The Pearl Story Book Part 32

NORTH WIND'S FROLIC

In a large, airy castle on the borders of a country far away, lived the King of the Winds with his four children, North Wind, South Wind, East Wind, and West Wind. They were a happy family, for the four children were always making merry with the old Wind King.

North Wind, however, was a boisterous fellow, forever causing disorder even in their play.

One summer day North Wind said that he was going out of the castle for a frolic.

"Go," called out the King, "but be careful, North Wind, what you do.

Your pranks are all very well while you are in the castle here, but out in the world they may do great harm."

"Woo--oo--oo----," was all the King heard in answer, and away bl.u.s.tered North Wind out of the castle to the garden near by.

The roses and lilies were just in bloom, and the ripe peaches hung on the trees ready to be picked.

"Woo--oo--oo----," cried the North Wind in his loudest voice, and in a moment the rose petals were scattered all over the ground, the lilies were broken from their stems, and the ripe peaches dropped down right into the mud.

In the fields he caused even greater damage. He broke the wheat stems, threw the unripe apples about. He tore the leaves from their branches and tossed them about in the air in all directions. Indeed, one old tree he completely uprooted.

The people could stand it no longer. They went to the King of the Winds, who, in his castle had control over the coming and going of all the Winds, and told him what the wicked North Wind had done and how the garden and fields had suffered from the misery he had caused them.

"I will summon North Wind," said his father. "He shall answer for all this."

When North Wind appeared, the King repeated what the people had said.

"Is this true, North Wind?" he asked.

North Wind could not deny it, for the devastated garden and fields lay before every one's eyes.

"Why did you do it?" asked the King.

"Oh," answered North Wind, "I didn't mean it wickedly. I wanted to play with the roses and the lilies and the peaches--and all the rest.

I didn't think I would do them any harm."

"I see," said the King. "If you are such a clumsy fellow, then I do not dare to let you out for a frolic again. I must keep you a prisoner in the castle the whole summer. In the winter, when there are no more flowers and fruit, you may go out and be as boisterous as you like. I see you are fit only for the time of ice and snow and not for flowers and fruit."

THE MONTHS: A PAGEANT

Christina Rossetti

_Boys_

January March July August October December

_Girls_

February April May June September November

Robin Redbreast; Lambs and Sheep; Nightingale and Nestlings; various Flowers, Fruits, etc.

SCENE:--_A Cottage with its grounds._

(_A room in a large comfortable cottage; a fire burning on the hearth; a table on which the breakfast things have been left standing. JANUARY discovered seated by the fire._)

JANUARY

Cold the day and cold the drifted snow, Dim the day until the cold dark night.

(_Stirs the fire_)

Crackle, sparkle, f.a.ggot; embers glow: Some one may be plodding through the snow Longing for a light, For the light that you and I can show.

If no one else should come, Here Robin Redbreast's welcome to a crumb, And never troublesome: Robin, why don't you come and fetch your crumb?

Here's b.u.t.ter for my hunch of bread, And sugar for your crumb; Here's room upon the hearthrug, If you'll only come.

In your scarlet waistcoat, With your keen bright eye, Where are you loitering?

Wings were made to fly!

Make haste to breakfast, Come and fetch your crumb, For I'm as glad to see you As you are glad to come.

(_Two Robin Redb.r.e.a.s.t.s are seen tapping with their beaks at the lattice, which JANUARY opens. The birds flutter in, hop about the floor, and peck up the crumbs and sugar thrown to them. They have scarcely finished their meal when a knock is heard at the door.

JANUARY hangs a guard in front of the fire, and opens to FEBRUARY, who appears with a bunch of snowdrops in her hand._)

Good-morrow, sister.

FEBRUARY

Brother, joy to you!

I've brought some snowdrops; only just a few, But quite enough to prove the world awake, Cheerful and hopeful in the frosty dew And for the pale sun's sake.

(_She hands a few of her snowdrops to JANUARY, who retires into the background. While FEBRUARY stands arranging the remaining snowdrops in a gla.s.s of water on the window-sill, a soft b.u.t.ting and bleating are heard outside. She opens the door, and sees one foremost lamb with other sheep and lambs bleating and crowding towards her._)

O you, you little wonder, come--come in, You wonderful, you woolly soft white lamb: You panting mother ewe, come too, And lead that tottering twin Safe in: Bring all your bleating kith and kin, Except the h.o.r.n.y ram.

(_FEBRUARY opens a second door in the background, and the little flock files through into a warm and sheltered compartment out of sight._)

The lambkin tottering in its walk With just a fleece to wear; The snowdrop drooping on its stalk So slender,-- Snowdrop and lamb, a pretty pair, Braving the cold for our delight, Both white Both tender.

(_A rattling of doors and windows; branches seen without, tossing violently to and fro._)

How the doors rattle, and the branches sway!

Here brother March comes whirling on his way With winds that eddy and sing:--