Show m q P q o z a. a r THE TOAD AND THE GIRAFFE Once upon a time there lived in a forest a toad and a giraffe It was wasa a very long time ago that this hap hap- happened happened happened before the giraffe had such a alore lore loi-g neck and It may nay be that hat now h hp rte does docs not live In is the same place the I toads do but in this long ago day dayh h ho did One morning as they were eating their breakfast in a cool shady spot the giraffe said I think you and I miss a lot by by having to stay so close to the earth You are taller than I 1 said the toad I see only the things that go goon goon goon on close to the ground while you see much higher than I. I Yet I cannot see that you are happier than I am I am sure we all are where we be b long Oh I do dp not feel that way at all said he giraffe I I 1 heard the tall I trees talking the other day and they see the ocean and desert and arid wars 1 and big cities and many things more that I cannot remember It must be very nice to be tall I wish I had a neck as long as the elephant elephants elephant's ele ele- nt's s trunk Why not wish It were long enough to eat the leaves on the tall tree while you are wishing said the toad I You can have a long wish as well as a a short one I guess I have nevel I heard of anyone getting a wish so you aro are safe Safe repeated the giraffe I dont don't want to be I wish I could be tall by wishing to be I You shall have your wish said sala someone and turning around the toad and the giraffe saw a small creature dressed in a red and green dress In her hand she carried a little black wandI wand wend I am the forest fairy she said I and when I find any anyone e very much displeased with himself I always grant him one wish So you wish to be tall I do vou you I Remember there is only one wish I granted ranted hy hv a t forest fairy so think it I over well before you wish and i 1 will be here tomorrow morning mornin Ir It I you still wish to have a long neck I will grant your wish I The next morning the toad and the giraffe were at the same place they had seen the fairy before and in ina ina ina a few minutes she appeared Do you still wish for a long neck neck she asked the giraffe Tile The giraffe replied that he did and that he wished it to be very long in in- in deed How about you the forest fairy asked the toad Do you wish to be tall also The toad replied that he would re remain remain re- re main as he was that he was afraid he might not be happy if he got too far from the ground where he had hall always lived The forest fairy touched the giraffe giraffe giraffe gi gi- raffe with her black wand and up went his head far up among amog the trees The toad watched the neck gro grow gross long as as high as he could see and then he hopped under a stone for he was afraid the fairy might forget and touch him with her wand Many times he met the giraffe but buthis buthis his head was quite too high to see his old friend and in fact the toad only saw his friends friend's legs and body His neck was beyond his sight But one day he saw the giraffe cm on the ground resting and he hopped up to himI himI him I I suppose you are very happy rl ErT f now that you have your neck long he said The The giraffe giraffe looked very sober and I I then he said To tell the truth my friend I am very unhappy I can see to be sure but I see far too much How is that asked the toad I thought you wanted to tree see all that was happening So I did But I did not know what 1 I was to see my friend replied the giraffe I see the sky and the ocean and the cities and the d deserts and the mountains but I also see war and terrible suffering and shipwrecks ship ship- wrecks and many many things that cause unhappiness I was far happier when I saw only the tho things down here But I had m mv ma wish and now I must forever wear my head on this long neck Remain Remains as s you are friend toad and never noyer wish to be different The giraffe stood up and his head I Iwas was wax soon lost to the sight of the SJ toad who hopped fro way sway with a mournful mourn mournful ful look in his eyes It Is Just as I thought It would be he said I 1 knew If it the Creator thought it best for mo me to be tall I should have been een tall in the begin begin- ning We Ve are ate all put in the place weare weare we wo are best suited to occupy and no change we can wish for will make us happier Poor old giraffe I am sorry for him and I am glad I do not have to see the things he does docs 1317 1917 by th the McClure N Ne indicate I t N. N New ev York City |