buttercup gold and other stories(一杯黄金)-第2章
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But she was not the only one singing a lullaby that bright sunny
morning； for Mother Nature was singing one； too； and a soft breeze was
gently tucking some little brown cradles to and fro in the tree tops。 Some
were very； very small； and others wen larger； but each held a wee leaf
baby； fast asleep。 The next time Helena came out to play； the babies in the
treetop were waking up； and she could see them in their dainty green
nightdresses； peeping out at the world。 During the next week they grew a
great deal； and one of them crept out of their cradles which fell down to
the ground； leaving the babies still up in the tree top。
By the time Spring went away； the babies had grown large and strong；
and spread beautiful green parasols to give shade to their friends through
the hot； dusty days of summer。 When Autumn came； Mother Nature gave
them a holiday； and how pretty they looked in their gay gowns as they
frolicked with the wind！
Then they said good…by to the Maple tree； and went dancing and
whirling over the fields to meet King Winter。 When Helena looked into
their old homes on the tree； she found some more tiny brown cradles； and
knew that in them were new leaf babies that sleep safely til Spring comes
again to visit Earthdom； and wakes each 〃baby in the tree top。〃
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A Child of Spring
I know a little maiden； She is very fair and sweet； As she trips among
the grasses That kiss her dainty feet； Her arms are full of flowers； The
snow…drops； pure and white； Timid blue…eyed violets； And daffodillies
bright。
She loves dear Mother Nature； And wanders by her side； She beckons
to the birdlings That flock from far and wide。 She wakes the baby
brooklets； Soft breezes hear her call； She tells the little children The
sweetest tales of all。
Her brow is sometimes clouded； And she sighs with gentle grace； Till
the sunbeams； daring lovers； Kiss the teardrops from her face。 Well we
know this dainty maiden； For April is her name； And we welcome her with
gladness； As the springtime comes again。
Mr。 Frog's Story
Down in the garden is a pretty brook； and something funny happened
one day as I was sitting watching the tadpoles and minnows playing tag
and hide…and…goseek。 All at once something gave a jump out of the water
and with a loud 〃kerchunk；〃 landed on a stone near by。 It was Mr。 Frog；
and as 〃kerchunk〃 in frog language means 〃how do you do？〃 I replied
politely and inquired for his health。
He assured me that he was well and happy； and went on talking。 〃Did
you know that I was once a tadpole just like those little creatures in the
brook？
〃I have heard people say that you were；〃 I answered。 〃You would not
believe it to look at me now； would you？〃
〃No；〃 I said； for certainly he did not look at all like the queer little
animals I was watching。
〃Yes；〃 he continued； 〃once I was a tiny black egg in a globe of clear
white jelly； and floated around along the bank of this same brook。 Soon I
grew into a wee tadpole； and freed myself from the globe of jelly； and
found I could swim about。 I had a long flat tail which I used as a paddle to
help me swim。 I had no feet nor legs then； but I grew very fast； and soon
two legs came out near my tail； and by and by two front ones came； and I
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did not need my tail any more； so it disappeared。 Then I discovered that I
had a long； slender tongue to catch insects with。 My skin； too； had
changed； and is now covered with beautiful spots； and if you look at my
eyes you will see how bright they are。
〃I live beside this brook with my family； and my cousins； the toads；
and in the spring and summer evenings we sing to our little tadpole
children； and tell them of the time when they； too； will grow up and be
toads and frogs。〃
Here Mr。 Frog paused； and before I could thank him for his interesting
story； he gave a loud 〃kadunk；〃 which means 〃good…by；〃 and with a splash
he was off for a swim in the brook。
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The Robin
I。
One day； while walking home from the Kindergarten； I met some
travellers coining from the South。 They did not come on the car or the boat；
but they travelled very quickly。 As they passed me I fancied I heard them
say； 〃How do you do？ We are glad to see you again。 Are there plenty of
houses to rent this Spring？ You will have a great many more visitors by
and by； for our friends are coming North as soon as the weather gets a
little warmer。〃
〃Yes；〃 I replied； 〃some of the houses you occupied last spring are
waiting for you； and you will find pleasant places on which to build new
ones in Crab Apple Lane； Woodbine Walk； Maple Park； and Apple Tree
Avenue。〃
〃Thank you；〃 they called； and hurried on； leaving me to wonder what
sort of a journey they had。 All day long I saw them flying to and fro；
carrying loads of straw and mud。
Just at twilight there came a rap at my window； and there stood Mr。
Robin Redbreast； looking in as saucily as you please。 〃I thought you'd be
there；〃 he chirped； 〃and if you will look out a minute； I'll show you my
house。〃
Sure enough； there was a tiny home on Apple tree Avenue； just at the
corner of Branch Alley。 There was a cellar of mud； and the rest of the
cottage was neatly woven of straw。 〃How do you like it？〃 he chirped。
Of course I admired it； and asked him if he was all ready to go to
housekeeping。 〃All but the beds；〃 he replied； 〃but if you will give me
some hair and a few feathers； I will soon have a soft place for our eggs to
rest on。〃
I threw some out； and in a short time the nest was lined。 Then Robin
flew off； returning the next day with his mate； who showed her delight at
the new home by cozily settling down in it。
Every morning the birds gave a concert above my window； and one
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day I heard some new notes； and； peeping out； saw that five little robins
had come to brighten the cozy nest。 Such a busy time as the papa and
mamma Redbreasts had now！ Such a digging for worms to drop into the
big mouths which seemed to be always asking for food！ In a few weeks
the baby birds learned to fly； and left the nest to make new homes and sing
their own sweet songs。
The old birds stayed on the Avenue awhile longer； but when the leaves
put on their holiday dresses； and the flowers tied on their nightcaps and
went to sleep； the Redbreasts sang good…by to their friends and； spreading
their wings； flew away over the house tops toward the Sunny South。
Easter Carol
The world is filled with gladness； The bells of Easter ring； Each pure
white lily's waking； To welcome infant spring。
Chorus。
Oh； dear little children； listen； And hear what the glad bells say！ The
sweetest chime they ever rang 〃Our Lord is risen to…day！〃
II。
Birds are flying across the sky； Their songs ring through the air； They
carol of the Father's love He shows us everywhere。
Chorus。
Oh； dear little children； listen； And hear what the birdlings say！ The
sweetest song they ever sang 〃Our Lord is risen to…day！〃
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BUTTERCUP GOLD AND OTHER STORIES
The Lily Sisters
Once upon a time there were three little sisters dressed in green； who
lived together in a beautiful palace which was owned by a Great King。
Such a beautiful palace as it was！ The ceilings were made of turquoise and
opal； and soft； velvety green carpets covered the floors。
Many other children lived with these little sisters； and they had such a
kind nurse called Dame Nature； who taught them how to do their work
well； for everybody had some work to do for the Great King。
Surely no one could be unhappy in such a wonderful home； and yet； I；
am sorry to say； one of the little sisters was always discontented。
She knew； for Dame Nature had told her； that some day the Great King
would come to see who had done loving work for him； and would give the
good lilies beautiful white robes and golden crowns； but she was not
willing to wait until the King was ready and saw fit to do it。
When the Sunbeam children came to play； she would hang down her
head and sulk； and after a while they would leave her alone； and play with
her sisters。
When Professor Rain's school was out； and the jolly little raindrops
coaxed her to play with them； she would say crossly； 〃You am too rough；
let me alone！〃 and they would go and play with the happy little sisters as
the sunbeams had done； for everybody loved the two good little lily sisters；
who were sorry to see how naughty the other lily was。
But they tried to do their best to help her； and kept on growing。
One day the Great King； who had seen how well they tried to do；
thought they deserved their robes and crowns； so he sent the sunbeams
dancing away to awaken the inhabitants of the palace for the crowning。
Away they went； peeping through the curtains； and flying into the
windows of the palace and waking all the little children with kisses。
Then they took off the old green dresses of the sisters； and put pure
white robes on them and gave them crowns of pure gold。 The other little
sister wished then that she had tried to do right； and drooped until she
faded away。
