A FABLE.

The mountain and the squirrel

Had a quarrel,

And the former called the latter "Little Prig;"

Bun replied,

"You are doubtless very big;

But all sorts of things and weather

Must be taken in together

To make up a year

And a sphere,

And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.

If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry."

"I'll not deny you make

A very pretty squirrel track."

"Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;

If I can not carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut."

- RALPH WALDO EMERSON.

Did you enjoy reading these lines? Why? Make a picture of

the mountain and the squirrel.

EVA'S VISIT TO FAIRY-LAND.

A little girl stood on the grass down by the brook, wondering what the noisy water said as it went babbling over the stones. As she listened she heard another kind of music that seemed to come nearer and nearer, till round the corner floated a beautiful boat filled with elves, who danced on the broad green

leaves of the lily of the valley, while the white bells of the tall stem that was the mast rung loud and sweet.

A flat rock, covered with moss, stood in the middle of the brook, and here the boat was anchored for the elves to rest a little. Eva watched them at their pretty play, as they flew about or lay fanning themselves and drinking from the red-brimmed cups on the rocks. Wild strawberries grew in the grass close by, and Eva threw some of the ripest to the fairy folk; for honey and dew seemed a poor sort of lunch to the child.

Then the elves saw her, and nodded and smiled and called, but their soft voices could not reach her. So, after whispering among themselves, two of them flew to the brookside, and, perching on a buttercup, said close to Eva's ear: "We have come to thank you for the berries, and to ask if we can do anything for you, because this is our holiday, and we can become visible to you.'

"Oh, let me go to Fairy-land! I have so longed to see and know all about you dear little people, and never would believe it is

true that there are no fairies left," cried Eva, so glad to find that she was right.

"We should not dare to take some children, they would do so much harm; but you believe in us, you love all the sweet things in the world, and never hurt innocent creatures, or tread on flowers, or let ugly feelings come into your happy little heart. You shall go with

us and see how we live."

But as the elves spoke, Eva looked very sad, and said: "How can I go? I am so big I should sink that pretty ship with one finger, and I have no wings."

The elves laughed and touched her with their soft hands, saying: "You can not hurt us now. Look in the water and see what we have done."

Eva looked and saw a tiny child standing under a tall blue violet. It was herself, but so small she seemed an elf in a white pinafore and a little pink sun-bonnet. She clapped her hands and skipped for joy, and laughed at the sweet picture; but suddenly she grew sober again, as she looked from the shore to the rock.

"But now I am so wee I can not step over, and you can not lift me, I am sure."

"Give us each a hand and do not be afraid," said the elves, and they whisked her across like dandelion down.

The elves were very glad to see her, they touched and peeped and asked questions as if they had never had a mortal child to play with before. Eva was so small she could dance with them now, and eat what they ate, and sing their pretty songs. She found that flower-honey and dewdrops were very nice, and that it was fine fun to tilt on a blade of grass, to slide down a smooth bulrush stem, or to rock in the cup of a flower.

She learned new and merry games, found out what the brook said, saw a cowslip blossom, and had a lovely time till the captain of the ship blew a long, sweet blast on a honeysuckle horn, and all the elves went aboard and set sail for home.

"Now I shall find the way to Fairy-land, and can go again whenever I like," thought Eva, as she floated away.