26. THE NORTH STORY OF HOW THE ROBIN GOT 

 ITS RED BREAST. 



TONG ago, in the far north, where it is very cold, 

 ^ there was only one fire. 



An old man and his little son took care of this 

 fire and kept it burning day and night. They knew 

 that if the fire went out all the people would freeze 

 and the white bear would have the north land all to 

 himself. 



One day the old man became very ill, so that his 

 son had everything to do. For many days and 

 nights the boy bravely took care of his father and 

 kept the fire burning. But at last he got so tired 

 and sleepy that he could no longer walk. 



Now the white bear was always watching the 

 fire. 



He longed for the time when he should have the 

 north land all to himself. 



When ,he saw how tired and slegpy the little boy 

 was, he stayed close to the fire and laughed to him- 

 self 



