St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-09-13
For tl,e CHILDREN,
THE WISE LILIES.

black from white and as for putting
two and two together, that was far be-
You'd him.
This little boy was burden to his
friends. There is no telling what a
know-nothng may do. He may take
hornet for his bosom friend, and then he
will be stung. He may take the blue
lake for dry land, and then he will be
drowned.
The good people who took care of this
little boy, ran fast as they could from
pillar to post, could never keep him out
OF danger. They became very tired
indeed. One day they said 1--WE will sit
down. for if we do not, we shall drop
with fatigue"
Accordingly they seated themselves,
and the little boy was left to be his own
guide,-a very foolish guide, you will
say. He went down the garden to
where white lilies grew tall in the sun
shine. These were the pride and delight
OF all the household. Let us take a
peep at the white lilies" said those who
were tired; and, il anyone was especially
glad, away he went down the garden
path for an exchange of smiles with the
white lilies
The little boy stood on tiptoe to spy
the gold that was in these flowers. He
could not see well, so he bent them down.
They bobbed back again, for they were
full of spring.
You hateful things, you are too
high" cried the little boy 81 will cut
you down, and l shall plant you low.
Want to see me do it?
He took a big stick; he beat them
down truly, and planted them much
lower, quite near the ground. But who
was going to make them grow? As for
looking at the gold in them, that could
not be done very long. They shut them
selves together as quickly as they could,
and shriveled away in the hot sunshine.
On hearing of this mlshap, the good
people mourned greatly.
at will not do to sit down either"
said they.
"The lilies! If he knows no more than
to destroy the lilies, things have come
to pretty pass. We had best consult
the fairies. There is nothing else left to
do"
They sat out at once in search of the
fairies. They took the little boy with
them for, he being so ignorant, it would
never do to leave him at home. He was
fast asleep, and that was well. The
fairies, seeing him so quiet, would deal
kindly with him.
The good people went on until they
came to cave. Entering the cave, they
proceeded down a rocky passage until
they came to a gate. This was locked
A Jump would clear it. yet grown people,
we all know, are not good at jump. |
Nevertheless they Numbered over some
how. Quite out of breath, they stun
bled down the rocks, and came into
fairyland.
Little voices rang out like bells to greet
them, and soon a dancing group of fair
les led them through the sparkling val
ley. Some few over them, some beside
them.
what have you there?' the fairies
asked
"Only a little boy" was the response.
THAT is NICE said the fairies.
Not so nice either responded the
good people, "for he is so very heavy"
Fit him up with wings" said the
fairies.
eve pray you notD' cried the good
people. ut is wits he needs. If he had
only wits, he could use his own legs to
some purpose, and so could do without
wings"
When the lovely fairies learned in what
a sad fix this child was, they were much
grieved. Their wings no longer flashed
in the sunlight. They alighted on the
ground, and fell to thinking. Some sat
straight, plucking at the grass; some
fell fiat, staring at the sky. Fairies do
not think all the time, like the dull old
bull-frog that keeps it up so everlastingly
in the swamp. Him they all disdain
AS for their thinking, it is like the quick
wrinkles of the evening stars. The wis
est fairy spoke first:
"He must learn something, and if no
mortal can teach him, l will do it
myself"
"Then there will be magic in ii" cried
the good people, land that is what we
need. Nothing short of magic will serve
u.s."
But what to teach him? If he knows
nothing at all, where will you begin with
him? Even the wisest fairy was at loss
about this.
"Teach him to tell the time of day."
said one gaily. Every one should know
that"
"Will that prevent him from pouting
all the day through" asked the good
people.