Transcriber’s Note:
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
THE LITTLE PRINCESS IN THE WOOD
One lovely summer morning the littlePrincess Rosemary woke up early, jumpedout of bed, put on her crown and poppedher head out of the castle window. Thereshe saw, through the branches of the Queen’sbest rose-tree, a merry band of Dew Children,sparkling through the castle park aslightly as if blown on the morning wind.
The Princess laughed for joy and theDew Children heard her. They came runningover the grass and called to her tocome down and play with them.
Quick as a bird, Princess Rosemaryslipped downstairs and out into the fresh,sunny summer morning.
When the six little Dew Children—theirnames were Rainbow, Glisten and Diamond,Dewdrop, Sparkle and Pearl—heard thatshe had not washed and brushed anddressed, they hurried her away to a clearlittle brook that flowed through the meadownear by. Two of them washed her faceand hands in clear, sparkling water andanother dried her gently. One brushed hersunny hair; another fitted on her little goldenslippers and a third tied on her crimsonrobe.
When the sun grew warm the Dew Childrenvanished away, and five little Moss-boysscampered up and begged the Princessto share their breakfast. The Moss-boys’names were Evergreen, Moss-cap,Velvet, Soft-step and Green Jacket.
They led her to a little table spread onthe roots of a tree in the castle garden,and made her a seat on a low branch.One brought her toast and warm milk,another moss-jelly, another honey and anothersweet wild strawberries, gathered inthe wood.
Green Jacket has some cakes to offerbut he sees that the bold red squirrel hasspied them from the treetop and come downto try one.
After breakfast Master Crow flew downwith specs on beak and book under wing.He gave the little Princess a pencil, and aslate with a golden rim, and told her tosit on the grassy bank under a tree. ThenMaster Crow perched on a stump and openedhis book with a “Caw, caw, caw!” He taughtthe little Princess to spell such words asSPRING and BIRDS and NESTS and EGGS.It was the nicest school she had ever heardof.
Whisk, the squirrel, watched from anearby tree and was glad HE did not haveto go to school.