but it had already been in it , and played out its part . and the man told them about humpty dumpty who fell downstairs and married a princess . the children clapped their hands and cried , ' another ! another ! ' they wanted the story of henny penny also , but they only got humpty dumpty . the fir - tree stood quite astonished and thoughtful ; the birds in the wood had never related anything like that . ' humpty dumpty fell downstairs and yet married a princess ! yes , that is the way of the world ! ' thought the tree , and was sure it must be true , because such a nice man had told the story . ' well , who knows ? perhaps i shall fall downstairs and marry a princess . ' and it rejoiced to think that next day it would be decked out again with candles , toys , glittering ornaments , and fruits . ' to - morrow i shall quiver again with excitement . i shall enjoy to the full all my splendour . to - morrow i shall hear humpty dumpty again , and perhaps henny penny too . ' and the tree stood silent and lost in thought all through the night . next night many more mice came , and on sunday even two rats ; but they did not care about the story , and that troubled the little mice , for now they thought less of it too . ' is that the only story you know ? ' asked the rats . ' the only one , ' answered the tree . ' i heard that on my happiest evening , but i did not realise then how happy i was . ' ' that 's a very poor story . do n't you know one about bacon or tallow candles ? a storeroom story ? ' ' no , ' said the tree . ' then we are much obliged to you , ' said the rats , and they went back to their friends . at last the little mice went off also , and the tree said , sighing : ' really it was very pleasant when the lively little mice sat round and listened whilst i told them stories . but now that 's over too . but now i will think of the time when i shall be brought out again , to keep up my spirits . ' 
the man told one story .
why did the fir-tree only know one story ?
why did the fir-tree only know one story ?