Seven O'Clock Stories by Robert Gordon Anderson
page 23 of 157 (14%)
page 23 of 157 (14%)
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THE WILLOW WHISTLE
The Toyman sat by the pond under the "Crying Tree." That is what Marmaduke calls it, though the Toyman says it is a weeping willow. It's leaves are a very pretty green, much lighter than the leaves of the other trees. And the branches bend over till they reach the water. They really do look like showers of tears. Sometimes little leaves fall into the water and float away like silver-green boats, rowed by tiny fairies. Jehosophat, Marmaduke, and Hepzebiah came up to the "Crying Tree." "What are you doing, Toyman," asked Marmaduke. "Watch and you will see." They were always asking him that question and he was always telling them to watch and see. So they did. In his hand he had his knife, which could make as many things as a fairy's wand. It had four blades and a corkscrew. The Toyman cut some thin branches from the tree. From these he cut three pieces, each about as long as his first finger and about as thick as his little finger. One end of each piece of wood he cut like the stern of a boat, then he cut a notch near the end. |
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