Elizabeth Davis Leavitt

“ I'm afwaid!"
"Why should you be afraid," continued the grasshopper. "Doesn't your mother love you?"
"O yes," cried Billy, "a million bushels!"
"And don't you love your mother?" said the grasshopper.
"O yes, a hundwed million bushels!" answered Billy.
"Then go and tell her you broke the cup! You will be happy if you do!"
"I can't," said Billy, "I just can't!"
"Mercy on us!" cried the grasshopper, jumping over to another blade of grass. "I wouldn't be afraid! What kind of a man do you think you'll grow up to be?"
"Well," said Billy, "perhaps I will tell her. ”

“ When everything was gone, the squirrel said, "Thank you, little boy. You are very kind!"
"You are welcome," said Billy, and for some reason he felt very happy.
As he and the grasshopper were walking along again, they saw a beautiful, big butterfly sitting on a tall, yellow poppy. It was quite still. So Billy said, "That butterfly is asleep! I'm going to put it in my hat and take it home!"
"He is not asleep!" contradicted the grasshopper. "He has just waked up! He is waiting for his wings to grow strong, so he can fly. Leave him here in the sunshine. ”

“ He laughed so hard, he had to hold his sides.
"Why are you laughing, Grasshopper?" asked Billy indignantly.
The grasshopper did not answer him, but said, "Butterfly, do you know how long you slept in that little house you made for yourself when you were a caterpillar?"
[17]
"How long?" asked the butterfly, who had been working his wings up and down all this time.
"Many days and many nights, all through the cold winter. The wind rocked you in your little cradle-house; the rain kept your house nice and soft; and now, today, the warm, spring sun has waked you up and soon you will fly!" ”