Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-09-09
The Contented For
get-me-not

Far. far away. in an immense forest.
filled with pines, cedars, and fragrant
myrtle, there flowed sparkling little
stream Of water. 1t was clear and
bright, and 1t danced about 30 gayly as
1t went along, and it's soft murmurings
were so joyful that every ono loved it.
The birds would skim lightly arcoss it.
Just lovingly touching the surface with
their feathers, and the swallows often
kissed 1t on their way.
The little stream was quite used to
all the attention paid it. and went on
Its way unspoiled. always light hearted
and happy, careless but not all unheed-
Ing. for there was one whose homage it
whom 1t loved with its
whole heart-a gentle little forget-me-
not which grew just behind q great
stone on the bank. In her simple mind
she had no Idea that she was so loved
by the lively little stream; and she
would have been very much surprised
had she known how annoying it was
that the great, smooth stone separated
IT from F'orget-me-not and hindered 1t
from Just once-only once-kissing her
The tiny flower often watched with
great admiration the bold attempts the
stream made to jump over the stone.
ehe could not understand why it should
TRY TO 90 SO, and why 1t should dash
itself against the stone 80 often, when
It always fell back white all over with
roam. How she nodded and laughed
When once some sparkling drops Of
spray came flying over and touched her
cool green leaves. The stream laughed,
100. and went on its way in high giee
OFTEN a swallow would come and sit
upon the great smooth stone. and chat
with Forget-me-not, for they were both
very dear friends. The swallow would
tell her all about tho distant lands he
mad seen. and Of his little wife at home,
or the cosey nest they had built, and Of
the three little eggs that lay in it, till
sometimes she began to think how de-
nsnaHi Il would be If only she could
where three dne little swallows had
Just come out. One day, as she was
thinking. gentle rustic, as Of the fin-
est SILK. made her look up, and there
she saw, standing on the stone beside
her, dazzling beautiful creature, ex-
tremeIy slender, and with four glitter
ing and transparent wings which SEEM
90 to flash back every color of the rain
DOW. The visitor kept opening and fold
ing it's wingS so that Forget-me-not
could not make up her mind whether it
" In her own kind way. "Who are YOU o.
she asked modestly. II have never met
you before"
i should think not, indeed" replied
the stranger, disda infully. I'VE seldom
come to this part of the country" Then.
spreading out its gauZy wings and gag
ing on them with great satisfaction, it
ADDED condescendingly, my name is
Ora comfy"
Forget-n1e- not was silent for a while,
Inc Vlsltors proud manner and grand
name made her feel shy. Presently she
spoke: HOW do you like being here ?"
oh, fairly WE'LL" replied the Dragon
tly. i would like it a great deal better
II that silly little stream wouldn't make
such a noise and fuss"
Llttle!' exclaimed Forget-me-not.
feeling grieved at the strangers slight
ing remark about her friend
yes. little. You don't think 80 be-
cause you are such a stay-at home.
You havent's seen the world. II only
you knew what large pond l and my
sisters mad to dance over, you would un.
aerstand that this wretched, concedted
little stream can't please me much"
why did you no remain there?" ask
eu forget-me-not. in surprise.
Because one day, when we were
dancing, L leaped far up above them
all. far over the tree tops and then
lost my way and came here"
Il should like just once to fly owe,
the trees" said Forget me mot, thinking
of the swallows nest.
Il should think 50, indeed. It must be
a dreadfully tedious life to have re
stand there all alone. wonder you can
bear it,"
NO, no!' cried Forget me-not quick
~. You must not think that am dis.
contented. I love my place so much.
have everything that wish for. All da,
long ! can look up at the beautiful trees
and the blue sky. and listen to the xlal
songs Of all living things around mo
and at night I have glorious dreams al
! gaze at the stars keeping watch owe,
spot, and all my friends-the stream
this stone beside me. the water, thu
moss. and all the others. Oh! do no
think l am discontinued or unhappy"
NO. / believe you; but if you hat
seen the world as I have you woul<
think otherwise" said the Dragon-fly
rising on its fine legs and again spread
ing out it's wonderful wings. Eye
how was it you wanted all at once t,
fly?" it added.
"Ah! have been longing all day jus
since he brought me the good news O
his three little Ones" replied Forget
me-not.
Into swallows nest!' cried tn
Dragon fly, in terror. ooh, what a sim
pie little thing you are! The swallow
! the most crafty and terrible creature il
! the world"
MY swallow is certainly not that,
declared Forget me-not.
| "Bah!' exclaimed the Dragon-fl,
thinking the Forget me- not very simpl
and stupid. IF you only knew the worl
as l dol
then"
| ''You cannot really mean that i
earnest! If you realized how beautifr
the world is. you should not be conten
to remain where you are, always think
ing the same slow, old thoughts"
! Il like my thoughts" replied Forget
me-not, gently, land they are not al
ways the same. There are so man
beauties near me which it is JOY t
think about"
What joy can there be in thinking
Sneered the DRAGON fly 1T mean 70 er