black rocks close to the sands; I dare not go there, for they
will tear me to pieces."
4. "Take my hand, sister," said the earnest wave; "let us go
on together. How glorious it is to do some work."
5. "Shall we ever go back to mother?" "Yes, when our
work is done."

140 ECLECTIC SERIES.
6. So one and all hurried on. Even the little wave that
wanted to play, pressed on, and thought that work might be
fun after all. The timid ones did not like to be left behind,
and they became earnest as they got nearer the sands.
7. After all, it was fun, pressing on one after another--
jumping, laughing, running on to the broad, shining sands.
8. First, they came in their course to a great sand castle.
Splash, splash! they all


THIRD READER. 141
went over it, and down it came. "Oh, what fun!" they cried.
9. "Mother told me to bring these seaweeds; I will find a
pretty place for them," said one--and she ran a long way over
the sands, and left them among the pebbles. The pebbles
cried, "We are glad you are come. We wanted washing."
10. "Mother sent these shells; I do n't know where to put
them," said a little fretful wave. "Lay them one by one on the
sand, and do not break them," said the eldest wave.
11. And the little one went about its work, and learned to
be quiet and gentle, for fear of breaking the shells.
12. "Where is my work?" said a great, full-grown wave.