98 NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



LESSON XXXIII 



THE MOUNTAIN FERN AND THE MOORLAND MOSS 



High on a mountain grew a noble fern. It unrolled its long 

 fronds in the morning light and spread out its graceful leaves on 

 every side. Down on the moor grew a poor little moss, slowly creep- 

 ing in the shadow of the mountain. The fern looked out in its 

 pride on the lowly moss, and said, "You poor, miserable little 

 thing, how do you live down there? I scorn such lowly places." 



"I am happy," said the moss, "for I am contented. I prefer 

 the moor to the mountain height. The sun shines on me as it does 

 on you, and the dews of the night glisten on my leaves as they do 

 on yours." She shook her little leaves with such an air of inde- 

 pendence, that the dews scattered in all directions. 



"Oh," said the fern, haughtily, "I prefer my position. From 

 here I can look out on the whole world." 



Just at that moment a strong gale of wind arose. It dried up 

 the roots of the tall fern, and the leaves withered and broke in the 

 blast. Soon after, the sun burst forth in the heavens, and poured 

 its hot rays down on the delicate moss, and the little plant grew 

 pale and weak and faded away. Now the fern and the moss were 

 alike companions in grief. 



By and by the fern slowly raised its head and said, "Little 

 sister moss, I am sorry I spoke slightingly to you. Don't you think 

 we had better be friends, and work together to protect ourselves 



