30 STORIES OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS 



early in the morning by the tulips in the garden, 

 and when a Hummingbird comes by, wearing a 

 patch of sparkling rubies on his throat, gather 

 a bunch of single tulips and offer them to him, 

 saying, 4 Will you breakfast on my flowers, and 

 take me with you to the Flower Market ? ' 



" If he feeds upon the tulips, then you may 

 follow him. 



" But if you wish to visit the Land of Nod, 

 then stand at sunset on the garden's border, 

 and presently a great green Moth with moon- 

 light-coloured wings will flutter past. Hold out 

 your hand and whisper softly : ' Moon Moth, 

 may I go with you to the Land of Nod?' If 

 he lights upon your hand, then you may follow 

 him." 



Tommy-Anne clasped her hands and looked up 

 at the sky, with a little smile of deep content. 

 This smile meant also gratitude, for she was very 

 grateful. 



" A few more questions ; may I ask a very few 

 more ? " she said shyly, as if afraid that even an 

 Oak might grow tired of whys. 



"With pleasure," it answered, "if they are 

 about trees. The fact is I am very young and 

 have not had time to learn much, but of course I 

 know all the history of our best tree families." 



