T HE sun had set, and it was getting dark, and the children in the forest were still thinking only of play. Soon it grew darker, and darker, and they were afraid, as they did not know the way home. All at once, a light shone through the trees. At first they thought it was only a fire, but it rose high in the air, and they saw it was the moon. And when the moon saw the children, she said, "Good evening, my children, why are you out so late?"

The children were afraid, at first, but when they saw that the moon smiled kindly at them, they took heart, and said: "Ah! we have staid too late, and we cannot find the way home, because it is so dark."

They wept so loud, that the moon was very sorry for them, and said, "I will give you light, so that you can find your way." She shone out so brightly, that it was almost as clear as if it had been day.

Then the children were glad, and ran, merrily singing and dancing, all the way. At the door, they turned and said, "Dear moon, we thank you for having lighted us so well."

And the moon said, "I am glad you are safely home. Run, now, to your mother, for she is anxious about you."

Tell me, pretty moon, 
Can you see,
Here in the window, 
Baby brother and me? 

Waiting and wishing 
From you to hear, 
Why in the sunshine, 
You never appear? 

Do your baby stars,
Sleep all through the day, 
Then come out at night
To frolic and play?

Must you always be there 
To cradle them all,
In the early morn, 
Lest one might fall?

Can you hear what we say, 
Baby and I?
Is it ever so far,
Way up in the sky? 

If we were up there,
Would we each be a star? 
Would mamma know  us, 
Away so far?

Come to think—pretty moon, 
Baby and I,
Cannot leave dear mamma. 
We'll tell you why.

While you and your stars, 
Are ever so bright, 
Mamma is dearer.
We wish you good-night.

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