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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15170-h.zip b/15170-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f1cb827 --- /dev/null +++ b/15170-h.zip diff --git a/15170-h/15170-h.htm b/15170-h/15170-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6121ff0 --- /dev/null +++ b/15170-h/15170-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5807 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta name="generator" content= +"HTML Tidy for Windows (vers 1st March 2004), see www.w3.org" /> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content= +"text/html; charset=us-ascii" /> +<title>THE CHILD'S WORLD.</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + + /*<![CDATA[*/ + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + + .note, .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + font-size: 0.9em;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; + text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 6em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 8em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 10em;} + .poem .caesura {vertical-align: -200%;} + + span.pagenum {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; + font-size: 8pt;} + + p.author {text-align: right;} + --> + /*]]>*/ +</style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Child's World +by Hetty Browne, Sarah Withers, W.K. Tate + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Child's World + Third Reader + +Author: Hetty Browne, Sarah Withers, W.K. Tate + +Release Date: February 25, 2005 [EBook #15170] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHILD'S WORLD *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David King, and the PG Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page1" id="page1"></a>{1}</span> +<h1>THE CHILD'S WORLD</h1> +<h2>THIRD READER</h2> +<h3>BY</h3> +<h2>HETTY S. BROWNE<br /> +Extension worker in rural school practice<br /> +Winthrop Normal and Industrial College<br /> +Rock Hill, S.C.</h2> +<h2>SARAH WITHERS<br /> +Principal Elementary Grades and Critic Teacher<br /> +Winthrop Normal and Industrial College</h2> +<h3>AND</h3> +<h2>W.K. TATE<br /> +Professor of Rural Education<br /> +George Peabody College for Teachers<br /> +Nashville, Tenn.</h2> +<h3>JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY<br /> +Richmond, Virginia</h3> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page2" id="page2"></a>{2}</span> +<h2>TEACHERS' AIDS</h2> +<p>Success with the Child's World Readers is in no wise dependent +on the use of the chart, manual, or cards.</p> +<p>Modern teachers of reading, however, recognize the saving of +time and effort to be accomplished for both their pupils and +themselves by the use of cards, chart, and manual, and look to the +publisher to provide these accessories in convenient form and at +moderate cost.</p> +<p>The following aids are therefore offered in the belief that they +will make the work of the teacher, trained or untrained, more +effective.</p> +<p>Child's World Reader Charts, $6.00<br /> +(10 beautiful charts in colors 27x37—20 lessons)</p> +<p>Child's World Manual, 75c<br /> +(Suggestions and outlines for first 5 grades)</p> +<p>Child's World Word Cards, $1.00<br /> +(129 cards—258 words in Primer vocabulary)</p> +<p>Child's World Phrase Cards, 75c<br /> +(48 cards—96 phrases)</p> +<p>Child's World Phonic Cards, 80c<br /> +(80 cards printed both sides)</p> +<p>JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY</p> +<p>Richmond, Virginia.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page3" id="page3"></a>{3}</span> +<h2>ACKNOWLEDGMENTS</h2> +<p>For permission to use copyrighted material the authors and +publishers express their indebtedness to <i>The Independent</i> for +"Who Loves the Trees Best?" by Alice M. Douglas; to Oliver Herford +and the Century Company for "The Elf and the Dormouse"; to the +American Folklore Society for "How Brother Rabbit Fooled the Whale +and the Elephant," by Alcee Fortier; to the <i>Outlook</i> for +"Making the Best of It," by Frances M. Fox, and "Winter Nights," by +Mary F. Butts; to Harper Brothers for "The Animals and the Mirror," +from <i>Told by the Sand Man</i>; to Rand McNally & Company for +"Little Hope's Doll," from <i>Stories of the Pilgrims</i>, by +Margaret Pumphrey; to Daughady & Company for "Squeaky and the +Scare Box," from <i>Christmas Stories</i>, by Georgene Faulkner; to +D.C. Heath & Company for "The Little Cook's Reward," from +<i>Stories of the Old North State</i>, by Mrs. L.A. McCorkle; to +Charles Scribner's Sons for "A Good Play" and "Block City," by +Robert Louis Stevenson, "The Glad New Year," from <i>Rhymes and +Jingles</i>, by Mary Mapes Dodge, "A Christmas Wish" and +"Rock-a-by-Lady," by Eugene Field; to Houghton Mifflin Company for +permission to adapt selections from <i>Hiawatha</i>; to Doubleday, +Page & Company for "The Sand Man," by Margaret Vandergrift, +from <i>The Posy Ring</i>—Wiggin and Smith; to James A. Honey +for "The Monkey's Fiddle," from <i>South African Tales</i>; to Maud +Barnard for "Donal and Conal"; to Maud Barnard and Emilie Yonker +for their versions of Epaminondas.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page4" id="page4"></a>{4}</span> +<h3>Supplementary Historical Reading</h3> +<p>Life of General Robert E. Lee<br /> +<i>For Third and Fourth Grades</i></p> +<p>Life of General Thomas J. Jackson<br /> +<i>For Third and Fourth Grades</i></p> +<p>Life of Washington<br /> +<i>For Fourth and Fifth Grades</i></p> +<p>Life of General N.B. Forrest<br /> +<i>For Fifth Grade</i></p> +<p>Life of General J.E.B. Stuart<br /> +<i>For Fifth and Sixth Grades</i></p> +<p>Soldier Life in the Army of Northern Virginia<br /> +<i>For Fifth Grade</i></p> +<p>Tennessee History Stories<br /> +<i>For Third and Fourth Grades</i></p> +<p>North Carolina History Stories<br /> +<i>For Fourth and Fifth Grades</i></p> +<p>Texas History Stories<br /> +<i>For Fifth and Sixth Grades</i></p> +<p>Half-Hours in Southern History<br /> +<i>For Sixth and Seventh Grades</i></p> +<p>The Yemassee (<i>Complete Edition</i>)<br /> +<i>For Seventh and Eighth Grades</i></p> +<p>(Ask for catalog containing list of other supplementary +reading)</p> +<p>JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY<br /> +RICHMOND, VA.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page5" id="page5"></a>{5}</span> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<p><a href="#philemon">PHILEMON AND BAUCIS</a>, <i>Flora J. +Cooke</i></p> +<p><a href="#poplar">THE POPLAR TREE</a>, <i>Flora J. Cooke</i></p> +<p><a href="#who-loves">WHO LOVES THE TREES BEST?</a>, <i>Alice May +Douglas</i></p> +<p><a href="#leaves-autumn">LEAVES IN AUTUMN</a></p> +<p><a href="#bird-life">A STORY OF BIRD LIFE</a>, <i>Henry Ward +Beecher</i></p> +<p><a href="#bob-white">BOB WHITE</a>, <i>George Cooper</i></p> +<p><a href="#new-dress">HOW MARY GOT A NEW DRESS</a></p> +<p><a href="#plaid-dress">THE PLAID DRESS</a></p> +<p><a href="#silkworm">THE GODDESS OF THE SILKWORM</a></p> +<p><a href="#flax">THE FLAX</a>, <i>Hans Christian Andersen</i></p> +<p><a href="#wonderful">THE WONDERFUL WORLD</a>, <i>William Brighty +Rands</i></p> +<p><a href="#hillman">THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE</a>, <i>Juliana +H. Ewing</i></p> +<p><a href="#dormouse">THE ELF AND THE DORMOUSE</a>, <i>Oliver +Herford</i></p> +<p><a href="#bell">THE BELL OF ATRI</a>, <i>Italian Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#witness">A DUMB WITNESS</a>, <i>Arabian Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#thanks">GIVING THANKS</a></p> +<p><a href="#hedgehog">THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG</a>, +<i>Grimm</i></p> +<p><a href="#epaminondas">EPAMINONDAS</a>, <i>Southern Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#whale-elephant">HOW BROTHER RABBIT FOOLED THE WHALE +AND THE ELEPHANT</a>, <i>Southern Folk Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#christmas-wish">A CHRISTMAS WISH</a>, <i>Eugene +Field</i></p> +<p><a href="#christmas-bells">THE CHRISTMAS BELLS</a>, <i>Old Tale +Retold</i></p> +<p><a href="#god-bless">GOD BLESS THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE</a>, +<i>Old English Rime</i></p> +<p><a href="#squeaky">SQUEAKY AND THE SCARE BOX</a>, <i>Georgene +Faulkner</i></p> +<p><a href="#new-year">THE GLAD NEW YEAR</a>, <i>Mary Mapes +Dodge</i></p> +<p><a href="#making-best">MAKING THE BEST OF IT</a>, <i>Frances M. +Fox</i></p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page6" id="page6"></a>{6}</span> +<p><a href="#mirror">THE ANIMALS AND THE MIRROR</a>, <i>F.A. +Walker</i></p> +<p><a href="#barber">THE BARBER OF BAGDAD</a>, <i>Eastern +Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#winter">WINTER NIGHTS</a>, <i>Mary F. Butts</i></p> +<p><a href="#doll">LITTLE HOPE'S DOLL</a>, <i>Margaret +Pumphrey</i></p> +<p><a href="#nahum">NAHUM PRINCE</a></p> +<p><a href="#little-cook">THE LITTLE COOK'S REWARD</a>, <i>Mrs. +L.A. McCorkle</i></p> +<p><a href="#rock-bye">ROCK-A-BY, HUSH-A-BY, LITTLE PAPOOSE</a>, +<i>Charles Myall</i></p> +<p><a href="#tar-wolf">THE TAR WOLF</a>, <i>The Indian Tar-Baby +Story</i></p> +<p><a href="#rabbit-wolf">THE RABBIT AND THE WOLF</a>, <i>Southern +Indian Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#block">BLOCK CITY</a>, <i>Robert Louis +Stevenson</i></p> +<p><a href="#good-play">A GOOD PLAY</a>, <i>Robert Louis +Stevenson</i></p> +<p><a href="#fiddle">THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE</a>, <i>African +Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#tasks">THE THREE TASKS</a>, <i>Grimm</i></p> +<p><a href="#worlds-music">THE WORLD'S MUSIC</a>, <i>Gabriel +Setoun</i></p> +<p><a href="#sleeping-beauty">THE SLEEPING BEAUTY</a>, +<i>Grimm</i></p> +<p><a href="#duckling">THE UGLY DUCKLING</a>, <i>Hans Christian +Andersen</i></p> +<p><a href="#white-blackbird">THE WHITE BLACKBIRD</a>, <i>Adapted +from Alfred de Musset</i></p> +<p><a href="#brown-thrush">THE BROWN THRUSH</a>, <i>Lucy +Larcom</i></p> +<p><a href="#gooseherd">THE KING AND THE GOOSEHERD</a>, <i>Old +Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#donal">DONAL AND CONAL</a>, <i>Irish Tale</i></p> +<p><a href="#who-told">WHO TOLD THE NEWS?</a></p> +<p><a href="#killingworth">THE BIRDS OF KILLINGWORTH</a>, +<i>Adapted from Longfellow</i></p> +<p><a href="#arbutus">THE TRAILING ARBUTUS</a>, <i>Indian +Legend</i></p> +<p><a href="#hidden-treasure">HIDDEN TREASURE</a>, <i>Grimm</i></p> +<p><a href="#brown-brother">THE LITTLE BROWN BROTHER</a>, <i>Emily +Nesbit</i></p> +<p><a href="#flowers-grow">HOW THE FLOWERS GROW</a>, <i>Gabriel +Setoun</i></p> +<p><a href="#gotham">WISE MEN OF GOTHAM</a>, <i>Old English +Story</i></p> +<p><a href="#guest">THE MILLER'S GUEST</a>, <i>English Ballad +(adapted)</i></p> +<p><a href="#saddle">SADDLE TO RAGS</a>, <i>English Ballad +(adapted)</i></p> +<p><a href="#rock-a-by">THE ROCK-A-BY LADY</a>, <i>Eugene +Field</i></p> +<p><a href="#sandman">THE SAND MAN</a>, <i>Margaret +Vandergrift</i></p> +<p><a href="#dictionary">A DICTIONARY</a></p> +<p><a href="#words">SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS</a></p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page8" id="page8"></a>{8}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig008.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig008.jpg" alt= +"Girl reading a book" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh, for a nook and a story-book,</p> +<p class="i2">With tales both new and old;</p> +<p>For a jolly good book whereon to look</p> +<p class="i2">Is better to me than gold.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>—OLD ENGLISH SONG.</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page9" id="page9"></a>{9}</span> +<h2><a name="philemon" id="philemon">PHILEMON AND BAUCIS</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig009.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig009.jpg" alt= +"Country house" /></a></div> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Long ago, on a high hill in Greece, Philemon and Baucis +lived.</p> +<p>They were poor, but they were never unhappy. They had many hives +of bees from which they got honey, and many vines from <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page10" id="page10"></a>{10}</span> which they +gathered grapes. One old cow gave them all the milk that they could +use, and they had a little field in which grain was raised.</p> +<p>The old couple had as much as they needed, and were always ready +to share whatever they had with any one in want. No stranger was +ever turned from their door.</p> +<p>At the foot of the hill lay a beautiful village, with pleasant +roads and rich pasture lands all around. But it was full of wicked, +selfish, people, who had no love in their hearts and thought only +of themselves.</p> +<p>At the time of this story, the people in the village were very +busy. Zeus, who they believed ruled the world, had sent word that +he was about to visit them. They were preparing a great feast and +making everything beautiful for his coming.</p> +<p>One evening, just at dark, two beggars came into the valley. +They stopped at every house and asked for food and a place to +sleep; but <span class="pagenum"><a name="page11" id= +"page11"></a>{11}</span> the people were too busy or too tired to +attend to their needs. They were thinking only of the coming of +Zeus.</p> +<p>Footsore and weary, the two beggars at last climbed the hill to +the hut of Philemon and Baucis. These good people had eaten very +little, for they were saving their best food for Zeus.</p> +<p>When they saw the beggars, Philemon said, "Surely these men need +food more than Zeus. They look almost starved."</p> +<p>"Indeed, they do!" said Baucis, and she ran quickly to prepare +supper for the strangers.</p> +<p>She spread her best white cloth upon the table, and brought out +bacon, herbs, honey, grapes, bread, and milk. She set these upon +the table in all the best dishes she had and called the strangers +in.</p> +<p>Then what do you suppose happened? The dishes that the strangers +touched turned to gold. The pitcher was never empty, although they +drank glass after glass of milk. The loaf <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page12" id="page12"></a>{12}</span> of bread +stayed always the same size, although the strangers cut slice after +slice.</p> +<p>"These are strange travelers," whispered the old couple to each +other. "They do wonderful things."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>That night Philemon and Baucis slept upon the floor that the +strangers might have their one bed. In the morning they went with +the travelers to the foot of the hill to see them safely started on +their way.</p> +<p>"Now, good people," said one of the strangers, "we thank you, +and whatever you wish shall be yours."</p> +<p>As he said this, his face became like that of the sun. Then +Philemon and Baucis knew that Zeus had spoken to them.</p> +<p>"Grant, O Zeus, that one of us may not outlive the other," they +cried in one voice.</p> +<p>"Your wish is granted," said Zeus; "yes, and more. Return to +your home and be happy."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" id="page13"></a>{13}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig013.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig013.jpg" alt= +"Philemon and Baucis walking home" /></a></div> +<p>Philemon and Baucis turned homeward, and, lo! their hut was +changed to a beautiful castle.</p> +<p>The old people turned around to thank their guests, but they had +disappeared.</p> +<p>In this castle Philemon and Baucis lived many years. They still +did all they could for others, and were always so happy that they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" id="page14"></a>{14}</span> +never thought of wishing anything for themselves.</p> +<p>As the years passed, the couple grew very old and feeble. One +day Baucis said to Philemon, "I wish we might never die, but could +always live together."</p> +<p>"Ah, that is my wish, too!" sighed old Philemon.</p> +<p>The next morning the marble palace was gone; Baucis and Philemon +were gone; but there on the hilltop stood two beautiful trees, an +oak and a linden.</p> +<p>No one knew what became of the good people. After many years, +however, a traveler lying under the trees heard them whispering to +each other.</p> +<p>"Baucis," whispered the oak.</p> +<p>"Philemon," replied the linden.</p> +<p>There the trees stood through sun and rain, always ready to +spread their leafy shade over every tired stranger who passed that +way.</p> +<p>—FLORA J. COOKE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page15" id="page15"></a>{15}</span> +<h2><a name="poplar" id="poplar">THE POPLAR TREE</a></h2> +<p>Long ago the poplar used to hold out its branches like other +trees. It tried to see how far it could spread them.</p> +<p>Once at sunset an old man came through the forest where the +poplar trees lived. The trees were going to sleep, and it was +growing dark.</p> +<p>The man held something under his cloak. It was a pot of +gold—the very pot of gold that lies at the foot of the +rainbow. He had stolen it and was looking for some place to hide +it. A poplar tree stood by the path.</p> +<p>"This is the very place to hide my treasure," the man said. "The +branches spread out straight, and the leaves are large and thick. +How lucky that the trees are all asleep!"</p> +<p>He placed the pot of gold in the thick branches, and then ran +quickly away.</p> +<p>The gold belonged to Iris, the beautiful maiden who had a +rainbow bridge to the earth. The next morning she missed her +precious pot. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page16" id= +"page16"></a>{16}</span> It always lay at the foot of the rainbow, +but it was not there now.</p> +<p>Iris hurried away to tell her father, the great Zeus, of her +loss. He said that he would find the pot of gold for her.</p> +<p>He called a messenger, the swift-footed Mercury, and said, "Go +quickly, and do not return until you have found the treasure."</p> +<p>Mercury went as fast as the wind down to the earth. He soon came +to the forest and awakened the trees.</p> +<p>"Iris has lost her precious pot of gold that lies at the foot of +the rainbow. Have any of you seen it?" he asked.</p> +<p>The trees were very sleepy, but all shook their heads.</p> +<p>"We have not seen it," they said.</p> +<p>"Hold up your branches," said Mercury. "I must see that the pot +of gold is not hidden among them."</p> +<p>All of the trees held up their branches. The poplar that stood +by the path was the first to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page17" +id="page17"></a>{17}</span> hold up his. He was an honest tree and +knew he had nothing to hide.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig017.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig017.jpg" alt= +"Mercury among the trees" /></a></div> +<p>Down fell the pot of gold. How surprised the poplar tree was! He +dropped his branches in shame. Then he held them high in the +air.</p> +<p>"Forgive me," he said. "I do not know how it came to be there; +but, hereafter, I shall always hold my branches up. Then every one +can see that I have nothing hidden."</p> +<p>Since then the branches have always grown straight up; and every +one knows that the poplar is an honest and upright tree.</p> +<p>—FLORA J. COOKE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page18" id="page18"></a>{18}</span> +<h2><a name="who-loves" id="who-loves">WHO LOVES THE TREES +BEST?</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Who loves the trees best?</p> +<p>"I," said the Spring;</p> +<p>"Their leaves so beautiful</p> +<p>To them I bring."</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Who loves the trees best?</p> +<p>"I," Summer said;</p> +<p>"I give them blossoms,</p> +<p>White, yellow, red."</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Who loves the trees best?</p> +<p>"I," said the Fall;</p> +<p>"I give luscious fruits,</p> +<p>Bright tints to all."</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Who loves the trees best?</p> +<p>"I love them best,"</p> +<p>Harsh Winter answered;</p> +<p>"I give them rest."</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—ALICE MAY DOUGLAS.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page19" id="page19"></a>{19}</span> +<h2><a name="leaves-autumn" id="leaves-autumn">LEAVES IN +AUTUMN</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Red and gold, and gold and red,</p> +<p>Autumn leaves burned overhead;</p> +<p class="i2">Hues so splendid</p> +<p class="i2">Softly blended,</p> +<p>Oh, the glory that they shed!</p> +<p>Red and gold, and gold and red.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Gold and brown, and brown and gold,</p> +<p>Of such fun the west wind told</p> +<p class="i2">That they listened,</p> +<p class="i2">And they glistened,</p> +<p>As they wrestled in the cold;</p> +<p>Gold and brown, and brown and gold.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Brown and gold, and red and brown,</p> +<p>How they hurried, scurried down</p> +<p class="i2">For a frolic,</p> +<p class="i2">For a rolic,</p> +<p>Through the country and the town,</p> +<p>Brown and gold, and red and brown.</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page20" id="page20"></a>{20}</span> +<h2><a name="bird-life" id="bird-life">A STORY OF BIRD +LIFE</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig020.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig020.jpg" alt= +"A bird in a tree" /></a></div> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Once there came to our fields a pair of birds. They had never +built a nest nor seen a winter.</p> +<p>Oh, how beautiful was everything! The fields were full of +flowers, the grass was growing tall, and the bees were humming +everywhere.</p> +<p>One of the birds fell to singing, and the other bird said, "Who +told you to sing?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page21" id="page21"></a>{21}</span> +<p>He answered, "The flowers and the bees told me. The blue sky +told me, and you told me."</p> +<p>"When did I tell you to sing?" asked his mate.</p> +<p>"Every time you brought in tender grass for the nest," he +replied. "Every time your soft wings fluttered off again for hair +and feathers to line it."</p> +<p>Then his mate asked, "What are you singing about?"</p> +<p>"I am singing about everything," he answered. "I sing because I +am happy."</p> +<p>By and by five little speckled eggs were in the nest, and the +mother bird asked, "Is there anything in all the world as pretty as +my eggs?"</p> +<p>A week or two afterward, the mother said, "Oh, what do you think +has happened? One of my eggs has been peeping and moving."</p> +<p>Soon another egg moved, then another, and another, till five +eggs were hatched.</p> +<p>The little birds were so hungry that it kept <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page22" id="page22"></a>{22}</span> the parents +busy feeding them. Away they both flew. The moment the little birds +heard them coming back, five yellow mouths flew open wide.</p> +<p>"Can anybody be happier?" said the father bird to the mother +bird. "We will live in this tree always. It is a tree that bears +joy."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>The very next day one of the birds dropped out of the nest, and +in a moment a cat ate it up. Only four remained, and the parent +birds were very sad. There was no song all that day, nor the +next.</p> +<p>Soon the little birds were big enough to fly. The first bird +that tried his wings flew from one branch to another. His parents +praised him, and the other baby birds wondered how he had done +it.</p> +<p>The little one was so proud of it that he tried again. He flew +and flew and couldn't stop flying. At last he fell plump! down by +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page23" id="page23"></a>{23}</span> +the kitchen door. A little boy caught him and carried him into the +house.</p> +<p>Now only three birds were left. The sun no longer seemed bright +to the birds, and they did not sing so often.</p> +<p>In a little time the other birds learned to use their wings, and +they flew away and away. They found their own food and made their +own nests.</p> +<p>Then the old birds sat silent and looked at each other a long +while. At last the mother bird asked, "Why don't you sing?"</p> +<p>"I can't sing," the father bird answered. "I only think and +think!"</p> +<p>"What are you thinking of?"</p> +<p>"I am thinking how everything changes. The leaves are falling, +and soon there will be no roof over our heads. The flowers are all +gone. Last night there was a frost. Almost all the birds have flown +away, and I am restless. Something calls me, and I feel that I must +fly away, too."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page24" id="page24"></a>{24}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig024.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig024.jpg" alt= +"Two birds flying over a field" /></a></div> +<p>"Let us fly away together!" the mother bird said.</p> +<p>Then they rose silently up in the air. They looked to the north; +far away they saw the snow coming. They looked to the south; there +they saw green leaves.</p> +<p>All day they flew. All night they flew and flew, till they found +a land where there was no winter. There it was summer all the time; +flowers always blossomed and birds always sang.</p> +<p>—HENRY WARD BEECHER</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page25" id="page25"></a>{25}</span> +<h2><a name="bob-white" id="bob-white">BOB WHITE</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There's a plump little chap in a speckled coat,</p> +<p>And he sits on the zigzag rails remote,</p> +<p>Where he whistles at breezy, bracing morn,</p> +<p>When the buckwheat is ripe, and stacked is the corn:</p> +<p>"Bob White! Bob White! Bob White!"</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Is he hailing some comrade as blithe as he?</p> +<p>Now I wonder where Robert White can be!</p> +<p>O'er the billows of gold and amber grain</p> +<p>There is no one in sight—but, hark again:</p> +<p>"Bob White! Bob White! Bob White!"</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! I see why he calls; in the stubble there</p> +<p>Hide his plump little wife and babies fair!</p> +<p>So contented is he, and so proud of the same,</p> +<p>That he wants all the world to know his name:</p> +<p>"Bob White! Bob White! Bob White!"</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—GEORGE COOPER.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page26" id="page26"></a>{26}</span> +<h2><a name="new-dress" id="new-dress">HOW MARY GOT A NEW +DRESS</a></h2> +<p>Mary lived a long time ago. She was a little girl when your +great-great-grandmother was a little girl.</p> +<p>In those days all cloth had to be made at home. Aunt Dinah, Aunt +Chloe, and Aunt Dilsey were kept busy spinning and weaving to make +clothes for the whole plantation.</p> +<p>One day Mary's mother said, "Aunt Dilsey, Mary needs a new +dress, and I want you to weave some cloth at once. Can you weave +some very fine cloth?"</p> +<p>"Yes, ma'am," said Aunt Dilsey. "I have some cotton I've been +saving to make her a dress."</p> +<p>Aunt Dilsey got out the cards and carded the cotton smooth and +fine. Then she fastened a roll of this cotton to the spindle and +sent the wheel whirling around with a +"Zum-m-m-m—Zum-m-m-m!"</p> +<p>Mary stood and watched the old woman.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page27" id="page27"></a>{27}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig027.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig027.jpg" alt= +"Mary watching Aunt Dilsey at spinning wheel" /></a></div> +<p>"Aunt Dilsey," she said, "the spinning wheel sings a song, and I +know what it says. Grandmother told me. It says,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'A hum and a whirl,</p> +<p>A twist and a twirl,</p> +<p>This is for the girl</p> +<p>With the golden curl!</p> +<p>Zum-m-m-m-m-m!</p> +<p>Zum-m-m-m-m-m!'"</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>"And that means you, honey," said Aunt Dilsey.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page28" id="page28"></a>{28}</span> +<p>When the yarn was ready, Aunt Dilsey fastened it in the loom and +began to weave. The threads went over and under, over and under. As +Aunt Dilsey wove, she hummed. Mary stood by and sang this song,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Over and under and over we go,</p> +<p>Weaving the cotton as white as the snow,</p> +<p>Weaving the cloth for a dress, oh, ho!</p> +<p>As over and under and over we go."</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>After the cloth had been woven, Aunt Dilsey took it out of the +loom. Then she bleached it until it was as white as snow. Now it +was ready to be made into a dress.</p> +<p>"Mother, do tell me how you are going to make the dress," said +Mary. "Will it have ruffles on it like Sue's? Will it have trimming +on it? And how many buttons will you put on it? Sue's dress has +twelve; I know, for I counted them."</p> +<p>Mother did not answer all these questions; she just smiled as +the scissors went snip, snip into the cloth. But she did cut out +ruffles, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page29" id= +"page29"></a>{29}</span> and Aunt Maria began to hem them.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig029.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig029.jpg" alt= +"Mary with her mother and grandmother" /></a></div> +<p>By and by grandmother came into the room.</p> +<p>"Mary," she said, "here is some lace I got in England. Mother +may put it on your dress."</p> +<p>How happy Mary was! She danced for joy.</p> +<p>Mother put on the lace, and grandmother worked the buttonholes. +How many do you suppose she worked? Why, she worked twelve!</p> +<p>When the dress was finished, it was just like Sue's. Only it was +a great deal finer, for Mary's dress had three ruffles and Sue's +had only two! And, then, there was the lace from England!</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page30" id="page30"></a>{30}</span> +<h2><a name="plaid-dress" id="plaid-dress">THE PLAID DRESS</a></h2> +<p>"I want a warm plaid dress," said a little girl. "The days are +colder, and the frost will soon be here. But how can I get it? +Mother says that she cannot buy one for me."</p> +<p>The old white sheep in the meadow heard her, and he bleated to +the shepherd, "The little girl wants a warm plaid dress. I will +give my wool. Who else will help?"</p> +<p>The kind shepherd said, "I will." Then he led the old white +sheep to the brook and washed its wool. When it was clean and +white, he said, "The little girl wants a warm plaid dress. The +sheep has given his wool, and I have washed it clean and white. Who +else will help?"</p> +<p>"We will," said the shearers. "We will bring our shears and cut +off the wool."</p> +<p>The shearers cut the soft wool from the old sheep, and then they +called, "The little girl wants a new dress. The sheep has given his +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page31" id="page31"></a>{31}</span> +wool. The shepherd has washed it; and we have sheared it. Who else +will help?"</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig031.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig031.jpg" alt= +"Shearer shearing the sheep" /></a></div> +<p>"We will," cried the carders. "We will comb it out straight and +smooth."</p> +<p>Soon they held up the wool, carded straight and smooth, and they +cried, "The little girl wants a new dress. The sheep has given his +wool. The shepherd has washed the wool. The shearers have cut it, +and we have carded it. Who else will help?"</p> +<p>"We will," said the spinners. "We will spin it into thread."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page32" id="page32"></a>{32}</span> +<p>"Whirr, whirr!" How fast the spinning wheels turned, singing all +the time.</p> +<p>Soon the spinners said, "The little girl wants a new dress. The +sheep has given his wool. The shepherd has washed the wool. The +shearers have cut it. The carders have carded it, and we have spun +it into thread. Who else will help?"</p> +<p>"We will," said the dyers. "We will dye it with beautiful +colors."</p> +<p>Then they dipped the woven threads into bright dye, red and blue +and green and brown.</p> +<p>As they spread the wool out to dry, the dyers called: "The +little girl wants a new dress. The sheep has given his wool. The +shepherd has washed the wool. The shearers have cut it. The carders +have carded it. The spinners have spun it, and we have dyed it with +bright beautiful colors. Who else will help?"</p> +<p>"We will," said the weavers. "We will make it into cloth."</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig033.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig033.jpg" alt= +"Weaver at loom" /></a></div> +<p>"Clickety-clack! clickety-clack!" went the <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page33" id="page33"></a>{33}</span> loom, as the +colored thread was woven over and under over and under. Before long +it was made into beautiful plaid cloth.</p> +<p>Then the little girl's mother cut and made the dress. It was a +beautiful plaid dress, and the little girl loved to wear it. Every +time she put it on, she thought of her friends who had helped +her,—the sheep, the shearers, the carders, the spinners, the +dyers, the weavers, and her own dear mother.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page34" id="page34"></a>{34}</span> +<h2><a name="silkworm" id="silkworm">THE GODDESS OF THE +SILKWORM</a></h2> +<p>Hoangti was the emperor of China. He had a beautiful wife whose +name was Si-ling. The emperor and his wife loved their people and +always thought of their happiness.</p> +<p>In those days the Chinese people wore clothes made of skins. By +and by animals grew scarce, and the people did not know what they +should wear. The emperor and empress tried in vain to find some +other way of clothing them.</p> +<p>One morning Hoangti and his wife were in the beautiful palace +garden. They walked up and down, up and down, talking of their +people.</p> +<p>Suddenly the emperor said, "Look at those worms on the mulberry +trees, Si-ling. They seem to be spinning."</p> +<p>Si-ling looked, and sure enough, the worms were spinning. A long +thread was coming from the mouth of each, and each little worm was +winding this thread around its body.</p> +<p>Si-ling and the emperor stood still and <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page35" id="page35"></a>{35}</span> watched the +worms. "How wonderful!" said Si-ling.</p> +<p>The next morning Hoangti and the empress walked under the trees +again. They found some worms still winding thread. Others had +already spun their cocoons and were fast asleep. In a few days all +of the worms had spun cocoons.</p> +<p>"This is indeed a wonderful, wonderful thing!" said Si-ling. +"Why, each worm has a thread on its body long enough to make a +house for itself!"</p> +<p>Si-ling thought of this day after day. One morning as she and +the emperor walked under the trees, she said, "I believe I could +find a way to weave those long threads into cloth."</p> +<p>"But how could you unwind the threads?" asked the emperor.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig036.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig036.jpg" alt= +"Hoangti and Si-ling walking among the trees" /></a></div> +<p>"I'll find a way," Si-ling said. And she did; but she had to try +many, many times.</p> +<p>She put the cocoons in a hot place, and the little sleepers soon +died. Then the cocoons <span class="pagenum"><a name="page36" id= +"page36"></a>{36}</span> were thrown into boiling water to make the +threads soft. After that the long threads could be easily +unwound.</p> +<p>Now Si-ling had to think of something else; she had to find a +way to weave the threads into cloth. After many trials, she made a +loom—the first that was ever made. She taught others to +weave, and soon hundreds of people were making cloth from the +threads of the silkworm.</p> +<p>The people ever afterward called Si-ling "The Goddess of the +Silkworm." And whenever the emperor walked with her in the garden, +they liked to watch the silkworms spinning threads for the good of +their people.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page37" id="page37"></a>{37}</span> +<h2><a name="flax" id="flax">THE FLAX</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>It was spring. The flax was in full bloom, and it had dainty +little blue flowers that nodded in the breeze.</p> +<p>"People say that I look very well," said the flax. "They say +that I am fine and long and that I shall make a beautiful piece of +linen. How happy I am! No one in the world can be happier."</p> +<p>"Oh, yes," said the fence post, "you may grow and be happy, and +you may sing, but you do not know the world as I do. Why, I have +knots in me." And it creaked;</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Snip, snap, snurre,</p> +<p>Basse, lurre,</p> +<p>The song is ended."</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>"No, it is not ended," said the flax. "The sun will shine, and +the rain will fall, and I shall grow and grow. No, no, the song is +not ended."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page38" id="page38"></a>{38}</span> +<p>One day some men came with sharp reap hooks. They took the flax +by the head and cut it off at the roots. This was very painful, you +may be sure.</p> +<p>Then the flax was laid in water and was nearly drowned. After +that it was put on a fire and nearly roasted. All this was +frightful. But the flax only said, "One cannot be happy always. By +having bad times as well as good, we become wise."</p> +<p>After the flax had been cut and steeped and roasted, it was put +on a spinning wheel. "Whir-r-r, whir-rr-r," went the spinning +wheel; it went so fast that the flax could hardly think.</p> +<p>"I have been very happy in the sunshine and the rain," it said. +"If I am in pain now, I must be contented."</p> +<p>At last the flax was put in the loom. Soon it became a beautiful +piece of white linen.</p> +<p>"This is very wonderful," said the flax. "How foolish the fence +post was with its song of—</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page39" id="page39"></a>{39}</span> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>'Snip, snap, snurre,</p> +<p>Basse, lurre,</p> +<p>The song is ended.'</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>The song is not ended, I am sure. It has only just begun.</p> +<p>"After all that I have suffered, I am at last made into +beautiful linen. How strong and fine I am, and how long and white! +This is even better than being a plant bearing flowers. I have +never been happier than I am now."</p> +<p>After some time the linen was cut into pieces and sewed with +needles. That was not pleasant; but at last there were twelve +pretty white aprons.</p> +<p>"See," said the flax, "I have been made into something. Now I +shall be of some use in the world. That is the only way to be +happy."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>Years passed by, and the linen was so worn that it could hardly +hold together.</p> +<p>"The end must come soon," said the flax.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page40" id="page40"></a>{40}</span> +<p>At last the linen did fall into rags and tatters; it was torn +into shreds and boiled in water. The flax thought the end had +come.</p> +<p>But no, the end was not yet. After being made into pulp and +dried, the flax became beautiful white paper.</p> +<p>"This is a surprise, a glorious surprise," it said. "I am finer +than ever, and I shall have fine things written on me. How happy I +am!"</p> +<p>And sure enough, the most beautiful stories and verses were +written upon it. People read the stories and verses, and they were +made wiser and better. Their children and their children's children +read them, too, and so the song was not ended.</p> +<p>—HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig040.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig040.jpg" alt= +"Girl reading a book" /></a></div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page41" id="page41"></a>{41}</span> +<h2><a name="wonderful" id="wonderful">THE WONDERFUL WORLD</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful World,</p> +<p>With the wonderful water round you curled,</p> +<p>And the wonderful grass upon your breast,</p> +<p>World, you are beautifully drest.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The wonderful air is over me,</p> +<p>And the wonderful wind is shaking the tree—</p> +<p>It walks on the water, and whirls the mills,</p> +<p>And talks to itself on the top of the hills.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>You friendly Earth, how far do you go,</p> +<p>With the wheat-fields that nod and the rivers that flow,</p> +<p>With cities and gardens, and cliffs and isles,</p> +<p>And people upon you for thousands of miles?</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Ah! you are so great, and I am so small,</p> +<p>I hardly can think of you, World, at all;</p> +<p>And yet, when I said my prayers to-day,</p> +<p>A whisper within me seemed to say,</p> +<p>"You are more than the Earth, though you are such a dot!</p> +<p>You can love and think, and the Earth cannot!"</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—William Brighty Rands.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page42" id="page42"></a>{42}</span> +<h2><a name="hillman" id="hillman">THE HILLMAN AND THE +HOUSEWIFE</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig042.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig042.jpg" alt= +"The Hillman at the housewife's door" /></a></div> +<p>As every one knows, fairies are always just. They are kind to +others, and in return they expect others to be kind to them. In +some countries across the sea there are fairies called Hillmen.</p> +<p>Now, there once lived a certain housewife who liked to make +bargains. She gave away only those things for which she had no use, +and then expected always to get something in return.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page43" id="page43"></a>{43}</span> +<p>One day a Hillman knocked at her door.</p> +<p>"Can you lend us a saucepan?" he asked. "There's a wedding on +the hill, and all the pots are in use."</p> +<p>"Is he to have one?" whispered the servant who opened the +door.</p> +<p>"Aye, to be sure," answered the housewife; "one must be +neighborly. Get the saucepan for him, lass."</p> +<p>The maid turned to take a good saucepan from the shelf, but the +housewife stopped her.</p> +<p>"Not that, not that," she whispered. "Get the old one out of the +cupboard. It leaks, but that doesn't matter. The Hillmen are so +neat and are such nimble workers that they are sure to mend it +before they send it home. I can oblige the fairies and save +sixpence in tinkering, too."</p> +<p>The maid brought the old saucepan that had been laid by until +the tinker's next visit, and gave it to the Hillman. He thanked her +and went away.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page44" id="page44"></a>{44}</span> +<p>When the saucepan was returned, it had been neatly mended, just +as the housewife thought it would be.</p> +<p>At night the maid filled the pan with milk and set it on the +fire to heat for the children's supper. In a few moments the milk +was so smoked and burnt that no one would touch it. Even the pigs +refused to drink it.</p> +<p>"Ah, you good-for-nothing!" cried the housewife. "There's a +quart of milk wasted at once."</p> +<p>"And that's twopence," cried a queer little voice that seemed to +come from the chimney.</p> +<p>The housewife filled the saucepan again and set it over the +fire. It had not been there more than two minutes before it boiled +over and was burnt and smoked as before.</p> +<p>"The pan must be dirty," muttered the woman, who was very much +vexed. "Two full quarts of milk have been wasted."</p> +<p>"And that's fourpence!" added the queer little voice from the +chimney.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page45" id="page45"></a>{45}</span> +<p>The saucepan was scoured; then it was filled with milk the third +time and set over the fire. Again the milk boiled over and was +spoiled.</p> +<p>Now the housewife was quite vexed. "I have never had anything +like this to happen since I first kept house," she exclaimed. +"Three quarts of milk wasted!"</p> +<p>"And that's sixpence," cried the queer little voice from the +chimney. "You didn't save the tinkering after all, mother!"</p> +<p>With that the Hillman himself came tumbling from the chimney and +ran off laughing. But from that time, the saucepan was as good as +any other.</p> +<p>—JULIANA H. EWING.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig045.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig045.jpg" alt= +"The Hillman running off from the fire" /></a></div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page46" id="page46"></a>{46}</span> +<h2><a name="dormouse" id="dormouse">THE ELF AND THE +DORMOUSE</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig046.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig046.jpg" alt= +"The Elf and the Dormouse under the toadstool" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Under a toad stool</p> +<p class="i2">Crept a wee Elf,</p> +<p>Out of the rain</p> +<p class="i2">To shelter himself.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Under the toad stool</p> +<p class="i2">Sound asleep,</p> +<p>Sat a big Dormouse</p> +<p class="i2">All in a heap.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Trembled the wee Elf</p> +<p class="i2">Frightened, and yet</p> +<p>Fearing to fly away</p> +<p class="i2">Lest he get wet.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page47" id= +"page47"></a>{47}</span></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>To the next shelter—</p> +<p class="i2">Maybe a mile!</p> +<p>Sudden the wee Elf</p> +<p class="i2">Smiled a wee smile;</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Tugged till the toad stool</p> +<p class="i2">Toppled in two;</p> +<p>Holding it over him,</p> +<p class="i2">Gayly he flew.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Soon he was safe home,</p> +<p class="i2">Dry as could be.</p> +<p>Soon woke the Dormouse—</p> +<p class="i2">"Good gracious me!</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Where is my toad stool?"</p> +<p class="i2">Loud he lamented.</p> +<p>And that's how umbrellas</p> +<p class="i2">First were invented.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—OLIVER HERFORD.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig047.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig047.jpg" alt= +"The elf flying away with the toadstool as the Dormouse watches" /></a></div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page48" id="page48"></a>{48}</span> +<h2><a name="bell" id="bell">THE BELL OF ATRI</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Good King John of Atri loved his people very much and wished to +see them happy. He knew, however, that some were not; he knew that +many suffered wrongs which were not righted. This made him sad.</p> +<p>One day the king thought of a way to help his people. He had a +great bell hung in a tower in the market place. He had the rope +made so long that a child could reach it.</p> +<p>Then the king sent heralds through the streets to tell the +people why he had put the bell in the market place. The heralds +blew their trumpets long and loud, and the people came from their +homes to hear the message.</p> +<p>"Know ye," cried a herald, "that whenever a wrong is done to any +man, he has but to ring the great bell in the square. A judge will +go to the tower to hear the complaint, and he will see that justice +is done."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page49" id="page49"></a>{49}</span> +<p>"Long live our good king!" shouted the people. "Now our wrongs +shall be righted."</p> +<p>And so it was. Whenever anyone was wronged, he rang the bell in +the tower. The judge put on his rich robes and went there. He +listened to the complaint, and the guilty were punished.</p> +<p>The people in Atri were now very happy, and the days went +swiftly by. The bell hung in its place year after year, and it was +rung many times. By and by the rope became so worn that one could +scarcely reach it.</p> +<p>The king said, "Why, a child could not reach the rope now, and a +wrong might not be righted. I must put in a new one."</p> +<p>So he ordered a rope from a distant town. In those days it took +a long time to travel from one town to another. What should they do +if somebody wished to ring the bell before the new rope came?</p> +<p>"We must mend the rope in some way," said a man.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page50" id="page50"></a>{50}</span> +<p>"Here," said another; "take this piece of grapevine and fasten +it to the rope. Then it will be long enough for any one to +reach."</p> +<p>This was done, and for some time the bell was rung in that +way.</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>One hot summer noon everything was very still. All the people +were indoors taking their noonday rest.</p> +<p>Suddenly they were awakened by the arousing bell:</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Some one—hath done—a wrong,</p> +<p>Hath done—a wrong!</p> +<p>Hath done—a wrong!</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>The judge started from a deep sleep, turned on his couch, and +listened. Could it be the bell of justice?</p> +<p>Again the sound came:</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Some one—hath done—a wrong!</p> +<p>Hath done—a wrong!</p> +<p>Hath done—a wrong!</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page51" id="page51"></a>{51}</span> +<p>It was the bell of justice. The judge put on his rich robes and, +panting, hurried to the market place.</p> +<p>There he saw a strange sight: a poor steed, starved and thin, +tugging at the vines which were fastened to the bell. A great crowd +had gathered around.</p> +<p>"Whose horse is this?" the judge asked.</p> +<p>"It is the horse of the rich soldier who lives in the castle," +said a man. "He has served his master long and well, and has saved +his life many times. Now that the horse is too old to work, the +master turns him out. He wanders through the lanes and fields, +picking up such food as can be found."</p> +<p>"His call for justice shall be heard," said the judge. "Bring +the soldier to me."</p> +<p>The soldier tried to treat the matter as a jest. Then he grew +angry and said in an undertone, "One can surely do what he pleases +with his own."</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig052.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig052.jpg" alt= +"The judge sees the horse in the market place" /></a></div> +<p>"For shame!" cried the judge. "Has the <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page52" id="page52"></a>{52}</span> horse not +served you for many years? And has he not saved your life? You must +build a good shelter for him, and give him the best grain and the +best pasture. Take the horse home and be as true to him as he has +been to you."</p> +<p>The soldier hung his head in shame and led the horse away. The +people shouted and applauded.</p> +<p>"Great is King John," they cried, "and great the bell of +Atri!"</p> +<p>—ITALIAN TALE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page53" id="page53"></a>{53}</span> +<h2><a name="witness" id="witness">A DUMB WITNESS</a></h2> +<p>One day at noontime a poor man was riding along a road. He was +tired and hungry, and wished to stop and rest. Finding a tree with +low branches, he tied his horse to one of them. Then he sat down to +eat his dinner.</p> +<p>Soon a rich man came along and started to tie his horse to the +same tree.</p> +<p>"Do not fasten your horse to that tree," cried the poor man. "My +horse is savage and he may kill yours. Fasten him to another +tree."</p> +<p>"I shall tie my horse where I wish," the rich man replied; and +he tied his horse to the same tree. Then he, too, sat down to +eat.</p> +<p>Very soon the men heard a great noise. They looked up and saw +that their horses were kicking and fighting. Both men rushed to +stop them, but it was too late; the rich man's horse was dead.</p> +<p>"See what your horse has done!" cried the <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page54" id="page54"></a>{54}</span> rich man in +an angry voice. "But you shall pay for it! You shall pay for +it!"</p> +<p>Then he dragged the man before a judge.</p> +<p>"Oh, wise judge," he cried, "I have come to you for justice. I +had a beautiful, kind, gentle horse which has been killed by this +man's savage horse. Make the man pay for the horse or send him to +prison."</p> +<p>"Not so fast, my friend," the judge said. "There are two sides +to every case."</p> +<p>He turned to the poor man. "Did your horse kill this man's +horse?" he asked.</p> +<p>The poor man made no reply.</p> +<p>The judge asked in surprise, "Are you dumb? Can you not +talk?"</p> +<p>But no word came from the poor man's lips.</p> +<p>Then the judge turned to the rich man.</p> +<p>"What more can I do?" he asked. "You see for yourself this poor +man cannot speak."</p> +<p>"Oh, but he can," cried the rich man. "He spoke to me."</p> +<p>"Indeed!" said the judge. "When?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page55" id="page55"></a>{55}</span> +<p>"He spoke to me when I tied my horse to the tree."</p> +<p>"What did he say?" asked the judge.</p> +<p>"He said, 'Do not fasten your horse to that tree. My horse is +savage and may kill yours.'"</p> +<p>"0 ho!" said the judge. "This poor man warned you that his horse +was savage, and you tied your horse near his after the warning. +This puts a new light on the matter. You are to blame, not he."</p> +<p>The judge turned to the poor man and said, "My man, why did you +not answer my questions?"</p> +<p>"Oh, wise judge," said the poor man, "if I had told you that I +warned him not to tie his horse near mine, he would have denied it. +Then how could you have told which one of us to believe? I let him +tell his own story, and you have learned the truth."</p> +<p>This speech pleased the judge. He praised the poor man for his +wisdom, and sent the rich man away without a penny.</p> +<p>—ARABIAN TALE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page56" id="page56"></a>{56}</span> +<h2><a name="thanks" id="thanks">GIVING THANKS</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig056.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig056.jpg" alt= +"Workers leaving a reaped field" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,</p> +<p>For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,</p> +<p>For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,</p> +<p>For the rose and the song, and the harvest brought +home—</p> +<p class="i2">Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page57" id="page57"></a>{57}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig057.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig057.jpg" alt= +"A house" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,</p> +<p>For the cunning and strength of the working-man's hand,</p> +<p>For the good that our artists and poets have taught,</p> +<p>For the friendship that hope and affection have +brought—</p> +<p class="i2">Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>For the homes that with purest affection are blest,</p> +<p>For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,</p> +<p>For our country extending from sea to sea,</p> +<p>The land that is known as "The Land of the Free"—</p> +<p class="i2">Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page58" id="page58"></a>{58}</span> +<h2><a name="hedgehog" id="hedgehog">THE HARE AND THE +HEDGEHOG</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>PLACE: A farmer's cabbage field.</p> +<p>TIME: A fine morning in spring.</p> +<p>(The hedgehog is standing by his door looking at the cabbage +field which he thinks is his own.)</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Wife, have you dressed the children yet?</p> +<p>WIFE: Just through, my dear.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Well, come out here and let us look at our cabbage +patch.</p> +<p>(Wife comes out.)</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Fine crop, isn't it? We should be happy.</p> +<p>WIFE: The cabbage is fine enough, but I can't see why we should +be so happy.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig058.png"><img width="80%" src="images/fig058.png" alt= +"The hare and the hedgehog with a cabbage" /></a></div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page59" id="page59"></a>{59}</span> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Why, my dear, there are tears in your voice. What is +the matter?</p> +<p>WIFE: I suppose I ought not to mind it, but those dreadful hares +nearly worry the life out of me.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: What are they doing now?</p> +<p>WIFE: Doing? What are they not doing? Why, yesterday I brought +my pretty babies out here to get some cabbage leaves. We were +eating as well-behaved hedgehogs always eat, and those horrid hares +almost made us cry.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: What did they do?</p> +<p>WIFE: They came to our cabbage patch and they giggled and said, +"Oh, see the little duck-legged things! Aren't they funny?" Then +one jumped over a cabbage just to hurt our feelings.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Well, they are mean, I know, but we won't notice them. +I'll get <span class="pagenum"><a name="page60" id= +"page60"></a>{60}</span> even with them one of these days. Ah, +there comes one of them now.</p> +<p>WIFE: Yes, and he laughed at me yesterday. He said, +"Good-morning, Madam Shortlegs." I won't speak to him. I'll hide +till he goes by.</p> +<p>(Wife hides behind a cabbage.)</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Good-morning, sir.</p> +<p>HARE: Are you speaking to me?</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Certainly; do you see any one else around?</p> +<p>HARE: How dare you speak to me?</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Oh, just to be neighborly.</p> +<p>HARE: I shall ask you not to speak to me hereafter. I think +myself too good to notice hedgehogs.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Now, that is strange.</p> +<p>HARE: What is strange?</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Why, I have just said to my wife that we wouldn't +notice you.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page61" id="page61"></a>{61}</span> +<p>HARE: Wouldn't notice me, indeed, you silly, short-legged, +duck-legged thing!</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Well, my legs are quite as good as yours, sir.</p> +<p>HARE: As good as mine! Who ever heard of such a thing? Why, you +can do little more than crawl.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: That may be as you say, but I'll run a race with you +any day.</p> +<p>HARE: Ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho! A race with a hedgehog! Well, +well, well!</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Are you afraid to run with me?</p> +<p>HARE: Of course not. It will be no race at all, but I'll run +just to show you how silly you are.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Good! You run in that furrow; I will run in this. We +shall see who gets to the fence first. Let's start from the far end +of the furrow.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page62" id="page62"></a>{62}</span> +<p>HARE: I will run to the brook and back while you are getting +there. Go ahead.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: I wouldn't stay too long if I were you.</p> +<p>HARE: Oh, I'll be back before you reach the end of the +furrow.</p> +<p>(The hare runs off to the brook.)</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Wife, wife, did you hear what I said to the hare?</p> +<p>WIFE: Did I hear? I should say I did. What are you thinking of? +Have you lost your senses?</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: You shouldn't speak that way to me. What do you know +about a man's business? Come here and let me whisper something to +you.</p> +<p>(He whispers and then walks to far end of the furrow. His wife +laughs.)</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page63" id="page63"></a>{63}</span> +<p>WIFE: Ha, ha! I see. I see. Nothing wrong with your brains.</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Short legs, long wit,</p> +<p>Long legs, not a bit,"</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>as my grandmother used to say. The hare will find that out +today.</p> +<p>(She stoops down in the near end of the furrow. The hare returns +and takes his place.)</p> +<p>HARE: Well, are you ready?</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Of course I am,—ready and waiting.</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>HARE: One for the money,</p> +<p>Two for the show,</p> +<p>Three to make ready,</p> +<p>And here we go!</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>(The hare runs as swiftly as the wind. The hedgehog starts with +him, but stops and stoops low in the furrow. When the hare reaches +the other end, the hedgehog's wife puts up her head.)</p> +<p>WIFE: Well, here I am.</p> +<p>HARE: What does this mean?</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page64" id="page64"></a>{64}</span> +<p>WIFE: It means what it means.</p> +<p>HARE: We'll try again. Are you ready?</p> +<p>WIFE: Of course I am.</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>HARE: One for the money,</p> +<p>Two for the show,</p> +<p>Three to make ready,</p> +<p>And here we go!</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>(The hare runs swiftly back again. Wife starts, but stops and +stoops low. The hare reaches the other end. The hedgehog puts up +his head.)</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Here I am.</p> +<p>HARE: I can't understand this.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: It is very clear to me.</p> +<p>HARE: Well, we'll try again. Are you ready?</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: I'm always ready.</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>HARE: One for the money,</p> +<p>Two for the show,</p> +<p>Three to make ready,</p> +<p>And here we go!</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>(Again the wife puts up her head and the hare is +bewildered.)</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page65" id="page65"></a>{65}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig065.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig065.jpg" alt= +"The hare racing as the hedhog looks on" /></a></div> +<p>WIFE: You see I am here.</p> +<p>HARE: I just can't believe it.</p> +<p>WIFE: A perfectly simple thing.</p> +<p>HARE: We'll try once more. You can't beat me another time.</p> +<p>WIFE: Don't boast. You had better save your breath for the race; +you will need it.</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>HARE: One for the money,</p> +<p>Two for the show,</p> +<p>Three to make ready,</p> +<p>And here we go!</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page66" id="page66"></a>{66}</span> +<p>(When the hare reaches the other end of the field, the hedgehog +puts up his head.)</p> +<p>HARE: This is very strange.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Shall we run again? You seem a little tired, but I am +perfectly fresh.</p> +<p>HARE (<i>panting</i>): No, no! The race is yours.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Will you call my wife and children names any more?</p> +<p>HARE: No, no! I'll never do that again.</p> +<p>HEDGEHOG: Very well. And if you wish a race at any time, friend +hare, just call by for me.</p> +<p>HARE (<i>walking off shaking his head</i>): It's very strange. I +hope none of the other hares will hear of this race.</p> +<p>WIFE (<i>as she meets the hedgehog</i>): I thought I should hurt +myself laughing. As my grandmother used to say,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Short legs, long wit,</p> +<p>Long legs, not a bit."</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>— GRIMM.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page67" id="page67"></a>{67}</span> +<h2><a name="epaminondas" id="epaminondas">EPAMINONDAS</a></h2> +<p>Epaminondas had a good kind granny, who cooked at "the big +house." Epaminondas liked to go to see her, for she always gave him +something to take home with him.</p> +<p>One day when Epaminondas went to see granny, she was baking a +cake, and she gave Epaminondas a piece to eat. As he was leaving, +granny said, "Epaminondas, you may take a slice home to your +mammy."</p> +<p>Epaminondas took it in his little hands and squeezing it just as +tight as he could, ran all the way home. When his mammy saw him, +she said, "What's that, Epaminondas?"</p> +<p>"Cake, mammy. Granny sent it to you."</p> +<p>"Cake!" cried his mammy. "Epaminondas, don't you know that's no +way to carry cake? When your granny gives you cake, put it in your +hat; then put your hat on your head and come home. You hear me, +Epaminondas?"</p> +<p>"Yes, mammy."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page68" id="page68"></a>{68}</span> +<p>The next time Epaminondas went to see his granny, she was +churning, and she gave him a pat of fresh butter to carry to his +mammy.</p> +<p>Epaminondas said to himself, "What was it mammy said? Oh, yes! I +know. She said, 'Put it in your hat and put the hat on your head +and come home.' I'll do just what she told me."</p> +<p>Epaminondas put the pat of butter in his hat, put his hat on his +head, and went home.</p> +<p>It was a hot day, and soon the butter began to melt. Drip, drip, +drip, it went into his ears. Drip, drip, drip, it went into his +eyes. Drip, drip, drip, it went down his back. When Epaminondas +reached home, he had no butter in his hat. It was all on him.</p> +<p>Looking at him hard, his mammy said, "Epaminondas, what in the +world is that dripping from your hat?"</p> +<p>"Butter, mammy. Granny sent it to you."</p> +<p>"Butter!" cried his mammy. "Oh, Epaminondas! Don't you know how +to carry butter? <span class="pagenum"><a name="page69" id= +"page69"></a>{69}</span> You must wrap it in a cabbage leaf, and +take it to the spring. Then you must cool it in the water, and cool +it in the water, and cool it in the water. When you have done this, +take the butter in your hands and come home. You hear me, +Epaminondas?"</p> +<p>"Yes, mammy."</p> +<p>The next time Epaminondas went to see his granny, she wasn't +baking cake and she wasn't churning. She was sitting in a chair +knitting.</p> +<p>She said, "Epaminondas, look in the woodshed, and you'll see +something you like."</p> +<p>Epaminondas looked in the woodshed, and there he found four +little puppies. He played with them all the afternoon, and when he +started home, his granny gave him one.</p> +<p>Epaminondas remembered what his mammy had told him. He wrapped +the puppy in a big cabbage leaf, and took it to the spring. He +cooled it in the water, and cooled it in the water, and cooled it +in the water. Then he took it in his hands, and went home.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page70" id="page70"></a>{70}</span> +<p>When his mammy saw him, she said, "Epaminondas, what is that in +your hands?"</p> +<p>"A puppy dog, mammy."</p> +<p>"A puppy dog!" cried his mammy. "Oh, Epaminondas! What makes you +act so foolish? That's no way to carry a puppy. The way to carry a +puppy is to tie a string around his neck and put him on the ground. +Then you take the other end of the string in your hand and come +along home. You hear me, Epaminondas?"</p> +<p>"Yes, mammy."</p> +<p>Epaminondas was going to be right the next time; he got a piece +of string and put it in his pocket to have it ready.</p> +<p>The next day company came to see Epaminondas's mammy, and she +had no bread for dinner. She called Epaminondas and said, "Run to +'the big house' and ask your granny to send me a loaf of bread for +dinner."</p> +<p>"Yes, mammy," said Epaminondas. And off he ran.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page71" id="page71"></a>{71}</span> +<p>Granny gave him a loaf just from the oven—a nice, brown, +crusty loaf. This time Epaminondas was certainly going to do what +mammy had told him.</p> +<p>He proudly got out his string and tied it to the loaf. Then he +put the loaf on the ground, and taking the other end of the string +in his hand, he went along home.</p> +<p>When he reached home, his mammy gave one look at the thing tied +to the end of the string.</p> +<p>"What have you brought, Epaminondas?" she cried.</p> +<p>"Bread, mammy. Granny sent it to you."</p> +<p>"Oh, Epaminondas! Epaminondas! How could you be so foolish?" +cried his mammy. "Now I have no bread for dinner. I'll have to go +and get some myself."</p> +<p>She went into the house and got her bonnet. When she came out, +she said, "Epaminondas, do you see those three mince pies I've put +on the doorstep to cool. Well, now, you hear <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page72" id="page72"></a>{72}</span> me, +Epaminondas. You be careful how you step on those pies!"</p> +<p>"Yes, mammy."</p> +<p>His mammy went off down the road; Epaminondas went to the door +and looked out. "Mammy told me to be careful how I step on those +mince pies," he said, "so I must be careful how I do it. I'll step +right in the middle of every one."</p> +<p>And he did!</p> +<p>When his mammy came home, there were no pies for dinner.</p> +<p>Now she was angry all over, and something happened. I don't +know, and you don't know, but we can guess.</p> +<p>Poor Epaminondas!—SOUTHERN TALE.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig072.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig072.jpg" alt= +"Epaminondas stepping in the pies" /></a></div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page73" id="page73"></a>{73}</span> +<h2><a name="whale-elephant" id="whale-elephant">HOW BROTHER RABBIT +FOOLED THE WHALE AND THE ELEPHANT</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>One day Brother Rabbit was running along on the sand, lippety, +lippety, lippety. He was going to a fine cabbage field. On the way +he saw the whale and the elephant talking together.</p> +<p>Brother Rabbit said, "I'd like to know what they are talking +about." So he crouched down behind some bushes and listened.</p> +<p>This is what Brother Rabbit heard the whale say:</p> +<p>"You are the biggest thing on the land, Brother Elephant, and I +am the biggest thing in the sea. If we work together, we can rule +all the animals in the world. We can have our own way about +everything."</p> +<p>"Very good, very good," trumpeted the elephant. "That suits me. +You keep the sea, and I will keep the land."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page74" id="page74"></a>{74}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig074.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig074.jpg" alt= +"Brother Rabbit talking to the elephant" /></a></div> +<p>"That's a bargain," said the whale, as he swam away.</p> +<p>Brother Rabbit laughed to himself. "They won't rule me," he +said, as he ran off.</p> +<p>Brother Rabbit soon came back with a very long and a very strong +rope and his big drum. He hid the drum in some bushes. Then taking +one end of the rope, he walked up to the elephant.</p> +<p>"Oh, dear Mr. Elephant," he said, "you are big and strong; will +you have the kindness to do me a favor?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page75" id="page75"></a>{75}</span> +<p>The elephant was pleased, and he trumpeted, "Certainly, +certainly. What is it?"</p> +<p>"My cow is stuck in the mud on the shore, and I can't pull her +out," said Brother Rabbit. "If you will help me, you will do me a +great service. You are so strong, I am sure you can get her +out."</p> +<p>"Certainly, certainly," trumpeted the elephant.</p> +<p>"Thank you," said the rabbit. "Take this rope in your trunk, and +I will tie the other end to my cow. Then I will beat my drum to let +you know when to pull. You must pull as hard as you can, for the +cow is very heavy."</p> +<p>"Huh!" trumpeted the elephant, "I'll pull her out, or break the +rope."</p> +<p>Brother Rabbit tied the rope to the elephant's trunk and ran +off, lippety, lippety.</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>He ran till he came to the shore where the whale was. Making a +bow, Brother Rabbit said, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page76" +id="page76"></a>{76}</span> "0, mighty and wonderful Whale, will +you do me a favor?"</p> +<p>"What is it?" asked the whale.</p> +<p>"My cow is stuck in the mud on the shore," said Brother Rabbit, +"and I cannot pull her out. Of course you can do it. If you will be +so kind as to help me, I shall be very much obliged."</p> +<p>"Certainly," said the whale, "certainly."</p> +<p>"Thank you," said Brother Rabbit, "take hold of this rope, and I +will tie the other end to my cow. Then I will beat my big drum to +let you know when to pull. You must pull as hard as you can, for my +cow is very heavy."</p> +<p>"Never fear," said the whale, "I could pull a dozen cows out of +the mud."</p> +<p>"I am sure you could," said the rabbit politely. "Only be sure +to begin gently. Then pull harder and harder till you get her +out."</p> +<p>The rabbit ran away into the bushes where he had hidden the drum +and began to beat it. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page77" id= +"page77"></a>{77}</span> Then the whale began to pull and the +elephant began to pull. In a minute the rope tightened till it was +stretched as hard as a bar of iron.</p> +<p>"This is a very heavy cow," said the elephant, "but I'll pull +her out." Bracing his fore feet in the earth, he gave a tremendous +pull.</p> +<p>But the whale had no way to brace himself.</p> +<p>"Dear me," he said. "That cow must surely be stuck tight." +Lashing his tail in the water, he gave a marvelous pull.</p> +<p>He pulled harder; the elephant pulled harder. Soon the whale +found himself sliding toward the land. He was so provoked with the +cow that he went head first, down to the bottom of the sea.</p> +<p>That was a pull! The elephant was jerked off his feet, and came +slipping and sliding toward the sea. He was very angry.</p> +<p>"That cow must be very strong to drag me in this way," he said. +"I will brace myself."</p> +<p>Kneeling down on the ground, he twisted <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page78" id="page78"></a>{78}</span> the rope +around his trunk. Then he began to pull his very best, and soon the +whale came up out of the water.</p> +<p>Then each saw that the other had hold of the rope.</p> +<p>"How is this?" cried the whale. "I thought I was pulling Brother +Rabbit's cow."</p> +<p>"That is what I thought," said the elephant. "Brother Rabbit is +making fun of us. He must pay for this. I forbid him to eat a blade +of grass on land, because he played a trick on us."</p> +<p>"And I will not allow him to drink a drop of water in the sea," +said the whale.</p> +<p>But Little Rabbit sat in the bushes and laughed, and laughed, +and laughed.</p> +<p>"Much do I care," he said. "I can get all the green things I +want, and I don't like salt water."</p> +<p>—SOUTHERN FOLK TALE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page79" id="page79"></a>{79}</span> +<h2><a name="christmas-wish" id="christmas-wish">A CHRISTMAS +WISH</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig079.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig079.jpg" alt= +"A mother with children in winter" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I'd like a stocking made for a giant,</p> +<p class="i2">And a meeting house full of toys;</p> +<p>Then I'd go out on a happy hunt</p> +<p class="i2">For the poor little girls and boys;</p> +<p>Up the street and down the street,</p> +<p class="i2">And across and over the town,</p> +<p>I'd search and find them every one,</p> +<p class="i2">Before the sun went down.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>One would want a new jack-knife</p> +<p class="i2">Sharp enough to cut;</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page80" id="page80"></a>{80}</span> +<p>One would long for a doll with hair,</p> +<p class="i2">And eyes that open and shut;</p> +<p>One would ask for a china set</p> +<p class="i2">With dishes all to her mind;</p> +<p>One would wish a Noah's ark</p> +<p class="i2">With beasts of every kind.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Some would like a doll cook-stove</p> +<p class="i2">And a little toy wash tub;</p> +<p>Some would prefer a little drum,</p> +<p class="i2">For a noisy rub-a-dub;</p> +<p>Some would wish for a story book,</p> +<p class="i2">And some for a set of blocks;</p> +<p>Some would be wild with happiness</p> +<p class="i2">Over a new tool-box.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>And some would rather have little shoes,</p> +<p class="i2">And other things warm to wear,</p> +<p>For many children are very poor,</p> +<p class="i2">And the winter is hard to bear;</p> +<p>I'd buy soft flannels for little frocks,</p> +<p class="i2">And a thousand stockings or so,</p> +<p>And the jolliest little coats and cloaks,</p> +<p class="i2">To keep out the frost and snow.</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page81" id="page81"></a>{81}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig081.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig081.jpg" alt= +"Christmas toys" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I'd load a wagon with caramels</p> +<p class="i2">And candy of every kind,</p> +<p>And buy all the almond and pecan nuts</p> +<p class="i2">And taffy that I could find;</p> +<p>And barrels and barrels of oranges</p> +<p class="i2">I'd scatter right in the way,</p> +<p>So the children would find them the very first thing,</p> +<p class="i2">When they wake on Christmas day.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—EUGENE FIELD.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page82" id="page82"></a>{82}</span> +<h2><a name="christmas-bells" id="christmas-bells">THE CHRISTMAS +BELLS</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig082.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig082.jpg" alt= +"The church tower" /></a></div> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Long, long ago, in a far away city, there was a large church. +The tower of this church was so high that it seamed to touch the +clouds, and in the high tower there were three wonderful bells. +When they rang, they made sweet music.</p> +<p>There was something strange about these bells. They were never +heard to ring except on Christmas eve, and no one knew who rang +them. Some people thought it was the wind blowing through the +tower. Others thought the angels rang them when a gift pleased the +Christ Child.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page83" id="page83"></a>{83}</span> +<p>Although the people did not know what rang the bells, they loved +to hear them. They would come from miles around to listen to the +wonderful music. When they had heard the bells, they would go out +of the church, silent but happy. Then all would go back to their +homes feeling that Christmas had come, indeed.</p> +<p>One Christmas eve the people in the church waited and waited, +but the bells did not ring. Silently and sadly they went home. +Christmas after Christmas came and went. Nearly one hundred years +passed by, and in all that time the bells did not ring.</p> +<p>People sometimes asked one another, "Do you suppose the bells +ever did ring?"</p> +<p>"Yes," said one very old man. "I have often heard my father tell +how beautifully they rang on Christmas eve. There was more love in +the world then."</p> +<p>Every Christmas eve the church was filled with people who waited +and listened. They hoped that the bells would ring again as they +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page84" id="page84"></a>{84}</span> +had rung long ago. Though many gifts were laid on the altar, still +the bells did not ring.</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>Christmas was near at hand again, and every one was happy.</p> +<p>Not far from the city two little brothers lived on a +farm—Pedro and Little Brother.</p> +<p>Their father was poor and had no gift to lay on the altar. But +Pedro had saved all his earnings, and he had one shining silver +piece. His father had promised the little boys that they might go +to the church on Christmas eve and take the gift.</p> +<p>It was quite dark when the lads started on their way to the +city. The snow was falling fast, but they buttoned their little +jackets close about them and walked along briskly. They were not +far from the church when they heard a low whine of distress. Little +Brother, clinging to Pedro in fear, cried, "What is it, Pedro, what +is it?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page85" id="page85"></a>{85}</span> +<p>Pedro ran across the street, and there under a small heap of +snow, what do you think he found? A little black and white dog, +shivering with cold, and nearly starved. Pedro opened his jacket, +and put the dog inside to keep it warm.</p> +<p>"You will have to go to the church alone, Little Brother," Pedro +said. "I must take this little dog back to the farm, and give it +food, else it will die."</p> +<p>"But I don't want to go alone, Pedro," said Little Brother.</p> +<p>"Won't you please go and put my gift on the altar, Little +Brother? I wish so much to have it there to-night."</p> +<p>"Yes, Pedro, I will," said Little Brother.</p> +<p>He took the gift and started toward the church. Pedro turned and +went home.</p> +<p>When Little Brother came to the great stone church and looked up +at the high tower, he felt that he could not go in alone. He stood +outside a long time watching the people as <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page86" id="page86"></a>{86}</span> they passed +in. At last he entered quietly and took a seat in a corner.</p> +<h3>III</h3> +<p>When Little Brother went into the church, all the people were +seated. They sat quietly hoping that at last the bells would ring +again as in the days of old.</p> +<p>The organ pealed out a Christmas hymn. The choir and the people +arose, and all sang the grand old anthem. Then a solemn voice said, +"Bring now your gifts to the altar."</p> +<p>The king arose and went forward with stately tread. Bowing +before the altar, he laid upon it his golden crown. Then he walked +proudly back to his seat. All the people listened, but the bells +did not ring.</p> +<p>Then the queen arose and with haughty step walked to the front. +She took from her neck and wrists her beautiful jewels and laid +them upon the altar. All the people listened, but the bells did not +ring.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page87" id="page87"></a>{87}</span> +<p>Then the soldiers came marching proudly forward. They took their +jeweled swords from their belts and laid them upon the altar. All +the people listened, but the bells did not ring.</p> +<p>Then the rich men came hurrying forward. They counted great sums +of gold and laid them in a businesslike way upon the altar. All the +people listened, but the bells did not ring.</p> +<p>"Can I go all alone to the front of the church and lay this +small gift on the altar?" said Little Brother. "Oh, how can I? how +can I?"</p> +<p>Then he said, "But I told Pedro I would, and I must."</p> +<p>So he slipped slowly around by the outer aisle. He crept quietly +up to the altar and softly laid the silver piece upon the very +edge.</p> +<p>And listen! What do you think was heard? The bells, the +bells!</p> +<p>Oh, how happy the people were! And how happy Little Brother was! +He ran out of the church and down the road toward the farm.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page88" id="page88"></a>{88}</span> +<p>Pedro had warmed the dog and fed it, and was now on the way to +the city. He hoped that he might see the people come out of the +church.</p> +<p>Down the road Little Brother came running. Throwing himself into +Pedro's arms, he cried, "Oh, Pedro, Pedro! The bells, the bells! I +wish you could have heard them; and they rang when I laid your gift +on the altar."</p> +<p>"I did hear them, Little Brother," said Pedro. "Their sound came +to me over the snow,—the sweetest music I ever heard."</p> +<p>Long years after, when Pedro grew to be a man, he was a great +musician. Many, many people came to hear him play.</p> +<p>Some one said to him one day, "How can you play so sweetly? I +never heard such music before."</p> +<p>"Ah," said Pedro, "but you never heard the Christmas bells as I +heard them that Christmas night years and years ago."</p> +<p>—OLD TALE RETOLD.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page89" id="page89"></a>{89}</span> +<h2><a name="god-bless" id="god-bless">GOD BLESS THE MASTER OF THIS +HOUSE</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig089.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig089.jpg" alt= +"Family at prayer at the table" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>God bless the master of this house,</p> +<p class="i2">The mistress, also,</p> +<p>And all the little children</p> +<p class="i2">That round the table go:</p> +<p>And all your kin and kinsfolk,</p> +<p class="i2">That dwell both far and near;</p> +<p>I wish you a merry Christmas</p> +<p class="i2">And a happy new year.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—OLD ENGLISH RIME.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page90" id="page90"></a>{90}</span> +<h2><a name="squeaky" id="squeaky">SQUEAKY AND THE SCARE +BOX</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Once upon a time a family of mice lived in the pantry wall. +There was a father mouse, there was a mother mouse, and there were +three little baby mice.</p> +<p>One little mouse had sharp bright eyes and could see everything, +even in the darkest holes. He was called Sharpeyes. His brother +could sniff and smell anything, wherever it might be hidden, and he +was called Sniffy. The baby mouse had such a squeaky little voice +that he was called Squeaky. He was always singing, "Ee-ee-ee!"</p> +<p>Mother mouse was very wise, and she had taught her babies to run +and hide when they saw the old cat coming. She had also taught them +not to go near a trap. The little mice obeyed their mother, and +they were happy in their home in the pantry wall.</p> +<p>They had many good times together. I could <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page91" id="page91"></a>{91}</span> not tell you +about all of these, but I am going to tell you about their +Christmas party and what happened to Squeaky.</p> +<p>It was the night before Christmas. The stockings hung by the +chimney, and the tall tree was standing in the parlor. The children +were asleep, and the father and mother had gone upstairs to +bed.</p> +<p>In the pantry wall, the little mice were all wide-awake.</p> +<p>"Ee-ee-ee!" squeaked Squeaky; "why can't we creep into the big +room and see the tall Christmas tree? The children have talked +about it for days, and we have never seen one. Mother, please let +us go and see it."</p> +<p>"Yes," said Sniffy, "do let us go. Everything smells so good. +The children and the cook made long strings of pop corn to-day. I +found a little on the pantry floor, and I want some more."</p> +<p>"I peeped out of our hole," said Sharpeyes, "and I saw cake and +candy all ready for the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page92" id= +"page92"></a>{92}</span> children. Oh, I do want a bite of those +good things! Please let us have a Christmas party."</p> +<p>"Well," said mother mouse, "I will ask your father. If he says +it is safe, we will go."</p> +<p>When mother mouse asked father mouse, he said, "I will go out +first and look all about. If it is safe, I will come back for +you."</p> +<p>So father mouse crept softly through the pantry, down the long +hall, and into the parlor. The cat was nowhere to be seen. Father +mouse ran back to the pantry and cried, "The cat is not near; come +and see the tree."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>Then all the mice came scampering from the hole in the wall. +They crept through the pantry, down the long hall, and into the +parlor. When they saw the tall Christmas tree, they squeaked again +and again in their joy. Then they ran around and around the tree to +see what was on it.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page93" id="page93"></a>{93}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig093.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig093.jpg" alt= +"The mice look at the Christmas tree" /></a></div> +<p>On the floor they saw a wonderful doll's house. "How fine it +would be to live there!" they squeaked.</p> +<p>They ran up and down the stairs, sat on the chairs, and lay down +in the beds. Oh, they had a merry time!</p> +<p>Then Sniffy said, "I smell that good pop corn again. Let's climb +up into the Christmas tree and get some."</p> +<p>They climbed up into the tree. They nibbled <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page94" id="page94"></a>{94}</span> the pop +corn; they nibbled the candy; they nibbled the nuts; and they +nibbled the cakes.</p> +<p>Soon Sharpeyes cried out, "Come here, I see a mouse! I see a +mouse! But he doesn't look like our family at all."</p> +<p>"I should say not," sniffed Sniffy; "and how good he +smells!"</p> +<p>"Why, he is good to eat!" squeaked Squeaky; and they all began +to eat the chocolate mouse.</p> +<p>Then they found another candy mouse—a pretty pink one. +They were so busy eating it that they forgot to watch and listen; +then—bang! The door was opened, and the lights were turned +on.</p> +<p>With a squeak, the mice scampered down from the tree; then they +ran along the hall, through the pantry, and back to their home. +There was the father mouse, and the mother mouse, and Sharpeyes, +and Sniffy. But where was Squeaky?</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page95" id="page95"></a>{95}</span> +<h3>III</h3> +<p>Now, as Squeaky tried to run down the tree, he fell heels over +head. Down, down, down, he fell until he was caught in a funny box. +An ugly man with black hair and black whiskers seemed to be hopping +out of the box.</p> +<p>When Squeaky saw the lights turned on, he hid under the dress of +this queer man. He lay very, very still, for he had been taught to +be still when danger was near. He heard voices. The father and +mother had come back.</p> +<p>"Yes," the father was saying; "it would have been a shame to +forget this train. I would like it to come right out from under the +tree. Help me put the track down, mother."</p> +<p>When the train was just where it should be, the mother turned to +the beautiful tree.</p> +<p>"Why, look at that Jack-in-the-box," she said. "The man is +hanging out. That will never do. I will shut the box. Teddy must +see the man jump out."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page96" id="page96"></a>{96}</span> +<p>The mother pushed the man with the black hair down, down, into +the box and shut the lid. Poor Squeaky felt the springs close down +on him and squeaked, "Ee-ee-"</p> +<p>"That was a fine squeak," said the father. "The toys are +wonderful these days."</p> +<p>"Yes," said the mother, as she turned off the light. "When I was +a child, we did not have such toys."</p> +<p>"I am in a trap," said poor Squeaky, "but there isn't even a bit +of cheese in it. I wonder what kind of trap it is; nothing seems to +hurt me. Well, I am safe for a while, and I hope I shall soon get +out."</p> +<p>Squeaky lay in the box all night, and wondered what Sniffy and +Sharpeyes were doing. The next morning, he heard children calling, +"Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!" And soon the toys were taken +down, one by one. Then such a noise was heard—drums beating, +horns tooting, children shouting. You should have heard it.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page97" id="page97"></a>{97}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig097.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig097.jpg" alt= +"The mother is surprised as Squeaky escapes" /></a></div> +<p>"See our new doll's house!" cried one child.</p> +<p>"See my new train! How fast it goes!" cried another.</p> +<p>"And see my beautiful dolly!" cried another. "She can open and +shut her eyes."</p> +<p>By and by the mother took the box from the tree. "Come here, +Teddy," she said. "Here is a scare box. We will have some fun. +Watch me open the lid."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page98" id="page98"></a>{98}</span> +<p>Teddy stood by his mother and watched closely.</p> +<p>"Are you ready?" asked his mother. "Well, let us count. One, +two, three!"</p> +<p>The lid flew open, and out jumped the man with the black hair +and black whiskers. And with a squeak of joy, out jumped the +mouse.</p> +<p>"Ee-ee-ee!" he cried, as he ran away.</p> +<p>"Ee!" said the Jack-in-the-box.</p> +<p>"Whee-ee-ee!" cried the boy with delight.</p> +<p>"Oh,—a mouse! a mouse!" cried the mother. Then she threw +the box on the floor and jumped up on her chair.</p> +<p>"Where? where?" cried all the children.</p> +<p>But they saw only the tip of Squeaky's tail as he ran across the +hall to the pantry. Another moment and he was safe in the hole in +the pantry wall.</p> +<p>The children's father laughed as he helped their mother climb +down from the chair.</p> +<p>"Well," he said, "how did <i>you</i> enjoy Teddy's scare +box?"</p> +<p>—GEORGENE FAULKNER.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page99" id="page99"></a>{99}</span> +<h2><a name="new-year" id="new-year">THE GLAD NEW YEAR</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>It's coming, boys,</p> +<p class="i2">It's almost here.</p> +<p>It's coming, girls,</p> +<p class="i2">The grand New Year.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A year to be glad in,</p> +<p class="i2">Not to be sad in;</p> +<p>A year to live in,</p> +<p class="i2">To gain and give in.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>A year for trying,</p> +<p class="i2">And not for sighing;</p> +<p>A year for striving</p> +<p class="i2">And healthy thriving.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>It's coming, boys,</p> +<p class="i2">It's almost here.</p> +<p>It's coming, girls,</p> +<p class="i2">The grand New Year.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—MARY MAPES DODGE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page100" id= +"page100"></a>{100}</span> +<h2><a name="making-best" id="making-best">MAKING THE BEST OF +IT</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig100.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig100.jpg" alt= +"The goose and the hen" /></a></div> +<p>"What a dreary day it is!" grumbled the old gray goose to the +brown hen. They were standing at the henhouse window watching the +falling snow which covered every nook and corner of the +farmyard.</p> +<p>"Yes, indeed," said the brown hen. "I should almost be willing +to be made into a chicken pie on such a day."</p> +<p>She had scarcely stopped talking when Pekin duck said fretfully, +"I am so hungry that I am almost starved."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page101" id= +"page101"></a>{101}</span> +<p>A little flock of chickens all huddled together wailed in sad +tones, "And we are so thirsty!"</p> +<p>In fact, all the feathered folk in the henhouse seemed cross and +fretful. It is no wonder they felt that way, for they had had +nothing to eat or drink since early in the morning. The cold wind +howled around their house. Hour after hour went by, but no one came +near the henhouse.</p> +<p>The handsome white rooster, however, seemed as happy as usual. +That is saying a great deal, for a jollier old fellow than he never +lived in a farmyard. Sunshine, rain, or snow were all the same to +him, and he crowed quite as merrily in stormy weather as in +fair.</p> +<p>"Well," he said, laughing, as he looked about the henhouse, "you +all seem to be having a fit of dumps."</p> +<p>Nobody answered the white rooster, but a faint cluck or two came +from some of the hens. They immediately put their heads back under +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page102" id= +"page102"></a>{102}</span> their wings, however, as if ashamed of +having spoken at all.</p> +<p>This was too much for the white rooster. He stood first on one +yellow foot and then on the other. Turning his head from side to +side, he said, "What's the use of looking so sad? Any one would +think that you expected to be eaten by a band of hungry foxes."</p> +<p>Just then a brave little white bantam rooster hopped down from +his perch. He strutted over to the big rooster and caused quite a +flutter in the henhouse by saying:</p> +<p>"We're lively enough when our crops are full, but when we are +starving, it is a wonder that we can hold our heads up at all. If I +ever see that farmer's boy again, I'll—I'll—I'll peck +his foot!"</p> +<p>"You won't see him until he feeds us," said the white rooster, +"and then I guess you will peck his corn."</p> +<p>"Oh, oh!" moaned the brown hen. "Don't speak of a peck of +corn."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page103" id= +"page103"></a>{103}</span> +<p>"Madam," said the white rooster, bowing very low, "your trouble +is my own,—that is, I'm hungry, too. But we might be worse +off. We might be in a box on our way to market. It is true that we +haven't had anything to eat to-day, but we at least have room +enough to stretch our wings."</p> +<p>"Why, that is a fact," clucked the brown hen. And all the +feathered family—even the smallest chickens—stretched +their wings, and looked a little more cheerful.</p> +<p>"Now, then," went on the rooster, "suppose we have a little +music to cheer us and help pass the hours until roosting time. Let +us all crow. There, I beg your pardon, ladies; I am sorry you can't +crow. Let us sing a happy song. Will you be kind enough to start a +merry tune, Mrs. Brown Hen?"</p> +<p>The brown hen shook herself proudly, tossed her head back and +began,—"Ca-ca-ca-ca-ca-ca!" In less than two minutes every +one in the henhouse had joined her. The white <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page104" id="page104"></a>{104}</span> rooster +was the loudest of all, and the little bantam rooster stretched his +neck and did the best he could.</p> +<p>Now, the horses, cows, and sheep were not far away. They heard +the happy voices, and they, too, joined in the grand chorus. The +pigs did their best to sing louder than all the rest.</p> +<p>Higher and higher, stronger and stronger, rose the chorus. +Louder and louder quacked the ducks. Shriller and shriller squealed +the pigs.</p> +<p>They were all so happy that they quite forgot their hunger until +the door of the henhouse burst open, and in came three chubby +children. Each was carrying a dish of hot chicken food.</p> +<p>"Don't stop your music, Mr. Rooster," said the little girl, who +was bundled up until you could scarcely see her dear little +face.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig105.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig105.jpg" alt= +"The children arrive with food" /></a></div> +<p>"You see, we were so lonesome that we didn't know what to do. We +heard you folk singing out here, and we laughed and laughed until +we almost cried. Then we went to tell <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page105" id="page105"></a>{105}</span> Jack +about you. He was lonesome, too, for he's sick with a sore throat, +you know. He said, 'Why, those poor hens! They haven't been fed +since morning! Go and feed them.' And so we came."</p> +<p>"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" said the white rooster. "This comes of +making the best of things. Cock-a-doodle-doo!" And nobody asked him +to stop crowing.</p> +<p>—FRANCES M. FOX.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page106" id= +"page106"></a>{106}</span> +<h2><a name="mirror" id="mirror">THE ANIMALS AND THE +MIRROR</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Aunt Susan sent an old-fashioned looking-glass to the barn to be +stored in the loft, with other old furniture. The farm boy stood it +on the floor of the barn until he should have time to put it away. +The mirror was broad and long, and it was set in a dark wooden +frame.</p> +<p>An old duck wandered into the barn and caught sight of herself +in the mirror. "There is another duck," she said. "I wonder who she +is."</p> +<p>And she walked toward the reflection. "She is rather friendly," +the duck went on. "She is walking toward me. What large feet she +has, but her feathers are very handsome."</p> +<p>Just then she bumped into the mirror. "Goodness!" she cried; "if +that duck isn't in a glass case! Why are you in there?"</p> +<p>"Well, you needn't answer if you don't <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page107" id="page107"></a>{107}</span> want to," +she said, walking away. "A glass case is a good place for you."</p> +<p>Just then a pig came along, and nosing around, he came in front +of the mirror.</p> +<p>"What are you doing here?" he asked, thinking he saw another +pig. His nose hit the glass, and he stepped back.</p> +<p>"So you are in a glass pen," he said. "You are not very +handsome, and your nose is not so long as mine; I cannot see why +you should have a glass pen."</p> +<p>And away he trotted to tell the other pigs about the very +plain-looking pig.</p> +<p>Kitty came along next and walked in front of the mirror, turning +her head and swinging her tail. She had seen a mirror before and +knew what it was. The cat wished to look in the mirror, but she saw +the dog coming in the door, and she did not want him to think her +vain.</p> +<p>The dog walked over to the mirror and gazed in it. Then he +looked foolish, although he <span class="pagenum"><a name="page108" +id="page108"></a>{108}</span> had seen a mirror before, too, but +not so often as puss.</p> +<p>"Thought it was another dog, didn't you?" she laughed. "Here +comes the donkey. Let us hide behind those barrels and see what he +does."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>The donkey went up to the mirror.</p> +<p>"If they haven't another donkey!" he said. "I suppose I should +speak first, as I have lived here so long. Why, he is coming to +meet me. That is friendly, indeed."</p> +<p>Bump! his nose hit the glass.</p> +<p>"Well, I had better give up!" he said. "You are in a glass case, +but I don't know why you should be. You are a homely creature, and +your ears are not so long as mine." And he walked off with a +disgusted air.</p> +<p>The cat rolled over and over, and the dog buried his head in his +paws. "Did you ever see anything so funny?" he said to puss.</p> +<p>"Hush!" she replied, "Here is the rooster."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page109" id= +"page109"></a>{109}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig109.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig109.jpg" alt= +"The rooster and the mirror" /></a></div> +<p>The rooster stopped quite still when he saw himself in the +mirror.</p> +<p>"Well, where did you come from?" he asked, ruffling up his +feathers. He walked straight to the mirror and flew at the other +rooster. Bang! He went against the glass.</p> +<p>"In a glass case, are you?" he said. He <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page110" id="page110"></a>{110}</span> stretched +out his neck and looked very fierce. "You should be; you are a +sight—your feathers are ruffled, and you are not half so +handsome as I am."</p> +<p>And off he walked, satisfied that he was handsomer than the +other rooster.</p> +<p>"Oh, dear!" laughed the cat. "I certainly shall scream. They all +think they are handsomer than their reflections. Here comes the +turkey gobbler. Let us see what he does."</p> +<p>The gobbler walked slowly over to the mirror and looked at his +reflection.</p> +<p>"Now," he asked, "where in the world did they get you? You are +an old, bald-headed creature, and your feathers need oiling. You +look like a last year's turkey." And off he strutted.</p> +<p>The cat and the dog leaned against the barrels and laughed until +the tears ran down their faces.</p> +<p>"Keep still," said the dog. "Here comes speckled hen and her +chickens."</p> +<p>Speckled hen walked around, picking up <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page111" id="page111"></a>{111}</span> bits of +corn. Suddenly she looked up and saw the mirror.</p> +<p>"There is a hen with a brood of chicks, but they are not so +handsome as mine," she said, walking toward the looking-glass. +"Where do you live? I know you do not belong here." And she looked +closer at the other hen.</p> +<p>Click! Her bill hit the glass.</p> +<p>"Well, if she isn't in a glass coop!" the hen said, stepping +back. "If master has bought her and those chicks, there will be +trouble. Mercy! One of the chicks is bow-legged, and they are a +skinny looking lot."</p> +<p>Then she clucked to her chicks and walked out of the barn.</p> +<p>"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" laughed the dog; "they all think the same. +They certainly are a conceited lot. Here comes the goose."</p> +<h3>III</h3> +<p>The goose waddled over to the mirror.</p> +<p>"Well, well! If there isn't a new goose!" <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page112" id="page112"></a>{112}</span> she said, +"and she is walking toward me. I must be friendly."</p> +<p>Snap! Her bill struck the mirror.</p> +<p>"Oh, you are in a glass box!" she said. "Have you come to stay?" +And she stretched out her neck.</p> +<p>"My, but you have a long neck!" she went on, "and your feathers +are nice and smooth. I suppose you cannot hear in that box."</p> +<p>Then she walked away, nodding good-by. The other goose, of +course, nodded also, and goosey went away satisfied.</p> +<p>"She is not so much of a goose as the others," the cat +remarked.</p> +<p>"The peacock is coming," said the dog. "Keep quiet."</p> +<p>In walked the peacock. Seeing another bird, as he supposed, he +spread his beautiful tail to its full width. He walked about, but +never a word did he say.</p> +<p>"Now, what do you make out of that?" asked the dog. "Did he know +that he was <span class="pagenum"><a name="page113" id= +"page113"></a>{113}</span> looking in a looking-glass, or wouldn't +he speak to another bird?"</p> +<p>"I do not know," said the cat, "but here comes the goat. Hide, +quick!"</p> +<p>Billy was clattering over the boards, when suddenly he saw the +other goat. He looked at him a minute. "I'll show him," he said, +running at the mirror with head down.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig113.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig113.jpg" alt= +"The goat crashes into the mirror" /></a></div> +<p>Bang! Smash! Crash! and Billy jumped back, a very much +astonished goat.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page114" id= +"page114"></a>{114}</span> +<p>"Now you have done it," said the horse, who had been watching +all the time from his stall. "All the animals will get out and run +away."</p> +<p>"What are you talking about?" said the dog, who was laughing so +hard he could scarcely talk. "There are no animals in there. That +is a looking-glass; you see yourself when you are in front of +it."</p> +<p>"Do you mean to tell me that those animals have all been looking +at themselves and finding fault with their own looks?" asked the +horse, with his eyes nearly popping out of his head.</p> +<p>"Of course," said the cat. "Can't you see that Billy has smashed +the looking-glass?"</p> +<p>"Well, that is the best I ever heard," said the horse, laughing, +"but I wish I had known that was a looking-glass before Billy broke +it. I should very much like to know how I look."</p> +<p>"You might not have recognized yourself; the others didn't," +said the dog.</p> +<p>—F.A. WALKER.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page115" id= +"page115"></a>{115}</span> +<h2><a name="barber" id="barber">THE BARBER OF BAGDAD</a></h2> +<h3>ACT I</h3> +<p>PLACE: Ali's barber shop.</p> +<p>TIME: Morning.</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: I have a load of wood which I have just brought in +on my donkey. Would you like to buy it, good barber?</p> +<p>ALI: Well, let me see. Is it good wood?</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: The best in the country.</p> +<p>ALI: I'll give you five shekels for all the wood upon the +donkey.</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: Agreed. I'll put the wood here by your door.</p> +<p>(Lays wood at door.)</p> +<p>Now, good sir, give me the silver.</p> +<p>ALI: Not so fast, my good friend. I must have your wooden pack +saddle, too. That was the bargain. I said, "All the wood upon your +donkey." Truly, the saddle is wood.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page116" id= +"page116"></a>{116}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig116.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig116.jpg" alt= +"Ali and the woodcutter with the donkey" /></a></div> +<p>WOODCUTTER: Who ever heard of such a bargain? Surely you cannot +mean what you say? You would not treat a poor woodcutter so. It is +impossible.</p> +<p>ALI: Give me the saddle, or I'll have you put in prison. And +take that—and that—and that!</p> +<p>(Ali strikes the woodcutter.)</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: Ah, me, what shall I do? What shall I do? I know. +I'll go to the caliph himself.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page117" id= +"page117"></a>{117}</span> +<h3>ACT II</h3> +<p>PLACE: Caliph's Palace.</p> +<p>TIME: Hour later.</p> +<p>COURTIER: My lord, a good woodcutter is at the door and begs +leave to come into your presence.</p> +<p>CALIPH: Bid him enter. There is none too poor to be received by +me.</p> +<p>(Courtier goes out and returns with woodcutter, who kneels and +kisses the ground. Then he stands with arms folded.)</p> +<p>CALIPH: Tell me, good man, what brought you here? Has any one +done you a wrong?</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: Great wrong, my lord. The rich barber Ali did buy a +load of wood from me. He offered me five shekels for all the wood +on my donkey. When I had put down the load, I asked for my money, +but he refused to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page118" id= +"page118"></a>{118}</span> pay me until I had given him my pack +saddle. He said the bargain was "all the wood on the donkey," and +that the saddle is wood. He said he would put me in prison if I did +not give up the saddle. Then he took it and drove me away with +blows.</p> +<p>CALIPH: A strange story, truly. The barber has law on his side, +and yet you have right on yours. The law must be obeyed, +but—come here and let me whisper something to you.</p> +<p>(The woodcutter listens smilingly and bowing low, leaves the +room.)</p> +<h3>ACT III</h3> +<p>PLACE: The barber's shop.</p> +<p>TIME: A few days later.</p> +<p>ALI: Ah! here comes my stupid friend the woodcutter. I suppose +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page119" id= +"page119"></a>{119}</span> he has come to quarrel about the wood. +No, he is smiling.</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: Good day to you, friend Ali. I have come to ask if +you will be so kind as to shave me and a companion from the +country.</p> +<p>ALI: Oh, yes, I suppose so.</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: How much will you charge?</p> +<p>ALI: A shekel for the two.</p> +<p>(To himself.)</p> +<p>The poor fool cannot pay that sum.</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER. Very good. Shave me first.</p> +<p>(Ali shaves him.)</p> +<p>ALI: Now you are shaved. Where is your companion?</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: He is standing outside. He will come in at once.</p> +<p>(He goes out and returns leading his donkey.)</p> +<p>This is my companion. Shave him.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page120" id= +"page120"></a>{120}</span> +<p>ALI (<i>in a rage</i>): Shave him! Shave a donkey, indeed! Is it +not enough that I should lower myself by touching you? And then you +insult me by asking me to shave your donkey! Away with you!</p> +<h3>ACT IV</h3> +<p>PLACE: Caliph's Palace.</p> +<p>TIME: Half-hour later.</p> +<p>CALIPH: Well, my friend, did you do as I told you?</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: Yes, and Ali refused to shave my donkey.</p> +<p>CALIPH (<i>to Courtier</i>): Bid Ali come to me at once and +bring his razors with him.</p> +<p>(Courtier leaves and returns with Ali.)</p> +<p>CALIPH: Why did you refuse to shave this man's companion? Was +not that your agreement?</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page121" id= +"page121"></a>{121}</span> +<p>ALI (<i>kissing the ground</i>): It is true, O caliph, such was +the agreement, but who ever made a companion of a donkey +before?</p> +<p>CALIPH: True enough, but who ever thought of saying that a pack +saddle is a part of a load of wood? No, no, it is the woodcutter's +turn now. Shave his donkey instantly.</p> +<p>(Ali lathers the beast and shaves him in the presence of the +whole court, and then slips away amid the laughter of the +bystanders.)</p> +<p>CALIPH: Now, my honest woodcutter, here is a purse of gold for +you. Always remember that the caliph gladly listens to the +complaints of his people, poor and rich, and will right their +wrongs if he can.</p> +<p>WOODCUTTER: Long live the Caliph!</p> +<p>COURTIERS: Long live the Caliph!</p> +<p>—EASTERN TALE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page122" id= +"page122"></a>{122}</span> +<h2><a name="winter" id="winter">WINTER NIGHT</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2">Blow, wind, blow!</p> +<p class="i2">Drift the flying snow!</p> +<p>Send it twirling, twirling overhead.</p> +<p class="i2">There's a bedroom in a tree</p> +<p class="i2">Where snug as snug can be,</p> +<p>The squirrel nests in his cozy bed.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2">Shriek, wind, shriek!</p> +<p class="i2">Make the branches creak!</p> +<p>Battle with the boughs till break of day!</p> +<p class="i2">In a snow cave warm and tight</p> +<p class="i2">Through the icy winter night</p> +<p>The rabbit sleeps the peaceful hour away.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p class="i2">Scold, wind, scold!</p> +<p class="i2">So bitter and so bold!</p> +<p>Shake the windows with your tap, tap, tap!</p> +<p class="i2">With half-shut, dreamy eyes</p> +<p class="i2">The drowsy baby lies</p> +<p>Cuddled closely in his mother's lap.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—MARY F. BUTTS.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page123" id= +"page123"></a>{123}</span> +<h2><a name="doll" id="doll">HOPE'S DOLL</a></h2> +<p>It was Saturday morning. Elizabeth Brown sat by a window in the +big kitchen making a pink dress for little Hope's doll.</p> +<p>On the chair beside her lay the doll, though you might not have +thought of calling it one. It did not have curly hair—nor +eyes that open and shut. In those days no child had toys like ours. +Hope's doll was made of a corncob; the face was painted on a piece +of linen stretched over a ball of wool on the end of the cob.</p> +<p>Little Hope was taking her morning nap. When Elizabeth had sewed +the last neat stitches, she dressed the doll and laid it on the bed +by the little girl. How happy Hope was when she awoke and saw it! +She thought it the most beautiful doll in the world.</p> +<p>"What will you call your doll, Hope?" asked Elizabeth.</p> +<p>"I will name her for mother," said Hope. "I will call her Mary +Ellen."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page124" id= +"page124"></a>{124}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig124.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig124.jpg" alt= +"Hope and her doll" /></a></div> +<p>Hope played all the afternoon with her doll and was very happy. +When the sunset gun sounded, she had to stop playing. With the +Puritans, the Sabbath began at sunset, and no child could play +after the gun was heard.</p> +<p>The little maid kissed her baby and went into the bedroom to +find a warm place for it to stay until the next evening. There lay +father's Sunday coat; what warmer nest could she find for Mary +Ellen than its big pocket?</p> +<p>After breakfast the next day, every one got ready to go to +meeting. Master Brown filled the little tin foot stove with hot +coals from the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page125" id= +"page125"></a>{125}</span> hearth; then he took his gun from its +hook. In those days no man went anywhere without his gun—not +even to church, for the Indians were likely to come at any +time.</p> +<p>Sometimes the firing of a gun was the call to worship. More +often a big drum, beaten on the steps of the meeting house, told +the people it was time to come together.</p> +<p>At the sound of the drum, Master Brown and his wife, with +Elizabeth and Hope, started to church. From every house in the +village came men, women, and children. They were always ready when +the drum began to beat, for no one was ever late to meeting in +those days.</p> +<p>Master Brown led his family to their pew and opened a little +door to let them in. The pew was very much like a large box with +seats around the sides.</p> +<p>The church was cold, for there was no fire. The children warmed +their fingers and toes by the queer little foot stove their father +had brought from home.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page126" id= +"page126"></a>{126}</span> +<p>When every one was seated, the minister climbed the steps to his +high pulpit. The sermon was always very long—three hours at +least. The children could not understand what it was all about, and +it was very hard for them to sit still and listen quietly.</p> +<p>Elizabeth was four years older than Hope, so she felt quite like +a little woman. She sat up beside her mother and looked at the +minister almost all the time; but sometimes she had to wink hard to +keep awake. When she thought she could not let her feet hang down +another minute, she would slip down to the footstool to rest.</p> +<p>Elizabeth was often ashamed of Hope, who could not sit still ten +minutes. She tried to listen to the sermon, but could not. When she +began to stir about a little, her mother shook her head at her. She +sat still for a few minutes, but was soon restless again.</p> +<p>Presently she began to be sleepy and laid her head upon her +father's arm for a nap. Just then she felt something in his pocket. +A <span class="pagenum"><a name="page127" id= +"page127"></a>{127}</span> happy smile came over Hope's face; she +was wide-awake now. Slipping her hand into the wide pocket, she +drew out Mary Ellen and smoothed her wrinkled gown.</p> +<p>Master Brown's thoughts were all on the sermon, and even +Mistress Brown did not notice Hope for a little time. When she did, +what do you suppose she saw? Hope was standing on the seat showing +her doll to the little girl in the pew behind her.</p> +<p>Oh, how ashamed her mother was! She pulled her little daughter +down quickly and whispered, "Do you want the tithingman to come? +Well, sit down and listen." Taking Mary Ellen, she slipped the doll +into her muff.</p> +<p>Little Hope did sit down and listen. She did not even turn +around when the kind lady behind them dropped a peppermint over the +high-backed pew for her. She was very much afraid of the +tithingman, who sat on a high seat. He had a long rod with a hard +knob on one end and a squirrel's tail on the other.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page128" id= +"page128"></a>{128}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig128.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig128.jpg" alt= +"The tithingman tickling the nodding lady" /></a></div> +<p>When he saw a lady nodding during the sermon, he stepped around +to her pew and tickled her face with the fur end of the rod. She +would waken with a start and be, oh! so ashamed. She would be very +glad the pew had such high sides to hide her blushing face.</p> +<p>Perhaps you think the boys who sat on the other side of the +church had a good time. But there was the tithingman again. When he +saw a boy whispering or playing, he rapped him on the head with the +knob end of the rod. The <span class="pagenum"><a name="page129" +id="page129"></a>{129}</span> whispering would stop at once, for +the rod often brought tears and left a headache.</p> +<p>Besides keeping the boys from playing and the grown people from +going to sleep, the tithingman must turn the hourglass. In those +days very few people could afford clocks, but every one had an +hourglass. It took the fine sand just one hour to pour from the +upper part of the glass into the lower part.</p> +<p>When the sand had all run through, the tithingman turned the +glass over and the sand began to tell another hour. The glass was +always turned three times before the minister closed the service. +Then the men picked up their muskets and foot stoves, the women +wrapped their long capes closely about them, and all went home.</p> +<p>At sunset the Puritan Sabbath ended. The women brought out their +knitting and spinning, or prepared for Monday's washing, and the +children were free to play until bedtime.</p> +<p>—MARGARET PUMPHREY.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page130" id= +"page130"></a>{130}</span> +<h2><a name="nahum" id="nahum">NAHUM PRINCE</a></h2> +<p>More than a hundred years ago, our country was at war with +England. George Washington was at the head of our army. As you +know, he and his men were fighting for our country's freedom.</p> +<p>The English army was larger than our army, and General +Washington needed all the men he could get. The regular troops were +with him.</p> +<p>In one little town in Vermont all the strong, able-bodied men +had gone to the front. News came that the English and the Americans +were about to meet in battle. The Americans needed more men and +called for volunteers. Old men with white hair and long beards +volunteered. Young boys with smooth cheeks and unshaven lips +volunteered. There wasn't a boy in the village over thirteen years +of age who didn't volunteer.</p> +<p>Even lame Nahum Prince offered himself. <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page131" id="page131"></a>{131}</span> He +brought out his grandfather's old gun and got in line with the +others. He stood as straight and tall as he could—as a +soldier should stand.</p> +<p>Soon the captain came along the line to inspect the volunteers. +When he saw Nahum, he said, "No, no, Nahum, you cannot go; you know +you cannot. Why, you could not walk a mile. Go home, my lad."</p> +<p>Just then the good old minister came by. "Yes, Nahum," he said, +"you must stay at home. Who knows but that you will find a greater +work to do for your country right here?"</p> +<p>And lame Nahum dropped out of the line.</p> +<p>Then the volunteers marched off, every man and boy in the +village except Nahum Prince. Poor Nahum! His heart was heavy.</p> +<p>"What can I do for my country in this small village?" he said to +himself. "Oh, I wish I could be a soldier!"</p> +<p>He walked toward his home slowly and sadly. Just as he passed +the blacksmith shop, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page132" id= +"page132"></a>{132}</span> three horseman galloped up to the +door.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig132.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig132.jpg" alt= +"The horseman speaks to Nahum" /></a></div> +<p>"Where is the blacksmith?" asked one.</p> +<p>"He and all the men and boys have gone to join the army," said +Nahum. "There isn't a man or a boy in town except me. I wouldn't be +here if I were not lame."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page133" id= +"page133"></a>{133}</span> +<p>"We cannot have this horse shod," said the rider to the others. +"We shall not reach there in time."</p> +<p>"Why, I can set a shoe," said Nahum.</p> +<p>"Then it is lucky you are left behind," said the man. "Light up +the forge and set the shoe."</p> +<p>Nahum lighted the fire, blew the coals with the bellows, and +soon put on the shoe.</p> +<p>"You have done a great deed to-day, my boy," said the rider as +he thanked Nahum and rode away.</p> +<p>The next week the boys came home and told of a great battle. +They told how the Americans were about to lose the fight when +Colonel Seth Warner, leading a band of soldiers, rode up just in +time to save the day.</p> +<p>Nahum said nothing, but he knew that Colonel Warner would not +have arrived in time if he had not set that shoe. And it was really +Nahum Prince and Colonel Seth Warner who won the victory of +Bennington.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page134" id= +"page134"></a>{134}</span> +<h2><a name="little-cook" id="little-cook">THE LITTLE COOK'S +REWARD</a></h2> +<p>Betty lived a long, long time ago on a farm in North Carolina. +She knew how to clean up the house, to wash the dishes, to sew, and +to cook. She knew how to knit, and to spin and weave, too.</p> +<p>One day Betty's father said, "Let us go to town to-morrow. +President Washington is passing through the South, and a man told +me to-day that he will be in Salisbury to-morrow."</p> +<p>"Yes," said Betty's brother Robert, "and our company has been +asked to march in the parade. One of the boys is going to make a +speech of welcome."</p> +<p>"I should like to go," said their mother, "but I can't leave +home."</p> +<p>"Oh, yes, you can, mother," said Betty. "I have stayed here by +myself many times, and I can stay to-morrow. You go with father, +and I will take care of things."</p> +<p>The next morning every one on the place was <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page135" id="page135"></a>{135}</span> up before +the sun. Robert was so impatient to start to town that he could +scarcely eat any breakfast. Mother was so excited that she forgot +to put coffee in the coffee pot.</p> +<p>At last every one had left, and Betty was alone. "I wish I could +see the President," she said, "and I do wish I could see his great +coach. Father says that it is finer than the Governor's. Four men +ride in front of it, and four behind it. The servants are dressed +in white and gold. How I wish I could see it all!"</p> +<p>While Betty was talking to herself, she was not idle. She washed +the dishes and she cleaned the house. Then, as it was not time to +get dinner, she sat down on the shady porch.</p> +<p>"I wonder whether General Washington looks like his picture," +she said. "Oh, if I could only see him!"</p> +<p>But what sound was that? Betty stood up, and shading her eyes +with her hands, looked down the road. Four horsemen came along at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page136" id= +"page136"></a>{136}</span> a gallop. Then there followed a great +white coach, trimmed with gold and drawn by four white horses. +There were four horsemen behind the coach, and last of all came +several black servants.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig136.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig136.jpg" alt= +"Betty looking up at the great coach" /></a></div> +<p>All stopped at the gate. A tall handsome man stepped from the +coach and came up the walk. Betty felt as if she could neither move +nor speak. She remembered, however, all that <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page137" id="page137"></a>{137}</span> her +mother had taught her, and she made a low curtsy as the gentleman +reached the steps.</p> +<p>"Good morning, my little maid," he said. "I know it is late, but +would you give an old man some breakfast?"</p> +<p>Betty's cheeks grew as pink as the rose by the porch. She made +another curtsy and said, "Indeed, I will. I am the only one at +home, for father, mother, and Robert have gone to Salisbury to see +the great Washington. But I am sure I can give you some breakfast. +Father says that I am a good cook."</p> +<p>"I know you are, and that you are as brisk as you are pretty. +Just give me a breakfast, and I promise you that you shall see +Washington before your father, mother, or brother Robert does."</p> +<p>"I will do the best I can, sir," Betty said.</p> +<p>The other men came in, and all sat on the porch and talked while +Betty worked. Getting her mother's whitest cloth and the silver +that came from England, she quickly set the table. <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page138" id="page138"></a>{138}</span> She +brought out a loaf of new bread and a jar of fresh honey. Then she +ran to the spring house and got yellow butter and rich milk. She +had some fresh eggs that had been laid by her own hens. These she +dropped into boiling water. Last of all she cut thin slices of +delicious ham.</p> +<p>When everything was ready, Betty went to the porch and invited +the strangers in. Her cheeks were now the color of the red rose by +the gate.</p> +<p>The visitors ate heartily of all the good things Betty had +prepared. As the tall, handsome gentleman rose to go, he leaned +over and kissed her. "My pretty little cook," he said, "you may +tell your brother Robert that you saw Washington before he did, and +that he kissed you, too."</p> +<p>You may believe that Betty did tell it. She told it to her +children, and they told it to their children, and I am telling it +to you to-day.</p> +<p>—MRS. L.A. McCORKLE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page139" id= +"page139"></a>{139}</span> +<h2><a name="rock-bye" id="rock-bye">ROCK-A-BY, HUSH-A-BY, LITTLE +PAPOOSE</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Rock-a-by, hush-a-by, little papoose,</p> +<p class="i2">The stars come into the sky,</p> +<p>The whip-poor-will's crying, the daylight is dying,</p> +<p class="i2">The river runs murmuring by.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The pine trees are slumbering, little papoose,</p> +<p class="i2">The squirrel has gone to his nest,</p> +<p>The robins are sleeping, the mother bird's keeping</p> +<p class="i2">The little ones warm with her breast.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The roebuck is dreaming, my little papoose,</p> +<p class="i2">His mate lies asleep at his side,</p> +<p>The breezes are pining, the moonbeams are shining</p> +<p class="i2">All over the prairie wide.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then hush-a-by, rock-a-by, little papoose,</p> +<p class="i2">You sail on the river of dreams;</p> +<p>Dear Manitou loves you and watches above you</p> +<p class="i2">Till time when the morning light gleams.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—CHARLES MYALL.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page140" id= +"page140"></a>{140}</span> +<h2><a name="tar-wolf" id="tar-wolf">THE TAR WOLF</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Many hundreds of moons ago, there was a great drought. The +streams and lakes were drying up. Water was so scarce that the +animals held a council to decide what they should do.</p> +<p>"I hope it will rain soon and fill the streams and lakes," Great +Bear said. "If it does not, all the animals will have to go to a +land where there is more water."</p> +<p>"I know where there is plenty of water," said Wild Goose.</p> +<p>"I do, too," said Wild Duck.</p> +<p>Most of the animals did not wish to go away. "It is well enough +for the ducks and geese to go," said Wild Cat; "they like to move +about. It is well enough for Great Bear to go; he can sleep through +the winter in one hollow tree as soundly as in another. But we do +not wish to leave our hunting grounds."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page141" id= +"page141"></a>{141}</span> +<p>"If we go to a new country," said Gray Wolf, "we shall have to +make new trails."</p> +<p>"And we shall have to clear new land," said Big Beaver, who had +to cut down the trees when land was cleared.</p> +<p>All this time the Rabbit said nothing. "Brother Rabbit," Great +Bear asked, "what do you think about this matter?"</p> +<p>Brother Rabbit did not answer. His eyes were shut, and he seemed +too sleepy to think about anything.</p> +<p>Great Bear asked again, "What do you think about it, Brother +Rabbit? Shall we go to the place the ducks and geese have found, +where there is plenty of water?"</p> +<p>"Oh," answered Brother Rabbit, "I do not mind the drought. I +drink the dew on the grass in the early morning; I do not need to +go where there is more water."</p> +<p>And he shut his eyes again.</p> +<p>"Well," said Red Deer, "if there is dew enough for Brother +Rabbit every morning, there <span class="pagenum"><a name="page142" +id="page142"></a>{142}</span> is dew enough for us. We need not go +to another country."</p> +<p>"Those are wise words, my brother," said Brown Terrapin.</p> +<p>All the others said, "Those are wise words, my brother," and the +council was over. The animals were happy because they thought they +need not go away from their homes.</p> +<p>Days passed, and still it did not rain. The animals found that +the dew did not keep them from suffering from thirst. They were +afraid that, after all, they would have to go to another +country.</p> +<p>Still the Rabbit looked sleek and fat. He declared that he got +all the water he needed from the dew on the grass in the early +morning.</p> +<p>"You sleep too late," he said. "By the time you get up, the sun +has dried the dew."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>After that, the animals came out earlier than before, but they +could not get water enough <span class="pagenum"><a name="page143" +id="page143"></a>{143}</span> from the morning dew. They did not +understand why the Rabbit looked so well.</p> +<p>One day Gray Wolf said to Wild Cat, "Let us watch the Rabbit and +see where he gets so much dew that he is never thirsty."</p> +<p>That night they stayed in the woods near Rabbit's wigwam, so as +to follow him on the trail. They kept awake all night for fear that +they might sleep too late.</p> +<p>Very early in the morning, Brother Rabbit came out of his wigwam +and ran swiftly down the hill. Wild Cat and Gray Wolf followed as +fast and as quietly as they could.</p> +<p>The dew was on the grass and leaves, but Brother Rabbit did not +stop to get it. Instead, he ran down the hill and pushed away a +heap of brush. Wild Cat and Gray Wolf hid behind some bushes and +watched him.</p> +<p>Brother Rabbit drank from a little spring. Then he filled a jar +with clear, fresh water, piled the brush over the spring again, and +went up the hill to his wigwam.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page144" id= +"page144"></a>{144}</span> +<p>Ah! now Gray Wolf and Wild Cat knew why Brother Rabbit did not +mind the drought; and they made a plan to punish him for being so +selfish.</p> +<p>They got tar and resin from the pine trees, and out of these +they made a great wolf. After placing it close to the spring, they +hid again in the bushes, to see what would happen.</p> +<p>Early the next morning, Brother Rabbit came running down the +hill for more water. He stopped when he saw the tar wolf by his +spring.</p> +<p>"What are you doing here, Gray Wolf?" he asked. Of course there +was no answer.</p> +<p>"Has my brother no ears?" asked Brother Rabbit.</p> +<p>As the wolf was still silent, Brother Rabbit became angry. +"Answer me, Gray Wolf," he cried. But there was no answer.</p> +<p>Then Brother Rabbit slapped the tar wolf with his right front +paw. It stuck fast, and Brother Rabbit could not pull it away.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page145" id= +"page145"></a>{145}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig145.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig145.jpg" alt= +"Brother Rabbit and the wolf" /></a></div> +<p>"Let me go," he cried, "or I will slap you with the other +paw."</p> +<p>He slapped the tar wolf with the left front paw. That too, stuck +fast.</p> +<p>Now Brother Rabbit was very angry. "Let me go, Gray Wolf," he +cried. "Let me go, I say!"</p> +<p>As Grey Wolf did not let him go, Brother <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page146" id="page146"></a>{146}</span> Rabbit +kicked the tar wolf, first with one of his hind paws and then with +the other. Both stuck fast, and so he was held by all four +paws.</p> +<p>Just then Gray Wolf and Wild Cat came from their hiding +place.</p> +<p>"We have caught you, Brother Rabbit," they said. "Now we are +going to take you to the council and tell how you tried to keep all +the water for yourself."</p> +<h3>III</h3> +<p>They took Brother Rabbit to the council house, and sent for +Great Bear and all the other animals. Soon all came, and the +council began. Gray Wolf told that he had seen Brother Rabbit go to +the spring, uncover it, get water, and cover the spring up +again.</p> +<p>The animals said that Brother Rabbit must be punished, but how +they could not decide.</p> +<p>"Burn him alive," said Gray Wolf.</p> +<p>"I am quite willing," Brother Rabbit said, <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page147" id="page147"></a>{147}</span> smiling. +"Fire is my friend and will not hurt me."</p> +<p>"We might cut off his head," said Brown Terrapin.</p> +<p>"Very well," said the Rabbit, quietly. "Try that. It will not +hurt me, for a better head will grow back."</p> +<p>He said he was not afraid of each thing that was mentioned.</p> +<p>"Is there nothing of which you are afraid?" asked Great Bear, at +last. "Is there nothing that can hurt you?"</p> +<p>"Of only one thing am I afraid," answered Brother Rabbit, in a +low voice. "I am afraid you will turn me loose in the brier patch. +Please do not throw me in the brier patch."</p> +<p>"Turn him loose in the brier patch!" cried all the animals.</p> +<p>How frightened Brother Rabbit looked now!</p> +<p>"Oh, Gray Wolf," he begged, "burn me; cut off my head. Do +anything else with me, but please don't throw me in the brier +patch."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page148" id= +"page148"></a>{148}</span> +<p>The more he begged, the faster Gray Wolf hurried to the brier +patch. The other animals followed close behind. They were all +talking about the tricks Brother Rabbit had played on them and how +they had never before been able to get even with him.</p> +<p>When they came to the edge of the brier patch, Brother Rabbit +begged harder than ever.</p> +<p>"Good Wolf," he cried, "do anything else with me, but don't +throw me in the brier patch!"</p> +<p>Gray Wolf laughed and threw Brother Rabbit far into the +patch.</p> +<p>Brother Rabbit landed on his feet, and off he ran through the +briers. He called back, "Thank you, good Wolf! You threw me right +on my trail! I was born and bred in the brier patch. I was born and +bred in the brier patch!"</p> +<p>He was running so fast that by the time he said this, he was out +of sight.</p> +<p>—THE INDIAN TAR-BABY STORY.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page149" id= +"page149"></a>{149}</span> +<h2><a name="rabbit-wolf" id="rabbit-wolf">THE RABBIT AND THE +WOLF</a></h2> +<p>The rabbit liked to play tricks on the other animals. Best of +all, he liked to play tricks on the wolf. At last the wolf grew +angry and said that he was going to get even with the rabbit.</p> +<p>One day he caught the rabbit coming through a field.</p> +<p>"Now," said the wolf, "I am going to pay you for all the tricks +you have played on me. I will cut off your ears and use them for +spoons to stir my hominy pot. As soon as I sharpen this stone, off +your ears go!"</p> +<p>While the wolf sharpened the stone, he sang in his harsh voice a +song somewhat like this:</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Watch me sharpen,</p> +<p>Watch me sharpen;</p> +<p>Soon I am going to cut off your ears.</p> +<p>Sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum,</p> +<p>Sicum, se mi su!"</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page150" id= +"page150"></a>{150}</span> +<p>When he sang,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum,</p> +<p>Sicum, se mi su!"</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>the rabbit could almost feel the sharp stone cutting his ears. +But he was a brave little rabbit and said nothing.</p> +<p>At last the wolf stopped singing for a moment.</p> +<p>Then the rabbit said, "Brother Wolf, I know a new dance. Don't +you wish me to teach it to you?"</p> +<p>"Yes, when I have cut off your ears," said the wolf.</p> +<p>Then he went on singing,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum,</p> +<p>Sicum, se mi su!"</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>"After my ears are cut off," said the rabbit, "I can never dance +any more."</p> +<p>Now the wolf knew that the rabbit could sing and dance better +than any other animal, and he wished very much to learn the new +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page151" id= +"page151"></a>{151}</span> dance. He went on sharpening the stone, +but he did not sing while he worked.</p> +<p>After a while he asked, "Is the new dance as pretty as the Snake +Dance?"</p> +<p>"Oh, a great deal prettier," answered the rabbit.</p> +<p>"Is it as pretty as the Turkey Dance?"</p> +<p>"Oh, a great deal prettier than the Turkey Dance."</p> +<p>"Is it as pretty as the Eagle Dance?"</p> +<p>"Oh, a great deal prettier than the Eagle Dance."</p> +<p>The wolf asked if the new dance was as pretty as other dances he +had seen, and the rabbit said that it was much prettier.</p> +<p>This pleased the wolf, as he wished to have a new dance for the +green corn festival.</p> +<p>"You may teach me the dance now," he said. "I can cut off your +ears afterward."</p> +<p>"Very well," said the rabbit; "pat your foot to keep time, and +watch me while I dance."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page152" id= +"page152"></a>{152}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig152.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig152.jpg" alt= +"The rabbit danced as the wolf shook the rattle" /></a></div> +<p>So the wolf stood in the middle of the field, patting his foot +and shaking a rattle while the rabbit danced around him and +sang,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Watch me dance around the field,</p> +<p>Watch me dance around the field,</p> +<p class="i4">Hi, la, hi, la, hi!"</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>Then the rabbit made a ring in the middle of the field. He said +to the wolf, "Now, you dance around this ring, and sing just as I +do."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page153" id= +"page153"></a>{153}</span> +<p>He made a larger ring for himself and danced around just beyond +the wolf. The wolf thought that this was the finest dance he had +ever seen. He and the rabbit danced faster and faster, and sang +louder and louder.</p> +<p>As the rabbit danced, he moved nearer and nearer to the edge of +the field. The wolf was dancing so fast and singing so loud that he +did not notice this.</p> +<p>The rabbit kept on singing,</p> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Now I dance on the edge of the field,</p> +<p>Now I dance on the edge of the field,</p> +<p>Hi, la, hi, la, hi!"</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>At last, Brother Rabbit reached the edge of the field; then he +jumped into the blackberry bushes and ran away. The wolf tried to +give chase, but he was so dizzy that he could not run. And the +rabbit got away without having his ears cut off.</p> +<p>—SOUTHERN INDIAN TALE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page154" id= +"page154"></a>{154}</span> +<h2><a name="block" id="block">BLOCK CITY</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>What are you able to build with your blocks?</p> +<p>Castles and palaces, temples and docks.</p> +<p>Rain may keep raining, and others go roam,</p> +<p>But I can be happy and building at home.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Let the sofa be mountains, the carpet be sea,</p> +<p>There I'll establish a city for me:</p> +<p>A kirk and a mill and a palace beside,</p> +<p>And a harbor as well where my vessels may ride.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Great is the palace with pillar and wall,</p> +<p>A sort of a tower on the top of it all,</p> +<p>And steps coming down in an orderly way</p> +<p>To where my toy vessels lie safe in the bay.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>This one is sailing and that one is moored:</p> +<p>Hark to the song of the sailors on board!</p> +<p>And see on the steps of my palace, the kings</p> +<p>Coming and going with presents and things!</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page155" id= +"page155"></a>{155}</span></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Now I have done with it, down let it go.</p> +<p>All in a moment the town is laid low,</p> +<p>Block upon block lying scattered and free,</p> +<p>What is there left of my town by the sea?</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.</p> +<h2><a name="good-play" id="good-play">A GOOD PLAY</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We built a ship upon the stairs</p> +<p>All made of the back-bedroom chairs,</p> +<p>And filled it full of sofa pillows</p> +<p>To go a-sailing on the billows.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We took a saw and several nails,</p> +<p>And water in the nursery pails;</p> +<p>And Tom said, "Let us also take</p> +<p>An apple and a slice of cake;"—</p> +<p>Which was enough for Tom and me</p> +<p>To go a-sailing on, till tea.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>We sailed along for days and days,</p> +<p>And had the very best of plays;</p> +<p>But Tom fell out and hurt his knee,</p> +<p>So there was no one left but me.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page156" id= +"page156"></a>{156}</span> +<h2><a name="fiddle" id="fiddle">THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Once upon a time there was a great famine in the land, and +Monkey could find no food. There were no bulbs, no beans, no +insects, nor anything else to eat.</p> +<p>At last Monkey said to himself, "Why should I perish here with +hunger? My uncle Orang-outang has enough and to spare; I shall go +to him, and he will give me food and shelter."</p> +<p>So he set out and soon came to the place where Orang-outang +lived. For a long time Monkey was happy in his new home, but by and +by he heard that there was no longer a famine in his own land. Then +he decided to go back.</p> +<p>Before he started, Orang-outang made him a present of a fiddle +and of a bow and arrow,</p> +<p>"With this bow and arrow you can kill any animal," he said. +"With this fiddle you can make anything dance until you bid it +stop."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page157" id= +"page157"></a>{157}</span> +<p>Thanking his uncle for the presents, Monkey set out on his +homeward journey. On the way he met Brother Wolf.</p> +<p>"What news, Brother Wolf?" asked Monkey.</p> +<p>When Wolf had told him the news, Monkey asked, "What have you +been doing to-day?"</p> +<p>"Oh," said Wolf, "I have been following a deer all the morning, +but I have been unable to get near enough to kill him. Now I am +faint with hunger."</p> +<p>"I can help you," said Monkey. "I have a magic bow and arrow. +Show me the deer, and I will bring him down."</p> +<p>When Wolf showed him the deer, Monkey fitted an arrow to the bow +and took aim. Hardly had the arrow left the bow when the deer fell +dead.</p> +<p>Monkey and Wolf sat down and had a good feast. As Wolf ate, he +thought of the magic bow and arrow, and he planned to get them away +from Monkey.</p> +<p>"First I will ask for them," he said to himself. <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page158" id="page158"></a>{158}</span> "If +Monkey will not give them to me, I will use force."</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig158.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig158.jpg" alt= +"Wolf demands the bow and arrow" /></a></div> +<p>When Wolf had finished eating, he said to Monkey, "Please give +me the bow and arrow."</p> +<p>"I will not," said Monkey. "They were a present from my dear +uncle; why should I give them to you?"</p> +<p>"Very well," said Wolf. "I am stronger than you, and I will take +them by force."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page159" id= +"page159"></a>{159}</span> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>Wolf was just about to snatch the bow and arrow from Monkey when +Jackal came along. Then Wolf thought of a new plan.</p> +<p>He called out to Jackal, "Help! help! Monkey has stolen my magic +bow and arrow."</p> +<p>Jackal came running to them. Wolf told his side of the story, +and Monkey told his.</p> +<p>"I cannot believe either of you," said Jackal. "Let us lay the +question before the court. There Lion, Tiger, and the other animals +will hear you both; perhaps they will be able to decide to whom the +magic bow and arrow belong. But to keep you two from quarreling, I +had better take care of the bow and arrow."</p> +<p>Monkey gave them to Jackal, and all three started off to court. +When they arrived, there sat Lion on the throne. Seated around were +the other animals of the jungle.</p> +<p>Monkey told his story first. Standing in front of the throne, he +made a low bow and said, "The great famine, my lord, drove me out +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page160" id= +"page160"></a>{160}</span> of my country, and I had to take refuge +with my uncle. When I started back home, he gave me this bow and +arrow. Finding Wolf almost starving, I shot a deer for him. Instead +of being grateful for the food, he tried to rob me of the bow and +arrow. I am here to ask that you restore them to me."</p> +<p>"He does not tell the truth," cried Wolf.</p> +<p>Then Jackal said, "I believe that the bow and arrow belong to +Wolf; he and Monkey were quarreling about them when I came along. +They agreed to leave the question to you, King Lion. I know you +will see that justice is done."</p> +<p>Wolf looked very innocent and said nothing.</p> +<p>King Lion rose and asked, "What say you? To whom do the bow and +arrow belong?"</p> +<p>"To Wolf," they all cried.</p> +<p>"Stealing is a crime that must be punished," said King Lion. +"What shall be done?"</p> +<p>"Let Monkey be hanged," they all cried.</p> +<p>Monkey still had his magic fiddle. Holding it in his hand, he +made a deep bow and said: <span class="pagenum"><a name="page161" +id="page161"></a>{161}</span> "Give me leave to play a tune on my +fiddle before I hang, O King."</p> +<p>Now, the beasts all loved a merry tune, and knowing that Monkey +was a master player they called out, "Let him play."</p> +<h3>III</h3> +<p>Monkey placed the fiddle under his chin, drew the bow across the +strings, and struck up "Cockcrow." This was a favorite tune with +the court. At the first notes all nodded their heads in time to the +music. As Monkey played on, the entire court began to dance.</p> +<p>Round and round they went like a whirlwind. Over and over, +quicker and quicker sounded the tune of "Cockcrow." Faster and +faster flew the dancers, until one after another fell to the ground +worn out.</p> +<p>Monkey saw nothing of all this. With eyes closed and his head +placed lovingly against the fiddle, he played on and on, keeping +time with his foot.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page162" id= +"page162"></a>{162}</span> +<p>Wolf was the first one to cry out, "Please stop, Cousin Monkey. +For pity's sake, stop."</p> +<p>But Monkey did not seem to hear him. Again and again sounded the +magic notes of "Cockcrow."</p> +<p>King Lion had gone round and round with his young wife so many +times that both were ready to drop. At last, as he passed Monkey, +he roared, "Stop, ape! My whole kingdom is yours if you will only +stop playing."</p> +<p>"I do not want it," said Monkey. "Make Wolf confess that he +tried to steal my bow and arrow. Then I will stop playing."</p> +<p>"I confess! I confess!" panted Wolf, who was ready to fall to +the ground.</p> +<p>"Good," cried King Lion, as the music stopped. "Monkey is +innocent. Let him have his bow and arrow."</p> +<p>"Punish Wolf!" cried the animals.</p> +<p>So Wolf was soundly beaten and driven from the court. Then +Monkey went off rejoicing, carrying with him his magic gifts.</p> +<p>—AFRICAN TALE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page163" id= +"page163"></a>{163}</span> +<h2><a name="tasks" id="tasks">THE THREE TASKS</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>There were once two brothers who set out to seek their fortune. +They wasted their time and their money in all sorts of foolish +ways, and before long they were nearly penniless.</p> +<p>After the two brothers had been gone some time, their younger +brother, who had always been thought the simpleton of the family, +set out to seek his fortune.</p> +<p>One day as he was passing through a village far away from home, +he found his two brothers.</p> +<p>"Where are you going?" they asked.</p> +<p>"I am going to seek my fortune," he replied.</p> +<p>"Ha, ha! how foolish you are!" they cried. "With all our wit and +wisdom we have been unable to make our fortune. It is silly of you +even to try." And they laughed and made fun of him.</p> +<p>Nevertheless, the three brothers decided to travel on together. +As they journeyed on, they <span class="pagenum"><a name="page164" +id="page164"></a>{164}</span> saw a large ant hill by the side of +the road. The two elder brothers were about to destroy it, when the +simpleton said, "Leave the poor ants alone. I will not let you +disturb them."</p> +<p>They went on their way until they came to a pond upon which two +ducks were swimming. The two older brothers were about to kill +them, when the simpleton said, "Leave them alone. I will not let +you kill them."</p> +<p>Soon the three came to a tree, in the trunk of which was a wild +bee's nest. The two older brothers wished to steal the honey. They +started to make a fire under the tree and smoke out the bees. The +simpleton said, "Leave the poor bees alone. I will not let you rob +them."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>At last the three brothers came to a castle where everything +looked as if it had been turned to stone. There was not a single +human being to be seen. They walked along the great wide hall, but +still they saw no one.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page165" id= +"page165"></a>{165}</span> +<p>"The castle must be enchanted," the brothers said to one +another.</p> +<p>After passing through many rooms, they came to a door in which +there were three locks. In the middle of the door was a little +grating through which they could look into the room beyond.</p> +<p>They saw a little man, dressed in gray, seated at a table. Twice +they called to him, but he did not answer. They called a third +time. Then he rose, opened the three locks, and came out.</p> +<p>He said not a word, but led them to a table on which a feast was +spread. When they had eaten and drunk as much as they wished, the +old man showed each of them to a bedroom. There they rested well +all night.</p> +<p>The next morning the little gray man came to the eldest brother +and beckoned him to follow. He led him to a room in which there was +a stone table, and on the table there lay three stone tablets.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page166" id= +"page166"></a>{166}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig166.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig166.jpg" alt= +"The little gray man and the tablets" /></a></div> +<p>On the table near the tablets was written:</p> +<p>"This castle is enchanted. Before the enchantment can be broken, +there are three tasks to be performed. The one who performs these +three tasks shall marry the youngest and dearest of the three +princesses who now lie asleep in the castle."</p> +<p>When the eldest brother had read this, the old man gave him the +first tablet. On it was written:</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page167" id= +"page167"></a>{167}</span> +<p>"In the forest, hidden beneath the thick moss, are the pearls +which belonged to the princesses. They are a thousand in number. +These must be collected by sunset. If one single pearl is missing, +then he who has sought them shall be turned to stone."</p> +<p>The eldest brother searched the whole day long, but by sunset he +had found only a hundred pearls. So he was turned to stone.</p> +<p>The following day the second brother tried his luck, but by +sunset he had found but two hundred pearls. So he, too, was turned +to stone.</p> +<p>Then it came the simpleton's turn. He searched all day amidst +the moss, but he fared little better than his brothers. At last he +sat down upon a stone and burst into tears.</p> +<p>As he sat there, the king of the ants, whose life he had once +saved, came with five thousand ants. Before long the little +creatures had found every one of the pearls and piled them up in a +heap.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page168" id= +"page168"></a>{168}</span> +<p>The little gray man then gave the simpleton the second tablet. +Upon it was written the second task:</p> +<p>"The key that opens the chamber in which the princesses are +sleeping lies in the bottom of the lake. He who has performed the +first task must find the key."</p> +<p>When the simpleton came to the lake, the ducks which he had +saved were swimming upon it. At once they dived down into the +depths below and brought up the key.</p> +<p>The simpleton showed the key to the little gray man, who then +gave him the third tablet. On it was written the third task:</p> +<p>"The one who has gathered the pearls and found the key to the +chamber may now marry the youngest and dearest princess. He must, +however, first tell which is she. The princesses are exactly alike, +but there is one difference. Before they went to sleep, the eldest +ate sugar, the second ate syrup, and the youngest ate honey."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page169" id= +"page169"></a>{169}</span> +<p>The simpleton laid down the tablet with a sigh. "How can I find +out which princess ate the honey?" he asked himself.</p> +<p>However, he put the key he had found in the lock and opened the +door. In the chamber the three princesses were lying. Ah, which was +the youngest?</p> +<p>Just then the queen of the bees flew in through the window and +tasted the lips of all three. When she came to the lips that had +sipped the honey, she remained there. Then the young man knew that +this was the youngest and dearest princess.</p> +<p>So the enchantment came to an end. The sleepers awoke, and those +who had been turned to stone became alive again. The simpleton +married the youngest and dearest princess, and was made king after +her father's death. His two brothers, who were now sorry for what +they had done, married the other two princesses, and lived happily +ever after.</p> +<p>—GRIMM.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page170" id= +"page170"></a>{170}</span> +<h2><a name="worlds-music" id="worlds-music">THE WORLD'S +MUSIC</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig170.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig170.jpg" alt= +"A child dancing" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The world's a very happy place,</p> +<p class="i2">Where every child should dance and sing,</p> +<p>And always have a smiling face,</p> +<p class="i2">And never sulk for anything.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>I waken when the morning's come,</p> +<p class="i2">And feel the air and light alive</p> +<p>With strange sweet music like the hum</p> +<p class="i2">Of bees about their busy hive.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page171" id= +"page171"></a>{171}</span></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The linnets play among the leaves</p> +<p class="i2">At hide-and-seek, and chirp and sing;</p> +<p>While, flashing to and from the eaves,</p> +<p class="i2">The swallows twitter on the wing.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>From dawn to dark the old mill-wheel</p> +<p class="i2">Makes music, going round and round;</p> +<p>And dusty-white with flour and meal,</p> +<p class="i2">The miller whistles to its sound.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The brook that flows beside the mill,</p> +<p class="i2">As happy as a brook can be,</p> +<p>Goes singing its old song until</p> +<p class="i2">It learns the singing of the sea.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>For every wave upon the sands</p> +<p class="i2">Sings songs you never tire to hear,</p> +<p>Of laden ships from sunny lands</p> +<p class="i2">Where it is summer all the year.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The world is such a happy place</p> +<p class="i2">That children, whether big or small,</p> +<p>Should always have a smiling face</p> +<p class="i2">And never, never sulk at all.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—GABRIEL SETOUN.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page172" id= +"page172"></a>{172}</span> +<h2><a name="sleeping-beauty" id="sleeping-beauty">THE SLEEPING +BEAUTY</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Once upon a time there lived a king and queen who were very +unhappy because they had no children. But at last a little daughter +was born, and their sorrow was turned to joy. All the bells in the +land were rung to tell the glad tidings.</p> +<p>The king gave a christening feast so grand that the like of it +had never been known. He invited all the fairies he could find in +the kingdom—there were seven of them—to come to the +christening as godmothers. He hoped that each would give the +princess a good gift.</p> +<p>When the christening was over, the feast came. Before each of +the fairies was placed a plate with a spoon, a knife, and a +fork—all pure gold. But alas! as the fairies were about to +seat themselves at the table, there came into the hall a very old +fairy who had not been invited. She had left the kingdom fifty +years <span class="pagenum"><a name="page173" id= +"page173"></a>{173}</span> before and had not been seen or heard of +until this day.</p> +<p>The king at once ordered that a plate should be brought for her, +but he could not furnish a gold one such as the others had. This +made the old fairy angry, and she sat there muttering to +herself.</p> +<p>Her angry threats were overheard by a young fairy who sat near. +This good godmother, fearing the old fairy might give the child an +unlucky gift, hid herself behind a curtain. She did this because +she wished to speak last and perhaps be able to change the old +fairy's gift.</p> +<p>At the end of the feast, the youngest fairy stepped forward and +said, "The princess shall be the most beautiful woman in the +world."</p> +<p>The second said,</p> +<p>"She shall have a temper as sweet as an angel."</p> +<p>The third said,</p> +<p>"She shall have a wonderful grace in all she does or says."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page174" id= +"page174"></a>{174}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig174.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig174.jpg" alt= +"The old fairy looks at the princess in her cradle" /></a></div> +<p>The fourth said,</p> +<p>"She shall sing like a nightingale."</p> +<p>The fifth said,</p> +<p>"She shall dance like a flower in the wind."</p> +<p>The sixth said,</p> +<p>"She shall play such music as was never heard on earth."</p> +<p>Then the old fairy's turn came. Shaking her head spitefully, she +said,</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page175" id= +"page175"></a>{175}</span> +<p>"When the princess is seventeen years old, she shall prick her +finger with a spindle, and—she—shall—die!"</p> +<p>At this all the guests trembled, and many of them began to weep. +The king and queen wept loudest of all.</p> +<p>Just then the wise young fairy came from behind the curtain and +said: "Do not grieve, O King and Queen. Your daughter shall not +die. I cannot undo what my elder sister has done; the princess +shall indeed prick her finger with the spindle, but she shall not +die. She shall fall into sleep that will last a hundred years. At +the end of that time, a king's son will find her and awaken +her."</p> +<p>Immediately all the fairies vanished.</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>The king, hoping to save his child even from this misfortune, +commanded that all spindles should be burned. This was done, but it +was all in vain.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page176" id= +"page176"></a>{176}</span> +<p>One day when the princess was seventeen years of age, the king +and queen left her alone in the castle. She wandered about the +palace and at last came to a little room in the top of a tower. +There an old woman—so old and deaf that she had never heard +of the king's command—sat spinning.</p> +<p>"What are you doing, good old woman?" asked the princess.</p> +<p>"I am spinning, my pretty child."</p> +<p>"Ah," said the princess. "How do you do it? Let me see if I can +spin also."</p> +<p>She had just taken the spindle in her hand when, in some way, it +pricked her finger. The princess dropped down on the floor. The old +woman called for help, and people came from all sides, but nothing +could be done.</p> +<p>When the good young fairy heard the news, she came quickly to +the castle. She knew that the princess must sleep a hundred years +and would be frightened if she found herself alone when she awoke. +So the fairy touched with <span class="pagenum"><a name="page177" +id="page177"></a>{177}</span> her magic wand all in the palace +except the king and the queen. Ladies, gentlemen, pages, waiting +maids, footmen, grooms in the stable, and even the horses—she +touched them all. They all went to sleep just where they were when +the wand touched them. Some of the gentlemen were bowing to the +ladies, the ladies were embroidering, the grooms stood currying +their horses, and the cook was slapping the kitchen boy.</p> +<p>The king and queen departed from the castle, giving orders that +no one was to go near it. This command, however, was not needed. In +a little while there sprang around the castle a wood so thick that +neither man nor beast could pass through.</p> +<h3>III</h3> +<p>A great many changes take place in a hundred years. The king had +no other child, and when he died, his throne passed to another +royal family. Even the story of the sleeping princess was almost +forgotten.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page178" id= +"page178"></a>{178}</span> +<p>One day the son of the king who was then reigning was out +hunting, and he saw towers rising above a thick wood. He asked what +they were, but no one could answer him.</p> +<p>At last an old peasant was found who said, "Your highness, fifty +years ago my father told me that there is a castle in the woods +where a princess sleeps—the most beautiful princess that ever +lived. It was said that she must sleep there a hundred years, when +she would be awakened by a king's son."</p> +<p>At this the young prince determined to find out the truth for +himself. He leaped from his horse and began to force his way +through the wood. To his astonishment, the stiff branches gave way, +then closed again, allowing none of his companions to follow.</p> +<p>A beautiful palace rose before him. In the courtyard the prince +saw horses and men who looked as if they were dead. But he was not +afraid and boldly entered the palace. There were guards motionless +as stone, gentlemen <span class="pagenum"><a name="page179" id= +"page179"></a>{179}</span> and ladies, pages and footmen, some +standing, some sitting, but all like statues.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig179.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig179.jpg" alt= +"The prince finds the princess" /></a></div> +<p>At last the prince came to a chamber of gold, where he saw upon +a bed the fairest sight one ever beheld—a princess of about +seventeen years who looked as if she had just fallen asleep. +Trembling, the prince knelt beside her, and awakened her with a +kiss. And now the enchantment was broken.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page180" id= +"page180"></a>{180}</span> +<p>The princess looked at him with wondering eyes and said: "Is it +you, my prince? I have waited for you long."</p> +<p>So happy were the two that they talked hour after hour. In the +meantime all in the palace awaked and each began to do what he was +doing when he fell asleep. The gentlemen went on bowing to the +ladies, the ladies went on with their embroidery. The grooms went +on currying their horses, the cook went on slapping the kitchen +boy, and the servants began to serve the supper. Then the chief +lady in waiting, who was ready to die of hunger, told the princess +aloud that supper was ready.</p> +<p>The prince gave the princess his hand, and they all went into +the great hall for supper. That very evening the prince and +princess were married. The next day the prince took his bride to +his father's palace, and there they lived happily ever +afterward.</p> +<p>—GRIMM.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page181" id= +"page181"></a>{181}</span> +<h2><a name="duckling" id="duckling">THE UGLY DUCKLING</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>It was summer. The country was lovely just then. The cornfields +were waving yellow, the wheat was golden, the oats were still +green, and the hay was stacked in the meadows. Beyond the fields +great forests and ponds of water might be seen.</p> +<p>In the sunniest spot of all stood an old farmhouse, with deep +canals around it. At the water's edge grew great burdocks. It was +just as wild there as in the deepest wood, and in this snug place +sat a duck upon her nest. She was waiting for her brood to +hatch.</p> +<p>At last one eggshell after another began to crack. From each +little egg came "Cheep! cheep!" and then a little duckling's +head.</p> +<p>"Quack! quack!" said the duck; and all the babies quacked too. +Then they looked all around. The mother let them look as much as +they liked, for green is good for the eyes.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page182" id= +"page182"></a>{182}</span> +<p>"How big the world is!" said all the little ducklings.</p> +<p>"Do you think this is all the world?" asked the mother. "It +stretches a long way on the other side of the garden and on to the +parson's field, but I have never been so far as that. I hope you +are all out. No, not all; that large egg is still unbroken. I am +really tired of sitting so long." Then the duck sat down again.</p> +<p>"Well, how goes it?" asked an old duck who had come to pay her a +visit.</p> +<p>"There is one large egg that is taking a long time to hatch," +replied the mother. "But you must look at the ducklings. They are +the finest I have ever seen; they are all just like their +father."</p> +<p>"Let me look at the egg which will not hatch," said the old +duck. "You may be sure that it is a turkey's egg. I was once +cheated in that way. Oh, you will have a great deal of trouble, for +a turkey will not go into the <span class="pagenum"><a name= +"page183" id="page183"></a>{183}</span> water. Yes, that's a +turkey's egg. Leave it alone and teach the other children to +swim."</p> +<p>"No, I will sit on it a little longer," said the mother +duck.</p> +<p>"Just as you please," said the old duck, and she went away.</p> +<p>At last the large egg cracked. "Cheep! cheep!" said the young +one, and tumbled out. How large it was! How ugly it was!</p> +<p>"I wonder if it can be a turkey chick," said the mother. "Well, +we shall see when we go to the pond. It must go into the water, +even if I have to push it in myself."</p> +<p>Next day the mother duck and all her little ones went down to +the water. Splash! she jumped in, and all the ducklings went in, +too. They swam about very easily, and the ugly duckling swam with +them.</p> +<p>"No, it is not a turkey," said the mother duck. "See how well he +can use his legs. He is my own child! And he is not so very ugly +either."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page184" id= +"page184"></a>{184}</span> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>Then she took her family into the duck yard. As they went along, +she told the ducklings how to act.</p> +<p>"Keep close to me, so that no one can step on you," she said. +"Come; now, don't turn your toes in. A well-brought-up duck turns +its toes out, just like father and mother. Bow your heads before +that old duck yonder. She is the grandest duck here. One can tell +that by the red rag around her leg. That's a great honor, the +greatest honor a duck can have. It shows that the mistress doesn't +want to lose her. Now bend your necks and say 'Quack!'"</p> +<p>They did so, but the other ducks did not seem glad to see +them.</p> +<p>"Look!" they cried. "Here comes another brood, as if there were +not enough of us already. And oh, dear, how ugly that large one is! +We won't stand him."</p> +<p>Then one of the ducks flew at the ugly duckling and bit him in +the neck.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page185" id= +"page185"></a>{185}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig185.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig185.jpg" alt= +"The ugly duckling and the other ducks" /></a></div> +<p>"Let him alone," said the mother; "he is doing no harm."</p> +<p>"Perhaps not," said the duck who had bitten the poor duckling, +"but he is too ugly to stay here. He must be driven out."</p> +<p>"Those are pretty children that the mother has," said the old +duck with the rag around her leg. "They are all pretty but that +one. What a pity!"</p> +<p>"Yes," replied the mother duck, "he is not handsome, but he is +good-tempered, and he <span class="pagenum"><a name="page186" id= +"page186"></a>{186}</span> swims as well as any of the others. I +think he will grow to be pretty. Perhaps he stayed too long in the +egg."</p> +<p>"Well, make yourselves at home," said the old duck. "If you find +an eel's head, you may bring it to me."</p> +<p>And they did make themselves at home—all but the poor ugly +duckling. His life was made quite miserable. The ducks bit him, and +the hens pecked him. So it went on the first day, and each day it +grew worse.</p> +<p>The poor duckling was very unhappy. At last he could stand it no +longer, and he ran away. As he flew over the fence, he frightened +the little birds on the bushes.</p> +<p>"That is because I am so ugly," thought the duckling.</p> +<p>He flew on until he came to a moor where some wild ducks lived. +They laughed at him and swam away from him.</p> +<p>Some wild geese came by, and they laughed at the duckling, too. +Just then some guns <span class="pagenum"><a name="page187" id= +"page187"></a>{187}</span> went bang! bang! The hunters were all +around. The hunting dogs came splash! into the swamp, and one +dashed close to the duckling. The dog looked at him and went +on.</p> +<p>"Well, I can be thankful for that," sighed he. "I am so ugly +that even the dog will not bite me."</p> +<p>When all was quiet, the duckling started out again. A storm was +raging, and he found shelter in a poor hut. Here lived an old woman +with her cat and her hen. The old woman could not see well, and she +thought he was a fat duck. She kept him three weeks, hoping that +she would get some duck eggs, but the duckling did not lay.</p> +<p>After a while the fresh air and sunshine streamed in at the open +door, and the duckling longed to be out on the water. The cat and +the hen laughed when he told them of his wish.</p> +<p>"You must be crazy," said the hen. "I do not wish to swim. The +cat does not; and I am sure our mistress does not."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page188" id= +"page188"></a>{188}</span> +<p>"You do not understand me," said the duckling. "I will go out +into the wide world."</p> +<p>"Yes, do go," said the hen.</p> +<p>And the duckling went away. He swam on the water and dived, but +still all the animals passed him by because he was so ugly; and the +poor duckling was lonesome.</p> +<h3>III</h3> +<p>Now the winter came, and soon it was very cold. Snow and sleet +fell, and the ugly duckling had a very unhappy time.</p> +<p>One evening a whole flock of handsome white birds rose out of +the bushes. They were swans. They gave a strange cry, and spreading +their great wings, flew away to warmer lands and open lakes.</p> +<p>The ugly duckling felt quite strange, and he gave such a loud +cry that he frightened himself. He could not forget those beautiful +happy birds. He knew not where they had gone, but he wished he +could have gone with them.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page189" id= +"page189"></a>{189}</span> +<p>The winter grew cold—very cold. The duckling swam about in +the water to keep from freezing, but every night the hole in which +he swam became smaller and smaller. At last he was frozen fast in +the ice.</p> +<p>Early the next morning a farmer found the duckling and took him +to the farmhouse. There in a warm room the duckling came to himself +again. The children wished to play with him, but he was afraid of +them.</p> +<p>In his terror he fluttered into the milk pan and splashed the +milk about the room. The woman clapped her hands at him, and that +frightened him still more. He flew into the butter tub and then +into the meal barrel.</p> +<p>How he did look then! The children laughed and screamed. The +woman chased him with the fire tongs. The door stood open, and the +duckling slipped out into the snow.</p> +<p>It was a cruel, hard winter, and he nearly froze. At last the +warm sun began to shine, and the larks to sing. The duckling +flapped <span class="pagenum"><a name="page190" id= +"page190"></a>{190}</span> his wings and found that they were +strong. Away he flew over the meadows and fields.</p> +<p>Soon he found himself in a beautiful garden where the apple +trees were in full bloom, and the long branches of the willow trees +hung over the shores of the lake. Just in front of him he saw three +beautiful white swans swimming lightly over the water.</p> +<p>"I will fly to those beautiful birds," he said. "They will kill +me because I am so ugly; but it is all the same. It is better to be +killed by them than to be bitten by the ducks and pecked by the +hens."</p> +<p>So he flew into the water and swam towards the beautiful birds. +They saw the duckling and came sailing down toward him. He bowed +his head saying, "Kill me, oh, kill me."</p> +<p>But what was this he saw in the clear water? It was his own +image, and lo! he was no longer a clumsy dark-gray bird, but +a—swan, a beautiful white swan. It matters not if one was +born in a duck yard, if one has only lain <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page191" id="page191"></a>{191}</span> in a +swan's egg. The other swans swam around him to welcome him.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig191.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig191.jpg" alt= +"The little children see the new swan" /></a></div> +<p>Some little children came into the garden with corn and other +grains which they threw into the water. The smallest one cried, +"Oh, see! there is a new swan, and it is more beautiful than any of +the others."</p> +<p>The ugly duckling was shy and at first hid his head under his +wing. Then he felt so happy that he raised his neck and said, "I +never dreamed of so much happiness when I was an ugly +duckling."</p> +<p>—HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page192" id= +"page192"></a>{192}</span> +<h2><a name="white-blackbird" id="white-blackbird">THE WHITE +BLACKBIRD</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>I was born a blackbird in a bushy thicket near a meadow. My +father took good care of his family and would peck about all day +for insects. These he brought home to my mother, holding them by +the tail so as not to mash them. He had a sweet voice, too, and +every evening sang beautiful songs.</p> +<p>I should have been happy, but I was not. I ate little and was +weak; and from the first, I was different from my brothers and +sisters. They had glossy, black feathers, while mine were dirty +gray. These made my father angry whenever he looked at them.</p> +<p>When I moulted for the first time, he watched me closely. While +the feathers were falling out and while I was naked, he was kind; +but my new feathers drove him wild with anger. I did not wonder. I +was no longer even gray; I had become snow white. <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page193" id="page193"></a>{193}</span> I was a +white blackbird! Did such a thing ever happen in a blackbird family +before?</p> +<p>It made me very sad to see my father so vexed over me. But it is +hard to stay sad forever, and one sunshiny spring day I opened my +bill and began to sing. At the first note my father flew up into +the air like a sky-rocket.</p> +<p>"What do I hear?" he cried. "Is that the way a blackbird +whistles? Do I whistle that way?"</p> +<p>"I whistle the best I can," I replied.</p> +<p>"That is not the way we whistle in my family," my father said. +"We have whistled for many, many years and know how to do it. It is +not enough for you to be white; you must make that horrible noise. +The truth is you are not a blackbird."</p> +<p>"I will leave home," I answered with a sob. "I will go far away +where I can pick up a living on earthworms and spiders."</p> +<p>"Do as you please," my father said. "You are not a +blackbird."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page194" id= +"page194"></a>{194}</span> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>I flew away early the next morning, and was lucky enough to find +shelter under an old gutter. It rained hard that night. I was just +about to go to bed, when a very wet bird came in and sat down +beside me. His feathers were grayish like mine, but he was much +larger than myself.</p> +<p>"Who are you?" he asked.</p> +<p>"I don't know," I replied. "I pass for a blackbird but I am +white."</p> +<p>"I am the finest bird in the world," he said. "I am a carrier +pigeon and carry messages."</p> +<p>Then I saw that a traveling bag hung from his neck.</p> +<p>"Maybe I am a pigeon," I said, "since I am not a blackbird."</p> +<p>"No," he answered, "a runt like you could not be a pigeon."</p> +<p>The next morning the pigeon sprang from the gutter and flew away +as fast as the wind. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page195" id= +"page195"></a>{195}</span> As I was lonely, I followed him. He flew +faster and faster, but I kept up for a good while. At last my +strength gave out and I fell down into a meadow.</p> +<p>I was stunned by the fall. When I came to my senses, two birds +stood near by looking at me. One was a dainty little magpie; the +other a soft-eyed turtle dove. The magpie kindly offered me some +berries she had gathered.</p> +<p>"Who are you?" she asked.</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig195.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig195.jpg" alt= +"The three birds meet" /></a></div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page196" id= +"page196"></a>{196}</span> +<p>"A blackbird or a pigeon," I said sadly. "I don't know +which."</p> +<p>"Are you joking?" she cried. "You are a magpie."</p> +<p>"But magpies are not white," I said.</p> +<p>"Russian magpies are," she answered; "perhaps you belong to that +family."</p> +<p>My joy was great for a moment at finding out what I was. Still I +was not sure that I was a magpie and thought I might settle the +matter by singing. I burst into song and warbled and whistled, and +whistled and warbled.</p> +<p>The magpie looked at me in surprise. Then her face grew sad and +she backed off from me. At last she flew away without another word. +Whatever I might be, I was not a magpie—not even a Russian +magpie.</p> +<p>I made up my mind not to rest until I found out what bird I was. +So I flew off to a place where birds of all kinds met to talk and +enjoy themselves. There were robins <span class="pagenum"><a name= +"page197" id="page197"></a>{197}</span> and sparrows and crows and +wrens and martins and every sort of bird. But I was not like any of +them and whenever I began to sing, they all laughed.</p> +<p>"You are not one of us," they said; "you are a white blackbird. +That is what you are."</p> +<h3>III</h3> +<p>I had now seen all the birds, but none of them were as fine as +the blackbirds. I did not want to be like any of these birds; I +longed to be a blackbird, a real blackbird. That was not possible. +So I made up my mind to be content with my lot, as I had the heart +of a blackbird even if I were not black.</p> +<p>A great flock of blackbirds lived on the edge of a cornfield. I +went to them and asked them to let me be their helper.</p> +<p>"I am only a white blackbird," I said, "but I have the heart of +a true blackbird."</p> +<p>They let me stay. I waited on them early and late, bringing +straw to make nests and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page198" id= +"page198"></a>{198}</span> tender little worms for the baby +blackbirds. The old birds were kind to me, and I began to be +happy.</p> +<p>Hard work did me good. I soon grew strong, and when the crows +tried to drive us away, I led the blackbirds to victory. My sight +was keen, and I was the first to find out that the scarecrow was +not a man. I caught more worms, too, than any of the +blackbirds.</p> +<p>By and by a strange thing happened. I saw one day that my white +feathers were speckled with brown dots. They grew larger and larger +until the dots covered me all over; I was no longer white but +brown. And now, little by little, my brown coat turned darker and +darker until one morning it was black—a rich, glossy black! I +was a blackbird at last.</p> +<p>Then the other blackbirds hopped around me with joy, crying, "He +is the largest and bravest of the blackbirds. Let him be king! Long +live the king of the blackbirds!"</p> +<p>—ALFRED DE MUSSET (<i>Adapted</i>).</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page199" id= +"page199"></a>{199}</span> +<h2><a name="brown-thrush" id="brown-thrush">THE BROWN +THRUSH</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There's a merry brown thrush sitting up in</p> +<p class="i4">the tree,</p> +<p>He's singing to me! He's singing to me!</p> +<p>And what does he say, little girl, little boy?</p> +<p>"Oh, the world's running over with joy!</p> +<p class="i2">Don't you hear? don't you see?</p> +<p class="i2">Hush! look! in my tree,</p> +<p>I'm as happy as happy can be!"</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>And the brown thrush keeps singing, "A nest</p> +<p class="i2">do you see,</p> +<p>And five eggs hid by me in the juniper tree?</p> +<p>Don't meddle! don't touch! little girl, little boy,</p> +<p>Or the world will lose some of its joy!</p> +<p class="i2">Now I'm glad! now I'm free!</p> +<p class="i2">And I always shall be,</p> +<p>If you never bring sorrow to me."</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>So the merry brown thrush sings away in the tree,</p> +<p>To you and to me, to you and to me.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—LUCY LARCOM.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page200" id= +"page200"></a>{200}</span> +<h2><a name="gooseherd" id="gooseherd">THE KING AND THE +GOOSEHERD</a></h2> +<h3>ACT I</h3> +<p>(King in plain clothes had gone out for a walk in the park. He +sat under a tree to read a book and fell asleep. When he waked up +he walked on, forgetting his book. He sees a lad looking after a +flock of geese and calls him.)</p> +<p>KING: Boy, I left a book lying under a tree in the park. Will +you please get it for me? If you do, I will give you a gold +piece.</p> +<p>BOY: Give me a gold piece to go to the park, indeed! You must +have a pocketful of gold pieces. Or you must think me more stupid +than I am.</p> +<p>KING: Stupid! Who thinks you stupid?</p> +<p>BOY: Why, who would be so foolish as to give me a gold piece +just for running half a mile for a book? No, no, you are joking. +You couldn't make me believe that.</p> +<p>KING: Well, you know "seeing is believing." Look! here is the +gold piece for you.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page201" id= +"page201"></a>{201}</span> +<p>BOY: But it is in <i>your</i> hand. If I saw it in my own hand, +that would be a different matter.</p> +<p>KING (<i>laughing</i>): You are certainly not stupid, my boy; +but you may have it in your own hand. Here it is.</p> +<p>(Boy stands still, looking worried,)</p> +<p>KING: Well, why don't you go?</p> +<p>BOY: I only wish I could. But what would become of the geese +while I am away? If they strayed into the meadow over yonder, I +should have to pay trespass-money—more than the gold +piece—and lose my place besides.</p> +<p>KING: I'll tell you what we'll do. You go for the book, and I'll +herd the geese.</p> +<p>BOY (<i>laughing</i>): You herd the geese—a pretty +gooseherd you would make! You are too fat and too old.</p> +<p>KING (<i>to himself, shaking with laughter</i>): Well, Well, +"fat and old." What next, I wonder!</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page202" id= +"page202"></a>{202}</span> +<p>BOY: Why, you couldn't mind the geese. Just look at the "court +gander" there—the one with the black head and wings. He is +the ringleader whenever there is any mischief. He would lead you a +pretty dance.</p> +<p>KING: Never mind the geese. I'll answer for them, and I promise +to pay all damages if they get away.</p> +<p>BOY (<i>handing the king his whip</i>): Well, then, be careful. +Watch the "court gander."</p> +<p>(Boy walks on a few feet, then hurries back.)</p> +<p>KING: What's the matter now?</p> +<p>BOY: Crack the whip!</p> +<p>(King tries but fails.)</p> +<p>BOY: Just as I thought. Here, this way! Can't you see? You are +stupid!</p> +<p>KING: Just let me try once more.</p> +<p>(King tries.)</p> +<p>BOY: Well, that did pretty well.</p> +<p>(Moves off muttering.)</p> +<p>He is as big a goose as any in the flock.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page203" id= +"page203"></a>{203}</span> +<h3>ACT II</h3> +<p>KING (<i>lying on the ground and laughing so that the tears run +down his cheeks</i>): Oh, but this is fine! First I was fat and +old. Now I am as big a goose as any in the flock. What would my +courtiers say?</p> +<p>(Springing up suddenly.)</p> +<p>Look at that "court gander"! There he goes with the whole +flock.</p> +<p>(He dashes wildly after the geese and tries to crack the whip, +but cannot.)</p> +<p>Now they are in the meadow; what will the boy say?</p> +<p>(Boy returns and sees the geese in the meadow; the king looks +ashamed.)</p> +<p>BOY: Just as I expected. I have found the book, but you have +lost the geese. What a time I shall have trying to find them!</p> +<p>KING: Never mind; I will help you get them together again.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page204" id= +"page204"></a>{204}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig204.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig204.jpg" alt= +"The king and the boy look for the geese" /></a></div> +<p>BOY: Humph! Much help you'll be. But go there by that stump and +don't let the geese pass you. Wave your arms at them and shout at +them. Surely you can do that!</p> +<p>KING: I'll try.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page205" id= +"page205"></a>{205}</span> +<h3>ACT III</h3> +<p>Boy: Well, they are back again! Thanks to goodness, but none to +you. What can you do?</p> +<p>KING: Pray excuse me for not doing any better, but you see, I am +not used to work. I am the king.</p> +<p>BOY: I was a simpleton to trust you with the geese; but I am not +such a simpleton as to believe that you are the king.</p> +<p>KING: Just as you will. You are a good lad. Here is another gold +coin as a peace offering. Good-day.</p> +<p>BOY (<i>as king walks away</i>): He is a kind gentleman, whoever +he may be; but take my word for it, he will never make a +gooseherd.</p> +<p>—OLD TALE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page206" id= +"page206"></a>{206}</span> +<h2><a name="donal" id="donal">DONAL AND CONAL</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>There was once in old Ireland a very fine lad by the name of +Donal. He was not only a very fine lad, but a very gay lad. He +would go for miles to a party or a wedding; and he was always +welcome, for Donal knew where to wear his smile. He wore it on his +face instead of keeping it in his pocket.</p> +<p>The dearest wish of Donal's heart no one knew but himself. His +soul was full of music, and he longed to have a violin.</p> +<p>One night Donal was going home through a dark forest when a +storm came up. He found an old hollow tree and got inside of it to +keep dry. Soon he fell asleep.</p> +<p>After a while Donal was awakened by a strange noise. He peeped +out, and he saw a queer sight. The storm had passed, and the moon +was shining. Many elves were dancing to strange music played by an +old, old elf.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page207" id= +"page207"></a>{207}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig207.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig207.jpg" alt= +"Donal sees the fairies dancing" /></a></div> +<p>Such queer dancing it was! Donal crept out of the tree and drew +nearer and nearer. Suddenly he laughed out loud and said, "Well, +that's the worst dancing I have ever seen!"</p> +<p>The fairies were astonished and angry, and they all began to +talk at the same time.</p> +<p>"We have a man among us!" cried one.</p> +<p>"Let us hang him!" cried another.</p> +<p>"Cut his head off!" cried a third.</p> +<p>But the queen stepped out among them and said, "Leave him to +me."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page208" id= +"page208"></a>{208}</span> +<p>Then she called Donal to her. Now Donal was a wee bit +frightened, but he knew where to wear his smile, you remember. So +he went up to the queen, smiling and bowing.</p> +<p>"You say our dancing is the worst you have ever seen," she said. +"Now, show us that you can do better."</p> +<p>Donal smiled again and bowed low. Then he began to dance. Such +dancing the elves had never seen! They clapped their hands and made +him dance again and again. Finally, Donal was exhausted, and after +making a low bow to the queen, sat down on the ground.</p> +<p>The fairies crowded around him.</p> +<p>"Give him our silver!" cried one.</p> +<p>"Make it gold!" cried another.</p> +<p>"Diamonds!" cried a third.</p> +<p>But the queen said, "Leave it to me."</p> +<p>She went up to the old, old elf who had been playing for the +dance. Taking his violin from him, she gave it to Donal. You see, +the queen knew the dearest wish of his heart.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page209" id= +"page209"></a>{209}</span> +<p>Then Donal was a happy lad, indeed! He thanked the queen and +went home playing on his new violin.</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>There lived near Donal's home a lad named Conal. He was not such +a fine lad as Donal, nor such a gay one. He was a greedy lad, and +the dearest wish of his heart was to be rich. And he did not know +where to wear his smile. If he had one, he kept it in his +pocket.</p> +<p>When Conal heard what had happened to Donal, he wished to know +all about it. So he went to him and said, "Donal, man, how did you +get that beautiful violin?"</p> +<p>Donal told the story backward and forward, and forward and +backward, from beginning to end, until Conal knew it by heart.</p> +<p>Then Conal said to himself, "I will go to the hollow tree and +dance for the elves; but I shall not be so foolish as Donal. I will +take their gold and silver, and their diamonds, too."</p> +<p>That night Conal went to the hollow tree <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page210" id="page210"></a>{210}</span> and +waited until the elves appeared. Then he crept out and watched them +dance. And he said, just as Donal had, "Well, that's the worst +dancing I have ever seen!"</p> +<p>The fairies were astonished and angry again, and again they all +began to talk at once.</p> +<p>"Another man among us!" cried one.</p> +<p>"Let us hang him!" cried another.</p> +<p>"Cut off his head!" cried a third.</p> +<p>But the queen said, "Leave it to me."</p> +<p>Then she called Conal to her. Now Conal did not know where to +wear his smile, you remember; he always kept it in his pocket. So +he went up to the queen with a very sour face.</p> +<p>The queen said to him, as she had to Donal, "You say our dancing +is the worst you have ever seen. Now, show us that you can do +better."</p> +<p>Conal began to dance, and he could dance well. The elves were +delighted. They clapped their hands and asked him to dance again, +but he said roughly, "No, that is enough. Do you expect me to dance +all night?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page211" id= +"page211"></a>{211}</span> +<p>The elves were silent then, and the queen's face was stern. But +she was a just queen, and she said, "You have danced well. Will you +have some of our silver?"</p> +<p>"Yes," said Conal, without a word of thanks; and he filled his +coat pockets.</p> +<p>"Will you have gold?" asked the queen.</p> +<p>"Yes," said Conal greedily, as he filled the pockets in his +trousers.</p> +<p>"Will you have some of our diamonds?" the queen asked, and her +face was dark with anger.</p> +<p>"Yes, yes," cried Conal.</p> +<p>"You shall not have them, you greedy lad!" cried the queen; "you +shall have nothing."</p> +<p>Just then a cloud passed across the moon, and the elves +vanished.</p> +<p>"Oh, well," said Conal, "I have the gold and silver."</p> +<p>He plunged his hands into his pockets and lo! the gold and +silver had turned to stones. Then Conal went home a sadder and a +wiser lad.</p> +<p>—IRISH TALE.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page212" id= +"page212"></a>{212}</span> +<h2><a name="who-told" id="who-told">WHO TOLD THE NEWS?</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig212.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig212.jpg" alt= +"A bird singing" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Oh, the sunshine told the bluebird,</p> +<p class="i2">And the bluebird told the brook,</p> +<p>That the dandelions were peeping</p> +<p class="i2">From the woodland's sheltered nook.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then the brook was blithe and happy,</p> +<p class="i2">And it babbled all the way,</p> +<p>As it ran to tell the river</p> +<p class="i2">Of the coming of the May.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Soon the river told the meadow,</p> +<p class="i2">And the meadow told the bee,</p> +<p>That the tender buds were swelling</p> +<p class="i2">On the old horse-chestnut tree.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>And the bee shook off its torpor,</p> +<p class="i2">And it spread each gauzy wing,</p> +<p>As it flew to tell the flowers</p> +<p class="i2">Of the coming of the spring.</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page213" id= +"page213"></a>{213}</span> +<h2><a name="killingworth" id="killingworth">THE BIRDS OF +KILLINGWORTH</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>It was spring. The apple trees and the cherry trees were pink +and white with blossoms. They filled the air with fragrance. The +maples were red, and on the oak and poplar the buds were swelling. +The brooklets were rushing and leaping on toward the sea.</p> +<p>It was spring everywhere. The robin and the bluebird were piping +sweetly in the blossoming orchard. The sparrows were chirping, and +hungry crows were calling loudly for food. The farmers of +Killingworth were plowing the fields, and the broken clods, too, +told of spring.</p> +<p>A farmer heard the cawing of the crows and the song of the +birds.</p> +<p>He said, "Did one ever see so many birds? Why, when we plant our +seeds, these birds will take them all. When the fruit ripens, they +will destroy it. I, for one, wish there were no birds, and I say +kill them all."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page214" id= +"page214"></a>{214}</span> +<p>Another farmer said, "Yes, let us call a meeting of the people +of the village and decide what is to be done with the pests."</p> +<p>The meeting was called, and all came: the squire, the preacher, +the teacher, and the farmers from the country round about.</p> +<p>Up rose the farmer who had said he wished there were no +birds.</p> +<p>"Friends," he said, "the crows are about to take my field of +corn. I put up scarecrows, but the birds fly by them and seem to +laugh at them. The robins are as saucy as they can be. Soon they +will eat all the cherries we have. I say kill all birds; they are a +pest."</p> +<p>"So say I," said another farmer.</p> +<p>"And I," said another.</p> +<p>"And I," "And I," came from voices in every part of the +hall.</p> +<p>The teacher arose and timidly said:</p> +<p>"My friends, you know not what you do. You would put to death +the birds that make sweet music for us in our dark hours: the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page215" id= +"page215"></a>{215}</span> thrush, the oriole, the noisy jay, the +bluebird, the meadow lark.</p> +<p>"You slay them all, and why? Because they scratch up a little +handful of wheat or corn, while searching for worms or weevils.</p> +<p>"Do you never think who made them and who taught them their +songs of love? Think of your woods and orchards without birds!</p> +<p>"And, friends, would you rather have insects in the hay? You +call the birds thieves, but they guard your farms. They drive the +enemy from your cornfields and from your harvests.</p> +<p>"Even the blackest of them, the crow, does good. He crushes the +beetle and wages war on the slug and the snail.</p> +<p>"And, what is more, how can I teach your children gentleness and +mercy when you contradict the very thing I teach?"</p> +<p>But the farmers only shook their heads and laughed. "What does +the teacher know of such things?" they asked. And they passed a law +to have the birds killed.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page216" id= +"page216"></a>{216}</span> +<p>So the dreadful war on birds began. They fell down dead, with +bloodstains on their breasts. Some fluttered, wounded, away from +the sight of man, while the young died of starvation in the +nests.</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>The summer came, and all the birds were dead. The days were like +hot coals. In the orchards hundreds of caterpillars fed. In the +fields and gardens hundreds of insects of every kind crawled, +finding no foe to check them. At last the whole land was like a +desert.</p> +<p>From the trees caterpillars dropped down upon the women's +bonnets, and they screamed and ran. At every door, the women +gathered and talked.</p> +<p>"What will become of us?" asked one. "The men were +wrong,—something must be done."</p> +<p>"The teacher was right," said another.</p> +<p>At last, the farmers grew ashamed of having killed the birds. +They met and did away with the wicked law, but it was too late.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page217" id= +"page217"></a>{217}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig217.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig217.jpg" alt= +"The wagon filled with branches and cages" /></a></div> +<p>Harvest time came, but there was no harvest. In many a home +there was want and sorrow.</p> +<p>The next spring a strange sight was seen—a sight never +seen before or since. Through the streets there went a wagon filled +with great branches of trees. Upon them were hung cages of birds +that were making sweet music.</p> +<p>From all the country round these birds had been brought by order +of the farmers. The cages were opened, and once more the woods and +fields were filled with the beautiful birds, who flew about singing +their songs of joy. And again the harvests grew in the fields and +filled to overflowing the farmers' barns.</p> +<p>—<i>Adapted from</i> LONGFELLOW.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page218" id= +"page218"></a>{218}</span> +<h2><a name="arbutus" id="arbutus">THE TRAILING ARBUTUS</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Many, many moons ago, in a lodge in a forest, there lived an old +man. His hair was white as the snowdrift. All the world was winter; +snow and ice were everywhere, and the old man wore heavy furs.</p> +<p>The winds went wildly through the forest searching every bush +and tree for birds to chill. The old man looked in vain in the deep +snow for pieces of wood to keep up the fire in his lodge. Then he +sat down by his dull and low fire.</p> +<p>Shaking and trembling he sat there, hearing nothing but the +tempest as it roared through the forest, seeing nothing but the +snowstorm as it whirled and hissed and drifted.</p> +<p>All the coals became white with ashes, and the fire was slowly +dying. Suddenly the wind blew aside the door of the lodge, and +there came in a most beautiful maiden.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page219" id= +"page219"></a>{219}</span> +<p>Her cheeks were like the wild rose, her eyes were soft and +glowed like the stars in springtime; and her hair was as brown as +October's nuts.</p> +<p>Her dress was of ferns and sweet grasses, her moccasins were of +white lilies, on her head was a wreath of wild flowers, and in her +hands were beautiful blossoms. When she breathed, the air became +warm and fragrant.</p> +<p>"Ah, my daughter," exclaimed the old man. "Happy are my eyes to +see you. Sit here on the mat beside me; sit here by the dying +embers. Tell me of your strange adventures, and I will tell you of +my deeds of wonder."</p> +<p>From his pouch he drew his peace pipe, very old and strangely +fashioned. He filled the pipe with bark of willow, and placed a +burning coal upon it.</p> +<p>Then he said, "I am Manito, the Mighty. When I blow my breath +about me, the rivers become motionless and the waters hard as +stone."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page220" id= +"page220"></a>{220}</span> +<p>The maiden smiling said, "When I blow my breath about me, +flowers spring up over all the meadows. And all the rivers rush +onward, singing songs of joy."</p> +<p>"When I shake my hoary tresses," said the old man, darkly +frowning, "all the ground is covered with snow. All the leaves fade +and wither."</p> +<p>"When I shake my flowing ringlets," said the maiden, "the warm +rains fall over all the land."</p> +<p>Then proudly the old man replied, "When I walk through the +forest, everything flees before me. The animals hide in their +holes. The birds rise from the lakes and the marshes, and fly to +distant regions."</p> +<p>Softly the maiden answered, "When I walk through the forest, all +is bright and joyous. The animals come from their holes. The birds +return to the lakes and marshes. The leaves come back to the trees. +The plants lift up their heads to kiss the breezes. And where-ever +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page221" id= +"page221"></a>{221}</span> my footsteps wander, all the meadows +wave their blossoms, all the woodlands ring with music."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>While they talked, the night departed. From his shining lodge of +silver came the sun. The air was warm and pleasant; the streams +began to murmur; the birds began to sing. And a scent of growing +grasses was wafted through the lodge.</p> +<p>The old man's face dropped upon his breast, and he slept. Then +the maiden saw more clearly the icy face before her—saw the +icy face of winter.</p> +<p>Slowly she passed her hands above his head. Streams of water ran +from his eyes, and his body shrunk and dwindled till it faded into +the air—vanished into the earth—and his clothing turned +to green leaves.</p> +<p>The maiden took from her bosom the most precious flowers. +Kneeling upon the ground, she hid them all about among the +leaves.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page222" id= +"page222"></a>{222}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig222.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig222.jpg" alt= +"The maiden hides the flowers among the leaves" /></a></div> +<p>"I give you my most precious flowers and my sweetest breath," +she said, "but all who would pluck you must do so upon bended +knee."</p> +<p>Then the maiden moved away—through the forest and over the +waking fields; and wherever she stepped, and nowhere else in all +the land, grows the trailing arbutus.</p> +<p>—INDIAN LEGEND.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page223" id= +"page223"></a>{223}</span> +<h2><a name="hidden-treasure" id="hidden-treasure">HIDDEN +TREASURE</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>Once upon a time there was an old farmer named John Jacobs. He +had heard that treasures were found in odd places. He thought and +thought about such treasures until he could think of nothing else; +and he spent all his time hunting for them. How he wished he could +find a pot of gold!</p> +<p>One morning he arose with a bright face and said to his wife, +"At last, Mary, I've found the treasure."</p> +<p>"No, I cannot believe it," she said.</p> +<p>"Yes," he answered; "at least it is as good as found. I am only +waiting until I have my breakfast. Then I will go out and bring it +in."</p> +<p>"Oh, how did you find it?" asked the wife.</p> +<p>"I was told about it in a dream," said he.</p> +<p>"Where is it?"</p> +<p>"Under a tree in our orchard," said John.</p> +<p>"Oh, John, let us hurry and get it."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page224" id= +"page224"></a>{224}</span> +<p>So they went out together into the orchard.</p> +<p>"Which tree is it under?" asked the wife.</p> +<p>John scratched his head and looked silly.</p> +<p>"I really do not know," he said.</p> +<p>"Oh, you foolish man," said the wife. "Why didn't you take the +trouble to notice?"</p> +<p>"I did notice," said he. "I saw the exact tree in my dream, but +there are so many trees, here that I am confused. There is only one +thing to do now. I must begin with the first tree and keep on +digging until I come to the one with the treasure under it."</p> +<p>This made the wife lose all hope. There were eighty apple trees +and a score of peach trees.</p> +<p>She sighed and said, "I suppose if you must, you must, but be +careful not to cut any of the roots."</p> +<p>By this time John was in a very bad humor. He went to work +saying, "What difference does it make if I cut all the roots? The +whole orchard will not bear one bushel of good apples <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page225" id="page225"></a>{225}</span> or +peaches. I don't know why, for in father's time it bore wagonloads +of choice fruit."</p> +<p>"Well, John," said his wife, "you know father used to give the +trees a great deal of attention."</p> +<p>But John grumbled to himself as he went on with his digging. He +dug three feet deep around the first tree, but no treasure was +there. He went to the next tree, but found nothing; then to the +next and the next, until he had dug around every tree in the +orchard. He dug and dug, but no pot of gold did he find.</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>The neighbors thought that John was acting queerly. They told +other people, who came to see what he was doing.</p> +<p>They would sit on the fence and make sly jokes about digging for +hidden treasure. They called the orchard "Jacobs' folly."</p> +<p>Soon John did not like to be seen in the orchard. He did not +like to meet his neighbors. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page226" +id="page226"></a>{226}</span> They would laugh and say, "Well, +John, how much money did you get from the holes?"</p> +<p>This made John angry. At last he said, "I will sell the place +and move away."</p> +<p>"Oh, no," said the wife, "this has always been our home, and I +cannot think of leaving it. Go and fill the holes; then the +neighbors will stop laughing. Perhaps we shall have a little fruit +this year, too. The heaps of earth have stood in wind and frost for +months, and that will help the trees."</p> +<p>John did as his wife told him. He filled the holes with earth +and smoothed it over as level as before. By and by everybody forgot +"Jacobs' folly."</p> +<p>Soon the spring came. April was warm, and the trees burst into +bloom.</p> +<p>"Mary," said John one bright spring day, "don't you think the +blossoms are finer than usual this year?"</p> +<p>"Yes, they look as they did when your father was alive," said +his wife.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page227" id= +"page227"></a>{227}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig227.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig227.jpg" alt= +"John's trees full of fruit" /></a></div> +<p>By and by, the blooms fell, leaving a million little green +apples and peaches. Summer passed and autumn followed. The branches +of the old trees could hardly hold up all the fine fruit on +them.</p> +<p>Now the neighbors came, not to make fun, but to praise. "How did +you do it?" they asked.</p> +<p>"The trees were old and needed attention," said John. "By +turning the soil and letting in the air, I gave them strength to +bear fruit. I have found the treasure after all, and I have learned +a lesson. Tilling the soil well is the way to get treasure from +it."</p> +<p>—GRIMM.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page228" id= +"page228"></a>{228}</span> +<h2><a name="brown-brother" id="brown-brother">THE LITTLE BROWN +BROTHER</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother,</p> +<p class="i2">Are you awake in the dark?</p> +<p>Here we lie cozily, close to each other;</p> +<p class="i2">Hark to the song of the lark—</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>"Waken!" the lark says, "waken and dress you;</p> +<p class="i2">Put on your green coats and gay,</p> +<p>Blue sky will shine on you, sunshine caress you—</p> +<p class="i2">Waken! 'tis morning—'tis May!"</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother,</p> +<p class="i2">What kind of flower will you be?</p> +<p>I'll be a poppy—all white, like my mother;</p> +<p class="i2">Do be a poppy like me.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>What! you're a sunflower? How I shall miss you</p> +<p class="i2">When you're grown golden and high!</p> +<p>But I shall send all the bees up to kiss you;</p> +<p class="i2">Little brown brother, good-by!</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—EMILY NESBIT.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page229" id= +"page229"></a>{229}</span> +<h2><a name="flowers-grow" id="flowers-grow">HOW THE FLOWERS +GROW</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>This is how the flowers grow;</p> +<p>I have watched them and I know:</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>First, above the ground is seen</p> +<p>A tiny blade of purest green,</p> +<p>Reaching up and peeping forth</p> +<p>East and west, and south and north.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Then the sunbeams find their way</p> +<p>To the sleeping bud and say,</p> +<p>"We are children of the sun</p> +<p>Sent to wake thee, little one."</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>And the leaflet opening wide</p> +<p>Shows the tiny bud inside,</p> +<p>Peeping with half-opened eye</p> +<p>On the bright and sunny sky.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Breezes from the west and south</p> +<p>Lay their kisses on its mouth;</p> +<p>Till the petals all are grown,</p> +<p>And the bud's a flower blown.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—GABRIEL SETOUN.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page230" id= +"page230"></a>{230}</span> +<h2><a name="gotham" id="gotham">WISE MEN OF GOTHAM</a></h2> +<p>Once upon a time there were some wise men who lived in Gotham. +Listen and you will hear how wise they were.</p> +<p>Twelve of these wise men went fishing one day. Some went into +the stream and some stayed on dry ground. They caught many fish and +had a good time.</p> +<p>As they came home, one of the men said, "We have risked much +wading in that stream. I pray God no one of us is drowned."</p> +<p>"Why, one of us might be! Who knows?" cried another. "Let's see +about it. Twelve of us went fishing this morning. We must count and +see if twelve are returning."</p> +<p>So one man counted, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, +eight, nine, ten, eleven." And he did not count himself!</p> +<p>"Alas! One of us is drowned!" he cried.</p> +<p>"Woe be unto us! Let me count," said another. And he did not +count himself.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page231" id= +"page231"></a>{231}</span> +<p>"Alas! alas!" he wailed; "truly one of us is drowned!"</p> +<p>Then every man counted, and each one failed to count +himself.</p> +<p>"Alas! alas!" they all cried; "one of us is drowned! Which one +is it?"</p> +<p>They went back to the shore, and they looked up and down for him +that was drowned. All the time they were lamenting loudly.</p> +<p>A courtier came riding by. "What are you seeking?" he asked, +"and why are you so sorrowful?"</p> +<p>"Oh," said they, "this day we came to fish in the stream. There +were twelve of us, but one is drowned."</p> +<p>"Why," said the courtier, "count yourselves and see how many +there be."</p> +<p>Again they counted, and again each man failed to count +himself.</p> +<p>"Well, this is sad," said the courtier, who saw how the mistake +had been made. "What will you give me if I find the twelfth +man?"</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page232" id= +"page232"></a>{232}</span> +<p>"Sir," cried all together, "you may have all the money we +own."</p> +<p>"Give me the money," said the courtier.</p> +<p>Then he began to count. He gave the first man a whack over the +shoulders and said, "There is one."</p> +<p>He gave the next a whack and said, "There is two." And so he +counted until he came to the last man. He gave this one a sounding +blow, saying, "And here is the twelfth."</p> +<p>"God bless you!" cried all the company. "You have found our +neighbor."</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig232.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig232.jpg" alt= +"The wise men" /></a></div> +<p>—OLD ENGLISH STORY.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page233" id= +"page233"></a>{233}</span> +<h2><a name="guest" id="guest">THE MILLER'S GUEST</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<p>A hunter who had ridden ahead in the chase was lost. The sun +went down, and darkness fell upon the forest. The hunter blew his +horn, but no answer came. What should he do?</p> +<p>At last he heard the sound of horse's hoofs. Some one was +coming. Was it friend or foe? The hunter stood still, and soon a +miller rode out into the moonlight.</p> +<p>"Pray, good fellow, be so kind as to tell me the way to +Nottingham," said the hunter.</p> +<p>"Nottingham? Why should you be going to Nottingham? The king and +his court are there. It is not a place for the like of you," +replied the miller.</p> +<p>"Well, well, perhaps you are right, good miller," said the +hunter. "And yet who knows? I'll wager that the king is no better +man than I am. However, it is getting late, <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page234" id="page234"></a>{234}</span> and +lodging I must have. Will you give me shelter for the night?"</p> +<p>"Nay, nay, not so fast," said the miller. "Stand forth and let +me see if you are a true man. Many thieves wear fine clothes these +days."</p> +<p>The hunter stepped forward. "Well, and what do you think of me?" +he asked gayly. "Will you not give a stranger lodging?"</p> +<p>"How do I know that you have one penny in your purse?" asked the +miller. "You may carry your all on your back, for aught I know. +I've heard of lords who are like that."</p> +<p>"True, good miller, but I have gold. If it be forty pence, I +will pay it," said the hunter.</p> +<p>"If you are a true man, and have the pence, then lodging you may +have. My good wife may not like it, but we'll see," said the +miller.</p> +<p>"Good!" cried the hunter. "And here's my hand on it."</p> +<p>"Nay, nay, not so fast," replied the miller. "I must know you +better before I shake hands. None but an honest man's hand will I +take."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page235" id= +"page235"></a>{235}</span> +<p>"Some day, my good miller," replied the hunter, "I hope to have +you take my hand in yours. Proud will I be when the day comes."</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>And so to the miller's house they went. The miller again looked +at the stranger and said, "I like his face well. He may stay with +us, may he not, good wife?"</p> +<p>"Yes, he is a handsome youth, but it's best not to go too fast," +said the good wife. "He may be a runaway servant. Let him show his +passport, and all shall be well."</p> +<p>The hunter bowed low, and said, "I have no passport, good dame, +and I never was any man's servant. I am but a poor courtier who has +lost his way. Pray give me lodging for the night. Your kindness I +will surely repay."</p> +<p>Then the wife whispered to the miller, "The youth is of good +manners and to turn him out would be sin."</p> +<p>"Yea, a well-mannered youth—and one who <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page236" id="page236"></a>{236}</span> knows his +betters when he sees them," the miller replied. "Let the lad +stay."</p> +<p>"Well, young man," said the wife, "you are welcome here; and +well lodged you shall be, though I do say it myself. You shall have +a fresh bed with good brown sheets."</p> +<p>"Aye," said the miller, "and you shall sleep with our own son +Richard."</p> +<p>Then they all sat down to supper—such a supper: pudding, +apple pie, and good things of all kinds. Then at a wink from the +miller, the wife brought out a venison pasty.</p> +<p>"Eat!" said the miller. "This is dainty food."</p> +<p>"Faith!" cried the hunter, "I never before ate such meat."</p> +<p>"Pshaw!" said Richard. "We eat this every day."</p> +<p>"Every day? Where do you buy it?"</p> +<p>"Oh, never a penny pay we. In merry Sherwood Forest we find it. +Now and then, you see, we make bold with the king's deer."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page237" id= +"page237"></a>{237}</span> +<p>"Then I think that it is venison," said the hunter.</p> +<p>"To be sure. Any fool would know that," replied Richard; "but +say nothing about it. We would not have the king hear of it."</p> +<p>"I'll keep your secret," said the hunter. "Don't fear. The king +shall never know more than he knows now."</p> +<p>And so the evening passed merrily. It was late when the guest +sought his bed, but right soundly did he sleep.</p> +<p>The next morning the miller, the good wife, and Richard came out +to see the hunter on his way. Just then a party of nobles rode +up.</p> +<p>"There's the king!" cried one.</p> +<p>"Pardon, your majesty!" cried another, and all fell upon their +knees before the hunter.</p> +<p>The miller stood shaking and quaking, and for once his wife +could not speak. The king, with a grave face, drew his sword, but +not a word did he say.</p> +<p>The terrified miller threw himself at his <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page238" id="page238"></a>{238}</span> ruler's +feet, crying out for mercy. Again the sword was raised, and down it +fell, but lightly, upon the miller's shoulder, and the king +said:</p> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig238.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig238.jpg" alt= +"The king knights the miller" /></a></div> +<p>"Your kind courtesy I will repay; so I here dub thee Knight. +Rise, Sir John of Mansfield."</p> +<p>For many a day the miller and his wife told of the night the +king spent with them. And for many a day the king told of the time +he was taken for a thief and ate of his own deer in the miller's +house.</p> +<p>—ENGLISH BALLAD (Adapted).</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page239" id= +"page239"></a>{239}</span> +<h2><a name="saddle" id="saddle">SADDLE TO RAGS</a></h2> +<h3>I</h3> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>This story I'm going to sing,</p> +<p class="i2">I hope it will give you content,</p> +<p>Concerning a silly old man</p> +<p class="i2">That was going to pay his rent,</p> +<p>With a till-a-dill, till-a-dill-dill,</p> +<p class="i2">Till-a-dill, dill-a-dill, dee,</p> +<p>Sing fol-de-dill, dill-de-dill, dill,</p> +<p class="i2">Fol-de-dill, dill-de-dill, dee.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>A silly old man said to his wife one day, "Well, 'tis time I +paid my rent. The landlord has been away for a year and a day, but +now he is back, and I must pay for twelve months."</p> +<p>"Yes, it's twice forty pounds that is due, and it should be +paid," said the good wife. "So much money in the house keeps me +from sleeping at night."</p> +<p>"Well, I'll bridle old Tib, and away we shall go," said the old +man. "Right glad I'll be, too, to be rid of the gold."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page240" id= +"page240"></a>{240}</span> +<p>The silly old man bridled old Tib and saddled her too. And away +they started. As he was jogging along, a stranger came riding up on +a fine horse with fine saddle bags.</p> +<p>"Good morning, old man," said the stranger.</p> +<p>"Good morning," said the old man.</p> +<p>"How far are you going?"</p> +<p>"To tell the truth, kind sir, I am going just two miles," said +the old man.</p> +<p>"And where are you going?" asked the stranger.</p> +<p>"I am going to pay my rent, kind sir," said the old man. "I am +but a silly old man who farms a piece of ground. My rent for a half +year is forty pounds; but my landlord has been away for a year, and +now I owe him eighty pounds. Right glad I am to pay it."</p> +<p>"Eighty pounds! That is indeed a large sum," cried the stranger, +"and you ought not to tell anybody you carry so much. There are +many thieves about, and you might be robbed."</p> +<p>"Oh, never mind!" said the old man. "I <span class= +"pagenum"><a name="page241" id="page241"></a>{241}</span> do not +fear thieves. My money is safe in my saddle bags, on which I +ride."</p> +<p>So they rode along most pleasantly.</p> +<p>When they came to a thick wood, the stranger pulled out a pistol +and said, "Stand still, and give me your money."</p> +<p>"Nay," said the old man. "The money is for my landlord. I will +not give it to you."</p> +<p>"Your money or your life!"</p> +<p>"Well, if you will have it, you can go for it," cried the old +man, as he threw his old saddle bags over a hedge.</p> +<p>The thief dismounted and said, "Stand here and hold my horse +while I go over the hedge. You are silly, but surely you can do +that."</p> +<p>The thief climbed through the hedge. When he was on the other +side, the old man got on the thief's horse, and away he +galloped.</p> +<p>"Stop, stop!" cried the thief. "And half of my share you shall +have."</p> +<p>"Nay," cried the man. "I think I'll go on. I'd rather have +what's in your bag."</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page242" id= +"page242"></a>{242}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig242.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig242.jpg" alt= +"The old man gallops away" /></a></div> +<p>And away he galloped, riding as he never rode before.</p> +<h3>II</h3> +<p>The thief thought there must be something in the old man's bags; +so with his big rusty knife he chopped them into rags. But no money +did he find, for the silly old man was not so silly as he seemed. +His money was in his pocket.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page243" id= +"page243"></a>{243}</span> +<p>The old man rode on to his landlord's home and paid his rent. +Then he opened the thief's bag, which was glorious to behold. There +were five hundred pounds in gold and silver.</p> +<p>"Where did you get the silver?" asked the landlord. "And where +did you get the gold?"</p> +<p>"I met a proud fool on the way," said the old man with a laugh. +"I swapped horses with him, and he gave me this to boot."</p> +<p>"Well, well! But you're too old to go about with so much money," +said the landlord.</p> +<p>"Oh, I think no one would harm a silly old man like me," said +the farmer, as he rode away.</p> +<p>The old man went home by a narrow lane, and there he spied Tib +tied to a tree.</p> +<p>"The stranger did not like his trade, I fear," said he. "So I +think I'll take Tib home."</p> +<p>The old man went home much richer than when he left. When she +heard the story, the wife danced and sang for glee. "'Tis hard to +fool my old man," said she.</p> +<p>—ENGLISH BALLAD (<i>Adapted</i>).</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page244" id= +"page244"></a>{244}</span> +<h2><a name="rock-a-by" id="rock-a-by">THE ROCK-A-BY LADY</a></h2> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig244.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig244.jpg" alt= +"The Rock-a-By Lady walking by" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street</p> +<p class="i2">Comes stealing; comes creeping;</p> +<p>The poppies they hang from her head to her</p> +<p class="i4">feet,</p> +<p>And each hath a dream that is tiny and fleet—</p> +<p>She bringeth her poppies to you, my sweet,</p> +<p class="i2">When she findeth you sleeping!</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page245" id= +"page245"></a>{245}</span></div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>There is one little dream of a beautiful drum—</p> +<p class="i2">"Rub-a-dub!" it goeth;</p> +<p>There is one little dream of a big sugar-plum,</p> +<p>And lo! thick and fast the other dreams come</p> +<p>Of pop-guns that bang, and tin tops that hum,</p> +<p class="i2">And a trumpet that bloweth!</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>And dollies peep out of those wee little dreams</p> +<p class="i2">With laughter and singing;</p> +<p>And boats go a-floating on silvery streams,</p> +<p>And the stars peek-a-boo with their own misty gleams,</p> +<p>And up, up, and up, where the Mother Moon beams,</p> +<p class="i2">The fairies go winging!</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>Would you dream all these dreams that are tiny and fleet?</p> +<p class="i2">They'll come to you sleeping;</p> +<p>So shut the two eyes that are weary, my sweet,</p> +<p>For the Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street</p> +<p>With poppies that hang from her head to her feet,</p> +<p class="i2">Comes stealing; comes creeping.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—EUGENE FIELD.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page246" id= +"page246"></a>{246}</span> +<h2><a name="sandman" id="sandman">THE SANDMAN</a></h2> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>The rosy clouds float overhead,</p> +<p class="i2">The sun is going down;</p> +<p>And now the sandman's gentle tread</p> +<p class="i2">Comes stealing through the town.</p> +<p>"White sand, white sand," he softly cries,</p> +<p class="i2">And as he shakes his hand,</p> +<p>Straightway there lies on babies' eyes</p> +<p class="i2">His gift of shining sand.</p> +<p>Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown,</p> +<p>As shuts the rose, they softly close,</p> +<p class="i2">When he goes through the town.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>From sunny beaches far away—</p> +<p class="i2">Yes, in another land—</p> +<p>He gathers up at break of day</p> +<p class="i2">His store of shining sand.</p> +<p>No tempests beat that shore remote,</p> +<p class="i2">No ships may sail that way;</p> +<p>His little boat alone may float</p> +<p class="i2">Within that lovely bay.</p> +<p>Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown,</p> +<p>As shuts the rose, they softly close,</p> +<p class="i2">When he goes through the town.</p> +</div> +</div> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page247" id= +"page247"></a>{247}</span> +<div class="figcenter" style="width:80%;"><a href= +"images/fig247.jpg"><img width="80%" src="images/fig247.jpg" alt= +"The sandman" /></a></div> +<div class="poem"> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>He smiles to see the eyelids close</p> +<p class="i2">Above the happy eyes;</p> +<p>And every child right well he knows,</p> +<p class="i2">Oh, he is very wise!</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page248" id= +"page248"></a>{248}</span> +<p>But, if as he goes through the land,</p> +<p class="i2">A naughty baby cries,</p> +<p>His other hand takes dull gray sand</p> +<p class="i2">To close the wakeful eyes.</p> +<p>Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown,</p> +<p>As shuts the rose, they softly close,</p> +<p class="i2">When he goes through the town.</p> +</div> +<div class="stanza"> +<p>So when you hear the sandman's song</p> +<p class="i2">Sound through the twilight sweet,</p> +<p>Be sure you do not keep him long</p> +<p class="i2">A-waiting on the street.</p> +<p>Lie softly down, dear little head,</p> +<p class="i2">Rest quiet, busy hands,</p> +<p>Till, by your bed his good-night said,</p> +<p class="i2">He strews the shining sands.</p> +<p>Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown,</p> +<p>As shuts the rose, they softly close,</p> +<p class="i2">When he goes through the town.</p> +</div> +</div> +<p>—MARGARET VANDERGRIFT.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page249" id= +"page249"></a>{249}</span> +<h2><a name="dictionary" id="dictionary">A DICTIONARY</a></h2> +<p>To the Children: Below you will find the words in the Third +Reader that you may not know the meaning of, or how to pronounce. +Some words have more than one meaning. In looking for the meaning +of a word, choose the meaning that best fits the sentence in which +the word occurs.</p> +<blockquote> +<p>ad ven ture: a bold undertaking.<br /> +af fec tion: love.<br /> +a gree ment: a bargain.<br /> +al mond: a nut.<br /> +am ber: of the color of amber-yellow.<br /> +ap plaud ed: praised.<br /> +ar bu tus: a trailing plant with small pinkish-white +blossoms.<br /> +A tri (Ah tree): a town in Italy.<br /> +aught: anything.</p> +<p>Bau cis (Bor sis): a Greek woman.<br /> +bel lows (lus): an instrument for blowing a fire, used by +blacksmiths.<br /> +bil low: a great wave.<br /> +blithe (bl=ithe): joyous, glad.<br /> +bred: brought up.<br /> +bur dock: a coarse plant with bur-like heads.<br /> +card: an instrument for combing cotton, wool, or flax.<br /> +chase: hunt; pursuit.<br /> +chris ten ing: naming a child at baptism.<br /> +cliff: a high, steep face of rock.<br /> +com rade (kom rad): a mate, a companion.<br /> +Con al (C~on' al): an Irish lad.<br /> +con ceit ed: proud, vain.<br /> +con fess: to own; to admit.<br /> +coun cil: a small body called together for a trial, or to decide a +matter.<br /> +court ier (court' yer): an attendant at the court of a +prince.<br /> +crime: a wicked act punishable by law.<br /> +crouch: to stoop low.</p> +<p>dan ger: risk.<br /> +de li cious: pleasing to the taste.<br /> +de nied: disowned.<br /> +depths: deep part of sea.<br /> +de stroy: break up; kill.<br /> +dis tress: suffering of mind.<br /> +dock: a place between piers where vessels may anchor.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page250" id= +"page250"></a>{250}</span> Don al (D~on' al): an Irish lad.<br /> +dor mouse (dor mous'): a small animal that looks like a +squirrel.<br /> +drought (drout): want of water.<br /> +dub: call.<br /> +dumps: low spirits.</p> +<p>eaves: overhanging lower edges of a roof.<br /> +em bers: smouldering ashes.<br /> +em per or: ruler of an empire.<br /> +em press: wife of an emperor; a female ruler.<br /> +en chant ed: bewitched.<br /> +en e my: foe.<br /> +es tab lish: to found.<br /> +ex act ly: completely.<br /> +ex haust ed: tired, worn out.<br /> +ex tend ing: reaching.</p> +<p>fam ine: scarcity of food.<br /> +fes ti val: a time of feasting.<br /> +flax: a slender plant with blue flowers, used to make thread and +cloth.<br /> +fol ly: foolishness.<br /> +foot man: a man servant.<br /> +forge: a place with its furnace where metal is heated and hammered +into different shapes.<br /> +fra grance: sweetness.<br /> +free dom: independence, liberty.</p> +<p>gauz y: like gauze, thin.<br /> +Got ham (Got am): a village in Old England, commonly called G=o +tham.<br /> +grate ful: thankful.<br /> +groom: a servant in charge of horses.<br /> +guard: one that guards; a watch.</p> +<p>hail ing: calling.<br /> +har bor: a protected body of water where vessels may anchor +safely.<br /> +haught y: proud.<br /> +her ald: a messenger.<br /> +Ho ang ti (H=o ~ang tee): an emperor of China.<br /> +hoar y: white.<br /> +horse-chest nut: a tree.<br /> +hu man: like men.<br /> +hu mor: mood, disposition.</p> +<p>in no cent: guiltless.<br /> +in spect: examine.<br /> +in stant ly: at once.<br /> +in vent ed: made.</p> +<p>jest: joke.<br /> +ju ni per: an evergreen, tree.<br /> +jus tice: right treatment.</p> +<p>king dom: country belonging<br /> +to king or queen.<br /> +kirk: church.<br /> +knight: a mounted man-at-arms.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page251" id= +"page251"></a>{251}</span> +<p>lad en: loaded.<br /> +la ment ed: wailed, wept.<br /> +lin en: thread or cloth made of flax.<br /> +lodge: dwelling place; wigwam.<br /> +loom: a machine for weaving threads into cloth.<br /> +lus cious: delicious.</p> +<p>Man i tou (too): a name given by the Indians to the "Great +Spirit," or God.<br /> +marsh es: swamps.<br /> +mer cy: pity, kindness.<br /> +min is ter: a pastor, a clergyman.<br /> +mis for tune: bad fortune.<br /> +moc ca sin: Indian shoes.<br /> +moor: to secure in place, as a vessel: a great tract of waste +land.<br /> +moult ed: shed feathers.</p> +<p>no bles: lords.<br /> +nurs er y: play room for children.</p> +<p>o blige: do a favor.<br /> +o rang ou tang: a kind of ape.<br /> +or der ly: regular; in order.</p> +<p>page: a youth training for knighthood.<br /> +pas try (p=as): article of food made with crust of paste (or dough) +as a pie.<br /> +peas ant (p~es): a tiller of the soil.<br /> +pe can: a kind of nut.<br /> +Pe kin duck: a large, creamy white duck.<br /> +pest: a nuisance.<br /> +Phi le mon (F=i l=e' mon): a Greek peasant.<br /> +pil lar: a support.<br /> +pin ing: drooping; longing.<br /> +pound: a piece of English money, equal to about $5.00 in United +States money.<br /> +prai rie: an extensive tract of level or rolling land.</p> +<p>rag ing: furious, violent.<br /> +rec og nized: known.<br /> +re flec tion: image.<br /> +ref uge: shelter.<br /> +re fused: declined to do.<br /> +reign ing (rain): ruling.<br /> +re mote: distant.<br /> +rest less: eager for change, discontented; unquiet.<br /> +re store: to return, to give back.<br /> +roe buck: male deer.<br /> +runt: an animal unusually small of its kind.</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page252" id= +"page252"></a>{252}</span> +<p>sad dle bags: a pair of pouches attached to a saddle, used to +carry small articles.<br /> +Salis bur y (Sauls): a town in North Carolina.<br /> +sav age: wild, untamed.<br /> +scare crow: an object set up to scare crows and other birds away +from crops.<br /> +score: the number twenty.<br /> +serv ice: benefit, favor.<br /> +shek el: ancient coin.<br /> +shreds: strips, fragments.<br /> +Si ling (Se): a Chinese empress.<br /> +sim ple ton: a foolish person.<br /> +six pence: six pennies—about twelve cents in United States +money.<br /> +squire: a justice of the peace.<br /> +state ly: dignified, majestic.<br /> +stat ues: likeness of a human being cut out of stone.<br /> +steeped: soaked.<br /> +striv ing: laboring, endeavoring.<br /> +stub ble: stumps of grain left in ground, as after reaping.</p> +<p>tab lets: a flat piece on which to write.<br /> +tasks: work, undertaking.<br /> +tem pest: storm.<br /> +tem ple: a kind of church.<br /> +thriv ing: prospering, succeeding.<br /> +tid ings: news.<br /> +till ing: cultivating.<br /> +tim id ly: shyly.<br /> +tink er ing: mending.<br /> +tithing man (t=ith): officer who enforced good behavior.<br /> +tor por: numbness, dullness.<br /> +tread: step.<br /> +tri als: efforts, attempts.<br /> +troop: an armed force.</p> +<p>u su al: ordinary, common.</p> +<p>vain: proud, conceited; to no purpose.<br /> +van ished: disappeared.<br /> +ven i son (ven' z'n): flesh of deer.<br /> +vic to ry: triumph.<br /> +vol un teer: one who offers himself for a service.</p> +<p>wa ger (wa jer): bet.<br /> +wages: carries on.<br /> +wand: a small stick.<br /> +width: breadth.<br /> +wig wam: Indian tent.<br /> +wis dom: learning, knowledge.</p> +<p>yarn: thread.</p> +<p>Zeus (Z=us): a Greek god.<br /></p> +</blockquote> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page253" id= +"page253"></a>{253}</span> +<h2><a name="words" id="words">WORD LIST</a></h2> +<p>This list contains the words in the Child's World Third Reader, +except those already used in the earlier books of this series, and +a few that present no difficulty in spelling, pronunciation or +meaning.</p> +<blockquote> +<p>9<br /> +Greece<br /> +Philemon<br /> +Baucis<br /> +unhappy<br /> +hives</p> +<p>10<br /> +gathered<br /> +couple<br /> +Zeus<br /> +beggars</p> +<p>11<br /> +attend<br /> +footsore<br /> +herbs<br /> +although<br /> +pitcher</p> +<p>13<br /> +disappeared<br /> +homeward</p> +<p>14<br /> +feeble<br /> +linden</p> +<p>15<br /> +treasure<br /> +lucky<br /> +Iris<br /> +precious</p> +<p>16<br /> +messenger<br /> +swift-footed<br /> +Mercury<br /> +awakened</p> +<p>17<br /> +hereafter<br /> +honest<br /> +upright</p> +<p>18<br /> +blossoms<br /> +luscious<br /> +harsh</p> +<p>19<br /> +hues<br /> +frolic<br /> +glistened<br /> +wrestled<br /> +scurried</p> +<p>21<br /> +fluttered<br /> +speckled<br /> +tender</p> +<p>22<br /> +parents<br /> +moment<br /> +remained<br /> +praised</p> +<p>25<br /> +zigzag<br /> +remote<br /> +comrade<br /> +blithe<br /> +amber<br /> +billows<br /> +stubble<br /> +bracing</p> +<p>26<br /> +plantation<br /> +spindle</p> +<p>28<br /> +woven<br /> +loom<br /> +ruffles</p> +<p>29<br /> +England<br /> +buttonholes</p> +<p>30<br /> +shepherd<br /> +shearers</p> +<p>32<br /> +dyers</p> +<p>33<br /> +colored<br /> +plaid</p> +<p>34<br /> +Hoangti<br /> +emperor<br /> +China<br /> +Si-ling<br /> +empress<br /> +suddenly</p> +<p>35<br /> +cocoons</p> +<p>37<br /> +dainty<br /> +linen</p> +<p>38<br /> +frightful<br /> +steeped</p> +<p>39<br /> +suffered<br /> +aprons</p> +<p>40<br /> +shreds<br /> +pulp<br /> +glorious<br /> +surprise<br /> +verses</p> +<p>41<br /> +isles<br /> +thousands<br /> +prayers</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page254" id= +"page254"></a>{254}</span> +<p>42<br /> +Hillmen<br /> +housewife<br /> +bargains</p> +<p>43<br /> +saucepan<br /> +aye<br /> +sixpence<br /> +tinkering</p> +<p>44<br /> +refused<br /> +muttered<br /> +vexed<br /> +chimney</p> +<p>45<br /> +scoured<br /> +spoiled<br /> +exclaimed</p> +<p>46<br /> +shelter<br /> +Dormouse<br /> +lest</p> +<p>47<br /> +gracious<br /> +lamented<br /> +invented</p> +<p>48<br /> +Atri<br /> +heralds<br /> +ye<br /> +complaint<br /> +message</p> +<p>49<br /> +guilty</p> +<p>50<br /> +arousing<br /> +justice</p> +<p>51<br /> +steed<br /> +undertone<br /> +jest</p> +<p>52<br /> +applauded</p> +<p>53<br /> +savage</p> +<p>54<br /> +dragged<br /> +judge<br /> +prison</p> +<p>55<br /> +denied<br /> +wisdom</p> +<p>56<br /> +labor<br /> +honeycomb</p> +<p>57<br /> +artists<br /> +extending<br /> +poets<br /> +affection<br /> +well-deserved</p> +<p>59<br /> +dreadful<br /> +worry<br /> +horrid<br /> +notice</p> +<p>62<br /> +business</p> +<p>65<br /> +perfectly<br /> +breath</p> +<p>67<br /> +Epaminondas<br /> +granny</p> +<p>75<br /> +service</p> +<p>76<br /> +obliged<br /> +gently</p> +<p>77<br /> +tremendous<br /> +marvelous</p> +<p>78<br /> +forbid<br /> +allow</p> +<p>81<br /> +caramels<br /> +almond<br /> +pecan<br /> +taffy</p> +<p>82<br /> +except<br /> +Christ</p> +<p>84<br /> +Pedro<br /> +altar<br /> +distress</p> +<p>86<br /> +stately<br /> +haughty</p> +<p>88<br /> +musician</p> +<p>90<br /> +family<br /> +scare<br /> +pantry</p> +<p>94<br /> +chocolate</p> +<p>95<br /> +whiskers<br /> +danger</p> +<p>101<br /> +huddled<br /> +wailed<br /> +usual<br /> +faint</p> +<p>102<br /> +cheerful<br /> +pardon</p> +<p>104<br /> +chorus<br /> +shriller<br /> +chubby<br /> +bundled</p> +<p>106<br /> +furniture<br /> +mirror<br /> +reflection</p> +<p>108<br /> +disgusted</p> +<p>110<br /> +satisfied<br /> +oiling</p> +<p>111<br /> +bow-legged<br /> +conceited</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page255" id= +"page255"></a>{255}</span> +<p>112<br /> +remarked<br /> +width</p> +<p>113<br /> +clattering<br /> +astonished</p> +<p>114<br /> +fault<br /> +recognized</p> +<p>115<br /> +shekels</p> +<p>116<br /> +impossible<br /> +caliph</p> +<p>117<br /> +courtier<br /> +presence<br /> +refused</p> +<p>119<br /> +companion</p> +<p>120<br /> +razors<br /> +agreement</p> +<p>121<br /> +instantly</p> +<p>122<br /> +cozy<br /> +drowsy</p> +<p>124<br /> +Puritans<br /> +Sabbath</p> +<p>125<br /> +Indians<br /> +worship</p> +<p>126<br /> +sermon<br /> +minister</p> +<p>127<br /> +tithingman<br /> +peppermint</p> +<p>130<br /> +freedom<br /> +regular<br /> +Vermont<br /> +able-bodied<br /> +Americans<br /> +volunteers</p> +<p>131<br /> +inspect</p> +<p>133<br /> +victory</p> +<p>134<br /> +president<br /> +Salisbury</p> +<p>135<br /> +impatient<br /> +governor</p> +<p>138<br /> +delicious<br /> +heartily</p> +<p>139<br /> +murmuring<br /> +papoose<br /> +prairie<br /> +Manitou</p> +<p>140<br /> +drought<br /> +council</p> +<p>142<br /> +declared<br /> +sleek</p> +<p>144<br /> +resin<br /> +selfish</p> +<p>147<br /> +mentioned<br /> +loose</p> +<p>149<br /> +hominy<br /> +sharpened</p> +<p>154<br /> +establish<br /> +harbor<br /> +moored<br /> +orderly</p> +<p>155<br /> +nursery<br /> +scattered</p> +<p>156<br /> +famine<br /> +Orang-outang</p> +<p>157<br /> +journey<br /> +magic</p> +<p>160<br /> +refuge<br /> +grateful<br /> +restore<br /> +innocent</p> +<p>161<br /> +favorite<br /> +whirlwind</p> +<p>162<br /> +kingdom<br /> +confess<br /> +rejoicing</p> +<p>163<br /> +penniless<br /> +simpleton<br /> +nevertheless</p> +<p>164<br /> +destroy<br /> +human</p> +<p>165<br /> +enchanted<br /> +tablets</p> +<p>166<br /> +performs<br /> +princesses</p> +<p>167<br /> +collected<br /> +pearls</p> +<p>168<br /> +depths<br /> +exactly<br /> +syrup</p> +<p>172<br /> +christening<br /> +godmothers</p> +<p>174<br /> +nightingale<br /> +spitefully</p> +<p>175<br /> +grieve<br /> +vanished<br /> +misfortune</p> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="page256" id= +"page256"></a>{256}</span> +<p>177<br /> +embroidering<br /> +departed<br /> +royal</p> +<p>178<br /> +reigning<br /> +peasant<br /> +determined<br /> +guards<br /> +motionless</p> +<p>179<br /> +statues</p> +<p>181<br /> +canals<br /> +burdocks</p> +<p>182<br /> +parson<br /> +cheated</p> +<p>186<br /> +miserable<br /> +moor</p> +<p>189<br /> +terror<br /> +cruel</p> +<p>190<br /> +clumsy<br /> +matters</p> +<p>192<br /> +glossy<br /> +moulted<br /> +naked</p> +<p>193<br /> +horrible<br /> +sky-rocket</p> +<p>195<br /> +strength<br /> +turtle dove</p> +<p>196<br /> +Russian</p> +<p>199<br /> +juniper</p> +<p>201<br /> +trespass-money</p> +<p>202<br /> +mischief<br /> +damages<br /> +ringleader</p> +<p>205<br /> +gooseherd<br /> +excuse</p> +<p>206<br /> +Ireland</p> +<p>208<br /> +exhausted<br /> +diamonds</p> +<p>211<br /> +trousers<br /> +greedily</p> +<p>212<br /> +torpor<br /> +gauzy</p> +<p>213<br /> +fragrance<br /> +Killing-worth</p> +<p>214<br /> +squire<br /> +timidly</p> +<p>215<br /> +oriole<br /> +weevils<br /> +enemy<br /> +contradict</p> +<p>216<br /> +starvation<br /> +caterpillars<br /> +foe</p> +<p>218<br /> +arbutus<br /> +tempest</p> +<p>219<br /> +moccasins<br /> +embers<br /> +adventures</p> +<p>220<br /> +hoary<br /> +joyous<br /> +marshes<br /> +ringlets</p> +<p>221<br /> +shrunk<br /> +bosom<br /> +scent</p> +<p>223<br /> +treasures</p> +<p>224<br /> +confused<br /> +humor<br /> +score</p> +<p>225<br /> +attention<br /> +folly</p> +<p>227<br /> +million<br /> +tilling</p> +<p>228<br /> +caress</p> +<p>229<br /> +leaflet<br /> +petals</p> +<p>230<br /> +Gotham<br /> +woe</p> +<p>223<br /> +Nottingham<br /> +wager</p> +<p>234<br /> +aught<br /> +lodging</p> +<p>235<br /> +passport<br /> +youth<br /> +servant</p> +<p>236<br /> +venison<br /> +pasty<br /> +Sherwood</p> +<p>237<br /> +majesty<br /> +terrified</p> +<p>246<br /> +straightway<br /> +beaches</p> +<p>248<br /> +twilight<br /> +strews</p> +</blockquote> +<hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Child's World +by Hetty Browne, Sarah Withers, W.K. 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0000000..872a911 --- /dev/null +++ b/15170.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6650 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Child's World +by Hetty Browne, Sarah Withers, W.K. Tate + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Child's World + Third Reader + +Author: Hetty Browne, Sarah Withers, W.K. Tate + +Release Date: February 25, 2005 [EBook #15170] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CHILD'S WORLD *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, David King, and the PG Online Distributed +Proofreading Team + + + + + +THE CHILD'S WORLD + +THIRD READER + +BY + +HETTY S. BROWNE +Extension worker in rural school practice +Winthrop Normal and Industrial College +Rock Hill, S.C. + +SARAH WITHERS +Principal Elementary Grades and Critic Teacher +Winthrop Normal and Industrial College + +AND + +W.K. TATE +Professor of Rural Education +George Peabody College for Teachers +Nashville, Tenn. + +JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY +Richmond, Virginia + +TEACHERS' AIDS + +Success with the Child's World Readers is in no wise dependent on the +use of the chart, manual, or cards. + +Modern teachers of reading, however, recognize the saving of time and +effort to be accomplished for both their pupils and themselves by the +use of cards, chart, and manual, and look to the publisher to provide +these accessories in convenient form and at moderate cost. + +The following aids are therefore offered in the belief that they will +make the work of the teacher, trained or untrained, more effective. + +Child's World Reader Charts......................$6.00 + (10 beautiful charts in colors 27x37--20 lessons) + +Child's World Manual.............................75c + (Suggestions and outlines for first 5 grades) + +Child's World Word Cards........................$1.00 + (129 cards--258 words in Primer vocabulary) + +Child's World Phrase Cards........................75c + (48 cards--96 phrases) + +Child's World Phonic Cards...................80c + (80 cards printed both sides) + +JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY + +Richmond, Virginia. + + + +ACKNOWLEDGMENTS + +For permission to use copyrighted material the authors and publishers +express their indebtedness to _The Independent_ for "Who Loves the Trees +Best?" by Alice M. Douglas; to Oliver Herford and the Century Company +for "The Elf and the Dormouse"; to the American Folklore Society for +"How Brother Rabbit Fooled the Whale and the Elephant," by Alcee +Fortier; to the _Outlook_ for "Making the Best of It," by Frances M. +Fox, and "Winter Nights," by Mary F. Butts; to Harper Brothers for "The +Animals and the Mirror," from _Told by the Sand Man_; to Rand McNally & +Company for "Little Hope's Doll," from _Stories of the Pilgrims_, by +Margaret Pumphrey; to Daughady & Company for "Squeaky and the Scare +Box," from _Christmas Stories_, by Georgene Faulkner; to D.C. Heath & +Company for "The Little Cook's Reward," from _Stories of the Old North +State_, by Mrs. L.A. McCorkle; to Charles Scribner's Sons for "A Good +Play" and "Block City," by Robert Louis Stevenson, "The Glad New Year," +from _Rhymes and Jingles_, by Mary Mapes Dodge, "A Christmas Wish" and +"Rock-a-by-Lady," by Eugene Field; to Houghton Mifflin Company for +permission to adapt selections from _Hiawatha_; to Doubleday, Page & +Company for "The Sand Man," by Margaret Vandergrift, from _The Posy +Ring_--Wiggin and Smith; to James A. Honey for "The Monkey's Fiddle," +from _South African Tales_; to Maud Barnard for "Donal and Conal"; to +Maud Barnard and Emilie Yonker for their versions of Epaminondas. + + +Supplementary Historical Reading + +Life of General Robert E. Lee +_For Third and Fourth Grades_ + +Life of General Thomas J. Jackson +_For Third and Fourth Grades_ + +Life of Washington +_For Fourth and Fifth Grades_ + +Life of General N.B. Forrest +_For Fifth Grade_ + +Life of General J.E.B. Stuart +_For Fifth and Sixth Grades_ + +Soldier Life in the Army of Northern Virginia +_For Fifth Grade_ + +Tennessee History Stories +_For Third and Fourth Grades_ + +North Carolina History Stories +_For Fourth and Fifth Grades_ + +Texas History Stories +_For Fifth and Sixth Grades_ + +Half-Hours in Southern History +_For Sixth and Seventh Grades_ + +The Yemassee (_Complete Edition_) +_For Seventh and Eighth Grades_ + +(Ask for catalog containing list of other supplementary reading) + +JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY +RICHMOND, VA. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +PHILEMON AND BAUCIS, _Flora J. Cooke_, 9 + +THE POPLAR TREE, _Flora J. Cooke_, 15 + +WHO LOVES THE TREES BEST?, _Alice May Douglas_, 18 + +LEAVES IN AUTUMN, 19 + +A STORY OF BIRD LIFE, _Henry Ward Beecher_, 20 + +BOB WHITE, _George Cooper_, 25 + +HOW MARY GOT A NEW DRESS, 26 + +THE PLAID DRESS, 30 + +THE GODDESS OF THE SILKWORM, 34 + +THE FLAX, _Hans Christian Andersen_, 37 + +THE WONDERFUL WORLD, _William Brighty Rands_, 41 + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE, _Juliana H. Ewing_, 42 + +THE ELF AND THE DORMOUSE, _Oliver Herford_, 46 + +THE BELL OF ATRI, _Italian Tale_, 48 + +A DUMB WITNESS, _Arabian Tale_, 53 + +GIVING THANKS, 56 + +THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG, _Grimm_, 58 + +EPAMINONDAS, _Southern Tale_, 67 + +HOW BROTHER RABBIT FOOLED THE WHALE AND THE ELEPHANT, _Southern Folk +Tale_, 73 + +A CHRISTMAS WISH, _Eugene Field_, 79 + +THE CHRISTMAS BELLS, _Old Tale Retold_, 82 + +GOD BLESS THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE, _Old English Rime_, 89 + +SQUEAKY AND THE SCARE BOX, _Georgene Faulkner_, 90 + +THE GLAD NEW YEAR, _Mary Mapes Dodge_, 99 + +MAKING THE BEST OF IT, _Frances M. Fox_, 100 + +THE ANIMALS AND THE MIRROR, _F.A. Walker_, 106 + +THE BARBER OF BAGDAD, _Eastern Tale_, 115 + +WINTER NIGHTS, _Mary F. Butts_, 122 + +LITTLE HOPE'S DOLL, _Margaret Pumphrey_, 123 + +NAHUM PRINCE, 130 + +THE LITTLE COOK'S REWARD, _Mrs. L.A. McCorkle_, 134 + +ROCK-A-BY, HUSH-A-BY, LITTLE PAPOOSE, _Charles Myall_, 139 + +THE TAR WOLF, _The Indian Tar-Baby Story_, 140 + +THE RABBIT AND THE WOLF, _Southern Indian Tale_, 149 + +BLOCK CITY, _Robert Louis Stevenson_, 154 + +A GOOD PLAY, _Robert Louis Stevenson_, 155 + +THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE, _African Tale_, 156 + +THE THREE TASKS, _Grimm_, 163 + +THE WORLD'S MUSIC, _Gabriel Setoun_, 170 + +THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, _Grimm_, 172 + +THE UGLY DUCKLING, _Hans Christian Andersen_, 181 + +THE WHITE BLACKBIRD, _Adapted from Alfred de Musset_, 192 + +THE BROWN THRUSH, _Lucy Larcom_, 199 + +THE KING AND THE GOOSEHERD, _Old Tale_, 200 + +DONAL AND CONAL, _Irish Tale_, 206 + +WHO TOLD THE NEWS?, 212 + +THE BIRDS OF KILLINGWORTH, _Adapted from Longfellow_, 213 + +THE TRAILING ARBUTUS, _Indian Legend_, 218 + +HIDDEN TREASURE, _Grimm_, 223 + +THE LITTLE BROWN BROTHER, _Emily Nesbit_, 228 + +HOW THE FLOWERS GROW, _Gabriel Setoun_, 229 + +WISE MEN OF GOTHAM, _Old English Story_, 230 + +THE MILLER'S GUEST, _English Ballad (adapted)_, 233 + +SADDLE TO RAGS, _English Ballad (adapted)_, 239 + +THE ROCK-A-BY LADY, _Eugene Field_, 244 + +THE SAND MAN, _Margaret Vandergrift_, 246 + +A DICTIONARY, 249 + +SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS, 253 + + + + +[Illustration: Girl reading a book] + + Oh, for a nook and a story-book, + With tales both new and old; + For a jolly good book whereon to look + Is better to me than gold. + +--OLD ENGLISH SONG. + + + + +[Illustration: Country house] + +PHILEMON AND BAUCIS + +I + + +Long ago, on a high hill in Greece, Philemon and Baucis lived. + +They were poor, but they were never unhappy. They had many hives of bees +from which they got honey, and many vines from which they gathered +grapes. One old cow gave them all the milk that they could use, and they +had a little field in which grain was raised. + +The old couple had as much as they needed, and were always ready to +share whatever they had with any one in want. No stranger was ever +turned from their door. + +At the foot of the hill lay a beautiful village, with pleasant roads and +rich pasture lands all around. But it was full of wicked, selfish, +people, who had no love in their hearts and thought only of themselves. + +At the time of this story, the people in the village were very busy. +Zeus, who they believed ruled the world, had sent word that he was about +to visit them. They were preparing a great feast and making everything +beautiful for his coming. + +One evening, just at dark, two beggars came into the valley. They +stopped at every house and asked for food and a place to sleep; but the +people were too busy or too tired to attend to their needs. They were +thinking only of the coming of Zeus. + +Footsore and weary, the two beggars at last climbed the hill to the hut +of Philemon and Baucis. These good people had eaten very little, for +they were saving their best food for Zeus. + +When they saw the beggars, Philemon said, "Surely these men need food +more than Zeus. They look almost starved." + +"Indeed, they do!" said Baucis, and she ran quickly to prepare supper +for the strangers. + +She spread her best white cloth upon the table, and brought out bacon, +herbs, honey, grapes, bread, and milk. She set these upon the table in +all the best dishes she had and called the strangers in. + +Then what do you suppose happened? The dishes that the strangers touched +turned to gold. The pitcher was never empty, although they drank glass +after glass of milk. The loaf of bread stayed always the same size, +although the strangers cut slice after slice. + +"These are strange travelers," whispered the old couple to each other. +"They do wonderful things." + + +II + + +That night Philemon and Baucis slept upon the floor that the strangers +might have their one bed. In the morning they went with the travelers to +the foot of the hill to see them safely started on their way. + +"Now, good people," said one of the strangers, "we thank you, and +whatever you wish shall be yours." + +As he said this, his face became like that of the sun. Then Philemon and +Baucis knew that Zeus had spoken to them. + +"Grant, O Zeus, that one of us may not outlive the other," they cried in +one voice. + +"Your wish is granted," said Zeus; "yes, and more. Return to your home +and be happy." + +[Illustration: Philemon and Baucis walking home] + +Philemon and Baucis turned homeward, and, lo! their hut was changed to a +beautiful castle. + +The old people turned around to thank their guests, but they had +disappeared. + +In this castle Philemon and Baucis lived many years. They still did all +they could for others, and were always so happy that they never thought +of wishing anything for themselves. + +As the years passed, the couple grew very old and feeble. One day Baucis +said to Philemon, "I wish we might never die, but could always live +together." + +"Ah, that is my wish, too!" sighed old Philemon. + +The next morning the marble palace was gone; Baucis and Philemon were +gone; but there on the hilltop stood two beautiful trees, an oak and a +linden. + +No one knew what became of the good people. After many years, however, a +traveler lying under the trees heard them whispering to each other. + +"Baucis," whispered the oak. + +"Philemon," replied the linden. + +There the trees stood through sun and rain, always ready to spread their +leafy shade over every tired stranger who passed that way. + +--FLORA J. COOKE. + + + + +THE POPLAR TREE + + +Long ago the poplar used to hold out its branches like other trees. It +tried to see how far it could spread them. + +Once at sunset an old man came through the forest where the poplar trees +lived. The trees were going to sleep, and it was growing dark. + +The man held something under his cloak. It was a pot of gold--the very +pot of gold that lies at the foot of the rainbow. He had stolen it and +was looking for some place to hide it. A poplar tree stood by the path. + +"This is the very place to hide my treasure," the man said. "The +branches spread out straight, and the leaves are large and thick. How +lucky that the trees are all asleep!" + +He placed the pot of gold in the thick branches, and then ran quickly +away. + +The gold belonged to Iris, the beautiful maiden who had a rainbow bridge +to the earth. The next morning she missed her precious pot. It always +lay at the foot of the rainbow, but it was not there now. + +Iris hurried away to tell her father, the great Zeus, of her loss. He +said that he would find the pot of gold for her. + +He called a messenger, the swift-footed Mercury, and said, "Go quickly, +and do not return until you have found the treasure." + +Mercury went as fast as the wind down to the earth. He soon came to the +forest and awakened the trees. + +"Iris has lost her precious pot of gold that lies at the foot of the +rainbow. Have any of you seen it?" he asked. + +The trees were very sleepy, but all shook their heads. + +"We have not seen it," they said. + +"Hold up your branches," said Mercury. "I must see that the pot of gold +is not hidden among them." + +All of the trees held up their branches. The poplar that stood by the +path was the first to hold up his. He was an honest tree and knew he had +nothing to hide. + +[Illustration: Mercury among the trees] + +Down fell the pot of gold. How surprised the poplar tree was! He dropped +his branches in shame. Then he held them high in the air. + +"Forgive me," he said. "I do not know how it came to be there; but, +hereafter, I shall always hold my branches up. Then every one can see +that I have nothing hidden." + +Since then the branches have always grown straight up; and every one +knows that the poplar is an honest and upright tree. + +--FLORA J. COOKE. + + + + +WHO LOVES THE TREES BEST? + + + Who loves the trees best? + "I," said the Spring; + "Their leaves so beautiful + To them I bring." + + Who loves the trees best? + "I," Summer said; + "I give them blossoms, + White, yellow, red." + + Who loves the trees best? + "I," said the Fall; + "I give luscious fruits, + Bright tints to all." + + Who loves the trees best? + "I love them best," + Harsh Winter answered; + "I give them rest." + +--ALICE MAY DOUGLAS. + + + + +LEAVES IN AUTUMN + + + Red and gold, and gold and red, + Autumn leaves burned overhead; + Hues so splendid + Softly blended, + Oh, the glory that they shed! + Red and gold, and gold and red. + + Gold and brown, and brown and gold, + Of such fun the west wind told + That they listened, + And they glistened, + As they wrestled in the cold; + Gold and brown, and brown and gold. + + Brown and gold, and red and brown, + How they hurried, scurried down + For a frolic, + For a rolic, + Through the country and the town, + Brown and gold, and red and brown. + + + + +[Illustration: A bird in a tree] + +A STORY OF BIRD LIFE + +I + + +Once there came to our fields a pair of birds. They had never built a +nest nor seen a winter. + +Oh, how beautiful was everything! The fields were full of flowers, the +grass was growing tall, and the bees were humming everywhere. + +One of the birds fell to singing, and the other bird said, "Who told you +to sing?" + +He answered, "The flowers and the bees told me. The blue sky told me, +and you told me." + +"When did I tell you to sing?" asked his mate. + +"Every time you brought in tender grass for the nest," he replied. +"Every time your soft wings fluttered off again for hair and feathers to +line it." + +Then his mate asked, "What are you singing about?" + +"I am singing about everything," he answered. "I sing because I am +happy." + +By and by five little speckled eggs were in the nest, and the mother +bird asked, "Is there anything in all the world as pretty as my eggs?" + +A week or two afterward, the mother said, "Oh, what do you think has +happened? One of my eggs has been peeping and moving." + +Soon another egg moved, then another, and another, till five eggs were +hatched. + +The little birds were so hungry that it kept the parents busy feeding +them. Away they both flew. The moment the little birds heard them coming +back, five yellow mouths flew open wide. + +"Can anybody be happier?" said the father bird to the mother bird. "We +will live in this tree always. It is a tree that bears joy." + + +II + + +The very next day one of the birds dropped out of the nest, and in a +moment a cat ate it up. Only four remained, and the parent birds were +very sad. There was no song all that day, nor the next. + +Soon the little birds were big enough to fly. The first bird that tried +his wings flew from one branch to another. His parents praised him, and +the other baby birds wondered how he had done it. + +The little one was so proud of it that he tried again. He flew and flew +and couldn't stop flying. At last he fell plump! down by the kitchen +door. A little boy caught him and carried him into the house. + +Now only three birds were left. The sun no longer seemed bright to the +birds, and they did not sing so often. + +In a little time the other birds learned to use their wings, and they +flew away and away. They found their own food and made their own nests. + +Then the old birds sat silent and looked at each other a long while. At +last the mother bird asked, "Why don't you sing?" + +"I can't sing," the father bird answered. "I only think and think!" + +"What are you thinking of?" + +"I am thinking how everything changes. The leaves are falling, and soon +there will be no roof over our heads. The flowers are all gone. Last +night there was a frost. Almost all the birds have flown away, and I am +restless. Something calls me, and I feel that I must fly away, too." + +[Illustration: Two birds flying over a field] + +"Let us fly away together!" the mother bird said. + +Then they rose silently up in the air. They looked to the north; far +away they saw the snow coming. They looked to the south; there they saw +green leaves. + +All day they flew. All night they flew and flew, till they found a land +where there was no winter. There it was summer all the time; flowers +always blossomed and birds always sang. + +--HENRY WARD BEECHER + + + + +BOB WHITE + + + There's a plump little chap in a speckled coat, + And he sits on the zigzag rails remote, + Where he whistles at breezy, bracing morn, + When the buckwheat is ripe, and stacked is the corn: + "Bob White! Bob White! Bob White!" + + Is he hailing some comrade as blithe as he? + Now I wonder where Robert White can be! + O'er the billows of gold and amber grain + There is no one in sight--but, hark again: + "Bob White! Bob White! Bob White!" + + Ah! I see why he calls; in the stubble there + Hide his plump little wife and babies fair! + So contented is he, and so proud of the same, + That he wants all the world to know his name: + "Bob White! Bob White! Bob White!" + +--GEORGE COOPER. + + + + +HOW MARY GOT A NEW DRESS + + +Mary lived a long time ago. She was a little girl when your +great-great-grandmother was a little girl. + +In those days all cloth had to be made at home. Aunt Dinah, Aunt Chloe, +and Aunt Dilsey were kept busy spinning and weaving to make clothes for +the whole plantation. + +One day Mary's mother said, "Aunt Dilsey, Mary needs a new dress, and I +want you to weave some cloth at once. Can you weave some very fine +cloth?" + +"Yes, ma'am," said Aunt Dilsey. "I have some cotton I've been saving to +make her a dress." + +Aunt Dilsey got out the cards and carded the cotton smooth and fine. +Then she fastened a roll of this cotton to the spindle and sent the +wheel whirling around with a "Zum-m-m-m--Zum-m-m-m!" + +Mary stood and watched the old woman. + +[Illustration: Mary watching Aunt Dilsey at spinning wheel] + +"Aunt Dilsey," she said, "the spinning wheel sings a song, and I know +what it says. Grandmother told me. It says, + + 'A hum and a whirl, + A twist and a twirl, + This is for the girl + With the golden curl! + Zum-m-m-m-m-m! + Zum-m-m-m-m-m!'" + +"And that means you, honey," said Aunt Dilsey. + +When the yarn was ready, Aunt Dilsey fastened it in the loom and began +to weave. The threads went over and under, over and under. As Aunt +Dilsey wove, she hummed. Mary stood by and sang this song, + + "Over and under and over we go, + Weaving the cotton as white as the snow, + Weaving the cloth for a dress, oh, ho! + As over and under and over we go." + +After the cloth had been woven, Aunt Dilsey took it out of the loom. +Then she bleached it until it was as white as snow. Now it was ready to +be made into a dress. + +"Mother, do tell me how you are going to make the dress," said Mary. +"Will it have ruffles on it like Sue's? Will it have trimming on it? And +how many buttons will you put on it? Sue's dress has twelve; I know, for +I counted them." + +Mother did not answer all these questions; she just smiled as the +scissors went snip, snip into the cloth. But she did cut out ruffles, +and Aunt Maria began to hem them. + +[Illustration: Mary with her mother and grandmother] + +By and by grandmother came into the room. + +"Mary," she said, "here is some lace I got in England. Mother may put it +on your dress." + +How happy Mary was! She danced for joy. + +Mother put on the lace, and grandmother worked the buttonholes. How many +do you suppose she worked? Why, she worked twelve! + +When the dress was finished, it was just like Sue's. Only it was a great +deal finer, for Mary's dress had three ruffles and Sue's had only two! +And, then, there was the lace from England! + + + + +THE PLAID DRESS + + +"I want a warm plaid dress," said a little girl. "The days are colder, +and the frost will soon be here. But how can I get it? Mother says that +she cannot buy one for me." + +The old white sheep in the meadow heard her, and he bleated to the +shepherd, "The little girl wants a warm plaid dress. I will give my +wool. Who else will help?" + +The kind shepherd said, "I will." Then he led the old white sheep to the +brook and washed its wool. When it was clean and white, he said, "The +little girl wants a warm plaid dress. The sheep has given his wool, and +I have washed it clean and white. Who else will help?" + +"We will," said the shearers. "We will bring our shears and cut off the +wool." + +The shearers cut the soft wool from the old sheep, and then they called, +"The little girl wants a new dress. The sheep has given his wool. The +shepherd has washed it; and we have sheared it. Who else will help?" + +[Illustration: Shearer shearing the sheep] + +"We will," cried the carders. "We will comb it out straight and smooth." + +Soon they held up the wool, carded straight and smooth, and they cried, +"The little girl wants a new dress. The sheep has given his wool. The +shepherd has washed the wool. The shearers have cut it, and we have +carded it. Who else will help?" + +"We will," said the spinners. "We will spin it into thread." + +"Whirr, whirr!" How fast the spinning wheels turned, singing all the +time. + +Soon the spinners said, "The little girl wants a new dress. The sheep +has given his wool. The shepherd has washed the wool. The shearers have +cut it. The carders have carded it, and we have spun it into thread. Who +else will help?" + +"We will," said the dyers. "We will dye it with beautiful colors." + +Then they dipped the woven threads into bright dye, red and blue and +green and brown. + +As they spread the wool out to dry, the dyers called: "The little girl +wants a new dress. The sheep has given his wool. The shepherd has washed +the wool. The shearers have cut it. The carders have carded it. The +spinners have spun it, and we have dyed it with bright beautiful colors. +Who else will help?" + +"We will," said the weavers. "We will make it into cloth." + +[Illustration: Weaver at loom] + +"Clickety-clack! clickety-clack!" went the loom, as the colored thread +was woven over and under over and under. Before long it was made into +beautiful plaid cloth. + +Then the little girl's mother cut and made the dress. It was a beautiful +plaid dress, and the little girl loved to wear it. Every time she put it +on, she thought of her friends who had helped her,--the sheep, the +shearers, the carders, the spinners, the dyers, the weavers, and her own +dear mother. + + + + +THE GODDESS OF THE SILKWORM + + +Hoangti was the emperor of China. He had a beautiful wife whose name was +Si-ling. The emperor and his wife loved their people and always thought +of their happiness. + +In those days the Chinese people wore clothes made of skins. By and by +animals grew scarce, and the people did not know what they should wear. +The emperor and empress tried in vain to find some other way of clothing +them. + +One morning Hoangti and his wife were in the beautiful palace garden. +They walked up and down, up and down, talking of their people. + +Suddenly the emperor said, "Look at those worms on the mulberry trees, +Si-ling. They seem to be spinning." + +Si-ling looked, and sure enough, the worms were spinning. A long thread +was coming from the mouth of each, and each little worm was winding this +thread around its body. + +Si-ling and the emperor stood still and watched the worms. "How +wonderful!" said Si-ling. + +The next morning Hoangti and the empress walked under the trees again. +They found some worms still winding thread. Others had already spun +their cocoons and were fast asleep. In a few days all of the worms had +spun cocoons. + +"This is indeed a wonderful, wonderful thing!" said Si-ling. "Why, each +worm has a thread on its body long enough to make a house for itself!" + +Si-ling thought of this day after day. One morning as she and the +emperor walked under the trees, she said, "I believe I could find a way +to weave those long threads into cloth." + +"But how could you unwind the threads?" asked the emperor. + +[Illustration: Hoangti and Si-ling walking among the trees] + +"I'll find a way," Si-ling said. And she did; but she had to try many, +many times. + +She put the cocoons in a hot place, and the little sleepers soon died. +Then the cocoons were thrown into boiling water to make the threads +soft. After that the long threads could be easily unwound. + +Now Si-ling had to think of something else; she had to find a way to +weave the threads into cloth. After many trials, she made a loom--the +first that was ever made. She taught others to weave, and soon hundreds +of people were making cloth from the threads of the silkworm. + +The people ever afterward called Si-ling "The Goddess of the Silkworm." +And whenever the emperor walked with her in the garden, they liked to +watch the silkworms spinning threads for the good of their people. + + + + +THE FLAX + +I + + +It was spring. The flax was in full bloom, and it had dainty little blue +flowers that nodded in the breeze. + +"People say that I look very well," said the flax. "They say that I am +fine and long and that I shall make a beautiful piece of linen. How +happy I am! No one in the world can be happier." + +"Oh, yes," said the fence post, "you may grow and be happy, and you may +sing, but you do not know the world as I do. Why, I have knots in me." +And it creaked; + + "Snip, snap, snurre, + Basse, lurre, + The song is ended." + +"No, it is not ended," said the flax. "The sun will shine, and the rain +will fall, and I shall grow and grow. No, no, the song is not ended." + +One day some men came with sharp reap hooks. They took the flax by the +head and cut it off at the roots. This was very painful, you may be +sure. + +Then the flax was laid in water and was nearly drowned. After that it +was put on a fire and nearly roasted. All this was frightful. But the +flax only said, "One cannot be happy always. By having bad times as well +as good, we become wise." + +After the flax had been cut and steeped and roasted, it was put on a +spinning wheel. "Whir-r-r, whir-rr-r," went the spinning wheel; it went +so fast that the flax could hardly think. + +"I have been very happy in the sunshine and the rain," it said. "If I am +in pain now, I must be contented." + +At last the flax was put in the loom. Soon it became a beautiful piece +of white linen. + +"This is very wonderful," said the flax. "How foolish the fence post was +with its song of-- + + 'Snip, snap, snurre, + Basse, lurre, + The song is ended.' + +The song is not ended, I am sure. It has only just begun. + +"After all that I have suffered, I am at last made into beautiful linen. +How strong and fine I am, and how long and white! This is even better +than being a plant bearing flowers. I have never been happier than I am +now." + +After some time the linen was cut into pieces and sewed with needles. +That was not pleasant; but at last there were twelve pretty white +aprons. + +"See," said the flax, "I have been made into something. Now I shall be +of some use in the world. That is the only way to be happy." + + +II + + +Years passed by, and the linen was so worn that it could hardly hold +together. + +"The end must come soon," said the flax. + +At last the linen did fall into rags and tatters; it was torn into +shreds and boiled in water. The flax thought the end had come. + +But no, the end was not yet. After being made into pulp and dried, the +flax became beautiful white paper. + +"This is a surprise, a glorious surprise," it said. "I am finer than +ever, and I shall have fine things written on me. How happy I am!" + +And sure enough, the most beautiful stories and verses were written upon +it. People read the stories and verses, and they were made wiser and +better. Their children and their children's children read them, too, and +so the song was not ended. + +--HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN. + +[Illustration: Girl reading a book] + + + + +THE WONDERFUL WORLD + + + Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful World, + With the wonderful water round you curled, + And the wonderful grass upon your breast, + World, you are beautifully drest. + + The wonderful air is over me, + And the wonderful wind is shaking the tree-- + It walks on the water, and whirls the mills, + And talks to itself on the top of the hills. + + You friendly Earth, how far do you go, + With the wheat-fields that nod and the rivers that flow, + With cities and gardens, and cliffs and isles, + And people upon you for thousands of miles? + + Ah! you are so great, and I am so small, + I hardly can think of you, World, at all; + And yet, when I said my prayers to-day, + A whisper within me seemed to say, + "You are more than the Earth, though you are such a dot! + You can love and think, and the Earth cannot!" + +--William Brighty Rands. + + + + +[Illustration: The Hillman at the housewife's door] + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE + + +As every one knows, fairies are always just. They are kind to others, +and in return they expect others to be kind to them. In some countries +across the sea there are fairies called Hillmen. + +Now, there once lived a certain housewife who liked to make bargains. +She gave away only those things for which she had no use, and then +expected always to get something in return. + +One day a Hillman knocked at her door. + +"Can you lend us a saucepan?" he asked. "There's a wedding on the hill, +and all the pots are in use." + +"Is he to have one?" whispered the servant who opened the door. + +"Aye, to be sure," answered the housewife; "one must be neighborly. Get +the saucepan for him, lass." + +The maid turned to take a good saucepan from the shelf, but the +housewife stopped her. + +"Not that, not that," she whispered. "Get the old one out of the +cupboard. It leaks, but that doesn't matter. The Hillmen are so neat and +are such nimble workers that they are sure to mend it before they send +it home. I can oblige the fairies and save sixpence in tinkering, too." + +The maid brought the old saucepan that had been laid by until the +tinker's next visit, and gave it to the Hillman. He thanked her and went +away. + +When the saucepan was returned, it had been neatly mended, just as the +housewife thought it would be. + +At night the maid filled the pan with milk and set it on the fire to +heat for the children's supper. In a few moments the milk was so smoked +and burnt that no one would touch it. Even the pigs refused to drink it. + +"Ah, you good-for-nothing!" cried the housewife. "There's a quart of +milk wasted at once." + +"And that's twopence," cried a queer little voice that seemed to come +from the chimney. + +The housewife filled the saucepan again and set it over the fire. It had +not been there more than two minutes before it boiled over and was burnt +and smoked as before. + +"The pan must be dirty," muttered the woman, who was very much vexed. +"Two full quarts of milk have been wasted." + +"And that's fourpence!" added the queer little voice from the chimney. + +The saucepan was scoured; then it was filled with milk the third time +and set over the fire. Again the milk boiled over and was spoiled. + +Now the housewife was quite vexed. "I have never had anything like this +to happen since I first kept house," she exclaimed. "Three quarts of +milk wasted!" + +"And that's sixpence," cried the queer little voice from the chimney. +"You didn't save the tinkering after all, mother!" + +With that the Hillman himself came tumbling from the chimney and ran off +laughing. But from that time, the saucepan was as good as any other. + +--JULIANA H. EWING. + +[Illustration: The Hillman running off from the fire] + + + + +[Illustration: The Elf and the Dormouse under the toadstool] + +THE ELF AND THE DORMOUSE + + + Under a toad stool + Crept a wee Elf, + Out of the rain + To shelter himself. + + Under the toad stool + Sound asleep, + Sat a big Dormouse + All in a heap. + + Trembled the wee Elf + Frightened, and yet + Fearing to fly away + Lest he get wet. + + To the next shelter-- + Maybe a mile! + Sudden the wee Elf + Smiled a wee smile; + + Tugged till the toad stool + Toppled in two; + Holding it over him, + Gayly he flew. + + Soon he was safe home, + Dry as could be. + Soon woke the Dormouse-- + "Good gracious me! + + "Where is my toad stool?" + Loud he lamented. + And that's how umbrellas + First were invented. + +--OLIVER HERFORD. + +[Illustration: The elf flying away with the toadstool as the Dormouse +watches] + + + + +THE BELL OF ATRI + +I + + +Good King John of Atri loved his people very much and wished to see them +happy. He knew, however, that some were not; he knew that many suffered +wrongs which were not righted. This made him sad. + +One day the king thought of a way to help his people. He had a great +bell hung in a tower in the market place. He had the rope made so long +that a child could reach it. + +Then the king sent heralds through the streets to tell the people why he +had put the bell in the market place. The heralds blew their trumpets +long and loud, and the people came from their homes to hear the message. + +"Know ye," cried a herald, "that whenever a wrong is done to any man, he +has but to ring the great bell in the square. A judge will go to the +tower to hear the complaint, and he will see that justice is done." + +"Long live our good king!" shouted the people. "Now our wrongs shall be +righted." + +And so it was. Whenever anyone was wronged, he rang the bell in the +tower. The judge put on his rich robes and went there. He listened to +the complaint, and the guilty were punished. + +The people in Atri were now very happy, and the days went swiftly by. +The bell hung in its place year after year, and it was rung many times. +By and by the rope became so worn that one could scarcely reach it. + +The king said, "Why, a child could not reach the rope now, and a wrong +might not be righted. I must put in a new one." + +So he ordered a rope from a distant town. In those days it took a long +time to travel from one town to another. What should they do if somebody +wished to ring the bell before the new rope came? + +"We must mend the rope in some way," said a man. + +"Here," said another; "take this piece of grapevine and fasten it to the +rope. Then it will be long enough for any one to reach." + +This was done, and for some time the bell was rung in that way. + + +II + + +One hot summer noon everything was very still. All the people were +indoors taking their noonday rest. + +Suddenly they were awakened by the arousing bell: + + Some one--hath done--a wrong, + Hath done--a wrong! + Hath done--a wrong! + +The judge started from a deep sleep, turned on his couch, and listened. +Could it be the bell of justice? + +Again the sound came: + + Some one--hath done--a wrong! + Hath done--a wrong! + Hath done--a wrong! + +It was the bell of justice. The judge put on his rich robes and, +panting, hurried to the market place. + +There he saw a strange sight: a poor steed, starved and thin, tugging at +the vines which were fastened to the bell. A great crowd had gathered +around. + +"Whose horse is this?" the judge asked. + +"It is the horse of the rich soldier who lives in the castle," said a +man. "He has served his master long and well, and has saved his life +many times. Now that the horse is too old to work, the master turns him +out. He wanders through the lanes and fields, picking up such food as +can be found." + +"His call for justice shall be heard," said the judge. "Bring the +soldier to me." + +The soldier tried to treat the matter as a jest. Then he grew angry and +said in an undertone, "One can surely do what he pleases with his own." + +[Illustration: The judge sees the horse in the market place] + +"For shame!" cried the judge. "Has the horse not served you for many +years? And has he not saved your life? You must build a good shelter for +him, and give him the best grain and the best pasture. Take the horse +home and be as true to him as he has been to you." + +The soldier hung his head in shame and led the horse away. The people +shouted and applauded. + +"Great is King John," they cried, "and great the bell of Atri!" + +--ITALIAN TALE. + + + + +A DUMB WITNESS + + +One day at noontime a poor man was riding along a road. He was tired and +hungry, and wished to stop and rest. Finding a tree with low branches, +he tied his horse to one of them. Then he sat down to eat his dinner. + +Soon a rich man came along and started to tie his horse to the same +tree. + +"Do not fasten your horse to that tree," cried the poor man. "My horse +is savage and he may kill yours. Fasten him to another tree." + +"I shall tie my horse where I wish," the rich man replied; and he tied +his horse to the same tree. Then he, too, sat down to eat. + +Very soon the men heard a great noise. They looked up and saw that their +horses were kicking and fighting. Both men rushed to stop them, but it +was too late; the rich man's horse was dead. + +"See what your horse has done!" cried the rich man in an angry voice. +"But you shall pay for it! You shall pay for it!" + +Then he dragged the man before a judge. + +"Oh, wise judge," he cried, "I have come to you for justice. I had a +beautiful, kind, gentle horse which has been killed by this man's savage +horse. Make the man pay for the horse or send him to prison." + +"Not so fast, my friend," the judge said. "There are two sides to every +case." + +He turned to the poor man. "Did your horse kill this man's horse?" he +asked. + +The poor man made no reply. + +The judge asked in surprise, "Are you dumb? Can you not talk?" + +But no word came from the poor man's lips. + +Then the judge turned to the rich man. + +"What more can I do?" he asked. "You see for yourself this poor man +cannot speak." + +"Oh, but he can," cried the rich man. "He spoke to me." + +"Indeed!" said the judge. "When?" + +"He spoke to me when I tied my horse to the tree." + +"What did he say?" asked the judge. + +"He said, 'Do not fasten your horse to that tree. My horse is savage and +may kill yours.'" + +"0 ho!" said the judge. "This poor man warned you that his horse was +savage, and you tied your horse near his after the warning. This puts a +new light on the matter. You are to blame, not he." + +The judge turned to the poor man and said, "My man, why did you not +answer my questions?" + +"Oh, wise judge," said the poor man, "if I had told you that I warned +him not to tie his horse near mine, he would have denied it. Then how +could you have told which one of us to believe? I let him tell his own +story, and you have learned the truth." + +This speech pleased the judge. He praised the poor man for his wisdom, +and sent the rich man away without a penny. + +--ARABIAN TALE. + + + + +[Illustration: Workers leaving a reaped field] + +GIVING THANKS + + + For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped, + For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped, + For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb, + For the rose and the song, and the harvest brought home-- + Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving! + +[Illustration: A house] + + For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land, + For the cunning and strength of the working-man's hand, + For the good that our artists and poets have taught, + For the friendship that hope and affection have brought-- + Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving! + + For the homes that with purest affection are blest, + For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest, + For our country extending from sea to sea, + The land that is known as "The Land of the Free"-- + Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving! + + + + +THE HARE AND THE HEDGEHOG + +I + + +PLACE: A farmer's cabbage field. + +TIME: A fine morning in spring. + +(The hedgehog is standing by his door looking at the cabbage field which +he thinks is his own.) + +HEDGEHOG: Wife, have you dressed the children yet? + +WIFE: Just through, my dear. + +HEDGEHOG: Well, come out here and let us look at our cabbage patch. + +(Wife comes out.) + +HEDGEHOG: Fine crop, isn't it? We should be happy. + +WIFE: The cabbage is fine enough, but I can't see why we should be so +happy. + +[Illustration: The hare and the hedgehog with a cabbage] + +HEDGEHOG: Why, my dear, there are tears in your voice. What is the +matter? + +WIFE: I suppose I ought not to mind it, but those dreadful hares nearly +worry the life out of me. + +HEDGEHOG: What are they doing now? + +WIFE: Doing? What are they not doing? Why, yesterday I brought my pretty +babies out here to get some cabbage leaves. We were eating as +well-behaved hedgehogs always eat, and those horrid hares almost made us +cry. + +HEDGEHOG: What did they do? + +WIFE: They came to our cabbage patch and they giggled and said, "Oh, see +the little duck-legged things! Aren't they funny?" Then one jumped over +a cabbage just to hurt our feelings. + +HEDGEHOG: Well, they are mean, I know, but we won't notice them. I'll +get even with them one of these days. Ah, there comes one of them now. + +WIFE: Yes, and he laughed at me yesterday. He said, "Good-morning, Madam +Shortlegs." I won't speak to him. I'll hide till he goes by. + +(Wife hides behind a cabbage.) + +HEDGEHOG: Good-morning, sir. + +HARE: Are you speaking to me? + +HEDGEHOG: Certainly; do you see any one else around? + +HARE: How dare you speak to me? + +HEDGEHOG: Oh, just to be neighborly. + +HARE: I shall ask you not to speak to me hereafter. I think myself too +good to notice hedgehogs. + +HEDGEHOG: Now, that is strange. + +HARE: What is strange? + +HEDGEHOG: Why, I have just said to my wife that we wouldn't notice you. + +HARE: Wouldn't notice me, indeed, you silly, short-legged, duck-legged +thing! + +HEDGEHOG: Well, my legs are quite as good as yours, sir. + +HARE: As good as mine! Who ever heard of such a thing? Why, you can do +little more than crawl. + +HEDGEHOG: That may be as you say, but I'll run a race with you any day. + +HARE: Ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho! A race with a hedgehog! Well, well, well! + +HEDGEHOG: Are you afraid to run with me? + +HARE: Of course not. It will be no race at all, but I'll run just to +show you how silly you are. + +HEDGEHOG: Good! You run in that furrow; I will run in this. We shall see +who gets to the fence first. Let's start from the far end of the furrow. + +HARE: I will run to the brook and back while you are getting there. Go +ahead. + +HEDGEHOG: I wouldn't stay too long if I were you. + +HARE: Oh, I'll be back before you reach the end of the furrow. + +(The hare runs off to the brook.) + + +II + + +HEDGEHOG: Wife, wife, did you hear what I said to the hare? + +WIFE: Did I hear? I should say I did. What are you thinking of? Have you +lost your senses? + +HEDGEHOG: You shouldn't speak that way to me. What do you know about a +man's business? Come here and let me whisper something to you. + +(He whispers and then walks to far end of the furrow. His wife laughs.) + +WIFE: Ha, ha! I see. I see. Nothing wrong with your brains. + + "Short legs, long wit, + Long legs, not a bit," + +as my grandmother used to say. The hare will find that out today. + +(She stoops down in the near end of the furrow. The hare returns and +takes his place.) + +HARE: Well, are you ready? + +HEDGEHOG: Of course I am,--ready and waiting. + + HARE: One for the money, + Two for the show, + Three to make ready, + And here we go! + +(The hare runs as swiftly as the wind. The hedgehog starts with him, but +stops and stoops low in the furrow. When the hare reaches the other end, +the hedgehog's wife puts up her head.) + +WIFE: Well, here I am. + +HARE: What does this mean? + +WIFE: It means what it means. + +HARE: We'll try again. Are you ready? + +WIFE: Of course I am. + + HARE: One for the money, + Two for the show, + Three to make ready, + And here we go! + +(The hare runs swiftly back again. Wife starts, but stops and stoops +low. The hare reaches the other end. The hedgehog puts up his head.) + +HEDGEHOG: Here I am. + +HARE: I can't understand this. + +HEDGEHOG: It is very clear to me. + +HARE: Well, we'll try again. Are you ready? + +HEDGEHOG: I'm always ready. + + HARE: One for the money, + Two for the show, + Three to make ready, + And here we go! + +(Again the wife puts up her head and the hare is bewildered.) + +[Illustration: The hare racing as the hedhog looks on] + +WIFE: You see I am here. + +HARE: I just can't believe it. + +WIFE: A perfectly simple thing. + +HARE: We'll try once more. You can't beat me another time. + +WIFE: Don't boast. You had better save your breath for the race; you +will need it. + + HARE: One for the money, + Two for the show, + Three to make ready, + And here we go! + +(When the hare reaches the other end of the field, the hedgehog puts up +his head.) + +HARE: This is very strange. + +HEDGEHOG: Shall we run again? You seem a little tired, but I am +perfectly fresh. + +HARE (_panting_): No, no! The race is yours. + +HEDGEHOG: Will you call my wife and children names any more? + +HARE: No, no! I'll never do that again. + +HEDGEHOG: Very well. And if you wish a race at any time, friend hare, +just call by for me. + +HARE (_walking off shaking his head_): It's very strange. I hope none of +the other hares will hear of this race. + +WIFE (_as she meets the hedgehog_): I thought I should hurt myself +laughing. As my grandmother used to say, + + "Short legs, long wit, + Long legs, not a bit." + +--GRIMM. + + + + +EPAMINONDAS + + +Epaminondas had a good kind granny, who cooked at "the big house." +Epaminondas liked to go to see her, for she always gave him something to +take home with him. + +One day when Epaminondas went to see granny, she was baking a cake, and +she gave Epaminondas a piece to eat. As he was leaving, granny said, +"Epaminondas, you may take a slice home to your mammy." + +Epaminondas took it in his little hands and squeezing it just as tight +as he could, ran all the way home. When his mammy saw him, she said, +"What's that, Epaminondas?" + +"Cake, mammy. Granny sent it to you." + +"Cake!" cried his mammy. "Epaminondas, don't you know that's no way to +carry cake? When your granny gives you cake, put it in your hat; then +put your hat on your head and come home. You hear me, Epaminondas?" + +"Yes, mammy." + +The next time Epaminondas went to see his granny, she was churning, and +she gave him a pat of fresh butter to carry to his mammy. + +Epaminondas said to himself, "What was it mammy said? Oh, yes! I know. +She said, 'Put it in your hat and put the hat on your head and come +home.' I'll do just what she told me." + +Epaminondas put the pat of butter in his hat, put his hat on his head, +and went home. + +It was a hot day, and soon the butter began to melt. Drip, drip, drip, +it went into his ears. Drip, drip, drip, it went into his eyes. Drip, +drip, drip, it went down his back. When Epaminondas reached home, he had +no butter in his hat. It was all on him. + +Looking at him hard, his mammy said, "Epaminondas, what in the world is +that dripping from your hat?" + +"Butter, mammy. Granny sent it to you." + +"Butter!" cried his mammy. "Oh, Epaminondas! Don't you know how to carry +butter? You must wrap it in a cabbage leaf, and take it to the spring. +Then you must cool it in the water, and cool it in the water, and cool +it in the water. When you have done this, take the butter in your hands +and come home. You hear me, Epaminondas?" + +"Yes, mammy." + +The next time Epaminondas went to see his granny, she wasn't baking cake +and she wasn't churning. She was sitting in a chair knitting. + +She said, "Epaminondas, look in the woodshed, and you'll see something +you like." + +Epaminondas looked in the woodshed, and there he found four little +puppies. He played with them all the afternoon, and when he started +home, his granny gave him one. + +Epaminondas remembered what his mammy had told him. He wrapped the puppy +in a big cabbage leaf, and took it to the spring. He cooled it in the +water, and cooled it in the water, and cooled it in the water. Then he +took it in his hands, and went home. + +When his mammy saw him, she said, "Epaminondas, what is that in your +hands?" + +"A puppy dog, mammy." + +"A puppy dog!" cried his mammy. "Oh, Epaminondas! What makes you act so +foolish? That's no way to carry a puppy. The way to carry a puppy is to +tie a string around his neck and put him on the ground. Then you take +the other end of the string in your hand and come along home. You hear +me, Epaminondas?" + +"Yes, mammy." + +Epaminondas was going to be right the next time; he got a piece of +string and put it in his pocket to have it ready. + +The next day company came to see Epaminondas's mammy, and she had no +bread for dinner. She called Epaminondas and said, "Run to 'the big +house' and ask your granny to send me a loaf of bread for dinner." + +"Yes, mammy," said Epaminondas. And off he ran. + +Granny gave him a loaf just from the oven--a nice, brown, crusty loaf. +This time Epaminondas was certainly going to do what mammy had told him. + +He proudly got out his string and tied it to the loaf. Then he put the +loaf on the ground, and taking the other end of the string in his hand, +he went along home. + +When he reached home, his mammy gave one look at the thing tied to the +end of the string. + +"What have you brought, Epaminondas?" she cried. + +"Bread, mammy. Granny sent it to you." + +"Oh, Epaminondas! Epaminondas! How could you be so foolish?" cried his +mammy. "Now I have no bread for dinner. I'll have to go and get some +myself." + +She went into the house and got her bonnet. When she came out, she said, +"Epaminondas, do you see those three mince pies I've put on the doorstep +to cool. Well, now, you hear me, Epaminondas. You be careful how you +step on those pies!" + +"Yes, mammy." + +His mammy went off down the road; Epaminondas went to the door and +looked out. "Mammy told me to be careful how I step on those mince +pies," he said, "so I must be careful how I do it. I'll step right in +the middle of every one." + +And he did! + +When his mammy came home, there were no pies for dinner. + +Now she was angry all over, and something happened. I don't know, and +you don't know, but we can guess. + +Poor Epaminondas!--SOUTHERN TALE. + +[Illustration: Epaminondas stepping in the pies] + + + + +HOW BROTHER RABBIT FOOLED THE WHALE AND THE ELEPHANT + +I + + +One day Brother Rabbit was running along on the sand, lippety, lippety, +lippety. He was going to a fine cabbage field. On the way he saw the +whale and the elephant talking together. + +Brother Rabbit said, "I'd like to know what they are talking about." So +he crouched down behind some bushes and listened. + +This is what Brother Rabbit heard the whale say: + +"You are the biggest thing on the land, Brother Elephant, and I am the +biggest thing in the sea. If we work together, we can rule all the +animals in the world. We can have our own way about everything." + +"Very good, very good," trumpeted the elephant. "That suits me. You keep +the sea, and I will keep the land." + +[Illustration: Brother Rabbit listening] + +"That's a bargain," said the whale, as he swam away. + +Brother Rabbit laughed to himself. "They won't rule me," he said, as he +ran off. + +Brother Rabbit soon came back with a very long and a very strong rope +and his big drum. He hid the drum in some bushes. Then taking one end of +the rope, he walked up to the elephant. + +"Oh, dear Mr. Elephant," he said, "you are big and strong; will you have +the kindness to do me a favor?" + +The elephant was pleased, and he trumpeted, "Certainly, certainly. What +is it?" + +"My cow is stuck in the mud on the shore, and I can't pull her out," +said Brother Rabbit. "If you will help me, you will do me a great +service. You are so strong, I am sure you can get her out." + +"Certainly, certainly," trumpeted the elephant. + +"Thank you," said the rabbit. "Take this rope in your trunk, and I will +tie the other end to my cow. Then I will beat my drum to let you know +when to pull. You must pull as hard as you can, for the cow is very +heavy." + +"Huh!" trumpeted the elephant, "I'll pull her out, or break the rope." + +Brother Rabbit tied the rope to the elephant's trunk and ran off, +lippety, lippety. + + +II + + +He ran till he came to the shore where the whale was. Making a bow, +Brother Rabbit said, "0, mighty and wonderful Whale, will you do me a +favor?" + +"What is it?" asked the whale. + +"My cow is stuck in the mud on the shore," said Brother Rabbit, "and I +cannot pull her out. Of course you can do it. If you will be so kind as +to help me, I shall be very much obliged." + +"Certainly," said the whale, "certainly." + +"Thank you," said Brother Rabbit, "take hold of this rope, and I will +tie the other end to my cow. Then I will beat my big drum to let you +know when to pull. You must pull as hard as you can, for my cow is very +heavy." + +"Never fear," said the whale, "I could pull a dozen cows out of the +mud." + +"I am sure you could," said the rabbit politely. "Only be sure to begin +gently. Then pull harder and harder till you get her out." + +The rabbit ran away into the bushes where he had hidden the drum and +began to beat it. Then the whale began to pull and the elephant began to +pull. In a minute the rope tightened till it was stretched as hard as a +bar of iron. + +"This is a very heavy cow," said the elephant, "but I'll pull her out." +Bracing his fore feet in the earth, he gave a tremendous pull. + +But the whale had no way to brace himself. + +"Dear me," he said. "That cow must surely be stuck tight." Lashing his +tail in the water, he gave a marvelous pull. + +He pulled harder; the elephant pulled harder. Soon the whale found +himself sliding toward the land. He was so provoked with the cow that he +went head first, down to the bottom of the sea. + +That was a pull! The elephant was jerked off his feet, and came slipping +and sliding toward the sea. He was very angry. + +"That cow must be very strong to drag me in this way," he said. "I will +brace myself." + +Kneeling down on the ground, he twisted the rope around his trunk. Then +he began to pull his very best, and soon the whale came up out of the +water. + +Then each saw that the other had hold of the rope. + +"How is this?" cried the whale. "I thought I was pulling Brother +Rabbit's cow." + +"That is what I thought," said the elephant. "Brother Rabbit is making +fun of us. He must pay for this. I forbid him to eat a blade of grass on +land, because he played a trick on us." + +"And I will not allow him to drink a drop of water in the sea," said the +whale. + +But Little Rabbit sat in the bushes and laughed, and laughed, and +laughed. + +"Much do I care," he said. "I can get all the green things I want, and I +don't like salt water." + +--SOUTHERN FOLK TALE. + + + + +[Illustration: A mother with children in winter] + +A CHRISTMAS WISH + + + I'd like a stocking made for a giant, + And a meeting house full of toys; + Then I'd go out on a happy hunt + For the poor little girls and boys; + Up the street and down the street, + And across and over the town, + I'd search and find them every one, + Before the sun went down. + + One would want a new jack-knife + Sharp enough to cut; + One would long for a doll with hair, + And eyes that open and shut; + One would ask for a china set + With dishes all to her mind; + One would wish a Noah's ark + With beasts of every kind. + + Some would like a doll cook-stove + And a little toy wash tub; + Some would prefer a little drum, + For a noisy rub-a-dub; + Some would wish for a story book, + And some for a set of blocks; + Some would be wild with happiness + Over a new tool-box. + + And some would rather have little shoes, + And other things warm to wear, + For many children are very poor, + And the winter is hard to bear; + I'd buy soft flannels for little frocks, + And a thousand stockings or so, + And the jolliest little coats and cloaks, + To keep out the frost and snow. + +[Illustration: Christmas toys] + + I'd load a wagon with caramels + And candy of every kind, + And buy all the almond and pecan nuts + And taffy that I could find; + And barrels and barrels of oranges + I'd scatter right in the way, + So the children would find them the very first thing, + When they wake on Christmas day. + +--EUGENE FIELD. + + + + +[Illustration: The church tower] + +THE CHRISTMAS BELLS + +I + + +Long, long ago, in a far away city, there was a large church. The tower +of this church was so high that it seamed to touch the clouds, and in +the high tower there were three wonderful bells. When they rang, they +made sweet music. + +There was something strange about these bells. They were never heard to +ring except on Christmas eve, and no one knew who rang them. Some people +thought it was the wind blowing through the tower. Others thought the +angels rang them when a gift pleased the Christ Child. + +Although the people did not know what rang the bells, they loved to hear +them. They would come from miles around to listen to the wonderful +music. When they had heard the bells, they would go out of the church, +silent but happy. Then all would go back to their homes feeling that +Christmas had come, indeed. + +One Christmas eve the people in the church waited and waited, but the +bells did not ring. Silently and sadly they went home. Christmas after +Christmas came and went. Nearly one hundred years passed by, and in all +that time the bells did not ring. + +People sometimes asked one another, "Do you suppose the bells ever did +ring?" + +"Yes," said one very old man. "I have often heard my father tell how +beautifully they rang on Christmas eve. There was more love in the world +then." + +Every Christmas eve the church was filled with people who waited and +listened. They hoped that the bells would ring again as they had rung +long ago. Though many gifts were laid on the altar, still the bells did +not ring. + + +II + + +Christmas was near at hand again, and every one was happy. + +Not far from the city two little brothers lived on a farm--Pedro and +Little Brother. + +Their father was poor and had no gift to lay on the altar. But Pedro had +saved all his earnings, and he had one shining silver piece. His father +had promised the little boys that they might go to the church on +Christmas eve and take the gift. + +It was quite dark when the lads started on their way to the city. The +snow was falling fast, but they buttoned their little jackets close +about them and walked along briskly. They were not far from the church +when they heard a low whine of distress. Little Brother, clinging to +Pedro in fear, cried, "What is it, Pedro, what is it?" + +Pedro ran across the street, and there under a small heap of snow, what +do you think he found? A little black and white dog, shivering with +cold, and nearly starved. Pedro opened his jacket, and put the dog +inside to keep it warm. + +"You will have to go to the church alone, Little Brother," Pedro said. +"I must take this little dog back to the farm, and give it food, else it +will die." + +"But I don't want to go alone, Pedro," said Little Brother. + +"Won't you please go and put my gift on the altar, Little Brother? I +wish so much to have it there to-night." + +"Yes, Pedro, I will," said Little Brother. + +He took the gift and started toward the church. Pedro turned and went +home. + +When Little Brother came to the great stone church and looked up at the +high tower, he felt that he could not go in alone. He stood outside a +long time watching the people as they passed in. At last he entered +quietly and took a seat in a corner. + + +III + + +When Little Brother went into the church, all the people were seated. +They sat quietly hoping that at last the bells would ring again as in +the days of old. + +The organ pealed out a Christmas hymn. The choir and the people arose, +and all sang the grand old anthem. Then a solemn voice said, "Bring now +your gifts to the altar." + +The king arose and went forward with stately tread. Bowing before the +altar, he laid upon it his golden crown. Then he walked proudly back to +his seat. All the people listened, but the bells did not ring. + +Then the queen arose and with haughty step walked to the front. She took +from her neck and wrists her beautiful jewels and laid them upon the +altar. All the people listened, but the bells did not ring. + +Then the soldiers came marching proudly forward. They took their jeweled +swords from their belts and laid them upon the altar. All the people +listened, but the bells did not ring. + +Then the rich men came hurrying forward. They counted great sums of gold +and laid them in a businesslike way upon the altar. All the people +listened, but the bells did not ring. + +"Can I go all alone to the front of the church and lay this small gift +on the altar?" said Little Brother. "Oh, how can I? how can I?" + +Then he said, "But I told Pedro I would, and I must." + +So he slipped slowly around by the outer aisle. He crept quietly up to +the altar and softly laid the silver piece upon the very edge. + +And listen! What do you think was heard? The bells, the bells! + +Oh, how happy the people were! And how happy Little Brother was! He ran +out of the church and down the road toward the farm. + +Pedro had warmed the dog and fed it, and was now on the way to the city. +He hoped that he might see the people come out of the church. + +Down the road Little Brother came running. Throwing himself into Pedro's +arms, he cried, "Oh, Pedro, Pedro! The bells, the bells! I wish you +could have heard them; and they rang when I laid your gift on the +altar." + +"I did hear them, Little Brother," said Pedro. "Their sound came to me +over the snow,--the sweetest music I ever heard." + +Long years after, when Pedro grew to be a man, he was a great musician. +Many, many people came to hear him play. + +Some one said to him one day, "How can you play so sweetly? I never +heard such music before." + +"Ah," said Pedro, "but you never heard the Christmas bells as I heard +them that Christmas night years and years ago." + +--OLD TALE RETOLD. + + + + +[Illustration: Family at prayer at the table] + +GOD BLESS THE MASTER OF THIS HOUSE + + + God bless the master of this house, + The mistress, also, + And all the little children + That round the table go: + And all your kin and kinsfolk, + That dwell both far and near; + I wish you a merry Christmas + And a happy new year. + +--OLD ENGLISH RIME. + + + + +SQUEAKY AND THE SCARE BOX + +I + + +Once upon a time a family of mice lived in the pantry wall. There was a +father mouse, there was a mother mouse, and there were three little baby +mice. + +One little mouse had sharp bright eyes and could see everything, even in +the darkest holes. He was called Sharpeyes. His brother could sniff and +smell anything, wherever it might be hidden, and he was called Sniffy. +The baby mouse had such a squeaky little voice that he was called +Squeaky. He was always singing, "Ee-ee-ee!" + +Mother mouse was very wise, and she had taught her babies to run and +hide when they saw the old cat coming. She had also taught them not to +go near a trap. The little mice obeyed their mother, and they were happy +in their home in the pantry wall. + +They had many good times together. I could not tell you about all of +these, but I am going to tell you about their Christmas party and what +happened to Squeaky. + +It was the night before Christmas. The stockings hung by the chimney, +and the tall tree was standing in the parlor. The children were asleep, +and the father and mother had gone upstairs to bed. + +In the pantry wall, the little mice were all wide-awake. + +"Ee-ee-ee!" squeaked Squeaky; "why can't we creep into the big room and +see the tall Christmas tree? The children have talked about it for days, +and we have never seen one. Mother, please let us go and see it." + +"Yes," said Sniffy, "do let us go. Everything smells so good. The +children and the cook made long strings of pop corn to-day. I found a +little on the pantry floor, and I want some more." + +"I peeped out of our hole," said Sharpeyes, "and I saw cake and candy +all ready for the children. Oh, I do want a bite of those good things! +Please let us have a Christmas party." + +"Well," said mother mouse, "I will ask your father. If he says it is +safe, we will go." + +When mother mouse asked father mouse, he said, "I will go out first and +look all about. If it is safe, I will come back for you." + +So father mouse crept softly through the pantry, down the long hall, and +into the parlor. The cat was nowhere to be seen. Father mouse ran back +to the pantry and cried, "The cat is not near; come and see the tree." + + +II + + +Then all the mice came scampering from the hole in the wall. They crept +through the pantry, down the long hall, and into the parlor. When they +saw the tall Christmas tree, they squeaked again and again in their joy. +Then they ran around and around the tree to see what was on it. + +[Illustration: The mice look at the Christmas tree] + +On the floor they saw a wonderful doll's house. "How fine it would be to +live there!" they squeaked. + +They ran up and down the stairs, sat on the chairs, and lay down in the +beds. Oh, they had a merry time! + +Then Sniffy said, "I smell that good pop corn again. Let's climb up into +the Christmas tree and get some." + +They climbed up into the tree. They nibbled the pop corn; they nibbled +the candy; they nibbled the nuts; and they nibbled the cakes. + +Soon Sharpeyes cried out, "Come here, I see a mouse! I see a mouse! But +he doesn't look like our family at all." + +"I should say not," sniffed Sniffy; "and how good he smells!" + +"Why, he is good to eat!" squeaked Squeaky; and they all began to eat +the chocolate mouse. + +Then they found another candy mouse--a pretty pink one. They were so +busy eating it that they forgot to watch and listen; then--bang! The +door was opened, and the lights were turned on. + +With a squeak, the mice scampered down from the tree; then they ran +along the hall, through the pantry, and back to their home. There was +the father mouse, and the mother mouse, and Sharpeyes, and Sniffy. But +where was Squeaky? + + +III + + +Now, as Squeaky tried to run down the tree, he fell heels over head. +Down, down, down, he fell until he was caught in a funny box. An ugly +man with black hair and black whiskers seemed to be hopping out of the +box. + +When Squeaky saw the lights turned on, he hid under the dress of this +queer man. He lay very, very still, for he had been taught to be still +when danger was near. He heard voices. The father and mother had come +back. + +"Yes," the father was saying; "it would have been a shame to forget this +train. I would like it to come right out from under the tree. Help me +put the track down, mother." + +When the train was just where it should be, the mother turned to the +beautiful tree. + +"Why, look at that Jack-in-the-box," she said. "The man is hanging out. +That will never do. I will shut the box. Teddy must see the man jump +out." + +The mother pushed the man with the black hair down, down, into the box +and shut the lid. Poor Squeaky felt the springs close down on him and +squeaked, "Ee-ee-" + +"That was a fine squeak," said the father. "The toys are wonderful these +days." + +"Yes," said the mother, as she turned off the light. "When I was a +child, we did not have such toys." + +"I am in a trap," said poor Squeaky, "but there isn't even a bit of +cheese in it. I wonder what kind of trap it is; nothing seems to hurt +me. Well, I am safe for a while, and I hope I shall soon get out." + +Squeaky lay in the box all night, and wondered what Sniffy and Sharpeyes +were doing. The next morning, he heard children calling, "Merry +Christmas! Merry Christmas!" And soon the toys were taken down, one by +one. Then such a noise was heard--drums beating, horns tooting, children +shouting. You should have heard it. + +[Illustration: The mother is surprised as Squeaky escapes] + +"See our new doll's house!" cried one child. + +"See my new train! How fast it goes!" cried another. + +"And see my beautiful dolly!" cried another. "She can open and shut her +eyes." + +By and by the mother took the box from the tree. "Come here, Teddy," she +said. "Here is a scare box. We will have some fun. Watch me open the +lid." + +Teddy stood by his mother and watched closely. + +"Are you ready?" asked his mother. "Well, let us count. One, two, +three!" + +The lid flew open, and out jumped the man with the black hair and black +whiskers. And with a squeak of joy, out jumped the mouse. + +"Ee-ee-ee!" he cried, as he ran away. + +"Ee!" said the Jack-in-the-box. + +"Whee-ee-ee!" cried the boy with delight. + +"Oh,--a mouse! a mouse!" cried the mother. Then she threw the box on the +floor and jumped up on her chair. + +"Where? where?" cried all the children. + +But they saw only the tip of Squeaky's tail as he ran across the hall to +the pantry. Another moment and he was safe in the hole in the pantry +wall. + +The children's father laughed as he helped their mother climb down from +the chair. + +"Well," he said, "how did _you_ enjoy Teddy's scare box?" + +--GEORGENE FAULKNER. + + + + +THE GLAD NEW YEAR + + + It's coming, boys, + It's almost here. + It's coming, girls, + The grand New Year. + + A year to be glad in, + Not to be sad in; + A year to live in, + To gain and give in. + + A year for trying, + And not for sighing; + A year for striving + And healthy thriving. + + It's coming, boys, + It's almost here. + It's coming, girls, + The grand New Year. + +--MARY MAPES DODGE. + + + + +[Illustration: The goose and the hen] + +MAKING THE BEST OF IT + + +"What a dreary day it is!" grumbled the old gray goose to the brown hen. +They were standing at the henhouse window watching the falling snow +which covered every nook and corner of the farmyard. + +"Yes, indeed," said the brown hen. "I should almost be willing to be +made into a chicken pie on such a day." + +She had scarcely stopped talking when Pekin duck said fretfully, "I am +so hungry that I am almost starved." + +A little flock of chickens all huddled together wailed in sad tones, +"And we are so thirsty!" + +In fact, all the feathered folk in the henhouse seemed cross and +fretful. It is no wonder they felt that way, for they had had nothing to +eat or drink since early in the morning. The cold wind howled around +their house. Hour after hour went by, but no one came near the henhouse. + +The handsome white rooster, however, seemed as happy as usual. That is +saying a great deal, for a jollier old fellow than he never lived in a +farmyard. Sunshine, rain, or snow were all the same to him, and he +crowed quite as merrily in stormy weather as in fair. + +"Well," he said, laughing, as he looked about the henhouse, "you all +seem to be having a fit of dumps." + +Nobody answered the white rooster, but a faint cluck or two came from +some of the hens. They immediately put their heads back under their +wings, however, as if ashamed of having spoken at all. + +This was too much for the white rooster. He stood first on one yellow +foot and then on the other. Turning his head from side to side, he said, +"What's the use of looking so sad? Any one would think that you expected +to be eaten by a band of hungry foxes." + +Just then a brave little white bantam rooster hopped down from his +perch. He strutted over to the big rooster and caused quite a flutter in +the henhouse by saying: + +"We're lively enough when our crops are full, but when we are starving, +it is a wonder that we can hold our heads up at all. If I ever see that +farmer's boy again, I'll--I'll--I'll peck his foot!" + +"You won't see him until he feeds us," said the white rooster, "and then +I guess you will peck his corn." + +"Oh, oh!" moaned the brown hen. "Don't speak of a peck of corn." + +"Madam," said the white rooster, bowing very low, "your trouble is my +own,--that is, I'm hungry, too. But we might be worse off. We might be +in a box on our way to market. It is true that we haven't had anything +to eat to-day, but we at least have room enough to stretch our wings." + +"Why, that is a fact," clucked the brown hen. And all the feathered +family--even the smallest chickens--stretched their wings, and looked a +little more cheerful. + +"Now, then," went on the rooster, "suppose we have a little music to +cheer us and help pass the hours until roosting time. Let us all crow. +There, I beg your pardon, ladies; I am sorry you can't crow. Let us sing +a happy song. Will you be kind enough to start a merry tune, Mrs. Brown +Hen?" + +The brown hen shook herself proudly, tossed her head back and +began,--"Ca-ca-ca-ca-ca-ca!" In less than two minutes every one in the +henhouse had joined her. The white rooster was the loudest of all, and +the little bantam rooster stretched his neck and did the best he could. + +Now, the horses, cows, and sheep were not far away. They heard the happy +voices, and they, too, joined in the grand chorus. The pigs did their +best to sing louder than all the rest. + +Higher and higher, stronger and stronger, rose the chorus. Louder and +louder quacked the ducks. Shriller and shriller squealed the pigs. + +They were all so happy that they quite forgot their hunger until the +door of the henhouse burst open, and in came three chubby children. Each +was carrying a dish of hot chicken food. + +"Don't stop your music, Mr. Rooster," said the little girl, who was +bundled up until you could scarcely see her dear little face. + +[Illustration: The children arrive with food] + +"You see, we were so lonesome that we didn't know what to do. We heard +you folk singing out here, and we laughed and laughed until we almost +cried. Then we went to tell Jack about you. He was lonesome, too, for +he's sick with a sore throat, you know. He said, 'Why, those poor hens! +They haven't been fed since morning! Go and feed them.' And so we came." + +"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" said the white rooster. "This comes of making the +best of things. Cock-a-doodle-doo!" And nobody asked him to stop +crowing. + +--FRANCES M. FOX. + + + + +THE ANIMALS AND THE MIRROR + +I + + +Aunt Susan sent an old-fashioned looking-glass to the barn to be stored +in the loft, with other old furniture. The farm boy stood it on the +floor of the barn until he should have time to put it away. The mirror +was broad and long, and it was set in a dark wooden frame. + +An old duck wandered into the barn and caught sight of herself in the +mirror. "There is another duck," she said. "I wonder who she is." + +And she walked toward the reflection. "She is rather friendly," the duck +went on. "She is walking toward me. What large feet she has, but her +feathers are very handsome." + +Just then she bumped into the mirror. "Goodness!" she cried; "if that +duck isn't in a glass case! Why are you in there?" + +"Well, you needn't answer if you don't want to," she said, walking away. +"A glass case is a good place for you." + +Just then a pig came along, and nosing around, he came in front of the +mirror. + +"What are you doing here?" he asked, thinking he saw another pig. His +nose hit the glass, and he stepped back. + +"So you are in a glass pen," he said. "You are not very handsome, and +your nose is not so long as mine; I cannot see why you should have a +glass pen." + +And away he trotted to tell the other pigs about the very plain-looking +pig. + +Kitty came along next and walked in front of the mirror, turning her +head and swinging her tail. She had seen a mirror before and knew what +it was. The cat wished to look in the mirror, but she saw the dog coming +in the door, and she did not want him to think her vain. + +The dog walked over to the mirror and gazed in it. Then he looked +foolish, although he had seen a mirror before, too, but not so often as +puss. + +"Thought it was another dog, didn't you?" she laughed. "Here comes the +donkey. Let us hide behind those barrels and see what he does." + + +II + + +The donkey went up to the mirror. + +"If they haven't another donkey!" he said. "I suppose I should speak +first, as I have lived here so long. Why, he is coming to meet me. That +is friendly, indeed." + +Bump! his nose hit the glass. + +"Well, I had better give up!" he said. "You are in a glass case, but I +don't know why you should be. You are a homely creature, and your ears +are not so long as mine." And he walked off with a disgusted air. + +The cat rolled over and over, and the dog buried his head in his paws. +"Did you ever see anything so funny?" he said to puss. + +"Hush!" she replied, "Here is the rooster." + +[Illustration: The rooster and the mirror] + +The rooster stopped quite still when he saw himself in the mirror. + +"Well, where did you come from?" he asked, ruffling up his feathers. He +walked straight to the mirror and flew at the other rooster. Bang! He +went against the glass. + +"In a glass case, are you?" he said. He stretched out his neck and +looked very fierce. "You should be; you are a sight--your feathers are +ruffled, and you are not half so handsome as I am." + +And off he walked, satisfied that he was handsomer than the other +rooster. + +"Oh, dear!" laughed the cat. "I certainly shall scream. They all think +they are handsomer than their reflections. Here comes the turkey +gobbler. Let us see what he does." + +The gobbler walked slowly over to the mirror and looked at his +reflection. + +"Now," he asked, "where in the world did they get you? You are an old, +bald-headed creature, and your feathers need oiling. You look like a +last year's turkey." And off he strutted. + +The cat and the dog leaned against the barrels and laughed until the +tears ran down their faces. + +"Keep still," said the dog. "Here comes speckled hen and her chickens." + +Speckled hen walked around, picking up bits of corn. Suddenly she looked +up and saw the mirror. + +"There is a hen with a brood of chicks, but they are not so handsome as +mine," she said, walking toward the looking-glass. "Where do you live? I +know you do not belong here." And she looked closer at the other hen. + +Click! Her bill hit the glass. + +"Well, if she isn't in a glass coop!" the hen said, stepping back. "If +master has bought her and those chicks, there will be trouble. Mercy! +One of the chicks is bow-legged, and they are a skinny looking lot." + +Then she clucked to her chicks and walked out of the barn. + +"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" laughed the dog; "they all think the same. They +certainly are a conceited lot. Here comes the goose." + + +III + + +The goose waddled over to the mirror. + +"Well, well! If there isn't a new goose!" she said, "and she is walking +toward me. I must be friendly." + +Snap! Her bill struck the mirror. + +"Oh, you are in a glass box!" she said. "Have you come to stay?" And she +stretched out her neck. + +"My, but you have a long neck!" she went on, "and your feathers are nice +and smooth. I suppose you cannot hear in that box." + +Then she walked away, nodding good-by. The other goose, of course, +nodded also, and goosey went away satisfied. + +"She is not so much of a goose as the others," the cat remarked. + +"The peacock is coming," said the dog. "Keep quiet." + +In walked the peacock. Seeing another bird, as he supposed, he spread +his beautiful tail to its full width. He walked about, but never a word +did he say. + +"Now, what do you make out of that?" asked the dog. "Did he know that he +was looking in a looking-glass, or wouldn't he speak to another bird?" + +"I do not know," said the cat, "but here comes the goat. Hide, quick!" + +Billy was clattering over the boards, when suddenly he saw the other +goat. He looked at him a minute. "I'll show him," he said, running at +the mirror with head down. + +[Illustration: The goat crashes into the mirror] + +Bang! Smash! Crash! and Billy jumped back, a very much astonished goat. + +"Now you have done it," said the horse, who had been watching all the +time from his stall. "All the animals will get out and run away." + +"What are you talking about?" said the dog, who was laughing so hard he +could scarcely talk. "There are no animals in there. That is a +looking-glass; you see yourself when you are in front of it." + +"Do you mean to tell me that those animals have all been looking at +themselves and finding fault with their own looks?" asked the horse, +with his eyes nearly popping out of his head. + +"Of course," said the cat. "Can't you see that Billy has smashed the +looking-glass?" + +"Well, that is the best I ever heard," said the horse, laughing, "but I +wish I had known that was a looking-glass before Billy broke it. I +should very much like to know how I look." + +"You might not have recognized yourself; the others didn't," said the +dog. + +--F.A. WALKER. + + + + +THE BARBER OF BAGDAD + +ACT I + + +PLACE: Ali's barber shop. + +TIME: Morning. + +WOODCUTTER: I have a load of wood which I have just brought in on my +donkey. Would you like to buy it, good barber? + +ALI: Well, let me see. Is it good wood? + +WOODCUTTER: The best in the country. + +ALI: I'll give you five shekels for all the wood upon the donkey. + +WOODCUTTER: Agreed. I'll put the wood here by your door. + +(Lays wood at door.) + +Now, good sir, give me the silver. + +ALI: Not so fast, my good friend. I must have your wooden pack saddle, +too. That was the bargain. I said, "All the wood upon your donkey." +Truly, the saddle is wood. + +[Illustration: Ali and the woodcutter with the donkey] + +WOODCUTTER: Who ever heard of such a bargain? Surely you cannot mean +what you say? You would not treat a poor woodcutter so. It is +impossible. + +ALI: Give me the saddle, or I'll have you put in prison. And take +that--and that--and that! + +(Ali strikes the woodcutter.) + +WOODCUTTER: Ah, me, what shall I do? What shall I do? I know. I'll go to +the caliph himself. + + +ACT II + + +PLACE: Caliph's Palace. + +TIME: Hour later. + +COURTIER: My lord, a good woodcutter is at the door and begs leave to +come into your presence. + +CALIPH: Bid him enter. There is none too poor to be received by me. + +(Courtier goes out and returns with woodcutter, who kneels and kisses +the ground. Then he stands with arms folded.) + +CALIPH: Tell me, good man, what brought you here? Has any one done you a +wrong? + +WOODCUTTER: Great wrong, my lord. The rich barber Ali did buy a load of +wood from me. He offered me five shekels for all the wood on my donkey. +When I had put down the load, I asked for my money, but he refused to +pay me until I had given him my pack saddle. He said the bargain was +"all the wood on the donkey," and that the saddle is wood. He said he +would put me in prison if I did not give up the saddle. Then he took it +and drove me away with blows. + +CALIPH: A strange story, truly. The barber has law on his side, and yet +you have right on yours. The law must be obeyed, but--come here and let +me whisper something to you. + +(The woodcutter listens smilingly and bowing low, leaves the room.) + + +ACT III + + +PLACE: The barber's shop. + +TIME: A few days later. + +ALI: Ah! here comes my stupid friend the woodcutter. I suppose he has +come to quarrel about the wood. No, he is smiling. + +WOODCUTTER: Good day to you, friend Ali. I have come to ask if you will +be so kind as to shave me and a companion from the country. + +ALI: Oh, yes, I suppose so. + +WOODCUTTER: How much will you charge? + +ALI: A shekel for the two. + +(To himself.) + +The poor fool cannot pay that sum. + +WOODCUTTER. Very good. Shave me first. + +(Ali shaves him.) + +ALI: Now you are shaved. Where is your companion? + +WOODCUTTER: He is standing outside. He will come in at once. + +(He goes out and returns leading his donkey.) + +This is my companion. Shave him. + +ALI (_in a rage_): Shave him! Shave a donkey, indeed! Is it not enough +that I should lower myself by touching you? And then you insult me by +asking me to shave your donkey! Away with you! + + +ACT IV + + +PLACE: Caliph's Palace. + +TIME: Half-hour later. + +CALIPH: Well, my friend, did you do as I told you? + +WOODCUTTER: Yes, and Ali refused to shave my donkey. + +CALIPH (_to Courtier_): Bid Ali come to me at once and bring his razors +with him. + +(Courtier leaves and returns with Ali.) + +CALIPH: Why did you refuse to shave this man's companion? Was not that +your agreement? + +ALI (_kissing the ground_): It is true, O caliph, such was the +agreement, but who ever made a companion of a donkey before? + +CALIPH: True enough, but who ever thought of saying that a pack saddle +is a part of a load of wood? No, no, it is the woodcutter's turn now. +Shave his donkey instantly. + +(Ali lathers the beast and shaves him in the presence of the whole +court, and then slips away amid the laughter of the bystanders.) + +CALIPH: Now, my honest woodcutter, here is a purse of gold for you. +Always remember that the caliph gladly listens to the complaints of his +people, poor and rich, and will right their wrongs if he can. + +WOODCUTTER: Long live the Caliph! + +COURTIERS: Long live the Caliph! + +--EASTERN TALE. + + + + +WINTER NIGHT + + + Blow, wind, blow! + Drift the flying snow! + Send it twirling, twirling overhead. + There's a bedroom in a tree + Where snug as snug can be, + The squirrel nests in his cozy bed. + + Shriek, wind, shriek! + Make the branches creak! + Battle with the boughs till break of day! + In a snow cave warm and tight + Through the icy winter night + The rabbit sleeps the peaceful hour away. + + Scold, wind, scold! + So bitter and so bold! + Shake the windows with your tap, tap, tap! + With half-shut, dreamy eyes + The drowsy baby lies + Cuddled closely in his mother's lap. + +--MARY F. BUTTS. + + + + +HOPE'S DOLL + + +It was Saturday morning. Elizabeth Brown sat by a window in the big +kitchen making a pink dress for little Hope's doll. + +On the chair beside her lay the doll, though you might not have thought +of calling it one. It did not have curly hair--nor eyes that open and +shut. In those days no child had toys like ours. Hope's doll was made of +a corncob; the face was painted on a piece of linen stretched over a +ball of wool on the end of the cob. + +Little Hope was taking her morning nap. When Elizabeth had sewed the +last neat stitches, she dressed the doll and laid it on the bed by the +little girl. How happy Hope was when she awoke and saw it! She thought +it the most beautiful doll in the world. + +"What will you call your doll, Hope?" asked Elizabeth. + +"I will name her for mother," said Hope. "I will call her Mary Ellen." + +[Illustration: Hope and her doll] + +Hope played all the afternoon with her doll and was very happy. When the +sunset gun sounded, she had to stop playing. With the Puritans, the +Sabbath began at sunset, and no child could play after the gun was +heard. + +The little maid kissed her baby and went into the bedroom to find a warm +place for it to stay until the next evening. There lay father's Sunday +coat; what warmer nest could she find for Mary Ellen than its big +pocket? + +After breakfast the next day, every one got ready to go to meeting. +Master Brown filled the little tin foot stove with hot coals from the +hearth; then he took his gun from its hook. In those days no man went +anywhere without his gun--not even to church, for the Indians were +likely to come at any time. + +Sometimes the firing of a gun was the call to worship. More often a big +drum, beaten on the steps of the meeting house, told the people it was +time to come together. + +At the sound of the drum, Master Brown and his wife, with Elizabeth and +Hope, started to church. From every house in the village came men, +women, and children. They were always ready when the drum began to beat, +for no one was ever late to meeting in those days. + +Master Brown led his family to their pew and opened a little door to let +them in. The pew was very much like a large box with seats around the +sides. + +The church was cold, for there was no fire. The children warmed their +fingers and toes by the queer little foot stove their father had brought +from home. + +When every one was seated, the minister climbed the steps to his high +pulpit. The sermon was always very long--three hours at least. The +children could not understand what it was all about, and it was very +hard for them to sit still and listen quietly. + +Elizabeth was four years older than Hope, so she felt quite like a +little woman. She sat up beside her mother and looked at the minister +almost all the time; but sometimes she had to wink hard to keep awake. +When she thought she could not let her feet hang down another minute, +she would slip down to the footstool to rest. + +Elizabeth was often ashamed of Hope, who could not sit still ten +minutes. She tried to listen to the sermon, but could not. When she +began to stir about a little, her mother shook her head at her. She sat +still for a few minutes, but was soon restless again. + +Presently she began to be sleepy and laid her head upon her father's arm +for a nap. Just then she felt something in his pocket. A happy smile +came over Hope's face; she was wide-awake now. Slipping her hand into +the wide pocket, she drew out Mary Ellen and smoothed her wrinkled gown. + +Master Brown's thoughts were all on the sermon, and even Mistress Brown +did not notice Hope for a little time. When she did, what do you suppose +she saw? Hope was standing on the seat showing her doll to the little +girl in the pew behind her. + +Oh, how ashamed her mother was! She pulled her little daughter down +quickly and whispered, "Do you want the tithingman to come? Well, sit +down and listen." Taking Mary Ellen, she slipped the doll into her muff. + +Little Hope did sit down and listen. She did not even turn around when +the kind lady behind them dropped a peppermint over the high-backed pew +for her. She was very much afraid of the tithingman, who sat on a high +seat. He had a long rod with a hard knob on one end and a squirrel's +tail on the other. + +[Illustration: The tithingman tickling the nodding lady] + +When he saw a lady nodding during the sermon, he stepped around to her +pew and tickled her face with the fur end of the rod. She would waken +with a start and be, oh! so ashamed. She would be very glad the pew had +such high sides to hide her blushing face. + +Perhaps you think the boys who sat on the other side of the church had a +good time. But there was the tithingman again. When he saw a boy +whispering or playing, he rapped him on the head with the knob end of +the rod. The whispering would stop at once, for the rod often brought +tears and left a headache. + +Besides keeping the boys from playing and the grown people from going to +sleep, the tithingman must turn the hourglass. In those days very few +people could afford clocks, but every one had an hourglass. It took the +fine sand just one hour to pour from the upper part of the glass into +the lower part. + +When the sand had all run through, the tithingman turned the glass over +and the sand began to tell another hour. The glass was always turned +three times before the minister closed the service. Then the men picked +up their muskets and foot stoves, the women wrapped their long capes +closely about them, and all went home. + +At sunset the Puritan Sabbath ended. The women brought out their +knitting and spinning, or prepared for Monday's washing, and the +children were free to play until bedtime. + +--MARGARET PUMPHREY. + + + + +NAHUM PRINCE + + +More than a hundred years ago, our country was at war with England. +George Washington was at the head of our army. As you know, he and his +men were fighting for our country's freedom. + +The English army was larger than our army, and General Washington needed +all the men he could get. The regular troops were with him. + +In one little town in Vermont all the strong, able-bodied men had gone +to the front. News came that the English and the Americans were about to +meet in battle. The Americans needed more men and called for volunteers. +Old men with white hair and long beards volunteered. Young boys with +smooth cheeks and unshaven lips volunteered. There wasn't a boy in the +village over thirteen years of age who didn't volunteer. + +Even lame Nahum Prince offered himself. He brought out his grandfather's +old gun and got in line with the others. He stood as straight and tall +as he could--as a soldier should stand. + +Soon the captain came along the line to inspect the volunteers. When he +saw Nahum, he said, "No, no, Nahum, you cannot go; you know you cannot. +Why, you could not walk a mile. Go home, my lad." + +Just then the good old minister came by. "Yes, Nahum," he said, "you +must stay at home. Who knows but that you will find a greater work to do +for your country right here?" + +And lame Nahum dropped out of the line. + +Then the volunteers marched off, every man and boy in the village except +Nahum Prince. Poor Nahum! His heart was heavy. + +"What can I do for my country in this small village?" he said to +himself. "Oh, I wish I could be a soldier!" + +He walked toward his home slowly and sadly. Just as he passed the +blacksmith shop, three horseman galloped up to the door. + +[Illustration: The horseman speaks to Nahum] + +"Where is the blacksmith?" asked one. + +"He and all the men and boys have gone to join the army," said Nahum. +"There isn't a man or a boy in town except me. I wouldn't be here if I +were not lame." + +"We cannot have this horse shod," said the rider to the others. "We +shall not reach there in time." + +"Why, I can set a shoe," said Nahum. + +"Then it is lucky you are left behind," said the man. "Light up the +forge and set the shoe." + +Nahum lighted the fire, blew the coals with the bellows, and soon put on +the shoe. + +"You have done a great deed to-day, my boy," said the rider as he +thanked Nahum and rode away. + +The next week the boys came home and told of a great battle. They told +how the Americans were about to lose the fight when Colonel Seth Warner, +leading a band of soldiers, rode up just in time to save the day. + +Nahum said nothing, but he knew that Colonel Warner would not have +arrived in time if he had not set that shoe. And it was really Nahum +Prince and Colonel Seth Warner who won the victory of Bennington. + + + + +THE LITTLE COOK'S REWARD + + +Betty lived a long, long time ago on a farm in North Carolina. She knew +how to clean up the house, to wash the dishes, to sew, and to cook. She +knew how to knit, and to spin and weave, too. + +One day Betty's father said, "Let us go to town to-morrow. President +Washington is passing through the South, and a man told me to-day that +he will be in Salisbury to-morrow." + +"Yes," said Betty's brother Robert, "and our company has been asked to +march in the parade. One of the boys is going to make a speech of +welcome." + +"I should like to go," said their mother, "but I can't leave home." + +"Oh, yes, you can, mother," said Betty. "I have stayed here by myself +many times, and I can stay to-morrow. You go with father, and I will +take care of things." + +The next morning every one on the place was up before the sun. Robert +was so impatient to start to town that he could scarcely eat any +breakfast. Mother was so excited that she forgot to put coffee in the +coffee pot. + +At last every one had left, and Betty was alone. "I wish I could see the +President," she said, "and I do wish I could see his great coach. Father +says that it is finer than the Governor's. Four men ride in front of it, +and four behind it. The servants are dressed in white and gold. How I +wish I could see it all!" + +While Betty was talking to herself, she was not idle. She washed the +dishes and she cleaned the house. Then, as it was not time to get +dinner, she sat down on the shady porch. + +"I wonder whether General Washington looks like his picture," she said. +"Oh, if I could only see him!" + +But what sound was that? Betty stood up, and shading her eyes with her +hands, looked down the road. Four horsemen came along at a gallop. Then +there followed a great white coach, trimmed with gold and drawn by four +white horses. There were four horsemen behind the coach, and last of all +came several black servants. + +[Illustration: Betty looking up at the great coach] + +All stopped at the gate. A tall handsome man stepped from the coach and +came up the walk. Betty felt as if she could neither move nor speak. She +remembered, however, all that her mother had taught her, and she made a +low curtsy as the gentleman reached the steps. + +"Good morning, my little maid," he said. "I know it is late, but would +you give an old man some breakfast?" + +Betty's cheeks grew as pink as the rose by the porch. She made another +curtsy and said, "Indeed, I will. I am the only one at home, for father, +mother, and Robert have gone to Salisbury to see the great Washington. +But I am sure I can give you some breakfast. Father says that I am a +good cook." + +"I know you are, and that you are as brisk as you are pretty. Just give +me a breakfast, and I promise you that you shall see Washington before +your father, mother, or brother Robert does." + +"I will do the best I can, sir," Betty said. + +The other men came in, and all sat on the porch and talked while Betty +worked. Getting her mother's whitest cloth and the silver that came from +England, she quickly set the table. She brought out a loaf of new bread +and a jar of fresh honey. Then she ran to the spring house and got +yellow butter and rich milk. She had some fresh eggs that had been laid +by her own hens. These she dropped into boiling water. Last of all she +cut thin slices of delicious ham. + +When everything was ready, Betty went to the porch and invited the +strangers in. Her cheeks were now the color of the red rose by the gate. + +The visitors ate heartily of all the good things Betty had prepared. As +the tall, handsome gentleman rose to go, he leaned over and kissed her. +"My pretty little cook," he said, "you may tell your brother Robert that +you saw Washington before he did, and that he kissed you, too." + +You may believe that Betty did tell it. She told it to her children, and +they told it to their children, and I am telling it to you to-day. + +--MRS. L.A. McCORKLE. + + + + +ROCK-A-BY, HUSH-A-BY, LITTLE PAPOOSE + + + Rock-a-by, hush-a-by, little papoose, + The stars come into the sky, + The whip-poor-will's crying, the daylight is dying, + The river runs murmuring by. + + The pine trees are slumbering, little papoose, + The squirrel has gone to his nest, + The robins are sleeping, the mother bird's keeping + The little ones warm with her breast. + + The roebuck is dreaming, my little papoose, + His mate lies asleep at his side, + The breezes are pining, the moonbeams are shining + All over the prairie wide. + + Then hush-a-by, rock-a-by, little papoose, + You sail on the river of dreams; + Dear Manitou loves you and watches above you + Till time when the morning light gleams. + +--CHARLES MYALL. + + + + +THE TAR WOLF + +I + + +Many hundreds of moons ago, there was a great drought. The streams and +lakes were drying up. Water was so scarce that the animals held a +council to decide what they should do. + +"I hope it will rain soon and fill the streams and lakes," Great Bear +said. "If it does not, all the animals will have to go to a land where +there is more water." + +"I know where there is plenty of water," said Wild Goose. + +"I do, too," said Wild Duck. + +Most of the animals did not wish to go away. "It is well enough for the +ducks and geese to go," said Wild Cat; "they like to move about. It is +well enough for Great Bear to go; he can sleep through the winter in one +hollow tree as soundly as in another. But we do not wish to leave our +hunting grounds." + +"If we go to a new country," said Gray Wolf, "we shall have to make new +trails." + +"And we shall have to clear new land," said Big Beaver, who had to cut +down the trees when land was cleared. + +All this time the Rabbit said nothing. "Brother Rabbit," Great Bear +asked, "what do you think about this matter?" + +Brother Rabbit did not answer. His eyes were shut, and he seemed too +sleepy to think about anything. + +Great Bear asked again, "What do you think about it, Brother Rabbit? +Shall we go to the place the ducks and geese have found, where there is +plenty of water?" + +"Oh," answered Brother Rabbit, "I do not mind the drought. I drink the +dew on the grass in the early morning; I do not need to go where there +is more water." + +And he shut his eyes again. + +"Well," said Red Deer, "if there is dew enough for Brother Rabbit every +morning, there is dew enough for us. We need not go to another country." + +"Those are wise words, my brother," said Brown Terrapin. + +All the others said, "Those are wise words, my brother," and the council +was over. The animals were happy because they thought they need not go +away from their homes. + +Days passed, and still it did not rain. The animals found that the dew +did not keep them from suffering from thirst. They were afraid that, +after all, they would have to go to another country. + +Still the Rabbit looked sleek and fat. He declared that he got all the +water he needed from the dew on the grass in the early morning. + +"You sleep too late," he said. "By the time you get up, the sun has +dried the dew." + + +II + + +After that, the animals came out earlier than before, but they could not +get water enough from the morning dew. They did not understand why the +Rabbit looked so well. + +One day Gray Wolf said to Wild Cat, "Let us watch the Rabbit and see +where he gets so much dew that he is never thirsty." + +That night they stayed in the woods near Rabbit's wigwam, so as to +follow him on the trail. They kept awake all night for fear that they +might sleep too late. + +Very early in the morning, Brother Rabbit came out of his wigwam and ran +swiftly down the hill. Wild Cat and Gray Wolf followed as fast and as +quietly as they could. + +The dew was on the grass and leaves, but Brother Rabbit did not stop to +get it. Instead, he ran down the hill and pushed away a heap of brush. +Wild Cat and Gray Wolf hid behind some bushes and watched him. + +Brother Rabbit drank from a little spring. Then he filled a jar with +clear, fresh water, piled the brush over the spring again, and went up +the hill to his wigwam. + +Ah! now Gray Wolf and Wild Cat knew why Brother Rabbit did not mind the +drought; and they made a plan to punish him for being so selfish. + +They got tar and resin from the pine trees, and out of these they made a +great wolf. After placing it close to the spring, they hid again in the +bushes, to see what would happen. + +Early the next morning, Brother Rabbit came running down the hill for +more water. He stopped when he saw the tar wolf by his spring. + +"What are you doing here, Gray Wolf?" he asked. Of course there was no +answer. + +"Has my brother no ears?" asked Brother Rabbit. + +As the wolf was still silent, Brother Rabbit became angry. "Answer me, +Gray Wolf," he cried. But there was no answer. + +Then Brother Rabbit slapped the tar wolf with his right front paw. It +stuck fast, and Brother Rabbit could not pull it away. + +[Illustration: Brother Rabbit and the wolf] + +"Let me go," he cried, "or I will slap you with the other paw." + +He slapped the tar wolf with the left front paw. That too, stuck fast. + +Now Brother Rabbit was very angry. "Let me go, Gray Wolf," he cried. +"Let me go, I say!" + +As Grey Wolf did not let him go, Brother Rabbit kicked the tar wolf, +first with one of his hind paws and then with the other. Both stuck +fast, and so he was held by all four paws. + +Just then Gray Wolf and Wild Cat came from their hiding place. + +"We have caught you, Brother Rabbit," they said. "Now we are going to +take you to the council and tell how you tried to keep all the water for +yourself." + + +III + + +They took Brother Rabbit to the council house, and sent for Great Bear +and all the other animals. Soon all came, and the council began. Gray +Wolf told that he had seen Brother Rabbit go to the spring, uncover it, +get water, and cover the spring up again. + +The animals said that Brother Rabbit must be punished, but how they +could not decide. + +"Burn him alive," said Gray Wolf. + +"I am quite willing," Brother Rabbit said, smiling. "Fire is my friend +and will not hurt me." + +"We might cut off his head," said Brown Terrapin. + +"Very well," said the Rabbit, quietly. "Try that. It will not hurt me, +for a better head will grow back." + +He said he was not afraid of each thing that was mentioned. + +"Is there nothing of which you are afraid?" asked Great Bear, at last. +"Is there nothing that can hurt you?" + +"Of only one thing am I afraid," answered Brother Rabbit, in a low +voice. "I am afraid you will turn me loose in the brier patch. Please do +not throw me in the brier patch." + +"Turn him loose in the brier patch!" cried all the animals. + +How frightened Brother Rabbit looked now! + +"Oh, Gray Wolf," he begged, "burn me; cut off my head. Do anything else +with me, but please don't throw me in the brier patch." + +The more he begged, the faster Gray Wolf hurried to the brier patch. The +other animals followed close behind. They were all talking about the +tricks Brother Rabbit had played on them and how they had never before +been able to get even with him. + +When they came to the edge of the brier patch, Brother Rabbit begged +harder than ever. + +"Good Wolf," he cried, "do anything else with me, but don't throw me in +the brier patch!" + +Gray Wolf laughed and threw Brother Rabbit far into the patch. + +Brother Rabbit landed on his feet, and off he ran through the briers. He +called back, "Thank you, good Wolf! You threw me right on my trail! I +was born and bred in the brier patch. I was born and bred in the brier +patch!" + +He was running so fast that by the time he said this, he was out of +sight. + +--THE INDIAN TAR-BABY STORY. + + + + +THE RABBIT AND THE WOLF + + +The rabbit liked to play tricks on the other animals. Best of all, he +liked to play tricks on the wolf. At last the wolf grew angry and said +that he was going to get even with the rabbit. + +One day he caught the rabbit coming through a field. + +"Now," said the wolf, "I am going to pay you for all the tricks you have +played on me. I will cut off your ears and use them for spoons to stir +my hominy pot. As soon as I sharpen this stone, off your ears go!" + +While the wolf sharpened the stone, he sang in his harsh voice a song +somewhat like this: + + "Watch me sharpen, + Watch me sharpen; + Soon I am going to cut off your ears. + Sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum, + Sicum, se mi su!" + +When he sang, + + "Sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum, + Sicum, se mi su!" + +the rabbit could almost feel the sharp stone cutting his ears. But he +was a brave little rabbit and said nothing. + +At last the wolf stopped singing for a moment. + +Then the rabbit said, "Brother Wolf, I know a new dance. Don't you wish +me to teach it to you?" + +"Yes, when I have cut off your ears," said the wolf. + +Then he went on singing, + + "Sicum, sicum, sicum, sicum, + Sicum, se mi su!" + +"After my ears are cut off," said the rabbit, "I can never dance any +more." + +Now the wolf knew that the rabbit could sing and dance better than any +other animal, and he wished very much to learn the new dance. He went on +sharpening the stone, but he did not sing while he worked. + +After a while he asked, "Is the new dance as pretty as the Snake Dance?" + +"Oh, a great deal prettier," answered the rabbit. + +"Is it as pretty as the Turkey Dance?" + +"Oh, a great deal prettier than the Turkey Dance." + +"Is it as pretty as the Eagle Dance?" + +"Oh, a great deal prettier than the Eagle Dance." + +The wolf asked if the new dance was as pretty as other dances he had +seen, and the rabbit said that it was much prettier. + +This pleased the wolf, as he wished to have a new dance for the green +corn festival. + +"You may teach me the dance now," he said. "I can cut off your ears +afterward." + +"Very well," said the rabbit; "pat your foot to keep time, and watch me +while I dance." + +[Illustration: The rabbit danced as the wolf shook the rattle] + +So the wolf stood in the middle of the field, patting his foot and +shaking a rattle while the rabbit danced around him and sang, + + "Watch me dance around the field, + Watch me dance around the field, + Hi, la, hi, la, hi!" + +Then the rabbit made a ring in the middle of the field. He said to the +wolf, "Now, you dance around this ring, and sing just as I do." + +He made a larger ring for himself and danced around just beyond the +wolf. The wolf thought that this was the finest dance he had ever seen. +He and the rabbit danced faster and faster, and sang louder and louder. + +As the rabbit danced, he moved nearer and nearer to the edge of the +field. The wolf was dancing so fast and singing so loud that he did not +notice this. + +The rabbit kept on singing, + + "Now I dance on the edge of the field, + Now I dance on the edge of the field, + Hi, la, hi, la, hi!" + +At last, Brother Rabbit reached the edge of the field; then he jumped +into the blackberry bushes and ran away. The wolf tried to give chase, +but he was so dizzy that he could not run. And the rabbit got away +without having his ears cut off. + +--SOUTHERN INDIAN TALE. + + + + +BLOCK CITY + + + What are you able to build with your blocks? + Castles and palaces, temples and docks. + Rain may keep raining, and others go roam, + But I can be happy and building at home. + + Let the sofa be mountains, the carpet be sea, + There I'll establish a city for me: + A kirk and a mill and a palace beside, + And a harbor as well where my vessels may ride. + + Great is the palace with pillar and wall, + A sort of a tower on the top of it all, + And steps coming down in an orderly way + To where my toy vessels lie safe in the bay. + + This one is sailing and that one is moored: + Hark to the song of the sailors on board! + And see on the steps of my palace, the kings + Coming and going with presents and things! + + Now I have done with it, down let it go. + All in a moment the town is laid low, + Block upon block lying scattered and free, + What is there left of my town by the sea? + +--ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. + + + + +A GOOD PLAY + + + We built a ship upon the stairs + All made of the back-bedroom chairs, + And filled it full of sofa pillows + To go a-sailing on the billows. + + We took a saw and several nails, + And water in the nursery pails; + And Tom said, "Let us also take + An apple and a slice of cake;"-- + Which was enough for Tom and me + To go a-sailing on, till tea. + + We sailed along for days and days, + And had the very best of plays; + But Tom fell out and hurt his knee, + So there was no one left but me. + +--ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON. + + + + +THE MONKEY'S FIDDLE + +I + + +Once upon a time there was a great famine in the land, and Monkey could +find no food. There were no bulbs, no beans, no insects, nor anything +else to eat. + +At last Monkey said to himself, "Why should I perish here with hunger? +My uncle Orang-outang has enough and to spare; I shall go to him, and he +will give me food and shelter." + +So he set out and soon came to the place where Orang-outang lived. For a +long time Monkey was happy in his new home, but by and by he heard that +there was no longer a famine in his own land. Then he decided to go +back. + +Before he started, Orang-outang made him a present of a fiddle and of a +bow and arrow, + +"With this bow and arrow you can kill any animal," he said. "With this +fiddle you can make anything dance until you bid it stop." + +Thanking his uncle for the presents, Monkey set out on his homeward +journey. On the way he met Brother Wolf. + +"What news, Brother Wolf?" asked Monkey. + +When Wolf had told him the news, Monkey asked, "What have you been doing +to-day?" + +"Oh," said Wolf, "I have been following a deer all the morning, but I +have been unable to get near enough to kill him. Now I am faint with +hunger." + +"I can help you," said Monkey. "I have a magic bow and arrow. Show me +the deer, and I will bring him down." + +When Wolf showed him the deer, Monkey fitted an arrow to the bow and +took aim. Hardly had the arrow left the bow when the deer fell dead. + +Monkey and Wolf sat down and had a good feast. As Wolf ate, he thought +of the magic bow and arrow, and he planned to get them away from Monkey. + +"First I will ask for them," he said to himself. "If Monkey will not +give them to me, I will use force." + +[Illustration: Wolf demands the bow and arrow] + +When Wolf had finished eating, he said to Monkey, "Please give me the +bow and arrow." + +"I will not," said Monkey. "They were a present from my dear uncle; why +should I give them to you?" + +"Very well," said Wolf. "I am stronger than you, and I will take them by +force." + + +II + + +Wolf was just about to snatch the bow and arrow from Monkey when Jackal +came along. Then Wolf thought of a new plan. + +He called out to Jackal, "Help! help! Monkey has stolen my magic bow and +arrow." + +Jackal came running to them. Wolf told his side of the story, and Monkey +told his. + +"I cannot believe either of you," said Jackal. "Let us lay the question +before the court. There Lion, Tiger, and the other animals will hear you +both; perhaps they will be able to decide to whom the magic bow and +arrow belong. But to keep you two from quarreling, I had better take +care of the bow and arrow." + +Monkey gave them to Jackal, and all three started off to court. When +they arrived, there sat Lion on the throne. Seated around were the other +animals of the jungle. + +Monkey told his story first. Standing in front of the throne, he made a +low bow and said, "The great famine, my lord, drove me out of my +country, and I had to take refuge with my uncle. When I started back +home, he gave me this bow and arrow. Finding Wolf almost starving, I +shot a deer for him. Instead of being grateful for the food, he tried to +rob me of the bow and arrow. I am here to ask that you restore them to +me." + +"He does not tell the truth," cried Wolf. + +Then Jackal said, "I believe that the bow and arrow belong to Wolf; he +and Monkey were quarreling about them when I came along. They agreed to +leave the question to you, King Lion. I know you will see that justice +is done." + +Wolf looked very innocent and said nothing. + +King Lion rose and asked, "What say you? To whom do the bow and arrow +belong?" + +"To Wolf," they all cried. + +"Stealing is a crime that must be punished," said King Lion. "What shall +be done?" + +"Let Monkey be hanged," they all cried. + +Monkey still had his magic fiddle. Holding it in his hand, he made a +deep bow and said: "Give me leave to play a tune on my fiddle before I +hang, O King." + +Now, the beasts all loved a merry tune, and knowing that Monkey was a +master player they called out, "Let him play." + + +III + + +Monkey placed the fiddle under his chin, drew the bow across the +strings, and struck up "Cockcrow." This was a favorite tune with the +court. At the first notes all nodded their heads in time to the music. +As Monkey played on, the entire court began to dance. + +Round and round they went like a whirlwind. Over and over, quicker and +quicker sounded the tune of "Cockcrow." Faster and faster flew the +dancers, until one after another fell to the ground worn out. + +Monkey saw nothing of all this. With eyes closed and his head placed +lovingly against the fiddle, he played on and on, keeping time with his +foot. + +Wolf was the first one to cry out, "Please stop, Cousin Monkey. For +pity's sake, stop." + +But Monkey did not seem to hear him. Again and again sounded the magic +notes of "Cockcrow." + +King Lion had gone round and round with his young wife so many times +that both were ready to drop. At last, as he passed Monkey, he roared, +"Stop, ape! My whole kingdom is yours if you will only stop playing." + +"I do not want it," said Monkey. "Make Wolf confess that he tried to +steal my bow and arrow. Then I will stop playing." + +"I confess! I confess!" panted Wolf, who was ready to fall to the +ground. + +"Good," cried King Lion, as the music stopped. "Monkey is innocent. Let +him have his bow and arrow." + +"Punish Wolf!" cried the animals. + +So Wolf was soundly beaten and driven from the court. Then Monkey went +off rejoicing, carrying with him his magic gifts. + +--AFRICAN TALE. + + + + +THE THREE TASKS + +I + + +There were once two brothers who set out to seek their fortune. They +wasted their time and their money in all sorts of foolish ways, and +before long they were nearly penniless. + +After the two brothers had been gone some time, their younger brother, +who had always been thought the simpleton of the family, set out to seek +his fortune. + +One day as he was passing through a village far away from home, he found +his two brothers. + +"Where are you going?" they asked. + +"I am going to seek my fortune," he replied. + +"Ha, ha! how foolish you are!" they cried. "With all our wit and wisdom +we have been unable to make our fortune. It is silly of you even to +try." And they laughed and made fun of him. + +Nevertheless, the three brothers decided to travel on together. As they +journeyed on, they saw a large ant hill by the side of the road. The two +elder brothers were about to destroy it, when the simpleton said, "Leave +the poor ants alone. I will not let you disturb them." + +They went on their way until they came to a pond upon which two ducks +were swimming. The two older brothers were about to kill them, when the +simpleton said, "Leave them alone. I will not let you kill them." + +Soon the three came to a tree, in the trunk of which was a wild bee's +nest. The two older brothers wished to steal the honey. They started to +make a fire under the tree and smoke out the bees. The simpleton said, +"Leave the poor bees alone. I will not let you rob them." + + +II + + +At last the three brothers came to a castle where everything looked as +if it had been turned to stone. There was not a single human being to be +seen. They walked along the great wide hall, but still they saw no one. + +"The castle must be enchanted," the brothers said to one another. + +After passing through many rooms, they came to a door in which there +were three locks. In the middle of the door was a little grating through +which they could look into the room beyond. + +They saw a little man, dressed in gray, seated at a table. Twice they +called to him, but he did not answer. They called a third time. Then he +rose, opened the three locks, and came out. + +He said not a word, but led them to a table on which a feast was spread. +When they had eaten and drunk as much as they wished, the old man showed +each of them to a bedroom. There they rested well all night. + +The next morning the little gray man came to the eldest brother and +beckoned him to follow. He led him to a room in which there was a stone +table, and on the table there lay three stone tablets. + +[Illustration: The little gray man and the tablets] + +On the table near the tablets was written: + +"This castle is enchanted. Before the enchantment can be broken, there +are three tasks to be performed. The one who performs these three tasks +shall marry the youngest and dearest of the three princesses who now lie +asleep in the castle." + +When the eldest brother had read this, the old man gave him the first +tablet. On it was written: + +"In the forest, hidden beneath the thick moss, are the pearls which +belonged to the princesses. They are a thousand in number. These must be +collected by sunset. If one single pearl is missing, then he who has +sought them shall be turned to stone." + +The eldest brother searched the whole day long, but by sunset he had +found only a hundred pearls. So he was turned to stone. + +The following day the second brother tried his luck, but by sunset he +had found but two hundred pearls. So he, too, was turned to stone. + +Then it came the simpleton's turn. He searched all day amidst the moss, +but he fared little better than his brothers. At last he sat down upon a +stone and burst into tears. + +As he sat there, the king of the ants, whose life he had once saved, +came with five thousand ants. Before long the little creatures had found +every one of the pearls and piled them up in a heap. + +The little gray man then gave the simpleton the second tablet. Upon it +was written the second task: + +"The key that opens the chamber in which the princesses are sleeping +lies in the bottom of the lake. He who has performed the first task must +find the key." + +When the simpleton came to the lake, the ducks which he had saved were +swimming upon it. At once they dived down into the depths below and +brought up the key. + +The simpleton showed the key to the little gray man, who then gave him +the third tablet. On it was written the third task: + +"The one who has gathered the pearls and found the key to the chamber +may now marry the youngest and dearest princess. He must, however, first +tell which is she. The princesses are exactly alike, but there is one +difference. Before they went to sleep, the eldest ate sugar, the second +ate syrup, and the youngest ate honey." + +The simpleton laid down the tablet with a sigh. "How can I find out +which princess ate the honey?" he asked himself. + +However, he put the key he had found in the lock and opened the door. In +the chamber the three princesses were lying. Ah, which was the youngest? + +Just then the queen of the bees flew in through the window and tasted +the lips of all three. When she came to the lips that had sipped the +honey, she remained there. Then the young man knew that this was the +youngest and dearest princess. + +So the enchantment came to an end. The sleepers awoke, and those who had +been turned to stone became alive again. The simpleton married the +youngest and dearest princess, and was made king after her father's +death. His two brothers, who were now sorry for what they had done, +married the other two princesses, and lived happily ever after. + +--GRIMM. + + + + +[Illustration: A child dancing] + +THE WORLD'S MUSIC + + + The world's a very happy place, + Where every child should dance and sing, + And always have a smiling face, + And never sulk for anything. + + I waken when the morning's come, + And feel the air and light alive + With strange sweet music like the hum + Of bees about their busy hive. + + The linnets play among the leaves + At hide-and-seek, and chirp and sing; + While, flashing to and from the eaves, + The swallows twitter on the wing. + + From dawn to dark the old mill-wheel + Makes music, going round and round; + And dusty-white with flour and meal, + The miller whistles to its sound. + + The brook that flows beside the mill, + As happy as a brook can be, + Goes singing its old song until + It learns the singing of the sea. + + For every wave upon the sands + Sings songs you never tire to hear, + Of laden ships from sunny lands + Where it is summer all the year. + + The world is such a happy place + That children, whether big or small, + Should always have a smiling face + And never, never sulk at all. + +--GABRIEL SETOUN. + + + + +THE SLEEPING BEAUTY + +I + + +Once upon a time there lived a king and queen who were very unhappy +because they had no children. But at last a little daughter was born, +and their sorrow was turned to joy. All the bells in the land were rung +to tell the glad tidings. + +The king gave a christening feast so grand that the like of it had never +been known. He invited all the fairies he could find in the +kingdom--there were seven of them--to come to the christening as +godmothers. He hoped that each would give the princess a good gift. + +When the christening was over, the feast came. Before each of the +fairies was placed a plate with a spoon, a knife, and a fork--all pure +gold. But alas! as the fairies were about to seat themselves at the +table, there came into the hall a very old fairy who had not been +invited. She had left the kingdom fifty years before and had not been +seen or heard of until this day. + +The king at once ordered that a plate should be brought for her, but he +could not furnish a gold one such as the others had. This made the old +fairy angry, and she sat there muttering to herself. + +Her angry threats were overheard by a young fairy who sat near. This +good godmother, fearing the old fairy might give the child an unlucky +gift, hid herself behind a curtain. She did this because she wished to +speak last and perhaps be able to change the old fairy's gift. + +At the end of the feast, the youngest fairy stepped forward and said, +"The princess shall be the most beautiful woman in the world." + +The second said, + +"She shall have a temper as sweet as an angel." + +The third said, + +"She shall have a wonderful grace in all she does or says." + +[Illustration: The old fairy looks at the princess in her cradle] + +The fourth said, + +"She shall sing like a nightingale." + +The fifth said, + +"She shall dance like a flower in the wind." + +The sixth said, + +"She shall play such music as was never heard on earth." + +Then the old fairy's turn came. Shaking her head spitefully, she said, + +"When the princess is seventeen years old, she shall prick her finger +with a spindle, and--she--shall--die!" + +At this all the guests trembled, and many of them began to weep. The +king and queen wept loudest of all. + +Just then the wise young fairy came from behind the curtain and said: +"Do not grieve, O King and Queen. Your daughter shall not die. I cannot +undo what my elder sister has done; the princess shall indeed prick her +finger with the spindle, but she shall not die. She shall fall into +sleep that will last a hundred years. At the end of that time, a king's +son will find her and awaken her." + +Immediately all the fairies vanished. + + +II + + +The king, hoping to save his child even from this misfortune, commanded +that all spindles should be burned. This was done, but it was all in +vain. + +One day when the princess was seventeen years of age, the king and queen +left her alone in the castle. She wandered about the palace and at last +came to a little room in the top of a tower. There an old woman--so old +and deaf that she had never heard of the king's command--sat spinning. + +"What are you doing, good old woman?" asked the princess. + +"I am spinning, my pretty child." + +"Ah," said the princess. "How do you do it? Let me see if I can spin +also." + +She had just taken the spindle in her hand when, in some way, it pricked +her finger. The princess dropped down on the floor. The old woman called +for help, and people came from all sides, but nothing could be done. + +When the good young fairy heard the news, she came quickly to the +castle. She knew that the princess must sleep a hundred years and would +be frightened if she found herself alone when she awoke. So the fairy +touched with her magic wand all in the palace except the king and the +queen. Ladies, gentlemen, pages, waiting maids, footmen, grooms in the +stable, and even the horses--she touched them all. They all went to +sleep just where they were when the wand touched them. Some of the +gentlemen were bowing to the ladies, the ladies were embroidering, the +grooms stood currying their horses, and the cook was slapping the +kitchen boy. + +The king and queen departed from the castle, giving orders that no one +was to go near it. This command, however, was not needed. In a little +while there sprang around the castle a wood so thick that neither man +nor beast could pass through. + + +III + + +A great many changes take place in a hundred years. The king had no +other child, and when he died, his throne passed to another royal +family. Even the story of the sleeping princess was almost forgotten. + +One day the son of the king who was then reigning was out hunting, and +he saw towers rising above a thick wood. He asked what they were, but no +one could answer him. + +At last an old peasant was found who said, "Your highness, fifty years +ago my father told me that there is a castle in the woods where a +princess sleeps--the most beautiful princess that ever lived. It was +said that she must sleep there a hundred years, when she would be +awakened by a king's son." + +At this the young prince determined to find out the truth for himself. +He leaped from his horse and began to force his way through the wood. To +his astonishment, the stiff branches gave way, then closed again, +allowing none of his companions to follow. + +A beautiful palace rose before him. In the courtyard the prince saw +horses and men who looked as if they were dead. But he was not afraid +and boldly entered the palace. There were guards motionless as stone, +gentlemen and ladies, pages and footmen, some standing, some sitting, +but all like statues. + +[Illustration: The prince finds the princess] + +At last the prince came to a chamber of gold, where he saw upon a bed +the fairest sight one ever beheld--a princess of about seventeen years +who looked as if she had just fallen asleep. Trembling, the prince knelt +beside her, and awakened her with a kiss. And now the enchantment was +broken. + +The princess looked at him with wondering eyes and said: "Is it you, my +prince? I have waited for you long." + +So happy were the two that they talked hour after hour. In the meantime +all in the palace awaked and each began to do what he was doing when he +fell asleep. The gentlemen went on bowing to the ladies, the ladies went +on with their embroidery. The grooms went on currying their horses, the +cook went on slapping the kitchen boy, and the servants began to serve +the supper. Then the chief lady in waiting, who was ready to die of +hunger, told the princess aloud that supper was ready. + +The prince gave the princess his hand, and they all went into the great +hall for supper. That very evening the prince and princess were married. +The next day the prince took his bride to his father's palace, and there +they lived happily ever afterward. + +--GRIMM. + + + + +THE UGLY DUCKLING + +I + + +It was summer. The country was lovely just then. The cornfields were +waving yellow, the wheat was golden, the oats were still green, and the +hay was stacked in the meadows. Beyond the fields great forests and +ponds of water might be seen. + +In the sunniest spot of all stood an old farmhouse, with deep canals +around it. At the water's edge grew great burdocks. It was just as wild +there as in the deepest wood, and in this snug place sat a duck upon her +nest. She was waiting for her brood to hatch. + +At last one eggshell after another began to crack. From each little egg +came "Cheep! cheep!" and then a little duckling's head. + +"Quack! quack!" said the duck; and all the babies quacked too. Then they +looked all around. The mother let them look as much as they liked, for +green is good for the eyes. + +"How big the world is!" said all the little ducklings. + +"Do you think this is all the world?" asked the mother. "It stretches a +long way on the other side of the garden and on to the parson's field, +but I have never been so far as that. I hope you are all out. No, not +all; that large egg is still unbroken. I am really tired of sitting so +long." Then the duck sat down again. + +"Well, how goes it?" asked an old duck who had come to pay her a visit. + +"There is one large egg that is taking a long time to hatch," replied +the mother. "But you must look at the ducklings. They are the finest I +have ever seen; they are all just like their father." + +"Let me look at the egg which will not hatch," said the old duck. "You +may be sure that it is a turkey's egg. I was once cheated in that way. +Oh, you will have a great deal of trouble, for a turkey will not go into +the water. Yes, that's a turkey's egg. Leave it alone and teach the +other children to swim." + +"No, I will sit on it a little longer," said the mother duck. + +"Just as you please," said the old duck, and she went away. + +At last the large egg cracked. "Cheep! cheep!" said the young one, and +tumbled out. How large it was! How ugly it was! + +"I wonder if it can be a turkey chick," said the mother. "Well, we shall +see when we go to the pond. It must go into the water, even if I have to +push it in myself." + +Next day the mother duck and all her little ones went down to the water. +Splash! she jumped in, and all the ducklings went in, too. They swam +about very easily, and the ugly duckling swam with them. + +"No, it is not a turkey," said the mother duck. "See how well he can use +his legs. He is my own child! And he is not so very ugly either." + + +II + + +Then she took her family into the duck yard. As they went along, she +told the ducklings how to act. + +"Keep close to me, so that no one can step on you," she said. "Come; +now, don't turn your toes in. A well-brought-up duck turns its toes out, +just like father and mother. Bow your heads before that old duck yonder. +She is the grandest duck here. One can tell that by the red rag around +her leg. That's a great honor, the greatest honor a duck can have. It +shows that the mistress doesn't want to lose her. Now bend your necks +and say 'Quack!'" + +They did so, but the other ducks did not seem glad to see them. + +"Look!" they cried. "Here comes another brood, as if there were not +enough of us already. And oh, dear, how ugly that large one is! We won't +stand him." + +Then one of the ducks flew at the ugly duckling and bit him in the neck. + +[Illustration: The ugly duckling and the other ducks] + +"Let him alone," said the mother; "he is doing no harm." + +"Perhaps not," said the duck who had bitten the poor duckling, "but he +is too ugly to stay here. He must be driven out." + +"Those are pretty children that the mother has," said the old duck with +the rag around her leg. "They are all pretty but that one. What a pity!" + +"Yes," replied the mother duck, "he is not handsome, but he is +good-tempered, and he swims as well as any of the others. I think he +will grow to be pretty. Perhaps he stayed too long in the egg." + +"Well, make yourselves at home," said the old duck. "If you find an +eel's head, you may bring it to me." + +And they did make themselves at home--all but the poor ugly duckling. +His life was made quite miserable. The ducks bit him, and the hens +pecked him. So it went on the first day, and each day it grew worse. + +The poor duckling was very unhappy. At last he could stand it no longer, +and he ran away. As he flew over the fence, he frightened the little +birds on the bushes. + +"That is because I am so ugly," thought the duckling. + +He flew on until he came to a moor where some wild ducks lived. They +laughed at him and swam away from him. + +Some wild geese came by, and they laughed at the duckling, too. Just +then some guns went bang! bang! The hunters were all around. The hunting +dogs came splash! into the swamp, and one dashed close to the duckling. +The dog looked at him and went on. + +"Well, I can be thankful for that," sighed he. "I am so ugly that even +the dog will not bite me." + +When all was quiet, the duckling started out again. A storm was raging, +and he found shelter in a poor hut. Here lived an old woman with her cat +and her hen. The old woman could not see well, and she thought he was a +fat duck. She kept him three weeks, hoping that she would get some duck +eggs, but the duckling did not lay. + +After a while the fresh air and sunshine streamed in at the open door, +and the duckling longed to be out on the water. The cat and the hen +laughed when he told them of his wish. + +"You must be crazy," said the hen. "I do not wish to swim. The cat does +not; and I am sure our mistress does not." + +"You do not understand me," said the duckling. "I will go out into the +wide world." + +"Yes, do go," said the hen. + +And the duckling went away. He swam on the water and dived, but still +all the animals passed him by because he was so ugly; and the poor +duckling was lonesome. + + +III + + +Now the winter came, and soon it was very cold. Snow and sleet fell, and +the ugly duckling had a very unhappy time. + +One evening a whole flock of handsome white birds rose out of the +bushes. They were swans. They gave a strange cry, and spreading their +great wings, flew away to warmer lands and open lakes. + +The ugly duckling felt quite strange, and he gave such a loud cry that +he frightened himself. He could not forget those beautiful happy birds. +He knew not where they had gone, but he wished he could have gone with +them. + +The winter grew cold--very cold. The duckling swam about in the water to +keep from freezing, but every night the hole in which he swam became +smaller and smaller. At last he was frozen fast in the ice. + +Early the next morning a farmer found the duckling and took him to the +farmhouse. There in a warm room the duckling came to himself again. The +children wished to play with him, but he was afraid of them. + +In his terror he fluttered into the milk pan and splashed the milk about +the room. The woman clapped her hands at him, and that frightened him +still more. He flew into the butter tub and then into the meal barrel. + +How he did look then! The children laughed and screamed. The woman +chased him with the fire tongs. The door stood open, and the duckling +slipped out into the snow. + +It was a cruel, hard winter, and he nearly froze. At last the warm sun +began to shine, and the larks to sing. The duckling flapped his wings +and found that they were strong. Away he flew over the meadows and +fields. + +Soon he found himself in a beautiful garden where the apple trees were +in full bloom, and the long branches of the willow trees hung over the +shores of the lake. Just in front of him he saw three beautiful white +swans swimming lightly over the water. + +"I will fly to those beautiful birds," he said. "They will kill me +because I am so ugly; but it is all the same. It is better to be killed +by them than to be bitten by the ducks and pecked by the hens." + +So he flew into the water and swam towards the beautiful birds. They saw +the duckling and came sailing down toward him. He bowed his head saying, +"Kill me, oh, kill me." + +But what was this he saw in the clear water? It was his own image, and +lo! he was no longer a clumsy dark-gray bird, but a--swan, a beautiful +white swan. It matters not if one was born in a duck yard, if one has +only lain in a swan's egg. The other swans swam around him to welcome +him. + +[Illustration: The little children see the new swan] + +Some little children came into the garden with corn and other grains +which they threw into the water. The smallest one cried, "Oh, see! there +is a new swan, and it is more beautiful than any of the others." + +The ugly duckling was shy and at first hid his head under his wing. Then +he felt so happy that he raised his neck and said, "I never dreamed of +so much happiness when I was an ugly duckling." + +--HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN. + + + + +THE WHITE BLACKBIRD + +I + + +I was born a blackbird in a bushy thicket near a meadow. My father took +good care of his family and would peck about all day for insects. These +he brought home to my mother, holding them by the tail so as not to mash +them. He had a sweet voice, too, and every evening sang beautiful songs. + +I should have been happy, but I was not. I ate little and was weak; and +from the first, I was different from my brothers and sisters. They had +glossy, black feathers, while mine were dirty gray. These made my father +angry whenever he looked at them. + +When I moulted for the first time, he watched me closely. While the +feathers were falling out and while I was naked, he was kind; but my new +feathers drove him wild with anger. I did not wonder. I was no longer +even gray; I had become snow white. I was a white blackbird! Did such a +thing ever happen in a blackbird family before? + +It made me very sad to see my father so vexed over me. But it is hard to +stay sad forever, and one sunshiny spring day I opened my bill and began +to sing. At the first note my father flew up into the air like a +sky-rocket. + +"What do I hear?" he cried. "Is that the way a blackbird whistles? Do I +whistle that way?" + +"I whistle the best I can," I replied. + +"That is not the way we whistle in my family," my father said. "We have +whistled for many, many years and know how to do it. It is not enough +for you to be white; you must make that horrible noise. The truth is you +are not a blackbird." + +"I will leave home," I answered with a sob. "I will go far away where I +can pick up a living on earthworms and spiders." + +"Do as you please," my father said. "You are not a blackbird." + + +II + + +I flew away early the next morning, and was lucky enough to find shelter +under an old gutter. It rained hard that night. I was just about to go +to bed, when a very wet bird came in and sat down beside me. His +feathers were grayish like mine, but he was much larger than myself. + +"Who are you?" he asked. + +"I don't know," I replied. "I pass for a blackbird but I am white." + +"I am the finest bird in the world," he said. "I am a carrier pigeon and +carry messages." + +Then I saw that a traveling bag hung from his neck. + +"Maybe I am a pigeon," I said, "since I am not a blackbird." + +"No," he answered, "a runt like you could not be a pigeon." + +The next morning the pigeon sprang from the gutter and flew away as fast +as the wind. As I was lonely, I followed him. He flew faster and faster, +but I kept up for a good while. At last my strength gave out and I fell +down into a meadow. + +I was stunned by the fall. When I came to my senses, two birds stood +near by looking at me. One was a dainty little magpie; the other a +soft-eyed turtle dove. The magpie kindly offered me some berries she had +gathered. + +"Who are you?" she asked. + +[Illustration: The three birds meet] + +"A blackbird or a pigeon," I said sadly. "I don't know which." + +"Are you joking?" she cried. "You are a magpie." + +"But magpies are not white," I said. + +"Russian magpies are," she answered; "perhaps you belong to that +family." + +My joy was great for a moment at finding out what I was. Still I was not +sure that I was a magpie and thought I might settle the matter by +singing. I burst into song and warbled and whistled, and whistled and +warbled. + +The magpie looked at me in surprise. Then her face grew sad and she +backed off from me. At last she flew away without another word. Whatever +I might be, I was not a magpie--not even a Russian magpie. + +I made up my mind not to rest until I found out what bird I was. So I +flew off to a place where birds of all kinds met to talk and enjoy +themselves. There were robins and sparrows and crows and wrens and +martins and every sort of bird. But I was not like any of them and +whenever I began to sing, they all laughed. + +"You are not one of us," they said; "you are a white blackbird. That is +what you are." + + +III + + +I had now seen all the birds, but none of them were as fine as the +blackbirds. I did not want to be like any of these birds; I longed to be +a blackbird, a real blackbird. That was not possible. So I made up my +mind to be content with my lot, as I had the heart of a blackbird even +if I were not black. + +A great flock of blackbirds lived on the edge of a cornfield. I went to +them and asked them to let me be their helper. + +"I am only a white blackbird," I said, "but I have the heart of a true +blackbird." + +They let me stay. I waited on them early and late, bringing straw to +make nests and tender little worms for the baby blackbirds. The old +birds were kind to me, and I began to be happy. + +Hard work did me good. I soon grew strong, and when the crows tried to +drive us away, I led the blackbirds to victory. My sight was keen, and I +was the first to find out that the scarecrow was not a man. I caught +more worms, too, than any of the blackbirds. + +By and by a strange thing happened. I saw one day that my white feathers +were speckled with brown dots. They grew larger and larger until the +dots covered me all over; I was no longer white but brown. And now, +little by little, my brown coat turned darker and darker until one +morning it was black--a rich, glossy black! I was a blackbird at last. + +Then the other blackbirds hopped around me with joy, crying, "He is the +largest and bravest of the blackbirds. Let him be king! Long live the +king of the blackbirds!" + +--ALFRED DE MUSSET (_Adapted_). + + + + +THE BROWN THRUSH + + + There's a merry brown thrush sitting up in + the tree, + He's singing to me! He's singing to me! + And what does he say, little girl, little boy? + "Oh, the world's running over with joy! + Don't you hear? don't you see? + Hush! look! in my tree, + I'm as happy as happy can be!" + + And the brown thrush keeps singing, "A nest + do you see, + And five eggs hid by me in the juniper tree? + Don't meddle! don't touch! little girl, little boy, + Or the world will lose some of its joy! + Now I'm glad! now I'm free! + And I always shall be, + If you never bring sorrow to me." + + So the merry brown thrush sings away in the tree, + To you and to me, to you and to me. + +--LUCY LARCOM. + + + + +THE KING AND THE GOOSEHERD + +ACT I + + +(King in plain clothes had gone out for a walk in the park. He sat under +a tree to read a book and fell asleep. When he waked up he walked on, +forgetting his book. He sees a lad looking after a flock of geese and +calls him.) + +KING: Boy, I left a book lying under a tree in the park. Will you please +get it for me? If you do, I will give you a gold piece. + +BOY: Give me a gold piece to go to the park, indeed! You must have a +pocketful of gold pieces. Or you must think me more stupid than I am. + +KING: Stupid! Who thinks you stupid? + +BOY: Why, who would be so foolish as to give me a gold piece just for +running half a mile for a book? No, no, you are joking. You couldn't +make me believe that. + +KING: Well, you know "seeing is believing." Look! here is the gold piece +for you. + +BOY: But it is in _your_ hand. If I saw it in my own hand, that would be +a different matter. + +KING (_laughing_): You are certainly not stupid, my boy; but you may +have it in your own hand. Here it is. + +(Boy stands still, looking worried,) + +KING: Well, why don't you go? + +BOY: I only wish I could. But what would become of the geese while I am +away? If they strayed into the meadow over yonder, I should have to pay +trespass-money--more than the gold piece--and lose my place besides. + +KING: I'll tell you what we'll do. You go for the book, and I'll herd +the geese. + +BOY (_laughing_): You herd the geese--a pretty gooseherd you would make! +You are too fat and too old. + +KING (_to himself, shaking with laughter_): Well, Well, "fat and old." +What next, I wonder! + +BOY: Why, you couldn't mind the geese. Just look at the "court gander" +there--the one with the black head and wings. He is the ringleader +whenever there is any mischief. He would lead you a pretty dance. + +KING: Never mind the geese. I'll answer for them, and I promise to pay +all damages if they get away. + +BOY (_handing the king his whip_): Well, then, be careful. Watch the +"court gander." + +(Boy walks on a few feet, then hurries back.) + +KING: What's the matter now? + +BOY: Crack the whip! + +(King tries but fails.) + +BOY: Just as I thought. Here, this way! Can't you see? You are stupid! + +KING: Just let me try once more. + +(King tries.) + +BOY: Well, that did pretty well. + +(Moves off muttering.) + +He is as big a goose as any in the flock. + + +ACT II + + +KING (_lying on the ground and laughing so that the tears run down his +cheeks_): Oh, but this is fine! First I was fat and old. Now I am as big +a goose as any in the flock. What would my courtiers say? + +(Springing up suddenly.) + +Look at that "court gander"! There he goes with the whole flock. + +(He dashes wildly after the geese and tries to crack the whip, but +cannot.) + +Now they are in the meadow; what will the boy say? + +(Boy returns and sees the geese in the meadow; the king looks ashamed.) + +BOY: Just as I expected. I have found the book, but you have lost the +geese. What a time I shall have trying to find them! + +KING: Never mind; I will help you get them together again. + +[Illustration: The king and the boy look for the geese] + +BOY: Humph! Much help you'll be. But go there by that stump and don't +let the geese pass you. Wave your arms at them and shout at them. Surely +you can do that! + +KING: I'll try. + + +ACT III + + +Boy: Well, they are back again! Thanks to goodness, but none to you. +What can you do? + +KING: Pray excuse me for not doing any better, but you see, I am not +used to work. I am the king. + +BOY: I was a simpleton to trust you with the geese; but I am not such a +simpleton as to believe that you are the king. + +KING: Just as you will. You are a good lad. Here is another gold coin as +a peace offering. Good-day. + +BOY (_as king walks away_): He is a kind gentleman, whoever he may be; +but take my word for it, he will never make a gooseherd. + +--OLD TALE. + + + + +DONAL AND CONAL + +I + + +There was once in old Ireland a very fine lad by the name of Donal. He +was not only a very fine lad, but a very gay lad. He would go for miles +to a party or a wedding; and he was always welcome, for Donal knew where +to wear his smile. He wore it on his face instead of keeping it in his +pocket. + +The dearest wish of Donal's heart no one knew but himself. His soul was +full of music, and he longed to have a violin. + +One night Donal was going home through a dark forest when a storm came +up. He found an old hollow tree and got inside of it to keep dry. Soon +he fell asleep. + +After a while Donal was awakened by a strange noise. He peeped out, and +he saw a queer sight. The storm had passed, and the moon was shining. +Many elves were dancing to strange music played by an old, old elf. + +[Illustration: Donal sees the fairies dancing] + +Such queer dancing it was! Donal crept out of the tree and drew nearer +and nearer. Suddenly he laughed out loud and said, "Well, that's the +worst dancing I have ever seen!" + +The fairies were astonished and angry, and they all began to talk at the +same time. + +"We have a man among us!" cried one. + +"Let us hang him!" cried another. + +"Cut his head off!" cried a third. + +But the queen stepped out among them and said, "Leave him to me." + +Then she called Donal to her. Now Donal was a wee bit frightened, but he +knew where to wear his smile, you remember. So he went up to the queen, +smiling and bowing. + +"You say our dancing is the worst you have ever seen," she said. "Now, +show us that you can do better." + +Donal smiled again and bowed low. Then he began to dance. Such dancing +the elves had never seen! They clapped their hands and made him dance +again and again. Finally, Donal was exhausted, and after making a low +bow to the queen, sat down on the ground. + +The fairies crowded around him. + +"Give him our silver!" cried one. + +"Make it gold!" cried another. + +"Diamonds!" cried a third. + +But the queen said, "Leave it to me." + +She went up to the old, old elf who had been playing for the dance. +Taking his violin from him, she gave it to Donal. You see, the queen +knew the dearest wish of his heart. + +Then Donal was a happy lad, indeed! He thanked the queen and went home +playing on his new violin. + + +II + + +There lived near Donal's home a lad named Conal. He was not such a fine +lad as Donal, nor such a gay one. He was a greedy lad, and the dearest +wish of his heart was to be rich. And he did not know where to wear his +smile. If he had one, he kept it in his pocket. + +When Conal heard what had happened to Donal, he wished to know all about +it. So he went to him and said, "Donal, man, how did you get that +beautiful violin?" + +Donal told the story backward and forward, and forward and backward, +from beginning to end, until Conal knew it by heart. + +Then Conal said to himself, "I will go to the hollow tree and dance for +the elves; but I shall not be so foolish as Donal. I will take their +gold and silver, and their diamonds, too." + +That night Conal went to the hollow tree and waited until the elves +appeared. Then he crept out and watched them dance. And he said, just as +Donal had, "Well, that's the worst dancing I have ever seen!" + +The fairies were astonished and angry again, and again they all began to +talk at once. + +"Another man among us!" cried one. + +"Let us hang him!" cried another. + +"Cut off his head!" cried a third. + +But the queen said, "Leave it to me." + +Then she called Conal to her. Now Conal did not know where to wear his +smile, you remember; he always kept it in his pocket. So he went up to +the queen with a very sour face. + +The queen said to him, as she had to Donal, "You say our dancing is the +worst you have ever seen. Now, show us that you can do better." + +Conal began to dance, and he could dance well. The elves were delighted. +They clapped their hands and asked him to dance again, but he said +roughly, "No, that is enough. Do you expect me to dance all night?" + +The elves were silent then, and the queen's face was stern. But she was +a just queen, and she said, "You have danced well. Will you have some of +our silver?" + +"Yes," said Conal, without a word of thanks; and he filled his coat +pockets. + +"Will you have gold?" asked the queen. + +"Yes," said Conal greedily, as he filled the pockets in his trousers. + +"Will you have some of our diamonds?" the queen asked, and her face was +dark with anger. + +"Yes, yes," cried Conal. + +"You shall not have them, you greedy lad!" cried the queen; "you shall +have nothing." + +Just then a cloud passed across the moon, and the elves vanished. + +"Oh, well," said Conal, "I have the gold and silver." + +He plunged his hands into his pockets and lo! the gold and silver had +turned to stones. Then Conal went home a sadder and a wiser lad. + +--IRISH TALE. + + + + +[Illustration: A bird singing] + +WHO TOLD THE NEWS? + + + Oh, the sunshine told the bluebird, + And the bluebird told the brook, + That the dandelions were peeping + From the woodland's sheltered nook. + + Then the brook was blithe and happy, + And it babbled all the way, + As it ran to tell the river + Of the coming of the May. + + Soon the river told the meadow, + And the meadow told the bee, + That the tender buds were swelling + On the old horse-chestnut tree. + + And the bee shook off its torpor, + And it spread each gauzy wing, + As it flew to tell the flowers + Of the coming of the spring. + + + + +THE BIRDS OF KILLINGWORTH + +I + + +It was spring. The apple trees and the cherry trees were pink and white +with blossoms. They filled the air with fragrance. The maples were red, +and on the oak and poplar the buds were swelling. The brooklets were +rushing and leaping on toward the sea. + +It was spring everywhere. The robin and the bluebird were piping sweetly +in the blossoming orchard. The sparrows were chirping, and hungry crows +were calling loudly for food. The farmers of Killingworth were plowing +the fields, and the broken clods, too, told of spring. + +A farmer heard the cawing of the crows and the song of the birds. + +He said, "Did one ever see so many birds? Why, when we plant our seeds, +these birds will take them all. When the fruit ripens, they will destroy +it. I, for one, wish there were no birds, and I say kill them all." + +Another farmer said, "Yes, let us call a meeting of the people of the +village and decide what is to be done with the pests." + +The meeting was called, and all came: the squire, the preacher, the +teacher, and the farmers from the country round about. + +Up rose the farmer who had said he wished there were no birds. + +"Friends," he said, "the crows are about to take my field of corn. I put +up scarecrows, but the birds fly by them and seem to laugh at them. The +robins are as saucy as they can be. Soon they will eat all the cherries +we have. I say kill all birds; they are a pest." + +"So say I," said another farmer. + +"And I," said another. + +"And I," "And I," came from voices in every part of the hall. + +The teacher arose and timidly said: + +"My friends, you know not what you do. You would put to death the birds +that make sweet music for us in our dark hours: the thrush, the oriole, +the noisy jay, the bluebird, the meadow lark. + +"You slay them all, and why? Because they scratch up a little handful of +wheat or corn, while searching for worms or weevils. + +"Do you never think who made them and who taught them their songs of +love? Think of your woods and orchards without birds! + +"And, friends, would you rather have insects in the hay? You call the +birds thieves, but they guard your farms. They drive the enemy from your +cornfields and from your harvests. + +"Even the blackest of them, the crow, does good. He crushes the beetle +and wages war on the slug and the snail. + +"And, what is more, how can I teach your children gentleness and mercy +when you contradict the very thing I teach?" + +But the farmers only shook their heads and laughed. "What does the +teacher know of such things?" they asked. And they passed a law to have +the birds killed. + +So the dreadful war on birds began. They fell down dead, with +bloodstains on their breasts. Some fluttered, wounded, away from the +sight of man, while the young died of starvation in the nests. + + +II + + +The summer came, and all the birds were dead. The days were like hot +coals. In the orchards hundreds of caterpillars fed. In the fields and +gardens hundreds of insects of every kind crawled, finding no foe to +check them. At last the whole land was like a desert. + +From the trees caterpillars dropped down upon the women's bonnets, and +they screamed and ran. At every door, the women gathered and talked. + +"What will become of us?" asked one. "The men were wrong,--something +must be done." + +"The teacher was right," said another. + +At last, the farmers grew ashamed of having killed the birds. They met +and did away with the wicked law, but it was too late. + +[Illustration: The wagon filled with branches and cages] + +Harvest time came, but there was no harvest. In many a home there was +want and sorrow. + +The next spring a strange sight was seen--a sight never seen before or +since. Through the streets there went a wagon filled with great branches +of trees. Upon them were hung cages of birds that were making sweet +music. + +From all the country round these birds had been brought by order of the +farmers. The cages were opened, and once more the woods and fields were +filled with the beautiful birds, who flew about singing their songs of +joy. And again the harvests grew in the fields and filled to overflowing +the farmers' barns. + +--_Adapted from_ LONGFELLOW. + + + + +THE TRAILING ARBUTUS + +I + + +Many, many moons ago, in a lodge in a forest, there lived an old man. +His hair was white as the snowdrift. All the world was winter; snow and +ice were everywhere, and the old man wore heavy furs. + +The winds went wildly through the forest searching every bush and tree +for birds to chill. The old man looked in vain in the deep snow for +pieces of wood to keep up the fire in his lodge. Then he sat down by his +dull and low fire. + +Shaking and trembling he sat there, hearing nothing but the tempest as +it roared through the forest, seeing nothing but the snowstorm as it +whirled and hissed and drifted. + +All the coals became white with ashes, and the fire was slowly dying. +Suddenly the wind blew aside the door of the lodge, and there came in a +most beautiful maiden. + +Her cheeks were like the wild rose, her eyes were soft and glowed like +the stars in springtime; and her hair was as brown as October's nuts. + +Her dress was of ferns and sweet grasses, her moccasins were of white +lilies, on her head was a wreath of wild flowers, and in her hands were +beautiful blossoms. When she breathed, the air became warm and fragrant. + +"Ah, my daughter," exclaimed the old man. "Happy are my eyes to see you. +Sit here on the mat beside me; sit here by the dying embers. Tell me of +your strange adventures, and I will tell you of my deeds of wonder." + +From his pouch he drew his peace pipe, very old and strangely fashioned. +He filled the pipe with bark of willow, and placed a burning coal upon +it. + +Then he said, "I am Manito, the Mighty. When I blow my breath about me, +the rivers become motionless and the waters hard as stone." + +The maiden smiling said, "When I blow my breath about me, flowers spring +up over all the meadows. And all the rivers rush onward, singing songs +of joy." + +"When I shake my hoary tresses," said the old man, darkly frowning, "all +the ground is covered with snow. All the leaves fade and wither." + +"When I shake my flowing ringlets," said the maiden, "the warm rains +fall over all the land." + +Then proudly the old man replied, "When I walk through the forest, +everything flees before me. The animals hide in their holes. The birds +rise from the lakes and the marshes, and fly to distant regions." + +Softly the maiden answered, "When I walk through the forest, all is +bright and joyous. The animals come from their holes. The birds return +to the lakes and marshes. The leaves come back to the trees. The plants +lift up their heads to kiss the breezes. And where-ever my footsteps +wander, all the meadows wave their blossoms, all the woodlands ring with +music." + + +II + + +While they talked, the night departed. From his shining lodge of silver +came the sun. The air was warm and pleasant; the streams began to +murmur; the birds began to sing. And a scent of growing grasses was +wafted through the lodge. + +The old man's face dropped upon his breast, and he slept. Then the +maiden saw more clearly the icy face before her--saw the icy face of +winter. + +Slowly she passed her hands above his head. Streams of water ran from +his eyes, and his body shrunk and dwindled till it faded into the +air--vanished into the earth--and his clothing turned to green leaves. + +The maiden took from her bosom the most precious flowers. Kneeling upon +the ground, she hid them all about among the leaves. + +[Illustration: The maiden hides the flowers among the leaves] + +"I give you my most precious flowers and my sweetest breath," she said, +"but all who would pluck you must do so upon bended knee." + +Then the maiden moved away--through the forest and over the waking +fields; and wherever she stepped, and nowhere else in all the land, +grows the trailing arbutus. + +--INDIAN LEGEND. + + + + +HIDDEN TREASURE + +I + + +Once upon a time there was an old farmer named John Jacobs. He had heard +that treasures were found in odd places. He thought and thought about +such treasures until he could think of nothing else; and he spent all +his time hunting for them. How he wished he could find a pot of gold! + +One morning he arose with a bright face and said to his wife, "At last, +Mary, I've found the treasure." + +"No, I cannot believe it," she said. + +"Yes," he answered; "at least it is as good as found. I am only waiting +until I have my breakfast. Then I will go out and bring it in." + +"Oh, how did you find it?" asked the wife. + +"I was told about it in a dream," said he. + +"Where is it?" + +"Under a tree in our orchard," said John. + +"Oh, John, let us hurry and get it." + +So they went out together into the orchard. + +"Which tree is it under?" asked the wife. + +John scratched his head and looked silly. + +"I really do not know," he said. + +"Oh, you foolish man," said the wife. "Why didn't you take the trouble +to notice?" + +"I did notice," said he. "I saw the exact tree in my dream, but there +are so many trees, here that I am confused. There is only one thing to +do now. I must begin with the first tree and keep on digging until I +come to the one with the treasure under it." + +This made the wife lose all hope. There were eighty apple trees and a +score of peach trees. + +She sighed and said, "I suppose if you must, you must, but be careful +not to cut any of the roots." + +By this time John was in a very bad humor. He went to work saying, "What +difference does it make if I cut all the roots? The whole orchard will +not bear one bushel of good apples or peaches. I don't know why, for in +father's time it bore wagonloads of choice fruit." + +"Well, John," said his wife, "you know father used to give the trees a +great deal of attention." + +But John grumbled to himself as he went on with his digging. He dug +three feet deep around the first tree, but no treasure was there. He +went to the next tree, but found nothing; then to the next and the next, +until he had dug around every tree in the orchard. He dug and dug, but +no pot of gold did he find. + + +II + + +The neighbors thought that John was acting queerly. They told other +people, who came to see what he was doing. + +They would sit on the fence and make sly jokes about digging for hidden +treasure. They called the orchard "Jacobs' folly." + +Soon John did not like to be seen in the orchard. He did not like to +meet his neighbors. They would laugh and say, "Well, John, how much +money did you get from the holes?" + +This made John angry. At last he said, "I will sell the place and move +away." + +"Oh, no," said the wife, "this has always been our home, and I cannot +think of leaving it. Go and fill the holes; then the neighbors will stop +laughing. Perhaps we shall have a little fruit this year, too. The heaps +of earth have stood in wind and frost for months, and that will help the +trees." + +John did as his wife told him. He filled the holes with earth and +smoothed it over as level as before. By and by everybody forgot "Jacobs' +folly." + +Soon the spring came. April was warm, and the trees burst into bloom. + +"Mary," said John one bright spring day, "don't you think the blossoms +are finer than usual this year?" + +"Yes, they look as they did when your father was alive," said his wife. + +[Illustration: John's trees full of fruit] + +By and by, the blooms fell, leaving a million little green apples and +peaches. Summer passed and autumn followed. The branches of the old +trees could hardly hold up all the fine fruit on them. + +Now the neighbors came, not to make fun, but to praise. "How did you do +it?" they asked. + +"The trees were old and needed attention," said John. "By turning the +soil and letting in the air, I gave them strength to bear fruit. I have +found the treasure after all, and I have learned a lesson. Tilling the +soil well is the way to get treasure from it." + +--GRIMM. + + + + +THE LITTLE BROWN BROTHER + + + Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother, + Are you awake in the dark? + Here we lie cozily, close to each other; + Hark to the song of the lark-- + + "Waken!" the lark says, "waken and dress you; + Put on your green coats and gay, + Blue sky will shine on you, sunshine caress you-- + Waken! 'tis morning--'tis May!" + + Little brown brother, oh! little brown brother, + What kind of flower will you be? + I'll be a poppy--all white, like my mother; + Do be a poppy like me. + + What! you're a sunflower? How I shall miss you + When you're grown golden and high! + But I shall send all the bees up to kiss you; + Little brown brother, good-by! + +--EMILY NESBIT. + + + + +HOW THE FLOWERS GROW + + + This is how the flowers grow; + I have watched them and I know: + + First, above the ground is seen + A tiny blade of purest green, + Reaching up and peeping forth + East and west, and south and north. + + Then the sunbeams find their way + To the sleeping bud and say, + "We are children of the sun + Sent to wake thee, little one." + + And the leaflet opening wide + Shows the tiny bud inside, + Peeping with half-opened eye + On the bright and sunny sky. + + Breezes from the west and south + Lay their kisses on its mouth; + Till the petals all are grown, + And the bud's a flower blown. + +--GABRIEL SETOUN. + + + + +WISE MEN OF GOTHAM + + +Once upon a time there were some wise men who lived in Gotham. Listen +and you will hear how wise they were. + +Twelve of these wise men went fishing one day. Some went into the stream +and some stayed on dry ground. They caught many fish and had a good +time. + +As they came home, one of the men said, "We have risked much wading in +that stream. I pray God no one of us is drowned." + +"Why, one of us might be! Who knows?" cried another. "Let's see about +it. Twelve of us went fishing this morning. We must count and see if +twelve are returning." + +So one man counted, "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, +nine, ten, eleven." And he did not count himself! + +"Alas! One of us is drowned!" he cried. + +"Woe be unto us! Let me count," said another. And he did not count +himself. + +"Alas! alas!" he wailed; "truly one of us is drowned!" + +Then every man counted, and each one failed to count himself. + +"Alas! alas!" they all cried; "one of us is drowned! Which one is it?" + +They went back to the shore, and they looked up and down for him that +was drowned. All the time they were lamenting loudly. + +A courtier came riding by. "What are you seeking?" he asked, "and why +are you so sorrowful?" + +"Oh," said they, "this day we came to fish in the stream. There were +twelve of us, but one is drowned." + +"Why," said the courtier, "count yourselves and see how many there be." + +Again they counted, and again each man failed to count himself. + +"Well, this is sad," said the courtier, who saw how the mistake had been +made. "What will you give me if I find the twelfth man?" + +"Sir," cried all together, "you may have all the money we own." + +"Give me the money," said the courtier. + +Then he began to count. He gave the first man a whack over the shoulders +and said, "There is one." + +He gave the next a whack and said, "There is two." And so he counted +until he came to the last man. He gave this one a sounding blow, saying, +"And here is the twelfth." + +"God bless you!" cried all the company. "You have found our neighbor." + +--OLD ENGLISH STORY. + + + + +THE MILLER'S GUEST + +I + + +A hunter who had ridden ahead in the chase was lost. The sun went down, +and darkness fell upon the forest. The hunter blew his horn, but no +answer came. What should he do? + +At last he heard the sound of horse's hoofs. Some one was coming. Was it +friend or foe? The hunter stood still, and soon a miller rode out into +the moonlight. + +"Pray, good fellow, be so kind as to tell me the way to Nottingham," +said the hunter. + +"Nottingham? Why should you be going to Nottingham? The king and his +court are there. It is not a place for the like of you," replied the +miller. + +"Well, well, perhaps you are right, good miller," said the hunter. "And +yet who knows? I'll wager that the king is no better man than I am. +However, it is getting late, and lodging I must have. Will you give me +shelter for the night?" + +"Nay, nay, not so fast," said the miller. "Stand forth and let me see if +you are a true man. Many thieves wear fine clothes these days." + +The hunter stepped forward. "Well, and what do you think of me?" he +asked gayly. "Will you not give a stranger lodging?" + +"How do I know that you have one penny in your purse?" asked the miller. +"You may carry your all on your back, for aught I know. I've heard of +lords who are like that." + +"True, good miller, but I have gold. If it be forty pence, I will pay +it," said the hunter. + +"If you are a true man, and have the pence, then lodging you may have. +My good wife may not like it, but we'll see," said the miller. + +"Good!" cried the hunter. "And here's my hand on it." + +"Nay, nay, not so fast," replied the miller. "I must know you better +before I shake hands. None but an honest man's hand will I take." + +"Some day, my good miller," replied the hunter, "I hope to have you take +my hand in yours. Proud will I be when the day comes." + + +II + + +And so to the miller's house they went. The miller again looked at the +stranger and said, "I like his face well. He may stay with us, may he +not, good wife?" + +"Yes, he is a handsome youth, but it's best not to go too fast," said +the good wife. "He may be a runaway servant. Let him show his passport, +and all shall be well." + +The hunter bowed low, and said, "I have no passport, good dame, and I +never was any man's servant. I am but a poor courtier who has lost his +way. Pray give me lodging for the night. Your kindness I will surely +repay." + +Then the wife whispered to the miller, "The youth is of good manners and +to turn him out would be sin." + +"Yea, a well-mannered youth--and one who knows his betters when he sees +them," the miller replied. "Let the lad stay." + +"Well, young man," said the wife, "you are welcome here; and well lodged +you shall be, though I do say it myself. You shall have a fresh bed with +good brown sheets." + +"Aye," said the miller, "and you shall sleep with our own son Richard." + +Then they all sat down to supper--such a supper: pudding, apple pie, and +good things of all kinds. Then at a wink from the miller, the wife +brought out a venison pasty. + +"Eat!" said the miller. "This is dainty food." + +"Faith!" cried the hunter, "I never before ate such meat." + +"Pshaw!" said Richard. "We eat this every day." + +"Every day? Where do you buy it?" + +"Oh, never a penny pay we. In merry Sherwood Forest we find it. Now and +then, you see, we make bold with the king's deer." + +"Then I think that it is venison," said the hunter. + +"To be sure. Any fool would know that," replied Richard; "but say +nothing about it. We would not have the king hear of it." + +"I'll keep your secret," said the hunter. "Don't fear. The king shall +never know more than he knows now." + +And so the evening passed merrily. It was late when the guest sought his +bed, but right soundly did he sleep. + +The next morning the miller, the good wife, and Richard came out to see +the hunter on his way. Just then a party of nobles rode up. + +"There's the king!" cried one. + +"Pardon, your majesty!" cried another, and all fell upon their knees +before the hunter. + +The miller stood shaking and quaking, and for once his wife could not +speak. The king, with a grave face, drew his sword, but not a word did +he say. + +The terrified miller threw himself at his ruler's feet, crying out for +mercy. Again the sword was raised, and down it fell, but lightly, upon +the miller's shoulder, and the king said: + +[Illustration: The king knights the miller] + +"Your kind courtesy I will repay; so I here dub thee Knight. Rise, Sir +John of Mansfield." + +For many a day the miller and his wife told of the night the king spent +with them. And for many a day the king told of the time he was taken for +a thief and ate of his own deer in the miller's house. + +--ENGLISH BALLAD (Adapted). + + + + +SADDLE TO RAGS + +I + + + This story I'm going to sing, + I hope it will give you content, + Concerning a silly old man + That was going to pay his rent, + With a till-a-dill, till-a-dill-dill, + Till-a-dill, dill-a-dill, dee, + Sing fol-de-dill, dill-de-dill, dill, + Fol-de-dill, dill-de-dill, dee. + +A silly old man said to his wife one day, "Well, 'tis time I paid my +rent. The landlord has been away for a year and a day, but now he is +back, and I must pay for twelve months." + +"Yes, it's twice forty pounds that is due, and it should be paid," said +the good wife. "So much money in the house keeps me from sleeping at +night." + +"Well, I'll bridle old Tib, and away we shall go," said the old man. +"Right glad I'll be, too, to be rid of the gold." + +The silly old man bridled old Tib and saddled her too. And away they +started. As he was jogging along, a stranger came riding up on a fine +horse with fine saddle bags. + +"Good morning, old man," said the stranger. + +"Good morning," said the old man. + +"How far are you going?" + +"To tell the truth, kind sir, I am going just two miles," said the old +man. + +"And where are you going?" asked the stranger. + +"I am going to pay my rent, kind sir," said the old man. "I am but a +silly old man who farms a piece of ground. My rent for a half year is +forty pounds; but my landlord has been away for a year, and now I owe +him eighty pounds. Right glad I am to pay it." + +"Eighty pounds! That is indeed a large sum," cried the stranger, "and +you ought not to tell anybody you carry so much. There are many thieves +about, and you might be robbed." + +"Oh, never mind!" said the old man. "I do not fear thieves. My money is +safe in my saddle bags, on which I ride." + +So they rode along most pleasantly. + +When they came to a thick wood, the stranger pulled out a pistol and +said, "Stand still, and give me your money." + +"Nay," said the old man. "The money is for my landlord. I will not give +it to you." + +"Your money or your life!" + +"Well, if you will have it, you can go for it," cried the old man, as he +threw his old saddle bags over a hedge. + +The thief dismounted and said, "Stand here and hold my horse while I go +over the hedge. You are silly, but surely you can do that." + +The thief climbed through the hedge. When he was on the other side, the +old man got on the thief's horse, and away he galloped. + +"Stop, stop!" cried the thief. "And half of my share you shall have." + +"Nay," cried the man. "I think I'll go on. I'd rather have what's in +your bag." + +[Illustration: The old man gallops away] + +And away he galloped, riding as he never rode before. + + +II + + +The thief thought there must be something in the old man's bags; so with +his big rusty knife he chopped them into rags. But no money did he find, +for the silly old man was not so silly as he seemed. His money was in +his pocket. + +The old man rode on to his landlord's home and paid his rent. Then he +opened the thief's bag, which was glorious to behold. There were five +hundred pounds in gold and silver. + +"Where did you get the silver?" asked the landlord. "And where did you +get the gold?" + +"I met a proud fool on the way," said the old man with a laugh. "I +swapped horses with him, and he gave me this to boot." + +"Well, well! But you're too old to go about with so much money," said +the landlord. + +"Oh, I think no one would harm a silly old man like me," said the +farmer, as he rode away. + +The old man went home by a narrow lane, and there he spied Tib tied to a +tree. + +"The stranger did not like his trade, I fear," said he. "So I think I'll +take Tib home." + +The old man went home much richer than when he left. When she heard the +story, the wife danced and sang for glee. "'Tis hard to fool my old +man," said she. + +--ENGLISH BALLAD (_Adapted_). + + + + +[Illustration: The Rock-a-By Lady walking by] + +THE ROCK-A-BY LADY + + + The Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street + Comes stealing; comes creeping; + The poppies they hang from her head to her + feet, + And each hath a dream that is tiny and fleet-- + She bringeth her poppies to you, my sweet, + When she findeth you sleeping! + + There is one little dream of a beautiful drum-- + "Rub-a-dub!" it goeth; + There is one little dream of a big sugar-plum, + And lo! thick and fast the other dreams come + Of pop-guns that bang, and tin tops that hum, + And a trumpet that bloweth! + + And dollies peep out of those wee little dreams + With laughter and singing; + And boats go a-floating on silvery streams, + And the stars peek-a-boo with their own misty gleams, + And up, up, and up, where the Mother Moon beams, + The fairies go winging! + + Would you dream all these dreams that are tiny and fleet? + They'll come to you sleeping; + So shut the two eyes that are weary, my sweet, + For the Rock-a-By Lady from Hushaby street + With poppies that hang from her head to her feet, + Comes stealing; comes creeping. + +--EUGENE FIELD. + + + + +THE SANDMAN + + + The rosy clouds float overhead, + The sun is going down; + And now the sandman's gentle tread + Comes stealing through the town. + "White sand, white sand," he softly cries, + And as he shakes his hand, + Straightway there lies on babies' eyes + His gift of shining sand. + Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown, + As shuts the rose, they softly close, + When he goes through the town. + + From sunny beaches far away-- + Yes, in another land-- + He gathers up at break of day + His store of shining sand. + No tempests beat that shore remote, + No ships may sail that way; + His little boat alone may float + Within that lovely bay. + Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown, + As shuts the rose, they softly close, + When he goes through the town. + +[Illustration: The sandman] + + He smiles to see the eyelids close + Above the happy eyes; + And every child right well he knows, + Oh, he is very wise! + But, if as he goes through the land, + A naughty baby cries, + His other hand takes dull gray sand + To close the wakeful eyes. + Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown, + As shuts the rose, they softly close, + When he goes through the town. + + So when you hear the sandman's song + Sound through the twilight sweet, + Be sure you do not keep him long + A-waiting on the street. + Lie softly down, dear little head, + Rest quiet, busy hands, + Till, by your bed his good-night said, + He strews the shining sands. + Blue eyes, gray eyes, black eyes, and brown, + As shuts the rose, they softly close, + When he goes through the town. + +--MARGARET VANDERGRIFT. + + + + +A DICTIONARY + + +To the Children: Below you will find the words in the Third Reader that +you may not know the meaning of, or how to pronounce. Some words have +more than one meaning. In looking for the meaning of a word, choose the +meaning that best fits the sentence in which the word occurs. + +ad ven ture: a bold undertaking. +af fec tion: love. +a gree ment: a bargain. +al mond: a nut. +am ber: of the color of amber-yellow. +ap plaud ed: praised. +ar bu tus: a trailing plant with small pinkish-white blossoms. +A tri (Ah tree): a town in Italy. +aught: anything. + +Bau cis (Bor sis): a Greek woman. +bel lows (lus): an instrument for blowing a fire, used by blacksmiths. +bil low: a great wave. +blithe (bl=ithe): joyous, glad. +bred: brought up. +bur dock: a coarse plant with bur-like heads. +card: an instrument for combing cotton, wool, or flax. +chase: hunt; pursuit. +chris ten ing: naming a child at baptism. +cliff: a high, steep face of rock. +com rade (kom rad): a mate, a companion. +Con al (C~on' al): an Irish lad. +con ceit ed: proud, vain. +con fess: to own; to admit. +coun cil: a small body called together for a trial, or to decide a matter. +court ier (court' yer): an attendant at the court of a prince. +crime: a wicked act punishable by law. +crouch: to stoop low. + +dan ger: risk. +de li cious: pleasing to the taste. +de nied: disowned. +depths: deep part of sea. +de stroy: break up; kill. +dis tress: suffering of mind. +dock: a place between piers where vessels may anchor. +Don al (D~on' al): an Irish lad. +dor mouse (dor mous'): a small animal that looks like a squirrel. +drought (drout): want of water. +dub: call. +dumps: low spirits. + +eaves: overhanging lower edges of a roof. +em bers: smouldering ashes. +em per or: ruler of an empire. +em press: wife of an emperor; a female ruler. +en chant ed: bewitched. +en e my: foe. +es tab lish: to found. +ex act ly: completely. +ex haust ed: tired, worn out. +ex tend ing: reaching. + +fam ine: scarcity of food. +fes ti val: a time of feasting. +flax: a slender plant with blue flowers, used to make thread and cloth. +fol ly: foolishness. +foot man: a man servant. +forge: a place with its furnace where metal is heated and hammered into + different shapes. +fra grance: sweetness. +free dom: independence, liberty. + +gauz y: like gauze, thin. +Got ham (Got am): a village in Old England, commonly called G=o tham. +grate ful: thankful. +groom: a servant in charge of horses. +guard: one that guards; a watch. + +hail ing: calling. +har bor: a protected body of water where vessels may anchor safely. +haught y: proud. +her ald: a messenger. +Ho ang ti (H=o ~ang tee): an emperor of China. +hoar y: white. +horse-chest nut: a tree. +hu man: like men. +hu mor: mood, disposition. + +in no cent: guiltless. +in spect: examine. +in stant ly: at once. +in vent ed: made. + +jest: joke. +ju ni per: an evergreen, tree. +jus tice: right treatment. + +king dom: country belonging +to king or queen. +kirk: church. +knight: a mounted man-at-arms. + +lad en: loaded. +la ment ed: wailed, wept. +lin en: thread or cloth made of flax. +lodge: dwelling place; wigwam. +loom: a machine for weaving threads into cloth. +lus cious: delicious. + +Man i tou (too): a name given by the Indians to the "Great Spirit," or God. +marsh es: swamps. +mer cy: pity, kindness. +min is ter: a pastor, a clergyman. +mis for tune: bad fortune. +moc ca sin: Indian shoes. +moor: to secure in place, as a vessel: a great tract of waste land. +moult ed: shed feathers. + +no bles: lords. +nurs er y: play room for children. + +o blige: do a favor. +o rang ou tang: a kind of ape. +or der ly: regular; in order. + +page: a youth training for knighthood. +pas try (p=as): article of food made with crust of paste (or dough) as a + pie. +peas ant (p~es): a tiller of the soil. +pe can: a kind of nut. +Pe kin duck: a large, creamy white duck. +pest: a nuisance. +Phi le mon (F=i l=e' mon): a Greek peasant. +pil lar: a support. +pin ing: drooping; longing. +pound: a piece of English money, equal to about $5.00 in United States + money. +prai rie: an extensive tract of level or rolling land. + +rag ing: furious, violent. +rec og nized: known. +re flec tion: image. +ref uge: shelter. +re fused: declined to do. +reign ing (rain): ruling. +re mote: distant. +rest less: eager for change, discontented; unquiet. +re store: to return, to give back. +roe buck: male deer. +runt: an animal unusually small of its kind. + +sad dle bags: a pair of pouches attached to a saddle, used to carry + small articles. +Salis bur y (Sauls): a town in North Carolina. +sav age: wild, untamed. +scare crow: an object set up to scare crows and other birds away from + crops. +score: the number twenty. +serv ice: benefit, favor. +shek el: ancient coin. +shreds: strips, fragments. +Si ling (Se): a Chinese empress. +sim ple ton: a foolish person. +six pence: six pennies--about twelve cents in United States money. +squire: a justice of the peace. +state ly: dignified, majestic. +stat ues: likeness of a human being cut out of stone. +steeped: soaked. +striv ing: laboring, endeavoring. +stub ble: stumps of grain left in ground, as after reaping. + +tab lets: a flat piece on which to write. +tasks: work, undertaking. +tem pest: storm. +tem ple: a kind of church. +thriv ing: prospering, succeeding. +tid ings: news. +till ing: cultivating. +tim id ly: shyly. +tink er ing: mending. +tithing man (t=ith): officer who enforced good behavior. +tor por: numbness, dullness. +tread: step. +tri als: efforts, attempts. +troop: an armed force. + + +u su al: ordinary, common. + +vain: proud, conceited; to no purpose. +van ished: disappeared. +ven i son (ven' z'n): flesh of deer. +vic to ry: triumph. +vol un teer: one who offers himself for a service. + +wa ger (wa jer): bet. +wages: carries on. +wand: a small stick. +width: breadth. +wig wam: Indian tent. +wis dom: learning, knowledge. + +yarn: thread. + +Zeus (Z=us): a Greek god. + + + + +WORD LIST + + +This list contains the words in the Child's World Third Reader, except +those already used in the earlier books of this series, and a few that +present no difficulty in spelling, pronunciation or meaning. + +9 +Greece +Philemon +Baucis +unhappy +hives + +10 +gathered +couple +Zeus +beggars + +11 +attend +footsore +herbs +although +pitcher + +13 +disappeared +homeward + +14 +feeble +linden + +15 +treasure +lucky +Iris +precious + +16 +messenger +swift-footed +Mercury +awakened + +17 +hereafter +honest +upright + +18 +blossoms +luscious +harsh + +19 +hues +frolic +glistened +wrestled +scurried + +21 +fluttered +speckled +tender + +22 +parents +moment +remained +praised + +25 +zigzag +remote +comrade +blithe +amber +billows +stubble +bracing + +26 +plantation +spindle + +28 +woven +loom +ruffles + +29 +England +buttonholes + +30 +shepherd +shearers + +32 +dyers + +33 +colored +plaid + +34 +Hoangti +emperor +China +Si-ling +empress +suddenly + +35 +cocoons + +37 +dainty +linen + +38 +frightful +steeped + +39 +suffered +aprons + +40 +shreds +pulp +glorious +surprise +verses + +41 +isles +thousands +prayers + +42 +Hillmen +housewife +bargains + +43 +saucepan +aye +sixpence +tinkering + +44 +refused +muttered +vexed +chimney + +45 +scoured +spoiled +exclaimed + +46 +shelter +Dormouse +lest + +47 +gracious +lamented +invented + +48 +Atri +heralds +ye +complaint +message + +49 +guilty + +50 +arousing +justice + +51 +steed +undertone +jest + +52 +applauded + +53 +savage + +54 +dragged +judge +prison + +55 +denied +wisdom + +56 +labor +honeycomb + +57 +artists +extending +poets +affection +well-deserved + +59 +dreadful +worry +horrid +notice + +62 +business + +65 +perfectly +breath + +67 +Epaminondas +granny + +75 +service + +76 +obliged +gently + +77 +tremendous +marvelous + +78 +forbid +allow + +81 +caramels +almond +pecan +taffy + +82 +except +Christ + +84 +Pedro +altar +distress + +86 +stately +haughty + +88 +musician + +90 +family +scare +pantry + +94 +chocolate + +95 +whiskers +danger + +101 +huddled +wailed +usual +faint + +102 +cheerful +pardon + +104 +chorus +shriller +chubby +bundled + +106 +furniture +mirror +reflection + +108 +disgusted + +110 +satisfied +oiling + +111 +bow-legged +conceited + +112 +remarked +width + +113 +clattering +astonished + +114 +fault +recognized + +115 +shekels + +116 +impossible +caliph + +117 +courtier +presence +refused + +119 +companion + +120 +razors +agreement + +121 +instantly + +122 +cozy +drowsy + +124 +Puritans +Sabbath + +125 +Indians +worship + +126 +sermon +minister + +127 +tithingman +peppermint + +130 +freedom +regular +Vermont +able-bodied +Americans +volunteers + +131 +inspect + +133 +victory + +134 +president +Salisbury + +135 +impatient +governor + +138 +delicious +heartily + +139 +murmuring +papoose +prairie +Manitou + +140 +drought +council + +142 +declared +sleek + +144 +resin +selfish + +147 +mentioned +loose + +149 +hominy +sharpened + +154 +establish +harbor +moored +orderly + +155 +nursery +scattered + +156 +famine +Orang-outang + +157 +journey +magic + +160 +refuge +grateful +restore +innocent + +161 +favorite +whirlwind + +162 +kingdom +confess +rejoicing + +163 +penniless +simpleton +nevertheless + +164 +destroy +human + +165 +enchanted +tablets + +166 +performs +princesses + +167 +collected +pearls + +168 +depths +exactly +syrup + +172 +christening +godmothers + +174 +nightingale +spitefully + +175 +grieve +vanished +misfortune + +177 +embroidering +departed +royal + +178 +reigning +peasant +determined +guards +motionless + +179 +statues + +181 +canals +burdocks + +182 +parson +cheated + +186 +miserable +moor + +189 +terror +cruel + +190 +clumsy +matters + +192 +glossy +moulted +naked + +193 +horrible +sky-rocket + +195 +strength +turtle dove + +196 +Russian + +199 +juniper + +201 +trespass-money + +202 +mischief +damages +ringleader + +205 +gooseherd +excuse + +206 +Ireland + +208 +exhausted +diamonds + +211 +trousers +greedily + +212 +torpor +gauzy + +213 +fragrance +Killing-worth + +214 +squire +timidly + +215 +oriole +weevils +enemy +contradict + +216 +starvation +caterpillars +foe + +218 +arbutus +tempest + +219 +moccasins +embers +adventures + +220 +hoary +joyous +marshes +ringlets + +221 +shrunk +bosom +scent + +223 +treasures + +224 +confused +humor +score + +225 +attention +folly + +227 +million +tilling + +228 +caress + +229 +leaflet +petals + +230 +Gotham +woe + +223 +Nottingham +wager + +234 +aught +lodging + +235 +passport +youth +servant + +236 +venison +pasty +Sherwood + +237 +majesty +terrified + +246 +straightway +beaches + +248 +twilight +strews + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Child's World +by Hetty Browne, Sarah Withers, W.K. 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