December 13, 2024 • 37 mins
Slumber to the enchanting tale of the little fir tree who grapples with feelings of envy and self-worth amidst the vibrant world of fruit and wood trees. As the seasons unfold, each tree flaunts its own beauty, leaving the humble fir tree yearning to find her place. With guidance from the wise Tree Master, she learns that her time to shine will come—a heartwarming reminder that every one of us has a unique role to play, especially when the world seems to overlook our hidden strengths.
The music in this episode is Nonsensically by Bonn Fields.
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Dreamful is produced and hosted by Jordan Blair. Edited by Katie Sokolovska. Theme song by Joshua Snodgrass. Cover art by Jordan Blair. ©️ Dreamful LLC
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Welcome to Dreamful Podcast.
Bedtime stories or slumber.
Before we get into today'sepisode, this is the last call
for a special offer on Patreonfor Christmas.
Up until December 15th, you cansign up for the Christmas
special on patreoncom slashdreamful podcast to receive a
(00:42):
handwritten Christmas card fromme, a shout out on our Christmas
episode and access to over 100bonus episodes.
Something I forgot to mentionin the last episode is that this
tier is $10, but afterChristmas I will be dropping the
monthly price down to theregular $4.99.
I hope this helps.
So when you sign up, be sure togive the name and mailing
(01:04):
address of the recipient so Ican get their card to them by
Christmas.
I can send cardsinternationally so you can buy a
special even if you are outsidethe US.
If you don't want a Christmaspresent but still want to
support the show and gain accessto subscriber-only episodes
while receiving a shout-out,visit dreamfullstoriescom and,
on the support page page, find alink to become a Buzzsprout
(01:26):
supporter or subscribe viaSupercast if you listen on
Spotify, where donations gotowards things like music
licensing, equipment upgradesand, of course, paying my
amazing editor, katie, fortoday's episode.
When looking through old booksof holiday stories, I found a
wonderful story about thecreation of all the beautiful
(01:48):
kinds of trees called the LittleFir Tree.
So snuggle up in your blanketsand have sweet dreams.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I love you.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Longer ago than you ever heard of and farther away
than you ever dreamed, the greattree master went out to make
the trees.
Now, the making of trees was amost important matter and the
tree master put his whole mindto it.
(03:01):
Put his whole mind to it.
He made all sorts of trees touse for building houses and
making things to furnish thehouses Oak, maple, elm, ash,
mahogany, rosewood and many more, as you well know.
Then he made all sorts of treesto bear food, fruits, nuts,
(03:29):
olives and queer things likebreadfruit and coconuts.
And he made lovely trees Justto look pretty.
He made dogwood, magnolia,horse chestnut and holly, then
the tree master Magnolia, horsechestnut and holly.
Then the tree master gave eachtree its orders about blooming,
(03:56):
blossoms and bearing fruit.
And at last the tree masterthought his work was about done
and he turned to go away.
Oh please, sir, said an anxiouslittle voice, aren't you going
to give me anything nice to do?
Who was speaking?
(04:19):
Growled the tree master in avoice of thunder, it's only I.
And, in a very trembly tone,reached his ear I'm a little fir
tree and I'm neither beautifulnor useful.
(04:40):
You're good enough, said thetree master as he glanced at the
poor little thing.
Behave yourself and no one willnotice you.
But they did notice her.
The springtime came and all thefruit trees put on their
(05:02):
beautiful blossom frogs and theyjeered at the forlorn little
fir tree.
Ho, said the apple tree Look atmy pink and white garb.
Is it not exquisite?
Don't you wish you could bedressed like this?
(05:25):
The poor little fir tree lookedon with longing eyes, but she
was too crushed to reply.
And see mine, vaunted the peachtree.
Was there ever such a perfectshade of color as I wear, how it
is set off by my green leaves?
The little fir tree, thoughtempted to envy them, had a
(05:50):
generous heart and she said yourclothes are indeed beautiful.
Oh, apple tree and peach tree,I never saw more delicate and
lovely coloring.
Indeed, I wish I might dresslike that.
I have my old dull needles.
(06:11):
And see me, cried the cherrytree.
After all, there's nothing morebeautiful than my pure white
with touches of feathery green.
True, true, agreed the littlefir tree.
The colors are all so lovely Iscarce know which to choose.
(06:35):
The fruit trees tossed theirblossomy branches and showers of
dainty petals fell all around.
Oh, cried the little fir tree,enraptured.
I never saw anything sowonderful.
If only I had been made likethat.
(06:57):
But the fruit trees paid littleheed to the fir tree's lament.
Trees paying little heed to thefir tree's lament.
They were so busy admiringthemselves and flaunting their
glories to the breeze.
Then the wood trees broke intotheir soft spring greens.
(07:18):
Look at me, said a young mapleproudly, is not my pale, yellowy
green as lovely as the pink andwhite of the fruit trees?
And gazing at the delicateshade of the tiny leaves, the
little fir tree admitted that itwas.
(07:41):
Admitted that it was.
Oh, she said with a deep sigh,if I could have that soft light
green to wear, I wouldn't askfor pink blossoms.
But how I hate my old dullneedles.
(08:02):
The oaks and elms put out theiryoung green also, and the
feathery willows down by thebrook waved young wyeths like
fairy wands.
As every fresh beauty unfolded,the poor little fir tree wept
anew and wished the tree masterhad given her the like and
(08:27):
wished the tree master had givenher the like.
But so engrossed were the treesin watching their own
decorations that they paid smallheed to the sad little fir tree
.
And then summer came.
The fir tree felt sure Newbeauties would come to her trees
(08:48):
.
She almost hoped some wonderfulchange might come to her, but
she watched and waited in vain.
The others though, ah, how theyreveled in their happiness.
The fruit trees fairly laughedaloud under the happiness of
(09:09):
fruit Saucy red cherries,crimson, velvet peaches, mellow
golden apples, dewy purple plumsEverywhere a riot of color,
fragrance and sweetness.
How they boasted.
(09:30):
Oh, little fir tree.
They said what would you givefor glories like these?
And the poor, forlorn littlefir tree shook with sorrow to
her very heart.
She replied Ah, if I might belike that, too bad, said the
(09:56):
peaches carelessly, and theywent about their business, which
was to hold their soft cheeksup toward the sun that he might
kiss them till they blushed.
Yes, too bad, chattered thepears, not heeding what they
were saying, as they swayedgently on their stems while they
(10:20):
slowly ripened to a golden androsy glow.
The poor little fir treeshuddered at their cruel
indifference, which was evenharder to bear than their
outright scorn.
And the shade trees were justas bad.
(10:44):
And then autumn came.
Oh, the triumphs of the trees.
Then, the wonderful flamingbanners of scarlet and gold that
they flung out to dazzle allnature, the rich depths of
bronze and crimson that lurkedmysteriously in their thick
(11:04):
foliage.
The little fir tree marveled Isthere no end to their
magnificence?
She thought Must I ever seemore and more of these wonders
that I may not share?
And the poor little thing weptuntil her needles lay in a pool
(11:27):
all around her feet.
The willows down by the brooksaw her and they wept in
sympathy.
The little fir tree saw theweeping willows and she was
grateful for the kind thought.
Saw the weeping willows and shewas grateful for the kind
(11:49):
thought, but so saddened thatshe only wept more needles to
the ground and the nut trees.
They shook their nuts in hervery face and taunted her afresh
with her uselessness and herlack of beauty.
The little fir tree thoughtthat she would die.
And then the tree master camewalking around.
(12:10):
Hey, hey, what's this?
He exclaimed as he saw thesadness of the little fir tree
In a burst of woe.
The fir tree told him all hertrials and sorrows.
Oh, poo-poo, said the old treemaster who was really most
(12:34):
kind-hearted.
Have you forgotten all this?
All through the winter, theother trees will be shivering
and shaking in bare boughs.
They will have no beauty andthey will be shivering and
shaking in bare boughs.
They will have no beauty, andthey will be sad and forlorn.
You will be green and handsome,and then you can ask them why
(13:01):
they look so ugly and downcast.
The fir tree cheered up alittle, for, though not
vindictive, she had been soscorned by the other trees that
she was glad to look pretty inthe winter when they were
forlorn and bare.
And yet somehow she felt it wasnot enough.
(13:21):
To be sure, she was green andglossy and shapely, and all the
other trees looked really ugly,but she had no gay-colored
blossoms and no rich fruits ornuts.
The kind old tree master laughedwhen he heard this.
(13:42):
He was not so busy now and hecould listen to the troubles of
his little fir tree.
Ho ho, he said.
So you want fruit and flowers,do you?
Well, I rather guess we can fixthat.
Hereafter you shall bearwonderful fruit and flowers and
(14:04):
nuts every winter when the othertrees are impatiently waiting
for spring, and the blossoms andfruits you show Shall far, far
excel Anything they have everflaunted in your face.
The little fir tree Couldscarcely believe this good news,
but it was true.
(14:26):
The tree master ordered thatshe should be the Christmas tree
, and so every winter the firtree blossoms out in marvelous
blooms of colored gold.
Her branches are hung withwondrous fruits such as never
(14:51):
grew on a summer tree.
Nuts are there, and more hollyberries than the holly tree
herself ever showed, and moreholly berries than the holly
tree herself ever showed.
And high above crowning theglorified fir tree, the
Christmas star sheds its rays,in a blessing never bestowed on
(15:12):
any other tree.
Longer ago than you ever heardof and farther away than you
(15:34):
ever dreamed, the great treemaster went out to make the
trees.
Now, the making of trees was amost important matter and the
tree master put his whole mindto it.
He made all sorts of trees touse for building houses and
making things to furnish thehouses Oak, maple, elm ash,
(15:59):
mahogany, rosewood and many more, as you well know.
Then he made all sorts of treesto bear food Fruits, nuts,
olives and queer things likebreadfruit and coconuts.
And he made lovely trees justto look pretty.
(16:20):
And he made lovely trees justto look pretty.
He made dogwood, magnolia,horse chestnut and holly.
Then the tree master gave eachtree its orders about blooming,
blossoms and bearing fruit.
And at last the tree masterthought his work was about done
(16:44):
and he turned to go away.
Oh please, sir, said an anxiouslittle voice, aren't you going
to give me anything nice to do?
Who is speaking?
Growled the tree master in avoice of thunder it's only I.
(17:07):
And in a very trembly tone,reached his ear.
I'm a little fir tree and I'mneither beautiful nor useful.
You're good enough, said thetree master as he glanced at the
poor little thing.
(17:28):
Behave yourself and no one willnotice you.
But they did notice her.
The springtime came and all thefruit trees put on their
beautiful blossom frogs, andthey jeered at the forlorn
(17:51):
little fir tree.
Ho, said the apple tree, lookat my pink and white garb.
Is it not exquisite?
Don't you wish you could bedressed like this?
The poor little fir tree lookedon with longing eyes, but she
(18:13):
was too crushed to reply.
And see mine, vaunted the peachtree.
Was there ever such a perfectshade of color as I wear, how it
is set off by my green leaves?
The little fir tree, thoughtempted to envy them, had a
(18:34):
generous heart and she said yourclothes are indeed beautiful.
Oh, apple tree and peach tree,I never saw more delicate and
lovely coloring.
Indeed, I wish I might dresslike that.
I have my old dull needles.
(18:55):
And see me, cried the cherrytree.
After all, there's nothing morebeautiful than my pure white
with touches of feathery green.
True, true, agreed the littlefir tree.
The colors are also lovely.
(19:16):
I scarce know which to choose.
The fruit trees tossed theirblossomy branches and showers of
dainty petals fell all around.
Oh, cried the little fir tree,enraptured.
I never saw anything sowonderful.
(19:40):
If only I had been made likethat.
But the fruit trees paid littleheed to the fir trees' lament.
They were so busy admiringthemselves and flaunting their
glories to the breeze.
(20:01):
Then the wood trees broke intotheir soft spring greens.
Look at me, said a young mapleproudly.
Is not my pale yellowy green aslovely as the pink and white of
the fruit trees?
And gazing at the delicateshade of the tiny leaves, the
(20:25):
little fir tree admitted that itwas.
Oh, she said with a deep sigh,if I could have that soft, light
green to wear, I wouldn't askfor pink blossoms.
But how I hate my old dullneedles.
(20:45):
The oaks and elms put out theiryoung green also, and the
feathery willows down by thebrook waved young wyeths like
fairy wands.
As every fresh beauty unfolded,the poor little fir tree wept
(21:07):
anew and wished the tree masterhad given her the like.
But so engrossed were the treesin watching their own
decorations that they paid smallheed to the sad little fir tree
, to the sad little fir tree.
And then summer came.
(21:29):
The fir tree felt sure Newbeauties would come to her trees
.
She almost hoped some wonderfulchange might come to her, but
she watched and waited in vain.
(21:50):
The others though, ah, how theyreveled in their happiness.
The fruit trees fairly laughedaloud under the happiness of
fruit Saucy red cherries,crimson, velvet peaches, mellow
golden, golden apples, dewypurple plums, everywhere a riot
of color, fragrance andsweetness.
(22:11):
How they boasted.
Oh, little fir tree.
They said, what would you givefor glories like these?
And the poor, forlorn littlefir tree shook with sorrow to
her very heart.
She replied oh, if I might belike that, too bad, said the
(22:39):
peaches carelessly, and theywent about their business, which
was to hold their soft cheeksup toward the sun that he might
kiss them till they blushed.
Yes, too bad, chattered thepears, not heeding what they
were saying, as they swayedgently on their stems, stems
(23:03):
while they slowly ripened to agolden and rosy glow.
The poor little fir treeshuddered at their cruel
indifference, which was evenharder to bear than their
outright scorn.
And the shade trees were justas bad.
(23:28):
And then autumn came.
Oh, the triumphs of the trees.
Then the wonderful flamingbanners of scarlet and gold that
they flung out to dazzle allnature, the rich depths of
bronze and crimson that lurkedmysteriously in their thick
(23:48):
foliage.
The little fir tree marveled.
Is there no end to theirmagnificence?
She thought.
Must I ever see more and moreof these wonders that I may not
share?
And the poor little thing weptuntil her needles lay in a pool
(24:11):
all around her feet.
The willows down by the brooksaw her and they wept in
sympathy.
Down by the brook saw her andthey wept in sympathy.
The little fir tree saw theweeping willows and she was
grateful for the kind thoughtbut so saddened that she only
(24:36):
wept more needles to the groundand the nut trees.
They shook their nuts in hervery face and taunted her afresh
with her uselessness and herlack of beauty.
The little fir tree thoughtthat she would die.
And then the tree master camewalking around.
Hey, hey, what's this?
(24:57):
He exclaimed as he saw thesadness of the little fir tree
In a burst of woe.
The fir tree told him all hertrials and sorrows.
Oh poo-poo, said the old treemaster, who was really most
(25:18):
kind-hearted.
Have you forgotten all this?
All through the winter theother trees will be shivering
and shaking in bare boughs.
They will have no beauty andthey will be sad and forlorn.
You will be green and handsome,and then you can ask them why
(25:40):
they look so ugly and downcast.
The fir tree cheered up a little, for, though not vindictive,
she had been so scorned by theother trees and she was glad to
look pretty in the winter whenthey were forlorn and bare.
And yet somehow she felt it wasnot enough.
(26:05):
To be sure, she was green andglossy and shapely, and all the
other trees looked really ugly,but she had no gay-colored
blossoms and no rich fruits ornuts.
The kind old tree masterlaughed when he heard this.
(26:25):
He was not so busy now and hecould listen to the troubles of
his little fir tree.
Ho ho, he said so you want fruitand flowers, do you?
Well, I rather guess we can fixthat.
Hereafter you shall bearwonderful fruit and flowers and
(26:48):
nuts every winter when the othertrees are impatiently waiting
for spring, and the blossoms andfruits you show shall far, far
excel anything they have everflaunted in your face.
The little fir tree couldscarcely believe this good news,
but it was true.
(27:10):
The tree master ordered thatshe should be the Christmas tree
.
The tree master ordered thatshe should be the Christmas tree
, and so every winter the firtree blossoms out in marvelous
(27:32):
blooms of color and gold.
Her branches are hung withwondrous fruits such as never
grew on a summer tree.
Nuts are there, and more hollyberries than the holly tree
herself ever showedno-transcript.
Welcome to Dreamful Podcast.
Bedtime stories or slumber.
Before we get into today'sepisode, this is the last call
for a special offer on Patreonfor Christmas.
Up until December 15th, you cansign up for the Christmas
special on patreoncom slashdreamful podcast to receive a
(00:42):
handwritten Christmas card fromme, a shout out on our Christmas
episode and access to over 100bonus episodes.
Something I forgot to mentionin the last episode is that this
tier is $10, but afterChristmas I will be dropping the
monthly price down to theregular $4.99.
I hope this helps.
So when you sign up, be sure togive the name and mailing
(01:04):
address of the recipient so Ican get their card to them by
Christmas.
I can send cardsinternationally so you can buy a
special even if you are outsidethe US.
If you don't want a Christmaspresent but still want to
support the show and gain accessto subscriber-only episodes
while receiving a shout-out,visit dreamfullstoriescom and,
on the support page page, find alink to become a Buzzsprout
(01:26):
supporter or subscribe viaSupercast if you listen on
Spotify, where donations gotowards things like music
licensing, equipment upgradesand, of course, paying my
amazing editor, katie, fortoday's episode.
When looking through old booksof holiday stories, I found a
wonderful story about thecreation of all the beautiful
(01:48):
kinds of trees called the LittleFir Tree.
So snuggle up in your blanketsand have sweet dreams.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
I love you.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
Longer ago than you ever heard of and farther away
than you ever dreamed, the greattree master went out to make
the trees.
Now, the making of trees was amost important matter and the
tree master put his whole mindto it.
(03:01):
Put his whole mind to it.
He made all sorts of trees touse for building houses and
making things to furnish thehouses Oak, maple, elm, ash,
mahogany, rosewood and many more, as you well know.
Then he made all sorts of treesto bear food, fruits, nuts,
(03:29):
olives and queer things likebreadfruit and coconuts.
And he made lovely trees Justto look pretty.
He made dogwood, magnolia,horse chestnut and holly, then
the tree master Magnolia, horsechestnut and holly.
Then the tree master gave eachtree its orders about blooming,
(03:56):
blossoms and bearing fruit.
And at last the tree masterthought his work was about done
and he turned to go away.
Oh please, sir, said an anxiouslittle voice, aren't you going
to give me anything nice to do?
Who was speaking?
(04:19):
Growled the tree master in avoice of thunder, it's only I.
And, in a very trembly tone,reached his ear I'm a little fir
tree and I'm neither beautifulnor useful.
(04:40):
You're good enough, said thetree master as he glanced at the
poor little thing.
Behave yourself and no one willnotice you.
But they did notice her.
The springtime came and all thefruit trees put on their
(05:02):
beautiful blossom frogs and theyjeered at the forlorn little
fir tree.
Ho, said the apple tree Look atmy pink and white garb.
Is it not exquisite?
Don't you wish you could bedressed like this?
(05:25):
The poor little fir tree lookedon with longing eyes, but she
was too crushed to reply.
And see mine, vaunted the peachtree.
Was there ever such a perfectshade of color as I wear, how it
is set off by my green leaves?
The little fir tree, thoughtempted to envy them, had a
(05:50):
generous heart and she said yourclothes are indeed beautiful.
Oh, apple tree and peach tree,I never saw more delicate and
lovely coloring.
Indeed, I wish I might dresslike that.
I have my old dull needles.
(06:11):
And see me, cried the cherrytree.
After all, there's nothing morebeautiful than my pure white
with touches of feathery green.
True, true, agreed the littlefir tree.
The colors are all so lovely Iscarce know which to choose.
(06:35):
The fruit trees tossed theirblossomy branches and showers of
dainty petals fell all around.
Oh, cried the little fir tree,enraptured.
I never saw anything sowonderful.
If only I had been made likethat.
(06:57):
But the fruit trees paid littleheed to the fir tree's lament.
Trees paying little heed to thefir tree's lament.
They were so busy admiringthemselves and flaunting their
glories to the breeze.
Then the wood trees broke intotheir soft spring greens.
(07:18):
Look at me, said a young mapleproudly, is not my pale, yellowy
green as lovely as the pink andwhite of the fruit trees?
And gazing at the delicateshade of the tiny leaves, the
little fir tree admitted that itwas.
(07:41):
Admitted that it was.
Oh, she said with a deep sigh,if I could have that soft light
green to wear, I wouldn't askfor pink blossoms.
But how I hate my old dullneedles.
(08:02):
The oaks and elms put out theiryoung green also, and the
feathery willows down by thebrook waved young wyeths like
fairy wands.
As every fresh beauty unfolded,the poor little fir tree wept
anew and wished the tree masterhad given her the like and
(08:27):
wished the tree master had givenher the like.
But so engrossed were the treesin watching their own
decorations that they paid smallheed to the sad little fir tree
.
And then summer came.
The fir tree felt sure Newbeauties would come to her trees
(08:48):
.
She almost hoped some wonderfulchange might come to her, but
she watched and waited in vain.
The others though, ah, how theyreveled in their happiness.
The fruit trees fairly laughedaloud under the happiness of
(09:09):
fruit Saucy red cherries,crimson, velvet peaches, mellow
golden apples, dewy purple plumsEverywhere a riot of color,
fragrance and sweetness.
How they boasted.
(09:30):
Oh, little fir tree.
They said what would you givefor glories like these?
And the poor, forlorn littlefir tree shook with sorrow to
her very heart.
She replied Ah, if I might belike that, too bad, said the
(09:56):
peaches carelessly, and theywent about their business, which
was to hold their soft cheeksup toward the sun that he might
kiss them till they blushed.
Yes, too bad, chattered thepears, not heeding what they
were saying, as they swayedgently on their stems while they
(10:20):
slowly ripened to a golden androsy glow.
The poor little fir treeshuddered at their cruel
indifference, which was evenharder to bear than their
outright scorn.
And the shade trees were justas bad.
(10:44):
And then autumn came.
Oh, the triumphs of the trees.
Then, the wonderful flamingbanners of scarlet and gold that
they flung out to dazzle allnature, the rich depths of
bronze and crimson that lurkedmysteriously in their thick
(11:04):
foliage.
The little fir tree marveled Isthere no end to their
magnificence?
She thought Must I ever seemore and more of these wonders
that I may not share?
And the poor little thing weptuntil her needles lay in a pool
(11:27):
all around her feet.
The willows down by the brooksaw her and they wept in
sympathy.
The little fir tree saw theweeping willows and she was
grateful for the kind thought.
Saw the weeping willows and shewas grateful for the kind
(11:49):
thought, but so saddened thatshe only wept more needles to
the ground and the nut trees.
They shook their nuts in hervery face and taunted her afresh
with her uselessness and herlack of beauty.
The little fir tree thoughtthat she would die.
And then the tree master camewalking around.
(12:10):
Hey, hey, what's this?
He exclaimed as he saw thesadness of the little fir tree
In a burst of woe.
The fir tree told him all hertrials and sorrows.
Oh, poo-poo, said the old treemaster who was really most
(12:34):
kind-hearted.
Have you forgotten all this?
All through the winter, theother trees will be shivering
and shaking in bare boughs.
They will have no beauty andthey will be shivering and
shaking in bare boughs.
They will have no beauty, andthey will be sad and forlorn.
You will be green and handsome,and then you can ask them why
(13:01):
they look so ugly and downcast.
The fir tree cheered up alittle, for, though not
vindictive, she had been soscorned by the other trees that
she was glad to look pretty inthe winter when they were
forlorn and bare.
And yet somehow she felt it wasnot enough.
(13:21):
To be sure, she was green andglossy and shapely, and all the
other trees looked really ugly,but she had no gay-colored
blossoms and no rich fruits ornuts.
The kind old tree master laughedwhen he heard this.
(13:42):
He was not so busy now and hecould listen to the troubles of
his little fir tree.
Ho ho, he said.
So you want fruit and flowers,do you?
Well, I rather guess we can fixthat.
Hereafter you shall bearwonderful fruit and flowers and
(14:04):
nuts every winter when the othertrees are impatiently waiting
for spring, and the blossoms andfruits you show Shall far, far
excel Anything they have everflaunted in your face.
The little fir tree Couldscarcely believe this good news,
but it was true.
(14:26):
The tree master ordered thatshe should be the Christmas tree
, and so every winter the firtree blossoms out in marvelous
blooms of colored gold.
Her branches are hung withwondrous fruits such as never
(14:51):
grew on a summer tree.
Nuts are there, and more hollyberries than the holly tree
herself ever showed, and moreholly berries than the holly
tree herself ever showed.
And high above crowning theglorified fir tree, the
Christmas star sheds its rays,in a blessing never bestowed on
(15:12):
any other tree.
Longer ago than you ever heardof and farther away than you
(15:34):
ever dreamed, the great treemaster went out to make the
trees.
Now, the making of trees was amost important matter and the
tree master put his whole mindto it.
He made all sorts of trees touse for building houses and
making things to furnish thehouses Oak, maple, elm ash,
(15:59):
mahogany, rosewood and many more, as you well know.
Then he made all sorts of treesto bear food Fruits, nuts,
olives and queer things likebreadfruit and coconuts.
And he made lovely trees justto look pretty.
(16:20):
And he made lovely trees justto look pretty.
He made dogwood, magnolia,horse chestnut and holly.
Then the tree master gave eachtree its orders about blooming,
blossoms and bearing fruit.
And at last the tree masterthought his work was about done
(16:44):
and he turned to go away.
Oh please, sir, said an anxiouslittle voice, aren't you going
to give me anything nice to do?
Who is speaking?
Growled the tree master in avoice of thunder it's only I.
(17:07):
And in a very trembly tone,reached his ear.
I'm a little fir tree and I'mneither beautiful nor useful.
You're good enough, said thetree master as he glanced at the
poor little thing.
(17:28):
Behave yourself and no one willnotice you.
But they did notice her.
The springtime came and all thefruit trees put on their
beautiful blossom frogs, andthey jeered at the forlorn
(17:51):
little fir tree.
Ho, said the apple tree, lookat my pink and white garb.
Is it not exquisite?
Don't you wish you could bedressed like this?
The poor little fir tree lookedon with longing eyes, but she
(18:13):
was too crushed to reply.
And see mine, vaunted the peachtree.
Was there ever such a perfectshade of color as I wear, how it
is set off by my green leaves?
The little fir tree, thoughtempted to envy them, had a
(18:34):
generous heart and she said yourclothes are indeed beautiful.
Oh, apple tree and peach tree,I never saw more delicate and
lovely coloring.
Indeed, I wish I might dresslike that.
I have my old dull needles.
(18:55):
And see me, cried the cherrytree.
After all, there's nothing morebeautiful than my pure white
with touches of feathery green.
True, true, agreed the littlefir tree.
The colors are also lovely.
(19:16):
I scarce know which to choose.
The fruit trees tossed theirblossomy branches and showers of
dainty petals fell all around.
Oh, cried the little fir tree,enraptured.
I never saw anything sowonderful.
(19:40):
If only I had been made likethat.
But the fruit trees paid littleheed to the fir trees' lament.
They were so busy admiringthemselves and flaunting their
glories to the breeze.
(20:01):
Then the wood trees broke intotheir soft spring greens.
Look at me, said a young mapleproudly.
Is not my pale yellowy green aslovely as the pink and white of
the fruit trees?
And gazing at the delicateshade of the tiny leaves, the
(20:25):
little fir tree admitted that itwas.
Oh, she said with a deep sigh,if I could have that soft, light
green to wear, I wouldn't askfor pink blossoms.
But how I hate my old dullneedles.
(20:45):
The oaks and elms put out theiryoung green also, and the
feathery willows down by thebrook waved young wyeths like
fairy wands.
As every fresh beauty unfolded,the poor little fir tree wept
(21:07):
anew and wished the tree masterhad given her the like.
But so engrossed were the treesin watching their own
decorations that they paid smallheed to the sad little fir tree
, to the sad little fir tree.
And then summer came.
(21:29):
The fir tree felt sure Newbeauties would come to her trees
.
She almost hoped some wonderfulchange might come to her, but
she watched and waited in vain.
(21:50):
The others though, ah, how theyreveled in their happiness.
The fruit trees fairly laughedaloud under the happiness of
fruit Saucy red cherries,crimson, velvet peaches, mellow
golden, golden apples, dewypurple plums, everywhere a riot
of color, fragrance andsweetness.
(22:11):
How they boasted.
Oh, little fir tree.
They said, what would you givefor glories like these?
And the poor, forlorn littlefir tree shook with sorrow to
her very heart.
She replied oh, if I might belike that, too bad, said the
(22:39):
peaches carelessly, and theywent about their business, which
was to hold their soft cheeksup toward the sun that he might
kiss them till they blushed.
Yes, too bad, chattered thepears, not heeding what they
were saying, as they swayedgently on their stems, stems
(23:03):
while they slowly ripened to agolden and rosy glow.
The poor little fir treeshuddered at their cruel
indifference, which was evenharder to bear than their
outright scorn.
And the shade trees were justas bad.
(23:28):
And then autumn came.
Oh, the triumphs of the trees.
Then the wonderful flamingbanners of scarlet and gold that
they flung out to dazzle allnature, the rich depths of
bronze and crimson that lurkedmysteriously in their thick
(23:48):
foliage.
The little fir tree marveled.
Is there no end to theirmagnificence?
She thought.
Must I ever see more and moreof these wonders that I may not
share?
And the poor little thing weptuntil her needles lay in a pool
(24:11):
all around her feet.
The willows down by the brooksaw her and they wept in
sympathy.
Down by the brook saw her andthey wept in sympathy.
The little fir tree saw theweeping willows and she was
grateful for the kind thoughtbut so saddened that she only
(24:36):
wept more needles to the groundand the nut trees.
They shook their nuts in hervery face and taunted her afresh
with her uselessness and herlack of beauty.
The little fir tree thoughtthat she would die.
And then the tree master camewalking around.
Hey, hey, what's this?
(24:57):
He exclaimed as he saw thesadness of the little fir tree
In a burst of woe.
The fir tree told him all hertrials and sorrows.
Oh poo-poo, said the old treemaster, who was really most
(25:18):
kind-hearted.
Have you forgotten all this?
All through the winter theother trees will be shivering
and shaking in bare boughs.
They will have no beauty andthey will be sad and forlorn.
You will be green and handsome,and then you can ask them why
(25:40):
they look so ugly and downcast.
The fir tree cheered up a little, for, though not vindictive,
she had been so scorned by theother trees and she was glad to
look pretty in the winter whenthey were forlorn and bare.
And yet somehow she felt it wasnot enough.
(26:05):
To be sure, she was green andglossy and shapely, and all the
other trees looked really ugly,but she had no gay-colored
blossoms and no rich fruits ornuts.
The kind old tree masterlaughed when he heard this.
(26:25):
He was not so busy now and hecould listen to the troubles of
his little fir tree.
Ho ho, he said so you want fruitand flowers, do you?
Well, I rather guess we can fixthat.
Hereafter you shall bearwonderful fruit and flowers and
(26:48):
nuts every winter when the othertrees are impatiently waiting
for spring, and the blossoms andfruits you show shall far, far
excel anything they have everflaunted in your face.
The little fir tree couldscarcely believe this good news,
but it was true.
(27:10):
The tree master ordered thatshe should be the Christmas tree
.
The tree master ordered thatshe should be the Christmas tree
, and so every winter the firtree blossoms out in marvelous
(27:32):
blooms of color and gold.
Her branches are hung withwondrous fruits such as never
grew on a summer tree.
Nuts are there, and more hollyberries than the holly tree
herself ever showedno-transcript.
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