Language Through Nature 



going. They told her they were seeking a wonder- 

 ful child of whose birth they had heard. They had 

 beautiful gifts for this child and asked the old 

 woman to go with them and offer her gifts, too. 

 She said she would do so if they would wait until 

 she finished her cleaning. But they answered, 

 11 We may not wait; we follow a star." 



After they had gone she kept thinking of the 

 child and wished she had left her work. But the 

 men could no longer be seen, and though she tried 

 she could not find the way to the place of which 

 they had told her. 



Since then, each year as the d,ay returns, the 

 little old woman goes through all the land leaving 

 gifts for every child. She hopes that among the 

 children she may some day find the one she has 

 sought so long. 



Tell this story in your own words. 

 Describe any other Christmas customs of which 

 you know. 



Thy own wish, wish I thee in every place, 



The Christmas joy, the song, the feast, the cheer, 



Thine be the light of love in every face 



That looks on thee, to bless thy coming year. 



Celia Thaxter. 



