THE CICADA 



nifying-glass I watch it wielding its pickaxes, and raking 

 an atom of earth to the surface. In a few minutes a 

 well has been scooped out. The little creature goes 

 down into it, buries itself, and is henceforth invisible. 



The underground life of the undeveloped Cicada 

 remains a secret. But we know how long it remains 

 in the earth before it comes to the surface and becomes 

 a full-grown Cicada. For four years it lives below the 

 soil. Then for about five weeks it sings in the sunshine. 



Four years of hard work in the darkness, and a month 

 of delight in the sun such is the Cicada's life. We 

 must not blame him for the noisy triumph of his song. 

 For four years he has dug the earth with his feet, and 

 then suddenly he is dressed in exquisite raiment, pro- 

 vided with wings that rival the bird's, and bathed in 

 heat and light! What cymbals can be loud enough 

 to celebrate his happiness, so hardly earned, and so 

 very, very short? 



[39] 



