Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/313

296 the stranger. "I have lost my way in your big tree-world. Can you tell me the road to M?"

"My father can," said Hansel shyly.

"And where is your father?"

"Yonder where the smoke is rising among the trees," replied the boy pointing. "He is a charcoal-burner."

"And you are a wood-carver, it seems," said the unknown, stooping to pick up the wooden goat which Hansel had dropped. "Who taught you to carve, little one?"

"No one," answered Hansel, blushing and looking down.

"A genius!" murmured the stranger to himself. "Will you take me to your father?" he added aloud.

The charcoal-burner rose from tending his fire, and took off his ragged cap.

He answered the gentleman's questions as to the way to reach M, telling him that the village was a good three miles away.