"Very much, Grandma."

66 Then as soon as the others come in, we can begin."

Shortly after, Ben and Belle came in and Grandma began

WHY THE ROBIN WEARS A RED BREAST.

Once upon a time, in the long, long ago, when the old, old world was a very young world indeed, the great King Solomon came forth from his golden palace in the early dawn. The dew lay heavily

upon the fair pomegranate trees and fragrant roses. The sun still lingered in his dark hiding place. All nature slept.

King Solomon had put off his golden crown, and his golden mantle and slippers were ready beside his golden bed. Down the King's cheeks ran pearly drops, falling heavier than upon the sleeping grass. The great King wept because he had lost his milk-white Pearl

dew

of Wisdom. In his youth the Serpent had given it to him, bidding him wear it always upon his breast.

Thus his words had been wise and his deeds just, as became a great king, the ruler over all the earth. Too well the King knew now

that without its advice his rule would be no longer wise and just.

While the King still wept before his palace gates, the sun rose, golden and majestic. A Robin, brown of breast, circled swiftly around the great King, then perched upon his shoulder with a merry chirp.

"What grieves thee, my lord?" he asked, with a loving glance at the King's sad face.

66

Thy lord am I no longer," sighed Solomon. "I have lost my milky Pearl. Gone is the wisdom that made me King over all the world.'

"I will find thy milk-white Pearl and make thee glad again," chirped the little brown Robin.

"Nay, little brown Robin," replied the King; "how canst thou?"

66

"Love can do more than wisdom, my lord," chirped the Robin. Truly I love my little brown mate nesting among the roses, but I love thee best of all."

"Little brown Robin, this only do I know: Last night as I slept upon my golden bed the milky Pearl lay on my breast. This morning I felt for the Pearl. It was gone.

"Love can do more than wisdom, my lord. I will find the Pearl for thee," chirped the little brown Robin.

"Ask Friend Serpent to aid you," piped the little blades of grass at the King's feet.

"Not so," spoke Solomon; "the Serpent has forsaken me since the day I bade him harm man no more. I have not seen him since."

"Yet he was here last night,” went on the Grass Blades. "We felt his slimy body glide past us into the palace. When he returned, the silver rings on his shining black body shone strangely in the soft, white light that came from his brow.'

"So did my milk-white Pearl shine in the darkness!" sighed the King.

The Robin's tiny, brown feathers bristled with excitement. "" My lord," he cried, " truly love can do more than wisdom. The Serpent hates thee because he must by thy command feed henceforth upon the frog. He stole the milky Pearl. That was the soft, white light that came from his brow as he crept away the early dawn.'

in

"It may be so, yet what can I do against his cunning? He taught me all I know," replied Solomon.

"Leave

"Aha!" chirped the Robin. Friend Serpent to me. I doubt if his wisdom can outwit my love. I will fetch this Pearl for thee."

Solomon went into the palace. There he put on his golden crown and slippers of purest

་

gold, slipped the golden mantle over his shoulders, and took the golden scepter in his right hand. Then he hastened down to his golden throne beside the grass-grown circle, ringed with white and yellow daisies.

Day by day the great King Solomon sat there waiting, waiting for the return of the little brown Robin. Meanwhile Friend Robin flew boldly away in search of the Serpent with the stolen Pearl.

The little brown Robin had always been a merry, friendly little soul, and the birds and the blossoms all loved him.

"Whither away so far from home, little brown Robin?" cried a familiar, silvery voice, as he neared the deep river.

"Who are you, Broad Water?" asked the Robin, pausing in his flight.

"Your old friend, the Brook, grown broader and deeper now. But I love you just the same, brown Robin," replied the river.

"Then, perhaps, you will help me, Broad Water," said the Robin. "I am searching for the Serpent. He has stolen the great King Solomon's milk-white Pearl of Wisdom."