IN THE FOREST.
Far away in the forest grew a pretty little fir tree. The sun shone on this little tree. The birds sang to it. The wind kissed it. Other trees grew around it. The forest was a very pleasant place, and yet the fir tree was unhappy.
It wanted to be tall and old like the big pines and firs which grew around it. Sometimes little children came with baskets of berries. They would sit upon the ground near the fir tree; and as they ate berries, they chatted merrily. “Is this not a pretty little tree?” they would say. And the fir tree felt more unhappy than ever because the children called it little.
Yet all the while it was growing taller and stronger. Still, as it grew, it would sigh and say, “Oh, how I wish I were as tall as the other trees! I would spread out my branches on every side. My top would overlook the wide world. The birds would build their nests in my branches, and when the wind blew I would gracefully bow my head.”
The tree was so discontented that it took no pleasure in the warm sunshine, the merry birds, or the rosy clouds that floated over it morning and evening.
When winter came the snow lay white and glistening upon the ground. Then a frisky hare came springing along. Right over the little fir tree it jumped, and oh, how vexed the little fir tree was! Two winters passed by. When the third winter came the tree was so tall that the hare had to run around it. But still the foolish tree was discontented and said, “Oh, if I could only be taller and older! There is nothing else I wish for in all the world.”
Suggestions.
A talk about fir trees and other evergreens, such as pine and hemlock. Compare with the fir tree.
Recall another story in which some one picked berries. (“Sweet Rice Porridge.”)
Talk of berries. Children tell of their experiences in picking berries. Recall mention of hare in another story. The wind.
Discontent.
II.
Preparation.
The story tells how wood-cutters came to the forest and cut some of the tallest fir trees.
Recall mention of wood-cutters and their work. The children imagine why the tallest trees were cut down.
Narration.