Page:The Way of the Wild (1923).pdf/289



long winter sleep is one of the tender and beautiful phases of nature, although it seems so cold and cruel. Really Mother Nature takes the very best care of all her children during this time of rest and recuperation.

Every twenty-four hours man retires to his bed for sleep in order that he may regain his strength and repair the waste of the day, so nature tucks her plants and flowers to sleep once a year in certain climates in order that they may rest and get ready for new life and growth.

First the North Wind, who is the evil spirit of winter, strips the dead leaves from all the trees. Then they are like ships that have furled their sails, so that they may withstand the great blows of winter and not be broken or blown down. Thus the North Wind helps them where he seeks to harm. He also scat-