SUNSHINE STORIES 41 



What was it that shone so ? 



A golden egg that was still quite warm. 



She put it next her heart. 



Soon she heard a gentle pecking inside the 

 shell. 



But she thought it was the beating of her 

 own heart. 



In her little house, she took out the egg. 



"Tick! tick!" it said as if it had been a 

 golden watch. 



But it was not. 



It was an egg a real, living egg. 



The egg cracked and opened. 



Out came a dear little baby swan. 



Around its neck were four rings. 



The woman had four boys. 



So she knew at once, that there was one 

 ring for each boy. 



Just as she took them the bird flew away. 



She kissed each of the rings. 



She made each of the children kiss one. 



She laid it over his heart. 



Then she put it on his finger. 



"I saw it all," said the Sunshine. 



"And I saw what happened afterward." 



