44 The Catskill Fazrves.

“« Because it is a fairy gift.’

“© A fairy carpet-bag—eh ?’ and the tree chuckled.

“ The sprite was charmed with the fresh, beautiful world into
which he had been born. He roamed all over the great oak-
tree, which was a long distance for him to travel, and he was
never lonely, as he found no end of delightful society. There
were the ants and spiders to chat with about their own affairs,
and the stupid caterpillars to poke, for the sprite loved his
pranks as well as older children.

“The oak-tree had very sensible ideas about education ;
the sprite must not play all the while.

“ Soon the news spread that the oak-tree wished to have its
sprite instructed, and all the creatures came flocking to dis-
cuss the matter, as the tree was a general favorite.

“«T can teach the sprite to growl,’ said the black bear.

“« Thanks! said the tree. ‘He is such a tiny fellow it does
not seem necessary that he should do anything besides laugh.’

“«T can teach him to burrow in the ground, or to steal
chickens,’ said a little fox.

“*T can teach him to swim,’ croaked a frog.

“¢ And I to dive below the surface, added a water-rat.

“ Now came the beautiful birds, fluttering in a bright cloud
to perch on the branches, ruffling their soft feathers, cocking |
their pretty heads about as they hopped jauntily from twig to
twig. The sprite stroked the birds with his little hands, and
they chirped gayly.

“©The oak-tree has sheltered us so often that we will gladly
render a service,’ said a swallow.

“« Dear little birds! teach me to sing, begged the sprite.