n the ground at the foot of a quickset hedge. As
yet it was but a weakly sprig, not knowing its own strength, nor even
dreaming that it would ever rise far above the earth. Yet still it was
very contented, drawing happiness from its lowly surroundings, happy in
living, and feeling the warm sunshine kissing its fragile leaves.

Close by, there was a strange, dark, oblong mass, and the little
Honeysuckle tried to imagine what it could possibly be, for it never
moved, nor evinced emotion of any kind; and yet it was alive, because
people would take it up, examine it, then put it down again, saying,--

'It is only a common Chrysalis!' But what _that_ was the Honeysuckle
knew not.

At last, one day, when the sun was shining very brightly indeed, and the
air was warm, and filled with the sweet breath of spring, to her great
surprise she saw this peculiar object move, then by degrees the dark
brown casing was cast aside, and she saw that it had wings!

'Why, what are you?' she questioned, in utter amazement at this
marvellous transformation.

'Me!' he replied. 'Oh, I am a Butterfly, and you will see that very soon
I shall become most lovely, such gloriously tinted feathers will deck my
wings, all the world will be lost in admiration, I shall be so
beautiful!'

'And will you let me see you then?' the meek little flower asked humbly.

'Oh yes! certainly you shall gaze upon me,' he answered, with a mighty
air of condescension.

'But will you not always remain here?' she questioned, pleased at the
idea of having so charming a neighbour.

'Dear me, no! I should think not, indeed. Why, I shall fly far away
from this humble neighbourhood!' was his exclamation.

'What! and leave me?'

'Certainly! what else could you expect?' he replied. 'My ambition could
not endure such a humdrum existence as yours; with these gay-coloured
wings of mine I shall soar to higher realms, and be courted and caressed
where'er I go!'

'Oh that I had wings like yours, or that you clung to earth!' sighed the
tender-hearted Honeysuckle, who, from having been so long in close
companionship with the dark, unsociable Chrysalis had actually grown to
like him.

'Nonsense! what a ridiculous wish!' exclaimed the gaudy insect, who did
not share his little friend's feeling of regard. 'Why, I should die if I
were rooted to one place! I require a large sphere in which to move
about; while as to you--I doubt if ever you will rise higher in the
world than y