Parables from flowers

Doth not thy heart throb with emotions of thankfulness to God for making the earth so fair, so redolent of beauty in its garniture of flowers, and for having scattered these silent teachers up and down the world? EDINBURGH: W. P. NIMMO, HAY, & MITCHELL. TO MY DEAR LITTLE FRIENDS, MABEL, ELSIE, and RUBY TARR. CONTENTS. PAGE I. THE FORGET-ME-NOT—FIDELITY 7 II. THE SNOWDROP—FAITH 22 III. THE FOXGLOVES' STRATAGEM—GRATITUDE 30 IV. THE LITTLE MINER AND HIS FLOWER—TRUST IN GOD 46 V. THE LITTLE SEED—KINDNESS 68 VI. THE CROWN IMPERIAL—HOPE 83 VII. THE TWO LEAVES—DISCONTENT 89 VIII. THE AMBITIOUS WILD-FLOWER—AMBITION 99 IX. THE HONEYSUCKLE AND THE BUTTERFLY—HUMILITY AND PRIDE 115 PARABLES FROM FLOWERS. PARABLE FIRST. THE FORGET-ME-NOT—FIDELITY. n the days of the long-ago, my ancestors did not dwell as we do now—in brooks or by the banks of shallow streams, but grew in wild luxuriance beneath the shade of overhanging trees, and under the wayside hedgerows. We were always a quiet, unassuming race, and, indeed, I am fain to confess, were not held in more esteem by mortals than are our sweet cousins whom children call 'Bird's-eyes.' But some one made known to the world that pathetic 'Legend of the Rhine,' in which we are described, then people began to perceive that we were pretty, lovely indeed,—and to make a great fuss about us; but such is the way of the world! Yet, though that legend is tenderly beautiful and thrilling, it is almost too romantic to please the taste of simple flowers, therefore I will tell you the true story how we acquired our name. That shall be my parable—see what it will teach! We grew there, unheeded and unsought, on soft mossy banks, not the less lovely because unknown, and just above our dwelling-place a large oak spread abroad its leafy branches. It was a favourite tree of the birds, they felt so secure there, sheltered from prying eyes by its protecting leaves; besides, its branches were so firm and strong, they resisted bravely the fury of the storms that swept over them. What bird, then, would fear to build its nest there? And often have we listened to their sweet songs as they perched above us, and many times lifted our heads and gazed upon the happy inmates of those simple homes. But there was one family among them that interested us even more than others, though all