65 THE KIND OLD OAK

It was almost time for winter to come.

The little birds had gone far away, for they were afraid of the cold. They had gone where it was warm and where there was plenty to eat.

There was no green grass in the fields, and all the pretty flowers in the gardens had gone to sleep for the winter.

Many of the trees had dropped their leaves. Cold winter with its ice and snow would soon be in the woods.

Some beautiful little violets were still in bloom near the foot of an old oak tree. They loved the old tree, for it had often sheltered them from the storms.

“Dear old oak, ”said the violets, one day, “what shall we do to save ourselves? Winter is coming, and we are afraid that we shall die of cold.”

“Do not be afraid, ”said the oak, “Close your yellow eyes and go to sleep. I will take care of you, so that winter cannot harm you.”

So the violets closed their pretty eyes and went to sleep. Then the great tree dropped its leaves one by one upon them, until they had a nice warm covering.

Soon Jack Frost came with ice and snow, but he could not harm the little violets, because the kind old oak tree had taken care of them with a warm coat of leaves. They were safe.

There they slept and dreamed happy dreams until spring came. Then the warm rains and the sunshine came and woke them.

(Old Tale)

Word list

plenty: a lot of something

violets: small, purple flowers

sheltered: protected from bad weather

You Practice

Answer the following questions.

1) What season is this story mostly about?

2) How did the kind old oak help the violets?

3) Who is Jack Frost?

4) What are violets?

5) What would you like to do under an old oak tree?