NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 49 



LESSON XVI 



THE MAPLE TREE'S CHILDREN 



One windy day in March a maple tree awoke from her winter 

 sleep. "Oh, Mother Nature/ 7 she cried, "I am shivering with cold. 

 My limbs are bare and ugly. Spring is coming, and the birds will be 

 returning from the South. I want to look pretty and inviting, so 

 that they will want to build their nests in my branches. They 

 will not come to me, for I have no leaves to hide them." 



Kind Mother Nature smiled a knowing smile. Suddenly there 

 was a gentle movement at the ends of the twigs, and all along the 

 branches of the maple tree. The flower buds burst, and sent out 

 long stumps of catkins. The leaf buds opened and covered the 

 maple with clusters of leaves. The maple tree was happy. Birds 

 came to build their nests in her branches ; and a pair of robins and 

 a family of thrushes sang sweet songs all day. 



How pretty her green leaves looked! The wind whispered 

 pleasant things to them, till they fluttered and danced with 

 joy. 



When the leaves were hot or dusty, Mother Nature sent cooling 

 raindrops to refresh them. A happier tree could not be found. 



u Thanks, thanks, Mother Nature, for your kindness and care," 

 said the maple; "I will spread my leaves and make shade for the 

 school children." 



