ASPETUCK 77 



"My beginnings were smaller than either of 

 these. I was only a moist spot, on the top of a 

 hill, a bit 'of grass touched by the Water Spirit. 

 Around me were other moist places which, like 

 myself, could not move, and when the sun shone 

 on us, we grew less and less. I heard the trees 

 rustle and the notes of the birds, but I did not 

 understand them, and they could not see me. 

 The grass that grew about me was a little greener 

 because of my presence, and the small ferns sucked 

 my moisture greedily, but that was all. 



" One day the earth, by heating and cooling, 

 added a few more drops to me, then rain fell and 

 gave me new vigour, when the sun burst out again 

 I leaped to meet it, and, without knowing how, 

 I escaped down the hillside. 



" Life, motion, how delicious they were ! Pres- 

 ently a Song-Sparrow who had been singing in 

 the open field came and bathed in me, spatter- 

 ing my drops far and wide. It was an anxious 

 moment; for, thought I, if he uses up too 

 much of me, there will not be enough to go 

 onward. 



" This danger passed, I ran along until I 

 reached some trees, and I wondered how I could 

 ever climb over their high roots. 4 Avoid them,' 

 said Heart of Nature ; ' go between, and remem- 



