Henry Brooke, 1878; Quotations, 1883; French Translations -- Mary F. Green, 1920

The poor girl went to the woods crying. But all was covered with snow, there was not even a path. Mary lost her way, she was hungry, she trembled from cold and fear, for she did not know where she was.

III

Suddenly she saw a light in the distance. She walked, she climbed, she arrived at the summit of a cliff. She saw there a large fire. Around the fire there were twelve stones, and on each stone there was a man wrapped in a large cloak and head covered with a hood. Three of these cloaks were white like the snow, three were green like the grass of the meadow, three were yellow like beautiful ripe wheat; three were purple like bunches of grapes. Who were these twelve men seated around the fire? They were the twelve months of the year.

Mary recognized January by his long white beard. He alone held a stick in his hand. The poor daughter or girl is afraid, but she is also very cold. Finally she approached and said in a timid voice: My good sire, permit me to warm by your fire, for I am so cold, so cold! January looked at her and said to her: Why did you come here, my girl? What are you looking for? I am looking for violets, answered Mary. This is not the season, there are no violets in time of snow, said January with his big voice. I know, continues Mary sadly, but my sister and my mother will beat me without mercy if I do not bring them. Tell me, I pray you, where I can find them. IV Old January rose then and addressing himself to one of the young men in the green hood, gave him the stick and said:

My brother March, you look at (take care of) this.

March rose in his turn and stirred the fire with the stick. Then the flame rose, the snow melted, the grass became green, the flowers showed themselves under the vedure, the violets opened. It is spring.

Quickly, my child pick thy violets, said March.

Mary made a big bouquet, thanked the twelve months, and ran joyously home. Hen mother and sister are much surprised.

Where did you find these beautiful flowers, demanded Henrietta of her, in a scornful tone.

Up there, on the mountain, answered Mary. They were like a big blue rug under the bushes.

Henrietta took the bouquet, put them in her belt and did not even say thanks to the poor child.

IV. The next day the bad sister, called her sister and said to her:

Go find me strawberries in the woods. But, my sister, what an idea! Are there strawberries under the snow? Be still( answered the younger) and do as I tell you. If you do not go to the woods. if you do not bring me a basket of strawberries. I will beat you without mercy.

Then the mother seized Mary by the arm and hurled her towards the door.

The poor girl returned to the woods. She looked in all directions for the light of the day before. Finally she sees it again and comes close to the fire, trembling and freezing. The twelve months were still in their place, immovable and silent. My good sirs, permit me to warm myself by your fire, for I am so cold, so cold.

Why do you return, said January. What do you search?

I am searching for strawberries, answered she.

This is not the season, said January with his big voice. There are no strawberries under the snow. I know, answered Mary sadly, but my mother and sister will beat me without mercy if I do not bring them back. Tell me I pray you where I can find them.

VI Old January rose and addressing himself to a man with a yellow hood, gave him the stick and said to him My brother June, you look to this. June rose in his turn and stirred the fire with the stick. Then the flame rose, the snow melted, the grass became green, the trees were covered with leaves, the bids sang, the flowers