Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-10

perfectly well, so finally ne was allowed to
go out and play.
AS soon as Tito was In the branches of
the tree he began to show his brothers and
sisters how wonderfully he could leap
From one far branch to another he jumped.
without once spreading his wings. and the
little birds perched around and admired
him. Tito felt very proud indeed.
But Tito's mother felt badly to have a
son with such a harsh voice. At last she
took him to wise DR.. Duck. who lived in the
pond. DIR. Duck took his temperature and
felt his pulse. Then he put on his specta-
cles and looked down Tito's throat.
Il really don't see, madam" he said at
last. that there's anything the matter with
your son. None of my children sing. I
always considered 1t a senseless accom-
plishment."
So Tito had to keep on croaking, and
after while he began to feel very sad. He
was tired of jumping, and wished he had
never given up his beautiful voice. His
croak was SO very unpleasant that the little
birds were afraid of him. and the big birds
all looked very solemn when he came near.
At last one day there was great concert
IN the big oar tree. All the birds came.
perrhed in turn on large branch and sang.
their very sweetest songs
Tito made a desperate effort IT will
singe he cried and he flew to the big
branch. ''Croak, croak, croak," he gasped.
There was dead silence. Poor little Tito.
overcome with sorrow, spread his wings
and flew away He didn't see where he
was going and he didn't care. When he
did look around him he was surprised to
find that he had come to the marsh where
Dub-dub lived. In and out of the stream a
dozen froggies were leaping. from bank to
bank, from stone to stone. having a royal
good time. And sitting on a messy stone
was Dub-dub himself, singing most beauti-
fully. Tito flew nearer to hear the sweet
music and then he saw that there were
tears IN the green frogs eyes,
What is 1t? Why are you crying?"
asked Tito.
Oh said Dub-dub. us 1T your I'm very.
very sad, because gave you my jump. All
the other frogs play together, and have
nothing"
,"oh, Dub-dub.". said. Tito. cant we
change back again? L would a thousand
times rather have my voice again"
Then Wen go to the Fairy Iris and sec
II she Will help u.s., said Dub-dub. And of
they started as fast as they could. Soon
fairy, please come outr' they both called
The leaves opened slowly. and there was
the fairy.
Why thought I made you both per-
mo, no; you were right to say we were
back again7"
Fairy Iris smiled Yes" she said ''You
were better as you were Very well; close
your eyes"
So they shut their eyes and felt again
the soft, fairy touch. When they opened
them the iris was closed.
"Oh, thank you, Fairy iris" cried Tito
And 1t was his own sweet, chirpy voice
again.
Thank you. thank you," croaked Dub
dub. And he gave great leap of joy.
Off he went as fast as he could to the
stl cam, and there he dove in among his
friends. and they had the greatest frolic
of their lives.
Tito few back to the oak tree and found
the last singer In the concert just finishing
his song. Then Tito lighted on the big
branch and burst into the most beautiful
sir ging you ever heard. 1t was SO full OF
joy and gladness that 1t seemed to stle
like sunlight into the world. And when he
had finished there was a moments silence,
and all the birds broke into perfect
chorus OF ehirping applause.