Nanny stepped out of her little carriage, and under a wide-spreading beech-tree, the branches of which overshadowed them, the children knelt down, and in their own simple way entreated God’s blessing.
Just at that moment the sun, like a ball of fire, rose above the horizon and shed over them his golden beams. We can fancy how lovely everything must have appeared to these little ones, who had never known the beauties of sunrise in the country.
“It seems as if God was holding his shining hand above us and blessing us,” said Toni.
“Oh, how pretty!” exclaimed Hans. “Everything about us is so bright; even the very stones; and the little blades of grass look covered with diamonds, but it is the dew which God sends to refresh them. How good He is! He cares for the plants as well as for us, but He made them, so they are His children too.”
“And look at this,” cried Nanny, full of glee, taking up an acorn cup; “only see what a large drop of dew inside—it must be a bath for the tiny insects.”
Whirr, whirr—up flew a bird from its nest.
“Ah, have I frightened you, you poor little thing?”
“That must be a lark,” said Toni; “look how high it flies, singing all the time; up and up it goes as if it meant to go right up to heaven.”
“Greet father and mother for me, pretty bird,” cried Hans, “for they are in heaven.”