﻿172 



PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



Edwin was again silent. 



" This," observed his grandmother, " recalls to my mind one of 

 Randy the Woodcutter's fables." 



A very pretty little tree grew near a quickset hedge that was cut 

 close by the gardener, and the hedge looked up to the tiny little tree 

 with great respect. It was so short itself that it fancied the tree 

 was very tall ; there were several brambles and nettles also round 

 about, and they were perpetually praising the little tree, arid increas- 

 ing its vanity by their flattery. One day an old rook, the oldest in 

 the rookery, perched on the little tree. 



" What do you mean," said the tiny tree, " by troubling me with 

 your familiarity ? The idea of such a bird as you presuming to rest 

 Upon my branches ! " and the little tree rustled its leaves and looked 

 very angry. 



" Caw ! caw ! " quoth the rook, which signified " Ah ! ah ! Why, 

 better trees than you are glad to give me a resting-place ; I thought 

 you would be gratified by the compliment paid you by alighting on 

 your quivering bough, and by the pleasure of rny company; a little 

 thing like you could hardly have possessed much attraction for king 

 rook; but, indeed, I only perched upon you because you are a little 

 taller than brambles." 



^sss^f 



The dwarf tree considered it as great an insult to be called a 

 "little thinff" as some folks do to be considered "not clever;" and 



