The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1919-01-25
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FAIRY TALE
MIlKWEED PLANTS.
s. k|AM @AAsl1 BONNER

1--WE like to give children a good
tlme," said Mother NIilkweed, and
Daddy Milkweed said:
Eyes, we do"
And the AIilkweed children said !:
Most certainly, We like to give chill
dren good time"
1.-THE farmer doesn't like US so
much" said one of the milkweed plants
named Milly
GWhy not?" asked another milkweed
plant named Mamie.
Because" said Milly Milkweed, 1--WE
have so many pods which are filled
with seeds, and these scatter and
make milkweed plants grow up all
over the roadside, in the fields-and
all through the country.
sThe farmer wants the space for
wheat and corn and rye-and all sorts
of things which can be eaten"
"Oh," said Mamie, "and that is the
reason why farmers cut down milk
weed plants. have heard that they
did that very often"
"That is the reason" said Milly.
But no matter, children are very fond
of US. They like to make believe
that our little pods, which are full Of
seeds, are boats and that the seeds are
passengers travelling in boats.
"And We have more friends, too"
added Milly.
"Tell me about the other friends"
seid Mamie. ST like to hear of friends.
Friends are so nice for they like one,
don't they?"
Eyes, friends like u.s." said Milly.
rOur other friends are the butterflies
We are very fragrant and have q sweet
perfume which the butterflies love.
They say that they think we have a
most delicious perfume and that they
love to come to visit us.
'They also say they can tell from
afar, for our perfume carries some lit
tie distance
"And we reward them for those
kind words" said Milly.
II know" said Mamie II love but
terfiies and am glad to hear about
them c1ring for us never knew
- ere 50 fond of us
said Milly.
= zen they came
al, said Mamie, Il am beginning
70 understand Friends like us, they
come to visit us often, and they come
again and again and say kind things
t. us and about us. didn't just know
what the word friends meant, though
II had such a beautiful sound that
felt sure they were nice. And I had
an idea of what they were when
heard you say that children were our
friends. II children were friends,
thought to myself, then friends are
nice. very, very nice"
'Yes," said Milly, "we reward the
butterflies for the kind thoughts they
have about u.s."
81 know what our rewards are" said
Mamie. ''We give them feasts! Won
drous, wondrous feasts!"
1--WE do" agreed Milly; 1--WE certain
ly do"
Now the milkweed plant is rather
thick with a hollow center and
through this center the white milk
goes which gives the plant its food.
The milk doesn't care for the air and
SO that is why the milk stains our
hands when we pick the plants.
The leaves are large and of yellow,
gray-green color, while the flowers
which grow in clusters are of pink
lavender shade.
But the little pods filled with seeds
are the things the children like and
II you see a milkweed plant just look
at the little pods.
81 must have milk to drink and to
make me strong" said Milly Milk
weed.
$50 must l." said Mamie Milkweed.
"And not only does it make us
strong" said MilIy, ''but it gives
strength to the butterflies which feast
upon us. for If we are strong and deli
cious 1t makes them strong and beau
tful.
"Ah," said Mamie. "it's fine to have
butterflies and children for friends,
and to have our very own milkman al
ways with us. We're never forgotten
In the early mornings by any posi-
bic accident. No, we always have our
milkman and we have friends
Were lucky, happy milkweed
plants" said Milly Milkweed.
And Mr.. Wind whispered to them
II think so, too"