“It is a very fine bamboo tree, master,” said the head servant.
“Yes, it is, indeed,” declared the master, “but there are many other bamboo trees equally fine, whereas no one has ever seen a vine with such a wealth of lovely blossoms.”
So the labourers cut down the haughty bamboo tree, and left the willow and the flowering vine to be admired by many, many people.
AUTUMN FASHIONS
The Maple owned that she was tired of always wearing green, She knew that she had grown, of late, too shabby to be seen!
The Oak and Beech and Chestnut then deplored their shabbiness, And all, except the Hemlock sad, were wild to change their dress.
“For fashion-plate we’ll take the flowers,” the rustling Maple said, “And like the Tulip I’ll be clothed in splendid gold and red!”
“The cheerful Sunflower suits me best,” the lightsome Beech replied; “The Marigold my choice shall be,” the Chestnut spoke with pride.