Then the Spring came, and all over the
country there were little blossoms and
little birds. Only in the garden of the
selfish Giant it was still winter. The birds
did not care to sing in it as there were no
children, and the trees forgot to blossom.
Once a beautiful flower put its head out from
the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it
was so sorry for the children that it slipped back
into the ground again, and went off to sleep.
The only people who were pleased were the
Snow and the Frost. "Spring has forgotten this
garden," they cried, "so we will live here all the
year round." The Snow covered up the grass with
her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the
trees silver. Then they invited the North Wind to s
tay with them, and he came. He was wrapped in f
urs, and he roared all day about the garden, and
blew the chimney-pots down. "This is a delightful
spot," he said, "we must ask the Hail on a visit." So
the Hail came. Every day for three hours he rattled