Chapter I
THE BRUSSELS SPROUT
The Brussels Sprout sat among the cabbages, thinking.
The Brussels Sprout was not a little vegetable. He was a little boy. His name was really Philippe. But he was called "Petit Choux de Bruxelles" (pe-tē´ shōō de brük-sel), which means in French, "Little Brussels Sprout." French is spoken in Brussels, and this little boy was born in that city.
But he now lived on a farm a few miles outside of Brussels.
The name "choux" (shōō) or "cabbage," is often used as a pet name. That was the reason why Philippe's parents called him Little Cabbage or Sprout.
Sprout was a very good name for this little boy, because new ideas were always sprouting in his head.
He was always dreaming dreams and wishing wishes. He was never satisfied.
One of his dearest wishes was for a little sister.
Today he sat among the cabbages and thought deeply. He was wondering why one of the cabbages did not open and give him a baby sister.