here while you were asleep," said the fairy. "Raise your branches high, so that I may see."

All the trees raised their branches as high as they could. They loved the fairy, and wished to help her.

"Here is my gold in the branches of this poplar," said the fairy. "Who placed it in your branches, poplar?"

"I do not know, O fairy," said the poplar, sadly. "It was not there when I fell asleep. You know I would not take your gold."

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I am sure you would not," said the fairy; "all the trees are my friends. Some one came here while you slept. Put down your branches, dear trees."

Down came the branches, and the leaves whispered in the wind. Down came the branches of all but the poplar.

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"O fairy," said the poplar sadly, my branches have been used to hide your gold.

May they stay as they are, so that no one else can use them?"

"Yes," said the fairy. "Poplar, let your branches grow high. You may sleep without care. No one can use your branches now."

And to this day the poplar tree holds its branches high in the air.

THE SEED BABY

cra'dle

I know of a baby, so fair and so good.
She sleeps in a cradle as good babies should.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

I know of a mother so kind and so warm,
She covers the baby from all cold and harm.
Sleep, baby, sleep!

When winter is over, the rain and the light Are calling the baby with all their might, Wake, baby, wake!

-Selected.

A lion was once lying asleep in the sun.

While he slept, some mice played about him and ran over his great body.

When he awoke and stretched himself, all but one of the mice ran away. The lion saw the little mouse and raised his great paw to kill her.

"Oh, please, dear lion, do not kill me," cried the mouse. "I am too small to hurt you, and some day I may be able to help you."

"You may go," said the lion; "but a little mouse could not help a great lion like me."

One day the lion was caught in a strong net set by a hunter. He tried and tried, but could not get away. The ropes of the net hurt him, and he was angry. So he lay there and roared.

The little mouse heard the cry of her friend and ran to see what she could do to help him. She found him fast in the net, with the ropes around his great paws.

The little mouse crept up on the lion's paw, and gnawed and gnawed with her sharp little teeth until the ropes were cut in two. Then the lion stood up and shook off the net.

"You are small, dear mouse," said he; "but you have done for me to-day what I could not do for myself. I thank you, little friend."

lo'cust

THE LOCUST TREES

peo'ple's rid'ing par'a sol neat

The locust trees, see how they grow!
Here in the shade we will have a show.

Other people's children all have come,
But my little girl is still at home.

Just as I speak, she is coming along,
Riding a donkey and singing a song.

Her parasol open she holds in her hand;
Her hair is done up in a neat little band.
-"Chinese Mother Goose Rhymes."

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