Camp Fire Legends of Wood Folks 321 



go on my belly and my suit is getting so 

 threadbare that I cannot appear in company 

 any more. Besides, it no longer protects my 

 under skin, which is sensitive, and is already 

 quite sore with scraping along the ground. 

 If something cannot be done for me, I shall 

 soon be entirely worn out.' 



" When the Wood Nymph saw the snake's 

 sorrow, although he was an ugly, wriggling, 

 hissing thing, her heart was touched, for she 

 knew that everything that God has made is of 

 use and has its place. 



" ' Mr. Snake,' she said, ' I am grieved for 

 you. It was a sorry joke that you played in 

 the Garden, and we cannot see when it will 

 ever end, but I know your nature and your 

 weakness, and will not judge you too harshly. 

 You will have to go on your belly for the rest 

 of your days as God has commanded; there 

 is no help for that; but this much I will do 

 for you. Each year when your old suit is 

 worn out, I will give you a new one. When 

 the old suit is entirely worn out, if you will 

 wriggle and twist and writhe, you will find 



