Mary and Anna Jane were playing in the fields. Suddenly Mary stopped and
said, “I wonder what time it is. Mother said we should go home at four
o’clock.”
A dandelion spoke up politely. “My head will tell you what o’clock it
is,” said he. “Blow it off, and, as you blow, count.”
“You are very kind, sir,” said Anna Jane. Mary was too much astonished to
speak.
Anna Jane blew once. “One o’clock,” said she.
“Go on,” cried the dandelion. “My head is at your service.”
Anna Jane went on blowing and counting. “Two o’clock, three o’clock, four
o’clock.” The whole head was off.
“Thank you, dandelion,” said Anna Jane, although she was not sure whether
the dandelion could hear without his head. “It’s time for us to be going
home.”
So Anna Jane and Mary went home at the right time.