Sothepioneerssettledthereandbuiltthemhutsandcabinsforthefirstwinter。
Ithadtakenthemmanymonthstomaketheterriblejourney;manyhaddiedofwearinessandillnessontheway;manydiedofhardshipduringthewinter;andtheprovisionstheyhadbroughtintheirwagonsweresonearlygonethat，byspring，theywerelivingpartlyonroots，dugfromtheground。Alltheirlivesnowdependedonthecropsofgrainandvegetableswhichtheycouldraiseinthevalley。Theymadethebarrenlandgoodbyspreadingwaterfromthelittlestreamsoverit，——whatwecall\"irrigating;\"andtheyplantedenoughcornandgrainandvegetablesforallthepeople。Everyonehelped，andeveryonewatchedforthesprouting，withhopes，andprayers，andcarefuleyes。
Ingoodtimetheseedssprouted，andthedry，brownearthwascoveredwithacarpetoftender，green，growingthings。
Nofarmer’sgardenathomeintheEastcouldhavelookedbetterthanthegreatgardenofthedesertvalley。Andfromdaytodaythelittleshootsgrewandflourishedtilltheywereallwellabovetheground。
Thenaterriblethinghappened。Onedaythemenwhowerewateringthecropssawagreatnumberofcricketsswarmingoverthegroundattheedgeofthegardensnearestthemountains。Theywerehoppingfromthebarrenplacesintotheyoung，greencrops，andastheysettleddowntheyatethetinyshootsandleavestotheground。
Morecame，andmore，andevermore，andastheycametheyspreadouttilltheycoveredabigcornerofthegrainfield。Andstillmoreandmore，tillitwaslikeanarmyofblack，hopping，crawlingcrickets，streamingdownthesideofthemountaintokillthecrops。
Thementriedtokillthecricketsbybeatingtheground，butthenumbersweresogreatthatitwaslikebeatingatthesea。
Thentheyranandtoldtheterriblenews，andallthevillagecametohelp。Theystartedfires;theydugtrenchesandfilledthemwithwater;theyranwildlyaboutinthefields，killingwhattheycould。Butwhiletheyfoughtinoneplacenewarmiesofcricketsmarcheddownthemountain—
sidesandattackedthefieldsinotherplaces。
Andatlastthepeoplefellontheirkneesandweptandcriedindespair，fortheysawstarvationanddeathinthefields。
Afewknelttopray。Othersgatheredroundandjoinedthem，weeping。Morelefttheiruselessstrugglesandkneltbesidetheirneighbors。Atlastnearlyallthepeoplewerekneelingonthedesolatefieldsprayingfordeliverancefromtheplagueofcrickets。
Suddenly，fromfaroffintheairtowardthegreatsaltlake，therewasthesoundofflappingwings。Itgrewlouder。Someofthepeoplelookedup，startled。Theysaw，likeawhitecloudrisingfromthelake，aflockofseagullsflyingtowardthem。
Snow—whiteinthesun，withgreatwingsbeatingandsoaring，inhundredsandhundreds，theyroseandcircledandcameon。
\"Thegulls！thegulls！\"wasthecry。
\"Whatdoesitmean？\"
Thegullsflewoverhead，withashrillchorusofwhimperingcries，andthen，inamarvelouswhitecloudofspreadwingsandhoveringbreasts，theysettleddownovertheseededground。
\"Oh！woe！woe！\"criedthepeople。
\"Thegullsareeatingwhatthecricketshaveleft！theywillstriprootandbranch！\"
Butallatonce，someonecalledout，——
\"No，no！See！theyareeatingthecrickets！Theyareeatingonlythecrickets！\"
Itwastrue。Thegullsdevouredthecricketsindozens，inhundreds，inswarms。
Theyateuntiltheyweregorged，andthentheyflewheavilybacktothelake，onlytocomeagainwithnewappetite。Andwhenatlasttheyfinished，theyhadstrippedthefieldsofthecricketarmy;andthepeopleweresaved。
Tothisday，inthebeautifulcityofSaltLake，whichgrewoutofthatpioneervillage，thelittlechildrenaretaughttolovetheseagulls。Andwhentheylearndrawingandweavingintheschools，theirfirstdesignisoftenapictureofacricketandagull。
THENIGHTINGALE[1]
[1]AdaptedfromHansChristianAndersen。
Along，longtimeago，aslongagoaswhentherewerefairies，therelivedanemperorinChina，whohadamostbeautifulpalace，allmadeofcrystal。Outsidethepalacewastheloveliestgardeninthewholeworld，andfartherawaywasaforestwherethetreesweretallerthananyothertreesintheworld，andfartheraway，still，wasadeepwood。AndinthiswoodlivedalittleNightingale。TheNightingalesangsobeautifullythateverybodywhoheardherrememberedhersongbetterthananythingelsethatheheardorsaw。Peoplecamefromallovertheworldtoseethecrystalpalaceandthewonderfulgardenandthegreatforest;butwhentheywenthomeandwrotebooksaboutthesethingstheyalwayswrote，\"ButtheNightingaleisthebestofall。\"
AtlastithappenedthattheEmperorcameuponabookwhichsaidthis，andheatoncesentforhisChamberlain。
\"WhoisthisNightingale？\"saidtheEmperor。\"WhyhaveIneverheardhimsing？\"
TheChamberlain，whowasaveryimportantperson，said，\"Therecannotbeanysuchperson;Ihaveneverheardhisname。\"
\"ThebooksaysthereisaNightingale，\"
saidtheEmperor。\"IcommandthattheNightingalebebroughtheretosingformethisevening。\"
TheChamberlainwentoutandaskedallthegreatlordsandladiesandpageswheretheNightingalecouldbefound，butnotoneofthemhadeverheardofhim。
SotheChamberlainwentbacktotheEmperorandsaid，\"Thereisnosuchperson。\"
\"ThebooksaysthereisaNightingale，\"
saidtheEmperor;\"iftheNightingaleisnotheretosingformethiseveningIwillhavethecourttrampledupon，immediatelyaftersupper。\"
TheChamberlaindidnotwanttobetrampledupon，soheranoutandaskedeverybodyinthepalaceabouttheNightingale。
Atlast，alittlegirlwhoworkedinthekitchentohelpthecook’shelper，said，\"Oh，yes，IknowtheNightingaleverywell。Everynight，whenIgotocarryscrapsfromthekitchentomymother，wholivesinthewoodbeyondtheforest，IheartheNightingalesing。\"
TheChamberlainaskedthelittlecook—
maidtotakehimtotheNightingale’shome，andmanyofthelordsandladiesfollowedafter。Whentheyhadgonealittleway，theyheardacowmoo。
\"Ah！\"saidthelordsandladies，\"thatmustbetheNightingale;whatalargevoiceforsosmallacreature！\"
\"Oh，no，\"saidthelittlegirl，\"thatisjustacow，mooing。\"
Alittlefartherontheyheardsomebull—
frogs，inaswamp。\"SurelythatistheNightingale，\"saidthecourtiers;\"itreallysoundslikechurch—bells！\"
\"Oh，no，\"saidthelittlegirl，\"thosearebullfrogs，croaking。\"
AtlasttheycametothewoodwheretheNightingalewas。\"Hush！\"saidthelittlegirl，\"sheisgoingtosing。\"And，sureenough，thelittleNightingalebegantosing。Shesangsobeautifullythatyouhaveneverinallyourlifeheardanythinglikeit。
\"Dear，dear，\"saidthecourtiers，\"thatisverypleasant;doesthatlittlegraybirdreallymakeallthatnoise？SheissopalethatIthinkshehaslosthercolorforfearofus。\"
TheChamberlainaskedthelittleNightingaletocomeandsingfortheEmperor。
ThelittleNightingalesaidshecouldsingbetterinherowngreenwood，butshewassosweetandkindthatshecamewiththem。
Thateveningthepalacewasalltrimmedwiththemostbeautifulflowersyoucanimagine，androwsandrowsoflittlesilverbells，thattinkledwhenthewindblewin，andhundredsandhundredsandhundredsofwaxcandles，thatshoneliketinystars。InthegreathalltherewasagoldperchfortheNightingale，besidetheEmperor’sthrone。
Whenallthepeoplewerethere，theEmperoraskedtheNightingaletosing。ThenthelittlegrayNightingalefilledherthroatfull，andsang。And，mydears，shesangsobeautifullythattheEmperor’seyesfilledupwithtears！And，youknow，emperorsdonotcryatalleasily。Soheaskedhertosingagain，andthistimeshesangsomarvelouslythatthetearscameoutofhiseyesandrandownhischeeks。Thatwasagreatsuccess。TheyaskedthelittleNightingaletosing，overandoveragain，andwhentheyhadlistenedenoughtheEmperorsaidthatsheshouldbemade\"SingerinChieftotheCourt。\"ShewastohaveagoldenperchneartheEmperor’sbed，andalittlegoldcage，andwastobeallowedtogoouttwiceeveryday。
Butthereweretwelveservantsappointedtowaitonher，andthosetwelveservantswentwithhereverytimeshewentout，andeachofthetwelvehadholdoftheendofasilkenstringwhichwastiedtothelittleNightingale’sleg！Itwasnotsoverymuchfuntogooutthatway！
Foralong，longtimetheNightingalesangeveryeveningtotheEmperorandhiscourt，andtheylikedhersomuchthattheladiesalltriedtosoundlikeher;theyusedtoputwaterintheirmouthsandthenmakelittlesoundslikethis：glu—glu—glug。
Andwhenthecourtiersmeteachotherinthehalls，onewouldsay\"Night，\"andtheotherwouldsay\"ingale，\"andthatwasconversation。
Atlast，oneday，therecamealittlepackagetotheEmperor，ontheoutsideofwhichwaswritten，\"TheNightingale。\"Insidewasanartificialbird，somethinglikeaNightingale，onlyitwasmadeofgold，andsilver，andrubies，andemeralds，anddiamonds。Whenitwaswoundupitplayedawaltztune，andasitplayeditmoveditslittletailupanddown。Everybodyinthecourtwasfilledwithdelightatthemusicofthenewnightingale。Theymadeitsingthatsametunethirty—threetimes，andstilltheyhadnothadenough。Theywouldhavemadeitsingthetunethirty—fourtimes，buttheEmperorsaid，\"IshouldliketoheartherealNightingalesing，now。\"
ButwhentheylookedaboutforthereallittleNightingale，theycouldnotfindheranywhere！Shehadtakenthechance，whileeverybodywaslisteningtothewaltztunes，toflyawaythroughthewindowtoherowngreenwood。
\"Whataveryungratefulbird！\"saidthelordsandladies。\"Butitdoesnotmatter;
thenewnightingaleisjustasgood。\"
SotheartificialnightingalewasgiventherealNightingale’slittlegoldperch，andeverynighttheEmperorwoundherup，andshesangwaltztunestohim。ThepeopleinthecourtlikedherevenbetterthantheoldNightingale，becausetheycouldallwhistlehertunes，——whichyoucan’tdowithrealnightingales。
Aboutayearaftertheartificialnightingalecame，theEmperorwaslisteningtoherwaltz—tune，whentherewasaSNAP
andWHIR—R—Rinsidethebird，andthemusicstopped。TheEmperorrantohisdoctorbuthecouldnotdoanything。Thenherantohisclock—maker，buthecouldnotdomuch。Nobodycoulddomuch。Thebesttheycoulddowastopatchthegoldnightingaleupsothatitcouldsingonceayear;eventhatwasalmosttoomuch，andthetunewasprettyshaky。Still，theEmperorkeptthegoldnightingaleontheperchinhisownroom。
Alongtimewentby，andthen，atlast，theEmperorgrewveryill，andwasabouttodie。Whenitwassurethathecouldnotlivemuchlonger，thepeoplechoseanewemperorandwaitedfortheoldonetodie。ThepoorEmperorlay，quitecoldandpale，inhisgreatbigbed，withvelvetcurtains，andtallcandlesticksallabout。
Hewasquitealone，forallthecourtiershadgonetocongratulatethenewemperor，andalltheservantshadgonetotalkitover。
WhentheEmperorwokeup，hefeltaterribleweightonhischest。Heopenedhiseyes，andtherewasDeath，sittingonhisheart。DeathhadputontheEmperor’sgoldcrown，andhehadthegoldsceptreinonehand，andthesilkenbannerintheother;andhelookedattheEmperorwithhisgreatholloweyes。Theroomwasfullofshadows，andtheshadowswerefulloffaces。EverywheretheEmperorlooked，therewerefaces。Somewerevery，veryugly，andsomeweresweetandlovely;
theywereallthethingstheEmperorhaddoneinhislife，goodandbad。Andashelookedatthemtheybegantowhisper。
Theywhispered，\"DOYOUREMEMBERTHIS？\"
\"DOYOUREMEMBERTHAT？\"TheEmperorrememberedsomuchthathecriedoutloud，\"Oh，bringthegreatdrum！Makemusic，sothatImaynothearthesedreadfulwhispers！\"Buttherewasnobodytheretobringthedrum。
ThentheEmperorcried，\"Youlittlegoldnightingale，canyounotsingsomethingforme？Ihavegivenyougiftsofgoldandjewels，andkeptyoualwaysbymyside;willyounothelpmenow？\"Buttherewasnobodytowindthelittlegoldnightingaleup，andofcourseitcouldnotsing。
TheEmperor’sheartgrewcolderandcolderwhereDeathcroucheduponit，andthedreadfulwhispersgrewlouderandlouder，andtheEmperor’slifewasalmostgone。Suddenly，throughtheopenwindow，therecameamostlovelysong。Itwassosweetandsoloudthatthewhispersdiedquiteaway。PresentlytheEmperorfelthisheartgrowwarm，thenhefeltthebloodflowthroughhislimbsagain;helistenedtothesonguntilthetearsrandownhischeeks;heknewthatitwasthelittlerealNightingalewhohadflownawayfromhimwhenthegoldnightingalecame。
Deathwaslisteningtothesong，too;
andwhenitwasdoneandtheEmperorbeggedformore，Death，too，said，\"Pleasesingagain，littleNightingale！\"
\"WillyougivemetheEmperor’sgoldcrownforasong？\"saidthelittleNightingale。
\"Yes，\"saidDeath;andthelittleNightingaleboughttheEmperor’scrownforasong。
\"Oh，singagain，littleNightingale，\"
beggedDeath。
\"WillyougivemetheEmperor’ssceptreforanothersong？\"saidthelittlegrayNightingale。
\"Yes，\"saidDeath;andthelittleNightingaleboughttheEmperor’ssceptreforanothersong。
OncemoreDeathbeggedforasong，andthistimethelittleNightingalegotthebannerforhersinging。Thenshesangonemoresong，sosweetandsosadthatitmadeDeaththinkofhisgardeninthechurchyard，wherehealwayslikedbesttobe。AndherosefromtheEmperor’sheartandfloatedawaythroughthewindow。
WhenDeathwasgone，theEmperorsaidtothelittleNightingale，\"Oh，dearlittleNightingale，youhavesavedmefromDeath！Donotleavemeagain。Staywithmeonthislittlegoldperch，andsingtomealways！\"
\"No，dearEmperor，\"saidthelittleNightingale，\"IsingbestwhenIamfree;
Icannotliveinapalace。Buteverynightwhenyouarequitealone，Iwillcomeandsitinthewindowandsingtoyou，andtellyoueverythingthatgoesoninyourkingdom：Iwilltellyouwherethepoorpeoplearewhooughttobehelped，andwherethewickedpeoplearewhooughttobepunished。Only，dearEmperor，besurethatyouneverletanybodyknowthatyouhavealittlebirdwhotellsyoueverything。\"
AfterthelittleNightingalehadflownaway，theEmperorfeltsowellandstrongthathedressedhimselfinhisroyalrobesandtookhisgoldsceptreinhishand。
Andwhenthecourtierscameintoseeifheweredead，therestoodtheEmperorwithhisswordinonehandandhissceptreintheother，andsaid，\"Good—morning！\"
MARGERY’SGARDEN[1]
[1]Ihavealwaysbeeninclinedtoavoid，inmyworkamongchildren，the\"howtomake\"and\"howtodo\"kindofstory;
itistoolikelytotrespassonthegroundbelongingbyrighttoitsmoreartisticandlessintentionalkinsfolk。Nevertheless，thereisalegitimateplacefortheinstruction—story。Withinitsownlimits，andespeciallyinaschooluse，ithasarealpurposetoserve，andarealdesiretomeet。Childrenhaveagenuinetasteforsuchmorselsofpracticalinformation，ifthebitesaren’tmadetoobigandtoosolid。Andtotheteacherofthefirstgrades，fromwhomsomuchisdemandedinthewayofpracticalinstruction，Iknowthatthesestoriesareaboon。
Theymustbechosenwithcare，andusedwithdiscretion，buttheyneedneverbeignored。
Iventuretogivesomelittlestoriesofthistype，whichIhopemaybeofuseintheschoolswherecountrylifeandcountryworkisanunknownexperiencetothechildren。
TherewasoncealittlegirlnamedMargery，whohadalwayslivedinthecity。
Theflatwherehermotherandfatherlivedwasatthetopofabigapartment—house，andyoucouldn’tseeagreatdealfromthewindows，exceptclothes—linesonotherpeople’sroofs。Margerydidnotknowmuchabouttreesandflowers，butshelovedthemdearly;wheneveritwasapleasantSundaysheusedtogowithhermotherandfathertotheparkandlookatthelovelyflower—beds。Theyseemedalwaystobefinished，though，andMargerywasalwayswishingshecouldseethemgrow。
Onespring，whenMargerywasnine，herfather’sworkchangedsothathecouldmoveintothecountry，andhetookalittlehouseashortdistanceoutsidethetownwherehisnewpositionwas。Margerywasdelighted。Andtheveryfirstthingshesaid，whenherfathertoldheraboutit，was，\"Oh，mayIhaveagarden？MAY
Ihaveagarden？\"
Margery’smotherwasalmostaseagerforagardenasshewas，andMargery’sfathersaidheexpectedtoliveontheirvegetablesalltherestofhislife！Soitwassoonagreedthatthegardenshouldbethefirstthingattendedto。
Behindthelittlehousewereappletrees，aplumtree，andtwoorthreepeartrees;
thencameastretchofroughgrass，andthenastonewall，withagateleadingintothepasture。Itwasinthegrassylandthatthegardenwastobe。Abigpiecewastobeusedforcornandpeasandbeans，andalittlepieceattheendwastobesavedforMargery。
\"Whatshallwehaveinit？\"askedhermother。
\"Flowers，\"saidMargery，withshiningeyes，——\"blue，andwhite，andyellow，andpink，——everykindofflower！\"
\"Surely，flowers，\"saidhermother，\"andshallwenothavealittlesaladgardeninthemidst，astheydoinEngland？\"
\"Whatisasaladgarden？\"Margeryasked。
\"Itisagardenwhereyouhaveallthethingsthatmakenicesalad，\"saidhermother，laughing，forMargerywasfondofsalads;\"youhavelettuce，andendive，andromaine，andparsley，andradishes，andcucumbers，andperhapslittlebeetsandyoungonions。\"
\"Oh！howgooditsounds！\"saidMargery。\"Ivoteforthesaladgarden。\"
Thatveryevening，Margery’sfathertookpencilandpaper，anddrewoutaplanforhergarden;first，theytalkeditallover，thenhedrewwhattheydecidedon;itlookedlikethediagramonthenextpage。
\"Theoutsidestripisforflowers，\"saidMargery’sfather，\"andthenextmarksmeanafootpath，allthewayroundthebeds;thatissoyoucangetattheflowerstoweedandtopick;thereisawiderpaththroughthemiddle，andtherestisallforrowsofsaladvegetables。\"
\"Papa，itisglorious！\"saidMargery。
Papalaughed。\"Ihopeyouwillstillthinkitgloriouswhentheweedingtimecomes，\"hesaid，\"foryouknow，youandmotherhavepromisedtotakecareofthisgarden，whileItakecareofthebigone。\"
\"Iwouldn’tNOTtakecareofitforanything！\"saidMargery。\"Iwanttofeelthatitismyveryown。\"
Herfatherkissedher，andsaiditwascertainlyher\"veryown。\"
Twoeveningsafterthat，whenMargerywascalledinfromherfirstrambleina\"really，trulypasture，\"shefoundtheexpressmanatthedoorofthelittlehouse。
\"Somethingforyou，Margery，\"saidhermother，withthelookshehadwhensomethingnicewashappening。
Itwasabox，quiteabigbox，withalabelonitthatsaid：——
MISSMARGERYBROWN，WOODVILLE，MASS。
FromSeedsandPlantsCompany，Boston。
Margerycouldhardlywaittoopenit。
Itwasfilledwithlittlepackages，allwithprintedlabels;andinthepackages，ofcourse，wereseeds。ItmadeMargerydance，justtoreadthenames，——nasturtium，gianthelianthus，coreopsis，calendula，Canterburybells：morenamesthanIcantellyou，andotherpackages，bigger，thatsaid，\"Peas：DwarfTelephone，\"
and\"SweetCorn，\"andsuchthings！Margerycouldalmostsmelltheposies，shewassoexcited。Only，shehadseensolittleofflowersthatshedidnotalwaysknowwhatthenamesmeant。Shedidnotknowthatahelianthuswasasunflowertillhermothertoldher，andshehadneverseenthedear，blue，bell—shapedflowersthatalwaysgrowinold—fashionedgardens，andarecalledCanterburybells。Shethoughtthecalendulamustbeastrange，grandflower，byitsname;buthermothertoldheritwasthegay，sturdy，every—dayishlittleposycalledamarigold。Therewasagreatdealforalittlecitygirltobesurprisedabout，anditdidseemasifmorningwasalongwayoff！
\"Didyouthinkyoucouldplanttheminthemorning？\"askedhermother。\"Youknow，dear，thegroundhastobemadereadyfirst;ittakesalittletime，——itmaybeseveraldaysbeforeyoucanplant。\"
Thatwasanothersurprise。Margeryhadthoughtshecouldbegintosowtheseedrightoff。
Butthiswaswhatwasdone。Earlythenextmorning，amancamedrivingintotheyard，withtwostrongwhitehorses;inhiswagonwasaplough。Isupposeyouhaveseenploughs，butMargeryneverhad，andshewatchedwithgreatinterest，whilethemanandherfathertooktheploughfromthecartandharnessedthehorsestoit。
Itwasagreat，three—corneredpieceofsharpsteel，withlonghandlescomingupfromit，sothatamancouldholditinplace。Itlookedlikethis：——
\"Ibroughtatwo—horseploughbecauseit’sgreenland，\"themansaid。Margerywonderedwhatintheworldhemeant;itwasgreengrass，ofcourse，butwhathadthattodowiththekindofplough？\"Whatdoeshemean，father？\"shewhispered，whenshegotachance。\"Hemeansthatthislandhasnotbeenploughedbefore，ornotformanyyears;itwillbehardtoturnthesoil，andonehorsecouldnotpulltheplough，\"saidherfather。SoMargeryhadlearnedwhat\"greenland\"was。
Themanwasfortwohoursploughingthelittlestripofland。Hedrovethesharpendoftheploughintothesoil，andhelditfirmlyso，whilethehorsesdraggeditalonginastraightline。Margeryfounditfascinatingtoseethelonglineofdarkearthandgreengrasscomerollingupandturnover，astheknifepassedit。Shecouldseethatittookrealskillandstrengthtokeepthelineeven，andtoavoidthestones。
Sometimestheploughstruckahiddenstone，andthenthemanwasjerkedalmostoffhisfeet。Butheonlylaughed，andsaid，\"Toughpieceofland;bealotbetterthesecondyear。\"
Whenhehadploughed，themanwentbacktohiscartandunloadedanotherfarmimplement。Thisonewaslikeathree—corneredplatformofwood，withalong，curved，strongrakeunderit。Itwascalledaharrow，anditlookedlikethis：——
Themanharnessedthehorsestoit，andthenhestoodontheplatformanddrovealloverthestripofland。Itwasfuntowatch，butperhapsitwasalittlehardtodo。Theman’sweightkepttheharrowsteady，andlettheteethoftherakescratchandcutthegroundup，sothatitdidnotstayinridges。
\"Hescramblestheground，father！\"
saidMargery。
\"Itneedsscrambling，\"laughedherfather。\"Wearegoingtogetmoreweedsthanwewantonthisgreenland，andthemorethegroundisbroken，thefewertherewillbe。\"
Aftertheploughingandharrowing，themandroveoff，andMargery’sfathersaidhewoulddotherestoftheworkinthelateafternoons，whenhecamehomefrombusiness;theycouldnotaffordtoomuchhelp，hesaid，andhehadlearnedtotakecareofagardenwhenhewasaboy。SoMargerydidnotseeanymoredoneuntilthenextday。
ButthenextdaytherewashardworkforMargery’sfather！Everybitofthat\"scrambled\"turfhadtobebrokenupstillmorewithamattockandaspade，andthenthepieceswhichwerefullofgrass—rootshadtobetakenonaforkandshaken，tilltheearthfellout;thenthegrasswasthrowntooneside。Thatwouldnothavehadtobedoneifthelandhadbeenploughedinthefall;thegrasswouldhaverottedintheground，andwouldhavemadefertilizerfortheplants。Now，Margery’sfatherputthefertilizeronthetop，andthenrakeditintotheearth。
Atlast，itwastimetomaketheplacefortheseeds。Margeryandhermotherhelped。
Fathertiedoneendofacordtoalittlestake，anddrovethestakeinthegroundatoneendofthegarden。Thenhetookthecordtotheotherendofthegardenandpulledittight，tiedittoanotherstake，anddrovethatdown。Thatmadeastraightlineforhimtosee。Thenhehoedatrench，afewinchesdeep，thewholelengthofthecord，andscatteredfertilizerinit。Prettysoonthewholegardenwasinlinesoflittletrenches。
\"Nowforthecorn，\"saidfather。
Margeryranandbroughttheseedbox，andfoundthepackageofcorn。Itlookedlikekernelsofgold，whenitwasopened。
\"MayIhelp？\"Margeryasked，whenshesawhowprettyitwas。
\"Ifyouwatchmesowonerow，Ithinkyoucandothenext，\"saidherfather。
SoMargerywatched。Herfathertookahandfulofkernels，and，stooping，walkedslowlyalongtheline，lettingthekernelsfall，fiveorsixatatime，inspotsaboutafootapart;heswunghisarmwithagentle，throwingmotion，andthegoldenseedstrickledoutlikelittleshowers，veryexactly。Itwasprettytowatch;itmadeMargerythinkofaphotographherteacherhad，aphotographofafamouspicturecalled\"TheSower。\"Perhapsyouhaveseenit。
Puttingintheseedwasnotsoeasytodoastowatch;sometimesMargerygotintoomuch，andsometimesnotenough;butherfatherhelpedfixit，andsoonshedidbetter。
Theyplantedpeas，beans，spinach，carrots，andparsnips。AndMargery’sfathermadearowofholes，afterthat，forthetomatoplants。Hesaidthosehadtobetransplanted;theycouldnotbesownfromseed。
Whentheseedswereinthetrenchestheyhadtobecoveredup，andMargeryreallyhelpedatthat。Itisfuntodoit。
Youstandbesidethelittletrenchandwalkbackward，andasyouwalkyouhoethelooseearthbackovertheseeds;thesamedirtthatwashoedupyoupullbackagain。Thenyourakeverygentlyoverthesurface，withthebackofarake，toevenitalloff。Margerylikedit，becausenowthegardenbegantolookLIKEagarden。
Butbestofallwastheworknextday，whenherownlittleparticulargardenwasbegun。FatherBrownlovedMargeryandMargery’smothersomuchthathewantedtheirgardentobeperfect，andthatmeantagreatdealmorework。Heknewverywellthattheoldgrasswouldbegintocomethroughagainonsuch\"green\"
soil，andthatitwouldmaketerriblyhardweeding。Hewasnotgoingtohaveanysuchthingforhistwo\"littlegirls，\"ashecalledthem。Sohefixedthatlittlegardenveryfine！Thisiswhathedid。
Afterhehadthrownoutalltheturf，heshoveledcleanearthontothegarden，——
asmuchasthreesolidinchesofit;notabitofgrasswasinthat。Thenitwasreadyforrakingandfertilizing，andforthelines。
ThelittlefootpathsweremarkedoutbyFatherBrown’sfeet;Margeryandhermotherlaughedwellwhentheysawit，foritlookedlikesomekindofdance。Mr。
Brownhadseengardenersdoitwhenhewasalittleboy，andhediditverynicely：
hewalkedalongthesidesofthesquare，withonefootturnedalittleout，andtheotherstraight，takingsuchtinystepsthathisfeettouchedeachotherallthetime。
Thistrampedoutapathjustwideenoughforapersontowalk。
Thewiderpathwasmarkedwithlinesandraked。
Margerythought，ofcourse，alltheflowerswouldbeputinasthevegetableswere;butshefoundthatitwasnotso。
Forsome，herfatherpokedlittleholeswithhisfinger;forsome，hemadeveryshallowditches;andsomeverysmallseedswerejustscatteredlightlyoverthetopoftheground。
Margeryandhermotherhadtakensomuchpainsinthinkingouthowtheflowerswouldlookprettiest，thatmaybeyouwillliketohearjusthowtheydesignedthatgarden。Atthebackwerethesweetpeas，whichwouldgrowtall，likeascreen;onthetwosides，forakindofhedge，wereyellowsunflowers;andalongthefrontedgewerethegaynasturtiums。Margeryplannedthat，sothatshecouldlookintothegardenfromthefront，buthaveitshutawayfromthevegetablepatchbythetallflowersonthesides。Thetwofrontcornershadcoreopsisinthem。Coreopsisisatall，pretty，daisy—likeflower，verydaintyandbright。Andthen，inlittlesquarepatchesallroundthegarden，wereplantedwhitesweetalyssum，bluebachelor’sbuttons，yellowmarigolds，talllarkspur，many—
coloredastersandzinnias。Alltheselovelyflowersusedtogrowinourgrandmothers’
gardens，andifyoudon’tknowwhattheylooklike，Ihopeyoucanfindoutnextsummer。
Betweentheflowersandthemiddlepathwenttheseedsforthatwonderfulsaladgarden;allthethingsMrs。BrownhadnamedtoMargerywerethere。Margeryhadneverseenanythingsocunningasthelittleroundlettuce—seeds。Theylookedliketinybeads;itdidnotseempossiblethatgreenlettuceleavescouldcomefromthose。Buttheysurelywould。
MotherandfatherandMargerywerealllatetosupperthatevening。Buttheywereallsohappythatitdidnotmatter。
ThelastthingMargerythoughtof，asshewenttosleepatnight，wasthedear，smoothlittlegarden，withitsfunnyfoot—
path，andwiththelittlesticksstandingattheendoftherows，labeled\"lettuce，\"
\"beets，\"\"helianthus，\"andsoon。
\"Ihaveagarden！Ihaveagarden！\"
thoughtMargery，andthenshewentofftodreamland。
THELITTLECOTYLEDONS
ThisisanotherstoryaboutMargery’sgarden。
Thenextmorningafterthegardenwasplanted，Margerywasupandoutatsixo’clock。Shecouldnotwaittolookathergarden。Tobesure，sheknewthattheseedscouldnotsproutinasinglenight，butshehadafeelingthatSOMETHINGmighthappenwhileshewasnotlooking。Thegardenwasjustassmoothandbrownasthenightbefore，andnolittleseedswereinsight。
Butaveryfewmorningsafterthat，whenMargerywentout，therewasafunnylittlecrackopeningupthroughtheearth，thewholelengthofthepatch。Quicklyshekneltdowninthefootpath，tosee。
Yes！Tinygreenleaves，awholerowofthem，werepushingtheirwaythroughthecrust！Margeryknewwhatshehadputthere：itwastheradish—row;thesemustberadishleaves。Sheexaminedthemveryclosely，sothatshemightknowaradishnexttime。Thelittleleaves，nobiggerthanhalfyourlittle—fingernail，grewintwos，——twooneachtinystem;theywerealmostround。
Margeryflewbacktohermother，tosaythatthefirstseedswereup。Andhermother，nearlyasexcitedasMargery，cametolookatthelittlecrack。
Eachday，afterthat，therowofradishesgrew，till，inaweek，itstoodashighasyourfinger，greenandsturdy。Butaboutthethirdday，whileMargerywasstoopingovertheradishes，shesawsomethingvery，verysmallandgreen，peepingaboveground，wherethelettucewasplanted。
Coulditbeweeds？No，foronlookingverycloselyshesawthattheweeleavesfaintlymarkedaregularrow。Theydidnotmakeacrack，liketheradishes;theyseemedtoosmallandtoofaraparttopushtheearthuplikethat。Margeryleaneddownandlookedwithallhereyesatthebabyplants。Thetinyleavesgrewtwoonastem，andwerealmostround。ThemoreshelookedatthemthemoreitseemedtoMargerythattheylookedexactlyastheradishlookedwhenitfirstcameup。\"Doyousuppose，\"Margerysaidtoherself，\"thatlettuceandradishlookalike？Theydon’tlookalikeinthemarket！\"
Daybydaythelettucegrew，andsoonthelittleroundleaveswereeasiertoexamine;theycertainlywereverymuchlikeradishleaves。
Then，onemorning，whileshewassearchingthegroundforsignsofseeds，Margerydiscoveredthebeets。Inirregularpatchesontherow，hintsofgreenwerecoming。Thenextdayandthenexttheygrew，untilthebeetleaveswerebigenoughtosee。
Margerylooked。Thenshelookedagain。
Thenshewrinkledherforehead。\"Canwehavemadeamistake？\"shethought。
\"Doyousupposewecanhaveplantedallradishes？\"
Forthoselittlebeetleaveswerealmostround，andtheygrewtwoonastem，preciselylikethelettuceandtheradish;
exceptforthesize，allthreerowslookedalike。
ItwastoomuchforMargery。Sherantothehouseandfoundherfather。Herlittlefacewassoanxiousthathethoughtsomethingunpleasanthadhappened。\"Papa，\"
shesaid，alloutofbreath，\"doyouthinkwecouldhavemadeamistakeaboutmygarden？Doyouthinkwecouldhaveputradishesinalltherows？\"
Fatherlaughed。\"Whatmakesyouthinksuchathing？\"heasked。
\"Papa，\"saidMargery，\"thelittleleavesalllookexactlyalike！everyplanthasjusttwotinyleavesonit，andshapedthesame;
theyareroundish，andgrowoutofthestematthesameplace。\"
Papa’seyesbegantotwinkle。\"Manyofthedicotyledonousplantslookalikeatthebeginning，\"hesaid，withalittledrawlonthebigword。ThatwastoteaseMargery，becauseshealwayswantedtoknowthebigwordssheheard。
\"What’s`dicotyledonous’？\"saidMargery，carefully。
\"WaittillIcomehometo—night，dear，\"
saidherfather，\"andI’lltellyou。\"
ThateveningMargerywaswaitingeagerlyforhim，whenherfatherfinishedhissupper。Togethertheywenttothegarden，andfatherexaminedtheseedlingscarefully。Thenhepulledupalittleradishplantandatinybeet。
\"Theselittleleaves，\"hesaid，\"arenottherealleavesoftheplant;theyareonlylittlefood—supplyleaves，littlepocketstoholdfoodfortheplanttoliveontillitgetsstrongenoughtopushupintotheair。Assoonastherealleavescomeoutandbegintodrawfoodfromtheair，theselittlesubstituteswitherupandfalloff。Thesetwoliefoldedupinthelittleseedfromthebeginning，andarefullofplantfood。Theydon’thavetobeveryspecialinshape，yousee，becausetheydon’tstayontheplantafteritisgrownup。\"
\"Theneveryplantlookslikethisatfirst？\"saidMargery。
\"No，dear，noteveryone;plantsaredividedintotwokinds：thosewhichhavetwofoodleaves，liketheseplants，andthosewhichhaveonlyone;thesearecalleddicotyledonous，andtheoneswhichhavebutonefoodleafaremonocotyledonous。
Manyofthedicotyledonslookalike。\"
\"Ithinkthatisinteresting，\"saidMargery。\"Ialwayssupposedtheplantsweredifferentfromtheminutetheybegantogrow。\"
\"Indeed，no，\"saidfather。\"Evensomeofthetreeslooklikethiswhentheyfirstcomethrough;youwouldnotthinkabirchtreecouldlooklikeavegetableoraflower，wouldyou？Butitdoes，atfirst;
itlookssomuchlikethesethingsthatinthegreatnurseries，wheretreesareraisedforforestsandparks，theworkmenhavetobeverycarefullytrained，orelsetheywouldpullupthetreeswhentheyareweeding。Theyhavetobetaughtthedifferencebetweenabirchtreeandaweed。\"
\"Howfunny！\"saidMargerydimpling。
\"Yes，itsoundsfunny，\"saidfather;
\"butyousee，thebirchtreeisdicotyledonous，andsoaremanyweeds，andthedicotyledonslookmuchalikeatfirst。\"
\"Iamgladtoknowthat，father，\"saidMargery，soberly。\"IbelievemaybeIshalllearnagooddealfromlivinginthecountry;
don’tyouthinkso？\"
Margery’sfathertookherinhisarms。
\"Ihopeso，dear，\"hesaid;\"thecountryisagoodplaceforlittlegirls。\"
Andthatwasallthathappened，thatday。
THETALKATIVETORTOISE[1]
[1]VeryfreelyadaptedfromoneoftheFablesofBidpai。
Onceuponatime，aTortoiselivedinapondwithtwoDucks，whowereherverygoodfriends。SheenjoyedthecompanyoftheDucks，becauseshecouldtalkwiththemtoherheart’scontent;theTortoiselikedtotalk。Shealwayshadsomethingtosay，andshelikedtohearherselfsayit。
Aftermanyyearsofthispleasantliving，thepondbecameverylow，inadryseason;
andfinallyitdriedup。ThetwoDuckssawthattheycouldnolongerlivethere，sotheydecidedtoflytoanotherregion，wheretherewasmorewater。TheywenttotheTortoisetobidhergood—by。
\"Oh，don’tleavemebehind！\"beggedtheTortoise。\"Takemewithyou;ImustdieifIamlefthere。\"
\"Butyoucannotfly！\"saidtheDucks。
\"Howcanwetakeyouwithus？\"
\"Takemewithyou！takemewithyou！\"
saidtheTortoise。
TheDucksfeltsosorryforherthatatlasttheythoughtofawaytotakeher。
\"Wehavethoughtofawaywhichwillbepossible，\"theysaid，\"ifonlyyoucanmanagetokeepstilllongenough。Wewilleachtakeholdofoneendofastoutstick，anddoyoutakethemiddleinyourmouth;
thenwewillflyupintheairwithyouandcarryyouwithus。Butremembernottotalk！Ifyouopenyourmouth，youarelost。\"
TheTortoisesaidshewouldnotsayaword;shewouldnotsomuchasmovehermouth;andshewasverygrateful。SotheDucksbroughtastronglittlestickandtookholdoftheends，whiletheTortoisebitfirmlyonthemiddle。ThenthetwoDucksroseslowlyintheairandflewawaywiththeirburden。
Whentheywereabovethetreetops，theTortoisewantedtosay，\"Howhighweare！\"Butsheremembered，andkeptstill。Whentheypassedthechurchsteepleshewantedtosay，\"Whatisthatwhichshines？\"Butsheremembered，andheldherpeace。Thentheycameoverthevillagesquare，andthepeoplelookedupandsawthem。\"LookattheDuckscarryingaTortoise！\"theyshouted;andeveryonerantolook。TheTortoisewantedtosay，\"Whatbusinessisitofyours？\"Butshedidn’t。Thensheheardthepeopleshout，\"Isn’titstrange！Lookatit！Look！\"
TheTortoiseforgoteverythingexceptthatshewantedtosay，\"Hush，youfoolishpeople！\"Sheopenedhermouth，——
andfelltotheground。AndthatwastheendoftheTortoise。
Itisaverygoodthingtobeabletoholdone’stongue！
ROBERTOFSICILY[1]
[1]AdaptedfromLongfellow’spoem。
AnoldlegendsaysthattherewasonceakingnamedRobertofSicily，whowasbrothertothegreatPopeofRomeandtotheEmperorofAllemaine。Hewasaveryselfishking，andveryproud;hecaredmoreforhispleasuresthanfortheneedsofhispeople，andhisheartwassofilledwithhisowngreatnessthathehadnothoughtforGod。
Oneday，thisproudkingwassittinginhisplaceatchurch，atvesperservice;hiscourtierswereabouthim，intheirbrightgarments，andhehimselfwasdressedinhisroyalrobes。ThechoirwaschantingtheLatinservice，andasthebeautifulvoicesswelledlouder，thekingnoticedoneparticularversewhichseemedtoberepeatedagainandagain。Heturnedtoalearnedclerkathissideandaskedwhatthosewordsmeant，forheknewnoLatin。
\"Theymean，`Hehathputdownthemightyfromtheirseats，andhathexaltedthemoflowdegree，’\"answeredtheclerk。
\"ItiswellthewordsareinLatin，then，\"
saidthekingangrily，\"fortheyarealie。
Thereisnopoweronearthorinheavenwhichcanputmedownfrommyseat！\"
Andhesneeredatthebeautifulsinging，asheleanedbackinhisplace。
Presentlythekingfellasleep，whiletheservicewenton。Hesleptdeeplyandlong。
Whenheawokethechurchwasdarkandstill，andhewasallalone。He，theking，hadbeenleftaloneinthechurch，toawakeinthedark！Hewasfuriouswithrageandsurprise，and，stumblingthroughthedimaisles，hereachedthegreatdoorsandbeatatthem，madly，shoutingforhisservants。
Theoldsextonheardsomeoneshoutingandpoundinginthechurch，andthoughtitwassomedrunkenvagabondwhohadstoleninduringtheservice。Hecametothedoorwithhiskeysandcalledout，\"Whoisthere？\"
\"Open！open！ItisI，theking！\"cameahoarse，angryvoicefromwithin。
\"Itisacrazyman，\"thoughtthesexton;
andhewasfrightened。Heopenedthedoorscarefullyandstoodback，peeringintothedarkness。Outpasthimrushedthefigureofamanintattered，scantyclothes，withunkempthairandwhite，wildface。Thesextondidnotknowthathehadeverseenhimbefore，buthelookedlongafterhim，wonderingathiswildnessandhishaste。
Inhisflutteringrags，withouthatorcloak，notknowingwhatstrangethinghadhappenedtohim，KingRobertrushedtohispalacegates，pushedasidethestartledservants，andhurried，blindwithrage，upthewidestairandthroughthegreatcorridors，towardtheroomwherehecouldhearthesoundofhiscourtiers’
voices。Menandwomenservantstriedtostoptheraggedman，whohadsomehowgotintothepalace，butRobertdidnotevenseethemashefledalong。Straighttotheopendoorsofthebigbanquethallhemadehisway，andintothemidstofthegrandfeastthere。
Thegreathallwasfilledwithlightsandflowers;thetablesweresetwitheverythingthatisdelicateandrichtoeat;thecourtiers，intheirgayclothes，werelaughingandtalking;andattheheadofthefeast，ontheking’sownthrone，sataking。Hisface，hisfigure，hisvoicewereexactlylikeRobertofSicily;nohumanbeingcouldhavetoldthedifference;noonedreamedthathewasnottheking。Hewasdressedintheking’sroyalrobes，heworetheroyalcrown，andonhishandwastheking’sownring。RobertofSicily，halfnaked，ragged，withoutasignofhiskingshiponhim，stoodbeforethethroneandstaredwithfuryatthisfigureofhimself。
Thekingonthethronelookedathim。
\"Whoartthou，andwhatdostthouhere？\"
heasked。AndthoughhisvoicewasjustlikeRobert’sown，ithadsomethinginitsweetanddeep，likethesoundofbells。
\"Iamtheking！\"criedRobertofSicily。
\"Iamtheking，andyouareanimpostor！\"
Thecourtiersstartedfromtheirseats，anddrewtheirswords。Theywouldhavekilledthecrazymanwhoinsultedtheirking;butheraisedhishandandstoppedthem，andwithhiseyeslookingintoRobert’seyeshesaid，\"Nottheking;youshallbetheking’sjester！Youshallwearthecapandbells，andmakelaughterformycourt。Youshallbetheservantoftheservants，andyourcompanionshallbethejester’sape。\"
Withshoutsoflaughter，thecourtiersdroveRobertofSicilyfromthebanquethall;thewaiting—men，withlaughter，too，pushedhimintothesoldiers’hall;andtherethepagesbroughtthejester’swretchedape，andputafool’scapandbellsonRobert’shead。Itwaslikeaterribledream;
hecouldnotbelieveittrue，hecouldnotunderstandwhathadhappenedtohim。
Andwhenhewokenextmorning，hebelieveditwasadream，andthathewaskingagain。Butasheturnedhishead，hefeltthecoarsestrawunderhischeekinsteadofthesoftpillow，andhesawthathewasinthestable，withtheshiveringapebyhisside。RobertofSicilywasajester，andnooneknewhimfortheking。
Threelongyearspassed。Sicilywashappyandallthingswentwellundertheking，whowasnotRobert。Robertwasstillthejester，andhisheartwasharderandbittererwitheveryyear。Manytimes，duringthethreeyears，theking，whohadhisfaceandvoice，hadcalledhimtohimself，whennoneelsecouldhear，andhadaskedhimtheonequestion，\"Whoartthou？\"AndeachtimethatheaskedithiseyeslookedintoRobert’seyes，tofindhisheart。ButeachtimeRobertthrewbackhisheadandanswered，proudly，\"Iamtheking！\"Andtheking’seyesgrewsadandstern。
Attheendofthreeyears，thePopebadetheEmperorofAllemaineandtheKingofSicily，hisbrothers，toagreatmeetinginhiscityofRome。TheKingofSicilywent，withallhissoldiersandcourtiersandservants，——agreatprocessionofhorsemenandfootmen。Neverhadbeenagayersightthanthegrandtrain，meninbrightarmor，ridersinwonderfulcloaksofvelvetandsilk，servants，carryingmarvelouspresentstothePope。AndattheveryendrodeRobert，thejester。Hishorsewasapooroldthing，many—colored，andtheaperodewithhim。Everyoneinthevillagesthroughwhichtheypassedranafterthejester，andpointedandlaughed。
ThePopereceivedhisbrothersandtheirtrainsinthesquarebeforeSaintPeter’s。WithmusicandflagsandflowershemadetheKingofSicilywelcome，andgreetedhimashisbrother。Inthemidstofit，thejesterbrokethroughthecrowdandthrewhimselfbeforethePope。
\"Lookatme！\"hecried;\"Iamyourbrother，RobertofSicily！Thismanisanimpostor，whohasstolenmythrone。
IamRobert，theking！\"
ThePopelookedatthepoorjesterwithpity，buttheEmperorofAllemaineturnedtotheKingofSicily，andsaid，\"Isitnotratherdangerous，brother，tokeepamadmanasjester？\"AndagainRobertwaspushedbackamongtheserving—men。
ItwasHolyWeek，andthekingandtheemperor，withalltheirtrains，wenteverydaytothegreatservicesinthecathedral。Somethingwonderfulandholyseemedtomakealltheseservicesmorebeautifulthaneverbefore。AllthepeopleofRomefeltit：itwasasifthepresenceofanangelwerethere。MenthoughtofGod，andfelthisblessingonthem。Butnooneknewwhoitwasthatbroughtthebeautifulfeeling。AndwhenEasterDaycame，neverhadtherebeensolovely，soholyaday：inthegreatchurches，filledwithflowers，andsweetwithincense，thekneelingpeoplelistenedtothechoirssinging，anditwaslikethevoicesofangels;
theirprayersweremoreearnestthaneverbefore，theirpraisemoreglad;therewassomethingheavenlyinRome。
RobertofSicilywenttotheserviceswiththerest，andsatinthehumblestplacewiththeservants。OverandoveragainheheardthesweetvoicesofthechoirschanttheLatinwordshehadheardlongago：\"Hehathputdownthemightyfromtheirseat，andhathexaltedthemoflowdegree。\"Andatlast，ashelistened，hisheartwassoftened。He，too，feltthestrangeblessedpresenceofaheavenlypower。HethoughtofGod，andofhisownwickedness;herememberedhowhappyhehadbeen，andhowlittlegoodhehaddone;herealized，thathispowerhadnotbeenfromhimself，atall。OnEasternight，ashecrepttohisbedofstraw，hewept，notbecausehewassowretched，butbecausehehadnotbeenabetterkingwhenpowerwashis。
Atlastallthefestivitieswereover，andtheKingofSicilywenthometohisownlandagain，withhispeople。Robertthejestercamehometoo。
Onthedayoftheirhome—coming，therewasaspecialserviceintheroyalchurch，andevenaftertheservicewasoverforthepeople，themonksheldprayersofthanksgivingandpraise。Thesoundoftheirsingingcamesoftlyinatthepalacewindows。Inthegreatbanquetroom，thekingsat，wearinghisroyalrobesandhiscrown，whilemanysubjectscametogreethim。Atlast，hesentthemallaway，sayinghewantedtobealone;buthecommandedthejestertostay。AndwhentheywerealonetogetherthekinglookedintoRobert’seyes，ashehaddonebefore，andsaid，softly，\"Whoartthou？\"
RobertofSicilybowedhishead。\"Thouknowestbest，\"hesaid，\"IonlyknowthatIhavesinned。\"
Ashespoke，heheardthevoicesofthemonkssinging，\"Hehathputdownthemightyfromtheirseat，\"——andhisheadsanklower。Butsuddenlythemusicseemedtochange;awonderfullightshoneallabout。AsRobertraisedhiseyes，hesawthefaceofthekingsmilingathimwitharadiancelikenothingonearth，andashesanktohiskneesbeforethegloryofthatsmile，avoicesoundedwiththemusic，likeamelodythrobbingonasinglestring：——
\"Iamanangel，andthouarttheking！\"
ThenRobertofSicilywasalone。Hisroyalrobeswereuponhimoncemore;
heworehiscrownandhisroyalring。Hewasking。Andwhenthecourtierscamebacktheyfoundtheirkingkneelingbyhisthrone，absorbedinsilentprayer。
THEJEALOUSCOURTIERS[1]
[1]AdaptedfromthefactsgivenintheGermanofH。A。Guerber’sMarchenundErzahlungen（D。C。Heath&Co。）。
IwonderifyouhaveeverheardtheanecdoteabouttheartistofDusseldorfandthejealouscourtiers。Thisisit。ItseemstherewasonceaveryfamousartistwholivedinthelittletownofDusseldorf。HedidsuchfineworkthattheElector，PrinceJohannWilhelm，orderedaportraitstatueofhimself，onhorseback，tobedoneinbronze。Theartistwasoverjoyedatthecommission，andworkedearlyandlateatthestatue。
Atlasttheworkwasdone，andtheartisthadthegreatstatuesetupinthepublicsquareofDusseldorf，readyfortheopeningview。TheElectorcameontheappointedday，andwithhimcamehisfavoritecourtiersfromthecastle。Thenthestatuewasunveiled。Itwasverybeautiful，——
sobeautifulthattheprinceexclaimedinsurprise。Hecouldnotlookenough，andpresentlyheturnedtotheartistandshookhandswithhim，likeanoldfriend。\"HerrGrupello，\"hesaid，\"youareagreatartist，andthisstatuewillmakeyourfameevengreaterthanitis;theportraitofmeisperfect！\"
Whenthecourtiersheardthis，andsawthefriendlyhand—grasp，theirjealousyoftheartistwasbeyondbounds。Theironethoughtwas，howcouldtheysafelydosomethingtohumiliatehim。Theydarednotpickflawsintheportraitstatue，fortheprincehaddeclareditperfect。Butatlastoneofthemsaid，withanairofgreatfrankness，\"Indeed，HerrGrupello，theportraitofhisRoyalHighnessisperfect;
butpermitmetosaythatthestatueofthehorseisnotquitesosuccessful：theheadistoolarge;itisoutofproportion。\"
\"No，\"saidanother，\"thehorseisreallynotsosuccessful;theturnoftheneck，there，isawkward。\"
\"Ifyouwouldchangetherighthind—
foot，HerrGrupello，\"saidathird，\"itwouldbeanimprovement。\"
Stillanotherfoundfaultwiththehorse’stail。
Theartistlistened，quietly。Whentheyhadallfinished，heturnedtotheprinceandsaid，\"Yourcourtiers，Prince，findagoodmanyflawsinthestatueofthehorse;
willyoupermitmetokeepitafewdaysmore，todowhatIcanwithit？\"
TheElectorassented，andtheartistorderedatemporaryscreenbuiltaroundthestatue，sothathisassistantscouldworkundisturbed。Forseveraldaysthesoundofhammeringcamesteadilyfrombehindtheenclosure。Thecourtiers，whotookcaretopassthatway，often，weredelighted。Eachonesaidtohimself，\"I
musthavebeenright，really;theartisthimselfseesthatsomethingwaswrong;
nowIshallhavecreditforsavingtheprince’sportraitbymyartistictaste！\"
Oncemoretheartistsummonedtheprinceandhiscourtiers，andoncemorethestatuewasunveiled。AgaintheElectorexclaimedatitsbeauty，andthenheturnedtohiscourtiers，oneafteranother，toseewhattheyhadtosay。
\"Perfect！\"saidthefirst。\"Nowthatthehorse’sheadisinproportion，thereisnotaflaw。\"
\"Thechangeintheneckwasjustwhatwasneeded，\"saidthesecond;\"itisverygracefulnow。\"
\"Therearrightfootisasitshouldbe，now，\"saidathird，\"anditaddssomuchtothebeautyofthewhole！\"
Thefourthsaidthatheconsideredthetailgreatlyimproved。
\"Mycourtiersaremuchpleasednow，\"
saidtheprincetoHerrGrupello;\"theythinkthestatuemuchimprovedbythechangesyouhavemade。\"
HerrGrupellosmiledalittle。\"Iamgladtheyarepleased，\"hesaid，\"butthefactis，Ihavechangednothing！\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidtheprinceinsurprise。\"Havewenotheardthesoundofhammeringeveryday？Whatwereyouhammeringatthen？\"
\"Iwashammeringatthereputationofyourcourtiers，whofoundfaultsimplybecausetheywerejealous，\"saidtheartist。
\"AndIratherthinkthattheirreputationisprettywellhammeredtopieces！\"
Itwas，indeed。TheElectorlaughedheartily，butthecourtiersslunkaway，oneafteranother，withoutaword。
PRINCECHERRY[1]
[1]Ashortenedversionofthefamiliartale。
Therewasonceanoldking，sowiseandkindandtruethatthemostpowerfulgoodfairyofhislandvisitedhimandaskedhimtonamethedearestwishofhisheart，thatshemightgrantit。
\"Surelyyouknowit，\"saidthegoodking;\"itisformyonlyson，PrinceCherry;
doforhimwhateveryouwouldhavedoneforme。\"
\"Gladly，\"saidthegreatfairy;\"choosewhatIshallgivehim。Icanmakehimtherichest，themostbeautiful，orthemostpowerfulprinceintheworld;choose。\"
\"NoneofthosethingsarewhatIwant，\"
saidtheking。\"Iwantonlythatheshallbegood。Ofwhatusewillitbetohimtobebeautiful，rich，orpowerful，ifhegrowsintoabadman？Makehimthebestprinceintheworld，Ibegyou！\"
\"Alas，Icannotmakehimgood，\"saidthefairy;\"hemustdothatforhimself。
Icangivehimgoodadvice，reprovehimwhenhedoeswrong，andpunishhimifhewillnotpunishhimself;Icanandwillbehisbestfriend，butIcannotmakehimgoodunlesshewillsit。\"
Thekingwassadtohearthis，butherejoicedinthefriendshipofthefairyforhisson。Andwhenhedied，soonafter，hewashappytoknowthatheleftPrinceCherryinherhands。
PrinceCherrygrievedforhisfatherandoftenlayawakeatnight，thinkingofhim。Onenight，whenhewasallaloneinhisroom，asoftandlovelylightsuddenlyshonebeforehim，andabeautifulvisionstoodathisside。Itwasthegoodfairy。Shewascladinrobesofdazzlingwhite，andonhershininghairsheworeawreathofwhiteroses。
\"IamtheFairyCandide，\"shesaidtotheprince。\"IpromisedyourfatherthatIwouldbeyourbestfriend，andaslongasyouliveIshallwatchoveryourhappiness。