4 FOREST FANCIES 



one, sinking to rest. '^Dear me, I'm all out of 

 breath, for IVe waltzed across the valley!'' 



**A long way from home for one so yoimg," 

 observed Quercus, cuddling down among the 

 falling leaves. '^Nothing doing, so I may as 

 well go to sleep. Be sure to wake me when 

 spring comes." And before he knew it, he 

 was sleeping as soundly as Rip Van Winkle. 



When Quercus awoke, he looked at himself 

 in surprise, and just like Mr. Van Winkle 

 when he discovered his long white beard, 

 asked: 



'^What'sthisonme?" 



It had broken right through his smooth coat 

 — a tiny root. Quercus lifted his head and 

 looked about, laughing so hard that he split 

 his sides more and more ; until his ragged coat 

 fell off and he stood like the little prince in 

 the fairy tale, straight and proud, with a green 

 cap on his head and a feather that grew 

 longer. 



The little root busily burrowed through the 

 leafy mold; yet until he had a good firm grip 

 of the earth beneath, Quercus feared lest 



