170 SEE-SAW.

** Here we go up, up, up!” cried the children, as
the plank rose into the sky on one side. “TI shall
catch the tree-tops—no! the church steeple—no !
the stars.”

Or, “ Here we go down, down, down !” cried the
others. “Safe and snug on the ground—no! right
through the world—no! out at the other side.
Ah! steady there, stupid old stump !”

This was because the plank had swerved, not
the tree.

And so the game went on; for the ups and
downs came in turns, and the children shrieked
with delight, and the poor tree groaned loudly all
the time.

*“‘ And I am to sit here, and bear not only their
weight but their blame, and be called stupid and be
told to keep steady, when it is they who are giddy
and can’t be depended upon ; and to be contented,
while they do nothing but play pranks and enjoy
themselves,” said he; but he said it to himself,
for he did not know which to complain to—the
children or the plank. As he groaned, however, he
thought of the time when he was king of the little