Introduction
Reading edition
As from the days your father’s father knew, This little story book now comes to you. So when you turn its pages, heed them well: Though strange the stories, many truths they tell. They tell of animals and birds and trees, Of children, flowers, and honeybees; Of a queer old man, and a quaint old town With crooked streets that ran up and down. They tell of these and many, many more. Still, this I’d add to what has gone before: In the wood there grows a tree—the thrifty tree— As wonderful as anything can be! Its trunk is copper; silver are its leaves; Its blossoms from bright golden threads it weaves; Its fruit is health and wealth and honest joy— So seek this goodly tree, wise girl and boy.
