THE STAR AND -THE LILY 83 



There was plenty of game in the forest. 

 There was plenty of fruit on the trees. 



The earth was covered with a carpet of flow- 

 ers. There were birds of more beautiful plum- 

 age than now. 



The red man loved the stars. For he believed 

 that in them the good people lived who had 

 been taken home by the Great Spirit. 



One night they saw a star that shone brighter 

 than all others. 



Night after night, as they watched it, it came 

 nearer and nearer. 



At last it rested on the top of a tree like a 

 beautiful bird. 



One morning it spoke to a young warrior of 

 the tribe and said : 



" Young Brave ! I have looked down upon 

 your people for a long time. I have grown to 

 love them and their beautiful land, with its 

 flowers and birds and rivers. 



" I have left my two sisters the Morning 

 and Evening stars in the sky, and have come 

 to live with you forever. 



" Ask your wise men what form I shall" take, 

 and where I shall live to be most loved." 



The star was asked to choose for herself. 



