Elsie was very grateful indeed, and went away to her sick baby with a heart full of joy.
The next day at the Easter service all the girls were anxious to know how Hester could have stayed away and missed the party.
“I stayed because mother needed me,” was all the child answered. But when the service was over the minister called her to him. In his hand he held a lily. He handed it to her, saying: “This flower, little girl, is for you—a token from the Master. You are like Him in giving up your own desires for the sake of others.”
STORY OF THE JACKBEAN
The love of flowers and of growing things is an instinct that should be encouraged.
There were four beans growing in one pod. The sun shone and the rain fell. The pod grew and the beans grew. As they grew larger they thought more of what they must do.
“Shall we stay here always?” said one. “I feel that there is something outside of this pod.”
Weeks passed. The pod became white and the beans brown. Then they felt a pull at the pod. Crack! the pod opened and the four beans rolled out into the sunshine. They lay in a little boy’s hand.