Page:Stories and story-telling (1915).djvu/300

 shepherd to pieces the noble beast fawned upon him and licked his hand.

The king was amazed. He ordered the shepherd to tell him what it all meant. When he heard he let the shepherd go back to his sheep and the lion back to the free forest.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BALLOON

One night a gorgeous balloon when his candle was lighted found himself beside a dull brown acorn.

"What a stupid dolt you are to stay here where you cannot be seen!" he cried, as someone sent him up into the air.

Higher and higher he mounted above the roofs of the houses. "Perhaps he will reach the stars," said the acorn, gazing up after him.

Just then the balloon turned giddy with pride. He reeled, caught fire, and his brief splendor was over.

Years after, in the spot where the acorn had lain that night, a great oak stood up toward heaven and spread his branches wide over the earth.

THE END