We had a better day today. I am still glad this is the end of the work week for us. Tomorrow it is a session at the temple in the morning and then off to see about getting a microwave. Hopefully all goes well tomorrow.
Jokes:
Where do mistletoe go to be famous?
~ Hollywood
Why did the thermometer break?
~ The temperature dropped!
What does Santa plant in his garden?
~ Christmas bulbs!
The Foolish Fir Tree
A little fir tree grew in the midst of the wood
Contented and happy, as a young tree should.
His body was straight and his bows were clean;
And summer and winter the beautiful sheen
Of his needles bedecked him, from top to root,
In a beautiful, all the year, evergreen suit.
But trouble came into his heart one day;
When he saw that the other trees were dressed like suns rays.
In the wonderful raiment that summer weaves
Of manifold shapes and kinds of leaves;
He looked at his needles so stiff and small,
And thought that his dress was poorest of all!
Then JEALOUSY clouded the little tree's mind,
And he said to himself, "It was not very kind
"To give such an ugly old dress to a tree!
"If the fays of the forest would only ask me,
"I'd tell them how I should like to be dressed,
"In a garment of gold, to bedazzle the rest!"
So he fell asleep, but his dreams were all bad,
When he awoke in the morning, his heart was glad;
For very leaf that his boughs could hold
Was made of the brightest beaten gold.
I tell you, children, the tree was proud,
He was something above the common crowd.
And he tinkled his leaves, as if he would say
To a peddler who happened to pass that way,
"Just look at me! Don't you think I am fine!
"and wouldn't you like such a dress as mine!"
"Oh yes!" said the man, "and I really guess
"I must fill my sack with your beautiful dress."
So he picked the golden leaves with care,
And left the little tree shivering there.
"Oh, why did I wish for golden leaves?"
The fir tree said, "I forgot the thieves
"Would be sure to rob me in passing by.
"If the fairies would give me another try,
"I'd wish for something that cost much less,
And be satisfied with glass for my dress!"
Then he fell asleep; and just as before
The fairies granted his wish once more.
When the night was gone, and the sun rose clear,
The tree was a crystal chandelier;
And it seemed as he stood in the morning light,
That his branches were covered with jewels all bright.
"Hurrah!" said the tree. "This is something great!"
And he held himself up, very proud and straight;
But a rude young wind through the forest dashed,
In reckless temper, and quickly smashed
The delicate leaves. With a clashing sound
They broke into pieces and fell on the ground.
Like a silver, shimmering shower of hail,
And the tree stood naked and bare because of the gale.
Then his heart was sad; and he cried,"Alas
"For my beautiful leaves of shining glass!
"Perhaps I have made another mistake
"I choosing a dress so easy to break.
"If the fairies only would hear me again
"I'd ask them for something both pretty and plain;
"It wouldn't cost much to grant my request,
"In leaves of green lettuce I'd like to be dress!"
By this time the fairies were laughing, I know;
By they gave his wish in a second; and so
With leaves of green lettuce, all tender and sweet,
The tree was arrayed, from his head to his feet.
"I knew it! he cried, "I was sure I could find
"The sort of suit that would be to my mind
"There's none of the trees has a prettier dress,
"And none as attractive as I am, I guess."
But a goat, was taking and afternoon walk,
By chance overheard the fir trees talk.
So he came up close for a nearer view;
"My salad!" he bleated, "I think so too!"
"You are the most attractive kind of a tree,
"And I want your leaves for my five-o'clock tea."
So he ate them all without saying grace,
And walked away with a grin on his face;
While the little tree stood in the twilight dim,
With not one leaf on a single limb.
Then he sighed and groaned; but his voice was weak
He was so ashamed that he could not speak.
He knew at last that he had bee a fool.
To think of breaking the forest rule,
And choosing a dress himself to please,
Because he envied the other trees.
But it couldn't be helped, it was now too late,
He must make up his mind to a leafless fate!
So he let himself sink in a slumber deep,
But he moaned and he tossed in his troubled sleep,
Till the morning touched him with joyful beam,
And he woke to find it was all a dream.
For there in his evergreen dress he stood,
A pointed fir in the midst of the wood!
His branches were sweet the balsam smell,
His needles were green when the white snow fell.
And always contented and happy was he,
To be the very best kind of a Christmas tree.
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