00:08Shrill and sharp north wind whistled through the forest where the trees and flowers were
00:13patiently awaiting the arrival of my lady spring. Jack Frost was delighted. Perched on the topmost
00:20branches of the great trees, he laughed gleefully. Surely old father winter has forgotten that
00:27April is almost here, he said. I will not remind him. They say my lady spring, who is waiting in
00:34Wildflower Hollow, is growing most impatient. And so am I, whispered Mother Maple to her neighbor
00:41Dame Oak. I've told my babies many pleasant stories about my lady. Spring and her companion
00:47marry sunshine. I'm afraid I won't be able to keep them in their dark cradles much longer.
00:51Try to cradle them a few more days, sighed Dame Oak. You remember what trouble that rude
00:58fellow Jack Frost made last? Yeah, so long as he is here, he insists on playing with all
01:05the babies of the forest. I do wish lady spring would come. He'll never as long as his bold
01:12brother. North wind is here, sighed Silver Beach. Don't worry, said Dame Oak. I feel sure we won't
01:19have to wait much longer. I saw Mary sunshine dancing yesterday. Oh, how happy I will be to
01:28hear Thresh's song again, said Silver Beach and the happy children's voices. For some time,
01:35Lady Spring had been waiting in Wildflower Hollow. Only a few days ago, the children had come there
01:41to gather flowers. Not a bird or blossom anywhere. See how brown and bare that bank is, said one child.
01:50And Easter is almost here. I wonder why Lady Spring is so late.
01:56Oh, day, day, day, boo. Maybe she has forgotten us, said a tiny companion. I am very disappointed.
02:06Come, let us go home. I will wait no longer, said Lady Spring. Come, Mary Sunshine.
02:16Away danced Mary Sunshine and Lady Spring followed. She waved her silver wand over the bank of Wildflower
02:22Hollow. Ready? Violets? Come! Starry? Blew it! My sweet anemone! Come out! Ah! Brave Arbutus,
02:33I see you are expecting me. Wherever she stooped and touched the brown earth, fresh grass appeared.
02:40Tree trunks veiled themselves in tender green. Sing, Mary Sunshine. Dance and sing, Lady Spring called.
02:50Mary Sunshine sang a beautiful song that echoed over the hills. How gladly they came! All the forest birds
03:00answered, Mary Sunshine's a song of spring. At last, my work is done, said Lady Spring joyously.
03:09When are the children coming? Asked Dame Oak. I will send them a message.
03:14Robin Redbreast, will you take a message of spring to the children?
03:19Lady Spring, said Robin. I'm afraid I can't go today.
03:24My mate and I are building a warm nest in Oak Tree. I wonder where I can find another.
03:31Messenger? I think Red Fox would go for you, answered Robin Redbreast.
03:36Will you take word to the children? Renard.
03:39Oh, I would be happy to go, but the people might think I came to steal chickens.
03:44Renard suggested Black Bear, but he was afraid he would frighten the children too much.
03:49Who will be my messenger? Sighed Lady Spring, Robin said.
03:55I believe Bunny Rabbit can go. I saw him hop past, but a moment ago, I'll call him.
04:02At Robin's whistle, Bunny came leaping out of the bushes.
04:06Bunny Rabbit, please go and tell the children spring has come. A message to the city, Lady Spring, exclaimed
04:13Bunny. Please ask me to do anything but that. The dogs might catch me.
04:18Lady Spring was puzzled. Bunny, said Robin. Would you go at night? You can hop so softly that
04:25I'm sure they would not hear you. Well, perhaps I could go at midnight, said Bunny. But how could I
04:34take a message without wakening them? Oh, I can manage that, said Lady Spring. Meet me in Wildflower
04:43Hollow, a little before twelve o'clock. Lady Spring made a beautiful basket out of twigs
04:50and leaves. She lined it with the softest moss and a garland of flowers. When the birds knew,
04:57she was sending a message. Each one sent lovely little eggs of all colors blue, brown, white,
05:04and spotted. A little before midnight, Bunny came to Wildflower Hollow. I am ready, he said.
05:11Be careful with these precious eggs. When you come to a house, take a bit of moss and form it
05:17into a
05:18wee nest. Then put into each one a wild flower and an egg. Leave an egg for each child in
05:24the house.
05:24Yes, yes, I understand, Lady Spring, said Bunny. How pretty the nest is. And off he hopped.
05:36On Easter morning, Mary Sunshine wakened the children early. They found the little moss nests
05:42on the doorsteps. There's a wild flower and three colored eggs in it. How beautiful! An egg for each of
05:50us. I know, I know, said little brother. There are bunny tracks on the path. He must have brought the
05:59nest to us. Of course he did, cried the children. Bunny was Spring's messenger. Away to the woods they
06:08ran. Spring is here. Spring is airy. Bunny Rabbit brought us the message.
