OnedayIflutteredfromthenestToseewhatIcouldfind。
Isaid，\"Theworldismadeofleaves;
Ihavebeenveryblind。\"
AtlengthIflewbeyondthetree，Quitefitforgrown—uplabours。
Idon’tknowhowtheworldISmade，Andneitherdomyneighbours！
HOWWECAMETOHAVEPINKROSES[1]
[1]ToldmebyMissElizabethMcCracken。
Once，everandeversolongago，wedidn’thaveanypinkroses。Alltherosesintheworldwerewhite。Thereweren’tanyredonesatall，anyyellowones，oranypinkones，——onlywhiteroses。
Andonemorning，veryearly，alittlewhiterosebudwokeup，andsawthesunlookingather。Hestaredsohardthatthelittlewhiterosebuddidnotknowwhattodo;soshelookedupathimandsaid，\"Whyareyoulookingatmesohard？\"
\"Becauseyouaresopretty！\"saidthebigroundsun。Andthelittlewhiterosebudblushed！Sheblushedpink。Andallherchildrenafterherwerelittlepinkroses！
RAGGYLUG[2]
[2]AdaptedfromMrErnestThompsonSeton’sWildAnimalsIhaveknown。（DavidNutt，57—59LongAcre，W。C。6s。net。）
Oncetherewasalittlefurryrabbit，wholivedwithhismotherdeepdowninanestunderthelonggrass。HisnamewasRaggylug，andhismother’snamewasMollyCottontail。Everymorning，whenMollyCottontailwentouttohuntforfood，shesaidtoRaggylug，\"Now，Raggylug，liestill，andmakenonoise。Nomatterwhatyouhear，nomatterwhatyousee，don’tyoumove。
Rememberyouareonlyababyrabbit，andlielow。\"AndRaggylugalwayssaidhewould。
Oneday，afterhismotherhadgone，hewaslyingverystillinthenest，lookingupthroughthefeatherygrass。Byjustcockinghiseye，so，hecouldseewhatwasgoingonupintheworld。Onceabigbluejayperchedonatwigabovehim，andscoldedsomeoneveryloudly;
hekeptsaying，\"Thief！thief！\"ButRaggylugnevermovedhisnose，norhispaws;helaystill。
Oncealady—birdtookawalkdownabladeofgrass，overhishead;shewassotop—heavythatprettysoonshetumbledoffandfelltothebottom，andhadtobeginalloveragain。ButRaggylugnevermovedhisnosenorhispaws;helaystill。
Thesunwaswarm，anditwasverystill。
SuddenlyRaggylugheardalittlesound，faroff。Itsoundedlike\"Swish，swish，\"verysoftandfaraway。Helistened。Itwasaqueerlittlesound，lowdowninthegrass，\"rustle——
rustle——rustle\";Raggylugwasinterested。Buthenevermovedhisnoseorhispaws;helaystill。Thenthesoundcamenearer，\"rustle——
rustle——rustle\";thengrewfainter，thencamenearer;inandout，nearerandnearer，likesomethingcoming;only，whenRaggylugheardanythingcominghealwayshearditsfeet，steppingeversosoftly。Whatcoulditbethatcamesosmoothly，——rustle——rustlewithoutanyfeet？
Heforgothismother’swarning，andsatuponhishindpaws;thesoundstoppedthen。
\"Pooh，\"thoughtRaggylug，\"I’mnotababyrabbit，Iamthreeweeksold;I’llfindoutwhatthisis。\"Hestuckhisheadoverthetopofthenest，andlooked——straightintothewickedeyesofagreatbigsnake。\"Mammy，Mammy！\"
screamedRaggylug。\"Oh，Mammy，Mam————\"
Buthecouldn’tscreamanymore，forthebigsnakehadhisearinhismouthandwaswindingaboutthesoftlittlebody，squeezingRaggylug’slifeout。Hetriedtocall\"Mammy！\"
again，buthecouldnotbreathe。
Ah，butMammyhadheardthefirstcry。
Straightoverthefieldssheflew，leapingthestonesandhummocks，fastasthewind，tosaveherbaby。Shewasn’tatimidlittlecottontailrabbitthen;shewasamotherwhosechildwasindanger。AndwhenshecametoRaggylugandthebigsnake，shetookonelook，andthenhop！hop！shewentoverthesnake’sback;andasshejumpedshestruckatthesnakewithherstronghindclawssothattheytorehisskin。
Hehissedwithrage，buthedidnotletgo。
Hop！hop！shewentagain，andthistimeshehurthimsothathetwistedandturned;butheheldontoRaggylug。
Oncemorethemotherrabbithopped，andoncemoreshestruckandtorethesnake’sbackwithhersharpclaws。Zzz！Howshehurt！
ThesnakedroppedRaggytostrikeather，andRaggyrolledontohisfeetandran。
\"Run，Raggylug，run！\"saidhismother，keepingthesnakebusywithherjumps;andyoumaybelieveRaggylugran！Justassoonashewasoutofthewayhismothercametoo，andshowedhimwheretogo。Whensheran，therewasalittlewhitepatchthatshowedunderhertail;thatwasforRaggytofollow，——hefolloweditnow。
Far，farawaysheledhim，throughthelonggrass，toaplacewherethebigsnakecouldnotfindhim，andthereshemadeanewnest。Andthistime，whenshetoldRaggylugtolielowyou’dbetterbelieveheminded！
THEGOLDENCOBWEBS[1]
ASTORYTOTELLBYTHECHRISTMASTREE
[1]Thisstorywastoldmeinthemother—tongueofaGermanfriend，atthekindlyinstanceofacommonfriendofboth;
thenarratorhadhearditathomefromthelipsofafatherofstory—lovingchildrenforwhomhoofteninventedsuchlittletales。Thepresentadaptationhaspassedbyhearsaythroughsomanymindsthatitisperhapslittleliketheoriginal，butIventuretohopeithasatouchoftheoriginalfancy，atleast。
IamgoingtotellyouastoryaboutsomethingwonderfulthathappenedtoaChristmasTreelikethis，everandeversolongago，whenitwasonceuponatime。
ItwasbeforeChristmas，andthetreewastrimmedwithbrightspangledthreadsandmany—colouredcandlesand（namethetrimmingsofthetreebeforeyou），anditstoodsafelyoutofsightinaroomwherethedoorswerelocked，sothatthechildrenshouldnotseeitbeforethepropertime。Buteversomanyotherlittlehouse—peoplehadseenit。
Thebigblackpussysawitwithhergreatgreeneyes;thelittlegreykittysawitwithherlittleblueeyes;thekindhouse—dogsawitwithhissteadybrowneyes;theyellowcanarysawitwithhiswise，brighteyes。Eventhewee，weemicethatweresoafraidofthecathadpeepedonepeepwhennoonewasby。
Buttherewassomeonewhohadn’tseentheChristmastree。Itwasthelittlegreyspider！
Yousee，thespiderslivedinthecorners，——
thewarmcornersofthesunnyatticandthedarkcornersofthenicecellar。AndtheywereexpectingtoseetheChristmasTreeasmuchasanybody。ButjustbeforeChristmasagreatcleaning—upbeganinthehouse。Thehouse—
mothercamesweepinganddustingandwipingandscrubbing，tomakeeverythinggrandandcleanfortheChrist—child’sbirthday。Herbroomwentintoallthecorners，poke，poke，——andofcoursethespidershadtorun。Dear，dear，HOW
thespidershadtorun！NotonecouldstayinthehousewhiletheChristmascleannesslasted。So，yousee，theycouldn’tseetheChristmasTree。
Spidersliketoknowallabouteverything，andseeallthereistosee，andthesewereverysad。SoatlasttheywenttotheChrist—childandtoldhimaboutit。
\"AlltheothersseetheChristmasTree，dearChrist—child，\"theysaid;\"butwe，whoaresodomesticandsofondofbeautifulthings，weareCLEANEDUP！Wecannotseeit，atall。\"
TheChrist—childwassorryforthelittlespiderswhenheheardthis，andhesaidtheyshouldseetheChristmasTree。
ThedaybeforeChristmas，whennobodywasnoticing，heletthemallgoin，tolookaslongasevertheyliked。
Theycamecreepy，creepy，downtheatticstairs，creepy，creepy，upthecellarstairs，creepy，creepy，alongthehalls，——andintothebeautifulroom。Thefatmotherspidersandtheoldpapaspiderswerethere，andallthelittleteeny，tiny，curlyspiders，thebabyones。
Andthentheylooked！Roundandroundthetreetheycrawled，andlookedandlookedandlooked。Oh，whatagoodtimetheyhad！Theythoughtitwasperfectlybeautiful。Andwhentheyhadlookedateverythingtheycouldseefromthefloor，theystartedupthetreetoseemore。Alloverthetreetheyran，creepy，crawly，lookingateverysinglething。Upanddown，inandout，overeverybranchandtwig，thelittlespidersran，andsaweveryoneoftheprettythingsrightupclose。
Theystayedtilltheyhadseenalltherewastosee，youmaybesure，andthentheywentawayatlast，QUITEhappy。
Then，inthestill，darknightbeforeChristmasDay，thedearChrist—childcame，toblessthetreeforthechildren。Butwhenhelookedatit——WHATdoyousuppose？——itwascoveredwithcobwebs！Everywherethelittlespidershadbeentheyhadleftaspider—web;andyouknowtheyhadbeeneverywhere。Sothetreewascoveredfromitstrunktoitstipwithspider—
webs，allhangingfromthebranchesandloopedroundthetwigs;itwasastrangesight。
WhatcouldtheChrist—childdo？Heknewthathouse—mothersdonotlikecobwebs;itwouldnever，neverdotohaveaChristmasTreecoveredwiththose。No，indeed。
SothedearChrist—childtouchedthespider’swebs，andturnedthemalltogold！Wasn’tthatalovelytrimming？Theyshoneandshone，alloverthebeautifultree。AndthatisthewaytheChristmasTreecametohavegoldencob—
websonit。
WHYTHEMORNING—GLORYCLIMBS[1]
[1]ThisstorywasgivenmebyMissElisabethMcCracken，whowroteitsomeyearsagoinalargerform，andwhotoldittomeinthewayshehadtoldittomanychildrenofheracquaintance。
OncetheMorning—Glorywasflatontheground。Shegrewthatway，andshehadneverclimbedatall。UpinthetopofatreenearherlivedMrsJennieWrenandherlittlebabyWren。ThelittleWrenwaslame;hehadabrokenwingandcouldn’tfly。Hestayedinthenestallday。ButthemotherWrentoldhimallaboutwhatshesawintheworld，whenshecameflyinghomeatnight。SheusedtotellhimaboutthebeautifulMorning—Gloryshesawontheground。ShetoldhimabouttheMorning—Gloryeveryday，untilthelittleWrenwasfilledwithadesiretoseeherforhimself。
\"HowIwishIcouldseetheMorning—
Glory！\"hesaid。
TheMorning—Gloryheardthis，andshelongedtoletthelittleWrenseeherface。
Shepulledherselfalongtheground，alittleatatime，untilshewasatthefootofthetreewherethelittleWrenlived。Butshecouldnotgetanyfarther，becauseshedidnotknowhowtoclimb。Atlastshewantedtogoupsomuch，thatshecaughtholdofthebarkofthetree，andpulledherselfupalittle。Andlittlebylittle，beforesheknewit，shewasclimbing。
AndsheclimbedrightupthetreetothelittleWren’snest，andputhersweetfaceovertheedgeofthenest，wherethelittleWrencouldsee。
ThatwashowtheMorning—Glorycametoclimb。
THESTORYOFLITTLETAVWOTS[1]
[1]AdaptedfromTheBasketWoman，byMaryAustin。
ThisisthestoryanIndianwomantoldalittlewhiteboywholivedwithhisfatherandmotherneartheIndians’country;andTavwotsisthenameofthelittlerabbit。
Butonce，longago，Tavwotswasnotlittle，——hewasthelargestofallfour—footedthings，andamightyhunter。Heusedtohunteveryday;assoonasitwasday，andlightenoughtosee，heusedtogetup，andgotohishunting。
Buteverydayhesawthetrackofagreatfootonthetrail，beforehim。Thistroubledhim，forhispridewasasbigashisbody。
\"Whoisthis，\"hecried，\"thatgoesbeforemetothehunting，andmakessogreatastride？
Doeshethinktoputmetoshame？\"
\"T’—sst！\"saidhismother，\"thereisnonegreaterthanthou。\"
\"Still，therearethefootprintsinthetrail，\"
saidTavwots。
Andthenextmorninghegotupearlier;butstillthegreatfootprintsandthemightystridewerebeforehim。Thenextmorninghegotupstillearlier;buttherewerethemightyfoot—
tracksandthelong，longstride。
\"NowIwillsetmeatrapforthisimpudentfellow，\"saidTavwots，forhewasverycunning。
Sohemadeasnareofhisbowstringandsetitinthetrailovernight。
Andwheninthemorninghewenttolook，behold，hehadcaughtthesuninhissnare！
Allthatpartoftheearthwasbeginningtosmokewiththeheatofit。
\"Isityouwhomadethetracksinmytrail？\"
criedTavwots。
\"ItisI，\"saidthesun;\"comeandsetmefree，beforethewholeearthisafire。\"
ThenTavwotssawwhathehadtodo，andhedrewhissharphunting—knifeandrantocutthebowstring。Buttheheatwassogreatthatheranbackbeforehehaddoneit;andwhenheranbackhewasmelteddowntohalfhissize！Thentheearthbegantoburn，andthesmokecurledupagainstthesky。
\"Comeagain，Tavwots，\"criedthesun。
AndTavwotsranagaintocutthebowstring。
Buttheheatwassogreatthatheranbackbeforehehaddoneit，andhewasmelteddowntoaquarterofhissize！
\"Comeagain，Tavwots，andquickly，\"criedthesun，\"oralltheworldwillbeburntup。\"
AndTavwotsranagain;thistimehecutthebowstringandsetthesunfree。Butwhenhegotbackhewasmelteddowntothesizeheisnow！Onlyonethingisleftofallhisgreatness：
youmaystillseebytheprintofhisfeetasheleapsinthetrail，howgreathisstridewaswhenhecaughtthesuninhissnare。
THEPIGBROTHER[1]
[1]FromTheGoldenWindows，byLauraE。Richards。（H。R。
AllensonLtd。2s。6d，net。）
Therewasonceachildwhowasuntidy。Helefthisbooksonthefloor，andhismuddyshoesonthetable;heputhisfingersinthejampots，andspilledinkonhisbestpinafore;therewasreallynoendtohisuntidiness。
OnedaytheTidyAngelcameintohisnursery。
\"Thiswillneverdo！\"saidtheAngel。\"Thisisreallyshocking。YoumustgooutandstaywithyourbrotherwhileIsetthingstorightshere。\"
\"Ihavenobrother！\"saidthechild。
\"Yes，youhave，\"saidtheAngel。\"Youmaynotknowhim，buthewillknowyou。Gooutinthegardenandwatchforhim，andhewillsooncome。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean！\"saidthechild;buthewentoutintothegardenandwaited。
Presentlyasquirrelcamealong，whiskinghistail。
\"Areyoumybrother？\"askedthechild。
Thesquirrellookedhimovercarefully。
\"Well，Ishouldhopenot！\"hesaid。\"Myfurisneatandsmooth，mynestishandsomelymade，andinperfectorder，andmyyoungonesareproperlybroughtup。Whydoyouinsultmebyaskingsuchaquestion？\"
Hewhiskedoff，andthechildwaited。
Presentlyawrencamehoppingby。
\"Areyoumybrother？\"askedthechild。
\"No，indeed！\"saidthewren。\"Whatimpertinence！YouwillfindnotidierpersonthanIinthewholegarden。Notafeatherisoutofplace，andmyeggsarethewonderofallforsmoothnessandbeauty。Brother，indeed！\"
Hehoppedoff，rufflinghisfeathers，andthechildwaited。
By—and—byalargeTommyCatcamealong。
\"Areyoumybrother？\"askedthechild。
\"Goandlookatyourselfintheglass，\"saidtheTommyCathaughtily，\"andyouwillhaveyouranswer。Ihavebeenwashingmyselfinthesunallthemorning，whileitisclearthatnowaterhascomenearyouforalongtime。Therearenosuchcreaturesasyouinmyfamily，Iamhumblythankfultosay。\"
Hewalkedon，wavinghistail，andthechildwaited。
Presentlyapigcametrottingalong。
Thechilddidnotwishtoaskthepigifhewerehisbrother，butthepigdidnotwaittobeasked。
\"Hallo，brother！\"hegrunted。
\"Iamnotyourbrother！\"saidthechild。
\"Ohyes，youare！\"saidthepig。\"IconfessIamnotproudofyou，butthereisnomistakingthemembersofourfamily。Comealong，andhaveagoodrollinthebarnyard！Thereissomelovelyblackmudthere。\"
\"Idon’tliketorollinmud！\"saidthechild。
\"Tellthattothehens！\"saidthePigBrother。
\"Lookatyourhandsandyourshoes，andyourpinafore！Comealong，Isay！Youmayhavesomeofthepig—washforsupper，ifthereismorethanIwant。\"
\"Idon’twantpig—wash！\"saidthechild;andhebegantocry。
JustthentheTidyAngelcameout。
\"Ihaveseteverythingtorights，\"shesaid，\"andsoitmuststay。Now，willyougowiththePigBrother，orwillyoucomebackwithme，andbeatidychild？\"
\"Withyou，withyou！\"criedthechild;andheclungtotheAngel’sdress。
ThePigBrothergrunted。
\"Smallloss！\"hesaid。\"Therewillbeallthemorewashforme！\"Andhetrottedoff。
THECAKE[1]
[1]FromTheGoldenWindows，byLauraERichards。（H。R。
AllensonLtd。2s6d。net。）
Achildquarrelledwithhisbrotheronedayaboutacake。
\"Itismycake！\"saidthechild。
\"No，itismine！\"saidhisbrother。
\"Youshallnothaveit！\"saidthechild。
\"Giveittomethisminute！\"Andhefelluponhisbrotherandbeathim。
JustthencamebyanAngelwhoknewthechild。
\"Whoisthisthatyouarebeating？\"askedtheAngel。
\"Itismybrother，\"saidthechild。
\"No，buttruly，\"saidtheAngel，\"whoisit？\"
\"Itismybrother，Itellyou！\"saidthechild。
\"Ohno，\"saidtheAngel，\"thatcannotbe;
anditseemsapityforyoutotellanuntruth，becausethatmakesspotsonyoursoul。Ifitwereyourbrother，youwouldnotbeathim。\"
\"Buthehasmycake！\"saidthechild。
\"Oh，\"saidtheAngel，\"nowIseemymistake。Youmeanthatthecakeisyourbrother;
andthatseemsapity，too，foritdoesnotlooklikeaverygoodcake，——and，besides，itisallcrumbledtopieces。\"
THEPIEDPIPEROFHAMELINTOWN[1]
[1]Fromtraditions，withrhymesfromBrowning’sThePiedPiperofHamelin。
OnceImadeapleasuretriptoacountrycalledGermany;andIwenttoafunnylittletown，whereallthestreetsranuphill。Atthetoptherewasabigmountain，steepliketheroofofahouse，andatthebottomtherewasabigriver，broadandslow。Andthefunniestthingaboutthelittletownwasthatalltheshopshadthesamethinginthem;bakers’shops，grocers’shops，everywherewewentwesawthesamething，——bigchocolaterats，ratsandmice，madeoutofchocolate。Weweresosurprisedthatafterawhile，\"Whydoyouhaveratsinyourshops？\"weasked。
\"Don’tyouknowthisisHamelintown？\"
theysaid。\"Whatofthat？\"saidwe。\"Why，HamelintowniswherethePiedPipercame，\"
theytoldus;\"surelyyouknowaboutthePiedPiper？\"\"WHATaboutthePiedPiper？\"wesaid。Andthisiswhattheytoldusabouthim。
Itseemsthatonce，long，longago，thatlittletownwasdreadfullytroubledwithrats。Thehouseswerefullofthem，theshopswerefullofthem，thechurcheswerefullofthem，theywereEVERYWHERE。Thepeoplewereallbuteatenoutofhouseandhome。Thoserats，Theyfoughtthedogsandkilledthecats，Andbitthebabiesinthecradles，Andatethecheesesoutofthevats，Andlickedthesoupfromthecooks’ownladles，Splitopenthekegsofsaltedsprats，Madenestsinsidemen’sSundayhats，Andevenspoiledthewomen’schatsBydrowningtheirspeakingWithshriekingandsqueakingInfiftydifferentsharpsandflats！
Atlastitgotsobadthatthepeoplesimplycouldn’tstanditanylonger。Sotheyallcametogetherandwenttothetownhall，andtheysaidtotheMayor（youknowwhatamayoris？），\"Seehere，whatdowepayyouyoursalaryfor？
Whatareyougoodfor，ifyoucan’tdoalittlethinglikegettingridoftheserats？Youmustgotoworkandclearthetownofthem;findtheremedythat’slacking，or——we’llsendyoupacking！\"
Well，thepoorMayorwasinaterribleway。
Whattodohedidn’tknow。Hesatwithhisheadinhishands，andthoughtandthoughtandthought。
Suddenlytherecamealittlerat—tatatthedoor。Oh！howtheMayorjumped！Hispooroldheartwentpit—a—patatanythinglikethesoundofarat。Butitwasonlythescrapingofshoesonthemat。SotheMayorsatup，andsaid，\"Comein！\"
Andincamethestrangestfigure！Itwasaman，verytallandverythin，withasharpchinandamouthwherethesmileswentoutandin，andtwoblueeyes，eachlikeapin;andhewasdressedhalfinredandhalfinyellow——hereallywasthestrangestfellow！——androundhisneckhehadalongredandyellowribbon，andonitwashungathingsomethinglikeaflute，andhisfingerswentstrayingupanddownitasifhewantedtobeplaying。
HecameuptotheMayorandsaid，\"Ihearyouaretroubledwithratsinthistown。\"
\"Ishouldsaywewere，\"groanedtheMayor。
\"Wouldyouliketogetridofthem？Icandoitforyou。\"
\"Youcan？\"criedtheMayor。\"How？Whoareyou？\"
\"MencallmethePiedPiper，\"saidtheman，\"andIknowawaytodrawaftermeeverythingthatwalks，orflies，orswims。WhatwillyougivemeifIridyourtownofrats？\"
\"Anything，anything，\"saidtheMayor。\"I
don’tbelieveyoucandoit，butifyoucan，I’llgiveyouathousandguineas。\"
\"Allright，\"saidthePiper，\"itisabargain。\"
Andthenhewenttothedoorandsteppedoutintothestreetandstood，andputthelongflute—likethingtohislips，andbegantoplayalittletune。Astrange，high，littletune。Andbeforethreeshrillnotesthepipeuttered，Youheardasifanarmymuttered;
Andthemutteringgrewtoagrumbling;
Andthegrumblinggrewtoamightyrumbling;
AndoutofthehousestheratscametumblingI
Greatrats，smallrats，leanrats，brawnyrats，Brownrats，blackrats，grayrats，tawnyrats，Graveoldplodders，gayyoungfriskers，Fathers，mothers，uncles，cousins，Cockingtailsandprickingwhiskers，Familiesbytensanddozens，Brothers，sisters，husbands，wives——
FollowedthePiperfortheirlives！
Fromstreettostreethepiped，advancing，fromstreettostreettheyfollowed，dancing。
Uponestreetanddownanother，tilltheycametotheedgeofthebigriver，andtherethepiperturnedsharplyaboutandsteppedaside，andallthoseratstumbledhurryskurry，headoverheels，downthebankintotheriverAND——WERE——
DROWNED。Everysingleone。No，therewasonebigoldfatrat;hewassofathedidn’tsink，andheswamacross，andranawaytotellthetale。
ThenthePipercamebacktothetownhall。
Andallthepeoplewerewavingtheirhatsandshoutingforjoy。TheMayorsaidtheywouldhaveabigcelebration，andbuildatremendousbonfireinthemiddleofthetown。HeaskedthePipertostayandseethebonfire，——verypolitely。
\"Yes，\"saidthePiper，\"thatwillbeverynice;butfirst，ifyouplease，Ishouldlikemythousandguineas。\"
\"H’m，——er——ahem！\"saidtheMayor。\"Youmeanthatlittlejokeofmine;ofcoursethatwasajoke。\"（Youseeitisalwayshardertopayforathingwhenyounolongerneedit。）
\"Idonotjoke，\"saidthePiperveryquietly;
\"mythousandguineas，ifyouplease。\"
\"Oh，come，now，\"saidtheMayor，\"youknowverywellitwasn’tworthsixpencetoplayalittletunelikethat;callitoneguinea，andletitgoatthat。\"
\"Abargainisabargain，\"saidthePiper;
\"forthelasttime，——willyougivememythousandguineas？\"
\"I’llgiveyouapipeoftobacco，somethinggoodtoeat，andcallyouluckyatthat！\"saidtheMayor，tossinghishead。
ThenthePiper’smouthgrewstrangeandthin，andsharpblueandgreenlightsbegandancinginhiseyes，andhesaidtotheMayorverysoftly，\"IknowanothertunethanthatI
played;Iplayittothosewhoplaymefalse。\"
\"Playwhatyouplease！Youcan’tfrightenme！Doyourworst！\"saidtheMayor，makinghimselfbig。
ThenthePiperstoodhighuponthestepsofthetownhall，andputthepipetohislips，andbegantoplayalittletune。Itwasquiteadifferentlittletune，thistime，verysoftandsweet，andvery，verystrange。Andbeforehehadplayedthreenotes，youheardarustling，thatseemedlikeabustlingOfmerrycrowdsjustlingatpitchingandhustling;
Smallfeetwerepattering，woodenshoesclattering，Littlehandsclappingandlittletongueschattering，Andlikefowlsinafarmyardwhenbarleyisscattering，Outcamethechildrenrunning。
Allthelittleboysandgirls，Withrosycheeksandflaxencurls，Andsparklingeyesandteethlikepearls，Trippingandskipping，ranmerrilyafterThewonderfulmusicwithshoutingandlaughter。
\"Stop，stop！\"criedthepeople。\"Heistakingourchildren！Stophim，MrMayor！\"
\"Iwillgiveyouyourmoney，Iwill！\"criedtheMayor，andtriedtorunafterthePiper。
Buttheverysamemusicthatmadethechildrendancemadethegrown—uppeoplestandstock—still;itwasasiftheirfeethadbeentiedtotheground;theycouldnotmoveamuscle。
TheretheystoodandsawthePipermoveslowlydownthestreet，playinghislittletune，withthechildrenathisheels。Onandonhewent;onandonthechildrendanced;tillhecametothebankoftheriver。
\"Oh，oh！Hewilldrownourchildrenintheriver！\"criedthepeople。ButthePiperturnedandwentalongbythebank，andallthechildrenfollowedafter。Up，andup，andupthehilltheywent，straighttowardthemountainwhichisliketheroofofahouse。Andjustastheygottoit，themountainOPENED，——liketwogreatdoors，andthePiperwentinthroughtheopening，playingthelittletune，andthechildrendancedafterhim——and——justastheygotthrough——thegreatdoorsslidtogetheragainandshutthemallin！Everysingleone。No，therewasonelittlelamechild，whocouldn’tkeepupwiththerestanddidn’tgetthereintime。Butnoneofhislittlecompanionsevercamebackanymore，notone。
Butyearsandyearsafterward，whenthefatoldratwhoswamacrosstheriverwasagrandfather，hischildrenusedtoaskhim，\"Whatmadeyoufollowthemusic，Grandfather？\"
andheusedtotellthem，\"Mydears，whenIheardthattuneIthoughtIheardthemovingasideofpickle—tubboards，andtheleavingajarofpreservecupboards，andIsmelledthemostdeliciousoldcheeseintheworld，andIsawsugarbarrelsaheadofme;andthen，justasagreatyellowcheeseseemedtobesaying，`Come，boreme’——Ifelttheriverrollingo’erme！\"
Andinthesamewaythepeopleaskedthelittlelamechild，\"Whatmadeyoufollowthemusic？\"\"Idonotknowwhattheothersheard，\"hesaid，\"butI，whenthePiperbegantoplay，Iheardavoicethattoldofawonderfulcountryhardby，wherethebeeshadnostingsandthehorseshadwings，andthetreesborewonderfulfruits，wherenoonewastiredorlame，andchildrenplayedallday;andjustasthebeautifulcountrywasbutonestepaway——themountainclosedonmyplaymates，andIwasleftalone。\"
Thatwasallthepeopleeverknew。Thechildrennevercameback。AllthatwasleftofthePiperandtheratswasjustthebigstreetthatledtotheriver;sotheycalledittheStreetofthePiedPiper。
Andthatistheendofthestory。
WHYTHEEVERGREENTREESKEEPTHEIRLEAVESINWINTER[1]
[1]AdaptedfromFlorenceHolbrook’sABookofNatureMyths。（Harrap&Co。9d。）
Oneday，along，longtimeago，itwasverycold;winterwascoming。Andallthebirdsflewawaytothewarmsouth，towaitforthespring。Butonelittlebirdhadabrokenwingandcouldnotfly。Hedidnotknowwhattodo。Helookedallround，toseeiftherewasanyplacewherehecouldkeepwarm。
Andhesawthetreesofthegreatforest。
\"Perhapsthetreeswillkeepmewarmthroughthewinter，\"hesaid。
Sohewenttotheedgeoftheforest，hoppingandflutteringwithhisbrokenwing。Thefirsttreehecametowasaslimsilverbirch。
\"Beautifulbirch—tree，\"hesaid，\"willyouletmeliveinyourwarmbranchesuntilthespringtimecomes？\"
\"Dearme！\"saidthebirch—tree，\"whatathingtoask！Ihavetotakecareofmyownleavesthroughthewinter;thatisenoughforme。Goaway。\"
Thelittlebirdhoppedandflutteredwithhisbrokenwinguntilhecametothenexttree。Itwasagreat，bigoak—tree。
\"Obigoak—tree，\"saidthelittlebird，\"willyouletmeliveinyourwarmbranchesuntilthespringtimecomes？\"
\"Dearme，\"saidtheoak—tree，\"whatathingtoask！Ifyoustayinmybranchesallwinteryouwillbeeatingmyacorns。Goaway。\"
Sothelittlebirdhoppedandflutteredwithhisbrokenwingtillhecametothewillow—treebytheedgeofthebrook。
\"Obeautifulwillow—tree，\"saidthelittlebird，\"willyouletmeliveinyourwarmbranchesuntilthespringtimecomes？\"
\"No，indeed，\"saidthewillow—tree;\"Ineverspeaktostrangers。Goaway。\"
Thepoorlittlebirddidnotknowwheretogo;buthehoppedandflutteredalongwithhisbrokenwing。Presentlythespruce—treesawhim，andsaid，\"Whereareyougoing，littlebird？\"
\"Idonotknow，\"saidthebird;\"thetreeswillnotletmelivewiththem，andmywingisbrokensothatIcannotfly。\"
\"Youmayliveononeofmybranches，\"saidthespruce;\"hereisthewarmestoneofall。\"
\"ButmayIstayallwinter？\"
\"Yes，\"saidthespruce;\"Ishallliketohaveyou。\"
Thepine—treestoodbesidethespruce，andwhenhesawthelittlebirdhoppingandflutteringwithhisbrokenwing，hesaid，\"Mybranchesarenotverywarm，butIcankeepthewindoffbecauseIambigandstrong。\"
Sothelittlebirdflutteredupintothewarmbranchofthespruce，andthepine—treekeptthewindoffhishouse;thenthejuniper—treesawwhatwasgoingon，andsaidthatshewouldgivethelittlebirdhisdinnerallthewinter，fromherbranches。Juniperberriesareverygoodforlittlebirds。
Thelittlebirdwasverycomfortableinhiswarmnestshelteredfromthewind，withjuniperberriestoeat。
Thetreesattheedgeoftheforestremarkeduponittoeachother：
\"Iwouldn’ttakecareofastrangebird，\"saidthebirch。
\"Iwouldn’triskmyacorns，\"saidtheoak。
\"Iwouldnotspeaktostrangers，\"saidthewillow。Andthethreetreesstoodupverytallandproud。
ThatnighttheNorthWindcametothewoodstoplay。Hepuffedattheleaveswithhisicybreath，andeveryleafhetouchedfelltotheground。Hewantedtotoucheveryleafintheforest，forhelovedtoseethetreesbare。
\"MayItoucheveryleaf？\"hesaidtohisfather，theFrostKing。
\"No，\"saidtheFrostKing，\"thetreeswhichwerekindtothebirdwiththebrokenwingmaykeeptheirleaves。\"
SoNorthWindhadtoleavethemalone，andthespruce，thepine，andthejuniper—treekepttheirleavesthroughallthewinter。Andtheyhavedonesoeversince。
THESTARDOLLARS[1]
[1]AdaptedfromGrimms’FairyTales。
Therewasoncealittlegirlwhowasvery，verypoor。Herfatherandmotherhaddied，andatlastshehadnolittleroomtostayin，andnolittlebedtosleepin，andnothingmoretoeatexceptonepieceofbread。Soshesaidaprayer，putonherlittlejacketandherhood，andtookherpieceofbreadinherhand，andwentoutintotheworld。
Whenshehadwalkedalittleway，shemetanoldman，bentandthin。Helookedatthepieceofbreadinherhand，andsaid，\"Willyougivemeyourbread，littlegirl？Iamveryhungry。\"Thelittlegirlsaid，\"Yes，\"andgavehimherpieceofbread。
Whenshehadwalkedalittlefarthershecameuponachild，sittingbythepath，crying。
\"Iamsocold！\"saidthechild。\"Won’tyougivemeyourlittlehood，tokeepmyheadwarm？\"Thelittlegirltookoffherhoodandtieditonthechild’shead。Thenshewentonherway。
Afteratime，asshewent，shemetanotherchild。Thisoneshiveredwiththecold，andshesaidtothelittlegirl，\"Won’tyougivemeyourjacket，littlegirl？\"Andthelittlegirlgaveherherjacket。Thenshewentonagain。
By—and—byshesawanotherchild，crouchingalmostnakedbythewayside。\"Olittlegirl，\"
saidthechild，\"won’tyougivemeyourdress？
Ihavenothingtokeepmewarm。\"Sothelittlegirltookoffherdressandgaveittotheotherchild。Andnowshehadnothingleftbutherlittleshirt。Itgrewdark，andthewindwascold，andthelittlegirlcreptintothewoods，tosleepforthenight。Butinthewoodsachildstood，weepingandnaked。\"Iamcold，\"shesaid，\"givemeyourlittleshirt！\"Andthelittlegirlthought，\"Itisdark，andthewoodswillshelterme;Iwillgivehermylittleshirt\";
soshedid，andnowshehadnothingleftinalltheworld。
Shestoodlookingupatthesky，tosayhernight—timeprayer。Asshelookedup，thewholeskyfulofstarsfellinashowerroundherfeet。
Theretheywere，ontheground，shiningbright，andround。Thelittlegirlsawthattheyweresilverdollars。Andinthemidstofthemwasthefinestlittleshirt，allwovenoutofsilk！Thelittlegirlputonthelittlesilkshirt，andgatheredthestardollars;andshewasrich，allthedaysofherlife。
THELIONANDTHEGNAT[1]
[1]ThisstoryhasbeentoldbytheRev。AlbertE。SimstochildreninmanypartsofEngland。OnoneoccasionitwastoldtoanaudienceofoverthreethousandchildrenintheGreatAssemblyHall，MileEnd，London。
FarawayinCentralAfrica，thatvastlandwheredenseforestsandwildbeastsabound，theshadesofnightwereoncemoredescending，warningallcreaturesthatitwastimetoseekrepose。
Alldaylongthesunhadbeenlikeagreatburningeye，butnow，afterpaintingthewesternskywithcrimsonandscarletandgold，hehaddisappearedintohisfleecybed;thevariouscreaturesoftheforesthadsoughttheirholesandresting—places;thelastsoundhadrumbleditsrumble，thelastbeehadmumbledhismumble，andthelastbearhadgrumbledhisgrumble;
eventhegrasshoppersthathadbeenchirruping，chirruping，throughallthelonghourswithoutapause，atlengthhadceasedtheirshrillmusic，tuckeduptheirlonglegs，andgiventhemselvestoslumber。
Thereonanoddinggrass—blade，atinyGnathadmadeaswingingcouch，andhetoohadfoldedhiswings，closedhistinyeyes，andwasfastasleep。
Darker，darker，darkerbecamethenightuntilthedarknesscouldalmostbefelt，andoverallwasasolemnstillnessasthoughsomepowerfulfingerhadbeenraised，andsomepotentvoicehadwhispered，\"HU——SH！\"
Justwhenallwasperfectlystill，therecamesuddenlyfromthefarawaydepthsoftheforest，liketherollofthunder，amightyROAR——R——R——R！
Inamomentallthebeastsandbirdswerewideawake，andthepoorlittleGnatwasnearlyfrightenedoutofhislittlesenses，andhislittleheartwentpit—a—pat。Herubbedhislittleeyeswithhisfeelers，andthenpeeredallaroundtryingtopenetratethedeepgloomashewhisperedinterror——\"WHAT——WAS——THAT？\"
WhatdoYOUthinkitwas？……Yes，aLION！Agreat，biglionwho，whilemostotherdenizensoftheforestslept，wasouthuntingforprey。Hecamerushingandcrashingthroughthethickundergrowthoftheforest，swirlinghislongtailandopeningwidehisgreatjaws，andasherushedheRO—AR—R—R—ED！
PresentlyhereachedthespotwherethelittleGnathungpantingatthetipofthewavinggrass—blade。NowthelittleGnatwasnotafraidoflions，sowhenhesawitwasonlyalion，hecriedout——
\"Hi，stop，stop！Whatareyoumakingthathorriblenoiseabout？\"
TheLionstoppedshort，thenbackedslowlyandregardedtheGnatwithscorn。
\"Why，youtiny，little，mean，insignificantcreatureyou，howDAREyouspeaktoME？\"heraged。
\"HowdareIspeaktoyou？\"repeatedtheGnatquietly。\"BythevirtueofRIGHT，whichisalwaysgreaterthanMIGHT。Whydon’tyoukeeptoyourownpartoftheforest？Whatrighthaveyoutobehere，disturbingfolksatthistimeofnight？\"
ByamightyefforttheLionrestrainedhisanger——heknewthattoobtainmasteryoverothersonemustbemasteroveroneself。
\"WhatRIGHT？\"herepeatedindignifiedtones。
\"BECAUSEI’MKINGOFTHEFOREST。That’swhy。
Icandonowrong，foralltheothercreaturesoftheforestareafraidofme。IDOwhatIplease，ISAYwhatIplease，IEATwhomIplease，IGO
whereIplease——simplybecauseI’mKingoftheForest。\"
\"ButwhotoldyouyouwereKing？\"demandedtheGnat。\"Justanswermethat！\"
\"WhotoldME？\"roaredtheLion。\"Why，everyoneacknowledgesit——don’tItellyouthateveryoneisafraidofme？\"
\"Indeed！\"criedtheGnatdisdainfully。
\"Praydon’tsayALL，forI’mnotafraidofyou。
Andfurther，IdenyyourrighttobeKing。\"
ThiswastoomuchfortheLion。Henowworkedhimselfintoaperfectfury。
\"You——you——YOUdenymyrightasKing？\"
\"IDO，and，whatismore，youshallneverbeKinguntilyouhavefoughtandconqueredme。\"
TheLionlaughedagreatlionlaugh，andalionlaughcannotbelaughedatlikeacatlaugh，aseveryoneoughttoknow。
\"Fight——didyousayfight？\"heasked。
\"Whoeverheardofalionfightingagnat？
Here，outofmyway，youatomofnothing！
I’llblowyoutotheotherendoftheworld。\"
ButthoughtheLionpuffedhischeeksuntiltheywerelikegreatbellows，andthenblewwithallhismight，hecouldnotdisturbthelittleGnat’sholdontheswayinggrass—blade。
\"You’llblowallyourwhiskersawayifyouarenotcareful，\"hesaid，withalaugh——\"butyouwon’tmoveme。Andifyoudareleavethisspotwithoutfightingme，I’lltellallthebeastsoftheforestthatyouareafraidofme，andthey’llmakeMEKing。\"
\"Ho，ho！\"roaredtheLion。\"Verywell，sinceyouwillfight，letitbeso。\"
\"Youagreetotheconditions，then？TheonewhoconquersshallbeKing？\"
\"Oh，certainly，\"laughedtheLion，forheexpectedaneasyvictory。\"Areyouready？\"
\"Quiteready。\"
\"Then——GO！\"roaredtheLion。
Andwiththathesprangforwardwithopenjaws，thinkinghecouldeasilyswallowamilliongnats。ButjustasthegreatjawswereabouttocloseuponthebladeofgrasswheretotheGnatclung，whatshouldhappenbutthattheGnatsuddenlyspreadhiswingsandnimblyflew——wheredoyouthink？——rightintooneoftheLion’snostrils！Andtherehebegantosting，sting，sting。TheLionwondered，andthundered，andblundered——buttheGnatwentonstinging;hefoamed，andhemoaned，andhegroaned——stilltheGnatwentonstinging;herubbedhisheadonthegroundinagony，heswirledhistailinfuriouspassion，heroared，hespluttered，hesniffed，hesnuffed——andstilltheGnatwentonstinging。
\"Omypoornose，mynose，mynose！\"theLionbegantomoan。\"Comedown，comeDOWN，comeDOWN！Mynose，myNOSE，myNOSE！！You’reKingoftheForest，you’reKing，you’reKing——onlycomedown。Mynose，myNOSE，myNOSE！\"
SoatlasttheGnatflewoutfromtheLion’snostrilandwentbacktohiswavinggrass—
blade，whiletheLionslunkawayintothedepthsoftheforestwithhistailbetweenhislegs——BEATEN，andbyatinyGnat！
\"WhatafinefellowamI，tobesure！\"
exclaimedtheGnat，aaheproudlyplumedhiswings。\"I’vebeatenalion——aLION！Dearme，IoughttohavebeenKinglongago，I’msoclever，sobig，sostrong——OH！\"
TheGnat’sfrightenedcrywascausedbyfindinghimselfentangledinsomesilkysortofthreads。Whilegloatingoverhisvictory，thewindhadrisen，andhisgrass—bladehadswayedviolentlytoandfrounnoticedbyhim。A
strongergustthanusualhadbentthebladedownwardclosetotheground，andthensomethingcaughtitandhelditfastandwithitthevictoriousGnat。Oh，thedesperatestruggleshemadetogetfree！Alas！hebecamemoreentangledthanever。Youcanguesswhatitwas——aspider’sweb，hungoutfromtheover—
hangingbranchofatree。Then——flipperty—
flopperty，flipperty——flopperty，flop，flip，flop——
downhisstairscamecunningFatherSpiderandquicklygobbledupthelittleGnatforhissupper，andthatwastheendofhim。
AstrongLion——andwhatovercamehim？A
GNAT。
AcleverGnat——andwhatovercamehim？A
SPIDER’SWEB！Hewhohadbeatenthestronglionhadbeenovercomebythesubtlesnareofaspider’sthread。
ESPECIALLYFORCLASSESII。ANDIII。
THECATANDTHEPARROT
Oncetherewasacat，andaparrot。Andtheyhadagreedtoaskeachothertodinner，turnandturnabout：firstthecatshouldasktheparrot，thentheparrotshouldinvitethecat，andsoon。Itwasthecat’sturnfirst。
Nowthecatwasverymean。Heprovidednothingatallfordinnerexceptapintofmilk，alittlesliceoffish，andabiscuit。Theparrotwastoopolitetocomplain，buthedidnothaveaverygoodtime。
Whenitwashisturntoinvitethecat，hecookedafinedinner。Hehadaroastofmeat，apotoftea，abasketoffruit，and，bestofall，hebakedawholeclothes—basketfuloflittlecakes！——little，brown，crispy，spicycakes！Oh，Ishouldsayasmanyasfivehundred。Andheputfourhundredandninety—eightofthecakesbeforethecat，keepingonlytwoforhimself。
Well，thecatatetheroast，anddrankthetea，andsuckedthefruit，andthenhebeganonthepileofcakes。Heateallthefourhundredandninety—eightcakes，andthenhelookedroundandsaid：——
\"I’mhungry;haven’tyouanythingtoeat？\"
\"Why，\"saidtheparrot，\"herearemytwocakes，ifyouwantthem？\"
Thecatateupthetwocakes，andthenhelickedhischopsandsaid，\"Iambeginningtogetanappetite;haveyouanythingtoeat？\"
\"Well，really，\"saidtheparrot，whowasnowratherangry，\"Idon’tseeanythingmore，unlessyouwishtoeatme！\"Hethoughtthecatwouldbeashamedwhenheheardthat——butthecatjustlookedathimandlickedhischopsagain，——andslip！slop！gobble！downhisthroatwenttheparrot！
Thenthecatstarteddownthestreet。Anoldwomanwasstandingby，andshehadseenthewholething，andshewasshockedthatthecatshouldeathisfriend。\"Why，cat！\"shesaid，\"howdreadfulofyoutoeatyourfriendtheparrot！\"