12. MOTHER NATURE'S BABY FERNS. 



T AST autumn, when Jack Frost killed the mother 

 *-* fern, the poor little babies were much afraid. 

 But some little snow-flakes came fluttering down 

 from the sky and covered them with a warm 

 blanket ; and so they went to sleep. 



They slept all through the long cold winter, and 

 Jack Frost could not reach them. 



Sometimes, in their dreams, they thought they 

 heard old Northwind whistling over their heads. 

 They did not care for that ; the nice, white coverlet 

 kept them so warm. 



About the first of April, they were wakened by 

 hearing voices all around them. 



A sweet, old voice was saying, " Come, my dar- 

 lings, it is time for you to get up." 



Then such a scampering as there was ; little 

 flowers, grasses, and the baby ferns were all getting 

 ready. 



Mother Nature thought the ferns had better wrap 

 up well, because some days the clouds might cover 

 the sun, and then they would be very cold with old 



