THE OLD PEAR-TREE

Too Long; Didn't Read

UNCLE PAUL had just cut down a pear-tree in the garden. The tree was old, its trunk ravaged by worms, and for several years it had not borne any fruit. It was to be replaced by another. The children found their Uncle Paul seated on the trunk of the pear-tree. He was looking attentively at something. “One, two, three, four, five,” said he, tapping with his finger upon the cross-section of the felled tree. What was he counting? “Come quick,” he called, “come; the pear-tree is waiting to tell you its story. It seems to have some curious things to tell you.” The children burst out laughing. “And what does the old pear-tree wish to tell us?” asked Jules.