Part 8 (1/2)

Diana, followed by her maids the wood nymphs, often wandered through the forest. She took care of the deer and all helpless creatures, but she hunted fierce animals.

Apollo, also, grew to be fair and strong.

Jupiter bestowed many gifts upon the youth. He gave Apollo a pair of swans and a golden chariot, so that the boy could go anywhere, on land or sea.

The most wonderful present that Jupiter gave to Apollo was a silver bow, with sharp arrows which never missed the mark. Apollo prized the bow so highly and used it so very skillfully, that he came to be called ”Master of the Silver Bow.”

THE TREE

Green stood the Tree, With its leaves tender bright.

”Shall I take them?” said Frost, As he breathed thro' the night.

”Oh! pray let them be, Till my blossoms you see!”

Begged the Tree, as she s.h.i.+vered And shook in affright.

Sweet sang the birds The fair blossoms among.

”Shall I take them?” said Wind, As he swayed them and swung.

”Oh! pray let them be, Till my berries you see!”

Begged the Tree, as its branches All quivering hung.

Bright grew the berries Beneath the sun's heat.

”Shall I take them?” said La.s.sie So young and so sweet.

”Ah! take them, I crave!

Take all that I have!”

Begged the Tree, as it bent Its full boughs to her feet.

ADAPTED.

THE FAIRY TREE

Long, long ago, on an island in the sea, lived a family of seven sisters. The oldest girl ruled the household, and her sisters obeyed her commands. Flora, the youngest sister, was sent to the forest each day, to gather wood for the kitchen fire.

Near the edge of the forest was a cave under some rocks. A stream of water fell over the rocks into a basin in the cave.

This was a delightfully cool spot, and Flora often rested here on her way home after gathering wood in the forest. She would lie on the mossy bank of the stream, for hours, and dream.

One morning as Flora ran along the gra.s.sy path that led to the cave, she saw a little fish in the stream. Its scales flashed out all the colors of the rainbow.

”I am going to keep the fish for a pet,” said the girl to herself. ”I will call him Rainbow.”

So she caught the pretty fish and put him into the basin in the cave.

The next day Flora went to the forest for wood. She carried some crumbs of bread which she had saved from her breakfast.