The Fable of the Three Elms by Margaret E. Sangster, Jr.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1916

The Fable of the Three Elms.

By Margaret E. Sangster, Jr.

The North Wind spoke to three sturdy elms, And, “Now you are dead,” said he; “I have blown a blast till the snow whirled past, And withered your leaves, and see, You are brown and old and your boughs are cold;” And he sneered at the elm trees three.

The first elm spoke in a hollow tone (For the snow lay deep and white); “You think we are dead, North Wind?” he said, “Why, we sleep—as you sleep at night. Beneath the snow lie my sturdy roots, They grip on the friendly earth, And I rest—till another year!” said he, And he shook with a noisy mirth.

The second elm laughed a hearty laugh, And, “North Wind,” he cried in glee, “Beneath my bark glows a living spark, The sap of a healthy tree. My boughs are bare and my leaves are gone, But—what have I got to fear? For the wintertime is my time of rest, And I sleep till another year.”

The third elm spoke, and his voice was sweet, And kind as the summer sea; “O Wind,” he said, “we are far from dead,— The God in whose hand we be Looks down, with love, from the winter sky, And sends us his sun to cheer; If we had no snow, there would be no spring,— We rest till another year.”

The three elms rocked in the stinging blast, And under the heavy snow Their roots were warm from the raging storm, And safe from the winds that blow. They smiled in their hearts, and their leafless boughs Spread over the frosty way; For they knew that the God of forest trees Would watch through each winter day.

The North Wind uttered a frosty sigh As the snow blew far and free; And his weary eyes sought the winter skies, And, “Mighty is God!” said he. “To die or live are his gifts to give;” And he smiled at the elm trees three.

—Margaret E. Sangster, Jr., in the Christian Herald.