MEADOW LARK'S CONCERT—1914
Source: Story Hour Readers, Book Two, by Ida Coe, Pd.M., Assistant Principal, Public Schools, City of New York
and Alice J. Christie, Primary Teacher, Public Schools, City of New York
Illustrated by Maginel Wright Enright
Published by American Book Company, New York—Cincinnati—Chicago
(added Sunday, April 30, 2006)

Once upon a time, Meadow Lark decided to give a concert of song in honor of Prince Spring. She asked Mr. Woodpecker to post a notice of the concert on the trunk of an oak tree. This he was very glad to do, and he posted the following notice on the tree.

Meadow Lark's Concert
will be held in the Woods
To-morrow Morning at Six O'clock
to welcome Prince Spring.
Come one! Come all!

Before many hours had passed, all the little people of the woods had read the interesting notice. Then all the birds of the air began to sing their sweetest songs, and to prepare for the concert.

At last, when all was ready, a chariot, drawn by butterflies, carried the Queen of the Fairies and charming young Prince Spring to the place of meeting.

Fairy Queen and Prince Spring were greeted with many cheers.
Chipping Sparrow gave the signal, on his shrill pitch pipe, for the concert of song to begin.
The Warblers sang a joyous welcome.
This was followed by the humming of the black and gold Bumblebees.
Mr. Bullfrog croaked a bass solo.
Mr. Woodpecker played a tattoo upon the trunk of a tree.
Song Sparrow chanted a melody.
The frail little butterflies, whose music is in their hearts, kept time to the soft chanting with their fluttering wings.

Meadow Lark, soaring in the air, twittered a few low, sweet notes, as she alighted upon the top branch of a tall maple tree. Then, as clear as the tones of a fife, was the tune that she whistled!

Red-eyed Vireo began to preach, "Do you hear me? Do you believe it?"
Jolly Bobolink would not listen but sang his own rollicking song.
Noisy Blue Jay called, "Jay! Jay!" and tried to mimic Red-eyed Vireo.
Oriole, swinging in her nest at the end of a branch of the elm tree, whistled rich, ringing notes.
Nuthatch sang a tenor solo.
The twittering of Swallows sounded merrily in the air.
Scarlet Tanager, perched high on the branch of an oak tree, sang,
Look up, way up,
Look at me, tree top!

Goldfinch called from the birch tree, 'Hear me, hear me, dearie!"
Veery hummed a sweet alto to Wood Thrush's flutelike notes, as they warbled their mating song.
Yellow Warbler twittered softly, "Sweet, sweet, sweeter!"
Little Wren, flitting quickly about, suddenly perched upon a bush and burst forth with a joyous song, "Sweetheart, sweetheart, sweet!"
Then Robin hopped to the chariot and sang a carol to Prince Spring, while Bluebird chirped a greeting to the Queen of the Fairies.

Fearing lest some might not hear the concert in the woods, South Wind carried the many sounds over hills and through dales. There was wonderful music everywhere.

Presently, all became quiet. Then some dainty fairies tripped in. They were dressed in silken gowns spun and woven by the spiders. The trees rustled their new leaves, while the fairies danced to the tune of the nearby brook and waterfall. The Flower Elves formed a ring and tripped around merrily to the chimes of the Lily-bells.
Snowdrop, Violet, and Crocus nodded in time to the music.

Finally, the Queen of the Fairies waved her golden wand, and a choir of sweet songsters sang in chorus,
Long live Prince Spring!

The music echoed far and wide. When the last sounds had died away, the merry throng dispersed.

Prince Spring was delighted with Meadow Lark's Concert. He promised the happy birds that he would remain with them until Princess Summer should come.
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(This web page created 4/30/06)