After the branches were lopped off, the trunks looked so slender and
bare that they could scarcely be recognized. Then they were placed,
one upon another, upon wagons, and drawn by horses out of the forest.
"Where could they be going? What would become of them?" The young fir
tree wished very much to know.
So in the spring, when the swallows and the storks came, it asked, "Do
you know where those trees were taken? Did you meet them?"
The swallows knew nothing; but the stork, after a little reflection,
nodded his head, and said, "Yes, I think I do. As I flew from Egypt, I
saw several new ships, and they had fine masts that smelt like fir.
These must have been the trees; and I assure you they were stately;
they sailed right gloriously!"
"Oh, how I wish I were tall enough to go on the sea," said the fir
tree. "Tell me what is this sea, and what does it look like?"
"It would take too much time to explain, a great deal too much," said
the stork, flying quickly away.
"Rejoice in thy youth," said the sunbeam; "rejoice in thy fresh
growth, and in the young life that is in thee."
And the wind kissed the tree, and the dew watered it with tears; but
the fir tree regarded them not.
Christmas time drew near, and many young trees were cut down, some
that were even smaller and younger than the fir tree, who enjoyed
neither rest nor peace with longing to leave its forest home.
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