88 DECEMBER 



THE FIR TREE 

 wood cutters autumn slender scarcely 



In the forest stood a pretty fir. 



She was not alone. 



Pines and other firs grew around her. 



So she had plenty of friends, and sunshine, 

 and air. 



But she was not happy. 



She wanted to be taller. 



In the autumn each year the wood cutters 

 came to cut a few of the largest trees. 



They cut off their branches. 



This made them look long and slender. 



The fir tree scarcely knew them. 



Then she trembled lest she should be cut down 

 too. 



But she kept asking herself : 



" Where are they going ? 



" What will happen to them ? " 



swallows storks masts 



In the spring the fir tree asked the swallows 

 and storks : 



