Chereads / Stepping stone. / Chapter 10 - The fir tree

Chapter 10 - The fir tree

Out in the woods stood a nice little Fir Tree. The place he had was a very good one: the sun shone on him; as to fresh air, there was enough of that, and round him grew many large-sized comrades, pines as well as firs. But the little Fir wanted so very much to be a grown-up tree.

His prayers were soon answered and he grew into a tall and magnificent tree.

In autumn, the woodcutters always came and felled some of the largest trees. This happened every year; and the young Fir Tree, that had now grown, trembled at the sight. The cut trees were laid in carts and the horses dragged them out of the wood.

Where did they go to? What became of them?

In spring when de swallows and the storka cume, the Tree asked them. "Don't you kn where they have been taken? Have you not met them anywhere? One of the storks loshod musing, nodded his head, and said. "Yes. I think I know. I many shape as I was Dying begypt. On the ships were magnificent masts, and they smell of fir

When Christmas come, quite young trees were cut down. These young trees were laid carta, and the horses drew them out of the wond Where are they going to?" asked the Fir.

"We know!" chirped the sparrows. "We have peeped in at the windows in the town bebe

"And then?" asked the Fir Tree "What happens then?"

The greatest magnifeonge one can imagine waits them. We saw them planted in the middle of the warm room and deesrated with the most beautiful things, with golden apples, with gingerbread, with toys, and many hundred lights!"

"We did not are anything more, it was beautiful."

"That is still botter than to cruss the seal cried the Tree rejoicing, "When will Christanas cune? I am now tall, and my branches spread like the others that were carre

off last year!" "Hejonce in our presencef said the Air and the Sunlight.

Bot the Tree did not rejoice at all, he grew and grew, and was green in both winter and summer. Towards Christmas, he was one of the first that was cut down. He fell to the earth with a sigh. He felt a sharp pain. He could not think of happiness for he was sorrowful at heing separated from his home.

The Tree was unloaded in a courtyard and carried into a large drawing room. The servants, as well as the young ladies, decorated it. On one branch, there hung little ne cut out of coloured paper, and each net was filled with sugarplums. Among the other boughs golden apples and walnuts were hung.Little blue and white tapers were placed among the leaves. At the very top, a large red star was fixed. It looked really splendid.

"This evening!" they all said. "How it will shine this evening

on thought the Tree. "Perhaps, in the evening, the other tres frous the forest will come kat met wonder if I shall take root here, and winter and summer stand covered with urmamentat

to the evening, the exodles were Sighted in every bongh. What brightness! rembird because one of the tapers set fire to the foliage. It started burning The To

Help Help" cried the young ladies, and they quickly put out the firs

Now, the Tree did not even dare tremble What a state he was in! He was money Buddenly both the doors ried opened and a troop of children rushed in They danced round the Tree, and une prevest after the other was pulled off.

What are they about thought the Tree "What is to happen now And the lights burnt down to the very beanches and as they burnt down, they were put out one after the other Children fell upon it with such onlence that all its branches

racked

The children danced about with their beautiful playthings. No one looked

st the Tree except the old nurse, who peeped between the branches; but it was only to see apple left that had been forgotten. little fat man towards the Tree. He

there was a fig or an cried the children, drawing a

A story! A story!" wated himself under it and said, "Now, we are in the shade, and the Tree can listen But I shall tell only one story. Now, which will you have about Ivedy Avedy, or about Humpy-Dumpy, who tumbled downstairs, and yet after all came to the throne and

married the princess?" nets Humpy-Dumpy fell downstairs, and yet he married the princess! Yes, yes! That's the way of the world!" thought the Fir Tree, and believed it. "Well, well! Who knows, perhaps may fall downstairs, too, and get a princess as wife!"In the morning, the servant and the housemaid came in. They drattere he daylight room and wind, the servount and the house enmark corner, no c enter, they left hum

"What's the meaning of this" thought the Tree. "What am I to do here He lenned int the of the hught that nights passed on, sedinke it a corner when at last someday thoughts Dass only to put some great trunks in a corner, one of the way. There stood the Tree quite hidden, entirely firgotten.

Squeak! Squeak" said a little Mouse. at the same moment, peeping out of his hole. And then another little one came. They smelt the Fir Tree, and rustled among the branchess.

"It is dreadfully cold," said the Mouse. "But for that, it would be delightful here, old Fir, wouldn't

"I am by no means old," said the Fir Tree.

"Where do you come from," asked the mice. "Tell us about the most beautiful spot on the earth."

"I only know the wood, where the sun shines and where the little birds sing." And then he told all about his youth. The little mice had never heard the like before; and they listened and said, "How much you have seen! How happy you must have been!"

"Yes, those were happy times." And then he told about Christmas-eve, when he was decked out with cakes and candles.

"Oh," said the little mice, "How fortunate you have been, old Fir Tree!"

"I am by no means old," said he. "I came from the wood this winter, I am quite youngfu They may still come! Humpy-Dumpy fell downstairs, and yet he got a princess!"

"Who is Humpy-Dumpy?" asked the mice. So then the Fir Tree told the whole fairy tale de

Next night, two more mice came to listen to his story, but they did not find it too interesting.Do you know only one story?" asked the mice. "Only that one," answered the Tree.

It is a very stupid story! Can't you tell any other stories?" "No," said the Tree.

Then good-bye," said they and went home.

The Tree was lonely again. One morning, some people came and set to work in the loft. The trunks were moved, the Tree was pulled out and thrown towards the stairs, where he daylight shone.

Now, a merry life will begin again," thought the Tree. He felt the fresh air, the first. Now, I shall really enjoy life." But, alas, his leaves were all dry and yellow! In the ourtyard, some of the children were playing who had danced at Christmas round the Fir Free. They were glad at the sight of him.

One of them ran and tore off the red star. Only look what is still on the ugly old Christmas tree!" said he, trampling on the ranches.

he Tree was sad.

t's over. It's past!" said the poor Tree. "I should have rejoiced when I had reason to do

! Now it's past."