104 LUTHER BURBANK 



but we have, for a long time, been obliged to carry them 

 for protection, for great bands of cattle and sheep used to 

 lay waste our homes. Crowds of men, too, used to fall 

 upon us and trample us under foot. Had not my people 

 carried many short, sharp swords, I am sure we should have 

 all perished. 



"One flowery, dewy morning in spring a strange man 

 called on us. I never saw any one like him; he was in 

 sympathy with us, for he looked us all over carefully, and 

 did not scowl at our stickers; then he took hold of me and 

 carried me off bodily. I did not know where I was going 

 but I felt very safe. His kind touch gave me courage 

 and confidence. Playmates, you may be surprised that 

 the strange man was our present teacher, who has trained 

 us so long. 



"Now, Siberia," said Bramble, who had made this long 

 speech, "tell us your story." 



In a low, whispering voice, like a gentle south wind, 

 Siberia began. "My old home is in far-away Asia. I 

 love my native land, let me tell you, but there we Siberian 

 brambles had to fight for our lives, just as you American 

 brambles have done. The people of my country did not 

 care for me; they called me ' seedy.' I was so very small 

 they banished me from their gardens. I am glad to find 

 in my new home one who makes me welcome." 



Early the next morning the air was so pure, the sun- 

 shine so refreshing, the birds sang and called so merrily 



