"At first, I did not like to see the pretty trees cut down," said Polly. "But father told me that it is sometimes best."
"So it is, Polly," said the Story Lady. "We need the wood to keep us warm, and for many other things, too. What are some of them?"
"Carts, sleds, telephone poles!" shouted Peter.
"Houses, barns, bridges!" shouted Polly.
"Yes, indeed, children, for all those and more. So we must cut down some of the trees. But we must take care that others grow in their places.
"Thousands of years ago, people believed strange things about trees. They believed that in some lived beings called dryads.
"These dryads were like lovely maidens. A maiden is a girl, you know. They could come out of their trees. But still they were a part of the tree.
"If a tree was cut down, the lovely dryad who lived in it died. So, in those days, most people did not wish to cut down trees. They were afraid of hurting the dryads.
"When trees grew old and fell, the dryads died, too. Sometimes kind people propped up old trees. Then the dryads could live a little longer."
"Oh, I wish I could see one," said Polly. "What did they wear?"