I.
Preparation.
The story of a little fir tree that grew in the forest. The story tells about the pleasant home this little tree had, and yet that it was discontented.
Recall idea of forest. Explaindiscontented.
The children imagine why the tree was discontented.
Narration.
Far away in the forest grew a pretty little fir tree. The sun shone on this little tree. The birds sang to it. The wind kissed it. Other trees grew around it. The forest was a very pleasant place, and yet the fir tree was unhappy.
It wanted to be tall and old like the big pines and firs which grew around it. Sometimes little children came with baskets of berries. They would sit upon the ground near the fir tree; and as they ate berries, they chatted merrily. “Is this not a pretty little tree?” they would say. And the fir tree felt more unhappy than ever because the children called it little.
Yet all the while it was growing taller and stronger. Still, as it grew, it would sigh and say, “Oh, how I wish I were astall as the other trees! I would spread out my branches on every side. My top would overlook the wide world. The birds would build their nests in my branches, and when the wind blew I would gracefully bow my head.”
The tree was so discontented that it took no pleasure in the warm sunshine, the merry birds, or the rosy clouds that floated over it morning and evening.
When winter came the snow lay white and glistening upon the ground. Then a frisky hare came springing along. Right over the little fir tree it jumped, and oh, how vexed the little fir tree was! Two winters passed by. When the third winter came the tree was so tall that the hare had to run around it. But still the foolish tree was discontented and said, “Oh, if I could only be taller and older! There is nothing else I wish for in all the world.”
Suggestions.
A talk about fir trees and other evergreens, such as pine and hemlock. Compare with the fir tree.Recall another story in which some one picked berries. (“Sweet Rice Porridge.”)Talk of berries. Children tell of their experiences in picking berries. Recall mention of hare in another story. The wind.Discontent.
A talk about fir trees and other evergreens, such as pine and hemlock. Compare with the fir tree.
Recall another story in which some one picked berries. (“Sweet Rice Porridge.”)
Talk of berries. Children tell of their experiences in picking berries. Recall mention of hare in another story. The wind.
Discontent.
II.
Preparation.
The story tells how wood-cutters came to the forest and cut some of the tallest fir trees.
Recall mention of wood-cutters and their work. The children imagine why the tallest trees were cut down.
Narration.
In the autumn wood-cutters came to the forest with their shining axes. They set to work to cut down some of the fir tree’s tall neighbors. Chop, chop, chop, how their axes flew! And crash! the great trees fell upon the ground. The wood-cutters chopped off all the branches. How bare and straight the trees looked!
“I wonder what will happen next,” thought the fir tree. It soon found out, for all these bare trunks were piled upon wagons which were drawn out of the forest by horses. “Where can they be going?” thought the fir tree. “How I wish I knew! How I wish I were going, too!”
In the spring, when the swallows and the storks came back, the fir tree told them about the wood-cutters’ visit. “Tell me,” it said, “do you know where those trees were taken?” The swallows said, “We do not know.” But a wise old storknodded his head and said, “Yes, I think I know. I met some new ships as I flew over the sea. These ships had tall masts that smelt like fir. I think they were the trees you spoke of.”
“What is the sea? What does it look like?” asked the fir tree. “Dear me,” said the stork, “I cannot stop here to tell you. I must go on to my home.” And away he flew.
“Cheer up,” said the happy sunbeams to the fir tree. The gentle south wind kissed it. The dew watered it. But still the fir tree was unhappy.
Suggestions.
Talk about swallows and storks. The return of the birds in spring. The sea. Ships. Where seen by the children. Appearance of masts and sails; their uses. Other uses of tall, strong trees.
Talk about swallows and storks. The return of the birds in spring. The sea. Ships. Where seen by the children. Appearance of masts and sails; their uses. Other uses of tall, strong trees.
III.
Preparation.
The story tells that at Christmas time the men came to the forest and cut down some beautiful young trees. The children imagine why these trees were cut down at Christmas time.
Narration.
Christmas time drew near and men came to the forest again. This time many young trees were cut down. Thesetrees, which were very pretty, kept their branches. They were laid in wagons and drawn by horses out of the forest.
“Where are they going?” asked the fir tree. “They are not taller than I am. Indeed, one is not so tall. And their branches are not cut off. Where can they be going?”
“We know, we know,” chirped the sparrows. “We have looked in at the windows of the houses in town, and we know what is done with those pretty young trees. They are dressed up in the most splendid manner. We have seen them standing up in the middle of a warm room. They had many beautiful things hanging upon them, and hundreds of gay-colored candles were fastened to the branches.”
“And what happened then?” asked the fir tree. “We did not see any more,” said the sparrows. “I wonder if anything so fine will ever happen to me?” thought the fir tree. “Oh, how happy I should be! I wish I were on the wagon, or standing in the warm room with all the brightness around me.”
“Be glad with us,” said the sunbeams. “Be glad,” said the sweet, fresh air. But still the fir tree was discontented and longed to leave its home in the forest.
Suggestions.
Talk about sparrows; their appearance, food, habits, etc.Reasons for being glad.
Talk about sparrows; their appearance, food, habits, etc.
Reasons for being glad.
IV.
Preparation.
The story tells how the fir tree at last got what it had wished for so long. The children recall the fir tree’s wish to be tall and old, and to leave the forest.
Narration.
One year, just before Christmas, the wood-cutters came again to the forest. They set to work and cut down the discontented fir tree first of all. It was laid on the wagon with other trees and drawn out of the forest.
The fir tree had its wish. It was leaving its home in the forest. But now that the time had come, its heart was sad. It knew that it would never again see the other trees, nor the little bushes, nor the many bright-eyed flowers that had grown around it. “Perhaps,” said the tree, “I may never again see my friends, the merry birds.” And it felt very sad, indeed.
On it was carried until, at last, it stopped before a large house in the great city. The fir tree heard a man say, “We want only one and this is the prettiest.” Then two servants came and carried the tree into a large and very beautiful room. A handsome carpet was on the floor. Pictures hung upon thewalls. Near the great stove stood huge china vases with lions on their lids. There were rocking chairs, and sofas covered with silks. There were many tables loaded with picture-books and playthings. The fir tree was set up in a tub full of sand, but a green cloth was hung all around the tub so that no one could see it.
Soon some young ladies came in and began to trim the tree. How busily they worked! How pretty they made the tree look! On it they hung little bags made of colored paper. Each little bag was filled with candy. Apples and gilded nuts were hung on it. They looked as if they were growing upon the tree. Dolls that looked just like real babies were laid under the lowest branches. Hundreds of red, white and blue tapers were fastened on the tree. At the very top was a beautiful golden star.
“How pretty it looks!” said the young ladies. “How bright it will look to-night!” “How I wish that the night were come and the tapers lighted,” thought the tree. “I wonder if the sparrows will peep in at the windows and see me!”
At last night came. How beautiful the tree looked with all its tapers twinkling like tiny stars among its dark green leaves. All at once the door was opened. In rushed a troop of merry children. How they shouted and clapped their hands for joywhen they saw the beautiful tree. Then, hand in hand, they danced around it, singing a sweet Christmas song.
“Ah!” said the fir tree, “at last I am happy.”
Suggestions.
A talk on Christmas trees.The cause of the fir tree’s happiness.
A talk on Christmas trees.
The cause of the fir tree’s happiness.