Page:Danish fairy and folk tales.djvu/88

 He will give you all that you wish for, that you may know how well Jesus loves you.

"Does he love you, too, mama?" asks the little boy. She nods.

"And papa?"

"Yes." she says, drawing a long breath, "he loves him so well that neither papa nor I really know how well."

"That was my testimonial!" exclaims a merry voice behind them—papa's voice. They had not seen him enter the room. "Well, what do you wish, little one? Wish, wish, while it is time!"

The little boy meditates and seems irresolute. On a sudden he looks smilingly into their faces, and says: "First, I must find my place under the angel's wings."

"He knows how to wish for plenty, the little fellow!" exclaims his father. "He wants all at once."

"Look!" ejaculates the boy, pointing to the sky. A light is kindled there. Slowly, in a wide, gleaming circle, it shoots across the firmament, and disappears within it.

"A shooting-star! Your wish will be fulfilled, my own boy," says his mother, clasping the child more tightly in her arms, while he claps his hands delightedly.

"Have it; have it all!" merrily resumes his father. "But you must be sure and return home. Do not let the angel fly away with you! I would