Children's stories capture the heart and desires of the most pure. While reading and writing today, I came across the words from a short story called "Awake" by Florence Bass. It is part of a collection called Nature Stories for Young Readers. I love one part so much I have to share. As simple as it is, my sentiments are the same as those of the South Wind. I want what he wants.
The gentle South Wind has come again. He says : "Go back, cold North Wind, to your home. You have played your rough pranks long enough. You have had your time playing with the ice and snow. The Spring Sun and April Rain and I must have our time now. All the little people in the big brown house have been asleep all winter. We mean to call them up. The Sun makes the big room warm. The Rain taps gently on their doors. I call softly: 'Wake up, little people; your long winter sleep is over. Come, little ants, you may begin your work now. Wake up, Mr. Frog, and creep out of your mud house. Come, little bees; the flowers are getting your breakfast ready. They will soon be calling you to come and help them at seed-making. Come, butterflies and moths; creep out of your cradles on the tree-tops and in the ground. Make the country more beautiful, you flying flowers.' "
In my quest to read more (
more on that here), I have decided to revisit a few of the most cherished stories from my childhood. Although this short story was new to me today, it instilled a sense of imagination and purity that, sometimes, you can only find in literature for young readers. A few on my list are
A Wrinkle in Time,
The Chronicles of Narnia,
Alice in Wonderland,
Little Women and
James and the Giant Peach.
What are your most loved children's stories?
