Just as before, when the clock struck twelve, in jumped the tiny elves.

They went skipping and dancing, skipping and dancing, to their work.

They saw the little coats, the tiny stockings, and the neat little
shoes.

They clapped their hands for joy.

Then, slipping on their clothes, they skipped, hand in hand, out of the
window.

The shoemaker and his wife never saw the little elves again, but after
that night, good luck seemed always to be with them.

_English Folk Tale_




THE SHIP

laden move


I saw a ship a-sailing,
A-sailing on the sea;
And, oh, it was all laden
With pretty things for thee!