THE PROUD LITTLE APPLE BLOSSOM


It was the month of May, but the wind still blew cool, for the sun was
not yet ready to shed his warmest rays on the waiting earth.

Yet some of the birds had come, and more were on their way, and many
beautiful blossoms were already showing their pink and white blooms, so
that from bush and tree, field and flower, came the glad cry, "Spring is
here! Spring is here." Now, it happened that a young princess rode by a
beautiful orchard in full bloom, and she stopped to pick a branch of
apple blossoms to take to her palace. All who saw the apple blossom
praised its beauty and fragrance until the blossom became proud, and
thought that beauty was the only valuable thing in the world. But as the
apple blossom looked out upon the field she thought: "Not all of the
plants are rich and beautiful, as I am, some seem poor and plain." And
she noticed a little, common, yellow flower, which seemed to lift up its
sunny head and grow everywhere.

The apple blossom said to the plain little flower, "What is your name?"

"I am called the dandelion," replied the little flower.

"Poor little plant," said the apple blossom. "It is not your fault; but
how sad you must feel to be so plain and to bear such an ugly name."

Before the little plant could reply a lovely little sunbeam came dancing
along and said: "I see no ugly flowers. They are all beautiful alike to
me." And he kissed the apple blossom; but he stooped low and lingered