Good Stories for Holidays | Page 8

to die.
Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and climbed toward it till she
reached the top of the mountain. Upon the highest peak burned a large
fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone on which sat twelve strange
beings. Of these the first three had white hair, three were not quite so
old, three were young and handsome, and the rest still younger.
There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the Twelve
Months of the Year. The great January was placed higher than the
others. His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he
held a wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her
courage returned, and drawing near, she said:--
``Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the
winter cold.''
The great January raised his head and answered: ``What brings thee
here, my daughter? What dost thou seek?''
``I am looking for violets,'' replied the maiden.
``This is not the season for violets. Dost thou not see the snow
everywhere?'' said January.

``I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me
to bring them violets from your mountain. If I return without them they
will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be
found.''
Here the great January arose and went over to the youngest of the
Months, and, placing his wand in his hand, said:--
``Brother March, do thou take the highest place.''
March obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire.
Immediately the flames rose toward the sky, the snow began to melt
and the trees and shrubs to bud. The grass became green, and from
between its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was spring, and the
meadows were blue with violets.
``Gather them quickly, Marouckla,'' said March.
Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large
bunch she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were
amazed at the sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the house.
``Where did you find them?'' asked Helen.
``Under the trees on the mountain-side,'' said Marouckla.
Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother. She did not even
thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she
desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries.
``Run,'' said she, ``and fetch me strawberries from the mountain. They
must be very sweet and ripe.''
``But whoever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?'' exclaimed
Marouckla.
``Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me. If I don't have my
strawberries I will kill you,'' said Helen.
Then the stepmother pushed Marouckla into the yard and bolted the
door. The unhappy girl made her way toward the mountain and to the
large fire round which sat the Twelve Months. The great January
occupied the highest place.
``Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills
me,'' said she, drawing near.
The great January raised his head and asked: ``Why comest thou here?
What dost thou seek?''
``I am looking for strawberries,'' said she.
``We are in the midst of winter,'' replied January, ``strawberries do not

grow in the snow.''
``I know,'' said the girl sadly, ``but my sister and stepmother have
ordered me to bring them strawberries. If I do not they will kill me.
Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find them.''
The great January arose, crossed over to the Month opposite him, and
putting the wand in his hand, said: ``Brother June, do thou take the
highest place.''
June obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames leaped
toward the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was covered with
verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began to sing, and
various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer. Under the
bushes masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening
strawberries, and instantly they covered the glade, making it look like a
sea of blood.
``Gather them quickly, Marouckla,'' said June.
Joyfully she thanked the Months, and having filled her apron ran
happily home.
Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the strawberries, which filled
the house with their delicious fragrance.
``Wherever did you find them?'' asked Helen crossly.
``Right up among the mountains. Those from under the beech trees are
not bad,'' answered Marouckla.
Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself. Not one did she
offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third day she
took a fancy for some fresh, red apples.
``Run, Marouckla,'' said she, ``and fetch me fresh, red apples from the
mountain.''
``Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have neither leaves nor fruit!''
``Idle thing, go