The Beauty of Trees 107 



harvest of nuts on hickory and walnut trees 

 makes the children glad. After a happy day 

 spent in the woods, they come home with well- 

 filled baskets in their hands. Going nutting is 

 one of the truest joys of childhood in the coun- 

 try. Most of the nuts are ready to be eaten 

 then, but some, like the chestnut, taste best 

 when roasted by an open fire of blazing logs. 



The tree's early leaf buds were bursting their brown: 

 "Shall I take them away?" said the frost, sweeping down. 

 "No, let them alone 



Till the blossoms have grown," 

 Prayed the tree, while it trembled from rootlet to crown. 



The tree bore its blossoms and all the birds sung: 

 "Shall I take them away?" said the wind, as it swung. 

 "No, let them alone 



Till the berries have grown," 

 Said the tree, while its leaflets, quivering, hung. 



The tree bore its fruit in the midsummer glow: 

 Said the girl, "May I gather thy sweet berries now?" 

 "Yes, all thou canst see: 



Take them, all are for thee," 

 Said the tree, while it bent down its laden boughs low. 



Bjornstjerne Bjornson. 



