THE LAW OF ^HE WOOD 109 



unhealthy. The vapor that rose from the earth 

 after heavy rains was never blown away by 

 the fresh breezes. 



And .all this was because the trees would not 

 give way even to each other. 



" What can it matter/ 7 said they, " whether 

 we are green inside ? Still, I do wonder why 

 one part is more green than another." 



" It is absurd for you to wonder about it," 

 said the Birch. "No tree could prosper who 

 insisted upon growing in his own and everybody 

 else's way." 



"My dear friend," said a Spruce, "you are 

 very unjust. Our rule is to go our own way 

 and let everybody else do the same." 



" Everybody cannot go his own way when 

 we all live together," answered the Birch. 

 " Give way one to another, is the law of the 

 wood." 



Many months passed by. All the Spruce trees 

 were dead, except one which happened to stand 

 a little apart from the others. 



At last this one was cut down by the owner 

 of the wood for a Christmas tree. 



It stood in a brightly lighted room, covered 

 with lights and presents. 



