The Little Christmas Tree

The Little Christmas Tree

by Susan Coolidge

The Christmas day was coming, the Christmas eve drew 

near,

The fir-trees they were talking low at midnight cold and

clear

And this is what the fir-trees said, all in the pale moon-

light,

"Now which of us shall chosen be to grace the holy

night?

The tall trees and the goodly trees raised each a lofty 

head.

In glad and secret confidence, though not a word they 

said

But one, the baby of the band, could not restrain a sigh--

"You all will be approved," he said, "but oh! what

chance have I?"

Then axe on shoulder, to the grove a woodman took his

way.

One baby-girl he had at home, and he went forth to find

A little tree as small as she, just suited to his mind.

Oh, glad and proud the baby-fir, amid its brethren tall,

To be thus chosen and singled out, the first among them

all !

He stretched his fragrant branches, his little heart beat

fast,

He was a real Christmas tree ; he had his wish at last.

One large and shining apple with cheeks of ruddy gold,

Six tapers, and a tiny doll were all that he could hold.

" I am so small, so very small, no one will mark or know

How thick and green my needles are, how true my

branches grow ;

Few toys and candles could I hold, but heart and will

are free,

And in my heart of hearts I know I am a Christmas

tree."

The Christmas angel hovered near; he caught the

grieving word,

And, laughing low, he hurried forth, with love and pity

stirred.

He sought and found St Nicholas, the dear old Christ-

mas saint,

And in his fatherly kind ear rehearsed the fir-tree's

plaint.

Saints are all-powerful, we know, so it befell that day,

The baby laughed, the baby crowed, to see the tapers

bright;

The forest baby felt the joy, and shared in the delight.

And when at last the tapers died, and when the baby

slept,

The little fir in silent night a patient vigil kept;

Though scorched and brown its needles were, it had no

heart to grieve.

"I have not lived in vain," he said ; "thank God for

Christmas eve!"