Two winters came and went by and when the third winter came, the little Fir Tree had grown very tall. All the animals had to run around it. Every autumn, woodcutters came to the forest and cut down large trees.

The little Fir Tree shuttered as the trees fell to the ground with a crash. All the branches were cut

off so the trees were long and bare. They were put on wagons and dragged out of the forest. When

spring came the Fir Tree asked the swallows and storks where they took the trees. The swallow did

not know. The stork said: "I have seen many new ships when I flew out of Egypt. The ships had tall

masts with sails on them. I think the masts were made from the trees.

"Oh, I wish I were tall enough to go to sea" said the Fir tree.

"Be happy in your youth" said the sunbeams.

The wind kissed the tree and dew fell upon it. The Fir Tree grew taller. People passing by would say:

"Oh, what a beautiful tree."

VOCABULARY