` And then ? ' asked the fir-tree , trembling in every limb with eagerness , ` and then ? what happens then ? ' ` Oh , we have n't seen anything more than that . That was simply matchless ! ' ` Am I too destined to the same brilliant career ? ' wondered the fir-tree excitedly . ` That is even better than sailing over the sea ! I am sick with longing . If it were only Christmas ! Now I am tall and grown-up like those which were taken away last year . Ah , if I were only in the cart ! If I were only in the warm room with all the splendour and magnificence ! And then ? Then comes something better , something still more beautiful , else why should they dress us up ? There must be something greater , something grander to come -- but what ? Oh ! I am pining away ! I really do n't know what 's the matter with me ! ' ` Rejoice in us , ' said the air and sunshine , ` rejoice in your fresh youth in the free air ! '
But it took no notice , and just grew and grew ; there it stood fresh and green XXXXX winter and summer , and all who saw it said , ` What a beautiful tree ! '
fir-tree if in like longing splendour sunshine than to with