Where did they go to? What became of them?
In spring, when the Swallow and the Stork came, the Tree asked them, “Don't you know where they have been taken? Have you not met them anywhere?”
The Swallow did not know anything about it; but the Stork looked doubtful, nodded his head, and said, “Yes; I have it; I met many new ships as I was flying from Egypt; on the ships were splendid masts, and I dare say it was they that smelt so of pine. I wish you joy, for they lifted themselves on high in fine style!”
“Oh, were I but old enough to fly across the sea! How does the sea really look? and what is it like?”
“Aye, that takes a long time to tell,” said the Stork, and away he went.
“Rejoice in thy youth!” said the Sunbeams, “rejoice in thy hearty growth, and in the young life that is in thee!”
And the Wind kissed the Tree, and the Dew wept tears over him, but the Pine Tree understood it not.
II. CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS
When Christmas came, quite young trees were cut down; trees which were not even so large or of the same age as this Pine Tree, who had no rest or peace, but always wanted to be off. These young trees, and they were always the finest looking, always kept their branches; they were laid on carts, and the horses drew them out of the wood.
“Where are they going to?” asked the Pine Tree. “They are not taller than I; there was one, indeed, that was much shorter;—and why do they keep all their branches? Where are they carrying them to?”