The Elbert County tribune., 1904-01-21
A Kindergat
Story

Perhaps this tree had more than its
share of happy days, for II reached a
merry circle of kindergarten chill
dren quite early December All
through the waiting days its green
branches were admired. its sweet
odors were enjoyed. The little ones
played their games around the tree.
often flying under its branches as they
sang Birdie in the Greenwood" One
day n real birds nest was taken from
the cabinet and placed en- one OF the
branches. Then the children sang
with new delight:
In the branches OF the tree
See the bird It's nest preparing.
One morning a story was told OF
the little country boy who watched his
father cut down the tree, so that 1t
could start on its long journey to visit
little children in the great city who
have no trees near their homes. The
teacher said: "The good tree once
stood firm without any little wooden
stand to hold it." Then she talked
about the roots that were left deep
down in the ground. She did not for
get the good ak. but drew its picture
on the blackboard. She talked of the
steam cars and the wagon that carried
the tree to the city and .chool.
But as Christmas drew near little
fingers worked busily making trim
mings and gifts to help Santa Claus.
At last the glad day came in which
al the little folks helped to dress the
tree with the pretty gifts their own
hands had made Tnen they went
home to invite dear friends to come
and enjoy the beautiful tree on the
morrow. for they had learned to sing:
For those we love we have made with
care
Each pretty thing you see hanging
there,
May this wonderful tree with It's
branches wide,
Bring joy to our friends at Christmas
tide.
According to Hans Andersen, Christ
mas trees when robbed of their glory
were In disgrace, and worthy only
of being thrown aside. His fir tree
found its way to dark garret and
then to an ash heap. where 1t moaned:
'Tis past, It's past!' But our kin
dergartner had better thoughts for the
joy of the little ones.
On their return after the holidays
there was the tree In its own simple
evergreen dress, ready to welcome
th' m back to Happy New Year"
The tree had less tangible but greater
gifts in store for the cnildren-lessons
for lifetin-. 1t was, indeed, to give
itSelf to them, and hcaceforth they
were to realize that even in the great
cities the gifts OF trees are always
around about US in many useful forms.
The good carpenter lent his saw to
our kindergarten and with careful
guidance and much help each boy and
girl sawed on branch. oh. the fun
and pleasure in thi, task of real
work!
AT first the lower branches were
removed; then, at the suggestion of
a sma.i boy. each child mounted
chair to reach the higher branches.
Later some one suggested mounting
the table. unul at last one child, wiser
than the rest, exclaimed: why don't
we lay the tree DOWN." Patiently the
wise teacher had waited for this dis
covery, knowing how much more 1t
would mean than II she interposed her
advice.
What did they do with the
branches? They waved them and car
ried them as they marched. They used
them as brushes sweeping up the
needles that had fallen on the floor
A girl discovered chair with a
broken back and suggested making a
back for the chair with some of the
branches, and it was Gone. The walls
and pictures were decorated. Many of
the branches were cut up and minia-
ture bundles of wood were made and
carried home for the fire. The needles
snapped merrily but a different fire
was kindled: fathers became inter
ested., SO that several children re.
turned next day with tiny tables and
picture frames made from the wood
of the Christmas tree.
The best of all was. perhaps. the
tall. straight stan that remained
the trunk of the tree. 1t was decided
that this should be the fiagpole of the
year. and now it bears our dear old
flag and has been used in celebrating
Washington's birthday. The patriots
picture had already been placed in
one of the pretty rustic frames made
of the branches. The sweet odors are
still with us from this good old fir
tree.
Thus, even in the crowded city, the
teacher helps the children to find
tongues in trees" and they will be
encouraged to look for their old friend
in many forms-Kindergarten Re-