Once there were five little brothers living in Farmer Lane's barn. There
were a great many other children there, too, but these little brothers
played by themselves, and chased each other across the wide floor of the
barn until they reached a corner where there was a large crack, and then
they could look out into the world. The first thing they saw was Farmer
Lane breaking up the rich brown earth with his plough, for Spring
had come, and told him it was time to do his planting, while the little
brothers were watching him, and wishing they could find a way to roll
out into the bright sunshine and help him, something happened. What do
you suppose it was?
A great brown hand came up behind them and in a moment they found
themselves in a wooden measure with many more of their friends. "What
is the matter?" said one little brother. "I don't know," said another.
"Maybe we are going to travel," said a third; while the two smallest
cuddled very closely together, and whispered, "We won't be afraid; God
will take care of us."
The measure was taken, out into the field, where Farmer Lane was
still at work, and soon, into the furrows made by the plow, the little
brothers were dropped one by one. They lay very still at first. It was
so strange and dark in their new home. By and by they found a friend, an
earth-worm, who told them wonderful stories, how God would take care of
them, and some day would give them a new life. Then the little brothers
were glad and hoped it would be soon. Thus the days went by. The warm
spring showers moistened the earth, and the sun shone so brightly that
the brothers danced for joy way down in their dark home. What do you
suppose happened when they danced? Why, their old coats split open, and
some little hands came out. They were helpful hands, too, and went to
work at once. Some of them went down into the earth to find food and
water for the whole plants, and the others reached upward to the air and
sunshine, and spread out beautiful, long green leaves.
Each day the plants grew taller and taller, and new buds came that
blossomed into flowery tassels that waved over the tops of the plants.
These tassels were fall of a golden dust called pollen, and as the wind
blew it to and fro, some of the tiny grains found little green cradles
along the sides of the plants, and crept into them. There they stayed,
growing strong and round, until one midsummer day the plants were full
of ripe, sweet ears of corn.
When were the five little brothers, do you ask? Why, they were five
little kernels of Indian corn that Farmer Lane planted one spring
morning, and each beautiful stalk of corn was the new life the
earth-worm told them about. God had taken care of them, and takes care
of of His little children, too.