260 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. {v.

 

‘Yes, replied the boy ; ‘but what do they mean?
and how do they grow here? I never saw them at
home.’

‘Certainly not, returned the other, ‘ because home
and Fairyland are two different places. The Observa-
tion-tree springs from the observations which people
let fall in the world of which you are a member. If
they are not broken by the fall, Fairies very often pick
them up and plant them, when, according to the in-
tention and feeling with which they came from the
person who was first responsible for them, they either
flourish or the reverse. See for instance this tree.
“What a fine day it is!” was the seed-observation, and
as it was probably a true remark, uttered with sincerity,
you see how it has blossomed out and how the obser-
vation is enlarged and elaborated on many of the
buds.’

Harry looked closely and observed that each of the
buds of the tree had some kind of remark appertain-
ing to the subject of the parent-observation. “It is
warm, bright, and pleasant. ‘The sun is cheering
everything with his bright rays.’ ‘ The air is really deli-
cious,’ and many other similar inscriptions.

‘ This,’ said the little brown gentleman, ‘is a very
common observation, and we have more specimens
than we care for. Here, however, is another, of which
there are many and great varieties.’

As he spoke, he pointed to a plant growing near,
upon the stem of which was marked, ‘ How d’ye do?
I am so very glad to see you!’ Another plant of the
same sort was growing side by side with this, and
Harry observed a marked difference between the two,