LONG ago the leaves and blossoms of the almond-tree came out together like those on other trees. But now the blossoms come out first. Shall I tell you why? One day in early spring the Fairy Queen was riding about the country.
“Oh, dear,” she said, “I’m so tired of this wintry weather. I wish the flowers were out. And next week is my birthday”—the Fairy Queen, you must know, has birthdays much oftener than ordinary people—“my first spring birthday this year, and there are still only a few primroses and violets. How I should love to see some pink flowers! I’m so fond of pink.”
The little buds of the almond-tree heard her.
“Can’t we manage it?” they said to their mother, the tree. “Can’t we be out in time for the Queen’s birthday next week?”
“You can try,” said their mother. “But what about your brothers, the leaves? You know how lazy they are. And you can’t come out without them. You would look funny.”
[77]The little pink buds did all they could. They caught every bit of sunshine, they sucked up every drop of moisture, they grew and grew. But their lazy brothers would not bestir themselves. They kept tight folded in their winter jackets.
 
“It’s too cold,” they ............