What the Brook Said

A BROOK was flowing along so quickly, one little wave hurrying the other, that a little boy stopped by its side to watch and admire it. He watched the beautiful clear stream, as it hurried on, and wished he might run along with it into the wide world.

"Little brook, won't you take me with you?" said the boy.

The brook answered, "I cannot wait for you, dear child; I have much work to do to-day."

"What can you have to do?" asked the boy.

"I will tell," said the brook: "I must go to the mill and turn the wheels; must flow to the meadows and water the flowers; must take water to the people, so they can drink and bathe; all the birds and animals drink from me, and the river is waiting for me to take me to the sea. In the sea there are many big fishes, and heavy vessels that I help to carry. You, dear child, must stay with your mother till you are grown. So, for the present, good-bye."

"Good-bye, dearest brooklet, I wish you a pleasant journey; and some day, when I am a man, I will follow you."