for its skin, which felt a
little tight for it already.

It said nothing of this to the learned grain, at first, because it was
determined not to burst if it could help it; but after the same thing had
happened a great many times, it found, one morning, that it really was
swelling, and it felt obliged to tell the learned grain about it.

"Well," it said, pettishly, "I suppose you will be glad to hear that you
were right, I _am_ going to burst. My skin is so tight now that it
doesn't fit me at all, and I know I can't stand another warm shower like
the last."

"Oh!" said the learned grain, in a quiet way (really learned people
always have a quiet way), "I knew I was right, or I shouldn't have said
so. I hope you don't find it very uncomfortable. I think I myself shall
burst by to-morrow."

"Of course I find it uncomfortable," said the proud grain. "Who wouldn't
find it uncomfortable, to be two or three sizes too small for one's self!
Pouf! Crack! There I go! I have split up all up my right side, and I must
say it's a relief."

"Crack! Pouf! so have I," said the learned grain. "Now we must begin to
push up through the earth. I am sure my relation did that."

"Well, I shouldn't mind getting out into the air. It would be a change
at least."

So each of them began to push her way through the earth as strongly as
she could, and, sure enough, it was not long before the proud grain
actually found herself out in the world again, breathing the sweet air,
under the blue sky, across which fleecy white clouds were drifting, and
swift-winged, happy birds darting.

"It really is a lovely day," were the first words the proud grain said.
It couldn't help it. The sunshine was so delightful, and the birds
chirped and twittered so merrily in the bare branches, and, more
wonderful than all, the great field was brown no longer, but was covered
with millions of little, fresh green blades, which trembled and bent
their frail bodies before the light wind.

"This _is_ an improvement," said the proud grain.

Then there was a little stir in the earth beside it, and up through the
brown mould came the learned grain, fresh, bright, green, like the rest.

"I told you I was not a common grain of wheat," said the proud one.

"You are not a grain of wheat at all now," said the learned one,
modestly. "You are a blade of wheat, and there are a great many others
like you."

"See how green I am!" said the proud blade.

"Yes, you are very gr