For Rainbow, the elf, appeared on the green and a daintier little gentleman never was seen. His blue satin coat, with silvery leaves embroidered in wreaths, his white silken hose and gilt-buckled shoes, and his blue Forget-Me-Not girdle, made an exquisite picture.
With three very low bows he flew straight to Emily, and told her that the insect choir would be pleased to favor her with some music in honor of her birthday. Then Rainbow made a motion to Tono, who had charge of the insect choir. Tono gave the word of command, and the fiddlers, drummers, and pipers of the insect world appeared.
The short-horned Grasshoppers were there with their bows and fiddles; the musical Cicadas were also there with their high-tuned kettle drums; and the meadow Grasshoppers were playing: “Zip, zip, zee-e-e! Zip, zip, zee-e-e!”
The pale-green, bashful Katydids, who are usually heard but not seen, were also there singing with all their might: “Katy did! she did, she did, she didn’t!” over and over again.
And the cheery crickets with their happy chirpings, sang: “Cheer-up! cheer-up! cheer-up!”
They all sang and played most heartily, all in honor of Emily’s birthday. And when they had finished there was loud applause and cries of “More! more!”
But just at that moment Colonel Claw stepped forward, and told them that the birds also would be pleased to favor Emily and her guests with some music.
A Starling, whom Colonel Claw had taught to make a speech for the occasion, stepped forward and said that as all the birds in Templeton Garden had been most kindly treated, and had even had fine, comfortable houses provided for them, they wanted to show their appreciation by helping to celebrate Emily’s birthday.
Then the Starling, bowing low, turned to Emily and added: “In the name of all the birds of Templeton Garden, I wish you a great many happy returns!”
So saying he returned to the elm tree. Colonel Claw gave the word of command, and the music began.