THE TWELVE MONTHS 21

“Hold your tongue, worm; don’t answer me; if I don’t
have my strawberries I will kill you.”

Then the stepmother pushed her into the yard and bolted
the door. The unhappy girl made her way towards the moun-
tain and to the large fire round which sat the twelve months.
The great Setchéne occupied the highest place.

“Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The
winter cold chills me,” said she, drawing near.

The great Setchéne raised his head and asked :

“Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?”

“‘T am looking for strawberries,” said she.

“Weare in the midst of winter,” replied Setchene ; “‘straw-
berries do not grow in the snow.”

“T know,” said the girl sadly, “but my sister and step-
mother have ordered me to bring them strawberries ; if I do
not they will kill me. Pray, good shepherds, tell me where
to find them.”

The great Setchéne arose, crossed over to the month
opposite him, and putting the wand into his hand, said:

“Brother Tchervéne (June), do thou take the highest
place.”

Tchervéne obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the
fire the flames leapt towards the sky. Instantly the snow
melted, the earth was covered with verdure, trees were clothed
with leaves, birds began to sing, and various flowers blossomed
in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes masses of
star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries. Be-
fore Marouckla had time to cross herself they covered the
glade, making it look like a sea of blood.

“Gather them quickly, Marouckla,” said Tchervéne.