144 FEBRUARY 



" Crack ! Pouf ! I have split all up my right 

 side," said our little grain several days later. 



" Crack ! Pouf ! and so have I," said the wise 

 little grain. 



" Now we must push through the earth." 



"Well, I shall be glad to get into the air," 

 said v^r little grain. 



So each of them began to push through the 

 earth. 



The great field was brown no longer. 



It was covered with a million little fresh 

 green blades. 



They grew taller and taller every day. 



Our little blade grew faster than any of the 

 others. 



At last it grew into a stalk with ever so 

 many little grains. 



They fitted closely together. 



They wore tight little green covers. 



" Look at me," the stalk said. 



" I am the queen of the wheat. 



"I have a crown." 



" No," said the wise little grain. " You ar 

 now an ear of wheat." 



Soon all the other stalks wore a crown. 



As usual the wise grain had told the truth. 



