helping her so
well on all of the thirty-one days he had spent with her, and told him
she would send for him again when her next cleaning day came around.

How the Raindrops and Sunbeams Helped

One morning Mother Nature looked about her, and said: "My children have
had such a nice long rest and it will do them good, for they have a busy
summer before them. It is time to go to work now, and as some of the
babies just won't wake up till they have to, I must send for my helpers
at once." The long days carried her messages, which in our language
would have read something like this:--

My Dear Helpers, Sunbeams, and Raindrops:--

You are needed down here on earth. It is time to dress my plant
children, and give them work to do. The birds must be called back from
the South, and the cocooons must be opened so that my butterflies can
come out. I shall have to make good soil and get my clover beds ready
for the honey makers. Come at once, as some have been sleeping too long
already. Whisper to the trees as you pass that it is time they were
budding, Be gentle with all, for they are my children, and I love them.

Good-bye, from your Mother Nature

This she directed to the Sunbeams at Blue Sky Park, and the Raindrops at
Cloud Land. When the message reached these little helpers, they started
off at once to obey the call, and the sun gave such a merry laugh, that
Grandma came to the door of the farm house and remarked: "How warm it
is today, quite like spring; I believe I will set out my geraniums." But
just then a silvery voice said: "Wait a little while longer till we make
the ground soft," and pop came a raindrop upon the dear old lady's
nose, and she hurried into the house, saying "What queer weather we are
having! first sun and then rain." Then the Raindrops and Sunbeams smiled
at each other, and danced more merrily, for they knew what good work
they were doing to the great brown house where the flowers dwell.

The tap, tap, of the Raindrops wake them up, and when they raised their
sleepy heads and felt the warm kisses of the Sunbeams, they were glad
and began to grow. Soft breezes called to the leaves to come out, and
soon the brown coats which the trees had worn all winter were replaced
by new green dresses. Pussy willow and snowdrop were the first to
herald the spring, and crocus and violet soon followed. Out in the woods
blossomed tiny pink and white May flowers. Little seeds burst off their
jackets and sent