was not a pretty story at all, and the little mice were very sorry,
for it made them also think less of it.

"Do you know only that one story?" asked the rats.

"Only that one," replied the fir tree. "I heard it on the happiest
evening of my life; but I did not know I was so happy at the time."

"We think it is a very miserable story," said the rats. "Don't you
know any story about bacon or tallow in the storeroom?"

"No," replied the tree.

"Many thanks to you, then," replied the rats, and they went their
ways.

The little mice also kept away after this, and the tree sighed and
said, "It was very pleasant when the merry little mice sat around me
and listened while I talked. Now that is all past too. However, I
shall consider myself happy when someone comes to take me out of this
place."

But would this ever happen? Yes; one morning people came to clear up
the garret; the boxes were packed away, and the tree was pulled out of
the corner and thrown roughly on the floor; then the servants dragged
it out upon the staircase where the daylight shone.

"Now life is beginning again," said the tree, rejoicing in the
sunshine and fresh air. Then it was carried downstairs and taken into
the courtyard so quickly that it forgot to think of itself, and could