150 SPRING STORIES AND SONGS 



THE LEGEND OF THE SPRING BEAUTY 



old man was sitting alone in his hut by 

 the side of a frozen stream. 



It was near the end of winter, and his fire 

 was almost out. There was just a little spark 

 among the white ashes. 



He was very old. His hair was white, and he 

 trembled in every joint. 



He lived alone. Day after day passed, and 

 he heard nothing but the North wind sweeping 

 before it the new fallen snow. 



One day, a handsome young man walked 

 with a light step up the frozen path leading to 

 the door. 



His cheeks were red, his eyes were bright, 

 and a smile played upon his lips. 



He wore on his head a wreath of sweet 

 grass. He carried a bunch of flowers in his 

 hand. 



The old man had been alone so long, that he 

 was glad to have a visitor. 



u Ah ! my son," he said in his shrill old voice, 

 " I am glad to see you. Come in, come in. Let 

 us pass the night together." 



