their midst, and patting them upon their heads easily made them his
friends.

The children continued their play, for they knew that the old man was
kind.

The man watched the children, and when it was time for them to go home,
he said, "Come to the flat rock on the side of the mountain to-morrow,
and I will show you some wonderful games."

Then he climbed up the mountain once more and disappeared.

The following morning, the children went to the flat rock. They found
the old man waiting for them.

"Now, my dear children," said he, "I am going to amuse you. Look here!"

He picked up some dry sticks. He blew at the ends of the sticks, and at
once they became sprays of beautiful cherry, plum, and peach blossoms.
He passed a branch of each of the flowers to the girls.

Then he took a stone and threw it into the air. The stone turned into a
dove!

Another stone became an eagle, another a nightingale, or any bird a boy
chose to name.

"Now," said the old man, "I will show you some animals that I am sure
will make you laugh."