Nature Myths and Stortes. 57

 

 

He awakened the trees, and asked them if they
had seen the pot of gold.

They shook their heads sleepily, and murmured
something which Hermes could not understand.

Then Zeus himself spoke to them. “Hold your
arms high above your heads,” he said, “that I may
see that all are awake.”

Up went the arms, but alas, down to the ground
came the pot of gold.

The poplar tree was more surprised than any one
else.

He was a very honest tree and for a moment
hung his head in grief and shame. Then again he
stretched his arms high above his head, and said,
“Forgive me, great father; hereafter I shall stand in