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TheCountrysideinSummer
Summerhascome,withitswarmsunnydays,makingusthingofallsortsofnicethings,suchasholidaysinthecountry,picnicsandhaymaking①parties.
WhenSpringcame,she foundtheearthcoldand bare,butshe soonchangedallthat,andbythetimeSummerarrives,theworldisaverydifferentplace.Itisagreenworldnow,greenleavesonthetrees,greengrassinthefields,green plantscrowdinginthehedges②,andflowersopeningeverywhere.
Thedaysarelongandthenightsareshort,forthesungetsupearlyandgoestobedlateinsunnyJune.Itisoneofthebestandbrightestmonthsintheyear.Birdssingfromsunrisetilllongaftersunset.
Asnightfalls,oneafteranotherthebirdsstoptheirsinging,andafterafewlastsleepysounds,puttheirheadsundertheirwingstorestforanhourortwobeforebeginningagain.Theydonotallsleep,however.Whenotherbirdsaresilent,comesasoftcry,then,afterafewmoments,another,louderthistime;andsoonthenightingale③pouringouthiswonderfulsong.
Notonlyatnightdoesthenightingalesing.OnalmosteverywarmdayinearlyJune,thelittlebrownbirdsingsawayintheroadsandwoods,but,asalltheotherbirdsarealsosingingatthesametime,wedonotnoticehisvoicesomuch.Itisatnight,whenhehasthefieldalltohimself,thatwehearthenightingaleathisbest.