46 ARBOR DA Y MANUAL. 



THE VINE AND THE OAK. 



A VINE was growing beside a thrifty oak, and had just reached that height 

 at which it requires support. " Oak," said the vine, " bend your trunk so 

 that you may be a support to me." 



"My support," replied the oak, " is naturally yours, and you may rely on my 

 strength to bear you up ; but I am too large and too solid to bend. Put your 

 arms around me, my pretty vine, and I will manfully support and cherish you, 

 if you have an ambition to climb as high as the clouds. 



" While I thus hold you up, you will ornament my rough trunk with your 

 pretty green leaves and shining scarlet berries. We were made by the Master 

 of Life to grow together, that by our union the weak may be made strong, and 

 the strong render aid to the weak." 



"But I wish to grow independent!)'," said the vine; "why cannot you twine 

 around me, and let me grow up straight, and not be a mere dependent on you ? " 



"Nature," answered the oak, "did not so design it. It is impossible that you 

 should grow to any height alone ; and if you try it, the winds and the rain, if 

 not your own weight, will bring you to the ground. 



" Neither is it proper for you to run your arms hither and thither among the 

 trees. They will say, 'It is not my vine it is a stranger get thee gone; I 

 will not cherish thee ! ' By this time thou wilt be so entangled among the 

 different branches that thou canst not get back to the oak, and nobody will 

 then admire thee or pity thee." 



"Ah, me," said the vine, "let me escape from such a destiny;" and she twined 

 herself around the oak, and the) r grew and flourished happily together. 



THE UNFADING EVERGREEN. 



HOW bright the unfading evergreen, 

 Amid the forest trees ! 

 In Summer and Winter there 'tis seen 

 To wave to the passing breeze. 

 And may I be so like to thee, 



never fading tree ! 



That all may feel, in woe or weal, 



1 shall unchanging be. 



How bright the unfading evergreen, 



Amid the forest trees ! 



In Summer and Winter there 'tis seen, 



To wave to the passing breeze. 



Ever, ever may I be seen 



Like to the beauteous evergreen. 



