were going to cut down this tree."

"I thought so, too," said Bobby. "But I was not frightened. I could
jump to that next tree. It is not very far."

"I know that," said Sammy. "But I have a store-house in this tree."

"Where is it?" asked Bobby. "I wish you would show it to me. I am as
hungry as a bear."

"So am I," said Sammy. "Let's have dinner now."

"We will call it a Christmas dinner. The children said this would make
a good Christmas tree," said Bobby.

"I wonder what a Christmas tree is like," said Sammy, as he ran along
the branch to find the store-house.

Bobby followed Sammy and peeped into the hole where the ten acorns were
hidden.

Sammy took out a nut, and Bobby took out a nut.

They sat up on their hind legs and nibbled away happily.

And as they nibbled, the man and the two children and the dog came back
through the woods.

They were dragging a little tree over the snow.

The dog ran along beside them barking loudly.

"That must be a Christmas tree," said Bobby. "I wonder what they are
going to do with it."

[Illustration: Once Bunny Rabbit saw a Christmas tree.]

"Tweet, tweet!" sang a little sparrow. "I can tell you. I saw one
last year.

"I peeped in at the window after the tree had been set up in the warm
room.

"I saw many pretty things hanging on the branches.

"I saw the candles lighted, and Santa Claus came in to give away the
toys to the happy children.

"Oh, it was pretty! But I like to see the tree in the woods better."

Then the little sparrow flew away, and the two squirrels ate another
nut.

"I think this is a good Christmas tree," said Bobby.

"Yes," said Sammy. "A tree with a hole full of nuts is better than one
covered with candles and toys."

"It is better for squirrels," said Bobby. And then he took another nut.

BOBTAIL'S KITE

I

North Wind was playing a game.

He was blowing the dry leaves over the ground.

He piled them up under the oak tree at the edge of the woods.

"Bend your head and bow to me, big oak tree," said North Wind.

The oak tree bowed and bowed its head.

North Wind blew on and on.

As he blew through the woods, every tree bowed, and bowed its head.

Bobtail and Billy and Bunny heard North Wind as he blew past their
house.

"Oh, how the wind blows!" said Bunny.

"I shall stay in the house to-day," said Billy. "I do not like the
wind."

But Bobtail did not like to stay in the house all day and sle