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    There was once a time when birch trees had no stripes. They were 

pale as the moon, and very beautiful. But the birch trees had a flaw. 

They knew very well that they were lovely, and it had gone to their 

head. 

     Now, in the forest there were other trees too. They, however, had 

color, and looked just like any other tree.   The birch trees knew this, 

and for reasons unknown they began to flaunt their beauty in front of 

the other trees. Soon, the oaks and the maples began to grumble, for 

they were the oldest and had endured this for many years. "Arrogant 

fools!" they said. "They should show more respect."   The more the 

older trees groaned, the more the younger trees began to anger too. 

And soon, the whole forest was alive with anger. But the birch trees did 

not pay attention. Finally, it came to the attention of   the Wise Owl. 

Her nest was in the biggest tree in the forest, and so the maples and 

the oaks and ashes and the cherries all came to her. "What can we do? 

We cannot stand this for much longer." they all chorused together. 

"First, " said the Wise Owl,   "you should mix together charcoal from 

the Mans Fire.

      "Then, you must paint stripes on each of the Birch trees. Then you 

must not say a word about the stripes to the birches. They must find 

out for themselves."  

      At dawn, the trees sent out a Cherry Tree to retrieve the ashes 

from the fire. When he came back all the Maples mixed together the 

charcoal and some water. Soon they had black paint. All the trees crept 

through the forest to where the Birch trees were sleeping. They 

painted each and every one of the pale trees until all of them had 

stripes. Then the other trees stole away to wear they slept. 

Soon they heard a scream. The Birch trees had seen themselves! They 

came running over to wear the Maples, Oaks, Cherries,   and Ash trees 

were pretending to sleep. "Look at us! Help us get this off!" they 

begged. "If you apologize for being very rude to us, we will help you." 

rumbled one of the largest Oaks. But the Birch trees pride would not 

allow it. 

     So, up until today, birch trees have always had their stripes because 

they simply will not apologize. Remember that pride always takes a 

fall.

     A long time ago, all frogs had beautiful voices. Their proud 

songs could be heard all over, in small ponds, mud beds, little 

streams. Their wonderful symphonies were loved by all. But as 

time went by, the many frogs were to old to sing any longer. 

Their voices cracked, they went out of tune, and in a mere matter 

of months, their voices were gone entirely. Now, in the early 

months of spring, when you would normally hear the proud frog 

voices, all you could hear was the wind whistling across the 

empty ponds. 

     The old frogs were desperate. Very soon, the animals of the 

valley would expect to hear their voices, for spring was about 

them. But they had no voice. All they could do was croak. "What 

can we do?" they cried. "Our voices are ugly!"   They sat in 

thought for many hours. Suddenly, the oldest frog jumped up. 

"We will teach our sons to sing!" he said, with a huge frog grin. 

All the others sighed in relief. 

     That night, the frog fathers told their sons what was expected 

of them. "My voice is too old now to sing. You must take my 

place when you have grown." they said. But they were all in for a 

surprise. 

     Early the next morning, all the old frogs came running to the 

pond. "My son refuses!" one said. "Mine too!" said another. 

"What will we do? Tomorrow we are expected to sing! It is the 

first day of spring!" screamed the youngest one. "Calm down!" 

roared the oldest frog.   During the hubbub, no frog noticed the 

small Peeper climbing up a rock. "I could sing," he said, and 

though his voice was very soft, there was instant silence when he 

spoke. The old frog was the first to regain his composure. "You? 

You are too small." The Peeper snapped his fingers with a 

devilish grin. Out of the bushes came hundreds of the small 

frogs, just waking up from winter hibernation. 

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