bright and beautifully-colored leaves and bushes met his gaze. All
were brown and black. "What is the matter with my pictures?" he asked.
"I thought they would be very beautiful this year."

"You stole out before it was time, and you not only surprised the
farmers, but you spoiled all your gorgeous pictures and cheated all the
people who look for them. There will be none this year because you
thought you knew more than I. Go home. There is no work for you, and
perhaps you will listen to me next year and not get up until I call
you."

Jack Frost went home a sadder but wiser fellow and the next year he
slept and did not put his frosty nose out from under his blanket until
old Madam North Wind called him.

THE REVENGE OF THE FIREFLIES

[Illustration: Revenge of the Fireflies]

The Fireflies and the Goblins had always been good friends, just as
they were with the Fairies, until one night when the Goblins held a
frolic in the woods and did not invite the Fireflies to come.

It was a bright moonlight night, and the Goblins, who did not think
much about anyone or anything if it did not in some way help them, knew
they would not need the Fireflies' lanterns, so they did not bother to
send them an invitation.

When the moon was high up in the sky so it shone down on all the trees
in the woods, making it almost like daylight, the Goblins came tumbling
out of their rocks and began their frolic.

They tumbled and they played such antics in the moonlight that anyone
who did not know who they were and had seen them would surely have
thought them a lot of crazy little creatures.

Of course, the Fireflies came flying along, and when they saw what was
going on they began asking one another if anyone had received an
invitation.

"It is plain to be seen why they did not invite us," said one old
Firefly. "They did not need us because the moon is shining."

"That shows us what their friendship is worth," said another. "If they
need our lights, they invite us; if not, we are forgotten."

For a few minutes all the Fireflies flashed with anger and then the old
Firefly said. "I think we can have revenge if all of you will do as I
tell you, and if I am not much mistaken those Goblin fellows will
remember us the next time they have a frolic, even if they do not need
us."

All the Fireflies wanted to know what the old Firefly had in his mind,
but not a word would he tell them about his plan until they ran about
and c