human
It was all my geography lesson, Uncle! said Nibble.
gpt
I played I was Christopher Columbus, so that I should like it better, and I learned it all, every word of it. But I finished before Mr. Colburn had written his books, so I--
human
Stop! stop! Nibble! cried Uncle Jack.
gpt
Who is Mr. Colburn, pray? and what has he to do with your geography lesson?
human
Why, he is Brighteyes! said Nibble.
gpt
To make her like her arithmetic lesson, don't you know?
human
Oh! indeed! said Uncle Jack.
gpt
Go on, Christopher!
human
So, continued Nibble,
gpt
I thought I would go on a voyage of discovery, a _real_ voyage. And I saw that little trap door in the ceiling, that you said must be an old sky-light covered over--
human
And that I forbade you to meddle with,
gpt
Well, yes, Uncle, I know you did. But if Columbus had minded what other people said, would he ever have found America?
human
Humph! said Uncle Jack, trying to suppress a smile.
gpt
Well, sir?
human
Well, sir, responded Nibble,
gpt
(I should say he did! there was a heap of tables and chairs, desks and books, sofa-pillows and coal-scuttles, under the open trap-door, which was enough to frighten one,)
human
gpt
And you came down rather faster than you meant to?
human
Dear to goodness, sir! cried Mrs. Posset, who had been picking up the gold pieces, and had her apron full of them.
gpt
It's my belief that this is neither more nor less than old Jonas Junk's treasure, of which the neighbors talk so much.
human
It certainly is, Mrs. Posset! replied Uncle Jack.
gpt
And I think we must always call Nibble Christopher Columbus, for he certainly has made a great discovery!
human
Oh! Mr. Moonman! they cried,
gpt
It is only a week since I last came, little mice! I replied;
human
Oh! tell us about them, and tell us their names, and tell us the stories you told them!
gpt
And take us on another journey, oh! _please_!
human
How is a poor Moonman to do everything at once? I inquired.
gpt
In the first place, there will be no traveling to-night, let me tell you. A very disagreeable Wind has the watch to-night, and I would not trust you in his hands. Yes, he is a detestable fellow, very different from our seven little friends of the other night. He actually tried to blow out my lantern, which is a piece of impudence I have seldom met with. You shall hear a story about him if you will, for only last night I was telling one to Marie and Emil.
human
Yes! yes! cried the mice;
gpt
Yes, I replied;
human
Oh! sighed Nibble,
gpt
I wish Uncle Jack had a yacht, and a passion for the sea!
human
That would be admirable! said I.
gpt
Two children on a yacht are all very well, but if there were five, the captain and all the crew would jump overboard and drown themselves, I fancy. Certainly, Marie and Emil are very happy on board the Victoria. Marie has a cabin of her own, the prettiest little room you can imagine, where she sits and reads, or swings in her hammock, when she is tired of staying on deck. The sailors are all devoted to them, and now that they are ill on shore, the big captain, Jacques Legros, goes every day up to the house, to ask if 'the little angels are better?'
human
What is the matter with them? asked Brighteyes;
gpt
You shall have the story now! I said,
human
Chippity-wippity pip pip, cheepy peepy weep wee-e-e! they said; and that meant
gpt
Wake up, old Tree! Spring has sent us to call you. She is coming directly, and she wants you to get your leaves out as soon as possible, as she has forgotten her parasol, and wants some shade for her pretty head.
human
Tell my lady Spring that I will be ready. And then he shook his branches, and called out,
gpt
Little leaves, little children, open your buds and come out! come out! And one by one the little buds with which the branches were covered opened, and out popped the little leaves. At first they shivered, and wished themselves back in their warm little houses; but the old Tree spoke kindly to them, and then the sunbeams came and kissed them, so that they felt quite happy, and even began to dance about a little on the branches. And they said to each other,
human
How foolish we were, to think of shutting ourselves up again in those close houses. Here we shall be free and happy, and we will dance all day and all night.
gpt
Little leaves, lovely leaves, will you not dance with me? And the little leaves said,
human
Who are you, that whispers so softly? And the voice answered,
gpt
I am the Wind, and I have come to be your playfellow. I can sing, too, and sweetly, and we shall all be happy together. So the Wind sang them a low, sweet song; and then he danced with them, and kissed them gently, and played with them; and they all said,
human
Oh, dear, gentle Wind, how charming you are! will you not play with us every day, and make us happy?
gpt
My children, beware of the Wind, for he is not to be trusted. Soft and gentle he is to-day, but to-morrow he may be fierce and terrible. Play with him and dance with him, but be always on your guard. And the little leaves nodded their little heads, and answered,
human
Yes, good father, we will be careful.
gpt
And some day, little leaves, he said,
human
No, dear Wind! we love you, and it would be delightful to go with you, but we cannot leave our father Tree, who is so kind to us, and loves us so dearly.
gpt
Never mind! some day you will come,--some day! and away he flew. But oh! the next time he came, what a different Wind he was! no longer gentle, playful, caressing, but fierce, and rough, and stormy. He rushed at the great Tree, howling furiously. He seized the little leaves, and whirled and dashed them about, trying to tear them from the branches; and flung himself against the Tree, as if he would even loose his rooted hold on the ground. But the leaves clung closer and closer, trembling and shivering; and the great Tree braced himself, and met the fierce blast bravely, never losing an inch of his foothold, and giving back blow for blow with his long powerful arms. At last the Wind was tired and flew away, howling and moaning with anger and disappointment. The little leaves were sadly frightened, but their father Tree comforted them, and said,
human
Courage, my children! I have fought many a battle with the Wind, and he has never beaten me yet. Only be brave and faithful, and he cannot overcome you.