 Chapter 27 of the Mermaid's Message and Other Stories. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Chapter 27 A Dear Little Family by Caroline Sherwin Bailey Such a pretty little house as it was, away up in the old apple tree. Not like our houses, oh no, for it had not any roof, and its walls were built of. What do you suppose? Why, bits of thread and scraps of paper, long hairs and dry grasses. When the summer wind blew and rocked the branches of the tree, you might watch this wee house swinging too. Can you guess who lived in this tiny cottage? Mr. and Mrs. Robin Redbreast, to be sure, just home from the south, where they had been spending their winter. There was a great deal of house cleaning to be done when they first came up north for the summer. The walls had even to be all built again. Very hard work, you may be sure. But at last they were all settled and ready for visitors. There is something in the nest now. Can you guess what it is? Something that is round and blue and speckled. Yes, they are eggs. And Mrs. Redbreast is so happy that she sits and sings all day with her wings over them to keep them warm. Mr. Redbreast is glad too, for he flies about all day, finding nice things for his mate to eat. He starts out some mornings even before the sun is up. And he picks out worms, berries, and the crumbs that kind little friends scatter for him. He gets very tired sometimes, but Mrs. Redbreast tells him to wait and see what a sweet surprise she will have for him one of these days. I think you can tell what it will be. Children, by and by those blue eggs will break. Out will hop five little baby Redbreasts, laughing at the funny old world they have come to. Then how happy Mama and Papa Robin will be. And what hard times they will have teaching these five babies. Not to walk, but to fly. Five more mouths to feed, but they don't mind it. Not a bit. And the breezes will blow the nest with its glad family. To and fro in the sunshine all summer long. End of chapter 27. Chapter 28 of the Mermaid's Message and Other Stories. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Jeffrey Wilson, Ames, Iowa. Chapter 28 How We Cut Apricots by Evelyn Hibbard. My little friend Reginald lives on a big ranch in California where apricots and so many other good things grow. One day last July I asked Reginald which he liked best, the city or the country. The country, said he promptly. And why, said I. Because there are so many apple cuts in the country, answered Reginald. I forget the other reasons. He was very busy making what he said was a chicken coop. That afternoon Reginald took me out to the apricot orchard. There was a long open shed which stood on the edge of the orchard and under this shed were men and women and a great many boys and girls cutting the apricots for drying. The children especially seemed to find the work very pleasant for their tongues flew as fast as their fingers and every now and then there was a merry peel of laughter. They cut the apricots in halves and laid them carefully in large wooden trays. Reginald and I thought that we should like to help. So we each took a little knife and sat down at one of the tables with a box of apricots between us. Reginald's nimble little fingers found no trouble in keeping up with me. We each cut a whole tray full and then we went to see our apricots sulphured. The trays of fruit were put on a tiny car and the car was pushed along a tiny railway to a big box that had burning sulfur in it. Then the trays of apricots were placed in the box and left there for a few moments shut up tight with the burning sulfur. They do that to make the apple cuts look nice and white when they're dried. Reginald explained to me, by and by the tiny car carried our trays of apricots over another railway and they were placed on the ground in a great field which was already yellow with the drying fruit. There they were to be left in the bright sunshine for days and days. There is no fear of a sudden shower for it does not rain all summer long in California. After we had seen our apricots safe in the drying field we went and sat down under a specially fine tree that Reginald knew about. We ate all the apricots that we wanted and then we strolled back to the house through the orchard. As we walked underneath the fine old trees with their glossy green leaves and a ripe yellow fruit I said to Reginald, I quite agree with you dear that it is nice to live in the country where there are so many apricots. End of chapter 28 recording by Jeffrey Wilson Ames Iowa. Chapter 29 of the mermaid's message and other stories. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Campbell Shelp. Chapter 29, Ethel's Friends by Jane L. Hoxsey. Ethel was a little girl who lived in the great city of New York but she loved the country very much and often wished that she could play in the big green fields or pick wildflowers in the woods. She remembered one summer when she was a very little girl staying in the country for ever so many days almost a whole month and having such a happy time lying on the soft grass listening to the birds and watching the cows and horses the sheep the cunning little lambs and the old white hen with her brood of downy chicks. Oh how she did wish she could see them all again. But the country was far far away and Ethel's papa and mama were so busy that they could not take their little daughter there. But there was a place in the big city called Central Park that seemed to Ethel like the country. She loved to go there and had happy times as she watched the sparrows scratching for seeds and looking about for crumbs and as she tried to get the gray squirrels to come nearer and take nets from her hand and some days oh happiest time of all lying with her rosy face buried in the short green grass and pressing closer and closer to the great brown house the home of the flowers. One sunshine day in June she had been playing in the park for a long time though she had coaxed and coaxed the squirrels they would not come near and though she listened for a long time to the horse croak of a frog and watched and waited looking about the big bright eyes she could not get even a peep at him. At last she grew very tired and sat down upon a bench nearby to rest before going home but scarcely was she seated when she heard someone call her name Ethel Ethel a little voice said she looked all about but could see no one. Ethel Ethel it's called this time very near she looked around saying here I am who is calling it is I don't you see me I am close beside you. Looking down Ethel saw at her feet a tiny creature all dressed in dainty green oh that Ethel it must really and truly be a fairy why I thought fairies were only make-believe people and she was so surprised that she forgot to answer the little creature soon the fairy said Ethel because you love the birds and the flowers and the trees and all the animals I have come to take you out into the country to visit your friends Ethel clapped her hands and said oh I should love to go to the country but I haven't any friends there yes you have said the fairy come and see so away they went and Ethel all the time wondered whom the fairy could possibly mean by her friends but they went so fast that before she had time to do much thinking Ethel found herself in a great green meadow bright and fresh and cool soon they came to a tree with spreading branches and there lying under it and resting in its shade was a gentle looking creature with soft eyes long smooth horns and a hairy dress of red and white here said the fairy is one of your friends and a very good friend she is to you too oh said Ethel now I know whom you mean by my friends I wonder who can tell me why the fairy called the cow Ethel's friend yes because without this friend Ethel would miss her cup of milk at breakfast and the golden butter for her bread Ethel looked into the cow's great dark eyes and giving the white star on the cow's forehead a gentle patch said surely you are my friend bossy but the fairy said there are so many more friends so come on little girl so Ethel visited all the friendly animals the sheep with their woolly coats the pigs in their sty the chickens ducks and geese in the barnyard the doves in their home on the roof the great clever collie in his kennel and she found that she owed something to every one of them just as she was giving Rover a farewell patch old Dobbin harnessed to the farm wagon came clattering up to the barn there is the best friend of all cried Ethel what should we do without Dobbin to carry the milk and butter and eggs to the city and to bring back the flour and meal and sugar to draw the wood and coal that keeps us warm to help the farmer plow and tarot in the springtime to draw in the hay and grain and the potatoes and apples and pears in the autumn and to trot cheerfully along the dusty country road when the children take their rides oh I know the farmer gives him a good dry bed to sleep upon a fresh manger of hay and a good measure of oats when he is hungry I am sure he comes and smooths his black coat well and puts a blanket on his back when the weather is too cold he wouldn't cut off his black shiny tail for the world for how could Dobbin drive away the flies that trouble him without his tail I know he has plenty of fresh water to drink and sometimes the children give him a lump of sugar the farmer never lets Dobbin lose a shoe because his feet might get hurt but always takes him to the blacksmith if only a nail is loose buzz buzz sounded close to Ethel's ear she opened her eyes and looked about there she sat upon a bench in the park the sun had gone down behind the hills and it was almost dark the pretty little elephant green had vanished her country friends were nowhere to be seen Mr. B's gauzy wings and yellow legs were disappearing in the distance there goes another of my friends said Ethel I think he must have come to tell me that it is time to go home so Ethel ran home and told her mama all about the fairy and her friends and oh mama do you suppose the fairy really and truly took me to the country said Ethel no said mama I think my little girl was asleep and dreaming but for all that the animals on the farm are really among our very best friends yes I know that said Ethel how I wish I could really see them and for many days after she never went to the park without thinking of the wonderful fairy in green and how he took her to visit her friends in the country end of chapter 29 chapter 30 of the mermaids message and other stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org chapter 30 a legend of the dandelion by Ellen Robina Field once upon a time in a tiny green camp by the roadside lived a soldier all alone he had traveled a long way from a dark underground country and meant to see something of the world the first thing that he saw was a broad field full of waving banners and he thought what a beautiful place I have discovered then he pitched his tent among the green grasses soon the raindrop elves saw how tired and dusty he was from his journey and they soothed him with their musical stories and gave him a refreshing shower bath through the clouds came the sunbeam fairies bringing him a beautiful uniform of green and gold and a quiver of golden arrows then the soldier was very happy and smiled out at passers-by and cheered many a weary traveler with a glimpse of his sunny face by and by spring went away over the hilltops the birds had finished their nesting and the butterflies came to herald summer then the soldier began to feel tired and knew that he was growing old his gay uniform had faded and the golden arrows had turned to silver and the wind brownies shot them far away so the soldier crept down among the grasses and his green camp was left vacant but everywhere his silvery arrows fell there blossomed bright golden flowers and the little children loved them and called them dandelions end of chapter 30 read by the story girl chapter 31 of the mermaid's message and other stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org chapter 31 the polite thrush by Helen Edwards look look Aunt Helen said Elizabeth one morning last spring there is something white hopping on the lawn Aunt Helen looked and thought it was a rabbit but when they had walked very quietly to the south end of the piazza they saw it was a dishcloth tipped up at one corner and seeming to move of itself Elizabeth was so surprised that she gave a little shout and a brown bird flew from under the cloth and sat on a tree nearby that must be a thrush said Aunt Helen they like to begin weaving their nests with something white I suppose he took a corner of the cloth in his bill and the wind blew it all over him it is too large to fly away with but if it was smaller asked Elizabeth then he could use it said Aunt Helen suppose I cut it into strips for him and then you and I can sit under the pine tree while I darn your stockings and perhaps we shall see him at work Elizabeth was delighted and ran to get her aunt's work basket and they soon were seated where they could see what became of the strips of cloth without disturbing the bird before long he came hopping over the grass packed carefully at one of the strips took it in his beak and flew away with it I should like to see him weave his nest said Elizabeth what is weaving Aunt Helen I am weaving now said Aunt Helen you remember how your heel came right through your stocking what have I done to the whole Elizabeth looked you've put ever so many threads from up to down across the hole she said and now you are putting ever so many from right to left but first you put a thread over one and under one all across and the next time it goes under first and over second so the darn is as strong as the stocking I want to see some more waving hold up your pinafore said Aunt Helen isn't that like the darn yes only the threads are smaller answered Elizabeth and your basket is woven too only that is made with little straws they make a strong basket altogether said Aunt Helen birds use straw for their nest too and hair and moss but I wonder that our thrush does not come back for another piece of cloth it wouldn't be polite to take it all said Elizabeth he left some for the others the cloth disappeared piece by piece in the next few days and Elizabeth was sure that the polite thrush told his friends about it and that each one only took a share however that may be Elizabeth's aunt found a thrush's nest long afterwards when the wind had called all the leaves off the trees and the birds had gone south for the winter it had string and hay and earth in it and just one strip of white cloth I think you were right about the polite thrush Elizabeth Aunt Helen said when she showed it to her I am glad that one little girl knew what the thrushes would do and cared to help them end of chapter 31 chapter 32 of the mermaid's message and other stories this is a LibriVox recording but LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org chapter 32 the water drops by Helen Pearson one bright summer day father son who was very busy called his children the sunbeams to him and said today my little helpers I need you to do some work for me go down to the big round earth far below and bring back to the sky country all the water dust that you can carry the little sunbeams started and although it was a long long journey they were so bright and merry that it seemed like play to them by and by they drew nearer to mother earth and before long saw myriads of tiny drops of water some taking hold of hands and forming part of the great ocean others rushing along in a strong deep river while some were dancing and tumbling in a merry brook singing sweet little songs there too were tiny pools of water where the drops clustered together and yes one bright sunbeam spied many tiny drops clinging to the grass blades and flowers the next thing to be considered was how the sunbeam should induce the water drops to come up into sky country surely neither the ocean nor the river nor even the little laughing brooks could be carried up on them but the little workers were not one bit discouraged and they began at once to shake the water drops apart the little particles of water no sooner felt the little sunbeam shaking them hard than they said to each other come now for a long ride and sure enough up up up they sailed in the boats of air helped on by the sunbeams but as they rose higher in the air suddenly they began to shiver for just then the north wind came rushing along how the poor chili vapor mass shook and then suddenly began once more to form into drops and some children far down on the earth below looked up at the sky and exclaimed see the dark clouds up there while their mamas said it is going to rain soon in a few minutes the little drops felt as if they were being pulled back to earth and starting from the cloud which was holding them they said to one another now for a race and soon patter patter patter came the sound of the rain and the little drops once more were back in their earth home end of chapter 32 this recording is in the public domain chapter 33 of the mermaids message in other stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org chapter 33 Dorothy's Christmas Eve by Bertha Townsend, Kohler. Dorothy stood at the window watching the raindrops splash into the puddles of muddy water in the street and the dripping umbrellas of the few belated shoppers who were hurrying home with their arms full of packages for it was Christmas Eve and instead of the merry jingle of sleigh bells with its suggestion of Santa Claus instead of the soft whiteness of Christmas snow on tree and fence and road there was the sharp patter of raindrops on the window now Dorothy was the most sensible sunshiney little girl you can imagine and of course she wouldn't complain about the weather but the little face in its frame of sunny curls looked pretty sober as she turned away and curled herself up in her papa's big cushioned armchair the firelight flickered and danced cheerfully over the walls the armchair was comfortable and the patter of the raindrops had a soothing effect all at once it seemed to grow lighter at the window every separate raindrop had turned to a flake of snow and what great flakes they were and how fast they came down rolling and tumbling over each other in their eagerness to cover the ground for a white Christmas for Dorothy she said up and laughed aloud wasn't she glad though and if she should get a new sled there came a faint tap on the pane it's only a snowflake Dorothy thought but it came again and this time it was harder and a shrill little voice said well I should think you might let me in after I've gone to all this trouble to give you a ride on your new sled Dorothy was puzzled she rubbed her eyes to be sure that there could be no mistake and then looked again there on the window sill stood the dearest little creature she was dressed all in sparkling white from her head to her feet her wings were a finest gauze and she had a tiny diamond star on her forehead she carried a wand also tipped with a diamond star and she was powdered all over with a fine diamond dust that sparkled and shone in the firelight Dorothy had opened the window and the little creature stepped inside and seated herself comfortably on the arm of Dorothy's cushion chair she laid down her wand and folding her arms knotted brightly at Dorothy I'm the queen of the snow fairies the newcomer said and you look so comfortable in here that I thought I'd just run in and have a little chat I'm very glad to see you said Dorothy politely won't you lay off your things the snow fairy laughed merrily I guess I'll have to if I stay in here very long she replied but where do you think I've been all over this town peeping into the different houses where there were little folks for we snow fairies love little folks oh do you said Dorothy and moved a little nearer but what do you think I saw the snow fairy persisted Dorothy shook her head well I saw some little children that didn't have a thing for their supper but dry bread and one little top was dragging around an old tin can with a string tied to it for a horse that's the only thing in the world she had to play with and one little boy his name was Teddy Day do you know Teddy she demanded suddenly Dorothy brightened physically oh yes she replied his mother washes for us well continued the snow fairy I heard him tell his mother he was glad it was snowing for he had a board that would slide downhill beautifully Dorothy drew a long breath oh there's my old sled I'll take it to him the first thing in the morning and there are my blocks and dolls and books I'm so glad you told me I didn't know little children ever had to play with old tin cans we snow fairies know that the greatest happiness comes from giving happiness to others said the fairy and as she spoke she disappeared and a drop of water rolled on to Dorothy's hand from where she had stood Dorothy awoke with a start to find her mother bending over her oh mama she cried may I give my old sled to Teddy and my blocks and dolls to the baby with the tin can and my old books Dorothy stopped short at sight of her mother's puzzled face oh I forgot you didn't see the little snow queen so while mama helped her prepare for bed Dorothy told of her visit from the queen of the snow fairies when the happy Christmas day was almost done and Dorothy said with her mama in the firelit room talking of the merry Christmas which her old toys had made for Ted and the baby she said mama it's been the very loveliest Christmas I ever had if it wasn't a white one and mama said that Dorothy would find all through life that the greatest happiness comes not from getting but giving and Dorothy said why mama that's just what the snow fairy said end of chapter 33 chapter 34 of the mermaid's message and other stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Betty B. Elon a story of the first Christmas by Lucy Carnes Elon was a little boy who lived when the world first heard the joyous Christmas tidings his father was a poor Syrian shepherd who tended his flocks on the hills outside of Bethlehem Elon for so young a child worked hard and had little pleasure yet he was not unhappy every morning he went off to the meadows to guard the sheep in whose midst he never missed the companionship of other children many a gay frolic he had across the hills with the playful lambs and many a quiet talk to the gentle sheep when he told them his childish troubles for children have their own little trials and he never failed to see in the mild creature's eyes the sympathy they could not speak Elon's heart was full of love for his dumb friends and there was nothing he would not do for their sake one night a lamb the youngest of the flock and Elon's pet was missing from the fold it was growing late and the little boy was tired and sleepy but he took up his staff and went bravely off in search of the lost lambkin it was a long and weary hunt but finally he found the little wander out on a lonely road that led towards Bethlehem Elon was unable to walk home again without resting so he took the lamb in his arms and sat down on a big boulder that lay by the roadside it was a dark and lonesome spot where Elon sat but above him the sky was glittering with the evening stars and while they were shining Elon had no thought of fear often while tending his father's flocks at night he had studied the starry heavens he had traced the constellations and watched the big planets come and go as the hours advanced until he felt that he knew all the stars which shown above his native hills but tonight he saw a strange one in their midst a great star in whose brilliant light the largest of its companions looked dim so absorbed was Elon engaging at the new star that he did not see three men riding rapidly down the road it was not until they had stopped close to where he sat that he became aware of their presence Elon's brave little heart beat with alarm he clasped his arms tightly about the lambkin and would have fled from those three strange men who had appeared before him so suddenly but the strangers called to him in earnest kindly tones we will not harm you little one we wish but to ask you a question where shall we find the child who has born king of the jews we have seen his star in the east and have come to adore him and to lay our gifts at his feet but Elon could not answer their question his little world was the sheep pastures and he knew of nothing that occurred beyond them without another word to the wandering child the three strangers turned around and rode quickly away Elon watched them as they rode down the pathway that led toward Bethlehem and when he could no longer see them he started on his way home he trudged patiently along with his lamb asleep in his arms he did not notice that the hills were dark and lonesome or that the steep roads were hard to climb he thought only of the wonderful star and the words which the three strangers had spoken to him he wished that he too could find the child whom the three travelers had come so far to seek in after years when Elon had grown to manhood his wish was gratified he knew and had reason to love that holy child whom the three men from the east had come to adore and whose beautiful star Elon had seen shining above the hills of Bethlehem on the first Christmas night. E. Harris Far away in the sunrise country some little water drops decided to take a long journey in a cloud boat so they donned their vapor dresses while the sunshine painted them a pink sail and ever so many gentle breezes came to help them on their way with so many helpers they had only to sit still and enjoy the beautiful world seen below how strange it seemed to look right down upon the roofs of houses and tops of trees and to ride right over the very church steeples the boys and girls looked like wee dolls running to kindergarten and the men and women like little boys and girls hard at work so many things seem to be leaving their summer homes what did it all mean the corn stocks stood huddled together in large shocks waiting to get a ride into some big barn great families of yellow pumpkins jog slowly along in the farm wagons each holding up a green stem arm as if saying please help me out when we get there acorns chestnuts beach nuts and all kinds of nuts were being hurried along two holes in hollow logs and trees maybe someone can guess what were the rapid little trains that were carrying them away from their summer tree homes the caterpillars seemed in a great hurry but hardly knew where to go they would run along very fast then lift up their heads as though they felt lost turn square around and go back again the pine trees still kept their green dresses while the maple stood almost bare their red and yellow and faded brown leaves covering the grasses below the little vapor friends in the cloud boat were feeling very sigh for the maples when a southern breeze hurried past and called out a message from the robin family to all the maple trees dear maples we are having a happy time in the southland plenty of sunshine to keep us warm and nice rice to eat but we have not forgotten you at all and we remember just how tenderly you rocked our baby birds in your long arms all the summer and are now rocking to sleep your hundreds of baby leaf buds take good care of them and some morning when they all wake up with their new green dresses on you'll find us back to live with you again that's jolly news guess we needn't feel sorry for them after all said the vapor friends just then the north wind came rushing along oh how cold it is they all exclaimed and in a twinkling the cloud boat was gone and the vapor friends were changed into beautiful snow crystals and wind floating softly softly down to the earth the children shouted to see them coming and hurry to get out their sleds one snowflake fell right into a pansies cold blue face then others came until the pansy was all covered up and was snug and warm for the winter then the little snow crystals nestled close together and talked of all their wonderful journey and of their joy in making the children and the flowers happy i wonder whether they knew that by and by they would again be little water drops end of chapter 35 chapter 36 of the mermaid's message and other stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Jeffrey Wilson Ames Iowa chapter 36 nannies coat by Emma s law part one children would you like to know how the kindergarten balls got their jackets well i will tell you of a little boy who went to see them made and he found it so interesting that he wanted me to tell you all about it Johnny was a little boy who lived in the country and his papa kept many sheep one day his papa came home and said Johnny come out into the barn and see what i found down in the lot where we keep the sheep Johnny left the little red and yellow and blue balls which he had been playing with and ran to the barn to see what it could be he opened the door very carefully and there in one corner close by its mama was the dearest little lamb with such a pretty soft white coat Johnny was delighted and asked his papa if he could have it for his own his papa said that he might and Johnny was so happy that he wanted to stay with it all the time but his papa said no that would not do but the little lamb must go back to the field with its mama and grow large and strong like the other sheep Johnny went nearly every day to see nanny as he called the little lamb and was surprised to see how fast she grew the little white coat grew so thick and woolly that when jack frost came in the fall nanny had a nice warm blanket to wear one day the next spring when the trees were all dressed in their beautiful leaves and the meadows were green with grass and dotted with yellow dandelions Johnny said papa the weather has grown so warm that i cannot wear my overcoat any longer and some days i cannot even wear my jacket i should think that nanny would be very warm with all that wool on her back yes said papa it is time to take it off so the next day papa took her into the barn and laid her on a table that looked much like our kindergarten table now nanny did not know what was to be done with her and she tried to get down but papa held her very firmly and carefully with his left arm well in his right hand he held a great pair of shears do you think they were like mama's shears no they were very large and queer with short broad blades and were always open except when papa squeezed them and then they would cut clip clip went the big shears so fast that soon nanny's coat was all cut off and she was allowed to jump down from the table and run back to the meadow where her mama was how she did run and caper in the warm sunshine she felt so cool and nice papa said johnny where shall we keep nanny's coat so that she can have it when jack frost and old winter come again oh said his papa nanny will have a new coat then the wool will grow and grow all summer just as your hair does and by the time she needs it her coat will be nice and warm and this feast must go to the mill to be made into yarn and cloth so that my little man can have a new coat and some warm stockings to wear next winter johnny thought it very wonderful that next winter he would be wearing nanny's coat he wished that he might go to the wool and mill and see how it was made into yarn and cloth so johnny's papa said that he would take him to the mill and let him see how many things must be done to the fleece before it could be made into a coat the next morning johnny was up bright and early and when he came downstairs he found that mama had breakfast already and that the horse and light wagon were at the door so as soon as they had eaten their breakfast and kissed mama goodbye they started with nanny's coat for the wool and mill part two it was a beautiful morning when johnny and his papa went to the wool and mill and they found everyone so busy there that johnny thought he would not bother them by asking many questions so he kept his eyes wide open to see all he could and listened to all that his papa said when nanny's wool was carried to the foreman of the mill he said that it was a very fine fleece and told johnny that he might go through the mill and see what was to become of it first they went into a room where some women were washing wool in large tubs and although some of the wool was very dirty when put into the tub it soon became pure and white then it was laid out on claws in the sunshine to dry after that it was picked to pieces until it was as light and fluffy as a great white snowbank johnny felt like jumping right into the middle of it as he did into the snowdrifts in the winter but of course he knew that that would not do then the wool was carried into a room where some women sat with queer things in their hands which johnny thought looked like wire hair brushes only they were longer and had handles on the sides these women would take a little of the wool on one of these brushes and then brush it back and forth from one brush to the other until it was very soft and then brush it off in such a way that it was made into a little roll about as long as johnny's arm and no longer around than his thumb these little rolls were laid side by side very straight and others laid on top until there was quite a pile of them then a boy carried them into the next room where there were a great many large wheels which johnny's papa said were spinning wheels and by the side of each wheel was a high post and on this post there was a little wheel then around this big wheel and reaching over and around the little wheel was a band of leather these wheels with the band of leather reminded johnny of his mama's sewing machine only they were very much larger a woman was standing by each of these wheels one of them beckoned to johnny to come nearer and then she showed him how the little wheel went very fast when she took hold of the big wheel and gave it a whirl then the woman picked up one of the little rolls of wool and touched something which johnny had not noticed before it was a little rod of iron or steel about as large as a slate pencil and it seemed to be connected in some way with the little wheel for when the wheels turned round this little rod turned even faster than the little wheel this rod was called the spindle and it too made johnny think of his mama's machine the part where she puts the barman when she winds thread and what do you think when the woman turned the big wheel and touched the spindle with the roll of wool she pulled the wool out into a long thread and the spindle turning around so fast twisted it and made it so strong that johnny could not break it then as she walked back toward the spindle and turned the big wheel back in the opposite direction the thread was wound on the spindle and another bit of wool was twisted into a long thread or yarn and so on until all the little white rolls were spun into one long thread next it was reeled off that is unwound from the spindle onto something called a reel johnny thought it was a small windmill with its arms extended to hold the yarn instead of to catch the wind when taken from the reel it was in a skein just like the pretty white yarn that mama bought at the store to make baby sister's mittens of but this woolen thread was to be used for another purpose it was not to be left white but was taken to the dye shop where part of it was called red part blue part yellow and some was colored orange some green and some violet then papa led johnny into a room where some girls sat around baskets of rubber balls here too he saw such beautiful skeins of wool just the colors of his dear little kindergarten balls red yellow blue green orange and violet so that the room looked almost as though it was full of rainbows johnny wondered what these girls were doing and as he watched them he saw that each of them had a crochet hook and that they were making jackets for the little balls johnny was so delighted that he would have liked to stay a long time but his papa said that they had spent such a long time in the mill already that they had better just step into the weaving room for a few minutes and then hurry home so they went to the weaving room and there they found lovely soft woolen threads which had been colored a pretty dark blue from which men were weaving beautiful cloth to be made into jackets and cloaks for little boys and girls now said papa we must go and perhaps someday we may come again johnny then thanked the man for letting him go through the mill where he had seen so many wonderful things and the man asked johnny to come again for said he you have been very quiet and have not touched anything or bothered any of the people who are working so i can trust you to come again as soon as johnny got home and had told his mama all that he had seen he ran out to the meadow to tell nanny and to thank her for the lovely wool which she had given him and then he gave her a nice lump of sugar which she ate nodding her head meanwhile as if to thank him for it then he happened to think of a little sleigh bell that santa claus brought him on christmas so he ran to the house and asked mama if she would not fasten it to a bright red ribbon to tie around nanny's neck so that he should always know where to find her this mama did and when johnny tied it around nanny's neck she seemed very proud and would shake her head as if she liked to hear the tinkle of the little bell end of chapter 36 recording by jeffrey wilson aims iowa chapter 38 of the mermaid's message and other stories this is a libervox recording all libervox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libervox.org chapter 38 the little cotton plant how it became a sheet of pink paper by nonna h mikadoo once upon a time there was a little cotton plant which lived in a great field in the far south there were a great many other cotton plants both large and small growing in this same field but i am going to tell you about this one and how it became a sheet of pink paper for a sweet little girl named dot the skies were very blue and the winds very gentle over the field where the little cotton plant lived and it grew and grew until one day a cotton picker came along and pulled off the beautiful white bowls and hurried them away in his basket the little bowls lay very still in the bottom of the basket and by and by they found themselves in a great big factory where they were put through machines and made into yards and yards of lovely blue cloth which after a time was put for sale on the shelf of a shop then the mama of a little girl named dot bought this blue cloth and made it into a beautiful new dress for her and little dot wore it and wore it until it was worn out and thrown into the rag bag little dot thought no more about it until one day a man whom i suspect you all know came through the streets calling rags rags rags and little dot ran and gave him what was left of her blue dress and what do you suppose became of it the old ragman took it down to a paper mill where it was torn into tiny pieces and ground into a soft pulp and then made into little pink sheets and envelopes beautiful pink like a seashell and by and by dot papa bought it all tied up in a nice little box and gave it to dot for a christmas present but she didn't know it was made from her old blue dress which had first come from the dear little cotton plant end of chapter 38 chapter 38 of the mermaid's message and other stories recording by caroline h this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libra vox dot org chapter 38 how the wind fixed matters by ann maxwell miller of all the woods that the wind knew there was one that he loved most of all because it was so beautiful and so quiet far far away from all the houses and noises of men and because such happy little creatures had their homes there one day he came blowing into this wood but had not gone very far when he stopped short for his breath was quite taken away with astonishment at something he saw there on the root of a large elm tree sat a little brown squirrel chattering away to a robin that perched on a twig close by while up on the tree trunk near his own hole was a woodpecker standing all upside down as the most sensible woodpeckers will do and never grow dizzy though how they manage it is more than we can tell the wind was not surprised to see these three talking together for he knew that they were near neighbors and very good friends and all lived in the same big elm tree but he had never before seen them all look as they did on that day instead of twitching about and chirping merrily the robin sat very still and stiff on his twig with his head drawn in and his beak stuck upwards very much as if he was pouting the bright eyes of the woodpecker were half shut and his feathers all fluffed up in a very dissatisfied way and even the squirrel's bushy tail had not such a cheerful flourish as usual why heighty tighty said the wind what does all this mean I should like to know what has happened to give you all doleful faces on this beautiful morning when every one should be full of happiness it is all very well for you to say that said the robin you who have no housekeeping troubles and cares but for my part I am quite out of patience with plastering and plastering mud and weaving in hay and sticks I can't see why I cannot have a comfortable home already for me like the squirrel in the tree trunk without the trouble of building a nest every year yes remarked the woodpecker and how I should enjoy a change for my tiresome dark hole you both of you might have reason to complain said the squirrel if you had always lived as I have done in the same big hole near the ground instead of being up in the tree trunk or among the beautiful green branches why wasn't I made so that I could build the beautiful hay nest they all looked very unhappy indeed now you know the dear old wind has an excellent way of clearing things up he whistled softly to himself as a thinking very hard and then he said hurrah I have a plan I'll tell you what to do since your homes are already built and each likes the other's best why not change about and each try a new kind what a beautiful plan said they all and immediately the robin flew down to the woodpecker's hole and the squirrel scampered up the tree and along the branches to the robin's nest while the woodpecker hurried into the squirrel's hole to be sure the robin found the woodpecker's hole very close quarters indeed and his smooth wings were all rumbled and his beautiful brown tail feathers all pushed to one side and the squirrel had hard work to curl himself up into the robin's nest and the woodpecker felt very lonely in the squirrel's big hole and found the nuts stored away there a very hard bed to rest upon but they all tucked themselves away as best they could and tried to think that they were enjoying it very much indeed it was such a change and then something happened the sly old wind took a long breath and blew and blew until the great elm tree swayed and shook like a twig scarcely had he stopped when out and down and up came the three little creatures as fast as wings and feet could carry them gracious said the woodpecker such a big barn of a place i never saw i was all blown about in it for safety and coziness give me my own little hole you're very welcome to it i am sure said the robin my beak was almost blown away because i could not get my head far enough into the horrid little place there is nothing like my own comfortableness comfortable indeed said the squirrel why it blew about so that i nearly fell out and was obliged to hold on for dear life just wait until i can get back into my own snug steady hole the old wind laughed softly to himself i do not think that i shall find them discontented again said he end of chapter 38 recording by caroline h chapter 39 of the mermaid's message and other stories this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org recording by caroline sears chapter 39 about a cult a true story by evalyn hibbard i have some friends who live on a big ranch in california there is a fine young horse on the ranch that has been a pet ever since he was born when he was a young thing with long legs he used to come to the door of the kitchen and drink milk from a pan like a kitten and he would follow the children about everywhere he was a rather rough playfellow and finally he grew so large and strong that his master said he must be shut up in the paddock the children felt sorry to lose their companion and playfellow but they could still go to visit him one day the gate was left open and before long the cult was running about in the garden trying to find his little friends at last he saw one of the children standing at the drawing room window the cult gave a joyful winnie and up the veranda steps he went and into the open door of the drawing room the child gave him a warm welcome and he made himself quite at home by and by he saw something on the back of a chair that he thought might be good to eat and he snatched it up it was a tidy just then the children's mother came in and how she laughed when she saw the cult in the drawing room trying to eat the tidy she took it away from him not because she cared about the tidy for she thought it very ugly but because she also thought it was not a good thing for a cult to eat and then she made him understand very plainly that he must go out of the drawing room one day the gate of the paddock was left open again and of course out the cult came as he had enjoyed himself so much in the house before he thought he would try it again this time he went into the dining room now it happened that all the china in the house was spread out there while the china closets were being cleaned what a chase that cult led them before they could get him out it seemed as though everything would be broken into pieces but it was very funny to everyone except the mistress of the house strange to say not a piece of the beautiful china was broken but that was the last time that the cult ever came into the house end of chapter 39 chapter 40 of the mermaid's message and other stories this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Caroline Sears chapter 40 all's gone by Annie E. Puslint Edna was a dear little girl only four years old in the early summer she went to her grandmothers in the country to make a visit and such a good time as she had all day long she could run about in the cool green grass and pick the pretty flowers then there were the birds who had their nests all about some high up among the eaves some among the branches of the trees some on the ground in the meadow and two birdies had built their nests down among some bushes where Edna could see into it very plainly this was the nest which Edna loved best to watch for when she first came to grandma's she had found the tiny eggs lying in the nest and every morning she would run out to see if the little birds had come one morning she came running into the house crying oh grandma they've come three little bits of birdies without any feathers at all and such big mouths they must be so cold grandma without a single feather couldn't i take my dollies blanket and cover them up how grandma laughed no indeed she said you would frighten them almost to death the mother bird will keep them warm with her wings until their feathers grow so Edna watched them day after day and saw the papa bird feed them and the mother bird take care of them and she called them my birdies then there was the strawberry bed in the garden where she used to hunt for the ripe red berries and enjoy eating some of the treasures which she found after a while mama came to take her little girl away with her so Edna said goodbye to the beautiful garden and birds and they went back to the dusty city where there were no trees or green grass to see and no birdies to watch when thanksgiving came grandma sent for them to come and make her another visit then Edna was so happy she longed so much to see the flowers and birds again and to taste the strawberries too for she was a little bit of a girl and thought that she should find the country just as she had left it so on the morning after they arrived Edna ran out into the garden to get some pretty flowers for mama such lovely roses and pansies as grandma always had but when she looked about not a single flower did she see only dry stalks standing in their places not even a sweet elism was to be seen next Edna looked for the strawberry bed and that was nowhere to be found either how strange it was and how clearly everything looked no green grass and no leaves on the trees everything was gone then Edna remembered her birds and ran to see if they were gone too i haven't seen a birdie since i came she thought and that's very strange because there were ever so many before sure enough the nest was still there but no birds they were gone too then Edna began to cry and ran into the house sobbing as if her heart would break why Edna what's the matter said mama oh cried Edna the flowers and the strawberries and the leaves are all gone and my birdies too then mama took the little girl in her lap and told her gently that it was true they were gone but that they would come back with another summer just think said mama how cold it would be for the poor birds if they stayed here and there would be nothing for them to eat but now they have gone to a country where it is always warm and where there will be plenty of food for them the flowers and strawberries are only asleep dear the summer has been so long that they are very tired so they go fast asleep under the leaves but in the spring they will wake up and blossom again as bright as ever Edna felt better then and smiled a little will my birdies come back she asked yes said mama they are not really gone you will see sure enough when the summer came again and Edna went to grandma's there were the flowers and fruit and birds all back again and Edna was very glad to see them all even the trees had fresh green leaves but thought Edna I wonder where the brown leaves are that were lying about on the ground last fall everything else has come back so they must be somewhere just then Edna's mother came walking down the path Edna was sitting on the grass close beside a flower bed so her mother came and sat there too as they sat there talking Edna asked what had become of all the old autumn leaves which had been lying about on the ground when she was at grandma's last time her mother picked a big purple pansy and holding it up where Edna could look right into its beautiful face said would you like to have the pansy tell you about that oh yes said Edna with delight then her mother began to talk as if the pansy were speaking I can tell you where the dried leaves are they fell on the ground in the fog and made a nice blanket to keep the flowers warm all winter then the rain fell and soaked the leaves until they became almost like the earth itself in a little while someone came and planted seeds and tiny plants sprang up from them but we needed something to eat to make us grow strong and tall you know and it happened that the leaves made just the food that we needed so they fed us and we grew stronger and taller until we blossomed as you see us now oh cried Edna I'm so glad that everything comes back again and nothing is lost it makes me so glad end of chapter 40 chapter 41 of the mermaid's message and other stories this is a LibriVox recording while LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Betty B chapter 41 Willie's visit to the seashore by Alice Lotherington Willie lived in a big city with his papa and mama he was only six years old but was a great help about the house he went to the store played with sister Sue rocked the cradle when baby George was cross and did so many little things to help mama that she called him her busy little man when papa came home at night he was sure to find his slippers and easy chair ready for him put there by Willie's loving little hands sometimes papa took his boy for a ride on his car Willie loved to get on a seat as near as he could to the locomotive and watch the engine puff puff puff chuck chuck chuck when the engine as if it said look out here I come sometimes the engineer would blow the whistle then Willie would put his hands over his ears and look at papa a summer came on the roses and Willie's cheeks began to fade this will never do said papa patting the little fellow's cheeks Willie must go to grandpa's all right tonight in less than a week grandpa was at the house ready to take his grandson home with him when Willie saw the big blue ocean his brown eyes opened wide in wonder it was not long before the salt air and sea bathing brought the roses back to the little boy's cheeks and he was soon strong again what funny had playing in the sand such deep caves and wells he dug and fine houses and castles he built how he often wished that sister Sue was with him one day grandpa asked Willie if he would like a row on the creek of course he would what boy would not like to go with his grandpa they were soon in the boat and while grandpa rode Willie leaned over the side and looked at the bright shells pretty pebbles and little fishes in the water he was just about to put out his hand to catch a piece of seaweed floating by when he felt something pinch his foot oh oh he cried what's that there it is again and the little boy's face grew very red why said grandpa looking in the bottom of the boat it's a crab and grandpa picked it up by the back he can't hurt now what an ugly looking fellow exclaimed Willie so i'm overboard please let's look at him first at grandpa see he has eight legs and two claws or hands one of which is much larger than the other and very strong with this claw he digs his house gets his food and pinches people digs his house left Willie oh grandpa yes Willie digs his house in the sand when the tide is slow and more than that he makes a long haul a bedroom to sleep in and a pantry for his food what does he eat ask the boy flies ants little insects in fact almost anything you can get he will even eat seaweed just then crabby tried to pinch grandpa's hand what funny eyes the crab has exclaimed Willie see how he pushes them out his eyes are on little pegs which he can push in and out as he pleases was the reply he is very careful of his eyes for he knows that if he loses an eye it will be a whole year before he has a new one if he loses an eye will another one grow ask Willie yes was the answer is a crab of fish asked the boy it is called a shellfish said grandpa baby crabs change their shells very often because they grow so fast just like a little boy that I know and grandpa looked at Willie when the crab gets older he only changes his coat in the springtime and when he is fully grown he keeps his shell which grows thicker and thicker year by year what are crabs good for us Willie to eat was the answer they also help to keep the ocean and seashore clean I wonder if I could take hold of the crab ask Willie looking at grandpa if you take him by the back as I do he can't hurt you said grandpa Willie tried but his hand slipped and he caught hold of the crab's leg crabby gave a jump and before Willie knew what had happened was swimming down the creek and Willie was left with part of a crab's leg in his hand grandpa had to laugh at the expression on Willie's face as he looked at the boy oh I'm so sorry said the boy and the crab is so glad to get away said grandpa I didn't mean to break its legs said Willie you didn't break it my boy the crab broke it himself a crab can break off a leg when he pleases and a new one will soon grow in its place and now I think it must be near dinnertime so we had better start for home said grandpa as he headed the boat for the shore the summer passed quickly and one morning early in September whom should Willie see coming up the road but papa mama sister Sue and the baby how much Willie had to tell mama said that he was a regular chatterbox well I see the roses are back said papa and somebody is getting too big for his clothes I wonder if my little boy is ready to go home this was a hard question for Willie to answer but when grandpa said he was to come again next summer and bring sister with him he was quite contented to go home end of chapter 41 end of the mermaid's message and other stories