you screaming, Flea?"

"Because little Spider has scalded herself in the beer-tub," replied
she.

Thereupon the door began to creak as if it were in pain; and a broom,
which stood in the corner, asked, "What are you creaking for, door?"

"May I not creak?" it replied:

"The little Spider's scalt herself,
And the Flea weeps."

So the broom began to sweep industriously, and presently a little cart
came by, and asked the reason. "May I not sweep?" replied the broom:

"The little Spider's scalt herself,
And the Flea weeps;
The little door creaks with the pain,"--

Thereupon the little cart said: "So will I run," and began to run very
fast, past a heap of ashes, which cried out: "Why do you run, little
cart?"

"Because," replied the cart:

"The little Spider's scalt herself,
And the Flea weeps;
The little door creaks with the pain,
And the broom sweeps."

"Then," said the ashes, "I will burn furiously." Now, next the ashes
there grew a tree, which asked: "Little heap, why do you burn?"

"Because," was the reply:

"The little Spider's scalt herself,
And the Flea weeps;
The little door creaks with the pain,
And the broom sweeps;
The little cart runs on so fast,"--

Thereupon the tree cried, "I will shake myself!" and went on shaking
till all its leaves fell off.

A little girl passing by with a water-pitcher saw it shaking, and
asked: "Why do you shake yourself, little tree?"

"Why may I not?" said the tree:

"The little Spider's scalt herself,
And the Flea weeps;
The little door creaks with the pain,
And the broom sweeps;
The little cart runs on so fast,
And the ashes burn."

Then the maiden said: "If so, I will break my pitcher;" and she threw
it down and broke it.

At this the streamlet, from which she drew the water, asked:

"Why do you break your pitcher, my little girl?"

"Why may I not?" she replied; for

"The little Spider's scalt herself,
And the Flea weeps;
The little door creaks with the pain,
And the broom sweeps;
The little cart runs on so fast,
And the ashes burn;
The little tree shakes down its leaves--
Now it is my turn!"

"Ah, then," said the s