The following rhyme was written by a little 6-year-old-girl in hopes to save a beautiful forest near Evansville, Ind., and to help the Children's Outing Farm. A short account of the little girl's work as an Esperantist appeared in a recent issue of The National Daily and a number of articles concerning her abilities as a linguist have appeared in other publications.
She is the youngest child in the world holding a diploma from Dr. Zamenhof for being able to read, write and speak in Esperanto, and she also speaks French as well as English.
This little girl, who was born in Norfolk, Va., has been a lover of books since her babyhood days. She knew Mother Goose by heart when but 1 year of age and learned to read when but 2. At 4 she read Lamb's Tales of Shakespeare and had finished the fifth reader. A few months ago she was sent to school, but could not be graded, as she could read, write and spell anything, but knew nothing of arithmetic. The noted mathematician, Mrs. Hornbrook, of Chicago, having met the little girl at Chautauqua, N. Y., and knowing of her mental powers, asked to instruct her in this branch, and she soon taught her the rudiments of arithmetic.
She is the daughter of Dr. J. B. Stoner, Surgeon in the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, and Winifred Sackville Stoner, President of the Woman's Esperanto League.
An Appeal To The Fairies
Good Fairies, save the lovely trees which live on Coal Mine Hill!
Their home has been your home so long, your hearts with grief wou
Should stout men armed with axes come and fell them to the earth,
These monarchs of the forest, these jewels of great worth.
The giant oaks and stately elms, the rulers of this wood,