IT was lovely summer weather in the country, and the golden corn, the green oats, and the
haystacks piled up in the meadows looked beautiful. The stork walking about on his long re
d legs chattered in the Egyptian language, which he had learnt from his mother. The corn-f
ields and meadows were surrounded by large forests, in the midst of which were deep pools.
It was, indeed, delightful to walk about in the country. In a sunny spot stood a pleasant
old farm-house close by a deep river, and from the house down to the water side grew grea
t burdock leaves, so high, that under the tallest of them a little child could stand uprig
ht. The spot was as wild as the centre of a thick wood. In this snug retreat sat a duck on
her nest, watching for her young brood to hatch; she was beginning to get tired of her ta
sk, for the little ones were a long time coming out of their shells, and she seldom had an
y visitors.