THE FIR TREE HAS ITS WISH.
One year, just before Christmas, the wood-cutters came again to the forest. They set to work and cut down the discontented fir tree first of all. It was laid on the wagon with other trees and drawn out of the forest.
The fir tree had its wish. It was leaving its home in the forest. But now that the time had come, its heart was sad. It knew that it would never again see the other trees, nor the little bushes, nor the many bright-eyed flowers that had grown around it. “Perhaps,” said the tree, “I may never again see my friends, the merry birds.” And it felt very sad, indeed.
On it was carried until, at last, it stopped before a large house in the great city. The fir tree heard a man say, “We want only one and this is the prettiest.” Then two servants came and carried the tree into a large and very beautiful room. A handsome carpet was on the floor. Pictures hung upon the walls. Near the great stove stood huge china vases with lions on their lids. There were rocking chairs, and sofas covered with silks. There were many tables loaded with picture-books and playthings. The fir tree was set up in a tub full of sand, but a green cloth was hung all around the tub so that no one could see it.
Soon some young ladies came in and began to trim the tree. How busily they worked! How pretty they made the tree look! On it they hung little bags made of colored paper. Each little bag was filled with candy. Apples and gilded nuts were hung on it. They looked as if they were growing upon the tree. Dolls that looked just like real babies were laid under the lowest branches. Hundreds of red, white and blue tapers were fastened on the tree. At the very top was a beautiful golden star.
“How pretty it looks!” said the young ladies. “How bright it will look to-night!” “How I wish that the night were come and the tapers lighted,” thought the tree. “I wonder if the sparrows will peep in at the windows and see me!”
At last night came. How beautiful the tree looked with all its tapers twinkling like tiny stars among its dark green leaves. All at once the door was opened. In rushed a troop of merry children. How they shouted and clapped their hands for joy when they saw the beautiful tree. Then, hand in hand, they danced around it, singing a sweet Christmas song.
“Ah!” said the fir tree, “at last I am happy.”
Suggestions.
A talk on Christmas trees.
The cause of the fir tree’s happiness.
