16 



left in the district to eat the beetles and borers and 

 other insects that sting us and suck us to death." 



"This has been an instructive night," said the 

 Stove. "I never learned so much in one talk before. 

 It is now morning, I hear the caretaker coming and 

 there is one question]! desire to ask you before it is 

 too late. If all the trees could talk to human beings, 

 as you can talk to me, what would you say to them? 

 What is the warning you would din into their ears?" 



And the White Pine in the door said "Protect us 

 from fire till we are full grown and then harvest us 

 that we may provide men with food, and books, and 

 implements, and vehicles, and furniture, and build- 

 ings. Don't let us be turned to ashes, and don't 

 let us die of old age to fall and rot." 



And all the others cried just before the caretaker 

 opened the door "Protect us from Fire." 



