THE FIR TREE 89 



" Did you not meet the trees that were taken 

 from the woods? 



" Do you not know where they are ?" 



The stork said : 



" Yes, I think so. 



" As I flew back from the south, I met many 

 new ships. 



66 These ships had tall masts. 



"They smelt like fir. 



"And I am sure those were the trees." 



"Oh," said the fir, " if I were only big enough 

 to go over the sea ! " 



The wind kissed the little fir tree. 



The dew shed tears upon her. 



But the poor little fir tree did not understand. 



candles fastened garret 



At last it was Christmas. 



The wood cutters came to the woods again. 



This time they cut down the younger trees. 



They did not cut off the branches. 



The little fir tree was carried away with the 

 others. 



And just what some sparrows had told her 

 came true. 



