The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-08-05
FAVOUR CHILDREN
By OIivs Roberts Bsrtons .
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 Let us take a rest from the training column again today. and tell the children another story. So often little lessons can be put over in story form. A lecture has it's place but not in hot weather.
 I saw a little white birch tree the other day. Under it lay an open picture book. It was hot. The little tree moved restlessly. The picture book on the grass was that of a dragon with seven heads and long tail:
 It does for story:
 Once upon time there was a little tree with lacy leaves and sil- yer bark, thin. like onion skin. Everybody loved tife little tree, the birds most of all. But 1t had other friends; little squirrels and chipmunks ran up its trunk and down again, bunnies sat in its shade, tree toads and katydids and crickets had an orchestra under 1t at twilight But above all chil- dren played in its shade. Marta and King especially.
 A Vain Venture One day King had a picture book along. It was about brave knights and dragons. When he and Marta went home he forgot his book.
 It was a still hot afternoon. The little tree sighed, "Oh dear, I just stay here and never do any, thing. never go anywhere or | have any adventures. I'm just a tree! And what goods tree? | Wish I were a dragon like that | shitered with delight just to think of it.
 I'm going to pretend" it said excitedly. "It has seven heads and I have seven branches. It has a l tail but I have a long root that | spreads along the ground there. And I feel hot enough to blow out l smoke. I guess-Oh, but I feel | funny! Whats happening? Oh. I AM dragon. And I'm fiyingi Here I go to see the worldn'e
 The little tree-dragon I mean began to fly upward. It Tapped it's wings and turned toward a high hill. On top of the hill iit stopped to rest. :.
 It looked about for somebody to talk to. An! There was an eagle. But the eagle was screaming and flying away in fright.
 Next the dragon saw deer. Come here, little deer." called the dragon. q want to tell you breaking It's neck to get away. All about was great commotion. Every living thing was running for its life. VI
 old Friends Are Best
 The poor creature was getting very lonely. There's a nice green field down there," said the dragon. I"II go there." So he Tapped his wings and flew down beside the brook. A little frog fiopped into the water upside down he was so scared. A turtle too. All the birds flew away screeching and the bun nies and squirrels hid in holes.
 This went on all day. The dra- gon grew very lonely. What is the use of having adventures if you haven't any friends" he said sadly. "When I was just tree had fpiends. You can't have friends if 'everyany is afraid of : you. And friends are the best
 thing on earth"
 | , voices saying suddenly. "The good little tree kept 1t safe" Sp
 There were Marta and King. laIt
 was evening and the fire of the
 sun had gone. The little tree woke up. And oh, but he was glad it had just been Q dream A robin was sitting on his top branch, sing ing his goodnight song. A cricket was tuning up. A furry brush against his bark-that was the chipmunk.
 "I'll be satisfied after this" the little tree said.s I'm happy to be where I am and what I am and to have friends. It is silly to wish you were something else." | And wasn't he right? There is nothing so fine as being satisfied. To be what we are and stop wish- ing for impossible things is always best.