NINTH NIGHT
ANOTHER TRUE FAIRY STORY
Jehosophat, Marmaduke, and Hepzebiah were very happy as they watched the fairy story of the flowers. They were happier still because they helped it grow. But of course that did not take all of their time. So one morning when Marmaduke had eaten up all of his oatmeal and the cream, which Buttercup had given him, he laid his spoon down and said:
"Won't you show us another story, 'cause we can't watch our gardens all day long?"
"Yes," said Mother, "let me think what it will be."
So Mother thought awhile.
"I'll get Mother Nature to show you another story. But you can't help with this one. You'll just have to watch. It's made by the birds themselves."
Then she looked at the calendar.
"Why, it's the fourteenth of May. He ought to be here pretty soon."
"Who ought to be here soon?" asked Jehosophat.
"Why, the Oriole, the Baltimore Oriole, on his way back from the South, where he lives all winter."