. And he stared with liis round eyes, and looked veiy stupid. "My baby! My dear l)aby!" cried the woman. "Who has carried him away ? " " Who ! Who ! Who ! " mocked the owl. " Speak ont ! " cried the father. " Have you seen any one carry off our baby ? Tell me who did this cruel thing and I will kill him wdth my great club." "Who! Who! Who!" repeated the owl. 127 He Avould have kept tlie man and woman talking until the eagles had eaten the child, but just then the fairy queen flew into the woods. " Mj Mends," she said, " your baby is safe. My people have killed the eagle who stole him. I hurried to tell you the glad news. See, here are my fairies now." True enough, into the woods flew about a hundred little fairies. They carried a quilt of thistledown. And on the quilt lay the l3al)y, laughing and crowing and quite uuhurt. Quickly the mother seized her baby and clasped him to her breast, while she thanked the fairies a«2;ain and a<:rain. When he thought they were all too busy to notice him, the owl tried to fly away. But the fairy queen saw him. 129 " Hold ! " she cried. " Owl, you are a coward. You would have allowed the eagles to tear this dear baby to pieces rather than tell the truth. You are not lit to sing and fly with the brave birds. Hereafter, you may fly only at night. And because 3^ou mocked this poor mother in her trouble and answered only ' Who, who, who ' to her questions, you shall forget all your beautiful songs. You shall also forget the lan- guage of man. And forever and for- ever you and your children shall say nothing but ' Who ! Who ! Who ! ' " The owl's great eyes began to blink. The sun hurt them. He tried to beg 130 the fairy queen to forgive liim, but all lie could say was '' AVlio ! Who ! Who ! " lie tried to fly to his nest, but the sun blinded him. He fluttered, dashing himself against the ti'ocs, till he fell into a hollow tree. There he stayed imtil it was dark. So he lives by day in his hollow tree, and at night flies about looking for food, and often frightening people by calling, "Who! Who! Who!" 131 WHY THE CAT WASHES AFTER EATING VB N' old gray cat was prowling ¥ JL about in the attic one day, when he caught a little mouse. The little mouse was so frightened! He just squealed with flight ! " Why do you squeal so ? " asked the cat. "Because you hurt me. Oh, please, Mr. Cat, let me go ! " 135 " Let yon go ? " said the cat. '' Don't yon know that i have been hunting you for days ? I am going to eat you at once, and you had better stop squeal- ing. Gentlemen do not squeal when they are hurt." "Are you a gentleman?" asked the mouse. ''To be sure I am," said the cat, looking A'cry proud. " Then," said the mouse, " jou are not going to eat me at once." "And why not, pray?" " Because gentlemen ahvays wash be- fore they eat." " That's so," said the cat. And with- 136 out another word he began to wash his face and paws. As soon as the little monse saw tlie cat busy washing, he scampered olf to his hole in the Avail. Mr. Cat stopped washing and sprang after the mouse. P)ut it was too late. The little mouse was safe. ^' Well/' said puss}^, as he walked down- stairs, " it served me r-ight. After this, I will eat a mouse when I catch it and waslT m}^ face after I liave eaten." And, if } (ju will watcli your kitty, you will see that this is true. For from that day all cats have washed their paws and faces after eating. 137 WHY TURTLES STAY NEAR THE WATER OJN^E morning a wolf met a fox in the woods. " Good morningj friend fox," he said. " Where are you going this fine morn- ing ? " " I am going hunting," answered the fox. '' I have had no breakfast." " Then," said the wolf, " let us hunt together. I'll go this way and you go that way. If you find anything 138 |)pv^f^,>)'^ good, you call me; and if I find an) tiling good, I'll call you." This pleased the fox, so they pai-ted. Soon the wolf heard the fox calling to him. 139 " Come here, Brother Wolf ! I have caught something good." '' What have yon got, brother fox ? " cried the wolf, as he ran to the fox. " See," answered the fox. '' It is a nice fat turtle. I have heard that tnrtle meat is very good to eat." "So have I," said the wolf. "But how shall we get the meat? That big, heavy shell covers it." "I will dig it out with this sharp stick," said the fox. How frightened the turtle was ! But do you think he let the fox and the wolf know ? ISTot a bit of it. 140 "Ha! ha! ha!" he laughed. "Who is afraid of a sharp stick ? JN'ot I." "]N"o use of trying," said the wolf "You can't get the meat out with a stick." "Well, if the stick won't get tlie meat out, I know what I shall do. ni l)reak the shell with this big I'ock." Tlie turtle fairl}^ shook ^vlth fear. But he did not show it. " Ho ! ho ! ho ! " he laughed. " P>r(nik my shell with a stone ! You can't do it. I'm not afraid of all the stones in the world." "I'll get him," said the wolf "I'll make a big hre and burn him up." 141 When he heard this, the poor turtle ahnost died with fear. But still he laughed, though in a rather feeble way. '' He ! he ! he ! Do you think you can frighten me with your old fire ? How silly you are, Mr. Wolf!" This made the wolf very angry. " I'll get you yet, old mud turtle," he said. '' Let us take him down to the river and drown him," said the fox. When he heard this, the turtle pre- tended to be very much friglitened. "Oh, dear Mr. Wolf, oh, dear Mr. Fox," he begged, "please, please don't throw me into the river!" 142 "So you are afraid of the river, are you, old snapper?" said the fox. ''Well, into the river you go." Down to the river they dragged Mr. Turtle, and into the river they threw him. "Splash!" went Mr. Turtle, as lie struck the water. Away he swam to 143 a log near the middle of the river. There he sat and laughed and laughed and laughed. ''Oh, Mr. Fox and Mr. Wolf, I fooled you that time ! This river is my home." " Wait till the next time ^ye catch you up in the woods. You won't get away so easily," yelled the wolf " You will never see me in the woods again," answered the turtle. '' After this, I will stay where I be- long, — near the water." And from that day to this, no one has ever seen a turtle very far aw^ay from the water. 144 HOW THE OAK LEAVES CAME TO HAVE NOTCHES OIN'CE upon a time a young man sat midor an oak tree beside the road. lie seemed very sad. Along the road came a little black dwarf. He saw^ the young man and walked up to him. 145 " Good morning, my young Mend," he said. "Why are you so sad?" '' Ah, me ! " said the young man, " I •am most unhappy! I have no money, and the fair Gretchen will not marry me because I am so ugly." " If that is all, cheer up," said the dwarf. " T think T can help you. What is your name ? " " Hans ; but how can you help me ? " '' Do you see this little bottle ? If I let you drink but three drops of the water in it, you will become very handsome. Then the fair Gretchen ^fill marry you at once. Besides, I 146 shall give you this purse, which will always be full of money." ''Will you really?" asked Hans. " Oh, please give them to me at once ! " ''Wait," said the dwarf "Before I give you the water and the purse, you must promise something." "What?" asked Hans. " Only this — at the end of a year you must come away with me and be my servant." Hans thought a moment. "A year from now ? That will be the spring- time. I cannot go with you then. I shall be busy planting my garden," he said. 147 ''Weiy answered the dwarf, "I will wait until the summei"." " IN'o," said Hans, '' I can't o;o in the summer. Then I shall be busy tak- ing care of my garden." " Shall I come in the autumn ? " asked the dwarf " That will not do either," answered Hans. " 1 shall be busy gathering nuts in autumn." The dwarf looked very cross. " Then I shall come in the winter," he said. Now Hans did not want to go with the dwarf in tlie winter, either. But he did not know what to say. He 148 thought and thought. At hist he said : — •' I'll tell you what I'll do. I will go away with you when the leaves are all gone from the oak tree." '' Agreed ! " said the dwarf. " Here is the purse and here is the bottle." Hans put the purse in his pocket. He drank three drops from the bottle. At once he became the handsomest young man in the land. " Grive me back my bottle," said the dwarf " I will come for you when the leaves are gone from the oak tree. And now, good-by." 149 Before Hans could answer, the dwarf was gone. Everything happened just as the dwarf had said. The fair Gretchen married Hans because he was so handsome. The purse was never empty. So they were rich and happy. Spring passed ; summer passed ; and autumn came. The leaves turned red and golden and dropped from the trees. One evening Hans and Grretchen sat in their pretty homo. A knock was heard at the door. Hans opened it- There stood the black dwarf. 150 "Good evening, friend Hans/' he said. " I have come for you." "I am ready," said Plans. ''But first we will go and see if the leaves have gone from the oak tree." Out into the woods they walked. 151 The other trees were bare, but the oak tree was still covered with leaves. To be sure, the leaves were browu and dry, but the}^ still clung to the branches. "It is not yet time for me to go with you," said Hans. The dwarf stamped his foot in anger. "I will get you yet," he shouted. Then he rushed from the woods. Autumn passed, and it was winter. One cold night there came a knock- ing at the door. When Hans opened it, there stood the dwarf " Come, Hans," he said. " It is time for you to go away with me." 152 " First we will visit tlie oak tree/' said Hans. Into the forest tliey walked, and the moon gave them liglit. Under the oak tree tlie gronnd was covered with snow. But the dij leaves still elnng to tlie l)ranches. Tlie dAvarf looked at tliem. Then, with a frightful howl, he rushed ti'om the woods. The springtime came. Once more the dwarf knocked at the young man's door. " I have come for you, Hans ! '' he roared, and his voice sounded like the loudest thunder ; and his face was as black as the darkest night. 158 Hans came out to meet him. " I am ready," he said. " But you must remember our bargain. Come and see the oak tree." Soon tliey reached tlie okl tree. It was covered with tlie tiny buds of the new green leaves. But the okl leaves, brown and dry, still clung to the branches. " See," said Hans, " the new leaves will be out before the old ones drop from the branches." The dwarf roared in anger. In his rage, he rushed at the oak tree and bit and tore the leaves with his teeth. Through the woods he ran, biting and 154 tearins: all the oak leaves he could see. And that is why the oak leaves are notched. Hans never saw the dwarf again; and he and Gretchen were rich and happy as long as they lived. 155 THE LAZY EACCOON OlSTCE upon a time there was a little raccoon. He was the laziest little raccoon in the world. While the other animals were working, he sat all day long just wishing. One morning he sat under a tree. The other animals had all had break- fast long ago. But the little raccoon was too lazy to look for food, although he was very hungry. 159 ^'' I wish I had a gi'eiit big pumpkin pie," he said. Now it happened that the Wish Fairy w^as standing near and heard liis wish. She made np her mind to teach that hizy httle raccoon a lesson. So she pnt a great big pnmpkin pie into his 2)aws. How sm^prised he was ! And liow pleased ! "My!" he said, "that k)oks good. I wish I had a great big mouth, so tliat I couki eat it all at once." The Wish Fairy touched Ids mouth, and it grew so big ! It stretched from ear to ear. 160 The raccoon swallowed the pie in one mouthful. How the other animals laughed when they saw the little raccoon's big mouth! "Oh, look at ]\rr. Eaccoon!" they cried. "What a l)ig mouth he has!" 161 Mr. Raccoon was ashanicd of his big mouth, and tried to cover it with his paws. But, as his nioutli was very big and his paws were very httle, he couldn't. So he said, — • " I wish I had great big paw^s so that I coukl cover my great big month." The Wisli Fairy touched first one paw, then tlie othei', and tliey gi'ew big. " Oil, just look at Mr. Raccoon!" cried all the other animals. "What a great big mouth he has ! And what great big paws ! " And they laughed louder than before. Oh, how ashamed Mr. Raccoon felt ! He started to run away into the deep 162 woods to hide. But all the other ani- mals ran after hinij mocking him and laughing at him, " I wish," cried Mr. Raccoon, " I wish I had great big long legs so that I could run faster than anj other animal in the forest." The Wish Fairy touched one leg, and it grew long. She touched the other leg, and that grew long. Then how the other animals did laup-h ! '' Oh, just look at Mr. Raccoon ! " they cried. " What a big mouth, what great paws, and what long legs he has ! " Mr. Raccoon ran and ran till he 163 came to the deepest, darkest place in the forest. He drew a paw along his ^Teat bie: month, and one little tear rolled down his check. He looked at his great big paws, and another little tear rolled down his cheek. He looked at his great long legs, and then he threw himself on the gronnd, and cried and cried and cried. When she saw this, the Wish Fairy flew to him. " Why are joii crying, Mr. Rac- coon ? " she asked. " Oh, just look at my big mouth and my big paws and my long legs ! " said poor Mr. Raccoon. 164 " Did yon not wish for them ? " asked the fairy. " Yes, yes," sobbed Mr. Raccoon. " Bnt how I wish I might have jnst one more wish ! " "What wonkl yon wish for this time ? " asked the Wish Fairy. "I wonld lilve to be my own self again, with my httle month, my little paws, and my short legs," answered Mr. Eaccoon. " If I grant this wish, will yon prom- ise never to wish again ? " " I^ever, neA^er, never ! " cried poor Mr. Raccoon. '' And will yon promise to woi-k ? " 165 " Yes, good fairy ! Only change me back, and I promise that no animal in the forest will work harder than I." The Wish Fairy touched his long legs, and they grew short. She touclied his great big paws, and they grcAV small. She touched ]iis great wide mouth, and it grow little. "There, I have granted your last wish," she said. "Remember your promise." And Mr. Raccoon did remember his promise. From that day to this no one ever heai-d him wish again. And no animal worked harder than he. 166 JUPITER AND THE BEE VB " bee once made Jupiter a J J^ present of a pot of honey. The gift pleased Jnpiter very mucli. ''Little bee," he said, "I thank you for your gift. JSTow I shall give you a present. Ask whatever you wish, and I will give it to you." The bee thought for a minute, then he said, " Jnpiter, give me a sharp sting, that I may stab whom I will." 167 This wish did not please Jupiter. He did not hke to leave man at the mercy of the spiteful bee. He was angry because the bee was so cruel. Yet, because he had promised, he had to gi'ant the bee's wish. After thinking for a minute or two, lie said: "Little bee, your wish is granted. But be careful how you use your sting, for wherever you plant it you will leave it, and with it lose your own life.'' That is how the bee got his sting. And now you know why he never stings any one who leaves him alone. 168 HOW WE GOT THE FIRST CAMEL 0]^E summer morning in the long, long ago time, a horse stood l)esi(le a calm lake. He seemed to be stndying his reflection in the water. From the way he stamped and tossed his mane, one would think 169 he was not pleased with the picture reflected there. And yet he was a beautiful horse with long, flowing mane and tail, a glossy coat, and dainty hoofs. At last he turned from the lake and trotted swiftly away. Over rivers, tlirough woods, across plains, he trotted, never stopping till he reached the home of Jupiter on the top of the highest mountain. Straight up to Jupiter's throne he trotted, and then stood wait- ing for 23ermission to speak. " What is the matter, friend horse ? " asked Jupiter. ^' Speak, and tell us what brings you here iii such haste.'' 170 "Oil, Jupiter! father of beasts and men," replied the horse, " I know I am one of the most beautiful of the animals you have created. But yet I am not content. I would be more beautiful." "Pray, speak freely," said Jupiter. 171 a What changes do you desire ? JN'ame them, and, if possible, I shall grant your prayer." "I knoAV I eould run faster if my legs were longer and more slender," said the horse. " Quite true,^' replied Jupiter. '' Is there anything more ? " " Yes," answered the horse. " I would be more beautiful if I had a long, swanlike neck." " Perhaps," said Jupiter ; " continue." " I would be stronger if my chest were broader," replied the horse. Here he stopped to hear wdiat Ju- piter might say to this, but Jupiter 172 seemed lost in thought and answered not a word. The horse continued, ^' Since I am made to cany man, thy "favorite crea- ture, Avoidd it not he well if my saddle grew on my back ? " ''Let me see," replied Jupiter. " You would like your legs to be longer and more slender, yoiu' neck longer and like a swan's, your chest broader, and your saddle fastened to your back. Is that all ? " " Oh, yes ! Glreat Jupiter. That is all I ask," said the horse. " Come again to-morrow," said Jupi- ter, " and I will show you an animal 173 like the one yon have described. Then, if you still wish to change your form, I shall grant your desire." The next day the horse eagerly sought Jupiter's throne. A strange, new animal stood near. When he saw it, the horse was frightened and trembled so that he could scarcely stand. "Well, fi'iend horse," asked Jupiter, "what do you think of this new crea- ture ? " " Oh, it is terrible ! " answered the horse. "It fills me with fear and dis- gust." a Why, what can you mean? Do 174 V/f>:^ you not want me to change you into a like creature?" asked Jupiter. "N'o, no, no!" cried the horse. "I would rather look hke the meanest 175 creaturo that crawls than like that monster." "But he is exactly like the horse you wished to l)e," said Jupiter. " J^ever ! never ! " cried the horse. "Look at his legs," said Jupiter. " Are they not long and slender ? And just see how fast he can run." As Jupiter spoke, the strange crea- ture ran swiftly over a broad plain and back again in much less time than the horse could have run the same distance. "True," said the horse, "his legs are long and slender and he can run fastj but — " 176 "And is not his neck long and swanlike ? " asked Jupiter. "Yes, but — " "Is not his chest broad?" "It is, but, oh — " "And look at his back. Just see those humps ! Could one have a more perfect saddle ? " "True, all true," cried the poor liorse. " But, oh, Jupiter- ! please, please do not turn me into such a horiible looking cr'eature. I am contented now. I shall always be contented. Pray, drive that creature irom the earth." " l^ot so," replied Jupiter. " On the 177 earth he shall stay as a warning to you and all creatures to be content, now and ibr all times." And this is how the llrst camel was made. From that day to this, horses have trembled with fear at their first sight of the camel. 178