THE POPLAR TREE.

( i NE night, just at sunset, an old man found
ays the pot of gold which lies under the end
Se of the rainbow. .

His home was far beyond the dark forest, through
which he was passing.

The pot of gold was heavy, and he soon began
to look for a safe place in which to hide it until
morning.

A poplar tree stood near the path stretching its
branches straight out from the trunk. .

That was the way the poplar trees grew in those
days.

“Ah,” said the man, “ This tree is the very place
in which to conceal my treasure.

“The trees are all asleep, I see, and these leaves
are large and thick.”

He carefully placed the pot of gold in the tree,
and hurried home to tell of his good fortune.

Very early the next morning, Iris, the rainbow
messenger, missed the precious pot of gold.

She hastened to Zeus and told him of the loss.

Zeus immediately sent Hermes in search of it

Hermes soon came to the forest where it was
hidden.