v' }--M >: '\ ^^''■y
ifm^' '^■■■^
(^
JOURNEYS F
THROUGH
BGDRLAND '
SYLVESTETV^
•/f !\V
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2009
http://www.archive.org/details/journeysthroughb01sylv
^raugfc^t'^Uattfi
d^ ti
A NEW AND ORIGINAL
PLAN FOR READING APPLIED TO THE
WORLD'S BEST LITERATURE
FOR CHILDREN
BY
CHARLES H. SYLVESTER
Author of English and American Literature
VOLUME ONE
New Edition
Chicago
BELLOWS-REEVE COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
Ccpyright, 1922
BELLOWS-REEVE COMPANlr
PREFACE
This series of books is the result of earnest
efforts to present to boys and girls the best litera-
ture in such a way that it will appeal to their
imagination, interest them, and lead them to read
for information, enjoyment and inspiration.
It is reading outside of school hours that really
fixes the taste of a young person, and if he is left
wholly to his OAvn resources, nothing is more
natural than that he should read merely for his
present enjoyment and for the excitement that
the short-lived, modern stories furnish so abun-
dantly. A youthful reader loves to learn, and it
is necessary merely to suggest new lines of in-
terest to lead him to follow them joyfully.
In his work, the writer has drawn upon the
experience of long years in the schoolroom, in
institutes for teachers, and upon the frank
criticisms of boys and girls who have seen the work
at different times.
The writer has had in all departments the val-
uable assistance of Miss Anna McCaleb, who has
contributed not only the selections which bear her
name, but also many other articles, annotations,
comments and studies. The writer would ac-
knowledge here his obligations to all persons who
have assisted him, but so numerous have they been
that it is impossible to mention them, so he must
be content to express in this general way his deep
sense of indebtedness to all.
vi Preface
If the critical reader notices the absence of any
of his favorite classics, or the omission of com-
mendable selections from recent writings, he must
remember that the object here is to create an in-
terest, not to satisfy it, and that only old and tried
literature is basic.
Those readers who wish for a classification of
the selections on the basis of their content will
find what they desire in the Index in the tenth
volume.
Chicago, December, 1909, C. H. S.
PREFACE TO THE NEW (FIFTEENTH)
EDITION
The favor with which Journeys Through Book-
land has been received has more than justified the
faith of the author in the conception and plan of
the work and also in the selections from literature
embodied in it. In many thousands of homes
Journeys has proved its worth both to children
and to their parents.
The increasing demand for it has made it nec-
essary to make new plates for the entire work.
Only slight changes in the text have been made,
but the publishers have taken advantage of the
opportunity to give the work a setting which shall
express their feeling of its value, and which shall
enable it even more adequately to serve the public
— parents and their children.
The preparation of this edition has been under
the direction of Karl H. Goodwin, who brought to
the work the experience of many years in pub-
Preface vii
lishing books for young people. In the layout of
the earlier volumes and in matters of special de-
sign he has had the benefit of the advice and assist-
ance of Will H. Howell, specialist in artistic book
design, also of R. Fayerweather Babcock, whose
drawings and helpful criticisms have added much
to the success of the undertaking. To these and to
all others who have contributed in any way, thanks
are due, both for the talent placed at our disposal,
and for the sympathetic and helpful spirit man-
ifested at all times.
That Journeys Through Bookland may merit
and continue to receive the approval of parents,
and to bring helpfulness and joy into their lives
and the lives of their children is the earnest hope
of the author.
June, 1922, C. H. S.
PUBLISHERS' NOTE
In these volumes the selections from the works
of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Oliver Wendell Holmes,
Henry Wads worth Longfellow, James Russell
Lowell, John Greenleaf Whittier, John Hay, Alice
Gary, Phoebe Gary, Henry D. Thoreau, Lucy
Larcom and John G. Saxe, are used by permission
of, and by special arrangement with, Houghton,
JNIifflin Gompany, the authorized publishers of the
works of these authors.
The selection from Prescott's Conquest of
Mexico appearing in the eighth volume is used by
permission of J. B. Lipj^incott Gompany, the
authorized publishers of the work.
Acknowledgment of other copyright material
is made on the pages on which the selections
appear.
viu
CONTENTS
PAOE
NURSERY RHYMES 1
JUVENILE LITERATURE 61
The Boys and the Frogs 63
The Dog and His Shadow 63
The Fox and the Crow 64
The Boy and the Nettle 65
The Ass in the Lion's Skin 65
The Frog Who Wished to be ah Big as av Ox 66
A Thought Robert Louis Stevenson 66
The Swing Robert Louis Stevenson 67
The Sun's Travels Robert Louis Stevenson 68
The Gnat and the Bull 70
The IL\re and the Tortoise 71
A Riddle 72
The Fox and the Stork 73
The Lion and the Mouse 75
The Old Man and His Sons 78
Little Red Riding Hood 79
Singing Robert Louis Stevenson 83
Tom Thumb 84
The Shepherd Boy and the Wolves 92
The Rock-a-by Lady Eugene Field 94
The Wind and the Sun 95
The Wolf and the Crane 96
Lullaby Thomas Dekker 96
The Little Old Woman and Her Pig 97
Silver Locks and the Three Bears 101
The Cow Robert Louis Steveiwon 106
Looking Forward Robert Louis Stevenson 106
The Ladybird and the Fly WUhelm and Jakob Grimm 107
The Two Travelers 109
Rain Robert Louis Stevenson 110
The Two Travelers AND the Oyster Ill
System Robert Louis Stevenson 111
Hop-o'-My-Thumb 112
My Bed is My Boat Robert Louis Stevenson 126
Robert Loms Stevenson 128
At the Se.'VSIDE Robert Louis Stevenson 129
Foreign Lands Robert Louis Stevenson 130
The Lark and the Young Ones 131
Little Blue Pigeon Eugene Field 133
The Dog in the Manger 134
X Contents
PAGE
The Fox axd the Grapes 135
The Three Little Pigs 136
LiTTu; Birdie Alfred Tennyson 142
The Cat and the Chestnuts 142
The Laxd of Counterpane Robert Louis Stevenson 144
The Cock and the Horses 146
The Brown Thrush Lucy Larcom 147
The Hardy Tin Soldier Hans Christian Andersen 148
The Bat and the Two Weasels 154
Marching Song Robert Louis Stevenson 155
Jack and the Be.^js'stalk 156
Bed in Summer Robert Louis Stevenson 173
The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs 173
Jack the Giant-Killer 174
Block City Robert Louis Stevenson 196
The Mice and the Cat 197
From a Railw-ay Carriage Robert Louis Stevcmon 198
Fairy Bread Robert Louis Stevenson 198
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse 199
A Riddle 202
Old Gaelic Lullaby 203
Sleep, Baby, Sleep 204
The Pea Blossom Hans Christian Andersen 205
Hansel .AXD Grethel Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm 210
The Lion, the Fox and the Ass 223
Cinderella 224
Seein" Things Eugene Field 240
Eugene Field , . . . . 242
A Riddle 245
Norse Lullaby Eugene Field 246
The Three Tasks Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm 247
Where Go the Boats? Robert Louis Stevenson 256
The Snow Maiden 257
Wynken, Blyntcen, and Nod Eugene Field 262
The Twin Brothers Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm 264
Industry and Sloth 300
Whole Duty of Children Robert Louis Stevenson 301
The Tree Bjornstjerne Bjornson 301
Young Night Thought Robert Louis Stevetison 302
The Drummer Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm 303
Stop, Stop, Pretty Water Mrs. Eliza Lee Follen 317
Beauty and the Beast 318
The Horse and the Stag 338
The Owl AND the Pussy Cat Edward Lear 339
Time to Rise Robert Louis Stevenson 340
The Enchanted Stag Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm 341
Keepsake Mill Robert Louis Stevenson 349
Foreign Children Robert Louis Stevenson 351
The Golden Bird Wilhelm and Jakob Grimm 352
Contents xi
PAGE
Lady Button Eyes Eugene Field 366
The WoNDEEFUii Gifts 368
The Fox, the Wolf, and the Horse 377
The Flax Hans Christian Andersen 378
The Duel Eugene Field 384
The Bald Knight 385
Atalanta's Race Adapted by Anna McCalet) 386
Autumn Fires Robert IjOuui Stevenson 394
"Something" Hans Christian Andersen 395
The Fairies William Allingham 405
The Brother and Sister 410
The Reaper and the Flowers .... Henry Wadsuxyrth lA)ngfellow 410
The Sands of Dee Charles Kingsley 412
Mercy to Animals WiUiam Courper 413
The Ugly Duckling Hans Christian Andersen 414
Baucis and Philemon 431
The Wind Robert Louis Stevenson 440
Little Brown Hands Mary Hannah Kraut 441
Whittington and His Cat 442
The Wolf and the Lamb 455
The Story of Joseph 456
Pronunciation of Proper Names 486
For Classification of Selections, see General Index, at end of
Volume X
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Cinderella and Her Godmother (Color Plate) Hazel Frazee Frontispiece
Nursery Rhymes (Sub-title) Lucille Enders 1
Rock-a-Bye, Baby Lucille Enders 3
Pat-a-Cake Lucille Enders 4
Five Little Pigs Lucille Enders 5
Bye, Baby Bunting Lucille Enders 6
To Market, to Market Lucille Enders 6
Up, Little Baby Lucille Enders 7
Baa, Baa, Bl.\ck Sheep Donn P. Crane 8
Little Bo-Peep Irii Weddell White 9
Ride a Cock-Horse Herbert N. Rudeen 10
Dame Trot AND Her Cat Lucille Enders 11
Lady Bird, Lady Bird Herbert N. Rudeen 12
Three Blind Mice Herbert N. Rudeen 12
Three Little Kittens Donn P. Crane 13
There Was a Monkey Iris Weddell White 14
Great A, Little A Iris Weddell White 14
Ding, Dong, Bell Iris Weddell White 15
Poor Robin Iris Weddell White 16
Pussy-Cat, Pussy-Cat Iris Weddell White 17
Sing a Song of Sixpence Iris Weddell White 18
My Black Hen Iris Weddell White 20
Goosey, Goosey, Gander Iris Weddell White 21
Dapple Gray Donn P. Crane 22
Hey, Diddle, Diddle Herbert N. Rudeen 23
Old Mother Hubbard Lucille Enders 24
Here's a Leg for a Stocking Lucille Eruiers 26
Jack and Jill Iris Weddell White 27
Jack Be Nimble Iris Weddell White 28
Little Miss Muffet Iris Weddell White 29
Mary, ^Lvry, Quite Contr.\ry Lucille Enders 30
Simple Simon Lucille Enders 31
Jack Horner and Tom Tucker Lucille Enders 32
Little Boy Blue 7m Weddell White 33
Jack Spr.\t Lucille Enders 34
Old Woalvn Who Lived in a Shoe Lucille Eruiers 35
Cross Patch Lucille Enders 36
A Crooked Man Lucille Enders 37
The Queen of Hearts Lucille Enders 38
The Milk Maid Lucille Enders 39
Moth E}R More y and Jack Lucille Enders 40
xiii
xiv Illustrations
PAGE
OisTE, Two, Buckle My Shoe Lucill-e Enders 41
Solomon Grundy R. F. Babcock 42
A Was an Apple Pie Lucille Enders 43
Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stau Lucille Enders 44
Key to the Kingdom Lucille Enders 45
Down Tumbled Wheelbarrow Herbert N. Rudeen 46
A Jolly Miller Herbert N. Rudeen 47
Daffy-Down-Dillv Donn P. Crane 47
Rainbow in the Morning Iris Weddell White 48
Three Ships R. F. Babcock 49
Pease Porridge Hot Lucille Enders 50
Three Geese in a Flock Lucille Enders 51
One-ery, Two-ery, Ickery Ann Lucille Enders 51
Fiddlers Three Herbert N. Rudeen 52
Old King Cole Herbert N. Rudeen 53
Taffy Stole a Piece of Beef Herbert N. Rudeen 54
HuMPTY Dumpty Lucille Enders 55
The House that Jack Built R. F. Babcock 56
Juvenile Literature (Sub-title) Herbert N. Rudeen 61
The Frog Lucille Enders 63
The Fox and the Crow Lucille Enders 64
The Ass in the Lion's Skin R. F. Babcock 65
A Frog Lucille Enders 66
Up in a Swing Lucille Enders 67
The Sun's Travels Lucille Enders 68
The Gnat and THE Bull Lucille Enders 70
The Hare AND the Tortoise Lucille Enders 71
The Stork Could Not Get the Soup Herbert N. Rudeen 73
The Fox Could Not Reach the Meat Herbert N. Rudeen 74
The Mouse Gnawed at the Big Ropes . . . . . . . R. F. Babcock 76
Red Riding Hood and the Wolf Mildred Lyon 79
The Wolf in the Bed Mildred Lyon 81
Tom Thumb R. F. Babcock 84
A Raven Flew Away with Tom R. F. Babcock 88
Tom Thumb at King Arthur's Court R. F. Babcock 91
The Little Old Woman and Her Pig .... Herbert N. Rudeen 97
And Here She Is! Herbert N. Rudeen 105
Rain Lucille Enders 110
Hop-O'-My-Thumb Dropped Pebbles Donn P. Crane 114
Hop-O'-My-Thumb Pulls Off the Ogrk's Vj^^i.i . . . R. F. Babcock 125
Nurse Helps Me When I Embark Lucille Enders 127
Robert Louis Stevenson (Halftone) 128
Up Into the Cherry Tree Lucille Enders 130
The Fox and the Grapes Donn P. Crane 135
Three Little Pigs Herbert N. Rudeen 136
The Monkey Uses THE Cat's Paw R. F. Babcock 143
The Land of Counterpane Donn P. Crane 144
The Cock and the Horse Donn P. Crane 146
The Hardy Tin Soldier Herbert N. Rudeen 148
Illustrations xv
PAGE
A Voice Said, "The Tin Soldier!" Herbert N. Rucken I o3
Marching Song Liinlle Endcm 155
Jack Climrs THE Beanstalk Mihlrcd Lyon 159
Jack Takes THE Money Bags Mildred Lyon 168
Jack Tricked the Welsh Monster Herbert N. Rudeen 181
Jack in His Coat of Dajikness and Shoes of Swiftness
Bonn P. Crane 185
Thunderdale Fell Into the Moat W. E. Scott 193
Old Gaelic Lullady Lucille Enders 203
She Quietly Kissed the Delicate Leaves Marion Miller 208
Hansel and Grethel Following the Bird Mildred Lyon 216
"Come Inside; No One Will Hurt You" Mildred Lyon 218
Hansel on the Duck's Back Mildred Lyon 221
Cinderella's Slipper Mildred Lyon 224
Cinderella Helped Her Sisters Mildred Lyon Til
Cinderella in the Fairy Coach Mildred Lyon 228
The Prince's Ball Mildred Lyon 235
Eugene Field (Halftone) 242
The Maiden Knelt by the Water Herbert N. Rudeen 249
The Castle Grew While the Maiden Slept . Herbert N. Rudeen 251
Where Go the Boats.'' Lucille Enders 256
The Snow Image Lucille Enders 259
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod Lucille Enders 262
Geese Herbert N. Rudeen 268
The Hare Herbert N. Rudeen 269
The Fox Herbert N. Rudeen 270
The Lion Herbert N. Rudeen 272
The Hunter and the Dragon Herbert N. Rudeen 274
The Prince Shows the Dr.\gon's Tongues . . Herbert N. Rudeen 288
The Drummer on the Brim of the Giant's Hat . . Donn P. Crane 307
The Drummer and Princess Reunited Donn P. Crane 315
The Palace at End of Avenue of Trees Roy Appel 321
The Chest of Jewels Lucille Enders 327
Beauty's Room Lucille Enders 330
Beauty Took the Prince by the Hand Lucille Enders 337
The OwTj and the Pussy'-Cat Lucille Enders 339
The Enchanted Stag R. F. Babcock 341
The Golden Bird Donn P. Crane 352
Feather Donn P. Crane 353
The Fox Aids the Youngest Brother Donn P. Crane 355
The Bird Scre.amed Donn P. Crane 357
The King's Son Rode Away with the Maiden and the Bird
Donn P. Crane 361
The King W^elcomed His Youngest Son Donn P. Crane 365
Brock at the Forge Donn P. Crane 371
Brock Gave the HLvmmer to Thor Donn P. Crane 375
The Flax Mildred Lyon 378
The Duel Lucille Enders 384
Atalanta Stooped for the Apple Iris Weddell White 391
xvi Illustrations
PAGE
The Ugly Duckling Herbert N. Rtideen 414
The Ugly Duckling Sw.\m with Them .... Herbert N. Ritdeen 418
A Beautiful White Swan Herbert N. Rudeen 426
Mercury and Jupiter Iris Weddell White 432
Mercury, Jupiter .-vnd Baucis Iris Weddell White 435
Dick in His G.ajiret Iris Weddell White 445
Dick Receives the Casket Iris Weddell White 452
Joseph R-F. Babcock 457
The Brothers Bowed Down Before Joseph ... R. F. Babcock 465
Nursery Rhymes
Nursery Rhymes
Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake,
Baker's man,
Bake me a cake
As fast as you can;
Prick it and pat it.
And mark it with T,
And put it in the oven
For Teddy and me.
N uiisEiiY Rhymes
This little -pig went to market ;
This little pig stayed
at home;
This little pig
had a bit
of meat,
This little
pig said,
And this little pig
had none;
"Wee, wee, wee !
I can't find my
way home."
Nursery Rhymes
Bye, baby biintinpf,
Father's gone a-hunting,
JNIother's gone a-milking,
Sister's gone a-silking,
Brother's gone to buy a skin
To wrap the baby bunting in.
\r-
Vi
^_ \.u<.ille £.«\dprs
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig;
Home again, home again, dancing a jig.
Ride to the market to buy a fat hog ;
Home again, home again, jiggety-jog.
Nursery Rhymes
Up, little baby, stand up clear ;
INIother will hold you, do not fear ;
Dimple and smile, and chuckle and crow!
There, little baby, now you know !
Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son John
Went to bed with his stockings on ;
One shoe off, and one shoe on,
Diddle, diddle, dumpling, my son Jolin.
^i=J^^=W
Nursery Rhymes
Baa, baa, black sheep.
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full;
One for my master,
One for my dame.
And one for the little boy
That lives in our lane.
-'to?'!' ■?
Nursery Rhymes
9
Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep,
And can't tell where to find them ;
Leave them alone, and they'll come home.
Wagging their tails hehind them.
10 Nursery Rhymes
Kide a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,
To see an old lady upon a white horse ;
Rings on her fingers,
And bells on her toes,
And so she makes music
Wherever she goes.
Nursery Rhymes
11
Dame Trot and her cat
Led a peaceable life,
When they were not troubled
With other folks' strife.
When Dame had her dinner
Near Pussy would wait,
And was sure to receive
A nice piece from her plate.
r
I like little pussy, her coat is so warm,
And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm ;
So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,
But pussy and I very gently will play.
12
Nursery Rhymes
Ladybird, Ladybird.
Fly away home;
Your house is on fire,
Your cliildren will burn.
There was a rat.
For want of stairs,
Went down a rope
To say his prayers.
Three blind mice, see how thej^ run!
They all ran up to the farmer's wife.
Who cut off their tails with the carving knife ;
Did you ever see such a sight in your life. As —
Three blind mice, see how they run!
etc., etc.
Nursery Rhymes
18
Three little kittens
Lost their mittens;
And they began to cry,
"Oh! mother dear,
We really fear
That we have lost our mittens.'
"Lost your mittens!
You naughty kittens!
Then yon shall have no pie."
"Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow."
"No; yon shall have no pie."
"JNIee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow,
mee-ow."
14
Nursery Khymes
There was a monkey climbed up a tree ;
When he fell down, then down fell he.
Great A, little a,
Bouncing B !
The cat's in the cupboard.
And she can't see.
Nursery Uhy^ies
Ding, (long, bell, Pussy's in the well !
Who i)ut her in ? Little Tommy Linn.
Who pulled her out? Big John Stout.
What a naughty hoy was that
To drown the poor, poor pussy-cat,
Who never did him any harm,
But killed the mice
in his father's barn.
15
3i.!s VftJJcW Wft?"
16
Nursery Rhymes
The north wind doth blow,
And we shall have snow,
And w'hat will poor Robin do then ?
Poor thing!
He'll sit in a barn.
And to keep himself warm
Will hide his head under his wing,
Poor thing!
Nursery Rhymes
17
"Pussy-cat, pussy-cat,
Where have you been?"
"I've been up to London
To look at the queen."
"Pussy-cat, pussy-cat,
AVhat did you there?"
"I frightened a little mouse
Under the chair."
18 Nursery Rhymes
Sing a song of sixpence,
A pocket full of rye,
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie.
When the pie was opened,
The birds began to sing;
Wasn't that a dainty dish
To set before the king?
The king was in his counting-house,
Counting out his money;
The queen was in the parlor,
Eating bread and honey;
The maid was in the garden,
Hanging out the clothes ;
Down came a blackbird.
And nipped off her nose.
NUKSEKV KllYMES
19
20 Nursery Rhymes
Higgledy Piggledy,
]My black hen,
She lays eggs for gentlemen;
Sometimes nine, and sometimes ten.
Higgledy Piggledy,
My black hen!
Nursery Uuvmes
Goosey, goosey, gander,
Whither shall I wander?
Ul)stairs, downstairs,
And in my lady's chamber.
There I met an old man
That would not say his prayers;
I took him by the left leg,
And threw him downstairs.
21
I Wwrf.
22
Nursery Rhymes
I had a little pony, his name was Dapple
Gray;
I lent him to a lady to ride a mile away.
She whipped him, she lashed him,
She rode him through the mire
I would not lend my pony now.
For all the lady's hire.
Nursery Rhymes
23
Hey, diddle, diddle.
The cat and the fiddle.
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see the sport.
While the dish ran away with the spoon.
24
Nursery Rhymes
Old jNIother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To get her poor dog a bone;
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare.
And so the poor dog had none.
She went to the baker's
To buy him some bread.
But when she came back
The poor dog was dead.
She went to the joiner's
To buy him a coffin,
But when she came back
The poor dog was laughing.
She went to the butcher's
To get him some tripe,
But when she came back
He was smoking his pipe.
She went to the hatter's
To buy him a hat,
But when she came back
He was feeding the cat.
NuKSERv Rhymes
25
She went to the barber's
To buy him a wig,
But when she came back,
He was dancing a jig.
She went to the tailor's
To buy liim a coat,
But when she came back
He was riding a goat.
She went to the cobbler's
To buy him some shoes
But when she came back
He was readmg the news.
She went to the seamstress
To buy him some linen.
But M'hen she came back
The dog was a-spinning.
She went to the hosier's
To buy him some hose,
But when she came back
He was dress'd in his clothes.
The dame made a curtsey,
The dog made a bow;
The dame said, "Your servant."
The dog said, "Bow, wow."
26
NuRSEEY Rhymes
Johnny shall have a new bonnet,
And Johnny shall go to the fair,
And Johnny shall have a blue ribbon
To tie up his bonny brown hair.
And why may not I love Johnny?
And why may not Johnny love me?
And why may not I love Johnny,
As well as another bodj^?
And here's a leg for a stocking.
And here is a leg for a shoe,
And he has a kiss for his daddy.
And two for his mammy, I trow.
r
The cock doth crow
To let you know,
If you be wise,
'Tis time to rise.
NuKSERY Rhymes
27
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water;
Jack fell down and broke his croM'n,
And Jill came tumbling after.
Ins WedOell vrti.fi.
28 Nursery Rhymes
Little fishie in the brook,
Papa caught him with a hook,
]\Iamma fried him in a pan.
Baby ate him Hke a man!
There was an old woman
Lived under a hill.
And if she's not gone,
She lives there still.
^^
Jack be nimble, Jack be quick,
Jack jump over the candlestick.
Nursery Rhymes
29
Little Miss Muffet
Sat on a tuffet,
Kating her curds and whey;
Along came a spider,
And sat do^vn beside her,
And frightened Miss Muffet away
^n> W^ddeil Vvf-^-
30
Nursery Rhymes
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
Silver bells and cockleshells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
Nursery Rhymes
Simple Simon met a pieman,
Going to the fair;
Says Simple Simon to the pieman,
"Let me taste your ware."
31
Says the pieman to Simple Simon,
"Slunv me first your penny/'
Says Simple Simon to the j)ieman,
"Indeed, I have not any."
Simple Simon went a-fishing
For to catch a whale :
All the water he had got
Was in his mother's pail !
32
Nursery Rhymes
Little Jack Horner sat in a corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb, and he took out a plum.
And said, "What a good boy am I."
Little Tom Tucker
Sings for his supper;
What shall he eat?
White bread and butter.
How shall he cut it
Without e'er a knife?
How can he marry
Without e'er a wife ?
\^ci<'f Cni/fr^ —
Nursery Rhymes
33
Little Boy Blue, come, blow your horn;
The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn.
"Where's the little boy that looks after the sheep?"
"He's under the haystack, fast asleep."
34
Nursery Rhymes
Jack Sprat could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean;
And so betwixt them both, you see,
They licked the platter clean.
Come, let's to bed, says Sleepy-head ;
Tarry a while, says Slow;
Put on the pan, says Greedy Nan,
Let's sup before we go.
Nursery Rhymes
35
There was an old woman who Hved in a shoe ;
She had so many children she didn't know what to
do;
She gave tliem some broth without any ])read ;
She whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.
36
Nursery Rhymes
There was an old woman, and what do you think?
She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink;
Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet,
Yet this grumbling old woman could never keep
quiet.
TlTf
Cross patch,
Draw the latch.
Sit by the fire and spin;
Take a cup
And drink it up,
Then call your neighbors in.
Nursery Rhymes
37
There was a crooked man, and he Ment a crooked
mile;
He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile !
He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked
mouse,
And they all hved together in a little crooked house.
38
Nursery Rhymes
The Queen of Hearts,
She made some tarts,
All on a summer's day;
The Knave of Hearts,
He stole those tarts.
And took them clean away.
The King of Hearts
Called for the tarts,
And beat the Knave full sore;
The Knave of Hearts
Brought back the tarts,
And vowed he'd steal no more.
NUKSERY KllY.MES
yy
"Where are you going, my pretty maid?"
"I'm going a-milking, sir," she said.
"JNIay I go with you, my pretty maid?"
"You're kindly welcome, sir," she said.
"What is your father, my pretty maid?"
"JNlv father's a farmer, sir," she said.
"Say, will you marry me, my pretty maid ?"
"Yes, if you please, kind sir," she said.
"What is your fortune, my pretty maid?"
"JNIy face is my fortune, sir," she said.
"Then I can't marry you. my pretty maid!"
"Nobody asked you, sir," she said.
40
Nursery Rhymes
I'll tell you a story
About Old JNIother Morey—
And now my story's begun;
I'll tell you another
About Jack, her brother,
And now my story's done.
Nursery Rhymes
41
One, two,
Buckle my shoe;
Three, four,
Shut the door ;
Five, six,
Pick up sticks ;
Seven, eight.
Lay them straiglit;
Nine, ten,
A good fat hen ;
Eleven, twelve.
Who will delve?
Thirteen, fourteen.
Maids a-courting ;
Fifteen, sixteen,
Maids a-kissing;
Seventeen, eighteen,
Maids a-w^aiting;
Nineteen, twenty,
That's a-plenty.
42
Nursery Rhymes
Solomon Grundy,
Born on Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
JVIarried on Wednesday,
Sick on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
Died on Saturday,
Buried on Sunday;
And that was the last of
Poor old Solomon Grundy,
Born on Monday,
Christened on Tuesday,
Married on Wednesday,
Sick on Thursday,
Worse on Friday,
etc., etc.
Nursery Rhymes
43
A was an apple pie ;
B bit it;
C cut it ;
D dealt it;
E ate it ;
y fought for it;
G got it ;
H had it ;
J joined it;
K kept it;
L longed for it;
M mourned for it;
N nodded at it ;
O opened it;
P peeped in it;
Q quartered it;
R ran for it ;
S stole it;
T took it;
V viewed it ;
W wanted it ;
X, Y, Z, and amper-sai
All hoped for a piece in
44
Nursery Khymes
Twinkle, twinkle, little star;
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
When the glorious sun is set.
When the grass with dew is wet.
Then you show your little light.
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
In the dark-blue sky you keep.
And often through my curtains peep ;
For you never shut your eye
Till the sun is in the sky.
As your bright and tiny spark
Lights the traveler in the dark,
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star!
NuKSERv Rhymes
45
There is the key of the Kingdom
In that Kingdom there is a city
In that city there is a town;
In tliat town there is a street;
In that street there is a lane;
In that lane there is a yard ;
In that yard there is a house ;
In that house there is a room;
In that room there is a bed ;
On that bed there is a basket ;
In that basket there are some
flowers.
Flowers in the basket,
Basket on the bed,
Bed in the room,
Room in the house.
House in the yard,
Yard in the lane,
Lane in the street.
Street in the town.
Town in the city,
City in the Kingdom,
And this is the key of the Kingdom.
In that Kingdom there is a city ;
In that city there is a town ;
In that town there is a street ;
In that street there is a lane ;
In that lane there is a yard ;
In that yard there is a house;
In that house there is a room ;
In that room there is a bed ;
etc., etc.
m
NuESERY Rhymes
AVhen I was a bachelor I lived by myself,
And all the bread and cheese I got, I put upon a
shelf ;
The rats and the mice did lead me such a life
That I went to London to get myself a wife.
The streets were so broad and the lanes were so
narrow,
I could not get my wife home without a wheel-
barrow ;
The wheelbarrow broke, my wife got a fall ;
Down tumbled wheelbarrow, little wife, and all.
Nursery Rhymes
47
There was a jolly miller
He lived on the river Dee ;
He worked and sang from morn till night,
No lark so hlithe as he.
And this the hurden of his song
Forever used to be —
I care for nobody — no! not I,
Since nobodv cares for me.
Daffy-Down-Dilly has come up to town
In a yellow petticoat and a green gown.
48
NuKSEKY Rhymes
Rainbow in the morning, sailors take warning.
Rainbow at night, sailors' delight.
Early to bed, and early to rise,
Is the way to be healthy, wealthy and wise.
If all the world were water.
And all the water were ink,
What shonld we do for bread and cheese?
What should we do for drink?
MuRSERY Rhymes
49
I saw three ships come sailing by,
Come sailing by, come sailing by ;
I saw three ships come sailing by,
On New Year's Day in the morning.
And what do yon think was in them then,
AVas in them then, ^^•as in them then i
And what do yon think was in them then,
On New Year's Day in the morning?
Three pretty girls were in them then,
Were in them then, were in them then ;
Three pretty girls were in them then,
On New Year's Day in the morning.
And one could whistle, and one could sing,
And one could play on the violin —
And they all came up for my wedding,
On New Year's Day in the morning.
50
Nursery Rhymes
Pease porridge hot,
Pease porridge cold,
Pease porridge in the pot,
Nine days old.
Some like it hot.
Some like it cold,
Some like it best
When it's nine days old.
Nursery Rhymes
51
Wire, brier, limber-lock,
Three geese in a flock;
One flew east, and one flew west,
And one flew over the Coo-Coo's nest.
One-ery, two-ery, ickery ami,
Fillacy, fallacy, Nicholas Zann,
Queevy, Quavy, Irish navy,
Stingalmn, stangalmn, buck.
Ls.<.i 1 1 c t n J rti
52
NuKSERY Rhymes
Old King Cole
Was a merry old soul,
And a merry old soul was he ;
He called for his pipe,
And he called for his bowl,
And he called for his fiddlers three.
Every fiddler he had a fiddle,
And a very fine fiddle had he ;
Twee, tweedle dee, tweedle dee,
Went the fiddlers three.
O ! there's none so rare as can compare
With King Cole and his fiddlers three.
Nursery Rhymes
53
54
Nursery Rhymes
Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief;
Taffy came to my house and stole a piece of beef;
1 went to Taffy's house, Taffy wasn't home;
Taffy came to my house and stole a marrow-hone.
I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not in ;
Taffy came to my house and stole a silver pin;
I went to Taffy's liouse, Taffy was in ])ed,
I took a poker and flung at his head.
Nursery Rhymes
55
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall ;
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall ;
And all the King's horses and all the King's men
Can't put Hnmpty
Dumpty
together
again.
56
Nursery Rhymes
^
^^^=:m=±
This is the house that Jack built.
This is the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cat.
That kill'd the rat,
That ate the malt.
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the dog,
That worried the cat.
That kill'd the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This Is the cow with crumpled horn,
That toss'd the dog,
Nursery Rhymes
That worried the cat,
That kill'd the rat,
That ate the malt.
That lay in the house that Jack built.
57
This is the maiden all forlorn,
That milk'd the cow M'ith crumpled horn,
That toss'd the dog,
That worried the cat.
That kill'd the rat.
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the man all tatter'd and torn.
That kiss'd the maiden all forlorn,
That milk'd the cow with crumi^led horn.
That toss'd the dog.
That worried the cat,
That kill'd the rat.
That ate the malt.
That lay in the house that Jack built.
58
Nursery Rhymes
This is the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tatter'd and torn,
That kiss'd the maiden all forlorn,
That milk'd the cow with crumpled horn,
That toss'd the dog.
That worried the cat,.
That kill'd the rat,
That ate the malt.
That lay in the house that Jack built.
/
This is the cock that crow'd in the morn.
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn.
That married the man all tatter'd and torn,
That kiss'd the maiden all forlorn,
That milk'd the cow with crumpled horn,
That toss'd the dog,
That worried the cat,
That kill'd the rat.
That ate the malt.
That lay in the house that Jack built.
Nursery Rhymes
59
This is the farmer sowing his corn,
That kept tlie cock that crow'd in the mom,
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tatter'd and torn,
That kiss'd the maiden all forlorn,
That milk'd the cow with crumpled horn,
That toss'd the dog,
That worried the cat.
That kill'd the rat,
That ate the malt,
That lay in the house that Jack built.
r
See a pin and pick it up,
iVU the day you'll have good luck.
See a pin and let it lay.
Bad luck you'll have all the day.
r
A diller, a dollar, a ten o'clock scholar,
What makes you come so soon?
You used to come at ten o'clock.
But now vou come at noon.
60 Nursery Rhymes
There was a man of our town,
And he was wondrous wise :
He jumped into a bramble bush,
And scratched out both his eyes.
And when he found his eyes were out,
With all his might and main
He jumped into another bush,
And scratched them in again.
r
For every evil under the sun,
There is a remedy, or there is none.
If there be one, try to find it ;
If there be none, never mind it.
r
A man of words and not of deeds,
Is like a garden full of weeds;
For when the weeds begin to grow.
Then doth the garden overflow.
My story's ended
My spoon is mended:
If you don't like it,
Go to the next door
And get it mended.
T^'" ""^
The world is so full of a number of things,
I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings.
— Stevenson.
The Boys and the Frogs
THE BOYS AND THE FROGS
SOME boys were one day idling by the side of
a pond, and whenever a Frog h'fted its head
from the water, the boys would pelt it with stones.
"Boys," said a Frog, "this may be fun for you.
but it is death for us."
The old fables were written to teach a lesson of
some kind, and it was usually stated hi a "JNloral"
at the end of the fable. We do not need to be told
the moral of this little piece, but it is a great deal
bigger and broader than one might think. jNlany
times we are stoning frogs when we play a practical
joke on our friends, or frighten children younger
than ourselves.
THE DOG AND HIS SHADOW
A BIG Dog carrying a big piece of meat in his
, mouth was one day crossing a river on a nar-
row bridge. Chancing to look into the water, he
saw his own image reflected there, but thought it
was another dog with a bigger piece of meat. He
opened his mouth to grab the other's piece of meat
and lost his own in the river.
Greedy people often come to grief.
64
The Fox and the Ckow
THE FOX AND THE CROW
A'
FOX once saw a Crow fly off witl
a piece of cheese in its beak and
settle on a branch of a tree.
"That's for me, as I am a Fox," said
INIaster Renard, and he walked up to
the foot of the tree.
"Good-day, Mistress Crow," he
cried. "How well you are looking
to-day; how glossy your feathers; how bright yoin*
eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of
other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear
you sing, that I may call you queen of birds."
The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw
her best, but the moment she opened her mouth
the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be
snapped up by Master Fox.
"That will do," said he. "That was all I
wanted. For your cheese I will give you a piece
of advice: Do not trust flatterers."
The Boy and the Nettle
65
THE BOY AND THE NETTLE
A LITTLE boy, playing in the fields, chanced
. to be stung by a nettle, and came crying to
his father.
"That nasty weed has hurt me several times.
Now, I am always afraid of it, and touched it as
lightly as possible. AVhy should it sting me so?"
"Child," said the father, "your touching it so
gently and timorously is the very reason it hurt you.
A nettle may be handled safely : if you seize it boldly
and grip it fast, be assured it will never sting you."
INIany little things that annoy and pain us greatly
may be made harmless if we act boldly and fear-
lessly. The water is cold to the boy who stands in
it knee-deep, but it feels warm to the one who has
plunged quickly in and is swimming about.
THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN
A^
N ASS dressed himself in a
lion's skin and went about
frightening the little animals by
his roaring. After a while he
met a Fox and tried to scare him
also. But the Fox, not fright-
ened in the least, called out to
the Ass, "You silly Ass, I might
have been frightened if I had not heard you bray,
and seen your ears sticking out of the lion's skin!"
JNIany people who dress finely show by their man-
ners and their speech that they are very common
after all.
66 The Frog and the Ox
THE FROG WHO WISHED TO BE AS
BIG AS AX OX
AN Ox, grazing in a meadow, chanced to set his
xVfoot on a young Frog and crushed him to
death. The Frog's brothers and sisters, who were
plaj^ing near, at once ran to tell their mother what
had happened.
"The monster that did it, mother, was such a
size!" said they.
The mother, who was a vain old thing, thought
she could easily make herself as large. "Was it as
big as this?" she asked, blowing and puffing herself
DUt.
"Oh, much bigger than that," replied the young
Frogs.
"As this, then?" cried she, puffing and blowing
again with all her might.
"Nay, mother," said they; "if you
were to try till you burst yourself, you
would never be so big."
The silly old Frog tried to puff
herself out still more, and burst her-
self indeed.
Many a man ruins his business and himself in
trying to be something for which Nature never
intended him.
A THOUGHT
By Robert Louis Stevenson
It is very nice to think
The world is full of meat and drink.
With little children saying grace
In every Christian kind of place.
The Swing
67
r
THE SWING
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue ?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do !
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside —
Till I look down on the garden green, ^'^
The Sun's Travels
THE SUN'S TRAVELS
By Robert Louis Stevenson
The Sun is not abed, when I
At night upon my pillow lie ;
Still round the earth his way he takes,
And moi'uing after morning makes.
While here at home, in shining day,
We round the sunn}^ garden play.
Each little Indian sleepyhead
Is being kissed and put to bed.
And when at eve I rise from tea.
Day dawns beyond the Atlantic sea;
And all the children in the West
Are getting up and being dressed.
We know that the earth turns round and round
as it travels about the sun, and that when it is da}'^
in Scotland, where the author of this poem lived, it
is night way off in India, on the other side of the
earth. Stevenson was a grown man when he wrote
this poem, but he remembered very clearly how
interested he was when a child in the other little
children far away in the strange, "upside-down"
parts of the world.
The Sun's Travels
69
70
The Gnat and the Bull
THE GNAT AND THE BULL
A STURDY Bull was driven by the heat of the
weather to wade up to his knees in a cool and
swift-running stream. He had not been there long
when a Gnat, that had been disporting itself in the
air, lighted upon one of his horns.
"My dear fellow," said the Gnat, with as great
a buzz as he could manage, "pray excuse the liberty
I take. If I am too heavy, only say so, and I will
go at once and rest upon the poplar which grows
by the edge of the stream."
"Stay or go, it makes no difference to me," replied
the Bull. "Had it not been for your buzz I should
not even have known you were there."
Did you never see a silly little child, or even a
grown person, who thought he was of great impor-
tance, while all his acquaintances knew him to be
neither a help nor a hindrance to others ?
The Hare and the Tortoise 71
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
OYOU slow one, you clumsy one, your ugly
shape and plodding motions make me roar
with laughter," said the Hare to the Tortoise one
day as they met in the road.
"Perhaps I am ugly and do move slowly," replied
the Tortoise, "but I can beat you in a race to the
next river."
This made the Hare laugh more loudly than ever,
and a Fox coming along stopped to see what caused
the uproar. The Hare explained the joke and fin-
ally asked the Fox to hold the stakes and judge the
race.
Off started the rivals, and almost in the twinkling
of an eye the Hare was out of sight. Only a little
cloud of dust remained to show where he had gone.
The day was hot and sultry, and soon he was chok-
ing with dust.
"Pshaw!" said he; "I can rest here an hour — can
even take a nap — and beat that lazy Tortoise to
the brook. Suppose he does pass me, I can over-
take him quickly enough."
72 The Hare and the Tortoise
Meanwhile the Tortoise plodded slowly along,
kicking up no dust, feeling no heat. When he came
up to the Hare the latter was sleeping soundly, and
the Tortoise passed on slowly but surely, moving
steadily, never resting a minute.
It was late afternoon when the Hare awoke and
looked up and down the road. "I declare," he said;
"that slow-poke has not come along yet. I'll take
a few nibbles at this clover and then run back and
meet him."
The clover was sweet and juicy, and it was some
time before the Hare again remembered his race.
When he did, he turned to the road and examined
the dust. Think how surprised he was to see the
trail of the Tortoise leading by him toward the
brook. There was no more nibbling of lunches, no
more sleeping or resting, for off down the road he
ran, covering the ground in long leaps that brought
him quickly to the brook, where, sitting lazily at
the edge of the water, was the Tortoise, calmly
waiting.
"Here, take your money," said the Fox to the
Tortoise; adding as he turned to the Hare, "Steady
going wins the race."
A RIDDLE
LITTLE Nancy Netticoat
J In a white petticoat,
And a red nose ;
The longer she stands,
The shorter she grows.
The Fox and the Stokk
73
THE STORK COULD NOT GET THE SOUP
THE FOX AND THE STORK
AFOX and a Stork one time struck up quite a
friendship; but the Fox never could forget
how much smarter he was or how great enmity he
felt against most birds, so he was quite willing to
amuse himself at the expense of his friend.
Finally he thought of a plan which pleased him
so much as he thought it over that he ran his best
to invite the Stork to take dinner with him on the
morrow. When the Stork came, as she did prompt-
ly and willingly, she found that the Fox had pre-
pared a dinner of soup, and had put it in a large,
shallow plate, from which he could lap it very nicely,
but from which she M-as unable to get anything, for
she could barely wet the tip of her bill in it.
The Stork was rather wise herself, and w^hen she
reached home she kept thinking about the treatment
74
The Fox and the Stork
she had received at the hands of Master Fox, and
after a long and wakeful night she conceived a plan
for revenge. In the morning she called upon the
Fox and invited him to take dinner with her in
return.
Master Fox arrived on time, still chuckling over
the joke he had played on the Stork; but he was
surprised and no little disappointed to find that
the Stork had provided for the dinner a quantity
of fine minced meat, which she had put in the bot-
tom of a vase with a very long neck. She could
thrust her bill into this and pick up the meat without
trouble; but the Fox could get nothing except the
drippings that he licked from the sides of the vessel.
"A fine dinner we have had!" said the Stork.
"You need not apologize," replied the Fox.
THE FOX COULD NOT REACH THE MEAT
The Lion and the Mouse 75
THE LION AND THE MOUSE
DO 5^ou know the story of the Lion and the
Mouse? It is an old, old story, but a lovely
story, I think. It runs like this:
One day a huge Lion lay sleeping soundly in the
shade of a great tree. II is strong legs were stretched
out limply on the ground, and his shaggy head and
powerful jaws looked very beautiful in repose, for
the wicked teeth were covered and the fierce eyes
closed. Two little Mice, seeing him there, began to
play about him, and finally one of them, much
braver than the other, ran over the Lion's head,
through his tawny mane and beneath his great fore
paw.
The Lion's rest waj nearly over, and the little
feet of the Mouse tickled the huge beast into wake-
fulness. Opening one eye, he spied the Mouse under
his paw, and closed his big toes over his trembling
prisoner.
"What are you doing here, you miserable little
Mouse?" said the Lion in a terrible roar. "Why
do you disturb my noonday nap in the shade? I'll
break every bone in your ugly little body."
Down came the big toes, out sprang the awful
claws, just as they do on the cat's foot when she
dreams of hunting. The JNIouse thought surely his
last hour had come, and he cried loud as he could
in his weak, trembling voice:
"O, Mr. Lion, spare me! Spare me! I didn't mean
to disturb you, truly I didn't. You see, I was just
playing, and your mane was so soft and beautiful,
I couldn't keep out of it, and under your paws was
76
The Lion and the Mouse
THE MOUSE GNAWED AT THE BIG ROPES
just the place to hide, so here I came. I didn't mean
any harm — I didn't think you'd care, Mr. Lion,
Don't kill me this time. I'll never, never do it
again."
"Well, see that you don't," growled the Lion.
"Killing you would be small business for me, any-
how."
It w^as not many days after this that the Lion,
while hunting near by, was caught in a net which
some hunters had spread for him. He struggled
fiercely and roared in anger, but the more he rolled
about and the harder he kicked and pawed, the more
closely the net clung to him, till at last, weary with
fighting, he lay bound and helpless, an easy prey
for the hunters when they shoidd return. The
Mouse which the Lion had spared lived in a little
The Lion and the Mouse 77
nest of grass not far from where the JAon was
caught. He heard the noise of the struggle and sat
at home with a beating heart, afraid to venture out
of doors while such a furious combat was going on.
When the Lion grew quiet, however, the Mouse
stole out, and soon saw what was the matter^
"O JNIr. Lion," he said, "you are the very Mr.
Lion that let me go that other day, aren't you? and
now the hunters will kill you if you can't get away,
won't they? I'll help you."
"What can you do, you little mite?" growled the
Lion. "Better run away yourself, or when the
hunters come for me they'll step on you."
"O, I can help. I can gnaw the ropes in two.
I'd like to do it," said the Mouse. "Just you keep
still till I tell you to move."
So the INIouse began to gnaw on the big ropes.
It ^vas a hard task, and his lips grew sore and his
sharp teeth ached, but he kept on bravely till one
after another the ropes gave way and the King of
the Woods was almost free.
"Wait just a few minutes more," said the INIouse
as he paused to rest his little jaws. "Don't jump
up till I get out of the way. I'll tell you when."
In a little while the last rope was cut in two, and
the INIouse, scrambling down from the Lion's big
head, called out :
"Now jump up, INIr. Lion; you're free. Aren't
you glad you didn't kill me the other day?"
The big fellow stood up on his feet, shook himself
a few times, stretched his aching limbs, washed his
face and walked away. But just as he was going
he looked back over his shoulder and sang out,
"Little friends are great friends."
78 The Old Man and His Sons
THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS
AN old man who had many sons became very much
XV troubled by their constant quarreling. Many
times and often he called his sons before him and
begged them to live together in peace and harmony.
Nothing he said seemed to affect them in the least
until one day he showed them something that spoke
more powerfully than words.
Before calling them around him on this day he
tied together a bundle of as many sticks as there
were sons. Then when all were present he said to
the youngest, "Take this bundle of sticks and break
it.
Though the youngest tried his best he could not
break the bundle, nor could the next boy, nor the
next, nor even the oldest and strongest of them,
although he put his knee across it and pulled with
all his muscles.
When each son had made trial and all had failed,
the father cut the cord that bound the sticks together
and handed a single stick to each son.
"Now break them," said he.
Each son succeeded in breaking his stick with
great ease.
"See, my sons!" cried the old man. "There is
the power of unitjM Bound together in brotherly
love, you may defy every human opposition ; divided,
you will surely fall a prey to your enemies."
Little Red Riding Hood
79
LITTLE RED RIDING-IIOOD
Adapted from the French of
Charles Perrault
ONCE upon a time there lived in a small village
in the country a little girl, the prettiest and
sweetest little creature that ever was seen. Her
RED RIDING HOOD AND THE WOLF
80 Little Red Riding Hood
mother loved her very fondly, and her grandmother
doted on her still more.
This good woman had made for her a little red
hood, which was so becoming to the child that every
one called her Little Red Riding-Hood.
One day her mother, having made some cheese
cakes, said to her :
"Go, my child, and see how your grandmother
does; for I fear she is ill. Carry her some of these
cakes and this little pat of butter."
Little Red Riding-Hood set out right away with
a basket filled with cakes and the pat of butter, to
go to her grandmother's house, which was in another
village a little way off.
As she was going through a wood which lay in
her road, she met a large wolf, who had a very great
mind to eat her up; but he dared not, because of
some woodcutters near by in the forest. Yet he
spoke to her and asked her where she was going.
The poor child, who did not know that it is always
dangerous to stand and hear a wolf talk, said to him:
"I am going to see my grandmamma and carry
these cakes and this pat of butter from my mamma."
"Does your grandmother live far off?" asked the
wolf.
"Oh, yes," answered Little Red Riding-Hood;
"she lives beyond that mill yonder, in the first house
in the village."
"Well," said the wolf, "I'll go and see her too.
I'll go this way and you go that way, and we'll see
who'll be there first."
The wolf set out as fast as he could run, taking
the nearest way, and it was not long before he
reached the old woman's house.
Little Red Riding Hood
81
He knocked at the door, tap, tap, tap.
A voice ill the house said:
"Who's there?"
The ^Volf rephed, speaking as much hke Little
Red Riding-Hood as he could:
"It is your grandchild. Little Red Riding-Hood.
I have brought you some cheese cakes and a little
pat of butter that mamma has sent you."
The good grandmother, Mho was ill in bed, cried
out:
"Pull the bobbin, and the latch will go up !"
The wolf pulled the bobbin, the door opened, and
in he jumped. Presently he caught the good woman
and ate her up in a hurry, for it Mas more than
three days since he had touched a bit of food.
Then he shut the door, and, climbing into the
grandmother's bed, M'aited for Little Red Riding-
Hood.
wShe had gone the longest M^ay round and had
stopped to gather nuts, to run after butterflies and
to make nosegays of the little floM^ers that she found
by the M-ay ; but shortly after the M'olf had got into
bed she reached the house and knocked at the door,
tap, tap.
"WHO'S THERE?"
82 Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding-Hood, hearing the big, gruff
voice of the wolf, was frightened at first; but then
she thought that perhaps her grandmother had a
bad cold and was hoarse, so she answered :
" 'Tis your grandchild, Little Red Riding-Hood.
JMamma has sent you some cheese cakes and a little
pat of butter."
The wolf, softening his voice as much as he could,
called to her:
"Pull the bobbin, and the latch will go up!"
Little Red Riding-Hood pulled the bobbin, the
latch went up, and the door opened.
When she came into the room, the wolf hid him-
self under the bedclothes and said to her, in the
feeblest voice he could make:
"Put the basket on the stool, my dear, and come
and lie down with me."
Little Red Riding-Hood, who always did as she
was told, undressed herself and got into bed. But
the little girl, amazed to see how her grandmother
looked in her night-clothes, said :
"Dear me. Grandmamma, what great arms you
have!"
The wolf replied:
"They are so much better to hug you with, my
child." ' '
"Why, Grandmamma, what great legs you have
gotr
"That is to run the better, my child!"
"But, Grandmamma, what great ears you've
got!"
"That is to hear the better, my child."
"But, Grandmamma, what great eyes you've
got!"
Sing INC H:i
"Tiicv arc so imicli better to see you with, my
child." '
Then the httle ^irl, who was now very iniicli
frightened, said :
"Oh, Gran(hnaninia, what great teeth yon liavc
got!"
'TIIKV ARE TIIK l^ETTKH TO EiVT
YOU UP!"
With these words the wicked wolf fell ui)oii Little
Red Riding-Hood and ate her up in a moment.
This little story is foniid in many countries,
and everywhere it is a great favorite with chil-
dren. If yon mention Little Red Riding-IIood
anywhere, you will be almost certain to find men
and women who smile as they think how much they
liked to read, w^hen they were young, about the little
girl and her grandmother.
William Wetmore Story, the famous sculptor,
once made a beautiful marble statue of I^ittle Red
Riding-Hood, showing that he remembered and
w'as glad that he knew the good old tale.
SINGING
By RoBKRT Louis Stevenson
OF speckled eggs the birdie sings,
And nests among the trees ;
The sailor sings of ropes and things
In ships upon the seas.
The children sing in far Japan,
The children sing in Spain ;
The organ with the organ man
Is singing in the rain.
84
Tom Thumb
TOM THUMB
WPIEN Arthur was king of Great Britain, and
his brave knights were seeking adventures
in all parts of his kingdom, the greatest magician
was JNIerlin, of whose deeds you may read a great
many tales.
At one time, when this great enchanter was on
a long journey, he became very tired and turned
in at the cottage of a plowman, whose wife, Avith
great kindness, gave him a couch on which to rest
and treated him to a meal of rich milk and fine
brown bread. The cottage was neat and well fur-
nished, and the plowman seemed in good circum-
stances, but INIerlin noticed that the wife wore a
very sorrowful expression and seemed to find no
Tom Thumb 85
enjoyment in anything she did. When JVIerlin met
the plowman he saw that the farmer was as sad as
his M'ife. Surprised at this in such people, he asked
them the cause of their troubles.
The poor woman, with tears in her eyes, said,
"There is but one thing we need to make us per-
fectly hap])y. You see we have no children, and
the house is very lonely. AVhy, if I could have one
hoy, even if he were no bigger than his father's
thumb, I should be the happiest creature in the
world."
The idea pleased ^lerlin greatly, and after he
left the plowman's home he called the queen of the
fairies to his assistance.
"I know," he said, "a plowman's wife who says
she would be the happiest w^oman in the world if
she had a son only the size of his father's thumb.
Cannot you help her?"
The fairy queen laughed at the idea of so small
a man, and said," Well, send word to the plowman's
wife that her wish shall be granted."
Xot long afterward the plowman's wife did indeed
have a little son, who was strong and healthy in
every respect but not larger than her husband's
thumb; and strange to say, no matter how much
he ate or how well he took care of himself, he never
grew any larger.
The queen of the fairies came to see the little
fellow very soon after he was born and gave him
the name of Tom Thumb. At the same time she
called several of her servants from fairyland, and
together they made for Tom a wonderful suit of
clothes. His hat was made of an oak leaf ; his shirt
from a spider's web ; his doublet of thistledown ; his
86 Tom Thumb
stockings of apple rind and his shoes from the skin
of a mouse nicely tanned with the hair inside.
Although Tom was not bigger than a man's
thumb, yet he was a bright-eyed, sharp-witted little
fellow who became very cunning and sly as he grew
older ; and as he was a great favorite with his mother
she never corrected him very severely, and some of
his pranks were quite troublesome. He liked to
play the games that other boys played, and even
joined with them, but he was so little and mischiev-
ous that none of the boys liked him very well.
Sometimes he would find his way into their luncli
pails and steal their food, or even get into their
pockets and take out their marbles and playthings.
Some of his pranks, however, turned out as badly
for himself as for the people he played them on, and
a number of times he got into very serious danger.
One day while his mother was making pudding,
Tom stood on the edge of the bowl to watch her.
As she turned away to get some more flour to stir
into the bowl, Tom fell in, and his mother, never
missing him, stirred him up in the dough and put
him in the pot to boil. When the water began to
get hot, Tom jumped about madly, scattering the
dough so that his mother thought the pudding was
bewitched, and gave it to a tinker who passed by
just at that time.
The tinker put the pudding into his bag and went
on his way. After a while Tom got his head out of
the dough, cleaned the batter from his mouth, and
shouted as loud as he could, "Hello, Jack the
tinker."
The man was so frightened at the voice from the
pudding that he tossed it hastily over a hedge into
Tom Thumb 87
a field, where it was broken into a dozen pieces by
its fall. This released Tom, who ran home to his
mother. She was glad to see him, although it made
her no little work to clean the dough and j^lums
from his clothing.
Once Tom fell into the milk and was nearly
drowned. Again he fell over the edge of the salt
box which hung on the wall, and could not get out
until his mother heard his cries and lifted him down.
It was not long after Tom fell into the saltcellar
that his mother took him out into the field with her
while she milked the cows. Fearing that he would
be blown away by the wind, she tied him to a thistle
with a piece of string. There Tom sat singing mer-
rily while his mother did the milking.
When a big bumblebee came buzzing along Tom
cried out, "Give me some of your honey."
"I am sorry, but I cannot. I need it for my little
ones at home," replied the bee.
Next a beautiful butterfly came near Tom., and
the little fellow called out, "JNIrs. Butterfly, will j^ou
give me a ride on j^our back some day?"
But the butterfly went quickly away, saying over
her shoulder, "I do not dare to have you on my back.
You would brush the tin}^ scarlet and gold feathers
from my wings."
After a while a little field mouse came and blinked
at Tom with his sharp little eyes.
Tom said, "JNIay I come and rest in your house
some day, Mr. JMouse?"
But the mouse ran away, and as he ran he said
something which Tom could not understand, but
which was, "If I should take you to my house I am
afraid you would show the cats the way to it."
88 Tom Thumb
The next animal that came along was an enor-
mous cow, who savagely pulled up the thistle to
which Tom was tied and gathered him in with it.
Tom was terribly frightened by the big white teeth,
the great red tongue and the yawning throat of the
cow.
He shouted out at the very top of his shrill little
voice, "JNIother, mother."
His mother heard and answered, "Where are you,
Tom? Where are you, Tom?"
"Here, mother. I am in the red cow's mouth,"
said Tom.
Now his mother was frightened surely enough;
but Tom kicked and scratched and bit the cow's
throat so savagely that she was glad to throw him
out of her mouth again. His mother picked him up
in a hurry, put him in her apron and ran back to
the house, where she was a long time cleaning him
up and changing his clothes.
Another day, when Tom was helping drive the
cattle home, a raven caught him up with some ker-
nels of corn and flew with him to the top of a giant's
Tom Thumb 89
great castle, where he left him. Very soon the
giant, walking ahout on the terrace of his castle, saw
Tom, and would quickly have eaten him; hut Tom
scratched and hit the giant's tongue till the great
fellow spit him out of his mouth, over the terrace
and into the sea.
While Tom was struggling in the water a large
fish came along and swallowed the little man in a
jiffy. Tom was not hig enough to satisfy the hunger
of the fish, who almost immediately seized the hait
of a fisherman, and was soon landed in the hoat.
The fish was so large and fine that it seemed fit only
for a king, and the fisherman took it as a present to
King Arthur, who sent it to the kitchen to be cooked.
You may imagine the surprise of the cook when she
cut open the fish and found Tom alive and kicking
within.
Of course so wonderful a prize was sent at once
to the king, M'ho with all his court was very much
delighted with the little man. For a long time Tom
Thumb was a favorite dwarf at the court, and
amused the king and all his followers by merry
pranks. The king used to take Tom hunting, and if
a shower came up or the sun grew too hot he would
drop Tom into his waistcoat pocket, where the tiny
man slept till it was pleasant again.
Tom became such a favorite with the king that
the latter dressed him up in rich clothes and sent him
to pay a visit to his parents, telling him that he
might have as much money as he could carry. Tom
found a little purse, put into it as much as he could
lift, shouldered his little bag and started on his jour-
ney. After traveling two days and nights and being
almost worn out with the huge weight of silver on
90 Tom Thumb
his back, he arrived at his father's house. His par-
ents were overjoyed to see him. Tom could scarcely
wait to tell them about the money he had.
"O mother," he said, "I have brought you a for-
tune. The king gave me all the money I could carry
to bring home to you, and here it is."
Then Tom opened the purse, and there rolled out
upon the floor — a silver three-penny piece! The
farmer and his wife were amazed at such a sum of
money.
When Tom's visit was over, his mother took him
up, set him on the palm of her hand, and then with
a strong puff of her breath blew him back to the
king's court, where everybody was glad to see him
again.
King Arthur made Tom a knight, gave him
elegant suits of clothes and a fine mouse to ride
as a horse, and many are the stories told of Tom's
wonderful deeds.
We have not time to read more of them now, but
they were so wonderful that people heard about
them all over the world. All very naturally wished
that Tom had lived in their own country. After
a while they began to think that he did live among
them; and now if j^ou should go to Europe you
would hear the German children, the French chil-
dren, the Danish children and all the others telling
and reading stories about Tom Thumb. But al-
ways the German children read and tell about a
German Tom Thumb; the French children, about
a French Tom Thumb, and so on ; but we are going
to believe that Tom Thumb really lived in England
in the merry days of King Arthur.
The story of Tom Thumb was published in rhyme
Tom Thumb
01
for the little Folks ol' Kn^land almost three hun-
dred years ago. It began in this way :
"In Arthur's court Tom Thumb did live,
A man pf mickle might.
The best of all the Table Roimd,
And eke a doughty knight.
TOM THUMB AT KING ARTHUR S COURT
"His stature but an inch in height,
Or quarter of a span;
Then think you not this little knight
Was proved a valiant man?"
The story was first written in prose in 1621, by
Richard Johnson.
THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE
WOLVES
^j|N summer time the shepherds used to
I
drive their sheep out into the moun-
tains some distance away from their
homes, where the grass was green and
tender and the sheep fattened rapidly.
But there was always some danger
in this, for the wolves hid in the moun-
tains and often came down and carried off the little
lambs, and even killed the old sheep themselves.
So the shepherds never thought it was safe to leave
the flocks alone, and some 3'oung lad was always
chosen to watch them during the day, while the shep-
herds worked on the little fields they cultivated near
at hand. It wasn't a hard task for the boy unless
the wolves came in sight, and then he was so near
that by calling loudly he could bring the shepherds
to his aid.
One lad they sent out to do this work was a mis-
chievous little chap, who thought it Mould be great
sport to bring the shepherds about him even if no
wolf was in sight. Accordingly, he ran up the side
of a high rock, shouting at the top of his voice
"Wolf! Wolf!" and swinging his arms wildly
about.
The shepherds saw and heard him and came run-
ning to the spot, where they found nothing but the
lively boy, laughing merrily. They reproved him
for his mischief and went back to their work.
92
The Shepherd Boy and the Wolves 93
In a few days they had forgotten all about his
prank, and when they saw him again upon the rock,
swinging his arms and calling "Wolf! Wolf!" they
ran a second time, with their hoes and spades in their
hands to beat off the attack. Once more they found
that the sheep were perfectly safe, and that no
wolves were in sight, and the boy laughed noisily at
their surprise. This time they were very angry
and scolded the boy roinidly for his deception.
JNIore days passed, and nothing happened; but
then, as the boy was lying idly in the warm sun,
he saw the sheep huddle together in alarm and
finally scamper off over the hill with wolves in close
pursuit.
Frightened almost out of his wits at the very
real danger, the boy climbed again upon the rock,
shrieking "Wolf! Wolf!" at the top of his voice,
waving his hands, stamping, and swinging his hat
as though his very life depended on it.
The shepherds looked up and saw the boy, but
returned to their work. They had been twice
fooled and were not going to risk the chance again.
No matter how loudly the boy called or how much
he wept, they continued with their work, paying no
further attention to what the lad said, even Avhen
he ran to them and assured them that he was telling
the truth.
When the sheep did not return that night, the
shepherds went out to find them, but though they
hunted long and earnestly, they could discover noth-
ing but torn and bleeding bodies, for every sheep
had been killed.
Naturally they laid all the blame on the shoulders
of the bov.
94 The Rock-a-ry Lady
THE ROCK-A-BY LADY*
By Efgexe Field
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 sugarplum.
And lo! thick and fast the other dreams come
Of popguns 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 INIother 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.
*From "Love-Songs of Childhood"; Copyriglit. 1804. hy Eugene
Field: jmhlislied hy (liarles Sciiliiiei's Sons.
The Wind and the Sun 95
Why do you suppose Field says that poppies
hang from the head to tlie feet of the lady from
Ilushahy street? Would it mean just as nuieh to
you if he had said roses or daisies instead of poppies?
Did you know that people think pop])ies will put
you to sleep, and that from poppy juice they make a
medicine that will ease pain and quiet the sufferer?
THE WIND AND THE SUN
A DISPUTE once arose hetween the Wind and
. the Sun, each declaring himself to he the
stronger. While they were wrangling about it a
traveler in a big cloak came along the road, and they
agreed that the one who could get off the traveler's
cloak the sooner should be called the stronger.
The Wind began by sending a furious blast that
at first nearly tore the cloak away ; but the shivering
traveler clutched his cloak more tightly and wrapped
it about him so closely that the Wind, though he
blew his worst, could not get the garment away.
The Sun then drove away the clouds that the
Wind had gathered, and gently cast his beams up-
on the head of the traveler until the man grew weary
and faint with the heat. At last he threw his cloak
from him and ran hastily into the shade.
This fable teaches us that gentleness often accom-
plishes more than severity.
96 The Wolf and the Crx\ne
THE AVOLF AND THE CRANE
AAVOLF devoured his prey so ravenously that
, a bone stuck in his throat, giving him great
pain. He ran howling up and down, and offered to
reward handsomely any one who would pull it out.
A Crane, moved by pity as well as by the prospect
of the money, undertook the dangerous task. Hav-
ing removed the bone, he asked for the promised
reward.
"Reward!" cried the Wolf; "pray, you greedy
fellow, what reward can you possibly required You
have had your head in my mouth, and instead of
biting it off 1 have let you pull it out unharmed.
Get away with you, and don't come again within
reach of my paw."
LULLABY
By Thomas Dekker
GOLDEN slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles awake when you do rise ;
Sleep, pretty wantons; do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby —
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.
Care is heavy, therefore sleep you ;
You are care, and care must keep you ;
Sleep, pretty wantons ; do not cry.
And I will sing a lullaby —
Rock them, rock them, lullal)V.
The Little Old Woman and ITer Pk; 97
THE LITTLE OLD WOMAN AND
HER PIG
A LITTLE old woman was sweeping her little
old house, when she found a little old sixpence
in the nest of a mouse.
"What shall I do with the sixpence?" said the
little old woman. "I know: I'll go to market and
buy me a little pig."
So she went to the market and bought her a pig.
When she was going home she came to a stile, and
she said:
"Pig, little pig, get over the stile,
Or I shan't get home to-night."
"I won't," said the pig.
She went a little farther, and she met a dog. So
she said to the dog:
98 The Little Old Woman and Her Pig
"Dog, dog, bite pig!
Pig won't get over the stile,
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the dog would not.
She went a httle farther, and she met a stick.
So she said:
"Stick, stick, beat dog!
Dog w^on't bite pig ;
Pig won't get over the stile,
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the stick would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a fire.
So she said:
"Fire, fire, burn stick!
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Pig won't get over the stile.
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the fire would not.
She went a little farther, and she met some water.
So she said:
"Water, water, quench fire!
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Pig won't get over the stile,
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the M ater would not.
She went a little farther, and she met an ox. So
she said:
"Ox, ox, drink water!
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
The Little Old Woman and Her Pig 99
Dog won't bite pig;
Pig won't get over the stile,
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the ox would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a butcher.
So she said:
"Butcher, butcher, kill ox!
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Pig won't get over the stile,
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the butcher would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a rope. So
she said:
"Rope, rope, hang butcher!
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Pig won't get over the stile.
And I shan't get home to-night."
But the rope would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a rat. So
she said:
"Rat, rat, gnaw rope!
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water;
Water won't quench fire*
100 The Little Old Woman and Her Pig
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Pig won't get over the stile,
And I shan't get home tc -night."
But the rat would not.
She went a little farther, and she met a cat. So
she said:
"Cat, cat, kill rat!
Rat won't gnaw rope;
Rope won't hang butcher;
Butcher won't kill ox;
Ox won't drink water ;
Water won't quench fire;
Fire won't burn stick;
Stick won't beat dog;
Dog won't bite pig;
Pig won't get over the stile,
And I shan't get home to-night."
The cat said, "If you will give me a saucer of milk,
I will kill the rat."
So the old woman gave the cat the milk, and when
she had lapped up the milk —
The cat began to kill the rat;
The rat began to gnaw the rope ;
The rope began to hang the butcher ;
The butcher began to kill the ox ;
The ox began to drink the water;
The water began to quench the fire;
The fire began to burn the stick;
The stick began to beat the dog ;
The dog began to bite the pig;
The pig jumped over the stile.
And so the old woman got home that night.
SILVER-LOCKS AND THE THREE
BEARS
LONG time ago, in a far-off country,
there, were three bears who lived to-
gether in a snug little house of their
own, deep in the woods.
One of them was a Little, Small,
Wee Bear, and one was a JNliddle-
Sized Bear, and the other was a
Great, Big, Huge Bear.
Their house was in a lonely place, but they had
all the porridge they could eat and were always
very happy. Each had a pot for his own porridge :
a little pot for the Little, Small, Wee Bear; a mid-
dle-sized pot for the JNIiddle-Sized Bear, and a great
pot for the Great, Big, Huge Bear.
And each had a chair to sit in: a little chair for
the Little, Small, Wee Bear; a middle-sized chair
for the Middle- Sized Bear, and a great chair for
the Great, Big, Huge Bear.
And each had a bed to sleep in: a little bed for
the Little, Small, Wee Bear ; a middle-sized bed for
the Middle-Sized Bear and a great bed for the
Great, Big, Huge Bear.
One morning, after they had made the porridge
for their breakfast and poured it out into the por-
ridge pots, they walked out in the woods while the
porridge was cooling, that they might not burn their
mouths by beginning too soon to eat it.
And while they were walking, a little girl who
101
102 Silver-Locks and the Three Bears
was called Silver-Locks, because her curly hair
shone like silver in the sun, came to the house.
She was a lively little girl, and so restless that
she could hardly stay at home, and whenever it was
possible she ran away without leave.
When she came to the bears' house in the woods,
she first peeped in at the window; then she peeped
in at the keyhole, and seeing nobody in the house,
she lifted the latch.
The door was not fastened, because the bears were
good bears who did nobody any harm and never
thought that anj^bodj^ would harm them; so Silver-
Locks opened the door and went in, and there she
saw^ the three bowls of porridge.
She was a sad little scamp, and so she tasted the
largest bowl, w'hich belonged to the Great, Big,
Huge Bear; but that was too hot for her.
Then she tasted the middle-sized bowl, wdiich be-
longed to the JNIiddle-Sized Bear; and that was too
cold for her.
Then she went to the porridge of the Little, Small,
Wee Bear, and tasted that, and that was neither
too hot nor too cold, but just right; and she liked
it so well that she ate it all.
Then she went into the parlor, and there w^ere
three chairs.
She tried the biggest chair, which belonged to
the Great, Big, Huge Bear; and she found it too
high.
Then she tried the middle-sized chair, which be-
longed to the JNIiddle- Sized Bear; and she found
that too broad.
Then she sat down in the little chair, which be-
longed to the Little, Small, Wee Bear; and she
Silver-Locks and the Three Bears 103
found it just right, neither too high nor too broad.
But she sat in it so hard that the bottom came out,
and down she fell with a bump to the ground.
By this time little Silver-Locks was very tired,
so she crept upstairs to the bedchamber, where the
three bears slept.
At first she lay down upon the bed of the Great,
Big, Huge Bear; but that was too high at the head
for her.
Then she lay down upon the bed of the INIiddle-
Sized Bear; but that was too low at the foot for her.
Then she lay down upon the bed of the Little,
Small, Wee Bear; and that was neither too high at
the head nor too low at the foot, but just right; so
she covered herself up and lay there till she was
fast asleep.
While little Silver-Locks was lying there fast
asleep, the three bears thought their porridge had
cooled enough, so they came in from their walk to
eat their breakfast.
They came right into the kitchen to get their
porridge; but when the Great, Big, Huge Bear
went to his bowl he growled out, in his great, rough,
gruff voice:
"SOMEBODY HAS BEEN TASTING MY
PORRIDGE!"
When the ^Middle- Sized Bear looked into his por-
ridge bowl he cried out, in his middle-sized voice:
"Somebody has been tasting my porridge!"
Then the Little, Small, Wee Bear looked at his
porridge bowl and found the porridge all gone, so
he piped out, in his little, small, wee voice :
"Somebody has been at MY porridge and has
eaten it all up!"
104 Silver-Locks and the Three Bears
Then the three bears began to look all about
them. They went into the parlor, where little
Silver-Locks had sat in the chairs.
Xow, she had forgotten to put the cushions
straight when she rose from the chair of the Great,
Big, Huge Bear.
Then the Great, Big, Huge Bear growled out,
in his great, rough, gruff voice:
"SOMEBODY HAS BEEX SITTING IN
MY CHAIR!"
Then the ]\Iiddle-Sized Bear cried out, in his
middle-sized voice:
"Somebody has been sitting in mv chair!"
And the Little, Small, Wee Bear piped out, in
his little, small, wee voice:
"Somebody has been sitting in MY chair and has
broken it all to pieces!"
Then the three bears went uj^stairs into their
chamber. There the Great, Big, Huge Bear
growled out, in his great, rough, gruff voice:
"SOMEBODY HAS BEEN LYING IN
MY BED!"
And the Middle-Sized Bear, in his middle-sized
voice, cried out:
"Somebody has been lying in j/i'bed!"
And the Little, Small, Wee Bear piped out in
his little, small, wee voice:
"Somebody has been lying in MY bed — and here
she is !"
Little Silver-Locks had heard in her sleep the
great, rough, gruff voice of the Great Big, Huge
Bear; but she was so fast asleep that it was no more
to her than the roaring of wind or the rumbling
of thunder.
Silver-Locks and the Three Bears 10')
She had heard in her sleep the middle-sized voice
of the Middle-Sized Bear; but it was all as if she
had heard some one speaking in a dream.
But when she heard the little, small, wee voice of
the Little, Small, Wee Bear, it was so sharp and so
shrill that it wakened her at once.
AND HERE SHE IS !
Up she started, and when she saw the three bears
on one side of tlie bed, she tumbled herself out on
the other.
Then the Great, Big, Huge Bear growled out, in
his great, rough, gruff voice :
"LET'S EAT HER!"
And the Middle-Sized Bear cried out, in bis
middle-sized voice:
"Let's eat her!"
106 The Cow
But the Little, Small, Wee Bear piped out, in his
little, small, wee voice:
"No, no; let's kiss her and send her home I"
While they were talking, Silver-Locks, without
waiting to hear what they decided to do, jumped
out of the low window and ran off home as fast as
her feet would carry her.
THE COW
By Robert Louis Stevenson
THE friendly cow all red and white,
I love with all my heart :
She gives me cream with all her might.
To eat with apple-tart.
She wanders lowing here and there,
And yet she cannot stray,
All in the pleasant open air.
The pleasant light of day ;
And blown by all the winds that pass.
And wet with all the showers.
She walks among the meadow grass
And eats the meadow flowers.
LOOKING FORWARD
By Robert Louis Stevenson
When I am grown to man's estate
I shall be very proud and great,
And tell the other girls and boys
Not to meddle with my toys.
The Lady Bird and the Fly 107
THE LADYBIRD AND THE FLY
By WiLHELM AND JaKOB GrIMM
ALADYBIRD and a fly once lived and kept
. house together, and they hrewed their beer in
an eggshell. One day the ladybird fell in and was
burned. Then the fly set up such a loud scream
that the little door of the room asked: "What are
you screaming for, fly?"
"Because ladybird has burned herself."
Then began the door to creak. "Why are you
creaking?" asked a little broom in the corner.
"Shall I not creak?" said the door;
"Ladybird is burned,
And little fly weeps."
Then began the broom to sweep with all its might :
and presently a stream passed the door and said:
"Why are you sweeping so, broom?"
"Shall I not sweep?" replied the broom;
"Ladybird is burned,
Little fly weeps,
Little door jai's.
And little broom sweeps."
Then said the stream, "So will I run," and it be-
gan to run rapidly.
"Why are you rumiing so?" asked the fire.
"Shall I not run," it replied,
"When ladybird is burned.
And little fly weeps.
Little door jars.
And little broom sweeps,
While little stream runs?"
108 The Lady Bird and the Fly
Then said the fire, "So will I burn," and it burst
into a dreadful flame.
A tree near the fire said: "Fire, why do you
burn?"
"Shall I not burn," it replied,
"When ladybird is burned,
And little fly weeps,
The little door jars.
And little broom sweeps,
And little stream runs?"
Then said the little tree, "So will I rustle," and
't began to shake so violently that the leaves fell off.
A maiden came by, carrying her little pitcher to
the well, and she said : "Tree, why do you rustle so?"
"Shall I not rustle?" the tree replied;
"Ladybird is burned.
Little fly weeps,
Little door jars.
Little broom sweeps,
Little stream runs.
And little fire burns."
"Then I will break my little pitcher," said the
maiden. So she broke her pitcher.
Then said the well, as the water flowed out:
"JNIaiden, why dost thou break thy pitcher?"
"Shall I not break my pitcher?" she said;
"Ladybird is burned.
And little fly weeps,
Little door jars.
And little broom sweeps.
Little stream runs.
Little flre burns.
And little tree rustles."
The Two Travelers 109
"Ah I" said the well, "then I will begin to flow."
And the water began to flow so rapidly that the
maiden, the tree, the fire, the stream, the broom, the
door, the fly and the ladybird were all swe^^t away
together.
THE TWO TRAVELERS
TWO men were traveling through a wood, when
one of them jDicked up an ax which he saw lying
on the ground.
"Look here!" he said to his friend; "I've found
an ax."
"Don't say, ^I've found an ax'; say, 'We*ve found
an ax';" replied the other. "We are friends and
are traveling together. Whatever we find ought to
belong to both of us."
"No, indeed!" said the first traveler. "I found
the ax myself; you did not see it at all until I had
it in my hand. No part of it belongs to you."
They had not gone far, hoMever, before the owner
of the ax came running after them in a great passion,
threatening them furiously if they did not at once
return his property.
"Now we are in for it!" said the man with the ax.
"Not at all!" said the other. "You should say,
'/ am in for it', not 'we'. You gave me no share in
the ax; I will have no share in the danger!"
110
Rain
RAIN
By Robert Louis Stevenson
The rain is raining all around,
It falls on field and tree,
It rains on the umbrellas here.
And on the ships at sea.
The Two Travelers and the Oyster 111
THE TWO TRAVELERS AND THE
OYSTER
AS two men were walking by the seaside at low
xV water they saw an oyster, and they both stooj)ed
at the same time to pick it up. One pushed the
other away, and a dispute ensued.
A traveler coming along at the time, they deter-
mined to ask him which of the two had the better
right to the oyster.
While each was telling his story the traveler
gravely took out his knife, opened the shell and
loosened the oyster. When they had finished, and
were listening for his decision, he just as gravely
swallowed the oyster, and offered them each a shell.
"The Court," said he, "awards you each a shell.
The oyster will cover the costs."
Does it ever happen that two men in a lawsuit
lose more money than the thing they were disputing
about is worth ? Is that what the fable means ?
E
SYSTEM
By Robert Louis Stevexson
VERY night my prayers I say.
And get my dinner every day ;
And every day that I've been good,
I get an orange after food.
The child that is not clean and neat,
With lots of toys, and things to eat,
He is a naughty child, I'm sure —
Or else his dear papa is poor.
HOP-O'-MY-THUMB
Adapted from the French Story by
Charles Perrault
NCE upon a time there lived in a forest
a woodcutter and his family, a wife and
seven children. These seven children,
were all boys, and the oldest of them
was only ten, while the youngest was
seven. As the woodcutter was very
poor, his children were a great burden
to him, for no one of them could do anything to earn
a living.
To make it worse, the youngest boy was a puny
little fellow who hardly ever spoke a word, and who
was thought very stupid by his brothers and even
by his parents. Really, this silence was a mark of
his good sense, but his father and mother could think
of him as only silly and good for nothing, and they
were sure he would turn out a fool.
This boy was not only very delicate; he was ex-
tremely small, for when he w as born he was scarcely
bigger than your thumb, and so they called him little
Hop-o'-my-thumb.
Naturally, everything that went wrong in the
house was blamed upon this little boy, and he be-
come the drudge of everybody. Nevertheless, he
was much sharper and wiser than all his brothers,
and while they were chattering away he kept a still
tongue in his head, but listened intently all the time.
113
Hop-O'-My-Thumb 113
At last there came a year when Httle rain fell and
the fields produced much less than ever before, and
the woodcutter grew poorer and poorer until it was
almost impossi})lc to get food for himself and his
wife. One evening when the children had gone to
bed, the woodcutter sat down by the fire with his
wife to talk the matter over.
"I do not know what I can do," he said. *'We
have had nothing but bread and potatoes for a long
time, and now they are both gone. I cannot bear
to see the boys starve before my eyes, so I think we
must take them out into the woods to-morrow and
lose them there. We can do this very easily, for
while they are playing about we can slip away with-
out being seen."
"O husband! you surely can never consent to the
death of your own children. I cannot believe that
you mean it. I never will agree to such a thing."
*'Well," said the father, with a breaking heart,
"it is either do that or all starve here together; and
perhaps if we take them out into the woods and
leave them the Lord will provide for them."
It was a long time before the wife would consent
to this, for she was the children's mother and loved
them all; but finally, weeping as though her heart
would break, she gave her consent and went sobbing
to bed.
Now when his parents began to talk about this
matter, little Hop-o'-my-thumb had not yet gone
to sleep; and hearing his mother weeping he crept
softly away from the bed where he slept with his
brothers, and hid himself under his father's chair
that he might listen closely to every word they spoke.
When they went off to bed he crept back into his
114
Hop-O'-My-Thumb
HOP-O -MY-THUMB UKOPl'ED PEBBLIiS
warm place and spent the rest of the night thinking
of what he had heard.
Next morning as soon as it began to grow hght
he got out of bed and went to a brook that flowed
near the house, where he filled his pockets with small
white pebbles, and then ran back to the house.
Not long after this the father called the children
about him and set out for the woods. When they
came to a very dense place in the forest, the father
and mother left the boys to gather twigs and tie
them in bundles while they went a little farther into
the woods. The trees grew so thick that when they
were a few yards away from the children they could
not be seen, and so it was not at all difficult for
them to leave the children without being discovered.
Little Hop-o'my-thumb had said nothing to any
of the boys about what he knew, but he had taken
good pains to drop his white pebbles in the path
over which they had come, so that he knew very
well he could find his way home again.
After a while the boys grew tired of their work
Hop-O'-My-Thumb 115
and began to look about for their parents. When
they could find them nowhere, they began to cry
loudly, and Ilop-o'-niy-thumb let them cry on till
they were weary. Then he said, "Never mind, my
lads. Do not be afraid. Father and mother have
left us here, but you follow me and I will lead you
back home again."
This cheered them mightily, and they set off
through the woods, following their little brother as
confidently as though he were ten times his size.
The white pebbles showed the way, and it was not
so very long before they came to their cabin. At
first they did not dare to go in, but stood by the
door listening to what their parents were talking
about.
Now it happened that while they were gone a
rich man in the village had sent them two sovereigns
that he had owed them for some time but had for-
gotten to pay. They were delighted with the money,
and the husband's first thought was of something to
eat, so he sent his wife out to the butcher's to buy
meat.
Driven by the pain of her hunger, and forgetting
for a time that her children were not at home, she
bought two or three times as much meat as was
needed for herself and her husband. While she w^as
returning to the house she remembered what had
happened to the children, and by the time she opened
the door she was weeping bitterly.
"What is the matter ? Haven't w-e money enough
and food enough now?" asked her husband.
"Alas, yes," she replied. "We have food enough,
but M'here are our poor children ? How they would
feast on what we shall have left ! It is all vour fault ;
116 Hop-O'-My-Thumb
it is just as I told you over and over again, that we
should repent the hour we left them to starve in
the forest. Oh, mercy, perhaps they have already
been eaten by hungry wolves! I told you how it
would be, I told you how it would be!"
At last the woodcutter grew very angry with his
wife, for she would not cease her reproaches.
"If you don't hold your tongue I will give you
a good beating," he said, although in his heart he
was just as sorry as she was that the children were
not there. The woodcutter was like many another
husband: he knew that his wife was right, but he
did not like to be told so.
The threat quieted her somewhat, but every few
minutes she would cry out, "Alas, alas, what has
become of my dear children!"
One time she said it so loud that the boys, who
were clustered around the door, heard her, and they
cried out, "Here we are, mother; here we are."
She flew like lightning to let them in and kissed
them all as fast as she could.
"Oh, you rogues! How glad I am to see you.
Why, Peter, you are all dirt. Let me wash your
face. Bobby, you have torn your coat; I must
mend it right away."
This Bobby was next to the youngest, and as he
had red hair like his mother's, he was always her
favorite. After a little washing and brushing, but
before any mending was done, the boys sat down
at the table and ate as heartily as though they were
grown men. Talking and eating at the same time,
they all together told how frightened they had been
in the woods, and how Hop-o'-my-thumb had led
them safely home.
Hop-O'-M y-Thumb 1 1 7
It was a hapi^y evening, and the joy of the family
lasted until the money was exhausted and they found
themselves near starving again.
By degrees the parents came again to think of
leaving the children in the woods, and this time they
intended to take them farther away; but no matter
how slyly they talked a])out it, H()])-o'-my-thumb
was always listening and laying plans for escaping
as he had done before.
At last one night the parents agreed to take their
children away the very next morning.
As soon as it was light. Hop-o'-my-thumb was
up again in order to get out and pick up some more
white pebbles, but ^\'hen he reached the door he found
it was locked and bolted, so he was unable to get out
at all. He was much puzzled as to what to do until
it became time for breakfast and he was given his
share of the last loaf of bread. Then he thought that
he might drop the crumbs on the way and mark it as
well as with the white pebbles. So instead of eating
his bread he slyly dropped it into his pocket, and on
the way he scattered the crumbs as, he had intended.
This time they were taken much farther into the
woods and left as before, but Hop-o'-my-thumb was
not disturbed, for he knew how to find his way.
When the time came, however, for him to lead his
weeping brothers home, he could not find a trace of
his bread crumbs. The birds had eaten them all.
Then, indeed, were the children in great distress.
They wandered about, but only buried themselves
deeper in the forest. When night came a great wind
arose and frightened them terribly. On all sides it
seemed as though they could hear the hungry wolves
howling on their way to eat them. The boys did
118 Hop-O'-My-Thumb
not dare to speak, or even to turn their heads. Rain
began to fall, and soon they were wet to the skin.
With almost every step they slipped and fell to the
ground and got so covered with mud that the}^ could
hardly move their hands, and the little ones were
continually crying to their big brothers to help
them on.
When they were nearly worn out. Hop-o'-my-
thumb told them to wait while he climbed to the top
of a tree to see if he could discover anything. After
he had looked about on all sides, and was nearly
discouraged, he at last saw a little gleam of light
like that from a candle, but it was very far away
beyond the edge of the forest. However, when he
climbed down to the ground and tried to go toward
the light he could not see it and become more con-
fused even than before. Yet he happened to choose
the right direction, and the children walked on as
fast as they could.
Finally they came out of the woods and saw the
light ahead of them. As they ran toward it, how-
ever, it would disappear now and then when they
went into a little hollow ; and each time they thought
it had disappeared forever. Nevertheless, they did
at last reach the house, and Hop-o'-my-thumb
knocked loudly for admission.
The door was quickly opened by a nice-looking
woman, who said to them, "What do vou want
here?"
Hop-o'-my thumb replied, "We are poor cliildren
svho have been lost in the forest, and we beg of you
for sweet charity's sake to give us something to eat
and a place to sleep."
As the lady looked at them she saw that they had
Hop-O'-My-Thumb 119
very sweet faces, and she at once became interested
in them.
"Alas, poor little ones," she said, with tears in
her eyes; "from what place have you come, and
why do you come here? Do you not know this is
the house of an Ogre, who eats little children?"
"Alas, madam," answered Hop-o'-my-thumb,
trembling all over as did his brothers, "what shall
we do? If you do not give us shelter, the wolves
will certainly eat us before morning. We would
rather be eaten by the Ogre than by the wolves. But
perhaps when he sees us he will take pity on us
and let us go."
The lady, who -was the Ogre's wife, thought she
might conceal them in the house, so she brought
them in and made them sit by the fire, where a
whole sheep was roasting for the Ogre's supper.
Just as they were nicely warmed and had eaten the
lunch the kind lady gave them, they heard four loud
double knocks at the door. The woman caught the
children up hastily and hid them under the bed, for
she knew it was the Ogre returning. Then she
opened the door and let her wicked husband into
the house.
"Is supper ready, and is the wine draAMi?" said
the Ogre.
"Yes; everything is ready; sit down," answered
his wife.
You and I would not have thought supper was
ready, for the mutton was not half cooked, but it
suited the Ogre a great deal better than if it had
been well done.
After he had eaten heartily he began to sniff
about and said, "I think I smell fresh meat."
120 Hop-O'-My-Thumb
"It must be the calf which I have just been dress-
ing," said his wife.
"No, I am sure I smell fresh meat," said the
Ogre. "You are concealing something from me."
With these words he jumped from the table and
went straight to the bed, where he found the seven
little boys almost dead with terror.
"Is this the way you deceive me, you wicked
woman?" said the Ogre. "I do not know what
keeps me from eating you, too. But these boys will
come very handy just now, for three other Ogres
are coming to visit me in a day or two."
Then one after another he dragged the little boys
out from under the bed and set them on the table
before him. Each boy knelt, folded his hands de-
voutly and prayed the Ogre to pardon them and let
them go. But they were dealing with the fiercest
and most wicked of all the Ogres, and he was deaf
to their prayers.
As he felt their little limbs he said to his wife,
"What delicate morsels these will make fried, if
you can prepare a decent sauce for them."
After devouring them with his eyes for a few
moments he went to the cupboard and brought out
his great knife, which he began to sharpen briskly
on a stone which he held in his left hand.
As soon as the edge of the knife was fine enough
to suit him he caught Peter, the eldest, by the arm
and was about to slay him, when his wife called out,
"Why do you begin killing them at this time of
night? Why don't you wait till to-morrow?"
"Be quiet," said the Ogre; "I know what I am
about. They will be much more tender if I kill
them to-night."
Hop-O'-My-Thumb 121
"But you have so much more meat on hand that
they will spoil before you can get to them. Here
are a calf, a sheep and half a pig all ready for
cooking."
"Well, perhaps you are right," said the Ogre.
"Feed them well and put them to bed, for I do not
want them to get thin and poor."
This pleased the good woman thoroughly, and
she brought them a fine meal, which, however, they
w^ere all too frightened to eat.
The Ogre sat so long by the fire, drinking hard
and thinking of the choice morsels he would have
for his friends, that he quite forgot to count the
cups he drank. So early in the evening his wits were
quite befuddled, and he had to go to bed long before
his usual time.
Now there were also in the house the seven
daughters of the Ogre, all very young and not
very far from the age of Hop-o'-my-thumb and his
brothers. These young Ogresses had fair complex-
ions, because they lived on nearly raw meat, as did
their father ; but their eyes were little and gray and
sunk quite deep in their heads. Their noses were
hooked, and their wide mouths were filled with
teeth that stood apart from one another. The
Ogresses enjoyed biting other children, but they
were not so very bad, although it was certain that
they would in time become as wicked as their father.
Before the boys came in they had been put to-
gether in one wide bed, each wearing a little golden
crown. In the same room w^as another bed of about
the same size, into which the lady put the seven little
boys before she went to her own room. Hop-o'-my-
thumb, who had been thinking very seriously all
122 Hop-O'-My-Thumb
evening, had noticed the Ogresses with their golden
crowns on then* heads, and the more he thought
about their terrible father the more decided he be-
came that the Ogre w^ould wake up in the night,
change his mind, and kill the children before morn-
ing.
After much hard thinking he hit upon a plan
which worked very well. Untying all the night-
caps from the heads of his brothers, and from his
own, he w^ent to the bed of the little Ogresses, took
their crowns off gently and tied the nightcaps on
in their places. Then he returned to his own bed
and put a crown on the head of each of his brothers
and one upon his own.
Everything happened just as Hop-o'-my-thumb
expected. About midnight the Ogre waked up
and repented that he had been so kind to the boys.
"I will just see w^hat the little brats are about and
put them out of the way now while I am in the
mood," he said.
Taking his big knife he went into the room, which
was quite dark, and came to the bed of the little
boys. Just as he was about to strike the first one
he hajDpened to think that it was best to be certain,
and putting out his hand he felt the gold crowns
on the heads of the boys.
"Aha," he said; 'Svhat a narrow escape from a
terrible mistake! I had almost killed one of my
own daughters."
When he reached the bed of the girls he felt the
coarse nightcaps on their heads, and without more
ado he cut the throats of every one of them. After
this bloody deed he w^nt back to his bed and slept
soundly till morning.
Hop-O'-My-Thumb 12.3
As soon as Hop-o'-niy-thumb heard him snoring,
he quietly awoke his l)rotliers, made them all dress
themselves, and together they stole down into the
garden and jumped over the wall. All the rest of
the night they ran as hard as they could, not know-
ing where they were going, but very much deter-
mined to get as far away from the Ogre as possible.
In the morning the Ogre said to his wife, "Come
now, go and dress the young rogues I saw last night
and bring them down to me."
She was much surprised and pleased to hear the
Ogre speak so, for she had little idea how he meant
to have the boys dressed. Putting on her clothes
and hastening up stairs, she was amazed to find
her seven daughters lying in the bloody sheets with
their throats cut from ear to ear. Overcome with
horror at the sight, she fell to the f^ror and lay in
a dead faint.
The Ogre w-aited for a while, and when his wife
did not return he thought she was too slow with her
work and w^ent upstairs to find her. His astonish-
ment was as great as hers at the fearful sight that
lay before him.
"What have I done!" he cried. "How could I
have slain my own daughters? But those little
wretches shall pay for this, and without delay."
He revived his wife by throwing a bucket of
water in her face, and then called loudly for his
seven-league boots.
"I will follow those boys to the ends of the earth,
and bring them back," said he.
He wasted no time in starting out, and rushed
about first in one direction and then in another,
until finally he came to the road where the boys
124 Hop-O'-My-Thumb
were hurrying along not more than one hundred
paces from their father's house.
They had seen him coming with his long steps
from mountain to mountain, and Hop-o'-my-thumb,
seeing a hollow rock near where they were, hid him-
self and his brothers, while he watched carefully to
see what became of the Ogre.
The Ogre himself was by this time tired from his
exertions, and finally sat down upon the very rock
under which HojD-o'-my-thumb and his brothers
were concealed. The morning was warm, and the
Ogre soon dropped off to sleep.
As soon as Hop-o'-my-thumb heard him snor-
ing he crawled out from under the rock, drew his
brothers out one by one and sent them on to his
father's house. When they were well on their way,
Hop-o'-my-thumb crept very softly up to the Ogre,
and drawing off the seven-league boots, put them
on himself. You ma}^ think that these would not
fit Hop-o'-my-thumb very well, but you must re-
member that they were fairy boots and fitted exactly
to any feet that were put into them.
With the seven-league boots on his feet, Hop-o'-
my-thumb was able to go very quickly to the Ogre's
house, where he rapped again at the door.
When the Ogress appeared he said to her, "Your
husband, the Ogre is in great trouble. He has been
captured by a band of robbers, who say they will
slay him at once unless you send to them all the
gold and silver that he has in his chests. I was near
when he was captured, and hoping that you would
send him help quickly, he put his seven-league boots
on me and asked me to deliver the message."
Seeing the boots on Hop-o'-my-thumb, the Ogress
Hop-O'-My-Thumb
125
HOP-O -MY-THUMB PULLS OFF THE OGRE S BOOTS
suspected nothing, but gathered together all the
Ogre's gold and silver and gave it to Hop-o'-my-
thumb, who sped away to his home, where he found
his family united and happy. By the aid of the
Ogre's money they were able to live the rest of their
lives in great comfort, and never again did any one
say or think that Hop-o'-my-thumb was weak or
stupid. Instead, they treated him as though he, and
126 My Bed is a Boat
not his father, was the head of the family. As for
the Ogre, he did not awaken till late in the evening,
and then without his hoots he was almost helpless.
As he was fat and unwieldy, he could scarcely walk
without assistance, so he lay back upon the rock and
soon fell asleep again. While he was in this con-
dition robbers really did come, and setting upon him
tliey beat him to death, which was surely no more
than he deserved.
MY BED IS A BOAT
By Robert Louis Stevenson
My bed is like a little boat ;
Nurse helps me in when I embark ;
She girds me in my sailor's coat
And starts me in the dark.
At night, I go on board and say
Good-night to all my friends on shore;
I shut my eyes and sail away.
And see and hear no more.
And sometimes things to bed I take,
As prudent sailors have to do;
Perhaps a slice of wedding cake,
Perhaps, a toy or two.
All night across the dark we steer ;
But when the day returns at last^
Safe in my room, beside the pier,
I find mv vessel fast.
Mv Bed is a Boat
127
c>UfF-r.Agb
NURSE HELPS ME WHEN I EMBARK
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON, the
writer of My Bed Is a Boat, was a
Scotchman, and was born in Edin-
burgh, in 1850. He was an only son,
and most of the poems which he wrote
for children show that while his child-
hood was happy, it was perhaps a little
lonesome ; that is, most of his poems are about one
child.
Stevenson's father was a noted engineer, who
planned and built lighthouses, and he intended that
his son should be an engineer and build lighthouses,
too; but young Robert Louis decided that he was
not fitted for that work, and studied to be a lawyer.
He knew all the time that he liked to write better
than to do anything else, but it never occurred to
him that he could actually give up his life to that
and make his living by it. However, about 1877 or
1878, he took two trips — one a canoeing trip in Bel-
gium and France, the other a walking trip through
France, his only companion being a particularly
stubborn donkey; and he wrote about these little
journeys so delightfully in An Inland Voyage and
Travels with a Donkey that all his friends insisted
it was a shame for him to do anything but write.
In 1879 he had a very curious, if not a very pleas-
ant, experience: he crossed to the United States in
an emigrant ship, living with the poorest kind of
people, and then journeyed across the United States
128
At Til K Seaside 129
to California in an emigrant train. He wrote very
interesting books about these journeys, too.
In California Stevenson was married, and we are
glad to know that in all the journeys whieh he took
from that time he had a companion who made him
happy. For Stevenson was an invalid and was
obliged to travel from one place to another, seeking
some spot where he could feel fairly well and strong.
He saw many curious places, and finally he settled
on one of the Samoan Islands, in the South Seas.
It was hard for him to work, but he kept himself
busy until the very last — until he died, in 1894. His
grave is on the peak of a mountain named Vaea,
above his home, which he had named Vailima.
Stevenson wrote many kinds of things. Some of
his stories, Treasure Island, Kidnapped and others,
are exciting tales of adventure, which any boy might
like to read, while his essays, with Dr. Jekyll and
Mr. Hyde, and other stories, are more distinctively
for grown people. However, among all his writ-
ings there is little more delightful than the poems
for children, which show how clearly he remembered
his own boyhood.
AT THE SEA-SIDE
By Robert Louis Stevenson
When I was down beside the sea
A wooden spade they gave to me
To dig the sandy shore.
My holes were empty like a cup.
In every hole the sea came up,
Till it could come no more.
130
Foreign Lands
FOREICxN LANDS
By Robert Louis Stevenson
Up into the cherry tree,
Who should chmh hut httle me?
I held the trunk with both my hands
And looked abroad on foreign lands.
I saw the next-door garden lie,
Adorned with flowers before my eye,
And many pleasant places more
That I had never seen before.
I saw the dimpling river pass
And be the sky's blue looking-glass;
The dusty roads go up and down
With people tramping in to town.
If I could find a higher tree.
Further and further I should see.
To where the grown-up river slips
Into the sea among the ships ;
To where the roads on either hand
Lead onward into fairy land,
Where all the children dine at five,
And all the playthings come alive.
The Lark and Her Younu Ones 131
THE LARK AND IIER YOUNG ONES
A WISE old Lark, who lived in a field of grain
. M'hich was nearly ripe, was afraid that the
reapers might come and cut the grain before her
little brood were ready to leave their nest. Every
moi'iiing, therefore, before she flew away to gather
their food for the day, she charged them to listen
carefully and to remember everything they heard
said. And every night the fond mother asked them
what they liad heard and seen during her absence.
For several days nothing happened, and then one
evening when she returned she found the young
ones in a great fever of excitement.
"O mother," they cried out in one noisy voice,
chirping and shivering in terror. "O mother, the
farmer and his two big sons were here to-day. The
farmer looked at the grain and said it was ripe and
ready to harvest. And he told his sons to go out
early to-morrow morning and ask their neighbors
and friends to come and help reap the fields. O
mother, take us away to-night, right now, or surely
we'll all be killed."
"Be easy, my children," said the wise old Lark;
"sleep soundly to-night and don't worry to-morrow.
If the farmer depends on his friends and neighbors
the field will not be touched."
The next day the owner came and waited, but no
friends or neighbors came to help him, and after
a while he went away, saying to his sons :
"To-morrow morning, boys, I want you to go out
early and summon your uncles and cousins to help
us reap the field, for really it ought to be cut. We
132 The Lark and Her Young Ones
could not depend on neighbors and friends, but
surely our relations will not disappoint us."
All this the young Larks reported in fear and
trembling to their mother when she returned at
night.
"Don't fret, little ones," she said; "friends and
neighbors did not help, neither will uncles nor
cousins. Sleep till to-morrow, then look and listen
again."
Bright and early the next morning the Lark flew
away, and very soon the owner and his sons came
again. This time they sat down in the shade near
the Lark's nest and waited impatiently until nearly
noon without seeing a sign of uncle or cousin. At
last the farmer, tired and hungry from his long
waiting, rose.
"Now listen, boys," he said; "to-morrow morning
we will come early with our sickles sharp and shin-
ing, and we will reap this field ourselves, for the
grain is already riper than it should be. Now we'll
go home and sharpen our blades."
The young Larks reported all this to their mother
when at night she came back. They were no longer
frightened and turned at once to their suppers.
"Hurry up, my children," said the Lark. "Now
is the time to move, for w^hen a man makes up his
mind to do a thing himself, it surely w^ill be done."
So in the shadows of the night the Lark moved
her little brood to a place of safety, and the next
day the old man and his sons reaped the grain field.
Little Blue Pigeon 133
LITTLE BLUE PICxEON
By Eugene Field
SLP^EP, little })igeoii, and fold your wings —
Little blue pigeon with velvet eyes ;
Sleep to the singing of mother-bird swinging —
Swinging the nest where her little one lies.
Away out yonder I see a star —
Silvery star with a tinkling song;
To the soft dew falling I hear it calling —
Calling and tinkling the night along.
In through the window a moonbeam comes —
Little gold moonbeam with misty wings ;
All silently creeping, it asks: "Is he sleeping —
Sleeping and dreaming w^hile mother sings?"
Up from the sea there floats the sob
Of the waves that are breaking upon the shore.
As though they were groaning in anguish, and
moaning —
Bemoaning the ship that shall come no more.
But sleep, little pigeon, and fold your wings —
Little blue pigeon with mournful eyes;
Am I not singing? — see, I am swinging —
Swinging the nest where my darling lies.
What a pretty, musical little lullaby this is! See
the mother sitting by the crib and rocking it gently
to and fro. To her it seems like the nest of a bird,
and in the nest lies her birdling, a little babe with
velvet eyes.
134 The Dog in the Manger
As she rocks the cradle she thinks she hears the
call of the twinkling star and the gently anxious
question of the moonbeams stealing into the room.
She hears, too, the sob of the sea on the shore, and
knows that out in the rough world are suffering
and sorrow, bereavement and loss.
None of these things, however, can come to her
little pigeon with mournful eyes, for here, as she
sits singing and swinging the cradle-nest, she is
between her babe and all sorrow and pain.
THE DOG IN THE MANGER
ADOG was lying in a manger full of hay, when
a hungry Ox came near and began to eat of the
hay. The Dog sprang up snarling and barking
and drove the Ox away.
"Surly thing," said the Ox, "you can't eat the
hay yourself, and why do you keep away the people
who can eat it?"
Did you ever see a child so selfish that he would
not give his playmate the part of an apple he could
not eat himself? Was the selfish one a "dog in the
manger" ?
This is another fable that almost everybody
knows, and many, many times as you read, even
after you are grown up and read only difficult
things, you will find the expression "dog in the
manger," and every time you will know what it
means if you remember this fable.
The Fox and the Grapes
135
THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
A HUNGRY Fox once saw some fine, luscious
.grapes hanging temptingly from a A^ine a few
feet above his head. He leaped and snapped and
leaped again, but never could he quite reach the
grapes. So many times did he try that he tjred
himself out completely, and it was some time before
he could drag himself limping away.
As he went along he grumbled savagely to him-
self, "What nasty things those grapes are! No
gentleman would eat a thing so sour."
When a person says he does not want a thing
which he knows he cannot get, we may hear some
one exclaim "Soin* grapes!" Nearly every one
knows just what the speaker means, for this fable
is many times older than any of us. People keep
reading it and liking it because it shows up a com-
mon trait of character in a very sharp manner. We
might say, "JNIost every man thinks that the thing
he cannot have is no good, " but nobody -would re-
member the saying half as long as he remembers the
little fable of the Fox and the Grapes.
136
The Three Little Pigs
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
Adapted
LONG, long ago, when pigs could talk, and long
i before any one ever heard of bacon, an old
piggy mother lived all alone with her three little sons.
Their pretty little home was right in the middle
of a big oak forest whfere acorns were so plentiful
and so good that every little pig grew fat and as
round as an apple. All were just as happy as happy
could be until one sad, sad year when no rains came,
and the frosts killed all the acorns. Then, indeed,
poor Mrs. Piggy-wiggy had a hard time to find food
for her little ones. One day when she had worked
hard and found only three acorns, she called her
sons to her, and while the tears rolled down her
The Three Little Pigs 137
cheeks, told the little pigs that she must send them
out into the world to seek their fortune.
She kissed every one of them and started them
on their travels, each down a different path, and
each carrying a neat bundle slung on a stick across
his shoulder.
The first little pig had not gone far when he met
a man who was carrying a fine bundle of straw on
his back.
"Please, ^Ir. INIan, give me that straw so I can
build me a house," said the first little pig.
The man, who was very kind and generous, gave
him the bundle of straw, and the little pig built a
cozy little house with it.
The little pig had just finished his house and was
about to lie down and go to sleep when a big wolf
came along and knocked at the little pig's door.
"Little pig, little pig, let me in, let me in," said
the wolf.
But the little pig laughed softly and answered,
"No, no, no, by the hair of ni}^ chinny-chin-chin."
Then the wolf used his big bass voice and said
very sternly, "I'll make you let me in; for I'll huflp,
and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!"
So he huffed and he puffed and he blew his house
jn, because, you see, it was only straw and very light.
When he had blown the house in he caught the little
pig and ate him all up, not leaving so much as the
very tip of his curly little tail.
The second little pig, when he had gone a little
w-ay on his path, also met a man. This man was
carrying a bundle of sticks on his back, and when
the little pig saw it he took off his hat, bowed
politely, and said in his softest voice, "Please, Mr.
138 The Three Little Pigs
Man, will you give me those sticks to build me a
house Avith?"
The man was good-natured and gave the sticks
to the little pig, who built a pretty little house with
two nice rooms in it.
Hardly was it finished when along came a big, big
wolf who said in a little, squeaky voice, "Little pig,
little pig, please let me come in."
But the second little pig answered, "No, no, by
the hair of my chinny-chin-cliin."
"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your
house in," roared the big wolf in his heavy bass voice.
So he huffed and he puffed, and he puffed and he
huffed, and at last he blew the house in and gobbled
up the little pig in very short order. That's what
happened to the second little pig.
But the third little pig met a man carrying on
his back a load of bricks and mortar, and he said,
"Please, Mr. JNIan, will you give me those bricks and
that mortar to build me a house with?"
So the man gave him the bricks and the mortar
and a little trowel as well, and the little pig set to
work to build his house. He worked all day, and
at night he had a little house built. It wasn't as
cozy as the first little pig's house, and it wasn't as
pretty as the second little pig's house, and it had
only one room in it, but it was a nice, strong little
house.
Hardly had he finished it when along came the
wolf, just as he had come to the other little pigs.
"I've come to call on you," said the wolf. "Let
me in, little pig, let me in."
But the little pig smiled to himself as he said,
"No, no, by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin."
The Three Little Pigs 1.39
"Then," said the wolf, "I'll huff* and I'll puff and
I'll blow your house in!"
Well, he huffed and he puffed, and he })uffed and
he huffed, and he huffed and he puffed, but no
matter how hard he huffed or how loud he puffed,
he could iiot blow the house in.
At last he had no l)reath left to huff and ])uff with,
so he sat down outside the little pig's house and
thought it over.
Presently he called out, "Little pig, I know where
there is a nice field of turnips."
"Where?" said the little pig.
"Behind the farmer's house, three fields away;
and if you will be ready to-morrow morning I will
call for you, and we will go together and get some
breakfast."
"Very well," said the little pig; "I will be sure to
be ready. What time do you mean to start?"
"At six o'clock," replied the wolf.
Well, the wise little pig got up at five, scampered
away to the field, and brought home a fine load of
turnips before the wolf came. At six o'clock the
wolf came to the little pig's house and said, "Little
pig, are you ready?"
"Ready!" cried the little pig. "Why, I have been
to the field and come back again long ago, and now
I am busy boiling a potful of turnips for breakfast."
This made the wolf very angry indeed, and he
said to himself, "I'll get that little pig somehow or
other."
So he called out again in his friendliest voice,
"Little pig, I know where there is a nice apple tree."
"Where?" said the little pig.
"Just round the hill in the big orchard," said the
140 The Three Little Pigs
wolf. "Now if you will not play any more tricks
on me, I will come round to-morrow morning at
five o'clock and we will go together to get some fine,
rosy-cheeked apples."
But the next morning the pig got up at four
o'clock and was off and away long before the wolf
came.
Now the orchard was farther off than the little
pig expected, and the tree was a lot harder to climb,
so before he had filled his sack with apples he saw
the wolf coming round the hill.
He was terribly frightened, but he picked up his
courage and was looking very brave when the wolf
came up.
"Little pig," said the wolf, "Why are you here
before me? Are the apples nice?"
"Yes, very nice," answered the pig. "I'll throw
one down for you to taste."
Then he picked an apple and threw it as far as
he could, and while the wolf was racing after the
apple the little pig had time to jump down and run
away home.
The next morning the wolf was on hand again.
"There's going to be a fair in town this afternoon.
Will you go with me to see it?"
"Oh, yes, with pleasure," said the pig. "What
time shall we start?"
"At half -past three," said the wolf.
Of course the wise little pig started long before
that time and went to the fair alone. After he had
looked at all the pretty things he bought a fine large
butter churn, and laying it over his shoulder, trotted
merrily toward home.
He had not gone far when he saw the wolf coming
The Three Little Pkjs 141
up the hill. The little pig was so frightened that
he did not know what to do, but he crawled into the
churn to hide. This started the churn to rolling,
and down the hill it went, right toward the wolf.
The churn rolled over and over, bumping on the
stones, and the little pig squeaked as though he
would split his throat.
The wolf could not think what the noisy round
thing was, coming straight down the hill toward
him ; so he turned tail and ran away home in a fright
without ever going to the fair at all.
The next morning he went to the pig's house and ^
told him how frightened he had been by a large,
round, noisy thing that came down the hill straight
at him.
"Ha, ha," laughed the pig. "So I frightened
you, did I? That was a churn I bought at the fair,
and I was inside it, rolling down the hill to frighten
you."
This made the wolf so angry that he vowed he
would eat the pig, and that nothing should stop
him. So he climbed up on the roof and jumped
down the chimney.
But the wise little pig was ready for him, for he
had built a big fire and hung a great kettle of water
over it. right under the chimney. When the pig
iieard the wolf coming he took the cover off the
kettle, and down fell the wolf right into it. Before
he could crawl out, the little pig popped the lid
back on again, and in a trice he had the wolf boiling.
That night the little pig had boiled wolf for
supper. So he lived in his brick and mortar house
till he grew too big for it, and never was he troubled
by a wolf again.
142 Little Birdie
LITTLE BIRDIE
By Alfred Tennyson
WHAT does little birdie say
In her nest at peep of day ?
"Let me fly," says little birdie;
"Mother, let me fly away."
"Birdie, rest a little longer,
Till the little wings are stronger."
So she rests a little longer.
Then she flies away.
What does little baby say
In her bed at peej) of day?
Baby says, like little birdie,
"Let me rise, and fly away."
"Baby, sleep a little longer,
Till the little limbs are stronger.
If she sleeps a little longer,
Baby too shall fly away."
THE CAT AND THE CHESTNUTS
A CAT and a Monkey were sitting one day on
t the hearth in front of a fire where their master
left some chestnuts to roast in the ashes. The
chestnuts were bursting finelj^ in the heat when the
Monkey said:
"It is plain to see that you have splendid paws —
just like the hands of a man. How easily you could
take the chestnuts out of the fire! Won't you trj;
it?"
TfiK Cat and the Chestnuts 143
THE MONKEY USES THE CAT S PAW
The silly Cat, much flattered by the speech,
reached forward and caught one of the chestnuts.
The ashes were so hot that he jerked his arm back
with a cry of pain.
The ^lonkey laughed, and so hurt the Cat's pride
that the foolish animal drew out one of the nuts, in
spite of the fact that his paw w^as singed.
He did not stop, however, but drew out one after
another and put them behind him, though every
time he burned his paw. When he coidd reach no
more he turned to look behind him at the nuts he
laid there, and was astonished to see that the
JNIonkey had shelled and eaten every one.
It often happens that one person "makes a cats-
paw" of another.
144
The JLand of Counterpane
THE LAND OF COUNTERPANE
By Robert Louis Stevenson
WHEN I was sick and lay abed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay
To keep me happy all the day.
And sometimes for an hoin- or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go.
With different uniforms and drills
Among the bedclothes, through the hills;
And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.
I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him dale and plain.
The pleasant land of Counterpane.
The Land of Counterpane 14.)
Were you ever sick, not so sick that you couldn't
be happy at all, but just sick enough so that you
must stay in bed? And did you have all your toys
about you just as INIr. Stevenson had his about him
when he was a little boy?
Did you lie there and look at your lovely leaden
soldiers and think the wrinkles and folds in the
bedquilt were hills and valleys, and that your troops
were marching up and down getting ready for some
big battle?
Then, perhaps, where the sheet w^as folded over
the bedspread you saw the beautiful sea with its
great whitecaps, and among them all your ships,
and many more like them, riding nobly over the
waves on their long voyages. When you were tire(?
of the ships and the sea, perhaps you set your
houses around the shore and made villages and cities.
You peo23led these with little children singing and
playing, and with grown-up men and women watch-
ing the children, or working to earn clothes and food
for their families.
AVhen you thought of what you had done, how
great and powerful you seemed — a real giant that
could pick up a whole regiment of soldiers in one
hand, that could take the ships out of the water or
move houses as though they were pebbles! How
fine it all was, and how lovely seemed your own
wonderful bedspread, the pleasant land of Counter-
pane. This is another of the little poems Avhich
show us how well JNIr. Stevenson understood chil-
dren, and what a quaint, charming child he must
have been.
146
The Cock and the Horses
THE COCK AND THE HORSES
ACOCK once got into a stable and went about
rustling and scratching in the straw among
the horses, who every now and then would stamp
and fling out their heels. So the Cock gravely set
to w^ork to admonish them.
"Pray, my good friends, let us have a care," he
said, "that we don't tread on one another."
AVhat a jolly, foolish, little thing the cock seems!
Just as though the horses were in any danger from
him! Do you remember the gnat that lit on the
horn of the bull? The gnat and the cock both
appear very foolish to us, but I suppose the gnat
would seem as trifling to the cock as the cock did to
the horses. After all, some of us may seem insig-
nificant to others, but at least we do not need to
appear important and so be laughed at for our pains.
The Brown Thrush 147
THE BROWN THRUSH
Hi) Liicv Larcom
THERE'S a merry brown thrush sitting up in a
tree
"He's singing to nie! He's singing to me I"
And what does he say, httle girl, httle })oy?
"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!"
i\nd 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 ;
And he sings all the day, little girl, little boy,
"Oh, the world's running over with joy!
But long it won't be.
Don't you know ? Don't you see ?
Unless we're as good as can be."
148
The Hardy Tix Soldier
THE HARDY TIN SOLDIER
By Haxs Christian Andersex
THERE were once five-and-twenty tin soldiers;
they were all brothers, for they had all been
born of one old tin spoon. They shouldered their
muskets, and looked straight before them ; their uni-
form was red and blue, and veiy splendid. The first
thing they had heard in the world, when the lid was
taken off their box, had been the words, "Tin. sol-
diers!" These words M'ere uttered by a little boy,
clapping his hands: the soldiers had been given to
him, for it was his birthday; and now he put them
upon the table. Each soldier was exactly like the
rest; but one of them had been cast last of all, and
there had not been enough tin to finish him ; however,
he stood as firmly upon his lone leg as the others on
their two; and it was just this soldier who became
remarkable.
On the table on which they had been placed stood
many other playthings, but the toy that attracted
most attention was a neat castle of cardboard.
The Hakdv Tin Soldier 149
Through tlic little windows one could see straight
into the hall. Jiefore the castle some little trees
were placed round a little looking-glass, which was
to re])resent a clear lake. Waxen swans floated on
this lake, and were mirrored in it. This was all very
pretty; hut the prettiest of all was a little Lady,
who stood at the open door of the castle; she also
was cut out of pai)er, hut she had a dress of the
clearest gauze, and a little narrow blue ribbon over
her shoulders, that looked like a scarf; and in the
middle of this ribbon was a shining tinsel rose as big
as her whole face. The little Lady stretched out
both her arms, for she was a dancer; and then she
lifted one leg so high that the Tin Soldier could
not see it at all, and thought that, like himself, she
had but one leg.
"That would be the wife for me," thought he,
"though she is very grand. She lives in a castle, and
I have only a box, and there are five-and-twenty of
as in that. It is no place for her. But I must try
to make her acquaintance."
And then he lay down at full length behind a
snuffbox which was on the table; there he could
easily watch the little daintv Ladv, who continued
to stand upon one leg without losing her balance.
When evening came, all the other tin soldiers were
put into their box, and the people in the house went
to bed. Xow the toys began to play at "visiting,"
and at "war," and "giving balls." The tin soldiers
rattled in their box, for they wanted to join, but
could not lift the lid. The nutcracker turned somer-
saults, and the pencil amused itself on the table:
there was so much noise that the canary woke up,,
and began to speak, too, and even in verse. The
150 The Hardy Tin Soldier
only two who did not stir from their places were
the Tin Soldier and the Dancing Lady: she stood
straight up on the point of one of her toes, and
stretched out hoth her arms; and he was just as
enduring on his one leg ; and he never turned his eyes
away from her.
Now the clock struck twelve — and, bounce! the
lid flew off the snuffbox ; but there was no snuff in
it, but a little black Goblin : you see, it was a trick.
"Tin Soldier!" said the Goblin, "don't stare at
things that don't concern you."
But the Tin Soldier pretended not to hear him.
"Just you wait till to-morrow!" said the Goblin.
But when the morning came, and the children
got up, the Tin Soldier was placed in the window;
and whether it was the Goblin or the draught that
did it, all at once the window flew open, and the
Soldier fell head over heels out of the third story.
That was a terrible passage ! He put his leg straight
up, and stuck ^^'ith helmet downward and his bay-
onet between the paving-stones.
The servant-maid and the little boy came down
directly to look for him, but though they almost trod
upon him, they could not see him. If he had cried
out "Here I am!" they would have found him; but
he did not think it fitting to call out loudly, because
he was in the uniform of a soldier.
Now it began to rain ; the drops soon fell thicker,
and at last came down in a complete stream. When
the rain was past, two street boys came by.
"Just look!" said one of them, "there lies a Tin
Soldier. He must come out and ride in the boat."
And they made a boat out of a newspaper, and
put the Tin Soldier in the middle of it; and so he
The Hardy Tin Soldier 151
sailed down tlic gutter, and the two boys ran beside
him and clapped tlieir hands. How the waves rose in
that gutter and how fast the stream ran! But then
it had been a heavy rain. The paper boat rocked
up and down, and sometimes turned round so rapid-
ly that the Tin Soldier trembled; but he remained
firm, and never changed countenance, and looked
straight before him, and shouldered his musket.
All at once the boat went into a long drain which
was as dark as his box had been.
"Where am I going now?" he thought. "Yes,
yes, that's the Goblin's fault. Ah! if only the little
I^ady sat here with me in the boat, it might be
twice as dark for all I should care."
Suddenly there came a great Water Rat, whose
home was under the drain.
"Have you a passport?" said the Rat. "Give me
your passport."
But the Tin Soldier kept silence, and held his
musket tighter than ever.
The boat went on, but the Rat came after it. Hu !
how he gnashed his teeth, and called out to the bits
of straw and Mood :
"Hold him! hold him! He hasn't paid toll — he
hasn't shown his passport!"
But the stream became stronger and stronger.
The Tin Soldier could see the bright daylight where
the arch ended ; but he heard a roaring noise, which
might well frighten a bolder man. Only think —
just where the tunnel ended, the drain ran into a
great canal; and for him that would have been as
dangerous as for us to be carried down a great water-
fall.
Now he was alreadv so near it that he could not
152 The Hardy Tin Soldier
stop. The boat was carried out, the poor Tin Sol-
dier stiffening himself as much as he could, and no
one could say that he moved an eyelid. The boat
^^•hirled round three or four times, and was full of
water to the very edge — it must sink. The Tin
Soldier stood up to his neck in water, and the boat
sank deeper and deeper, and the paper was loosened
more and more; and now the water closed over his
head. Then he thought of the pretty little Dancer,
and how he should never see her again. A snatch
of song sounded in the Soldier's ears :
"Farewell, farewell, thou warrior brave,
For this day thou must die!"
And now the paper parted, and the Tin Soldier
fell out; but at that moment he was snapped up by
a great fish.
Oh, how dark it was in that fish's body! It was
even darker than in the drain tunnel; and then it
was very narrow, too. But the Tin Soldier
remained unmoved, and lay at full length shoul-
dering his musket.
The fish swam to and fro; he made the most
wonderful movements, and then became quite still.
At last something flashed through him like light-
ning. The davlight shone quite clear, and a voice
said aloud, "The Tin Soldier!" The fish had been
caught, carried to market, bought, and taken into
the kitchen, where the cook cut him open with a
large knife. He seized the Soldier and carried him
into the room, where all were anxious to see the
remarkable man who had traveled about in the
inside of a fish; but the Tin Soldier was not at all
proud. They placed him on the table, and there —
The IIaim)^' Tin Soi-dikr
153
J
A VOICE SAID, THE TIN SOLDIER !
no! What curious things may happen in the world !
The Tin Soldier was in the very room in which he
had been before ! He saw the same children, and the
same toys stood on the table; and there was the
pretty castle with the graceful little Dancer. She
was still balancing herself on one leg, and held the
other extended in the air. She was hardy, too. That
moved the Tin Soldier; he was very nearly weeping
tin tears, but that would not have been proper. He
looked at her, but they said nothing to each other.
Then one of the little boys took the Tin Soldier
and flung him into the stove. He gave no reason
for doing this. It must have been the fault of the
Goblin in the snuffbox.
The Tin Soldier stood there quite illuminated,
and felt a heat that was terrible; but whether this
heat proceeded from the real fire or from love he
154 The Bat and the Two Weasels
did not know. The colors had quite gone off from
him; but whether that had happened on the jour-
ney, or had been caused by grief, no one could say.
He looked at the little Lady, she looked at him, and
he felt that he was melting; but he still stood firm,
shouldering his musket.
Then suddenly the door flew open, and the
draught of air caught the Dancer, and she flew like
a sylph just into the stove to the Tin Soldier, and
flashed up in a flame, and then was gone. Then the
Tin Soldier melted down into a lump ; and when the
servant-maid took the ashes out next day, she found
him in the shape of a little tin heart. But of the
Dancer nothing remained but the tinsel rose, and
that was burned as black as a coal.
THE BAT AND THE TWO WEASELS
A WEASEL seized upon a Bat, who begged
hard for his life.
"No, no," said the Weasel; "I give no quarter to
birds."
"Birds!" cried the Bat. "I am no bird. I am a
mouse. Look at my body."
And so she got off that time.
A few days afterward she fell into the clutches
of another Weasel, who, unlike the former, had a
stronger antipathy to mice than to birds. The Bat
cried for mercy.
"No," said the Weasel; "I show no mercy to a
mouse."
"But," said the Bat, "you can see from my wings
that I am a bird."
And so she escaped that time as well.
Marching Song
155
MARCHING SONG
By Robert Louis Stevenson
Bring the comb and play upon it !
Marching, here we come!
Willie cocks his Highland bonnet,
Johnnie beats the drum.
]Mary Jane commands the party,
Peter leads the rear ;
Feet in time, alert and hearty.
Each a Grenadier!
All in the most martial manner
JNIarching double-quick ;
While the napkin like a banner
Waves upon the stick!
Here's enough of fame and pillage,
Great commander Jane !
Now that we've been round the village,
I^et's go home again.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Adapted
HOW THE BEANS WERE PLANTED
lj^^^^^^j|ONG, long years ago, a j^oor widow
" lived in a little cottage near one of the
pretty villages in England. She had
a son, Jack, a good-natured, idle fel-
low, but an affectionate boy, willing to
help his mother, although she had never
set him to work.
They had had a hard winter; their food was all
gone, and the widow, who was just getting better
from a long sickness, saw only starvation ahead,
unless they sold their cow.
One morning she called the boy to her and said,
"We are almost beggars. I have no money to buy
us bread to eat. We must sell our cow, and then
what shall we do? I am not strong enough to go
to market. Jack, so j^ou must take the cow and sell
her."
Jack was a happy boy when he started off to
market with his cow, but his mother did not think
he knew how to get the most for the animal.
Jack had gone but a little way when he met a
butcher.
"Where are you going with that cow?" asked the
butcher.
"I am going to sell it," said Jack.
I5e
Jack and jiik Beanstalk 157
As they were talking, the butcher was shaking
some beautiful beans in his hands, and Jack watched
tliem with great curiosity. The butcher knew that
Jack M^as admiring the beans, so he said, "Why don't
you sell your cow to me? I will give you all these
beans for her, and they are of much more value than
she is."
Jack wanted the beans, so a bargain was quickly
struck, and he hurried off to his mother to show her
what wonderful things he had. When the poor
woman saw only a few odd-looking beans and knew
that Jack had traded the cow for them, she cried
hard and scolded Jack roundly for his foolishness.
That night they went to bed hungry, for they had
nothing to eat. The mother was so angry that she
w ould not even cook the beans, which she said were
nothing but common ones.
Early in the morning Jack arose and went out
into the garden. "Maybe these are only common
beans," he said, "but I will plant them here at the
foot of the cliff that shelters the cottage and we shall
see what will happen."
II
now THE BEANS GREW
A LL that day Jack was a very hungry boy, and
JTjL that night he could scarcely sleep, for they
had had little or nothing to eat. Besides, he was
filled with sorrow and grief at his foolish bargain.
It was just daybreak next morning when Jack
crawled out of his bed and opened the cottage door.
What was his amazement to find that the beans he
had planted the day before had sprouted and grown
up till their tops were lost to sight above the cliff!
158 Jack and the Beanstalk
The stalks had twined and twisted themselves
together until they seemed like a great green ladder,
that tempted Jack with the wish to climb.
"Mother, mother," he called. "Come out and see
what the wonderful beans have done. They have
made a ladder right up into the sky, and I want to
climb it."
His mother w^as as much astonished as Jack him-
self at the wonderful growth of the beanstalk-, but
she was afraid to have Jack climb it, and begged
him not to go.
"Who ever saw such beanstalks before?" she said..
'How do we know that they will bear your weight,
or how can we tell where they lead to?"
"The way to tell that is to climb and see," said
Jack. "Don't you be afraid; I shall soon find out
what it all means."
Ill
JACK CLIMBS THE BEANSTALK
INSTANTLY he ran from his mother's side and
began to climb. Up, up, and up he M^ent on the
ladder-like stalks till everything he had left behind
him, the cottage, the village and even the tall church
tower, looked very small ; and still he could not see
the top of the beanstalk. He grew tired and thought
of going back, but something urged him on, and
he knew he would succeed if he persevered, so after
taking a good long rest he began to climb again.
It was hours and hours since he left the ground, and
when at last he reached the top he took but a hasty
glance downwards, for it made him feel dizzy and
faint when he found that the cottage and the village
had all faded out of siffht.
Jack and the Beanstalk 159
JACK CLIMBS THE BEANSTALK
160 Jack and the Beanstalk
But when Jack stepped from the top of the bean-
stalk he found himself in a beautiful place, such
as he had never seen before. There were stately
groves and lovely meadows covered with sheep. A
stream of pure water ran through the pastures, and
not far from him he could see a strong castle on a
hill. Jack wondered very much that he had never
heard of this land or castle before, but still he
walked on toward it, looking at it all the time and
hoping that he might get something to eat, for he
was very hungry after his long climb.
But the castle was farther away than he thought,
and finally, growing very weary, he sat down on a
pile of stones and rested his head on his hands.
After a while he looked up and saw standing before
him a beautiful lady, carrying in her hand a small
wand, on the top of which Mas a peacock of pure
gold. Jack jumped up, pulled off his cap and made
a low bow.
The lady, who wore a pointed red cap of quilted
satin turned up with ermine, and whose beautiful
hair streamed over her shoulders, smiled at Jack's
respectful behavior and said, "Where do you come
from, young man?"
In reply, Jack told her all about trading his cow,
planting the beans and climbing the beanstalk.
When he had finished she surprised him bv asking
this question :
"Do you remember your fatlier?"
"No," said Jack, "and I do not know what
became of him. Whenever I mention him, my
mother cries, but she will never tell me anything."
"She doesn't dare to speak about him," said the
ladv, "but I will tell vou."
Jack and 'jiie Beanstalk 161
IV
jack's father
I AM a fairy," continued the lady, "and it was
my duty to watch over your father, but one day
I grew careless, and when he most needed me I
was not there to help him, and he died. I am so
sorry that I am going to tell you his story, so that
you may help your motlier. But you must not tell
her about me, and you must promise to do as I tell
you.
"Your father, who was a noble knight, once lived
in that very castle, which is, you see, on the borders
of Fairyland. His wife, your mother, was a beauti-
ful woman, and they had several lovely children.
Their neighbors, the fairies, were very friendly to
them and helped your father to obtain a great many
precious things.
"A great giant, who lived a short way off, heard
whispers of these treasures and coveted them;
besides, he was very jealous of your father, who
lived only to do good and let no day pass without
assisting some poor and needy person.
"Resolving to obtain possession of the treasures
and to destroy your family, the giant bribed a false
servant to let him inside the castle. When the
knight Mas in bed and asleep, the giant crept to his
bed and killed him as he lay. Then he searched
the castle till he found the nursery, and he killed
all the poor little children, yoiu' brothers and sisters.
Although lie searched the castle from one end to
another he could not find your mother nor her infant
son, for both had gone to visit an old nurse who
lived in the vallev.
162 Jack and the Beanstalk
"The next morning, as soon as it was light, one
of the servants who had escaped from the castle told
her of the death of your father and your brothers
and sisters, and frightened her still more by telling
her that the giant was searching everywhere for her
and her infant. If there had been no one but her-
self, your mother would have gone straight to the
castle to die with her husband, but she felt she must
live for you, so she remained concealed at the house
of the old nurse, never daring to tell SLuy one who
she was, or to let you know your father's sad story.
"Years passed by. When the old nurse died she
left her cottage and its contents to your mother,
who dwelt there like a peasant, working for her
daily bread. With her spinning wheel and garden
she earned money enough to buy a cow, and what-
ever more was necessary to keep you and her. At
times j^our mother was not ashamed to go out to
work, and even in the harvest fields she gleaned food
to supply your wants."
"JMy mother! O lady, what can I do? My poor
father, my dear mother!"
"You must win back everything for your mother
and yourself, but it is a difficult task and full of
danger. Have you the courage to undertake it?"
"I shall fear nothing while I am doing right."
"Then," said the fairy in the red cap, "you are
one of those who slay giants. Now remember, it
was I who secretly prompted you to trade the cow
for the beans, and it was my power that made the
beanstalk grow to so great a height and form the
ladder. It was I, also, who inspired you with the
wish to climb the ladder. Now the giant lives in
this country — here, in fact, in the very castle that
Jack and the Beanstalk 103
was once your father's. Everything he has is yours,
and you may seize all you can. You must rid the
country of the giant and save yourself and others.
One thing alone I ask : you must not let your mother
know that you have learned your father's history
till you see me again. Go straight on to the castle,
enter it bravely, get possession of the hen that lays
the golden eggs, and of the harp that talks. While
you do as I order you, I will guard and protect you,
but if you disobey, a terrible punisliment will fall
upon you."
V
THE HEN AND THE GOLDEN EGGS
WHEX the lady ceased speaking she suddenly
disappeared, and Jack started at once on
his adventures. Bravely he walked up to the castle,
seized the horn that hung at the portal and blew a
great blast. In a moment the door was opened by
a terrible giantess who had one great eye in the
middle of her forehead. Jack turned and tried to
run awaj'-, but the giantess caught him by the hair
and dragged him into the castle.
"Ho, ho," she said, grinning horribly. "You
didn't expect me to come to the door, that's clear.
I am tired and overworked and I want a boy to help
me. I shall see that you never get away. You shall
clean the knives and black the boots, make the fires
and help me in every way while the giant is out.
But when he comes home I must hide you in a hurry,
for he thinks my pages are dainty morsels and has
eaten every one I have ever had."
You may believe Jack was very much frightened,
as you or I would have been in his place; but he
164 Jack and the Beanstalk
remembered what the fairy had told him and strug-
gled to be brave and to make the best of things.
"I will do the best I can to help you," said Jack,
"but I hope you will hide me carefully, for certainly
I do not want to be eaten."
"That is a good boy," said the giantess. "It is
lucky you did not scream as the other boys have
done, for my husband might have heard you, and
then he would have eaten you as he did the other
boys."
So they passed through the castle together and
saw the grand old rooms, which all appeared for-
saken and desolate. They went through a long dark
gallery, on one side of which they could dimly see a
strong grating, and back of this they heard the
moans of the poor wretches whom the giant was
holding to satisfy his hunger. Poor Jack was half
dead with fear, and would have given everything
he possessed to have got out into the sunlight. He
was afraid he should never see his mother again, and
gave himself up for lost. When they came to the
farther end of the gallery they found a door that
opened into a great kitchen, where the woman bade
Jack sit down and eat his fill. When he was through
the giantess told him what to do, and he set about
his work with a lighter heart, for he had forgotten
most of his fear. But very soon he was frightened
again by a loud knocking at the gate — a knocking
so loud that the whole castle seemed to shake.
"Come here, quick," called the giantess. "That
is the giant. Get into my wardrobe ; he never ven-
tures to open that. You will be safe in there."
As she spoke she opened a huge wardrobe and
thrust Jack into it and shut the door tightly. The
Jack and the Beanstalk 165
keyhole was so big that plenty of air came in, and
Jack could see everything that took place. He
heard a heavy tramping on the stairs like the stum-
bling of a yoke of oxen ; then a voice like thunder
cried :
"Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman.
Be he alive, or be he dead,
I'll grind his bones to make my bread."
"Wife," said the giant, "there is a boy in the
castle. Let me have him for breakfast."
"You are old and stupid," cried his wife, in her
loud tones. "What you smell is a nice fresh steak
that I am cooking for you. Sit down and eat."
Jack was astonished at the size of the giant and
amazed at the quantity of meat he ate. In fact, it
seemed as if he would never stop eating and drink-
ing. But finally he finished, and turning to his wife
called out, "Bring me my hen."
His wife brought a beautiful hen and placed it
on the table before the giant, whose eyes glittered
with joy as he saw it.
"Lay!" roared the giant.
The hen laid an egg of solid gold on the table.
"Lay another!"
The hen laid another beside the first.
For a long time the giant amused himself in this
way, but at last grew tired and went out for a walk.
Then the giantess released Jack from the wardrobe,
and he came out and helped her all day in the
kitchen. When the giant came home that night she
hustled Jack into the wardrobe and left him there.
Again that evening the giant brought out the
166 Jack and the Beanstalk
hen, and Jack made sure it was the one of which the
fairy had told him. When the giant had wearied of
his amusement and gone to hed with his wife, Jack
pushed open the door of the wardrohe, stole softly
across the room, picked up the hen from its box in
the corner and hurried through the kitchen into the
open air. Back he flew to the beanstalk and down
he climbed as fast as ever his feet would move.
When he reached the bottom he was only a few
minutes going into the house.
Of course his mother was overjoyed to see him,
for she thought that the fairies had carried him
away or that the giant had found and eaten him.
Jack could hardly wait to tell his story and to show
his mother the hen, so he called out, "See, mother,
I have brought home something that will quickly
make us rich."
With that he set the hen upon the table, and she
produced as many golden eggs as they desired. The
next day they sold the eggs and obtained as much
money as they wanted, so that for several months
Jack and his mother lived very comfortably.
But he remembered the fairy's commands, and
had had a taste of traveling, so that he intended
again to climb the beanstalk and pay the giant
another visit. Jack thought of the trip again and
again, but for a long time could not make up his
mind to tell his mother, feeling sure that she would
prevent his going. However, one day he told her
that he must again climb the beanstalk, and although
she begged and prayed him not to think of it, and
tried with all her power to frighten him out of it,
•he resisted all her arguments and prepared to go
again.
Jack and the Beanstalk 167
VI
THE MONEY BAGS
A FEW mornings later Jack arose very early,
. imperceived by anyone, and made ready for his
trip. First he dyed his hair, colored his skin and
otherwise disguised himself so that no one could
recognize him. Then he climbed the beanstalk as he
had done before, and hurried on to the castle gate,
where he gave the alarm.
The old woman did not know him and dragged
him into the castle to help her as she had done before.
When she heard the giant coming she hid him again
in the w^ardrobe, not for a moment thinking him the
same boy that had stolen the wonderful hen.
Then, as before, the giant came in, saying:
"Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum,
I smell the blood of an Englisliman.
Be he alive, or be he dead,
I'll grind his bones to make my bread."
"Wife, there is a boy in the castle. Let me have
him for my supper."
"Nonsense," said the wife. "I have just roasted
a bullock that I thought would be a nice tidbit for
your supper. Sit down and I will serve it at once."
The giant sat down with his wife and began to eat
the bullock M'hich she had brought in. Jack was
amazed to see them pick every bone of the great
animal, as he would have treated the bones of a
robin. When they had eaten, the giantess rose and
said, "Now if there is nothing more for me to do I
am going to my room to do some work for myself.
If you want me j^ou can call."
168
Jack and the Beanstalk
JACK TAKES THE MONEY BAGS
"Go along," said the giant. "But first bring my
money bags and put them on the table."
The giantess left the room and soon came back
with t^^'o huge bags, which she put down as she had
been directed. "There," she said, "that is all there
is left of the knight's money. AVhen you have spent
that you will have to take another baron's castle."
As soon as his wife was gone the giant untied the
strings and emptied the bags. From one came
nothing but gold pieces, and from the other nothing
but silver. These the giant counted and piled into
little heaps until he grew tired of his amusement.
All the time Jack was thinking how to get his
father's money, and how to prevent any other knight
from suffering at the giant's hands. While he was
considering this the giant swept the pieces of money
Jack and the Beanstalk 169
back into their bags and put them on the table.
Soon after he fell asleep, and in a few moments
Jack heard him snoring so loudly that all other
noises were drowned. Stealing to the table, he
quietly hfted up the bags and made his way out,
carrying the sacks, which he found so heavy that lie
had a hard time going down the beanstalk with
them. When he entered his home he lifted the
money bags up on the table and called out to his
mother, "See, mother, I have been to the giant's
castle, and here is much gold for us."
Then Jack told her the whole story of his adven-
ture, and although she was very glad to get the
money, she begged him to promise her not to run
such risks again.
VII
THE TAI,KING harp
AFTER a time Jack remembered the talking harp
Jr\. and decided to make another trip to the giant's
castle. So he disguised himself carefully, and was
not recognized by the giantess when she opened the
door. She admired the new boy very much, and
told him all about the ungrateful chap who had been
there and who had stolen the giant's money bags
after all her kind treatment. Jack knew she meant
himself, but he felt that he had done right in taking
the money, because it was his father's. The giantess
told him, too, that her husband had illtreated her
shamefully and had been very angry at her ever
since the money was stolen.
When the giant returned this time she hid Jack
in a boiler in the kitchen, and he heard the great
monster roar out as he crossed the threshold :
170 Jack and the Beanstalk
"Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman.
Be he alive, or be he dead,
I'll grind his bones to make my bread."
"Wife, I smell fresh meat. There is another boy
in the house. I must have him for my supper."
His wife replied, "It must be a piece of meat the
crows have left on top of the house."
While she was preparing the supper that night
the giant was ill-tempered and impatient, frequent-
ly striking his wife and always scolding her for the
loss of the hen and the money bags. When he had
finished his enormous supper, he wanted something
for amusement, as before. So he called to his wife,
"Bring me my harp that I may have a little amuse-
ment while you are clearing up the dishes." The
giantess obeyed and brought in a beautiful harp
whose framework sparkled with diamonds and
other precious jewels, and whose strings were all of
gold.
"This is the finest thing I took from the knight,"
said the giant. "Its music is delightful, and it is a
faithful servant to me."
So he drew the harp till it sat facing him, and
then he said, "Play!"
And the harp played a very soft, sad air.
"Play something merrier," said the giant.
Then the harp played so wild and rollicking a
tune that the giant laughed aloud, and could hardly
keep himself from dancing.
"Now play me a sweet lullaby," roared the giant,
and the harp played so soothingly and softly that
its master fell sound asleen.
Jack and the Beanstalk 171
No sooner had the snores of the giant drowned
the sweet voice of the harp than Jack crept softly
out of the boiler, looked through the kitchen, opened
the door softly and returned to the giant's room.
He caught up the harp and ran out of the room,
but as he leaped across the threshold the harp called
out in frightened tones, "Master! Master!"
The giant started from his sleep with a tremen-
dous roar and flew in pursuit of Jack. But Jack
ran like lightning, talking all the time to the harp,
telling it he was the son of its old master, and quiet-
ing its fears by promising that no harm should befall
it; for the harp was really a fairy, as Jack had
suspected. Still the giant followed so fast that he
was only a step behind Jack, who certainly would
have been caught had not a loose stone thrown the
unwieldy fellow full length on the ground. Jack
took advantage of this, reached the beanstalk, and
was well on his way down before the giant had
discovered what had become of him.
VIII
THE giant's death
MOTHER, mother," cried Jack, rushing
furiously into the house. "Quick, give me
the ax."
His mother, though frightened very much, handed
him a hatchet, and with a single bound he was out
of the house, chopping furiously at the beanstalk.
Soon all the strands were severed except one.
"Out of the w^ay, mother. Quick, into the house."
And it was well she shrank back as she did, for
just then Jack cut the last strand in two and darted
172 Jack and the Beanstalk
from the spot. Down came the giant with a ter-
rible crash, landing on his head and rolling dead to
the feet of the woman whom he had robbed so shame-
fully. Before the mother could recover from her
astonishment and Jack from his delight, the beau-
tiful lady again stood before them.
"Jack," said she, "you have acted like the brave
son of a brave knight, and now your inheritance
is restored to you; for the giantess has just been
killed in an uprising of your father's people, who
will hail you as their new master."
Then the fairy explained to Jack's mother all
that had happened ; and charging Jack to be dutiful
to his mother and to follow his father's example,
she disappeared forever.
Children in many countries have listened to this
exciting story and now there is hardly an educated
man or woman who does not like to recall it. If you
say only "Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum" to a man, straight-
way he laughs as he thinks of the stupid old giant,
the good fairy and brave little Jack. And he was
brave, wasn't he?
You see he knew his mother thought him a foolish
boy to trade his fine cow for the beans, however beau-
tiful they may have been ; and he thought he must
do something to help the mother who had cared for
him so lovingly. That made him brave. Brave boys
may feel afraid, but they never show it. They cover
up their alarm and go out into dark places and do
their duty without a quiver. When we grow up
we find that sometimes we have to struggle with
things that are worse than Jack's giant; but, like
Jack, we hide our fear and win our victories.
Bed in Summer 173
BED IN SUMMER
By Robert Louis Stkvknson
IN winter 1 get up at niglit
And dress by yellow candle light.
In summer, (]uite the other wa}',
I have to go to bed by day.
I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up ])eople's feet
Still going past me in the street.
And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue.
And I should like so much to play.
To have to go to bed by day ?
THE GOOSE THAT LAID THE
GOLDEN EGGS
o
NCE upon a time there lived a man who had
a handsome Goose that every day laid a large
golden eg^y,. The man thought the Goose must have
much gold inside of her, and so one day he wrung
her neck, and found that she was just like any other
Goose. Thinking to find wealth, he lost the little
he had.
This fable teaches that every one should be con-
tent with w hat he has, lest in striving for more he
lose everything.
JACK THE GIANT-KILLER
Adapted
^HEN Arthur was king of England
there lived close to Land's End, in the
county of Cornwall, a worthy farmer
who had an only son named Jack. He
was not only a strong and lively boy,
but had a sharp wit as well, so that
what he could not do by force and
strength he accomplished by cunning devices. His
great delight was in hearing or reading stories of
the fairies, giants and witches; but more than all,
he loved to hear his father talk of the great deeds
of the brave knights of King Arthur's Round Table.
At running, jumping and wrestling, he far out-
did any of the boys of his neighborhood, for if he
could not beat them by main strength he was always
ready with some quick-witted scheme that would
defeat them. Jack's only real work was to tend the
sheep, but while doing this he would spend most of
his time lying on the grass thinking of himself as
a knight in armor, and planning the wonderful
battles and sieges in which he would engage when
he became a man.
Saint Michael's Mount, in Cornwall, is a great
rock which rises out of the sea some distance from
the mainland. In those days a huge giant, eighteen
feet in height and three yards around, lived upon
the JMount and kept all the neighboring towns and
villages in terror. His home was in a gloomy cave
174
Jack the Giant-Killer 17.>
on the very top of the mountain, from which he
used to wade across to the mainland every morning
in search of his prey. When the people saw his fierce
and terrible countenance they fled from their houses
and left him to prey upon their cattle. It was noth-
ing for him to carry off half a dozen of their cows
and oxen at a time, and as for their sheep, he tied
them up in bundles like radishes. When he had
satisfied his appetite and taken enough cattle to
last him till the next visit, he would wade back to
his lonely island, crawl into his gloomj^ cave and
remain there till hunger drove him out, for he was
sullen and would allow no companj^ about him, even
of his own kind.
For many years this giant had terrorized the
whole shore of Cornwall, and, although the people
had met and decided to destroy him, no one had been
found with courage enough to undertake the task.
One day, as the magistrates were gathered in
the town hall discussing ways for destroying the
giant. Jack strayed in and listened to their con-
versation.
"What reward will you give to the one who kills
this giant Cormoran?" asked Jack of the chief
magistrate.
"All the treasure the giant has will be the reward,"
replied the magistrate.
"Then," said Jack, "let me undertake the task."
They were only too willing to allow Jack to try,
so early on a dark winter's evening he got a horn,
a shovel and a pickaxe and sw^am over to the jMount.
Before morning he had dug a pit tM'enty-two feet
deep and nearly as broad, and had covered it care-
fully over with long sticks and straws upon which
176 Jack the Giaxt-Killer
he had scattered a little dirt so as to make it look
like solid ground.
When his trap was finished Jack placed himself
on the side opposite the giant's cave and blew a long,
loud blast upon his horn, Tan-ta-ra, Tan-ta-ra, Tan-
fa-ra.
The giant was startled from his sound sleep and
rushed out of his cavern, foaming with wrath.
Catching sight of Jack, he roared in his thunderous
voice, "You incorrigible villain, you shall pay dearly
for spoiling my rest. I will broil you whole and eat
you for my breakfast."
Scarcely had he uttered these words when he
stepped upon the frail cover of the pit and plunged
headlong to its bottom with a crash that shook the
]Mount to its very foimdations.
"Oho, ]Mr. Giant," said Jack, looking down into
the pit. "How are you now? How is your appe-
tite? You are nicely landed in Lob's Pound now.^
Will nothing answer for your breakfast but poor
broiled Jack?"
In this way Jack continued his teasing till the
giant struggled to his feet and began to climb up the
sides. As soon as his head appeared above the edge.
Jack struck him with the pickaxe a terrible blow
in the middle of the forehead. The giant fell back
into the pit stone dead, and Jack filled the pit and
covered it over with stones and rubbish.
Before returning, Jack searched the cave and
found treasure enough to make him a rich man for
life. The magistrates and all the countryside were
delighted to hear what Jack had done, and at a
1. Lob's Pound is an old phrase by which joking reference was
math' to a prison of any kind.
Jack the Giant-Killkk 177
great meeting they gave him the name Jacic llic
Giant-Killer , and presented him with a sword, a
scabbard and an em])roidered !)elt on which was
written in letters of gold:
"Here is the gallant Cornishman
Who slew the giant Cormoran."
The news of Jack's victory was soon told all o\'er
England, until it came to the ears of Blunderbore,
another great giant, who vowed that if ever he was
fortunate enough to see Jack he would have revenge.
Blunderbore lived in an enchanted castle in the
midst of a dark and lonely w^ood, and about four
months after the death of Cormoran Jack happened
to pass by the castle while he was on his w^ay into
A Vales. Becoming very weary, he lay down to rest
by the side of a spring of clear, cold water, and fell
sound asleep. This spring happened to be the very
fountain from which the giant got his water, and
while Jack was lying there, Blunderbore came down
for his daily drink.
As he drew near the spring he saw Jack lying
there, and creeping up softly, read the inscription
on his belt. Overjoyed at finding his enemy, he
lifted Jack gently up and laid him across his shoul-
ders, intending to carry him to his castle. As he
passed through a thicket, however, a branch of a
tree brushed Jack roughly on the cheek, and he
awakened, frightened, indeed, when he found him-
self in the clutches of the giant Blunderbore. When
he entered the castle and found the floor covered
all over with skulls of men and women, his terror
increased tenfold. The giant took no pity on him.
178 Jack the Giant-Killer
but savagely told him that soon his bones would be
among those on the floor.
Having satisfied himself in tantalizing Jack, he
took him to an upper chamber, on the floor of which
lay hearts and arms and legs of human beings but
lately killed. With a horrid grin the giant said,
"Hearts and arms and legs are dainty morsels, eaten
with pepper and vinegar. I shall soon try yours."
Leaving Jack in despair, the giant locked the door
and went away through the forest to bring another
giant to rejoice with him over the capture of the
famous Giant-Killer.
When he had gone, Jack heard terrible shrieks
and cries from many parts of the castle, and a sad
and mournful voice which continually cried :
"Hasten, stranger, haste away,
Or you will be the giant's prey.
When he comes back he will bring another,
A larger, stronger, and fiercer brother —
A horrid, awful monster, who
Will surely kill and torture you.
Hasten, stranger, haste away.
Or you will be the giant's pre3\"
This terrible warning still further increased
Jack's terror, if such a thing were possible. In
despair he ran to the window, and on looking out
saw the two giants striding on toward the castle.
"Surely," said Jack, "either death or deliverance
must be close at hand. I must think quickly."
Jack had noticed that the window was directly
over the gate of the castle, and as he turned away
he saw two strong cords in the room. Working
rapidly, he made two large nooses with slip knots,
Jack the Giant-Killer 179
and as the giants were entering the iron gate of the
castle he dropped a noose over the head of each and
drew them taut. He threw the ends of the ropes
over a beam, pulled with all his might, and then
securely fastened the cords. Running back to the
window he saw both his enemies quite black in the
face and struggling wildly. When they had
exhausted themselves, Jack slipped down the ropes,
drew his sword, and killed them both.
Searching their pockets he found a bunch of keys,
with which he entered the castle, where after a long
search he found three ladies tied up by their hair
and nearly starved. They told him that the giant
had killed their husbands, and because they would
not eat the flesh he had slowly starved them.
"My dear ladies," said Jack, "the giant Blunder-
bore is dead, as is also his terrible brother, both slain
by my hands. I now set you free, and in return
for your loss and suffering I will give you Blunder-
bore's castle and all it contains."
Thereupon he politely handed them the keys, and
after bidding them adieu, continued on his journey
to Wales.
Jack had not taken any of the giant's money, and
as he had little of his own, he felt that he must travel
as fast as he could. In his haste he lost his way,
and when night came on he was in a lonely valley
between two lofty mountains. He walked on for
several hours without seeing a house, so that when
he finally came upon a large and beautiful dwelling
he felt that he was very fortunate indeed.
Without hesitation he knocked loudly, but to his
great astonishment the gate was opened by a mon-
strous giant with two great heads, who was very civil
180 Jack the Giant-Killer
in his greeting to Jack, for he was a Welsh giant
and accomplished his purposes by malice and cun-
ning and not by great display of force. Jack
explained that he was a traveler who had lost his
way, and the huge monster invited him into the
castle and gave him a good bed in a handsomely
furnished room.
Jack was weary enough, and hastily taking off
his clothes he jumped into bed. Do what he would,
however, he could not go to sleep, and after a while
he heard the giant walking back and forth in the
next room and muttering to himself :
"Though here you lodge with me this night,
You shall not see the morning light :
INIy club shall dash your brains out quite."
"Say you so?" thought Jack. "So these are your
tricks on travelers! Perhaps, though, I can be as
cunning as you are."
Getting out of bed and groping about in the dark
he found a long, thick stick of wood; he laid it in
the bed and covered it up as though he were there
himself. Then, hiding himself in the dark corner
of the room, he waited patiently. In the middle of
the night the giant crept in, and with his great club
struck the bed many heavy blows where Jack had
laid the stick of wood; and if Jack had been there
himself there would not have been a bone in his body
unbroken.
Early the next morning Jack walked into the
giant's room, and putting on a bold face said, "I
thank you for my bed and lodging last night."
The giant started when he saw Jack come in, but
concealing his surprise as well as he could, he stam-
Jack the Giant-Killer
181
mered out, "How — how — have you rested? Did you
feel anything in the night, or (hd you see anything J'"
"Nothing worth mentioning," said Jack. "A rat
ran over the bed and gave me three or four slaps
with his tail, but though they disturbed me a little
I soon went to sleep again."
The giant was still more astonished at this, but
made no reply. Instead, he got two large bowls,
each containing about four gallons of hasty pud-
ding, and set them on the table for breakfast. Jack
JACK TRICKED THE WELSH MONSTER
182 Jack the Giant-Killer
wished the giant to think he had an enormous appe-
tite, so he buttoned a big leathern bag under his
loose coat and held it so that, without being seen,
he could drop the pudding into the bag while he
seemed to be putting it into his mouth.
When breakfast was over Jack said, "I will show
you a fine trick that I don't believe you can do. I
can cure wounds by simply touching them. I could
cut off my head one minute and put it on the next.
Why, I can cut open my stomach and let out my
breakfast without hurting myself any."
He then seized a knife from the table and made
a big gash in the leathern bag, when out came the
hasty pudding.
"Ods splutter hur nails," cried the big Welsh
giant, who disliked to be beaten by Jack, "hur can
do that hurself."
So in turn he snatched up a knife and plunged it
into his stomach, and immediately fell dead.
Having tricked the Welsh monster in this curious
manner. Jack proceeded on his journey, and after
a little met King Arthur's only son, who by his
father's leave was traveling into Wales to deliver
a beautiful maiden who had been enchanted by a
Welsh magician. Seeing that the prince had no
servants, Jack offered his services, and with many
thanks the prince accepted the offer.
The young prince was a charming man ; a hand-
some and brave knight who gave money freely to
everybody he met. At length his last penny was
given to an old woman, and turning to Jack the
prince said, "That is the last. Let us take neither
thought nor care. Still, I warrant you we shall
never want for anything."
Jack the Giant-Killee 183
"Leave thcat to me," said Jack, who had a little
money in his pocket. "I will provide for my prince
in some way."
For supper they bought some bread, but this used
all of Jack's money excepting a single penny. Night
now came on, and the prince showed some uneasi-
ness concerning the place where they should lodge.
"My lord," said Jack, "do not worry. Two miles
from here lives a huge giant who has three heads
and who can whip five hundred knights in armor.
Be of good heart. I will provide a place to sleep."
"Alas," said the prince, "what shall we do with
so great a giant? He would eat us at a mouthful.
We would scarcely fill a hole in one of his big teeth."
"Leave that also to me," said Jack. "I will go
ahead and prepare the way. You wait here till I
return."
The prince waited, but Jack hurried on till he
came to the castle. There he gave a loud knock at
the gates, so that the hills resounded with the sound.
The giant hurried to the walls and shouted out in
a voice of thunder, "Who is there?"
Jack made answer and said, "No one but your
poor cousin, Jack."
"What news, poor cousin Jack?" said the giant.
"Dear uncle," said Jack, "I have heavy news for
you."
"Pooh, pooh," said the giant, "what hea\y news
can come to me? I can whip five hundred knights
in armor and have no fear of anything on earth!"
"But," said Jack, "j'^ou do not understand. The
king's son is coming; yea, is close at hand with one
thousand men, and he is coming especially to kill
you and to seize your castle and all that you have."
184 Jack the Giant-Killer
"O cousin Jack," said the giant, "that is heavy
news indeed. I will run and hide myself in a great
cellar underground. There shall you lock, bolt
and bar me in, and you shall keep the keys till the
king's son is gone."
When Jack had made the giant fast in the cellar
he hurried back and brought the prince to the castle,
where they spent the night making merry with the
dainties that were in the house. Then they went
to bed and slept peacefully while the giant trembled
and shook with fear in the cellar.
Early in the morning Jack gathered a supply of
gold and silver and gave it to the king's son, whom
he then accompanied three miles on his journey.
Then Jack returned to the castle and let the giant
out of his hole in the ground, explaining that the
king's son had passed on and the castle was saved.
"What reward do you wish for saving me thus?"
said the giant.
"Why, good uncle," said Jack, "I want only the
old cap and coat which are at the head of your bed
and the shoes and rusty old sword in your closet."
"You shall have them," said the giant, "and I
pray you keep them for my sake, for they will be
of great service to you. The coat will make you
invisible while you have it on ; the cap will give you
knowledge; the sword will cut through anything,
and the shoes are of wonderful swiftness. Take
them all, and welcome."
Jack took them, thanked the giant heartily, and
set off after the prince. When he had come up with
his master they resumed their journey and soon
arrived at the palace of the noble lady who was kept
enchanted by the wicked magician. She received
Jack the Giant- Killer
18j
them politely and made a great feast for them, hut
after they were through she wiped her mouth M'ith
a fine handkerchief and said, "JNIy lord, every suitor
who comes to me must submit to a certain trial.
It is the custom of my palace. To-morrow morn-
ing I shall ask you to tell upon whom I bestow this
handkerchief, and if you cannot tell me you must
lose your head." With that she thrust the hand-
kerchief into her bosom and left the room.
The prince went to bed in a very mournful frame
of mind, but Jack put on his cap of knowledge and
from it learned that every night the lady was car-
ried to meet the magician in a distant part of the
forest. So Jack put on his coat of darkness and
his shoes of swiftness and reached the place before
she arrived. When the lady came, she handed the
handkerchief to the magician, who took it and put
it in his pocket. With one blow of his sword of
sharpness Jack struck off the magician's head; then,
taking the handkerchief from the pocket, he
returned to the castle with incredible speed and
handed the handkerchief to the prince.
186 Jack the Giant-Killer
The moment the magician died the lady was freed
from her enchantment and was restored to her
former gentleness and goodness. The next day she
was married to the prince, and in two days more
they returned to the court of King Arthur, where
they were received with great joy.
For the many great exploits which Jack had
performed he was knighted by King Arthur and
became one of the famous knights of the Round
Table.
Jack had been so lucky in all of his adventures
thus far that he could not rest in idleness, but felt
that he must do all that he could for the honor of
King Arthur and the Round Table. He therefore
asked the King for a horse and money, that he might
travel on in search of new adventures.
"There are," he said, "still in Wales a great many
giants, who live in remote parts, but who come forth
at times to terrorize and destroy your majesty's
subjects. Now if you are pleased to favor me as
I ask, I shall soon rid your country of these giants
and hideous monsters."
' The king joyfully consented to Jack's proposal
and fitted him out with everything necessary for
such a journey. Jack took leave of the king and
his knights of the Round Table and set forth on his
adventures, taking with him his cap of knowledge,
his coat of darkness, his shoes of swiftness and his
sword of sharpness. Over hills and mountains he
traveled for three days, and then as he passed
through a dense forest he heard terrible shrieks and
cries, and pushing his way among the trees he beheld
a monstrous giant dragging a knight and a beautiful
lady over the ground by the hair.
Jack the Giant-Killer 187
Their cries melted the heart of honest Jack, who
tied his horse to a tree, put on his coat of darkness
and under it hid his sword of sharpness. When he
came up to the giant he struck at him many times,
but he could not reach a vital point })ecause of the
monster's enormous height. Finally, taking his
sword in both his hands and aiming just below the
knees, he swung his trusty blade with such force
that he cut off both of the giant's legs, and the
gigantic body, tumbling to the ground, made the
trees quiver and the ground shake. Jack set his
foot upon the giant's neck and shouted, "You savage
wretch, I come to execute upon you a just punish-
ment for your hideous crimes."
Thereupon he plunged his sword into the giant's
body, and the huge monster gave a hideous groan
of agony and rolled over quite dead. The noble
knight and the beautiful lady were overjoyed at the
sudden death of the giant, thanked Jack the Giant-
Killer heartily for their deliverance, and invited him
to their palace to rest and refresh himself and like-
wise to receive a fitting reward for his great service.
"No," said Jack; "I cannot remain at ease till I
have found the den of this horrible monster I have
just slain."
Thereupon the knight grew very sorrowful and
exclaimed, "Noble stranger, you must not run so
terrible a risk a second time. That giant lived in a
cavern in the mountain with a brother more fierce
and cruel by far than he was. If you should go,
therefore, and perish in the attempt, both my wife
and I would break our hearts with grief. Let me
beg of you to desist from any further pursuit."
"No," said Jack; "if there be another, or even if
188 Jack the Giant-Killer
there be twenty more, I would shed the last drop
of my blood rather than allow one to escape. It is
my task to free this land from giants. When I have
accomplished it I will return and pay my respects
to you."
Learning from the knight where the cavern was
located, Jack mounted his horse and rode aw^ay to
settle accounts with the giant's brother.
Jack had not ridden more than a mile and a half
when he came in sight of the mouth of the cavern,
and there at the entrance of it he saw the other giant
sitting on a huge block of pine timber with a knotted
iron club lying by his side. His enormous eyes were
like flames of fire, his features were grim, his cheeks
looked like two sides of bacon, the bristles of his
beard were like iron wires, and his long locks of
hair fell down upon his brawny shoulders like a
mass of writhing snakes. Jack dismounted, tied bis
horse in the thicket and put on his coat of darkness.
Then going close up to the giant he said softly, "O,
are you there? It will not be long before I have
you fast by the beard."
Because of the coat of darkness the monster could
not see Jack, who came still nearer, and, swinging
his sword of sharpness, struck a fierce blow at the
giant. However, his aim was not true, and all he
did was to smite off the nose of the giant, whose
roars sounded like continuous claps of thunder.
Like one mad he rolled his glaring eyes on every
side and struck out right and left with his huge
iron club.
"Oh," said Jack, "if fighting is what you want, I
will kill vou at once before some chance blow strikes
me."
Jack the Giant-Killer 189
As he said this he sHpped nimbly behind the giant,
and, jumj^ing upon the block of timber, stabbed
him between the shoulders. After a few despairing
howls the giant fell down and died, whereupon Jack
struck off his head and sent it with the brother's
head by messenger to King Arthur.
Having slain the two giants. Jack went into the
cave in search of their treasure. He came at length
into a great room paved with freestone. At one end
was a boiling cauldron, and at the other a huge table
where the giants used to dine. On one side of the
room he looked through a large barred window and
beheld a great number of wretched prisoners who
cried out when they saw Jack, "Alas, alas, young
man, must you, too, come to be one of us?"
"On the other hand," said Jack, "I hope you will
not stay here long; but pray tell me why you are
all shut up here?"
"Alas," said one poor old man, "I will tell you.
We have been captured by the giants who live in
this cave, and are kept here till they make a feast.
Then will they come and select one of us, cook and
season him to their taste, and eat him at their leis-
ure. It is not long since three of our companions
were taken for this same purpose."
"Well," said Jack, "I have given those giants
such a meal that it will be a long time before they
want another."
The captives showed the amazement they felt at
such a statement.
"O, you may believe me," said Jack, "for I have
slain them both with my good sword, and have sent
their great heads to King Arthur as a token of my
success."
190 Jack the Giant-Killer
To show the truth of his words he unlocked the
gate and set the captives free. Then he led them
all into the great banquet hall, put before them two
quarters of beef with plenty of bread and wine, and
bade them eat their fill. When supper was over
they searched the giant's coffers, and Jack divided
the rich contents equally among them all.
Next morning the prisoners set off to their homes,
while Jack returned to the palace of the knight and
lady whom he had left not long before. It was about
noon when Jack arrived at the knight's house, where
he was received with great joy; and his host joined
in giving, in honor of the Giant-Killer, a great feast,
to which all the nobles and gentry were invited.
When the guests were all assembled the knight
told the story of Jack's remarkable exploits and
presented him with a splendid ring on which was
engraved a picture of a giant dragging a knight and
a lady by their hair, with the following inscription ;
"Behold, in dire distress were we,
Under a giant's fierce command ;
But gained our lives and liberty
From valiant Jack's victorious hand."
Among the guests at this feast were five aged
gentlemen, fathers of some of the captives whom
Jack had released. All gathered around the happy
young warrior and with tears in their eyes thanked
him for what he had done. Every one drank to the
success of the hero, and the walls of the great hall
echoed with laughter and cries of joy.
Suddenly into the midst of all this gaiety came a
herald, pale and breathless with haste, who cried
out that Thunderdale, a savage giant with two heads,
Jack the Giant-Killer 191
had heard of the death of his two kinsmen and was
hastening to take his revenge on Jack. He was
scarcely a mile away, and people were flying hefore
him like chaff hefore the wind. None of this fright-
ened Jack, although every one of the guests tremhled
with fear. As for Jack, he merely drew his sword
and said, "Let him come on. I have the rod for
him also, and I heg you ladies and gentlemen to
walk into the garden, where you shall see the grim
giant's defeat and destruction."
Wishing Jack every success, they hurried out
after him. Now the knight's castle was surrounded
by a moat thirty feet deep and twenty feet wide,
over which lay a drawbridge. Jack set men to work
to cut the bridge on both sides nearly to the middle,
and then putting on his coat of darkness he seized
his sword of sharpness and lay in wait for the giant.
When the latter approached he could not see Jack
because of the coat of darkness, but he felt that
danger w^as near and cried out:
"Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum,
I smell the blood of an Englishman.
Be he alive, or be he dead,
I'll grind his bones to make my bread."
"Say you so, my friend? You are a great miller,
indeed."
"Art thou," cried the giant, "the villain who slew
my kinsmen ? Then will I surely tear thee with my
teeth and grind thy bones to flour."
"You must catch me first," said Jack and throw-
ing off his coat of darkness and putting on his shoes
of swiftness he flew toward the castle, the giant fol-
lowing with his hea\y tread which made the earth
192 Jack the Giant-Killer
shake at every step. Around and around the walls
of the house Jack led the monster until every one
had a chance to see him, and then he led him to the
drawbridge. Jack passed over in safety, but as the
giant reached the middle the great weight of his
body broke the cut drawbridge, and he fell into the
moat, tumbling about like a huge whale among the
pieces of the bridge. Jack stood by and laughed at
him, saying over and over again, "I think you said
you would grind my bones to flour. When will you
commenced'
Although the giant plunged furiously from side
to side of the moat he was unable to climb out, and
so could not revenge himself on his foe. At last
Jack threw a rope over the giant's shoulders, and
with a team of horses drew him ashore. As soon as
he reached the shore. Jack cut off both his heads
with his sword of sharpness, and before he either
ate or drank, sent them by a messenger to King
Arthur.
Then the mirth and frolic were renewed, and Jack
stayed with his friends for some time, enjoying him-
self heartily.
But at last he wearied of so idle a life and set
forth in search of new adventures. After he had
traveled over hills and down dales and through
many forests he came at length to the foot of a high
mountain, where, late at night, he found a lonesome
house, at the door of which he knocked. In response
to his summons an old man with hair as white as
snow opened the door and let him in.
"Good father," said Jack, "can you lodge a
traveler who has lost his way?"
"Certainly," said the old man; "you ai-e very
Jack the CIiAxr-Kii.r.ER
103
welcome to my poor c*otta<4X' if you caw ])iit up witli
such fare as I have." \Vhereupon J ack entered, and
the old man gave him a supper of hread and fruit.
THUNDERDALE FELL IXTO THE MOAT
Before Jack had fully eaten, the old man said,
"INIy son, I see hy the belt you wear that you are
the famous Jack the Giant-Killer. Behold, my son,
on the top of this mountain is an enchanted castle
ke])t hy a huge giant named Gallagantis, the very
194 Jack the Giant-Killer
last of his race. This old fiend, by the help of a foul
magician who lives with him, has captured many
knights and carried them into his castle, where he
changes them into many different shapes and forms.
I grieve more, however, for a duke's daughter whom
they fetched from her father's garden and brought
hither in a fiery chariot drawn by two terrible drag-
ons. AVhen he had secured her he turned her into a
beautiful doe. This had been a favorite trial with
many knights, but none have been able to destroy
the enchantment and deliver her, because the gates
of the castle are guarded by two fiery griffins who
destroy all who come near. Perhaps, my son, you
may pass them undiscovered because of your coat
of darkness, and if you can once reach the gates of
the castle you will find engraved thereon directions
for breaking the spell."
Jack promised that in the morning he would go
to the castle, break the enchantment and release the
young lady and her companions. ^
As soon as it was light. Jack clothed himself in
his magic coat, hat and shoes and prepared himself
for battle. When he had reached the summit of the
mountain he saw the two fiery griffins, but by means
of his coat of darkness he was able to pass between
them without being seen. When he reached the
castle gate he found a golden trumpet suspended
by a silver chain, under which were written these
lines :
"Whoever can this trumpet blow
Shall soon the giant overthrow.
And break the black enchantment straight;
So all shall be in happy state."
Jack the Giant-Killer 195
As soon as he had read the last word, Jack seized
the trumpet and hlew a shrill hlast. The gates flew
open, and the very castle itself seemed to tremble.
Now the giant and the magician, knowing they had
reached the end of their wicked course, stood biting
their thumbs and tearing their hair while everything
around them was in horrid confusion. Jack rushed
in, and with his sword of sharpness killed the giant,
but at that very instant the magician was carried
away in a mighty whirlwind. At the same time
every knight and beautiful lady who had been trans-
formed into bird or beast returned to his natural
shape, and the castle vanished.
The head of Gallagantis, too, w^as sent to King
Arthur, while that night the lords and ladies rested
with Jack at the old man's hermitage. The next
day all set out for court, and when they arrived
Jack M^ent to the king and gave his majesty a full
account of all his battles. You may be sure, too,
that the lords and ladies were not backward in tell-
ing what they knew of Jack's prowess. Indeed,
they praised him so, that had he not been a very
modest youth he would have been hopelessly spoiled.
The fame of the Giant- Killer spread throughout
the whole country, and at the king's desire the duke
gave his daughter's hand in marriage to Jack, to the
great delight of the whole country. JNloreover, the
king granted him a noble castle in the midst of a
beautiful estate, and there they lived the rest of their
long days in joy and contentment. Although Jack
had been but a farmer's boy, he w^as so bright that
he quickly learned court customs, and before long
he was as fine a lord as the finest among them.
196 Block City
BLOCK CITY
By Robert Louis Stevenson
WHAT are yoii 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?
Yet as I saw it, I see it again,
The kirk and the palace, the ships and the men.
And as long as I live, and where'er I may be,
I'll alwavs remember mv town by the sea.
The Mice and the Cat 197
THE micp: and the cat
A GENTLEMAN once owned a Cat tliat was a
.very fine mouser. She hunted so much that
after a time she had caught and killed nearly all the
Mice in the gentleman's house. The remaining
]\Iice were very much frightened and called a coun-
cil to see what could be done. They met secretly in
their hall behind the coal-bin and locked the doors
carefully before they began to talk. JNIany plans
were proposed and discussed, but the JNIice could
agree on nothing.
Finally a dapper young INIouse arose and said :
"Mr. President, I wish to propose a plan. It is
so novel and so excellent that I am certain every
one of you will approve it. A little silver bell must
be hung about the Cat's neck. Then every step she
takes will make the bell tinkle, and w^e shall have
warning in time to run to our holes before she comes
too close! Isn't that a perfect plan? We can then
live in safety and happiness in spite of this wonder-
ful Cat."
The young Mouse took his seat, smiling with an
air of complacent pride, and from the other INI ice
came the sound of lively applause.
"Mr. President and Fellow Mice," interrupted
an old gray-whiskered INIouse who rose from the
back of the hall and looked his companions over with
a merry twinkle in his eye, "the plan proposed by
the last speaker is indeed an admirable one, but I
fear there is one slight drawback to it. The honor-
able gentleman has not told us who is to hang the
bell around the Cat's neck."
198 From a Railway Carriage
FROM A RAILWAY CARRIAGE
By Robert Louis Stevenson
FASTER than fairies, faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches ;
And charging along Hke troops in a battle.
All through the meadows the horses and cattle :
All of the sights of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain ;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by.
Here is a child who clambers and scrambles.
All by himself and gathering brambles;
.Here is a tramp who stands and gazes ;
And there is the green for stringing the daisies !
Here is a cart run away in the road,
Lumping along with man and load;
And here is a mill and there is a river:
Each a glimpse, and gone forever!
FAIRY BREAD
By Robert Louis Stevenson
COME up here, O dusty feet!
Here is fairy bread to eat.
Here in my retiring room,
Children, you may dine
On the golden smell of broom
And the shade of pine;
And when you have eaten M^ell,
Fairy stories hear and tell.
Town Mouse and Country Mouse 199
THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE
COUNTRY MOUSE
i^^^^^WO little jNIice, who had lived together
fe
m
1
and played veiy happily when they
were children, became separated as
they grew up. One of them moved in-
to a fine house in the city, while the
other remained near her old home in
the country.
They never quite forgot each other, and one day
the Town JNIouse rambled out into the country and
called on her old friend. Naturally, the Country
Mouse was delighted at the visit, and she gathered
together the best of everything she could find for
a luncheon.
There were some fine peas, choice bacon and a
little piece of rare old Stilton cheese, all of which
seemed very sweet and toothsome to the affectionate
hostess when" she called the other heartily to come
and take part in the good cheer.
From living so long among the rich delicacies of
the city, the traveled JNIouse had lost her early ap-
petite, and though she nibbled daintily here and
there, hoping to please her old friend, yet she never
ceased to wonder in her heart how the Country
IMouse could take any pleasure in such coarse and
ordinary fare.
After dinner, when they sat down to chat over
old times, the Town JNIouse could hold her tongue
no longer.
"Really, my dear old friend, I don't see how you
possibly can keep so cheerful in such a dismal, dead-
200 Town Mouse and Country JMouse
and-alive kind of place as this in which you live!
Why, I couldn't possihly live here a week! There
is no kind of life; there's no society; there's nothing
gay or jolly anywhere to be found.
"You go on from one year's end to another, every
day just like the one before it and just like the one
that follows it. What you want to do is to come
back to the city with me. Come to-night and see
what a gay and happy life I lead."
The airs and address of the Town JMouse had
made the Country JMouse a little discontented, so
as soon as it came dark, the two started off for the
city, where they quickly found the home of the
Town JMouse, in which, as it happened, a splendid
supper had been given and from Avhich the guests
had barely departed for home.
It was no trouble at all for the Town JMouse to
gather up the whole heap of dainties which she
placed on one corner of the handsome red Turkey
carpet. The plain little Country JMouse M^as daz-
zled by so much splendor; she had never seen such
a table as was now before her. There were not half
of the meats that she could tell the names of, and
not knowing what they were or how they tasted,
she sat there wondering where to begin.
Suddenly a door behind them creaked and opened,
and the servant came in with a light. The two JMice
ran hastily into a corner and hid themselves behind
a hassock till everything was quiet again, when they
returned to their meal.
The first mouthful had not been swallowed when
the door opened suddenly again and in dashed a
boy, the son of the master of the house — a noisy,
rollicking bov, followed bv a fierce little Terrier,
Town Mouse and Country INIouse 201
that ran straiglit to the spot where the two friends
had jnst heen sitting.
Such a thing was really no great suri)rise to the
Town Mouse, who had learned to run to her hole
very quiekly on the slightest alarm. She did not
realize, howe\'er, that the Country blouse knew
nothing ahout this, and so had not told her where
to go. The only place the latter could find was
hack of a hig sofa, and there she waited in awful
fear while the Terrier harked and tore around the
room, enraged at the scent of the INIice.
After a while, however, the boy skipped out again,
the Terrier followed, and the room became quiet.
The Town Mouse was out in an instant and ran
quickly to the dainties, which still lay imdisturbed
on the floor, for the dog had eaten his supper before
he came in.
"Come, come," said the Town Mouse, "come out;
the table is all spread and everything is getting cold !
We shan't be disturbed again, or if we are we can
run and hide. Come, now; let's eat and be happy!"
"No, no, not for me!" said the Country blouse. I
shall be off as fast as I can. There is too much
excitement in this life for me. I'd rather have a
crust out there in the country, with peace and quiet-
ness, than all the fine things you have here in the
midst of such frights and terrors as I've had in the
last hour."
What are you ? Are you a town mouse or a coun-
try mouse? Do you live in the country, where you
can see the beautiful blue sky with the white clouds
sailing through it, where you can play on the rich
ffreen grass and smell the sweet Howers all about
202 A Riddle
you? Or do you live in the dusty, smoky city, with
big buildings all around you, where the trees are
stunted and the leaves look brown and withered?
When you go to school in the morning, do you
walk along a neat path in the roadside, among fields
rich with growing grain, where you can breathe the
pure air and romp in the sunshine? Or do you go
to school along hot and dusty pavements, where
every time you cross a street you must look sharp
and run hard or be caught by an automobile or a
street car?
Sometimes the human mice who live in the coun-
try when they are children move into the great city
and grow old there. They learn to live in the excite-
ment and to like it, but occasionally when they sit
at home in the evening they wish they were in the
country once more, where the evening breezes
brought them the scent of the apple blossoms, and
where at day-break the birds wakened them from
their quiet, peaceful slumber.
A RIDDLE
AS I was going to Saint Ives
^ I met a man with seven wives ;
Each wife had seven sacks.
Each sack had seven cats.
Each cat had seven kits:
Kits, cats, sacks and wives,
How many were going to Saint Ives?
Can you guess this riddle at once? Which way
was the speaker going? Which way were kit, cats,
sacks and wives goin^?
Old Gaelic Lullaby
203
?:^S.^^V;^Vx^vV^V^V^Vx^^y^V^A/^^^
OLD GAELIC LULLABY
Hush! the waves are rolling in,
White with foam, white with foam;
Father toils amid the din ;
But bahy sleeps at home.
Plush! the winds roar hoarse and deep —
On they come, on they come!
Brother seeks the wandering sheep;
But baby sleeps at home.
Hush! the rain sweeps o'er the knowes,
Where they roam, where they roam ;
Sister goes to seek the cows;
But baby sleeps at home.
s
204 Sleep, Baby, Sleep
This pretty lullaby has traveled a long way from
its home in the Highlands of Scotland, where it was
sung in Gaelic to little mountain babies many, many
years ago. The sea comes in close to the Highlands,
and sometimes runs its long arms up among them,
so that fisher folk are numerous, and the sea is the
one big thought in their minds.
Father, brother and sister are out in the storm,
father toiling with his boat among the waves, brother
bringing in the wandering sheep, and sister driving
the cows into the sheltered stable. At home mother
sits by the cradle and sings the baby to sleep with
her soft lullaby.
SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP!
SLEEP, baby, sleep!
Thy father watches his sheep ;
Thy mother is shaking the dreamland tree.
And down comes a little dream on thee.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
Sleep, baby, sleep!
The large stars are the sheep ;
The little stars are the lambs, I guess.
And the gentle moon is the shepherdess
Sleep, baby, sleej^!
Sleep, baby, sleep!
Our Saviour loves His sheep;
He is the Lamb of God on high,
Who for our sakes came down to die.
Sleep, baby, sleep!
THE PEA BLOSSOM
By Hans Christian Andkksen
HERE were once five peas in one shell :
they were green, the shell was green,
and so they believed that the whole
world must be green also, which was a
very natural conclusion. The shell
grew, and the peas grew ; they accom-
modated themselves to their position,
and sat all in a row. The sun shone without and
warmed the shell, and the rain made it clear and
transparent; it was mild and agreeable in broad
daylight, and dark at night, as it generally is; and
the peas as they sat there grew bigger and bigger,
and more thoughtful as they mused, for they felt
there must be something for them to do.
"Are we to sit here forever?" asked one; "shall we
not become hard by sitting so long ? It seems to me
there must be something outside, and I feel sure
of it."
And as weeks passed by, the peas became yellow,
and the shell became yellow.
"All the world is turning yellow, I suppose," said
they — and perhaps they wxre right in their sup-
position.
Suddenly they felt a pull at the shell ; it was torn
off and held in human hands, then slipped into the
pocket of a jacket in company with other full pods.
"Now we shall soon be opened," said one — just
what they all wanted.
205
206 The Pea Blossom
"I should like to know which of us will travel
farthest," said the smallest of the five. "We shall
soon see now."
"What is to happen, will happen," said the largest
pea.
"Crack!" went the shell as it burst, and the five
peas rolled out into the bright sunshine. There they
lay in a child's hand. A little boy was holding them
tightly, and said they were fine peas for his shooter.
And immediately he put one in and shot it out.
"Now I am flying out into the wide world," said
he; "catch me if you can;" and he was gone in a
moment.
"I," said the second, "intend to fly straight to the
sun ; that is a shell that lets itself be seen, and it will
suit me exactly."
"We will go to sleep wherever we find ourselves,"
said the two next; "we shall still be rolling on-
wards"; and they did certainly fall on the floor and
roll about before they got into the pea shooter ; but
they were put in, for all that. "We shall go farther
than the others," said they.
"What is to happen, will happen," exclaimed the
last, as he was shot out of the pea shooter; and as
he spoke he flew up against an old board under a
garret window, and fell into a little crevice, which
was almost filled up with moss and soft earth. The
moss closed itself round him, and there he lay.
"What is to happen, will happen," said he to
himself.
Within the little garret lived a poor woman who
went out to clean stoves, chop wood into small
pieces, and perform suchlike hard work, for she was
strong and industrious. Yet she remained always
The Pea Blosso.ai 207
poor, and at home in the garret lay her only
daughter, not quite grown up, and very delicate
and weak. For a whole year she had kept her bed,
and it seemed as if she could neither live nor die.
"She is going to her little sister," said the woman.
"I had but the two children, and it was not an easy
thing to supjiort both of them; but the good God
helped me in my work, and took one of them to
Himself and 2)rovided for her. Now I would gladly
keep the other that was left to me, but I suppose
they are not to be separated, and my sick girl will
very soon go to her sister above."
But the sick girl still remained where she was;
quietly and patiently she lay all the day long, while
her mother was away from home at her work.
Spring came, and one morning early the sun shone
brightly through the little window, and threw his
rays over the floor of the room. Just as the mother
Avas going to her work the sick girl flxed her gaze
on the lowest pane of the window.
"^lother," she exclaimed, "what can that little
green thing be that peeps in at the window? It is
moving in the wind."
The mother stepped to the window and half
opened it. "Oh!" she said, "there is actually a little
pea which has taken root, and is putting out its green
leaves. How could it have got into this crack?
Well, now, here is a little garden for you to amuse
yourself with."
So the bed of the sick girl was drawn nearer to
the window, that she might see the budding plant,
and the mother went out to her work.
"jMother, I believe I shall get mcII," said the sick
child in the evening. "The sun has shone in here so
208
The Pea Blossom
bright and warm to-day, and the little pea is thriv-
ing so well; I shall get on better, too, and go out
into the warm sunshine again."
"God grant it!" said the mother, but she did not
believe it would be so. She propped up with a little
^ooooo^ooopo^
°°ooooooooO
SHE GENTLY KISSED THE DELICATE LEAVES
stick the green plant M^iich had given her child such
pleasant hopes of life, so that it might not be broken
by the winds. She tied the piece of string to the
window-sill and to the upper part of the frame, so
that the pea tendrils might twine round it when it
shot up. And it did shoot up; indeed it might al-
most be seen to grow from day to day.
The Pea Klossom 200
"Now really, here is a flower c()min<>'," said the
old woman one morning; and now at last she hegau
to encourage the hope that her little sick daughter
might really recover. The child had seemed more
cheerful and during the last few days had raised her-
self in bed in the morning to look with sparkling-
eyes at her little garden which contained only a
single pea plant.
A week later the invalid sat up a whole hour for
the first time, feeling quite happy by the open win-
dow in the warm sunshine, while outside grew the
little plant, and on it a pink pea blossom in full
bloom. The little maiden bent down and gently
kissed the delicate leaves. This day was to her like
a festival.
"Our heavenly Father Himself has planted that
pea, and made it grow and flourish, to bring joy to
you and hope to me, my blessed child," said the
happy mother, and she smiled at the flower as if
it had been an angel from God.
But what became of the other peas? Why> the
one who flew out into the wide world, and said,
"Catch me if you can," fell into a gutter and ended
his travels in the crop of a pigeon. The two lazy
ones were also eaten by pigeons, so they were at least
of some use; but the fourth, who wanted to reach
the sun, fell into a sink, and lay there in the dirty
water for days and weeks, till he had swelled to a
great size.
But as the young maiden stood at the open garret
window, with sparkling eyes and the rosy hue of
health on her cheeks, she folded her thin hands over
the pea blossom, and thanked God for what He
had done.
HANSEL AND GRETHEL
By WiLHELM AND JaKOB GrIMM
^ANY, many years ago there lived close
by a great forest a woodcutter and his
family. There were two children,
Hansel and Grethel, and the wood-
cutter's wife. The mother of Hansel
and Grethel died long before, and their
father's present wife did not have any
love for the little ones.
They were very poor indeed, and when a great
famine came on the land and food grew scarce and
dear, the woodcutter could no longer buy food
enough for his whole family.
One night when the poor man lay tossing on his
bed in deep anxiety, he said to his wife :
"Alas! what will become of us? How can we
feed the children when we have no more than enough
for ourselves?"
"Now listen, my husband," answered his wife;
"I will tell you what to do. As it is not longer pos-
sible for us to feed the children, we will take them
into the forest with us to-morrow, light a nice, warm
fire for them, give them each a piece of bread, and
leave them."
"No, no," said the father; "I could never leave
my Hansel and Grethel to die in the woods. I could
not bear to think of the wild beasts tearing them
limb from limb."
"Then we must all four die of hunger," said the
210
Hansel and Grethel 211
wife; "you may as well cut the boards for our
coffins."
She continued to talk, and her husband was at
last so worried that he agreed to do as she wished.
"But I feel terribly about the poor children," said
the husband, as he turned over and went to sleep.
The two children were so hungry that they had
not gone to slee]), and they overheard every word
that was said. Grethel cried bitterly, but Hansel
was very brave and tried to comfort his little sister,
saying,
"Don't cry, dear! You need not be afraid. I
will take care of you."
As soon as his father and stepmother were asleep,
he slipped on his coat, and, opening the door softly,
went out into the garden. The moon was shining
brightly, and by its light he could see the little white
pebbles that lay scattered in front of the house, shin-
ing like little pieces of silver. He stooped and filled
his pockets as full as he could, and then went back
to Grethel.
"Don't fear anything, little sister," he said, as he
climbed into bed. "God will take care of us. Go
to sleep now."
Early in the morning, before the sun had risen,
the stepmother came and awakened the children.
"Rise, little lie-a-beds," she said, "and come with
us into the w^ood to gather fuel."
She gave them each a piece of bread for their din-
ner, and told them to be sure not to eat it too soon,
for they would get nothing more.
Grethel carried the bread in her pinafore because
Hansel had his pockets full of pebbles, and they all
set out upon their way to the wood.
212 Hansel and Grethel
As they trudged along, the father noticed that his
httle son kept turning back to look at the house.
"Take care, my boy," he said, "or you will slip.
What are you looking at so earnestly?"
"I am watching my kitten, father; she is sitting
on the roof to bid me good-bye."
"Silly little lad, that is not your cat," said the
stepmother; "it is only the morning sun shining on
the chimney."
Now Hansel was not really looking at the cat, but
every time he turned around he took a white pebble
from his pocket and quietly dropped it in the path.
When they were deep in the forest the father
said to the children:
"Now you gather all the wood you can find and
I will build vou a fine fire so vou will not be so
cold."
When Hansel and Grethel had gathered quite a
mountain of twigs and branches, the father set fire
to them, and as the flames burned up warm and
bright, the wife said:
"Now lie down, children, near the fire, and rest
yourselves. We will go further and chop wood.
When we are ready to go home I will come and
call you."
Hansel and Grethel sat down by the fire, and
when it was noon each ate a piece of bread. They
were not frightened, because they thought they
heard the blows of their father's axe. But it was
not the axe; it was a branch which the father had
tied to a tree; and when the wind blew, the branch
fiew backward and forward against the tree. They
waited and waited, and at last their eyes grew heavy,
and from pure weariness they fell asleep.
Hansel and Grethel 213
When they awoke, the night was very dark, and
Grethel was frightened, and began to cry. Hansel
put his arms around her and whispered, "Wait,
dearie, till the moon rises; we shall soon find our
way home then."
As soon as the bright moon rose, Hansel took his
little sister by the hand, and all night long they fol-
lowed the track of the little white pebbles, until at
daybreak they came to their father's house. They
knocked at the door, and when their stepmother
opened the door and saw them, she cried out,
"You W'icked children! Why did you stay so
long in the forest? We thought you meant never to
come back."
But their father kissed and petted them, for he
had been very sorry to leave his little boy and girl
alone in the big forest. In a short time they w^ere
worse off than ever, and one night they again heard
their mother trying to persuade her husband to take
them out into the wood and lose them.
"There is nothing left in the house but half a loaf
of bread," she said. "For our own sakes it is better
to get rid of the children ; but this time we will lead
them farther away, so that they will not be able to
find their way home."
But the man would not agree.
"Better to divide our last morsel with them," he
said, "and then die together."
"No; we cannot do that. Whoever has said A
must say B, too. What we have done once, w^e must
do a second time."
Then his wife scolded him roundly, until at last
the poor man gave way a second time, just as he
had done at first.
214 Hansel and Grethel
The children, however, had overheard all that was
said, and as soon as the mother and father were
asleep. Hansel stole down to the door, meaning to
go and collect pebbles as he had done before. The
woman had locked the door that evening and Hansel
could not get out, but he came cheerfully back to
bed and said:
"Do not cry, little sister. Sleep in quiet. The
good God will never forsake us."
Early the next morning the stepmother came and
pulled them out of bed, and gave them each a slice
of bread, which was still smaller than the former
piece.
On the way Hansel broke his in his pocket, and,
stopping every now and then, dropped a crumb
upon the path.
"Hansel, why do you stop and look about?" said
the father; "keep in the path."
"I am looking at my little dove," answered Han-
sel, "nodding a good-bye to me."
"Simpleton!" said the wife, "that is no dove, but
only the sun shining on the chimney."
But Hansel still kept dropping crumbs as he
went along.
The mother led the children deep into the wood,
w^here they had never been before, and there, making
an immense fire, she said to them:
"Sit down here and rest, and when you feel tired
you can sleep for a little while. We are going into
the forest to cut wood, and in the evening, when we
are ready, we will come and fetch you."
When noon came, Grethel shared her bread with
Hansel, who had strewn his on the path. Then they
went to sleep ; but the evening arrived, and no one
Hansel and Grethel 21.3
came to visit the poor children, and in the dark night
they awoke. Hansel comforted his sister by saying,
"Only wait, Grethel, till the moon comes out; then
we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have
dropped, and they will show us the way home."
The moon shone and they got up, but they could
not see any crumbs, for the thousands of birds which
had been flying about in the woods and fields had
picked them all uj). Hansel kept saying to Grethel,
"We will soon find the way;" but they did not, and
they walked the whole night long and the next day,
and still did not come out of the woods. They got
very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but the
berries M'hich they found upon the bushes, and at
last they grew so tired that they could not drag
themselves along, but lay down under a tree and
went to sleep.
On the third day they were still as far away as
ever ; indeed, it seemed to them that the longer they
walked the deeper they got into the wood, and they
began to be afraid that they would die of cold and
hunger. But presently, when the midday sun was
shining brightly, they noticed a snow-white bird
singing so sweetly that they coidd not help but stay
to listen. When the birdie's song was ended, he
spread his wings and flew away.
The children followed him until they reached a
little house, on the roof of which he perched. Then
the children saw with surprise that the strange little
house was built entirely of bread, roofed with cakes,
and with window s of barley sugar.
"See, Grethel," cried Hansel, joyfully, "there is
food for us a-plenty. You take one of the windows,
while I eat a piece of the roof."
216
Hansel and Grethel
He stretched out his hand to help himself, and
Grethel had already begun to nibble one of the
window-panes, when suddenly they heard a voice
call from within:
HANSEL AND GRETHEL FOLLOWING THE BIRD
"Nibble, nibble, little mouse!
Who's a-nibbling at my house ?"
The children answered quickly:
" 'Tis my Lady Wind that blows.
Round and round the house she goes.'^
IIanski- AM) Gkf/iiiki. 217
Tlicii tlicv went on eating' as thougli nothing" liad
Jiappened, i'or the eake of which the roof was made
just suited Hansel's taste, while the sugar window-
l)anes were hetter than any sweet-meat Grethel had
ever tasted hefore.
All at once the door of the cottage flew wide open,
and out came an old, old woman, leaning upon a
crutch. The children were so frightened that they
dropped their food and clung to each othei'. The
old woman nodded her head to them, and said,
"AVho l)7-()ught you here, my pets? Come inside,
come inside; no one will hurt you."
She took their hands and led them into the house,
and set hefore them all kinds of delicious foods —
milk, sugared ])ancakcs, a])])les, and nuts. AVhen
they had finished their meal she showed them two
cozy little white beds, and soon Hansel and Grethel
lay snugly tucked up in them.
Now this old woman who had seemed so kind to
them was really a wicked old witch, who had built
the house of cake and candy to coax little children
into her clutches. Then when she had them safely
in the house, she killed and ate them with great joy.
Witches have red eyes and cannot see well, but
they can smell very keenly, and this old woman had
known all the time that Hansel and Cxrethel were
coming. When she did see them, she said,
"Here are two dainty bits that will make a fine
mouthful for me."
Then again in the morning before they awoke,
when she went up and saw how soundly they were
sleeping, and looked at their chubby pink cheeks
and pretty red lips, she said,
"They Avill make a dainty meal, sure enough."
218
Hansel and Grethel
COME inside; no one will hurt you
Then she caught Hansel in her great rough hand,
carried him into a httle room and locked him in there
behind an iz-on grating. Although he screamed
loudly with fear, and kicked as hard as he could,
the old witch paid no attention, but hurried back
to the bedroom where she had left Grethel. She
caught the little girl by the shoulder and shook her
roughly, saying,
"Get up, you lazy thing, and fetch some water to
cook something good for your brother. I've put
Hansel and Grethel 219
him in a stall, and he must stay there till he gets fat,
and when he is fat enougli 1 shall eat him."
Grethel cried, but it was useless, and finally she
had to do just as the old witch told her. She cooked
the choicest food and carried it to Hansel, but she
got nothing to eat but a crab's claw or an oyster
shell.
Day by day the old woman visited the stall and
called to Hansel to put his finger through the win-
dow-bars, that she might see if he were getting fat ;
but the little fellow held out a bone instead, and as
her eyes were dim, she mistook the bone for the boy's
finger, and thought how thin and lean he was.
When a whole month had 2:>assed without Hansel
becoming the least bit fatter, the old witch lost
patience and declared she would wait no longer.
"Hurry, Grethel," she said to tlie little girl; "fill
the pot with water, for to-morrow, be he lean or fat.
Hansel shall be cooked for my dinner."
How the poor little sister grieved ! But there was
nothing she could do except to cry out, while the
tears ran down her cheeks,
"Dear, good God, help us now! If the beasts
had only killed us in the forest w^e might at least
have died together."
The old witch was now angrier than ever, and
called out,
"Stop that noise! It will not help you a bit!"
Early in the morning Grethel was made to get
up, go out and make the fire and fill the kettle.
"First we will bake," said the old woman. "I
have heated the oven and kneaded the dough. Do
you get into the oven and see if it is hot enough to
bake the bread."
220 Hansel and Grethel
But Grethel saw the flames roaring round the
oven and knew that the old witch meant to shut the
door and let her bake, so she said,
"But I don't know how to do it. How shall I
get in?"
"You stupid goose," said the old woman, "the
opening is big enough. See! I could easily get in
myself."
To show Grethel, the old witch got up, and going
to the oven, stuck her head into it. Grethel, who
had been waiting for this, gave her a j^ush and she
fell right in! Then, slamming the door shut,
Grethel bolted it and left the witch to her misery.
As soon as the oven door was bolted tight, Grethel
ran to the stall where her brother was and called out,
"O Hansel, Hansel, we are saved; the old witch
is dead."
When she had opened the door, Hansel sprang
out like a bird from its cage, and they danced about
and kissed each other again and again.
Then, as there was nothing to fear, they ran all
over the witch's house, where in every corner they
found caskets of pearls and diamonds and other
precious stones.
"These are much better than white pebbles," said
Hansel, as he filled his pockets as full as they could
hold.
"I'll take some, too," said Grethel, and she put
into her apron all she could carry.
"Now we must be off for home again," said
Hansel. "We must get out of this awful forest as
soon as we can."
When they had walked for two long hours, they
came to a big stream of water.
Hansel and Grethel
221
HANSEL ON THE DUCK S BACK
222 Hansel and Grethel
"I see no bridge, anywhere," said Hansel. "We
cannot get over."
"And there is no boat, either," said Grethel.
"But there swims a beautiful white duck; I will ask
her to help us over if she can." Then she sang:
"Little duck, little duck,
With broad white wings;
liittle duck, little duck,
With broad white wings;
'Tis your Grethel sings:
Take us on your strong white back,
Take us to the other shore."
The duck paddled over to them, and Hansel, tak-
ing a seat on its back, asked Grethel to get up be-
hind him.
"Xo," said Grethel, "that would be too much for
the little duck. She must take us over one at a
time."
When both were safely on the other side and had
gone a little way, they found themselves in a well-
known part of the woods, and pretty soon they saw
the smoke from the chimney of their father's house.
Then they began to run, and bursting into the room
they climbed into their father's lap and hugged and
kissed him till he was nearly smothered. He was
the happiest man in the world, for not one com-
fortable hour had he known since he left the chil-
dren in the wood. Besides, his wife had died, and
he w as living alone in the house.
Then Grethel shook her apron, and the pearls and
diamonds and other precious stones rolled out in
every direction on the floor, and Hansel pulled out
Tin: T.iox, the Fox and the Ass 22:i
of his pockets one handful after another, till the
whole table was covered with the glistening things.
Now were their troubles all ended, and they lived
together hap])ily ever afterward.
Now my story is done. There runs a mouse.
Catch it and make a cap out of its fur.
THE LION, THE FOX AND THE ASS
ONE day, when a Fox and an Ass were strolling
along together, they were met by a fierce and
hungry Lion.
The terrified Fox ran cringing up to the Lion,
and whispered into his ear: "Dear Mr. Lion, don't
you see how young and plump that Ass is over
there? If you would like to make a dinner of him,
I'll show you a pitfall near by into which we can
lead him without any trouble. Shall we do it?"
The Lion very readily agreed, though he kept one
sage eye resting on the Fox all the time. The latter,
however, was as good as his word, and led the Ass
along till it stumbled and fell into the deep pit.
When the Lion saw that the Ass was secured and
could be killed and eaten at leisure, he slew the
treacherous Fox with a single blow and took the
body for the first course in his dinner.
CINDERELLA
Adapted from Charles Perrault
THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER
^^^^^^jjONG ago there lived a very rich gentle-
man whose beloved wife died quite
suddenly, leaving in his care a young
daughter, who in gentleness of disposi-
tion and beauty of face was the exact
likeness of her mother. Both father
and daughter mourned very deeply
over their loss, and for a long time lived quietly
together.
Then the father, thinking that his little girl needed
more attention and care than he was able to give her,
married a beautiful widow to whom he had become
very much attached. Unfortunately, however, the
lady whom he married was proud, and the most
haughty woman ever known. Nothing seemed to
please her, and no matter how polite people were
to her, she treated them with insult and disdain.
Moreover, slie had two daughters of lier own, wliom
224
CiNDEREIXA 225
she had hroiight up to he as proud and idle as lierself.
In fact, both of them had every unkind and unpleas-
ant trait of their mother. They did not love to study
and they would not learn to work; in short, they
were much disliked by everybody who knew them.
Of course, when the gentleman married her, he
knew nothing about these unpleasant things, for she
tried to ap])ear very gentle and well behaved toward
him; but scarcely was the marriage ceremony over
before the wife began to show her real temper.
Especially did she dislike her husband's little girl,
whose sweet and obliging manners made her own
daughters appear a thousand times more hateful
and disagreeable, and whose beauty put them to
shame.
She therefore ^ordered the child to live in the
kitchen, and if she happened to come into the parlor
for anything the woman scolded her roundly till she
was out of sight. The little girl was made to work
with the servants, wash the dishes and polish the
tables and chairs, and it was her place always to
scrub the woman's chamber and that of her daugh-
ters, and to polish the furniture, which was all of
mahogany finely inlaid with pearls. The beds were
of the newest f ashiofi, and in both rooms were look-
ing-glasses so long and so broad that the women
could see themselves from head to foot.
The little girl slept in a sorry garret upon the
floor, in a wretched straw bed which had neither
curtains about it nor clothes enough to keep her com-
fortable. The poor child bore everything without
complaint, not daring to say one word to her father,
for she saw that he was blind to the faults of his
wife, who had him completely in her power. When
226 Cinderella
the little drudge had finished her work she used tc
sit in the chimney corner among the ashes and
burned-out fire, where she got so dusty that the older
daughter called her the cinder girl; but the younger,
who was, perhaps, not so uncivil and unkind, called
her Cinderella, and by this name she came to be
known to her family and the neighbors. Neverthe-
less, Cinderella, dirty and ragged as she was, always
appeared much prettier than her sisters, though they
were dressed in all their splendor.
After they had lived this way for some time, the
king's son gave a great ball, to which he invited all
the nobles and w^ealthy people in the country, and
among his guests were the two daughters of whom
we have been speaking. The king's son had no idea
how disagreeable they were, but supposed, as they
lived in such splendor, that they must be very lov-
able and amiable creatures. He did not invite Cin-
derella, for he had never seen her or heard of her.
Nothing could exceed the joy of the two sisters,
who began immediately to prepare for the happy
day. Every moment of the time was spent in dream-
ing about such gowns and shoes and headdresses as
would be most becoming to them and make them
appear most attractive in the eyes of the king's son.
You can imagine how great a trouble and vexation
all this was to poor Cinderella, for she it was who
ironed and plaited her sisters' linen and worked for
long hours over their dresses. She heard nothing
but the talk of how the two should be dressed.
"I," said the older, "shall wear my scarlet velvet
with the French trimming."
"I," said the younger, "shall wear the same petti-
coat I had made for the last ball, but to make amends
ClNI)EKKIJ-A
227
for that I shall put on my gold muslin train and
wear my diamonds in my hair. With these I must
certainly look well. "
CINDERELLA HELPED HER SISTERS
They sent to the distant town for the best hair-
dresser they could hire, and bought many jewels and
ornaments of fashionable shapes.
On the morning of the ball they called upon Cin-
228
Cinderella
derella to give them her advice about how they
should wear their hair and fix their dresses. In spite
of her ill treatment, Cinderella gave them the best
advice she could, and otherwise assisted them in get-
ting ready for the ball, just as though she had been
going, too.
While her busy fingers were working for them,
one of them said, "Would you not like to go to the
ball, Cinderella?"
"Ah," replied the little girl, "you are only laugh-
ing at me. It is not for such a person as I am to
think about going to balls."
"You are right," replied the two. "Folks would
laugh, indeed, to see Cinderella dancing in the ball-
room."
Almost any other girl would have tried to spoil
the dresses of the haughty creatiu'es, or to make
them look as ugly as she could. Cinderella, how-
ClXDKUI'JJ.A
229
ever, never even tliought of siicli a tliin^', l)iit did
everything she conhl to make them appear well.
For several days the sisters had eaten very httle, so
great was tlicir joy at tlie ai)proac'h of the hap])y
day. They were always hefore the looking-glass,
and many a laee they broke in trying to give them-
selves fine, slender shapes.
At length the much wished-for hour came; the
proud young women stepi)ed into the beautiful car-
riage, and, followed by servants in rich livery, drove
toward the palace. Cinderella followed them with
her eyes as far as she could, but when they were out
of sight she sat down in her dusty corner and began
to cry bitterly.
Her godmother, coming in just then, saw her in
tears and asked her what was the matter. Poor
Cinderella was able to utter scarcely a word, but
managed to sob out, "I wish, w-i-s-h — "
JM*^ ^
Inn.o'tto uiox-j
CID
230 Cinderella
Cinderella's godmother was a fairy and under-
stood at once why the child was crying. "You
wish," she said, "to go to the ball, Cinderella. Is not
that the truth?"
"Alas, yes," replied the child, sobbing still more
than before.
"Well, well, be a good girl," said her godmother,
"and you shall go. Run into the garden and bring
me a pumpkin."
Cinderella flew like lightning and brought the
finest she could lay hold of. Her godmother scooped
out the inside, leaving nothing but the rind, and
then with the wand which she carried she tapped
the pumpkin gently three times. Instantly it
became a fine coach shining all over with gold. She
then looked into the mousetrap, where she saw six
mice, all alive, and running about briskly.
"Lift up the door of the cage very gently, Cin-
derella," she said.
As the mice ran out, one by one, the fairy god-
mother touched them with the wand, and each
instantly became a beautiful dapple-gray horse.
"Here, my child," said the godmother, "is a coach,
and here are horses, too, as handsome as your sisters' ;
but what shall we do for a postilion?"
"I wull run and see if there is not a rat in the
trap. If I can find one he will do very well for a
postilion."
Cinderella found the trap, which, much to her
joy, contained three of the largest rats she had ever
seen. The fairy chose the largest and touched him
wath her wand, and he was instantly turned into a
handsome postilion with the finest pair of whiskers
you can imagine.
Cinderella 231
"Now run again into the garden," she said to Cin-
derella, "and you will find six lizards behind the
watering pot. Bring them hither."
This was no sooner done than with a stroke of the
fairy's wand they were changed into six footmen
clothed in lace livery, who jumj^ed up behind the
coach and sat side by side as sedate and dignified
as though they had never been anything but ti*ained
footmen.
"Well, m}^ dear," said the fairy godmother, "is
this not such an equipage as you would like to have
to take you to the ball ? Are vou not delighted with
it?"
"Yes," said Cinderella, with hesitation, "but must
I go there in my kitchen rags?"
In reply, her godmother touched her with the
wand, and her rags were instantly changed into the
most wonderful gown and clothing, bedecked with
more costly jewels than had ever been seen on one
person. To all this was added a beautiful pair of
glass slippers.
"Now," said the fairy, "set forth for the palace.
Go and enjoy yourself, but remember, on no account
whatever must you stay at the ball after the clock
strikes twelve. If you stay but a single moment
after that time, your coach will again become a
pumpkin, your horses, mice, your footmen, lizards,
and your fine clothes, filthy, ash-covered rags."
Cinderella promised faithfully to do as her god-
mother wished, and almost wild with joy, drove
away to the ball.
In some way the prince had been informed that a
great princess whom nobody knew was to come to
the ball, and as soon as Cinderella arrived in her
232 Cinderella
carriage he presented himself at the door, helped
her out and led her into the ballroom.
When Cinderella entered the room a silence fell
upon every one present, and the dancing and music
stopped while everybody gazed in admiration at the
remarkable beauty of this unknown princess. "How
handsome she is!" was the whisper which ran around
the room. Old as he was, the king himself could
not take his eyes from her, and said again and again
to the queen, "She is certainly the loveliest creature
I have seen in a long time."
The ladies did not admire her face so much, but
tried to see how her clothes were made, so that if
they could find such beautiful material they might
provide themselves Mith fine dresses, though some
of them doubted whether anybody could be found to
make them so well.
When the king's son led her out to dance, she was
the center of still greater admiration, for no one had
ever seen such graceful movements. A little later,
when the rich supper was spread, many of the guests
spent most of their time in watching the wonderful
stranger, and as for the prince himself, he gazed at
her so constantly that he was not able to eat even a
morsel of the delicious foods that he liked best. As
it happened, Cinderella was seated between her two
sisters, and she took the greatest pains to make her-
self agreeable, and insisted that in all cases they
should be served first. Both were much charmed and
elated to think that the strange and beautiful prin-
cess paid them so much attention. In fact, their
heads were quite turned by her delicate flattery.
While they were still conversing, the clock struck
the quarter before twelve, and Cinderella rose hast-
Cinderella 233
ily to her feet and sweeping them all a p^raceful
courtesy, hurried from the room as rapidly as she
could. When she got home she thanked her god-
mother a thousand times for the delightful evening
she had had, and said that she would give anything
she had in the Avorld to be able to go to the ball
again the next day, as the prince had invited her.
She was just saying this to her godmother when
a light rat-a-tat-tat was heard at the door, and Cin-
derella ran and opened it.
"How late you have stayed," said she, yawning
and stretching herself and rubbing her eyes as
though she had just awakened from sleep, though
in truth she had felt no desire to sleep since her sisters
left, early in the evening.
"If you had been at the ball," said the elder sister,
"you would not have been asleep. One of the guests
was the handsomest, yes, the most beautiful princess
I have ever seen, and you have no idea what atten-
tions she paid to us. The prince was very polite to
her, and gave her oranges and sweetmeats, which
she always divided with us."
"What was the name of the princess?" asked Cin-
derella, scarcely able to contain herself with joy.
"Nobody was able to find out who she was, and
the king's son was extremely grieved and has offered
a large reward if any one can tell him where she
came from."
Cinderella smiled and said, "How beautiful she
must be, and how fortunate you were. Oh, how I
wish I could see her for a single moment. My dear
sister, please let me take the yellow gown that you
wear every day, that I may go to see her."
"The idea!" said the sister. "Lend mj^ clothes
234 Cinderella
to a kitchen wench! Do you think for a minute I
would be such a fool? No, no, Miss Forward, you
mind your own work in the kitchen, and leave us to
attend to princes and balls."
Cinderella was not much surprised at the answer
she received, and indeed was a little relieved, for she
had no idea what she could do if the dress were lent
to her.
On the second day the sisters appeared again at
the ball, and there, too, was Cinderella, but with even
more magnificent clothes than those she had worn
the night before. The king's son was always by her
side and was continually saying to her the most
polite and pleasing things imaginable. The charm-
ing young lady was moved by the attention she
received, and her heart grew warm at the flattery.
In fact, she became so absorbed in the prince and
in all the beautiful things that she saw about her
that she had entirely forgotten what her god-
mother had said about her returning at midnight.
She was never happier than when the clock began
to strike, but as she counted the strokes, one, two,
three, and on till she came to twelve, her joy changed
to terrible alarm. She jumped to her feet and ran
out of the room, as fleet as a deer. The prince, sur-
prised at her strange behavior, followed and tried
to overtake her, but Cinderella's fright made her
run much faster than her pursuer, so she soon left
him out of sight. But in her great haste she lost one
of her glass slippers and dared not stop to recover
it. When the prince came in he saw the fragile
thing, picked it up and carefully preserved it. Cin-
derella reached home tired, out of breath, in her old
ragged clothes, without either coach or footmen, and
Cinderella 235
with nothing left of her magnificence but the mate
of the glass slipper she had dropped.
In the meantime, the i)rince had questioned all
THE PRINCE S BALL
the guards at his palace gates, asking if any had
seen a magnificent princess pass out. The guards
replied that no princess had passed the gates, and
that they had not seen a single creature except a
236 Cinderella
ragged little beggar girl that ran through about
midnight.
Cinderella sat up impatiently awaiting the return
of her sisters, and when they came she began her
questioning again. Was the princess at the ball this
evening? Did they find out who she was, and was
she as kind to them as on the night before?
"Yes, the princess was there, but at midnight she
jumped up and ran so hurriedly from the ballroom
that even though she lost one of her glass slippers
she did not stop to pick it up. The prince followed
her and was not able to overtake her. He did, how-
ever, find the glass slipper, a beautiful little thing,
which she had dropped in her haste. All the rest
of the night he sat gazing at the slipper, so that all
the guests decided he must be very much in love with
the princess."
This must have been true, for the next day the
prince sent heralds around, who proclaimed by
sound of trumpet that he would willingly marry the
lady whose foot exactly fitted the slipper he had
found. The prince's messengers took the slipper
and carried it to all the princesses, then to the duch-
esses, and then to the high ladies of the court, one
after another, but without success. ]Many tried to
put on the slipper, but all failed. Finally it was
brought to the house where Cinderella lived, and
each of the sisters tried to squeeze her foot into the
slipper, but saw that it was quite impossible.
Cinderella, who was looking at them all the while,
and who knew her slipper, smiled to herself, and
when the sisters had failed she ventured to say,
"Please, sir, let me try on the slipper."
The sisters laughed scornfully at the idea, but the
Cinderella 237
herald, who had noticed the great beauty of Cin-
derella in spite of her ragged clothes, said to her,
"Certainly, you may try on the slipper, for the
prince has sworn he will find the owner if it has to
be tried on the foot of every lady in the kingdom."
So Cinderella seated herself, and when the gentle-
man tried on the slipper he found to his own sur-
prise that it fitted her little foot like wax. The two
sisters were filled with astonishment, but were even
more surprised when they saw Cinderella reach into
her pocket, take out the other slipper, and fit it on
her other foot. Just at this moment the fairy god-
mother came into the room, walked briskly over to
Cinderella, and touched her with a wand. In an
instant her ragged clothing was changed to a beau-
tiful dress which made her appear again the mag-
nificent princess, but even more richly jeweled than
ever.
The sisters could not fail to see that she was the
beautiful princess who had been so kind to them at
the ball, and falling at her feet, they asked forgive-
ness for the insults and the ill treatment they had
heaped upon her. Cinderella gave them each a hand
and, assisting them to arise, tenderly embraced them
one after the other.
"I forgive you with all my heart," said Cinder-
ella, "and I hope vou will alwavs love me as I shall
you."
Then she gave her hand to the gentleman-in-wait-
ing, who conducted her, dressed as she was, into the
presence of the prince. He was so overjoyed at
finding the beautiful princess again that without
delay he asked her to accept his hand. In a few
days the marriage ceremony took place, and Cin-
238 Cinderella
(lerella, as forgiving and gentle as she was beauti-
ful, provided her sisters with elegant apartments in
the palace, where after a short time both were wed-
ded to rich nobles at the court.
CINDERELLA is one of the girls that all
readers of stories love. Your mothers and
fathers Avhen they were little, and yom* grand-
mothers and grandfathers when they were little,
heard about her, and they liked her story not only
because of the things that ha])])en in it, but because
Cinderella is such a likable girl. Let us see how
many things we can find about her in the story, so
that we may know just why it is that we like her
so. Some of the things are said about her in so
many words, and we shall make a list of those first.
She is:
1. Gentle,
2. Beautiful,
3. Sweet and obliging,
4. Graceful,
5. Forgiving.
Besides these things that we are really told, mc
may find out certain things about Cinderella by the
way she acts.
1. She is patient under suffering, "The poor
child bore everything without complaint."
2. She has good taste. The sisters "called upon
Cinderella to give them her advice about how they
should Avear their hair and fix their dresses," which,
hating her as they did, and unwilling to make her
seem of any importance, they would certainly never
have done had they not known that she had better
taste than thev had.
Cinderella 239
.*3. She is not envious or jealous, (irieved as she
was that her sisters were invited to the ball, while
she was not, she still "did everything she could to
make them api)ear well," instead of doing her best
to make them look ugly, as one might have expected
her to do.
4. She is fond of good times. She wept because
she could not go to the ball, and was "wild with joy"
when she was finally ])ermitted to go.
5. She is unselfish. She shared the attentions
which she received at the ball with her cruel sisters.
0. She is grateful. "She thanked her godmother
a thousand times."
7. She is innocently fond of praise. She was
"scarcely able to contain herself with joy" when the
sisters told of the beautiful j^rincess, and "her heart
grew warm" at the attention of the prince.
8. She is tender-hearted. She "tenderly em-
braced" her sisters when they begged her forgive-
ness.
Have we not found reasons enough for loving the
little heroine of this story? We could not well help
loving any one who had those qualities.
But as you read the story, did you not dislike the
sisters almost as much as you liked Cinderella?
Read the story just once more, and see whether you
can find as good reasons for feeling so toward the
sisters as we ha^e found for feeling the opposite way
toward Cinderella.
240 Seein' Things
sp:ein' things
By EuGENK Field
I AIN'T afeard uv snakes, or toads, or bugs, or
M'orms, or mice.
An' things 'at girls are skeered uv I think are awful
nice!
I'm pretty brave, I guess ; an' yet I hate to go to bed,
For, when I'm tucked up warm an' snug an' when
my praj^ers are said,
JNIother tells me "Happy dreams!" and takes away
the light.
An' leaves me lyin' all alone an' seein' things at
night !
Sometimes they're in the corner, sometimes they're
by the door,
Sometimes they're all a-standin' in the middle uv
the floor;
Sometimes they are a-sittin' down, sometimes
they're walkin' round
So softly an' so creepylike they never make a sound !
Sometimes they are as black as ink, an' other times
they're white —
But the color ain't no difference when you see things
at night!
Once, when I licked a feller 'at had just moved on
our street.
An' father sent me up to bed without a bite to eat,
I woke up in the dark an' saw things standin' in a
row,
A-lookin' at me cross-eyed an' p'intin' at me — so!
Sefjn' Thix(;s 241
Oh, my! I wiiz so skcered that time J never slep' a
mite —
It's ahiiost alluz when I'm bad 1 see things at ni<^ht!
Lueky thin<»- 1 ain't a <4irl, or I'd he skeered to
death!
Bein' I'm a. hoy, I (hick my head an' hold my
breath ;
An' I am, oh! so sorry I'm a naughty boy, an' then
I promise to be ])etter an' I say my prayers again!
Gran'ma tells me that's the only way to make it
right
When a feller has been wicked an' sees things at
night !
An' so, A\ hen other naughty boys would coax me into
sin,
I try to skwush the Tempter's voice 'at urges m(
within ;
An' when they's pie for supj^er, or cakes 'at's big an'
nice,
I want to — but I do not pass my plate f'r them
things twice!
Xo, ruther let Starvation wipe me slowly out o' sight
Than I should keep a-livin' on an' seein' things at
night !
EUGENE FIELD
f?*'^/ ->/-^^O^V rare is the man who seems to know
just how children feel and just what
children like ! If such a man can write
down some of these things which he
and the children understand, but which
many grown-up people do not, it is
very certain that children all over the
world will love him. Just such a man was Eugene
Field, who wrote this Sceiri Things at Night, He
wrote a number of books for older people, but it is
chiefly for his poems to children and about children
that he is remembered.
AVe know some rather interesting things about
Field's childhood. His mother died when he was
only seven years old, and he was taken from Mis-
souri to Amherst, JNIassachusetts, to be brought uj)
by a cousin. His grandmother, who was very relig-
ious, saw that he was a bright boy, and hoped that
he would be a preacher when he grew up. Just to
get him into the habit, she used to pa)^ him to write
sermons, and it must have been a funny thing to
see the child, who can never have been a very serious
boy, bending over his sermons, bound to win his
ninepence. When he became a man he used to smile
at these sermons, especially at one in which he had
said, "Oh, it is hard, indeed, for sinners to go down
to perdition over all the obstacles God has placed in
his path!"
Certainly the sermon-writing failed to make a
242
KuGENE Field 243
l)reiicher of Field. After he left c()lle<^e he took Ji
trip to Europe, and heeiiiise he spent theie all the
fortune that had been left him, lie found on his
return that he would have to vvoriv hard for a living.
It did not take him lon^ to deeide what he wanted
to do; there was nothing that interested him more
than newspaper work, and all the rest of his life he
was engaged in that, working first on one paper,
then on another. And in every plaee his brightness
and cleverness made his department of the paper
very popular.
In some ways Field was a boy all his life. lie
loved a 2^1'iictieal joke, and was never too busy to
pipy one on his friends, who sometimes became a
little out of ])atience Mith him. However, they did
not kee]) their anger long, for he had the knack of
making people good-natured, and besides, he never
played a joke that could hurt any one's feelings.
Sometimes there would appear in some ])aper a
poem signed with the name of one of Field's friends ;
a day or two later there would appear in another
paper a most severe criticism of that poem. Field's
friends knew that this was just one of his jokes —
that he had WTitten both the poem and the criticism ;
but all the people who read the papers did not kno\\
that.
One time Field was travelmg about JNIissouri with
Carl Schurz, candidate for senator, who was a Ger-
man. At one place w^here Schurz was to speak, the
man who was to introduce him did not appear, and
Field was asked to say a few w^ords of introduction.
Assuming a strong German accent, that the people
might think he was Schurz, he said: "Ladies and
Chentlemans: I haf such a severe colt dot I cannot
244 Eugene Field
make me a speedge to-night, but I liaf de bleasure
of to introduce to you my prilliant young chournal-
istic gompanion, ]Mr. Eucheene Fielt, who will
shpeak in my blace." When the joke was explained
to the audience they were delighted, but it is not on
record that Schurz was particularly pleased.
The men for whom Field worked could never be
quite certain as to what he would do next. At one
time while he was with the Chicago Daily News he
felt that he needed and deserved an increase in
salary, but he did not ask for it as any one else
would have done. He appeared one morning at
the office of the chief, in rags, and with four of his
children also in rags. All five made pleading ges-
tures, pretended to weep, and fell upon their knees ;
and finally Field said, in a pathetic voice, "Please,
]Mr. Stone, can't you see your way to raise my
salary?"
After Field had become famous, he used to be
bothered constantly by people wanting the facts of
his life, and finally, to satisfy them, he wrote a little
pamphlet which was supposed to tell all about him-
self. But it was very different from most "lives"
of people. To be sure, it did tell that he was born
in JNIissouri in 1850, and it told what papers he had
written for, and what books he had published; but
most of it was taken up with facts which Field pre-
tended to think were much more important, and
which are certainly more interesting to us. He says,
for instance, "IMy favorite flower is the carnation,
and I adore dolls." "My favorites in fiction are
Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, Don Quiccote and Pil-
griiiis Progress." "I should like to own a big
astronomical telescope, and a 24-tune music box."
A Riddle 245
"I love to read in bed." "My favorite color is red."
Of course he wrote these things in fun, but just the
same they tell us a great deal about him.
Field used to say that he did not love all children,
though that is hard to believe. All children whom
he could pet, he said, he loved, and all children who
loved fairy tales and myths, and who could play at
"seein' things at night." He always insisted that
he himself believed in ghosts, in witches, and in
fairies; and it was this delight in the things that chil-
dren love that made him able, when he was a busy
man, working all day in a big city where men do
not spend much time thinking about fairies and
such things, to write so charmingly of the "fumfays"
and storm-kings of which his poems are full.
He never "wrote down" to children — he always
made himself a child first, and then talked to them
face to face; and after all, that is the only way to
write for children and have them like what you write.
A RIDDLE
Long legs, crooked thighs.
Little head and no eyes.
If you live in a house that has a fireplace, and you
have to handle the wood or the coal in the fire, you
ought to guess this riddle quickly enough. But if
you live where all you have to do is to turn on the
steam or the hot water when you are cold, you may
need to be told what tongs are.
246 NoKSE Lullaby
NORSE LULLABY
By Eugene Field
THE sky is dark and the hills are white
As the storm-king speeds from the north
to-night ;
And this is the song the storm-king sings,
As over the world his cloak he flings :
"Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;"
He rustles his wings and gruffly sings:
"Sleep, little one, sleep."
On yonder mountain-side a vine
Clings at the foot of a mother pine;
The tree bends over the trembling thing,
And only the vine can hear her sing :
"Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;
What shall you fear when I am here?
Sleep, little one, sleep."
The king may sing in his bitter flight.
The pine may croon to the vine to-night.
But the little snowflake at my breast
Liketh the song / sing the best, —
"Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;
Weary thou art, anext my heart;
Sleep, little one, sleep."
THE THREE TASKS
By WiLHELM AND JaKOB GrIMM
»^
m
^HERE once lived a poor maiden, who
was young and fair; but she had lost
'm
^
'^S ?^Sil hei* own mother, and her stepmother
did all she could to make her miserable.
When she gave her any work to do she
made it as hard and heavy as possible,
so that it was often almost beyond her
strength. She exerted herself to do what was
required of her, but the wicked woman's envious
heart made her always discontented with what the
poor girl did — it was never enough to please her.
The more diligent she was, and the more she had to
do, the less thanks she received. It seemed always
to her as if she were carrying a great burden, which
made her life sad and miserable.
One day her stepmother said to her, "Here are
twelve pounds of feathers for you to sort in three
different sizes, and if they are not finished by this
evening you may expect a sound thrashing. Do
you think you are to waste the whole day in idle-
nessf
After she had gone the poor maiden seated her-
self by the table; but the tears rolled down her
cheeks, for she knew it was impossible for her to
finish such a task by the end of the day. She made
an attempt, however; but after she had put several
feathers together in little heaps, if she happened to
sigh, or clasp her hands in her agony, away flew the
247
248 The Three Tasks
feathers, and were so scattered that she had to com-
mence her task anew.
At last she placed her elbows on the table, rested
her face in her hands, and cried, "Is there no one
on all this earth who will pity me?"
Immediately she heard a soft voice say, "Be com-
forted, my child ; I am come to help you!"
The maiden looked up and saw an old woman
standing near her. She took the maiden's hand, and
said kindly, "Now tell me what is troubling you."
She spoke so heartily that the maiden told her all
about her unhappy life, and of one burden after
another which her stepmother laid upon her, and of
the terrible tasks which never would come to an end.
"If I do not finish parting these feathers by the
evening," she said, "my stepmother has threatened
to beat me; and I know she will keep her word."
Her tears began to flow as she spoke ; but the kind
old woman said, "Be at peace, my child, and go and
rest awhile; I will finish your work for you."
So she made her lie down on a bed in the room,
and worn out with sorrow the young girl soon fell
asleep.
Then the old woman placed herself at the table
bj^ the feathers. Ah ! how they flew and sorted them-
selves under the touch of her withered hand! and
very soon the whole twelve pounds were finished.
When the maiden awoke, there they lay in large
snowy heaps, and everything in the room was neat
and in order ; but the old woman had vanished.
The maiden's heart was full of thankfulness, and
she sat still till the evening, when her stepmother
came into the room.
She was truly astonished when she found the
The Three Tasks 249
feathers finished. "See, now," she said at last, "what
people can do when they are industrious! But why
are you sitting there with your hands in your lap?
Can you find nothing else to do?" As she left the
room she said to herself, "The creature can do any-
thing; I must give her something more difficult next
time."
On the morrow she called the maiden to her, and
said, "There is a large spoon for you; now go and
ladle out the water from the pond that lies near the
garden, and if by evening you have not reached the
bottom you know what you have to expect."
The maiden took the spoon, and saw that it was
full of holes; and even if it had not been it would
have been impossible for her to empty the pond
with it.
She made an attempt, however — knelt by the
water, into which her tears fell, and began to scoop
it out. But the good old woman agam made her
appearance, and when she saw the cause of her sor-
row she said, "Be comforted, my child, and go and
rest in the shrubbery; I will do your work for you."
As soon as the old woman was alone she merely
250 The Three Tasks
touched the water; it immediately rose like a mist
in the air, and mingled itself with the clouds. Grad-
ually the pond became empty, and when at sunset
the maiden awoke, the water had disappeared, and
she saw only the fish writhing in the mud at the
bottom. She at once went to her stepmother and
showed her that she had finished her task.
"You should have finished it long ago!" she said;
but she was pale with anger, and determined to think
of some still more difficult task for the poor girl.
Next morning she again called her, and said,
"To-day I shall expect you to go into the valley,
and on the plain build me a beautiful castle, which
must be finished by the evening."
"Oh!" exclaimed the poor maiden in terror, "how
can I ever perform such a work as this?"
"I will have no excuses!" screamed the step-
mother. "If you can empty a pond with a spoon
full of holes, you can build me a castle. I shall
expect it to be ready to-day, and if you fail in the
slightest thing, whether in kitchen or cellar, you
know Mdiat is before you."
As she spoke she drove out the poor girl, who soon
reached the valley, which she found full of rocks,
piled one over the other, and so heavy that, with all
her strength, she could not move even the smallest.
She seated herself, and began to weep; yet still
hoping for the assistance of the kind old woman,
who did not keep her waiting long, but greeted
her, when she appeared, with the words of comfort.
"Go and lie down in the shade and sleep," she
said. "I will build a castle for you, and when the
happy time comes, you can have it yourself."
As soon as the maiden had gone away the old
The Thrke Tasks
251
THE CASTLE GREW WHILE THE MAIDEN SLEPT
252 The Three Tasks
woman touched the gray rocks, and immediately
they began to move, then to rock together, and pres-
ently to stand upright, as if they had been walls
built by giants. Within these walls the castle rose,
as if numberless invisible hands were at work laying
stone upon stone. The earth trembled as large halls
expanded and stood near each other in order. The
tiles on the roof arranged themselves regularly, and
before noon the weathercock, like a golden maiden
with flying drapery, stood on the pinnacle of the
tower.
The interior of the castle was not finished till eve-
ning; and how the old woman managed I cannot
say, but the walls were covered with silk and velvet,
richly embroidered ; and decorated chairs and sofas,
marble tables, and other elegant articles furnished
the rooms. Cut-glass chandeliers hung from the
ceilings and sparkled in the light of many lamps.
Green parrots sat in golden cages, and foreign birds,
which sang sweetly, were in every room. Altogether
the castle was as magnificent as if built for the king
himself.
it was after sunset when the maiden awoke, and
seeing the glitter of a thousand lamps, she ran with
hasty steps. Finding the gate open, she entered
the court. The steps leading to the entrance-hall
were covered with red cloth, and the gilded balconies
were full of rich and blooming flowers. All was so
magnificently beautiful that the maiden stood still
with astonishment.
She knew not how long she might have remained
standing thus, if she had not thought all at once that
her stepmother was coming.
"Ah," said she to herself, "what joy it would be
The Three Tasks 2.53
to live here and be no longer tormented as I am
now!
She was, however, obliged to go and tell her step-
mother that the castle was finished.
"I will just go and see for myself," she said, and
rising from her seat she followed the maiden; but
as she entered the castle the brightness and glitter so
dazzled her that she was obliged to cover her eyes
with her hand. "You see how easy this is to you,"
she said. "Ah, yes, I ought to have given you some-
thing still more difficult!"
She went into all the rooms, prying into every
corner, to see if she could not find something wrong
or defective ; but this was impossible.
"I will go downstairs," she said at last, looking
at her stepdaughter maliciously; "it is necessary for
me to examine kitchens and cellars also, and if you
have forgotten one single thing you shall not escape
punishment!"
But nothing was wanting: the fire burned on the
hearth, the supper was boiling in the saucepan;
brooms, brushes, fenders, fire irons, were in their
proper places, and the walls and shelves were cov-
ered with brass and copper, glass and china, which
glittered in the lamplight ; nothing was wanting, not
even the coal scuttle or the water can.
"Where are the steps to the cellars?" cried the
woman. "I want to see if the casks are full of wine
of the right sort. If not, it will be bad for you!"
She raised the trapdoor as she spoke, and descend-
ed the stairs leading to the cellars ; but scarcely had
she taken two steps when the heavy door, which was
not pushed back far enough, fell to with a dreadful
crash. The maiden heard a scream, and followed
254 The Three Tasks
as quickly as she could ; but the unkind stepmother
had been struck by the door and had fallen to the
bottom of the steps, where the maiden found her
lying dead.
After this the beautiful castle belonged to the
maiden, who hardly knew, at first, how to under-
stand such good fortune. But after a while servants
came to wait upon her, and they found in the drawers
and wardrobes beautiful dresses in which she could
array herself. There was also a large chest filled with
gold and silver, pearls and other precious stones,
so that she had not a single wish ungratified.
It was not long before the fame of her beauty
and riches spread throughout the world, and the
maiden soon had plenty of lovers. But she did not
care to accept any of them, till at last a prince, the
son of a great king, came to see her. He was the first
to touch her heart, and she very soon learned to love
him dearly.
One day, as they sat talking under a linden tree in
the castle garden, the prince said very sadly, "My
heart's love, I must leave you to get my father's
consent to our marriage, but I will not stay away
long."
"Be true to me!" said the maiden, as she took a
sorrowful farewell of him.
But when the prince reached home he found that
the king, who did not want him to marry this
maiden, had invited many beautiful ladies to his
court, and for a time the prince forgot his true bride
and the wonderful castle.
One day, while he was riding to the hunt on a
beautiful horse, an old woman met him and asked
him for alms. As he drew rein to help her she said
The Three Tasks 255
in a low tone, "The maiden weeps for her false lover
under the linden tree!"
In a moment the power which had changed his
heart toward her was at an end. He turned away
and rode quickly to the castle in the valley which
the good fairy had built. When he reached the gates
all looked dark and gloomy, and there, under the
linden tree, stood his forsaken bride, looking sad
and mournful. He alighted quickly from his horse,
and advancing toward her lie exclaimed, "Forgive
me, dearest! I am come back, and we will never,
never part again!"
No sooner had he uttered these words than the
most brilliant lights shone from the castle windows.
Around him on the grass glittered innumerable
glowworms. On the steps bloomed lovely flowers,
and from the rooms came the song of joyous birds,
arrayed in plumage of bright and beautiful colors.
He took the maiden by the hand and led her in.
The large hall was full of the castle household, who
had assembled, and the priest stood in readiness to
marry them. The prince hastened forward, leading
the bride who had suffered so much from her step-
mother, and had been so true to her lover ; and she
became at last his wife, to the great joy of the
inmates of the castle.
256
Where Go the Boats
WHERE GO THE BOATS?
By Robert Louis Stevenson
DARK brown is the river,
Golden is the sand.
It flows along forever,
With trees on either hand.
Green leaves a-floating,
Castles of the foam,
Boats of mine a-boating —
Where will all come home?
On goes the river
And out past the mill.
Away down the valley.
Away down the hill.
Away down the river,
A hundred miles or more,
Other little children
Shall bring my boats ashore.
I
The Snow Maiden 257
THE SNOW MAIDEN
Adapted By Grace E. Sellon
N a little village in the far northern part of
Europe lived an honest peasant, Ivan, and his
good wife, Marie. This couple were well content in
each other's company, and they lived at peace with
their neighhors; yet at times they were somewhat
unhappy, for, although they loved little children,
they had none of their own.
They were such simple-hearted folk that they
would sit by the hour watching the neighbors' chil-
dren at play and sharing fully in the delight of the
merry games.
It was while thus engaged one day that Ivan
called to his wife, "Oh, come here, Marie, and watch
these children. They are making a snow lady.
Aren't they having a good time, though! I wish
that we could make a snow image, too. Suppose
we try."
]Marie not only agreed to this project, but, after
they had gone out into the garden, suggested, "Ivan,
M'ouldn't it be a very pleasant thing to make a little
child of snow? Then we could pretend, you see,
that she is our own."
"That's a fine idea!" cried Ivan; and immediately
he began packing and patting the snow into the
form of a little body, and molding handfuls of the
soft flakes into small hands and feet. ^leanwhile,
Marie was busy shaping a little head. She worked
so deftly that when the snow child was at length
finished, Ivan exclaimed: "O, what beautiful feat-
ures she has, and how real she looks !"
258 The Snow Maiden
Just as he was beginning to feel sad because, after
all, she was only a snow child, he noticed with amaze-
ment that the eyelids were quivering, the lips were
gently parting and a faint pink color was appear-
ing in the cheeks. Almost imperceptibly, yet in just
a few moments, the snow girl became a living child!
Ivan gripped his hands, blinked his eyes and
looked around in a dazed way at INIarie, as if to make
sure that he was not dreaming. Then, "What does
this mean? Who are you?" he cried, in a terrified
voice.
"I am Snow White, your little girl," the child
answered in tones so soft and appealing that all of
Ivan's fear left him; and then she ran to her new
mother and father and kissed them and cried for
joy. Marie and Ivan were so happy that tears came
to their eyes, too ; and they welcomed the little girl
into their home as the greatest blessing that had ever
come to them.
The village people, of course, marvelled at the
strange good fortune of Ivan and his wife, but they
soon forgot their astonishment in trying to make
little Snow White feel at home among them, for she
was so gentle and lovable that no one could help
wishing to be kind to her. Then, too, she was very
pretty, for her eyes seemed to be of the clear blue
of the sky, and her hair was as yellow and lustrous
as the most golden sunbeams.
However, there was one surprising fact about
Snow White that everybody in the village, young
and old, was always trying to account for. She had
been only a very small child when she came to her
new home, yet each month she grew so much more
than most children grow in a year, that by the time
The Snow JNIaiden
259
THE SNOW IMAGE
early spring came she was as tall as a girl of twelve
or thirteen years. Then, too, her mother noticed
that although she had been always very cheerful
and fond of play during the winter, she began to be
less light-hearted every day, and to shrink from join-
ing her playmates now that spring was calling every
one out of doors to see the crisp new blades of grass,
and the tiny leaves uncurling in the sunshine.
On one especially fine day some of the children
of the village came by the house and called, "Snow
White, won't you go with us to the woods? It's the
260 The Snow Maiden
best time to get wild flowers, and there are ever so
many of them in the sunny places."
Snow White hesitated, but her mother urged.
"You have been indoors so much, dear child, that
you will enjoy a day in the open air. Hadn't you
better go?"
"If you think best, I will go," Snow White
answered quietly ; and then, a little reluctantly, took
leave of her mother.
The children spent all the day in the woods, gath-
ering flowers and making beautiful bouquets and
wreaths and crowns; and when evening came they
built a great fire to dance around.
When the fire had begun to crackle and flare in
lively fashion, the children started circling round
and round the flaming pile, singing as they danced.
Snow White had stepped back into the shadow of
the trees, but soon she was discovered by the others,
and they called to her: "Oh, this is ever so much
fun. Wouldn't you like to play too? All you have
to do is to follow the leader." Not wishing to be
coaxed, she took the place that they made for her
in the ring. Then they whirled again about the
blaze, until suddenly, unclasping hands, one after
another they jumped through the fire. All at once,
in the midst of the laughter and singing, was heard
a sigh more gentle than the murmur of the spring
breeze among the leaves, yet as distinct as if there
had been complete silence. The game stopped, and
the startled children looked about to find where the
sound had come from. Thus they discovered that
Snow White was no longer in the circle.
"O, what has happened to Snow White?" some
one cried. And then, one after another, they began
The Snow JNIaiden 261
to call the little girl's name, but no response came
to their shouts. Thinking that perhaps she was in
hiding, they i)rowled about where the trees grew
close together, or where the underbrusli was thick.
Nowhere could she be found. Terrified, the chil-
dren sent for Ivan and INIarie; and a search was
made throughout the woods and the village and all
the surrounding country. But the search was vain ;
for in passing through the fire, Snow White had
been changed into a little, unseen cloud of vapor
that floated above the heads of the dancing children ,
far upward into the sky from which she had come in
the form of a flake of snow.
Probably you will think this a good story to
read to your little sister or brother. In case it
seems a trifle sad, you will like to know that it is
only a poetic way in which the Russian people used
to tell of the arrival of the snow and of the winter
weather that quickly becomes very cold and remains
so for several months. Snow White, you see, repre-
sents the snow; and of course she grows very rapidly
as the cold becomes more and more keen. She is
last found in the deep forest, but even there she
must disappear when spring warms the earth.
PerhajDs you can explain this meaning very simply
when you read the story to small children. And you
can tell them, too, that Ivan, JNIarie, and the little
playmates of Snow White could not have grieved
long, for they must have been very glad to have the
spring come, driving away the gloom of winter and
rousing all the earth from its long sleep. Besides,
they knew that in due time the snow must return,
bringing again to earth the little Snow JMaiden.
262 Wynken, Blynken, and Nod
WYNKEN, BLYNKEN, AND NOD
By Eugene Field
WYNKEN, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe —
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea ;
Nets of silver and gold have we!"
Said Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod 263
The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea —
Now cast your nets wherever you wish —
Never afeard are we!"
So cried the stars to the fishermen three,
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam —
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe.
Bringing the fishermen home ;
'Twas all so j^retty a sail, it seemed
As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 'twas a dream they'd
dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea —
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.
Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a M'ee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea.
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three —
Wynken, BljTiken, and Nod.
THE TWIN BROTHERS
By WiLHELM AKD JaKOB GrIMM
^j^HERE were once two brothers, one of
them rich, the other poor. The rich
brother was a goldsmith, and had a
wicked heart. The poor brother sup-
ported himself by making brooms, and
was good and honest. He had two
children, twin brothers, who resembled
each other as closely as one drop of water resembles
another. The two boys went sometimes to the house
of their rich uncle to get the pieces that were left
from the table, for they were often very hungry.
It happened one day that while their father was
in the wood gathering rushes for his brooms, he saw
a bird whose plumage shone like gold ; he had never
seen in his life any bird like it.
He picked up a stone and threw it at the bird,
hoping to be lucky enough to secure it; but the
stone only knocked off a golden feather, and the
bird flew aM ay.
The man took the feather and brought it to his
brother, who, when he saw it, exclaimed, "That is
real gold!" and gave him a great deal of money for
it. Another day, as the man climbed up a beech tree,
hoping to find the golden bird's nest, the same bird
flew over his head, and on searching further he
found a nest, and in it lay two golden eggs. He
took the eggs home and showed them to his brother,
who said again, "They are real gold," and gave him
264
The Twin Brothers 265
what they were worth. At last the goldsmith said,
"You may as well get me the hird, if you can."
So the poor brother went again to the wood, and
when he saw the golden bird sitting on the tree, he
took a stone and brought it down and carried it to
his brother, who gave him a great heap of gold for
it. "I can support my family for a long time with
this," said the poor brother, and he went home to
his house full of joy.
The goldsmith, however, who was clever and cun-
ning, knew well the real value of the bird. So he
called his wife, and said, "Roast the gold bird for
me, and be careful that no one comes in, as I wish
to eat it quite alone."
The bird was, indeed, not a common bird; it had
a wonderful power even when dead. For any per-
son who ate the heart and liver would every morning
find under his pillow a piece of gold. The gold-
smith's wife prepared the bird, stuck it on the spit,
and left it to roast.
Now, it happened that while it was roasting and
the mistress was absent from the kitchen, the two
children of the broom-binder came in and stood for a
few moments watching the spit as it turned round.
Presently two little pieces fell from the bird into the
dripping pan imderneath. One of them said, "I
think we may have those two little pieces ; no one will
ever miss them, and I am so hungry."
So the children each took a piece and ate it up.
In a few moments the goldsmith's wife came in
and saw that they had been eating something, and
said, "What have you been eating?"
"Only two little pieces that fell from the bird,"
they replied.
266 The Twin Brothers
"O!" exclaimed the wife in a great fright, "thej
must have been the heart and liver of the bird !" and
then, that her husband might not miss them, for
she was afraid of liis anger, she quickly killed a
chicken, took out the heart and liver, and laid them
on the golden bird.
As soon as it was ready she carried it in to the
goldsmith, who ate it all up, without leaving her a
morsel. The next morning, however, when he felt
under his pillow, expecting to find the gold pieces,
nothing was there.
The two children, however, who knew nothing of
the good fortune which had befallen them, never
thought of searching under their pillow. But the
next morning as they got out of bed, something fell
on the ground and tinkled, and when they stooped
to pick it up, there were two pieces of gold. They
carried them at once to their father, who wondered
very much, and said, "What can this mean?"
As, however, there were two more pieces the next
morning, and again each day, the father went to
his brother and told him of the wonderful circum-
stance. The goldsmith, as he listened, knew well
that these gold pieces must be the result of the chil-
dren having eaten the heart and liver of the golden
bird, and therefore that he had been deceived. He
determined to be revenged, and though hard-hearted
and jealous, he managed to conceal the real truth
from his brother, and said to him, "Your children are
in league with the Evil One ; do not touch the gold,
and on no account allow your children to remain in
your house any longer, for the Evil One has power
over them, and could bring ruin upon you through
them."
The Twin Brothers 207
The father feared this power, and therefore, sad
as it was to him, he led the twins out into the forest
and left them there with a heavy heart.
When they found themselves alone the two chil-
dren ran here and there in the wood to try and dis-
cover the way home, but they wandered back always
to the same place. At last they met a hunter, who
said to them, "Whose children are you?"
"We are a poor broom-binder's children," they
replied, "and our father will not keep us any longer
in the house because every morning there is a piece
of gold found under our pillows."
"Ah," exclaimed the hunter, "that is not bad!
Well, if you are honest, and have told me the truth,
I will take you home and be a father to you."
In fact, the children pleased the good man, and
as he had no children of his own, he gladly took them
home with him.
While they were with him he taught them to hunt
in the forest, and the gold pieces which they found
every morning under their pillows they gave to him ;
so for the future he had nothing to fear from
poverty.
As soon as the twins were grown up, their foster
father took them one day into the wood, and said,
"To-day you are going to make your first trial at
shooting, for I want you to be free if you like, and
to be hunters for yourselves."
Then they went with him to a suitable point, and
waited a long time, but no game appeared. Present-
ly the hunter saw flying over his head a flock of wild
geese, in the form of a triangle, so he said, "Aim
quickly at each corner, and fire." They did so, and
the first proof-shot was successful.
268 The Twin Brothers
Soon after, another flock appeared in the form of
a figure 2. "Now," he exclaimed, "shoot again at
each corner, and bring them down!" This proof-
shot was also successful, and the hunter directly said,
"Now I pronounce you free; you are accomplished
sportsmen."
Then the two brothers went away into the wood
together, to hold counsel with each other, and at
last came to an agreement about what they wished
to do.
In the evening, when they sat down to supper,
one of them said to their foster father, "We will not
remain to supper, or eat one bit, till you have
granted our request."
"And what is your request?" he asked.
"You have taught us to hunt, and to earn our liv-
ing," they replied, "and we want to go out into the
world and seek our fortune. Will you give us per-
mission to do so?"
The good old man replied joyfully, "You speak
like brave hunters ; what you desire is my own wish.
Go when you will ; you will be sure to succeed."
Then they ate and drank together joyfully.
When the appointed day came, the hunter pre-
sented each of them with a new rifle and a dog, and
allowed them to take as much as they would from
his store of the gold pieces. He accompanied them
The Twin Brothers 269
for some distance on the way, and before saying
farewell he gave them a white penknife, and said:
*'If at any time you should get separated from
each other, the knife must be placed cross- ways in
a tree, one side of the blade turning east, the other
west, pointing out the road which each should take.
If one should die, the blade will rust on one side;
but as long as he lives it will remain bright."
After saying this he wished the brothers farewell,
and they started on their way.
After traveling for some time they came to an
immense forest, so large that it was impossible to
cross it in one day. They stayed there all night,
and ate what they had in their game bags ; but for
two days they walked on through the forest without
finding themselves any nearer the end.
By this time they had nothing left to eat, so one
said to the other, "We must shoot something, for
this hunger is not to be endured." So he loaded his
gun, and looked about him. Presently an old hare
came running by ; but as he raised his rifle the hare
cried :
"Dearest hunters, let me live;
I will to you my young ones give."
Then she sprang into the bushes, and brought out
two young ones, and laid them before the hunters.
270 The Twin Brothers
The little animals were so full of tricks and played
about so prettily that the hunters had not the heart
to kill them; they kept them, therefore, alive, and
the little animals soon learned to follow them about
like dogs.
By and by a fox appeared, and they were about
to shoot him, but he cried also:
"Dearest hunters, let me live.
And I will you my young ones give."
Then he brought out two little foxes, but th(
hunters could not kill them, so they gave them t(
the hares as companions, and the little creatures fol
lowed the hunters wherever they went.
Not long after a wolf stepped before them out
of the thicket, and one of the brothers instantly
leveled his gun at him, but the wolf cried out :
"Dear, kind hunters, let me live,
I will to you my young ones give."
The hunters took the young wolves and treated
them as they had done the other animals, and they
followed them also.
Presently a bear came by, and they quite intended
to kill him, but he also cried out :
"Dear, kind hunters, let me live.
And I will you my young ones give."
The Twin Brothers 271
The two young bears were placed with the others,
of whom there were ah'eady six.
At last who should come by but a lion, shaking
his mane. The hunters were not at all alarmed;
they only pointed their guns at him. But the lion
cried out in the same manner:
"Dear, kind hunters, let me live,
And I will you two young ones give."
So he fetched two of his cubs, and the hunters
placed them with the rest. They had now two lions,
two bears, two wolves, two foxes, and two hares,
who traveled with them and served them. Yet, after
all, their hunger was not appeased.
So one of them said to the fox, "Here, you little
sneak, who are so clever and sly, go and find us
something to eat."
Then the fox answered, "Not far from here lies
a town where we have many times fetched away
chickens. I will show you the way."
So the fox showed them the way to the village,
where they bought some provisions for themselves
and food for the animals, and went on further.
The fox, however, knew quite well the best spots
in that part of the country, and where to find the
henhouses; and he could, above all, direct the hun-
ters which road to take.
After traveling for a time in this way they could
find no suitable place for them all to remain to-
gether, so one said to the other. "The only thing for
us to do is to separate;" and to this the other agreed.
Then they divided the animals so that each had one
lion, one bear, one wolf, one fox, and one hare.
When the time came to say farewell they promised
272
The Twin Brothers
to live in brotherly love till death. They stuck the
knife that their foster father had given them in a
tree, and then one turned to the east, and the other
to the west.
The younger, whose steps we will follow first,
soon arrived at a large town, in which the houses
were all covered with black crape. He went to an
inn, and asked the landlord if he could give shelter
to his animals. The landlord pointed out a stable
for them, and their master led them in and shut the
door.
But in the wall of the stable was a hole, and the
hare slipped through easily and fetched a cabbage
for herself. The fox followed, and came back with
a hen ; and as soon as he had eaten it he went for the
cock also. The wolf, the bear, and the lion, how-
ever, were too large to get through the hole. Then
the landlord had a cow killed and brought in for
them, or they would have starved.
The Twin Brothers 273
The hunter was just going out to see if his animals
were l)eing cared for when he asked the landlord
why the houses were so hung with mourning crape.
"Because," he replied, "to-morrow morning our
king's daughter will die."
"Is she seriously ill, then?" asked the hunter.
"No," he answered; "she is in excellent health;
still she must die."
"What is the cause of this?" said the young man.
Then the landlord explained.
"Outside the town," he said, "is a high mountain
in which dwells a dragon, who every year demands
a young maiden to be given up to him ; otherwise he
will destroy the whole country. He has already
devoured all the young maidens in the town, and
there are none remaining but the king's daughter.
Not even for her is any favor shown, and to-morrow
she must be delivered up to him."
"Why do you not kill the dragon?" exclaimed the
young hunter.
"Ah!" replied the landlord, "many young knights
have sought to do so, and lost their lives in the
attempt. The king has even promised his daughter
in marriage to the man who destroys the dragon,
and has sworn that he shall be heir to the throne."
The hunter made no reply to this; but the next
morning he rose early, and taking his animals with
him climbed up the dragon's mountain.
There stood near the top a little church, and on
the altar inside were three full goblets, bearing this
inscription: "Whoever drinks of these goblets "will
be the strongest man upon earth, and will discover
the sword which lies buried before the threshold of
this door."
274
The Twin Brothers
The hunter did not drink; he first went out and
sought for the sword in the ground, but he could
not find the place. Then he returned and drank up
the contents of the goblets. How strong it made
him feel! and how quickly he found the sword,
which, heavy as it was, he could wield easily !
JNIeanwhile, the hour came when the young maiden
was to be given up to the dragon, and she came out,
accompanied by the king, the marshal, and the
courtiers.
They saw from the distance the hunter on the
mountain, and the princess, thinking it was the drag-
on waiting for her, would not go on. At last she
remembered that, to save the town from being lost,
she must make this painful sacrifice, and therefore
she wished her father farewell. The king and the
court returned home full of great sorrow. The
king's marshal, however, was to remain, and see
from a distance all that took place.
When the king's daughter reached the top of the
mountain, she found, instead of the dragon, a hand-
The Twin J5rotiiers
275
some yoiiii<>' hunter, who spoke to her comfortin/^
words, and telling her he had eome to rescue her,
led her into the church, and locked her in.
Before long, with a rushing noise and a roar, the
seven-headed dragon made his appearance. As soon
as he caught sight of the hunter he wondered to him-
self, and said, "What business have you here on this
mountain?"
"My business is a combat with you!" replied the
hunter.
"Many knights and nobles have tried that, and
lost their lives," replied the dragon; "with you I
shall make short work!" And as he spoke he
breathed out fire from his seven throats.
The flames set fire to the dry grass, and the hunter
276 The Twin Brothers
would have been stifled with heat and smoke had
not his faithful animals run forward and stamped
out the fire. Then in a rage the dragon drew near,
but the hunter was too quick for him ; he swung his
sword on high, it whizzed through the air, and, fall-
ing on the dragon, cut off three of his heads.
Then was the monster furious ; he raised himself
on his hind legs, spat fiery flames on the hunter, and
tried to overthrow him. But the young man again
swung his sword, and as the dragon approached, he
with one blow cut off three more of his heads. The
monster, mad with rage, sank upon the ground, still
trying to get at the hunter; but the young man,
exerting his remaining strength, had no difficulty in
cutting off his seventh head, and his tail; and
then he called to his animals to come and tear the
dragon in pieces.
As soon as the combat was ended the hunter
unlocked the church door, and found the king's
daughter lying on the ground ; for during the com-
bat all sense and life had left her, from fear and
terror.
He raised her up, and as she came to herself and
opened her eyes he showed her the dragon torn in
pieces, and told her that she was released from all
danger.
O, how joyful she felt when she saw and heard
what he had done! "Now," she cried, "you will
be my dear husband, for my father has himself
promised me in marriage to the man who kills the
dragon."
Then she took off her coral necklace of five strings
and divided it among the animals as a reward; the
lion's share being, in addition, the gold clasp. Her
The Twin Brothers 277
pocket handkerchief, which bore her name, she pre-
sented to the hunter, who went out, and cut out the
dragon's seven tongues, which he wrapped up care-
fully in the handkerchief.
After all the fighting and the fire and smoke, the
hunter felt so faint and tired that he said to the
maiden, "I think a little rest would do us both good
after the fight and the struggles with the dragon
that I have had, and after your terror and alarm.
Shall we sleep for a little while before I take you
home safely to your father's house?"
"Yes," she replied, "I can sleep peacefully now."
So she laid herself down, and as soon as she slept
he said to the lion, "You must lie near and watch
that no one comes to harm us." Then he threw him-
self on the ground, quite worn out, and was soon
fast asleep.
The lion laid himself down at a little distance to
watch ; but he was also tired and overcome with the
combat, so he called to the bear, and said, "Lie down
near me; I must have a little rest, and if any one
comes, wake me up."
Then the bear lay down; but he was also very
tired, so he cried to the wolf, "Just lie down by me;
I must have a little sleep, and if anything happens,
wake me up."
The wolf complied; but as he was also tired he
called to the fox, and said, "Lie down near me; I
must have a little sleep, and if anything comes, wake
me up."
Then the fox came and laid himself down by the
wolf; but he, too, was tired, and called out to the
hare, "Lie down near me; I must sleep a little, and,
whatever comes, wake me up."
278 The Twin Brothers
The hare seated herself near the fox ; but the poor
little hare was very tired, and although she had no
one to ask to watch and call her, she also went fast
asleep. And now the king's daughter, the hunter,
the bear, the lion, the wolf, the fox, and the hare
were all in a deep sleep, while danger was at hand.
The marshal, from the distance, had tried to see
what was going on, and being surprised that the
dragon had not yet flown away with the king's
daughter, and that all was quiet on the mountain,
took courage, and ventured to climb up to the top.
There he saw the mangled and headless body of the
dragon, and at a little distance the king's daughter,
the hunter, and all the animals sunk in a deep sleep.
He knew in a moment that the stranger had killed
the dragon, and, being wicked and envious, he drew
his sword and cut off the hunter's head. Then he
seized the sleeping maiden by the arm, and carried
her away from the mountain.
She woke and screamed; but the marshal said,
"You are in my power, and therefore you shall say
that I have killed the dragon!"
"I cannot say so," she replied, "for I saw the
hunter kill him, and the animals tear him in pieces."
Then he drew his sword, and threatened to kill
her if she did not obey him ; so that to save her life
she was forced to promise to say all he wished.
Thereupon he took her to the king, who knew
not how to contain himself for joy at finding that
his dear child was still alive, and that she had been
saved from the monster's power.
Then the marshal said, "I have killed the dragon
and freed the king's daughter, therefore I demand
her for my wife, according to the king's promise."
The Twin Brothers 279
"Is this all true?" asked the king of his daughter.
"Ah, yes," she replied, "I suppose it is true; but
I shall refuse to allow the marriage to take place
for one year and a day. For," thought she, "in that
time I may hear something of my dear hunter."
All this while on the dragon's mountain the ani-
mals lay sleeping near their dead master. At last
a large bumblebee settled on the hare's nose, but
she only whisked it off with her paw, and slept
again. The bee came a second time, but the hare
again shook him off, and slept as soundly as before.
Then came the bumblebee a third time, and stung
the hare in the nose ; whereupon she woke. As soon
as she was quite aroused she woke the fox ; the fox,
the wolf; the wolf, the bear; and the bear, the lion.
But when the lion roused himself, and saw that
the maiden was gone and his master dead, he gave
a terrible roar, and cried, "Whose doing is this?
Bear, why did you not wake me?"
Then said the bear to the wolf, "Wolf, why did
you not wake me?"
"Fox," cried the wolf, "why did you not wake
me?
"Hare," said the fox, "why did you not wake
me?
The poor hare had no one to ask why he did not
wake her, and she knew she must bear all the blame.
Indeed, they were all ready to tear her to pieces,
but she cried, "Don't destroy my life! I will restore
our master. I know a mountain on which grows a
root that will cure every wound and every disease
if it is placed in the person's mouth ; but the moun-
tain on which it grows lies two hundred miles from
here."
280 The Twin Brothers
"Then," said the lion, "we will give you twenty-
four hours, but not longer, to find this root and
bring it to us."
Away sprang the hare very fast, and in twenty-
four hours she returned with the root. As soon as
they saw her the lion quickly placed the head of the
hunter on the neck; and the hare, when she had
joined the wounded parts together, put the root in-
to the mouth, and in a few moments the heart began
to beat, and life came back to the hunter.
On awaking, he was terribly alarmed to find that
the maiden had disappeared. "She must have gone
away while I slept," he said, "and is lost to me for-
ever!"
These sad thoughts so occupied him that he did
not notice anything wrong about his head, but in
truth the lion had placed it on in such a hurry that
the face was turned the wrong way. He first noticed
it when they brought him something to eat, and then
he found that his face looked backward. He was so
astonished that he could not imagine what had hap-
pened, and asked his animals the cause. Then the
lion confessed that they had all slept in consequence
of being tired, and that when they at last awoke they
found the princess gone, and himself lying dead,
with his head cut off. The lion told him also that
the hare had fetched the healing root, but in their
haste they had placed the head on the wrong way.
This mistake, they said, could be easily rectified.
So they took the hunter's head off again, turned it
around, placed it on properly, and the hare stuck
the parts together with the wonderful root. After
this the hunter went away again to travel about the
world, feeling very sorrowful, and he left his ani-
The Twin Brothers 281
mals to be taken care of by the people of the town.
It so happened that at the end of a year he came
back again to the same town where he had freed
the king's daughter and killed the dragon. This
time, instead of black crape, the houses were hung
with scarlet cloth. "What does it mean?" he said to
the landlord. "Last year when I came your houses
were all hung with black crape, and now it is scar-
let cloth."
"O," replied the landlord, "last year we were ex-
pecting our king's daughter to be given up to the
dragon, but the marshal fought with him and killed
him, and to-morrow his marriage with the king's
daughter will take place; that is the cause of our
town being so gay and bright — it is joy now in-
stead of sorrow."
The next day, when the marriage was to be cele-
brated, the hunter said, "Landlord, do you believe
that I shall eat bread from the king's table here with
any one who will join me?"
"I M'ill lay a hundred gold pieces," replied the
landlord, "that you will do nothing of the kind."
The hunter took the bet, and taking out his purse
placed the gold pieces aside for payment if he should
lose.
Then he called the hare and said to her, "Go
quickly to the castle, dear Springer, and bring me
some of the bread which the king eats."
Now, the hare was such an insignificant little thing
that no one ever thought of ordering a conveyance
for her, so she was obliged to go on foot. "O,"
thought she, "when I am running tlirough the
streets, suppose the cruel hound should see me."
Just as she got near the castle she looked behind
282 The Twin Brothers
her, and there truly was a hound ready to seize her.
But she gave a start forward, and before the sentinel
Avas aware, rushed into the sentry box. The dog
folloMed, and wanted to bring her out, but the sol-
dier stood in the doonvay and would not let him
pass, and when the dog tried to get in he struck
him with his staff, and sent him away howling.
As soon as the hare saw that the coast was clear
she rushed out of the sentry box and ran to the
castle, and finding the princess's door open, she
darted in and hid under her chair. Presently the
princess felt something scratching her foot, and
thinking it was the dog, she said, "Be quiet. Sultan;
go away!" The hare scratched again at her foot,
but she still thought it was the dog, and cried, "Will
you go away. Sultan?" But the hare did not intend
to be sent away, so she scratched the foot a third
time. Then the princess looked down and recog-
nized the hare by her necklace. She took the creature
in her arms, carried her to her own room, and said,
"Dear little hare, what do you want?"
The hare replied instantly, "My master, who
killed the dragon, is here, and he has sent me to ask
for some of the bread that the king eats."
Then was the king's daughter full of joy; she
sent for the cook, and ordered him to bring her some
of the bread which was made for the king. When
he brought it the hai'e cried, "The cook must go
with me, or that cruel hound may do me some
harm." So the cook carried the bread, and went
with the hare to the door of the inn.
As soon as he was gone she stood on her hind
legs, took the bread in her fore paws, and brought it
to her master.
The Twin Brothers 283
"There!" cried the hunter; "here is the hread,
landlord, and the hundred gold pieces are mine."
The landlord was much surprised, but when the
hunter declared he would also have some of the roast
meat from the king's table, he said : "The bread may
be here, but I'll warrant you will get nothing more."
The hunter called the fox, and said to him, "My
fox, go and fetch me some of the roast meat such as
the king eats."
The red fox knew a better trick than the hare : he
M'cnt across the fields, and slipped in without being
seen by the hound. Then he placed himself under
the chair of the king's daughter, and touched her
foot. She looked down immediately, and recogniz-
ing him by his necklace, took him into her room.
"What do you want, dear fox?" she asked.
*'My master, who killed the dragon, is here," he
replied, "and has sent me to ask for some of the
roast meat that is cooked for the king."
The cook was sent for again, and the princess
desired him to carry some meat for the fox to the
door of the inn. On arriving, the fox took the dish
from the cook, and after whisking away with his
tail the flies that had settled on it, brought it to his
master.
"See, landlord," cried the hunter, "here are bread
and meat such as the king eats. And now I will
have vegetables." So he called the wolf, and said,
"Dear wolf, go and fetch me vegetables such as the
king eats."
Away went the wolf straight to the castle, for he
had no fear of anything, and as soon as he entered
the room he went behind the princess and pulled her
dress, so that she was obliged to look around. She
284 The Twin Brothers
recognized the wolf immediately, took him into her
chamber, and said, "Dear wolf, what do you want?"
He replied, "JNIy master, who killed the dragon,
is here, and has sent me to ask for some vegetables
such as the king eats."
The cook was sent for again, and told to take some
vegetables also to the inn door; and as soon as they
arrived the wolf took the dish from him and carried
it to his master.
"Look here, landlord," cried the hunter; "I have
now bread, meat, and vegetables; but I will also
have some sweetmeats from the king's table." He
called the bear, and said, "Dear bear, I know you
are fond of sweets. Now go and fetch me 'some
sweetmeats such as the king eats."
The bear trotted off to the castle, and all the
people ran away when they saw him coming. But
when he reached the castle gates, the sentinel held
his gun before him and would not let him pass in.
But the bear rose on his hind legs, boxed the senti-
nel's ears with his strong fore paws, and leaving
him tumbled all of a heap in his sentry box, went
into the castle. Seeing the king's daughter enter-
ing, he followed her and gave a slight growl. She
looked behind her and, recognizing the bear, called
him into her chamber, and said, "Dear bear, what do
you want?"
"My master, who killed the dragon, is here," he
replied, "and he has sent me to ask for some sweet-
meats like those which the king eats."
The princess sent for the confectioner, and desired
him to bake some sweetmeats and take them with the
bear to the door of the inn. As soon as they arrived
the bear first licked up the sugar drips which had
The Twin Brothers 285
dropped on his fur, then stood upright, took the
dish, and carried it to his master.
"See now, huidlord," cried the hunter; "I have
bread, and meat, and vegetables, and sweetmeats,
and I mean to have wine also, such as the king
drinks." So he called the lion to him, and said:
"Dear lion, you drink till you are quite tipsy some-
times. Now go and fetch me some wine such as the
king drinks."
As the lion trotted through the streets all the
people ran away from him. The sentinel, when he
saw him coming, tried to stop the way ; but the lion
gave a little roar, and made him run for his life.
Then the lion entered the castle, passed through the
king's apartment, and knocked at the door of the
princess's room with his tail. The princess, when
she opened it and saw the lion, was at first rather
frightened; but presently she observed on his neck
the gold necklace clasp, and knew it was the hunter's
lion. She called him into her chamber, and said,
"Dear lion, what do you want?"
"My master, who killed the dragon," he replied,
"is here, and he has sent me to ask for some wine
such as the king drinks."
Then she sent for the king's cupbearer, and told
him to give the lion some of the king's wine. "I
will go with him," said the lion, "and see that he
draws the right sort." So the lion went with the
cupbearer to the wine cellar, and when he saw him
about to draw some of the ordinary m ine which the
king's vassals drank, the lion cried, "Stop! I will
taste the wine first." So he drew himself a pint, and
swallowed it down at a gulp. "No," he said; "that
is not the right sort."
286 The Twin Brothers
The cupbearer saw he was found out; however,
he went over to another cask that was kept for the
king's marshal.
"Stop!" cried the lion again, "I will taste the
wine first." So he drew another pint and drank it
off. "Ah!" he said, "that is better, but still not the
right wine."
Then the cupbearer was angry, and said,
"What can a stupid beast like you understand
about wine?"
3ut the lion, with a lash of his tail, knocked him
down, and before the man could move, found his
way stealthily into a little private cellar, in which
were casks of wine never tasted by any but the king.
The lion drew half a pint, and when he had tasted
it, he said to himself, "That is wine of the right sort."
So he called the cupbearer and made him draw six
flagons full.
As they came up from the cellar into the open air
the lion's head swam a little, and he was almost
tipsy ; but as the cupbearer was obliged to carry the
wine for him to the door of the inn, it did not much
matter. When they arrived the lion took the handle
of the basket in his mouth, and carried the wine to
his master.
"Now, Master landlord," said the hunter, "I have
bread, meat, vegetables, sweetmeats, and wine such
as the king has, so I will sit down and with my
faithful animals enjoy a good meal;" and indeed, he
felt ver}^ happy, for he knew now that the king's
daughter still loved him.
After they had finished the hunter said to the
landlord,
"Now that I have eaten and drunk of the same
The Twin Brothers 287
provisions as the king, I will go to the king's castle
and marry his daughter."
"Well," said the landlord, "how that is to be
managed I cannot tell, when she has already a
bridegroom to whom she will to-day be married."
The hunter, without a word, took out the pocket
handkerchief which the king's daughter had given
him on the dragon's mountain, and opening it,
showed the landlord the seven tongues of the mon-
ster, which he had cut out and wrapped in the hand-
kerchief.
"That which I have so carefully preserved will
help me," said the hunter.
The landlord looked at the handkerchief and said,
"I may believe all the rest, but I would bet my
house and farmyard that you will never marry the
king's daughter."
"Very well," said the hunter, "I accept your bet,
and if I lose, there are my hundred gold pieces;"
and he laid them on the table.
That same day, when the king and his daughter
were seated at table, the king said, "What did all
those wild animals want who came to you to-day,
going in and out of my castle?"
"I cannot tell you yet," she replied; "but if you
will send into the town for the master of these
animals, then I will do so."
The king, on hearing this, sent a servant at
once to the inn with an invitation to the stranger
who owned the animals, and the servant arrived
just as the hunter had finished his bet with the
landlord.
"See, landlord!" he cried, "the king has sent me
an invitation by his servant ; but I cannot accept it
288
The Twin Brothers
yet." He turned to the man who waited, and said,
"Tell my lord the king that I cannot obey his com-
mands to visit him unless he sends me suitable
THE PRINCE SHOWS THE DRAGON S TONGUES
clothes for a royal palace, and a carriage with six
horses, and servants to wait upon me."
The servant returned with the message, and when
the king heard it he said to his daughter, "What
shall T do?"
The Twin 15iu)tiieks 289
"I would send for him as he requests," she replied.
So they sent royal rohes, and a carriage and six
horses, with servants, and when the hunter saw them
coming he said to the landlord, "See! they have sent
for me as 1 wished."
He dressed himself in the kingly clothes, took the
handkerchief containing the dragon's tongues, and
drove away to the castle.
As soon as he arrived the king said to his daughter,
"How shall I receive him?"
"I should go and meet him," she replied.
So the king went to meet him, and led him into
the royal apartment, and all his animals followed.
The king pointed him to a seat by his daughter.
The marshal sat on her other side as bridegroom,
but the visitor knew it not.
Just at this moment the dragon's seven heads were
brought into the room to show to the company, and
the king said, "These heads belonged to the dragon
who was for so many years the terror of this town.
The marshal slew the dragon, and saved my daugh-
ter's life : therefore I have given her to him in mar-
riage, according to my promise."
At this the hunter arose, and advancing, opened
the seven mouths of the dragon, and said, "Where
are the tongues?"
The marshal turned white Muth fear, and knew not
what to do. At last he said in his terror, "Dragons
have no tongues."
"Liars get nothing for their pains," said the
hunter; "the dragon's tongues shall prove who was
his conqueror!"
He iHifolded the handkerchief as he spoke.
There lay the seven tongues. He took them up and
290 The Twin Brothers
placed each in the mouth of the dragon's head to
which it belonged, and it fitted exactly. Then he
took up the pocket handkerchief which was marked
with the name of the king's daughter, showed it to
the maiden, and asked her if she had not given it
to him.
"Yes," she replied; "I gave it to you on the day
you killed the dragon."
He called his animals to him, took from each the
necklace, and from the lion the one with the golden
clas23, and asked to whom they belonged.
"They are mine," she replied; "they are a part of
my necklace which had five strings of beads, and
which I divided among the animals because they
aided you in killing the dragon, and afterward tore
him to pieces. I cannot tell how the marshal could
have carried me away from you," she continued,
"for you told me to lie down and sleep after the
fatigue and fright I had endured."
"I slept myself," he replied, "for I was quite worn
out with my combat, and as I lay sleeping the mar-
shal came and cut off my head."
"I begin to understand now," said the king. "The
marshal carried away my daughter, supposing you
were dead, and made us believe that he had killed
the dragon, till you arrived with the tongues, the
handkerchief, and the necklace. But what restored
you to life?" asked the king.
Then the hunter related how one of his animals
had healed him and restored him to life through the
application of a wonderful root, and how he had
been wandering about for a whole year, and had
only retin*ned to the town that very day, and heard
from the landlord of the marshal's deceit.
TnK Twix Kkotiikks 291
Then said tlic kiiii*' to liis daughter, "Is it true
that this man killed the dragon f
"Yes," she answered, "quite true, and I can ven-
ture now to expose the wickechiess of the marshal;
for he carried me away that day against my wish,
and forced me with threats to keep silent. I did not
know he had tried to kill the real slayer of the drag-
on, hut I hoped my deliverer would come back, and
on that account I begged to have the marriage put
off for a year and a day."
The king, after this, ordered twelve judges to be
summoned to try the marshal, and the sentence
passed upon him was that he should be torn to pieces
by wild oxen. As soon as the marshal was punished
the king gave his daughter to the hunter, and ap-
pointed him stadtholder over the whole kingdom.
The marriage caused great joy, and the hunter,
who was now a prince, sent for his father and foster
father, and loaded them with treasures.
Neither did he forget the landlord, but sent for
him to come to the castle, and said, "See, landlord,
I have married the king's daughter, and your house
and farmyard belong to me."
"That is quite true, ' replied the landlord.
"Ah," said the prince, "but I do not mean to keep
them ; they are still yours, and I make you a present
of the hundred gold pieces also."
For a time the young prince and his wife lived
most happily together. He still went out hunting,
which was his great delight, and his faithful animals
remained with him. They lived, how ever, in a wood
close by, from w hich he could call them at any time ;
yet the wood was not safe, for he once w^ent in and
did not get out again very easily.
292 The Twin Brothers
With the king's permission he frequently went
hunting. On one occasion, while riding with a large
numher of attendants in the wood, he saw at a dis-
tance a snow-white deer, and he said to his people,
"Stay here till I come back; I must have that beau-
tiful creature, and so many will frighten her."
Then he rode away through the wood, and only
his animals followed him. The attendants drew
rein, and waited till evening, but as he did not come
they rode home and told the young princess that her
husband had gone into an enchanted forest to hunt
a white deer, and had not returned.
This made her very anxious, more especially when
the morrow came and he did not return; indeed, he
could not, for he kept riding after the beautiful wild
animal, without being able to overtake it. At times
he fancied she was within reach of his gun, but the
next moment she was leaping away at a great dis-
tance, and at last she vanished altogether.
Not till then did he notice how far he had pene-
trated into the forest. He raised his horn and blew,
but there was no answer, for his attendants could
not hear him; and then as night came on he saw
plainly that he should not be able to find his way
home till the next day, so he alighted from his horse,
lit a fire by a tree, and determined to make himself
as comfortable as he could for the night.
As he sat under the tree by the fire, with his ani-
mals lying near him, he heard, as he thought, a
human voice. He looked round, but could see noth-
ing. Presently there ^vvas a groan over his head ; he
looked up and saw an old woman sitting on a branch,
who kept grumbling, "Oh, oh, how cold I am! I
am freezing!"
The Twin Buotiieus 20'.i
"If you are cold, come down and warm yourself,"
he said.
"No, no," she replied; "your animals will bite
me."
"Indeed, they will do no such thing. Come down,
old mother," he said kindly; "none of them shall
hurt you."
He did not know that she was a wicked witch, so
when she said, "I will throw you down a little switch
from the tree, and if you just touch them on the back
with it they cannot hurt me." He did as she told him,
and as soon as they were touched by the wand the
animals were all turned to stone. Then she jumped
down, and touching the prince on the back with the
switch, turned him, also, into stone. Thereu])on she
laughed maliciously, and dragged him and his ani-
mals into a grave where many similar stones lay.
When the princess found that her husband did not
return, her anxiety and care increased painfully,
and she became very unhappy.
Now, it so happened that just at this time the
twin brother of the prince, who since their separa-
tion had been wandering in the East, arrived in the
country of "svhich his brother's father-in-law was
king. He had tried to obtain a situation, but could
not succeed, and only his animals were left to him.
One day, as he was wandering from one place to
another, it occurred to his mind that he might as
well go and look at the knife Avhich they had stuck
in the trunk of a tree at the time of their separation.
When he came to it, there was his brother's side of
the knife half rusted, and the other half still bright.
In great alarm he thought, "^My brother must
have fallen into some terrible trouble. I will go and
294 The Twix Brothers
find him. I may be able to rescue him, as the half
of the knife is still bright."
He set out with his animals on a journey, and
while traveling west came to the town in which his
brother's wife, the king's daughter, lived. As soon
as he reached the gate of the town the watchman
advanced toward him and asked if he should go
and announce his arrival to the princess, who had
for two days been in great trouble about him, fear-
ing that he had been detained in the forest by
enchantment.
The watchman had not the least idea that the
young man was any other than the prince himself,
especially as he had the wild animals running be-
hind him. The tM'in brother saw this, and he said
to himself, "Perhaps it will be best for me to allow
myself to be taken for my brother; I shall be able
more easily to save him." So he followed the senti-
nel to the castle, where he was received with great
joy-
The yoimg princess had no idea that this was not
her husband, and asked him why he had remained
away so long.
He replied, "I rode a long distance into the wood,
and could not find my way out again." But she
thought he was A'ery cold and distant to her.
In a few days he discovered all about his brother
that he wished to know, and was determined to go
and seek for him in the enchanted wood. So he
said, "I must go to the hunt once more."
The king and the young princess said all they
could to dissuade him, but to no purpose, and at
length he left the castle with a large company of
attendants.
The Tavix Brothers 295
When lie Tcached the wood all ha])pene(l as it had
done with his hrother. lie saw the heautiful white
deer, and told his attendants to wait while he went
after it, followed only by his animals; but neither
could he overtake it; and the white deer led him far
down into the forest, where he found he must remain
all night.
iVfter he had lighted a fire he heard, as his broi^her
had done, the old woman in the tree, crying out that
she was freezing with cold, and he said to her, "If
you are cold, old mother, come down and warm
yourself."
"Xo," she cried; "your animals will bite me!"
"No, indeed; they will not," he said.
"I can't trust them !" she cried ; "here, I will throw
you a little switch, and if you gently strike them
across the back, then they will not be able to hurt
me.
When the hunter heard that he began to mistrust
the old woman, and said, "Xo; I will not strike my
animals; you come down, or I will fetch you."
"Do as you like," she said; "you can't hurt me."
"If you don't come down," he replied, "I will
shoot you."
"Shoot awaj^" she said; "your bullet can do me
no harm."
He pointed his gun and shot at her ; but the witch
was proof against a leaden bullet. She gave a shrill
laugh, and cried, "It is no use trying to hit me."
The hunter knew, however, what to do; he cut
off three silver buttons from his coat, and loaded his
gun with them. Against these she knew all her arts
were vain; so as he drew the trigger she fell sud-
denly to the ground with a scream. Then he placed
296 The Twin Brothers
his foot upon her, and said, "Old witch, if you do
not at once confess where my brother is, I will take
you up and throw you into the fire."
She was in a great fright, begged for pardon, and
said, "He is lying Avith his animals, turned to stone,
in a grave."
Then he forced her to go with him, and said, "You
old cat, if you don't instantly restore my brother to
life, and all the creatures that are with him, over
you go into the fire."
She was obliged to take a switch and strike the
stones, and immediately the brother, his animals,
and many others — traders, mechanics, and shep-
herds— stood before him, alive and in their own
forms.
Thankful for having gained their freedom and
their lives, they all hastened home; but the twin
brothers, when they saw each other again, were full
of joy, and embraced and kissed each other with
great affection. They seized the old witch, bound
her, and placed her on the fire, and as soon as she
was burned the forest became suddenly clear and
light, and the king's castle appeared at a very little
distance.
After this the twin brothers walked away to-
gether toward the castle, and on the road related to
each other the events that had happened to them
since they parted. At last the younger told his
brother that he had married the king's daughter,
and that the king had made him lord over the whole
land.
"I know all about it," replied the other; "for
when I came to the town they all took me for you,
and treated me with kingly state; even the young
The Twin Brothers 297
princess mistook me for her husband, and made me
sit by her side."
But as he spoke the prince became so fierce ^^ itli
jealously and anger that he drew his sword and
cut off his brother's head. Then as he saw him lie
dead at his feet his anger was quelled in a moment,
and he repented bitterly, crying, "Oh, my brother
is dead, and it is I who have killed him!" and
kneeling by his side he mourned with loud cries
and tears.
In a moment the hare appeared and begged to be
allowed to fetch the life-giving root, which she knew
would cure him. She was not away long, and when
she returned, the head was replaced and fastened
by the healing power of the plant, and the brother
restored to life, while not even a sign of the wound
remained to be noticed.
The brothers now walked on most lovingly to-
gether, and the one who had married the king's
daughter said, "I see that you have kingly clothes,
as I have ; your animals are the same as mine. Let
us enter the castle at two opposite doors, and ap-
proach the old king from two sides together."
So they separated; and as the king sat with his
daughter in the royal apartment a sentinel ap-
proached him from two distant entrances at the
same time, and informed him that the prince, with
his animals, had arrived.
"That is impossible!" cried the king; "one of you
must be wrong ; for the gates at which you watch are
quite a quarter of a mile apart."
But while the king spoke the two young men
entered at opposite ends of the room, and both came
forward and stood before the king.
298 The Twin Brothers
With a bewildered look the king turned to his
daughter, and said, "Which is your husband? for
they are so exactly alike I cannot tell."
She was herself very much frightened, and could
not speak! at last she thought of the necklace that
she had given to the animals, and looking earnestly
among them she saw the glitter of the golden clasp
on the lion's neck. "See," she cried in a happy voice,
"he whom that lion follows is my husband!"
The prince laughed, and said, "Yes; you are
right ; and this is my twin brgther."
So they sat down happity together and told the
king and the J'oung princess all their adventures.
When the king's daughter and her husband were
alone she said to him, "I thought you did not love
me the other day when you came home from the
wood, for you never even kissed me."
Then the prince knew how true and honorable
his tM^n brother had been.
Did you ever think what really makes a story?
The one you have just read is an interesting one;
let us see whether we can find out just what it tells
us. We shall leave out everything that can pos-
sibly be left out, and shall keep only those things
that we really must have to make the story. Here
they are:
1. The poor brother sees the golden bird.
2. He gets it for the rich brother.
3. The sons of the poor brother eat the heart and
the liver of the golden bird.
4. The poor brother finds the gold pieces under
his children's pillows.
5. The poor brother drives his sons from home
The Twin Brothers 200
bccanse liis ricli brother tells him they are in league
with tlie Kvil One.
(>. The twin brothers are adopted by tlie hunter.
7- They set ont to seek theii' fortunes.
8. Tliey })roeure the animals as eompanions.
0. They separate.
10. The younger brother learns that the king's
daughter is to be devoured by a dragon.
11. He slays the dragon.
12. lie is killed by the king's marshal, who car-
ries off the princess.
13. He is brought to life by the hare.
14. He returns to the king's country after a year
and finds that the princess is to marry the marshal.
15. He sends his animals to the palace, where they
are recognized by the princess.
16. The king sends for him.
17. He proves that he killed the dragon, and is
married to the princess.
18. He meets a witch while he is hunting, and is
turned to stone.
10. The older brother learns of his brother's fate.
20. He meets the witch and forces her to restore
his brother to life.
21. The brothers return together to the palace,
where the younger is recognized by the princess,
his wife.
Now, as you read that list, you will see that many,
many things which the story tells us have been
omitted; but you will also see that not one of the
things set down in the outline could be left out.
Suppose, for example, we left out number eleven or
number thirteen — we could not understand what
300 Industry and Sloth
follows. Of course, we cannot say that the facts
omitted from the list are unnecessary ; they make the
story more interesting, or they make it more beauti-
ful, or they make it seem more real.
INDUSTRY AND SLOTH
A LAZY young man, being asked why he lay in
bed so long, jocosely answered:
"Every morning of my life I am hearing cases in
court. Two fine damsels, named Industry and
Sloth, are at my bedside, as soon as ever I awake,
presenting their different cases. One entreats me
to get up, the other persuades me to lie still; and
then they alternately give me various reasons why
I should rise and why I should not. As it is the
duty of an impartial judge to hear all that can be
said on both sides, I am detained so long that before
the pleadings are over it is time to go to dinner."
Many men waste the prime of their days in trying
to determine what they ought to do, and end them
without coming to any decision.
Whole Duty of Children 301
WHOLE DUTY OF CHILDREN
By Robert Louis Stevenson
A CHILD should say what's true,
. And speak when he is spoken to,
And behave mannerly at table ;
At least as far as he is able.
THE TREE
By Bjornstjerne Bjornson
THE Tree's early leaf-buds were bvn'sting their
brown :
"Shall I take them away?" said the Frost, sweeping-
down.
"No, leave them alone
Till the blossoms have grown,"
Prayed the Tree, while he trembled from rootlet to
crown.
The Tree bore his blossoms, and all the birds sung :
"Shall I take them away?" said the Wind, as he
swung.
"No, leave them alone
Till the berries have grown,"
Said the Tree, while his leaflets all quivering hung.
The Tree bore his fruit in the midsummer glow :
Said the girl, "May I gather thy berries now?"
"Yes, all thou canst see:
Take them: all are for thee,"
Said the Tree, while he bent down his laden boughs
low.
302 Young Night Thought
YOUNG NIGHT THOUGHT
By Robert Louis Stevexsox
ALL night long and every night,
L When my mamma puts out the light,
I see the people marching by,
As plain as day, before my e^^e.
Armies and emperors and kings.
All carrying different kinds of things.
And marching in so grand a waj^
You never saw the like by day.
So fine a show was never seen
At the great circus on the green ;
For every kind of beast and man
Is marching in that caravan.
At first they move a little slow,
But still the faster on they go.
And still beside them close I keep
Until we reach the town of Sleep.
r
Whenever Auntie moves around.
Her dresses make a curious sound ;
They trail behind her up the floor,
And trundle after through the door.
— Stevenson.
THE DRUMMER
By WiLHEL.M AND Jakoh Grimm
YOUNG drummer was one evening
walking across the fields, and as he
came to a lake he saw lying on the shore
three pieces of white linen.
"What fine linen!" he said; and tak-
ing up one piece he put it in his pocket.
He went home, thought no more of
what he had found, and went to bed. Just as he
was going to sleep he thought he heard some one
call out his name, and heard distinctly a gentle voice
say, "Drummer, drummer, wake up!"
At first in the dark he could distinguish notliing,
but presently he saw^ hovering over his bed a light
form.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Give me back my dress," answered the voice,
"which you took away from the lake to-night."
"You shall have it," said the drummer, "if you
will tell me who you are."
"Ah," cried the voice, "I am the daughter of a
mighty king, but I have fallen into the power of a
witch, and am confined to a glass mountain. Each
day I am obliged to bathe in the lake with my two
sisters; but without my dress I cannot fly back to
the iceberg, and my sisters have already gone away
and left me alone. I pray you, therefore, to give me
back my dress."
"Be at peace, poor child," said the drummer;
303
304 The Drummer
"you shall have j^our dress very soon." Then he
took the piece of linen out of his pocket and offered
it to her in the darkness. She seized it hastily, and
Mas going awa}'. "Wait one moment," he said;
"can I not help j'ou in any way?"
"You could only help me," she replied, "by climb-
ing the glass mountain and freeing me from the
witch's j)ower. But you could not reach the moun-
tain; or even if you did, you would be unable to
climb to the top."
"A\^hat I wish to do, I can do," said the drummer.
"I feel great compassion for you, and I fear noth-
ing ; but I do not know where the mountain is, nor
the way to it."
"The road lies through a large forest," she
replied, "and you must pass several inns on your
way. ]More than this I dare not tell you."
Then he heard the rush of wings, and she was
gone. By the break of day the drummer was up and
ready. He hung his drum on his shoulder and
started without fear to cross the forest. After walk-
ing for some time and not meeting any giants, he
thought to himself, "I must wake up the lazy sleep-
ers." So he turned his drum before him and played
such a tantara that the birds on the trees flew away
screaming.
Not long after, a giant who had been sleeping in
the grass rose up and stood before him. He was as
tall as a fir tree, and cried out to the drummer :
"You wretched little creature ! M'hat do j^ou mean
by waking people up out of their best sleep with
your horrid drum?"
"I drummed to wake you," he replied, "because I
did not know the way."
The Drummer 305
"What do you want here in my wood?" asked tlie
giant.
"Well, I wish to free the forest from such mon-
sters as you are!"
"Oho!" cried the giant; "why, I could crush you
beneath my foot as 1 would crush an ant !"
"Don't suppose you are going to do any such
thing!" cried the drummer. "If you were to stoop
down to catch hold of one of us he would jump away
and hide himself, and when j^ou were lying down to
sleep his people would come from every bush and
thicket, each carrying a steel hammer in his girdle.
They would creep cautiously upon you, and soon
with their hammers beat out your brains!"
This assertion made the giant rather uneasy. "If
I meddle with these cunning little people," he
thought, "they can, no doubt, do me some mischief.
I can easily strangle wolves and bears, but I cannot
defend myself against these earthworms."
"Listen, little man," he said. "I pledge myself
that you and your companions shall for the futiu*e
be left in peace. And now tell me what you wish,
for I am quite ready to do your pleasure."
"You have long legs," said the drummer, "so that
you can run more swiftly than I can. Carry me to
the glass mountain, and I will take that as a proof
of your kind feeling toward us, and my people shall
leave you in peace."
"Come here, w'orm," said the giant; "seat your-
self on my shoulders, and I will carry you wherever
you wish."
The giant then lifted him up, and the drummer
soon began to play away on his drum to liis heart's
content. The giant was quite satisfied; he thought
306 The Drummer
this would be a sign to the rest of the httle people
that he was friendly to them.
After a while a second giant made his appearance,
and he took the drummer from the first and stuck
him in the buttonhole of his coat. The drummer
seized the button, which was as large as a dish, and
holding fast by it, looked about him quite contented-
ly. Presently came a third, who took him from
the buttonhole and placed him on the brim of his
hat, from which elevation he could look over the
tree tops.
All at once, in the blue distance, he espied a moun-
tain. "Ah!" thought he, "that is certainly the glass
mountain" ; and so it was.
The giant, after a few more steps, reached the
foot of the mountain, and then he lifted the drum-
mer from his hat and placed him on the ground. The
little man wished to be carried to the top of the
mountain ; but the giant shook his head, murmured
something in his beard, and went back to the wood.
There stood the poor little drummer at the foot
of the mountain, which looked as high above him as
if three mountains had been placed one upon another.
The sides were as slippery as a mirror, and there
seemed no possible means of reaching the top. He
began to climb, but he slid backward at every step.
"If I were a bird, now," he said to himself; but it
was only half a wish, and no Avings grew.
While he thus stood, not knowing how to help
himself, he saw at a little distance two men strug-
gling together. He went up to them and found
that they were quarreling about a saddle which lay
on the ground between them, and which each wished
to have.
TnK Drummer
307
THE DRUMMER ON THE BRIM OF THE GIANT S HAT
"What fools you must be," he cried, "to want a
saddle when you have not a horse to place it upon!"
"This saddle is worth a contest," said one of the
men; "for whoever seats himself upon it and wishes
himself somewhere, even if it be at the end of the
world, will have his wish the moment it is uttered."
"The saddle is our joint property, and it is my
turn to ride it; but my companion will not let me,"
said the other.
"I will soon put an end to this contention," said
the drummer. "Go to a little distance and stick a
308 The Drummer
white staff in the ground ; then come back and start
from here to run to the mark, and whoever is there
first is to ride first."
They did as he advised, and then both started off
at full trot; but scarcely had they taken two steps
when the drummer swung himself onto the saddle
and wished to be on the top of the mountain, and
ere a man could turn his hand, there he was.
The top of the mountain formed an extensive
plain, on which stood an old stone house ; in front of
it was a large fish-pond, and behind it a dark, drearj^
forest. Neither man nor animals could be seen ; not
a sound disturbed the peaceful stillness except the
rustling of the leaves in the wind, while the clouds
floated silently overhead.
He stepped up to the door of the house and
knocked. No one answered, and he knocked a
second time; but it was not till the third time that
the door was opened by an old woman with a brown
face and red eyes. She had a pair of spectacles on
her long nose, and looked at him very sharply as
she asked, "What is your business here?"
"I want admission, food, and a night's lodging,"
he replied.
"All these you shall have," she replied, "if you
will perform three tasks for me."
"Willingly," he replied; "I do not shrink from
work, however difficult it may be."
The old woman, on this, led him in, gave him a
supper, and a good bed in the evening.
Next morning when he got up, breakfast was
ready for him, and after eating it he expressed his
readiness to perform the tasks she had spoken of.
In reply, the old woman took a thimble from her
The Drummer 309
lean finger, and offering it to him said, "Now go,
for your first task, and scoop out the water from
the fish-pond outside with this thimble. All the
fish, also, that are in the water must be laid together,
according to their size and species, and the work
must be finished by night."
"That is a strange task!" said the drummer.
However, he went out to the pond and commenced
his work.
He scooped industriously for the whole morning ;
but how can a man empty so large a quantity of
water with only a thimble? Why, it would take a
thousand years.
When noontide came he thought to himself, "All
I am doing is quite useless; it will be just the same
whether I work or not." So he gave it up and seated
himself.
Presently he saw a young maiden coming toward
him from the house. She had a basket in her hand,
containing some dinner for him, and she said, "Why
are you sitting here and looking so sad? What is
the matter?"
He looked up at her and saw that she was very
handsome. "Ah!" he exclaimed, "I cannot perform
the first task which has been given me, and how
shall I succeed with the other two ? I have come to
seek for a king's daughter who dwells here, but I
have not found her, so I may as well go away."
"No; stay here," she replied; "I will help you out
of your trouble. You are tired now, so lay your
head in my lap and go to sleep. When you awake
again yoiu' work will be done."
The drimimer did not require to be told twice,
and as soon as his eves were closed the maiden turned
310 The Drummer
a wish-ring on her finger, and said, "Water, rise;
fish, come out."
In a moment the water rose in the air like a white
mist and floated away to the clouds above the moun-
tain, while the fish came springing and jimiping
onto the bank and laid themselves down near each
other, each according to its size and species. When
the drummer awoke, he saw with astonishment that
all had been done for him.
"It is not quite right now," said the maiden; "one
of the fish is lying away from its own species, quite
alone. When the old woman comes this evening to
see if all is done as she desired, she will ask why that
little fish is left out. Then throw it in her face, and
say, 'That is left for you, old witch!' "
In the evening she came, and when she asked the
question as the maiden had said she would, he threw
the fish in her face and repeated the words he had
been told to. The old woman stood still and
appeared not to notice what he had done, but she
looked at him with malicious eyes.
The next morning she said to him, "The task I
gave you yesterday was too easy; you must have
something more difficult to-day. I expect you,
therefore, to cut down all the trees of the forest
behind this house, to split them into logs and to
stack them; and when evening comes, all must be
finished."
She gave him an ax, a chopper, and a wedge. But
the ax was made of lead, and the chopper and wedge
were of tin, so that when he began his work the ax
stuck fast in the wood, and the chopper and wedge
struck one against the other and became useless.
He knew not what to do ; but at noon the maiden
The Drummer 311
came again with his (hniicr and comforted liini.
"Lay your head in my lap," said she, "and sleep,
and M'hen you awake the work Mill ])e done."
While he slept slie turned the wish-ring on her
finger, and in a moment the forest trees fell together
with a crash. The wood divided itself into logs and
stacked itself in ])iles; it was as if an invisi])le giant
had accomplished the task. When the drummer
awoke the maiden said:
"You see how all the wood is cut down and
stacked, except one little bough. When the old
woman comes this evening and asks what the bough
is left there for, you must give her a blow with it
and say, 'It is for you, old witch.' "
The old woman came, and when she saw the work
all done she said, "Ah, it was an easy task I gave
you; but what is that bough left there for?"
"For you, old witch," he replied, giving her a blow
with it. But she appeared not to feel it, laughed
scornfully, and said, "To-morrow you shall place
all this wood in a heap, set fire to it, and burn it."
He was at the forest at daybreak, and began his
work of gathering the wood into a heap; but how
was it possible for one man to carry trees of a whole
forest into one spot? The work Avent backward,
not forward. The maiden, however, did not forget
him in his trouble ; she brought him his midday meal,
and wdien he had eaten, made him lay his head in her
lap and sleep. When he awoke the whole stack of
wood was burning in one vast flame, the tongues of
which reached to the clouds. "Listen, now," said
the maiden: "when the Mitch comes she Mill give
you all sorts of orders. If you perform coura-
geously whatever she desires, she cannot injure ycu
312 The Drummer
or take your life. But if you show any fear she
will put you in the fire, and you will be consumed.
At last, when you have done all she tells you, take
her up with both hands and throw her into the
flames."
Then the maiden went away, and presently the
witch came sneaking up.
"Ha!" she exclaimed. "I am so cold, and here is
a fire to warm my old bones and do me good ; but
there lies a log that will not burn; just fetch it out
for me. If you can do that you are free to go where
you will. Now be brisk, and do as I tell you."
The drummer did not hesitate long; he sprang
into the flames, but they did him no harm, and not
even a hair of his head was singed as he drew out the
log and placed it before her. Scarcely, however,
had it touched the ground when it was transformed,
and the beautiful maiden who had helped him in
his trouble stood before him, the silk and gold-
embroidered clothes she wore proving at once that
she was a king's daughter. The old witch laughed
spitefully, and said:
"You think you are going to have the princess,
but you shan't; I will take care of that;" and she
advanced to lay hold of the maiden and carry her
away. But the drummer started forward, seized
the old witch w^ith both hands, and threw her into
the midst of the flames, which gathered over her as
if in joy at being able to consume a witch.
The king's daughter looked earnestly at the drum-
mer and saw that he was really a handsome youth ;
she remembered, moreover, that he had saved her
life and set her free from the witch's spell. So she
held out her hand to him, and said :
The Drummer 818
"You have risked everything for me, therefore I
will now do something for you. Promise to be true
to me, then shall you be my spouse. I have plenty
of riches and possessions which the old witch had
accumulated."
She led him into the house and showed him chests
and boxes which were full of treasures. They left
the gold and silver, took only the jirecious stones,
and prepared to leave the mountain of glass. Then
the drummer said to her, "Seat yourself with me on
my saddle, and we can fly through the air like birds."
"The old saddle is useless to me," she said; "I only
require to turn my wish-ring over, and we are at
home."
"All right!" he cried; "then let us wish ourselves
at the gate of my native city."
In a trice they were there, and the drummer said,
"I will first go and see my parents and tell them
all the neM's ; wait here for me in this field ; I shall
soon return."
"Ah," said the king's daughter, "let me beg of
you to be careful when you reach home; remember
to kiss your parents only on the left cheek, other-
wise you will forget me and all that has happened,
and I shall be left behind in the field alone."
"How can I ever forget you?" he said, and
pledged her with liis right hand to return to her
very soon.
When he reached his father's house no one knew
who he was, he had so changed; for the three days
which he had, as he supposed, spent on the moun-
tains, had been really three long years. At last his
parents recognized him, and they were so overjoyed
at his return that they fell on his neck and embraced
314 The Drummer
him. He was also so moved in his heart that he
kissed them on both cheeks, and thought not once
of the maiden's words. As soon as he had kissed
them on the right cheek all gratitude to the king's
daughter vanished from his heart. He turned out
his pockets and threw great handfuls of precious
stones on the table, his parents wondering how and
where he had obtained all these riches. They were,
however, very happy to accept them.
The father's first act was to build a beautiful
castle, around which were gardens, and woods, and
meadows, as if a prince had been going to reside
in it.
And when it was finished the mother said to her
son, "I have chosen a maiden to be your wife, and
in three days the wedding must take place."
The drummer was quite contented to do as his
parents wished.
The poor princess stood for a long time outside
the town waiting for the return of the young man.
When evening came she said to herself, "No doubt
he has kissed his parents on the right cheek, and I
am quite forgotten."
Her heart was so full of grief that she wished
herself in a lonely house in the wood close by.
Every evening she went into the town and wan-
dered about the grounds of the drummer's castle.
She saw him many times, but he never saw her ; and
one day she heard people talking of his marriage,
and saying that it would take place the following
day.
Then she said to herself, "I must try to win him
back again."
So on the first day of the betrothal she wished
The Drummer
315
THE DRUMMER AND PRINCESS REUNITED
for a beautiful dress that should shine as the sun.
And when it lay before her it glittered like sun-
beams. All the guests were assembled M'hen she
entered the room; every one present was surprised
at her beauty and her rich dress ; but the drummer
did not recognize her among so many, as she had
disguised herself. That night, however, when all was
still, she placed herself outside his window, and
sang :
"Drummer, should I f oj-gotten be ?
Was it not I who tended thee,
And to your tasks lent all my aid,
->
316 The Drummer
When on the mountain top you strayed?
You freed me from the witch's power,
And swore to love me from that hour.
Your riches all were gifts from me;
Then why should I forgotten be?"
But the song was all lost; the young man slept
soundly and heard it not. On the second evening she
was again at the festival, and afterward sang her
mournful song outside the window.
But she had mistaken the sleeping-room of her
lover, and again her complaints would have been
useless, had not the servants of the castle told their
young master that they had heard a beautiful voice
singing during the night. His curiosity was excited,
and he determined to listen at the window himself.
In the night after the third day of the betrothal,
when the festivities were over, the young man placed
himself at the window to listen; but no sooner had
he heard the sound of the voice singing,
"Drummer, should I forgotten be?
Was it not I who tended thee,
And to your tasks lent all my aid.
When on the mountain top you strayed?
You freed me from the witch's power,
And swore to love me from that hour.
Your riches all were gifts from me;
Then why should I forgotten be?"
than everything returned to his memory.
"Ah!" he cried, "how nearly have I lost my true
and only love! In the joy of my heart I kissed my
parents on the right cheek. There is the fault ; but
I will atone for my conduct."
Stop, Stop, Prkity \Vatp:r 317
lie started up, as the hou^ still continued in plain-
tive accents, rushed out, and exclaimed, "Forgive
me, dearest!" and as he pressed her to his heart
she forgot her sorrow and forgave him all.
Then he led her to his parents, and said, "This is
the true bride!" and told them what she had done
for him and the cause of his forgetfulness. They
were ready to receive her at once as their daughter-
in-law, and the other intended bride was made happy
by being presented with the dresses which the real
bride had worn at the festival.
STOP, STOP, PRETTY WATER
By Mrs. Eliza Lee Follen
STOP, stop, pretty water!"
Said JNIarj^ one day,
To a frolicsome brook
That was running away.
"You run on so fast!
I wish you would stay;
My boat and my flowers
You will carry away.
"But I will run after:
INIother says that I may;
For I would know where
You are running away."
So Mary ran on;
But I have heard saj'',
That she never could find
Where the brook ran away.
mr4
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Adopted from the story by Madame Villeneuve
^N a far-off country, a long time ago,
lived a rich merchant and his happy
family. There were six sons and six
daughters ; all the sons big, strong and
manly; all the daughters graceful and
beautiful. But one of the daughters,
the youngest, was more graceful than
her sisters, and so far surpassed them in comeliness
that the only name she was known by was Beauty.
It cost no small sum to su^^port this large family,
but the merchant was an affectionate father, and he
gave his children everything they wanted, so that
their lives were as joyous as the days were long.
But suddenly misfortunes came upon them all
and left the poor merchant sadly distressed. First,
their great house burned down, and all their silver,
paintings and costly clothing and jewelry were
destroyed. The same day came the news that a
large ship, full of costly merchandise, was sunk ; and
soon it was learned that every ship belonging to the
merchant was lost with crews and cargoes. These
misfortunes worried him greatly, but when he
learned that his trusted employes had banded against
him and stolen all that was left of his property, he
M'as brought face to face with direst poverty.
At first the daughters thought that their friends
M'ould take pity on them, and that homes would be
offered them, but they soon learned how false the
318
Beauty and the Beast 319
world often is, and tliat friends may desert when
riches fail. In fact, nothing was left them bnt a
little cottafj^e and a small field many leagnes away
from the city where tliey had Hved. ^Vith tears in
his eyes their father begged the children to be con-
tented and to work honorably for their daily bread.
None seemed willing to do this except Beanty, who
showed now that her sonl was as fine as her face.
She had been as sad as any when tronble first over-
took them, but soon recovering her spirits she set
bravely to work, making the best of things, amusing
her father and brothers and trying to persuade her
sisters to join in her dancing and singing. The more
she tried to help them, the more discontented and
vexed her sisters became, until they all declared that
she was fit for nothing except this hovel in the coun-
try; but that they themselves worked only because
they had to, and that just as soon as they could they
meant to get back to the city.
For two whole years they slaved in this manner,
and then, just as they were all beginning to get used
to their country home, a great surprise came. The
father received Mord that one of the richest ships
that he had supposed lost had returned to port. The
sons and daughters were overjoyed at the news, and
M'ished to set out at once to reclaim their property.
Only the father, who was older and wiser, hesitated,
for he knew how many chances there were for mis-
takes to happen. Beauty, too, was doubtful, and
joined with her father in urging them to stay at home
until the harvest was all in.
When, finally, the father decided to go to town,
he was besieged by every one but Beauty with
requests for presents of dresses and jewels, fine
320 Beauty and the Beast
things to eat and more knickknacks than a shipload
of gold coidd purchase. The father smiled at their
wishes, but felt a little angered at their greed. He
had noted, too, that Beauty took no part in their
excitement and asked for nothing.
"What shall I do for my little daughter? Is there
nothing you want, my little Beauty?"
"All I ask is that you may come safely home to
me," answered the girl.
This angered her sisters, for they thought that
Beauty had said it to reproach them for their greed;
but the father was delighted and said, "Now choose
something, Beauty; surely there are some pretty
things you will like."
"Really, father, I want nothing but what I said;
only, as you ask me, I will beg for a rose. I haven't
seen one since we came here, and I love them dearly."
Thus the merchant set forth on his long journey,
and his children did their best to kill time till his
return. As for the merchant himself, he found out
as soon as he reached the city that his former part-
ners had pretended that he was dead and had divided
his recovered property among themselves. Al-
though he stayed there for six months and tried in
every way to get some of his propertv back, he was
able to recover barely enough to pay the expense of
his journey.
When he knew his case was hopeless he set out
on his return journey, heartsick and discouraged.
The weather was terrible, and it was only with great
difficulty that his horse was able to carry him along.
Yet he managed to make some progress until night-
fall, when he found himself about thirty miles from
home and at the edge of a big, lonesome forest. The
Beauty and the JJkast
321
night had grown cold, and snow was falling fast,
but he made up his mind to push on, rather than die
from exposure where he was. Deep into the forest
he went, but after a while the paths became hidden
in snow and he lost his way completely. He could
rouse no one by his shouting, and was even glad to
THE PALACE AT END OF AVENUE OF TREES
find a hollow tree in which he could crouch tlirough
the night.
When the morning came he roused himself, and
stiff and lame from exposure, began his painful
search for a road. After a little he saw an opening
in the trees, which, upon examination, he found led
322 Beauty and the Beast
into an avenue at the end of which appeared a
beautiful palace glistening in the morning sun. He
hin*ried toward it, and after walking rapidly for-
ward for about ten minutes, came to its gates. Not a
person nor a living creature of any sort could he see,
and no one replied to his numerous calls. Opening
the gates, he found the stable, and having littered
and fed his horse, he hastened to the house. The
door was closed, and no one came to his loud knock-
ing. Hungry and impatient, he threw the door
open and entered a large hall, where he found a
cheerful fire burning, and a table set comfortably
for one. Not a person had he seen about the place,
and so, going to the fire, he turned about in front
of the blaze, saying to himself,
"I hope the master will excuse the liberty I am
taking, for he will doubtless soon be here."
He waited for an hour, and still no one came.
Then his himger overcame him, and seating himself
at the table he ate till he was satisfied. Another
hour of rest convinced him that no one was coming,
and feeling drowsy he got up to explore the palace.
At the end of a long hall he came upon a bed-
room richly furnished and having in its center a
great, comfortable bed. This was too much for the
weary merchant, and he threw off his clothes and
covered himself. Almost before his head touched
the pillow he fell asleep, and it was broad daylight
when he awoke the next morning.
No one was in the room, but when he started to
get up he found that in place of his old suit, new
clothes lay on the chair by the head of his bed.
"Surely," he said, "this place must belong to some
good fairy who pities my misfortunes."
Bp:AUTY AM) TilK liKAST IV^'A
When he had looked from the window he saw no
longer the snow and iee of the day hefore, })nt heau-
tiful gardens filled with flowers and shining in t.ie
morning dew. When he retnrned to the hall where
he had eaten his supper there stood a breakfast table
with cakes and honey, and at one side an urn of
finest chocolate.
"My good fairy is a generous one, indeed," said
the merchant; "I am greatly obliged for her care."
After a hearty breakfast he took his new hat and
went out to the stable, where lie found that his
horse had been cleaned and fed and was ready for
the journey. Saddling the animal, he led him into
the garden, intending to start again for home. As
he passed one of the arbors he thought of the request
Beauty had made, and stopped before a bush bear-
ing beautiful roses. Reaching up, he picked a fine
one, and was just about to put it into his hat when
he was startled by a frightful noise behind him.
Turning, he saw a hideous Beast, roaring in anger,
and shouting out :
"Who told you to pick my roses ? Isn't it enough
that I have fed you and clothed you and given you
a bed in my palace ? Is stealing flowers the way to
show your gratitude? But you shall be terribly
punished. You have not a half -hour to live."
The poor merchant, terrified at this awful threat,
threw himself upon his knees before the Beast and
begged for his life.
"Forgive me, my lord; I meant no harm. You
have been so generous in other things that I thought
you w^ould not mind a rose, a single rose."
"I am no lord, and I want no excuses and no flat-
tery. Die you must for your thieving ingratitude."
324 Beauty and the Beast
"But my poor daughters — and Beauty — she for
whom I took the rose — what will she do if I do not
come back?"
"What do I care for your daughters? You stole
my rose, after I had been kind to you!"
"But Beauty loves me so, and she asked only for
a rose. Surely you M^on't break her heart by slaying
I"
me!
The Beast seemed to think a minute, and then he
said:
"I'll tell you what I'll do. You bring one of
your daughters to die in your place, and I will spare
your life."
"But if I were willing to buy my life at such a
price, how could I ever coax one of my daughters
to come here? What should I tell them?"
"Tell them the truth. Tell them one must come
to the hideous Beast and die, or you will lose your
life. One must come willingly, or you shall surely
die. Now we shall see how much your daughters
think of you. If within three months one of your
daughters is not here, you must come yourself. Do
not think to escape and hide, for I shall certainly
find you and bring you back."
After some further talk the merchant accepted
the proposition, thinking only that it would give
him another chance to see his children ; for he had
no idea of giving up one of them to so terrible
an end.
"I do not wish to be too severe on you," said th^
Beast. "Stay here another night, and in the morn-
ing you shall go. First climb to the room above the
one in which you slept, and there you will find gold
in plenty. Take all you can carry in the chest you
Beauty and the Beast 325
will find, and ride away. Take, also, a rose lor
Beauty, and remember your promise."
The rest of that day the merchant was pleasantly
entertained, at night a fine supper was served him,
and again he slept in the soft, downy bed. The next
morning he went to the room as directed, and soon
had the chest so filled with bright golden coins that
he could scarcely carry it. However, he managed to
get to his horse and to pick the rose for Beauty. As
soon as he mounted his horse, it was off like the
wind, and almost before he knew he was well started,
he had stopped before his own door.
When the children saw the splendid horse and its
rich traj^pings and noticed how finely their father
was dressed, they rushed out to meet him, certain
that he had returned a rich man again. They had
worried over his long absence, but forgot ever}' thing
in their joy at his return, nor did they even notice
his sad face and dejecting bearing. JNIoreover, he
tried to appear cheerful, and hid the truth from
them at first, saying only to Beauty, as he gave her
the rose, "Here is what you asked me to bring you.
You little know what it has cost."
Then, amid the weeping and wailing of his chil-
dren, he told them his imhappy adventures from
beginning to end. The girls were very noisy in their
grief and began at once to lay the blame upon
Beauty, while the boys began to plan how they
would kill the Beast if it came to fetch their father.
But the man reminded them that he had given the
promise to go back, and that nothing would induce
him to break it. Then the girls began to abuse
Beauty more shamefully than ever, saying that if
she had been sensible and asked for dresses instead
326 Beauty and the Beast
of a foolish rose, no trouble would have come upon
them, and that now when she saw what she had done
she showed no grief, and had not even a tear for
her father's terrible danger.
It is true Beauty had said nothing thus far, but
she had been thinking very deeply and had decided
that there was no use in weeping, but that something
must be done to save her father. Evidently, as she
had brought the misfortune, she must be the one to
save him. While the others were in the midst of
their lamentations Beauty arose and said, "All this
will accomplish nothing. I did the mischief, and I
shall suffer for it. I will die in my father's place."
"Xo, no," cried three brothers at once. "You
shall not die. We will go in search of this monster
and kill him or perish in the attempt."
"You cannot hope to conquer the Beast," said
their father. "He is far more powerful than j^ou
can dream. Beauty has shown fine spirit, but I
shall not suffer her to die for me. I am old and
cannot hope to live long, so I am quite willing to
give up my few remaining years. JNly only sorrow
is that I can no longer work for you."
"Now, father," cried Beauty, "you cannot pre-
vent my going. I would much rather be eaten by
the monster than to die here at home grieving for
your loss. I shall start for the palace when the time
is up."
No matter what the merchant said, he could not
persuade Beauty from her resolve. The father and
his sons were wretched at her decision, but her sisters
were, on the whole, rather glad that Beauty would
no longer annoy them or put them to shame because
of her greater gentleness and beauty.
Beauty and the Beast 327
The merchant liad ])cen so much (listur})e(l over
his story and Beauty's decision that he had for-
gotten entirely his chest filled with gold, and at night
he was much surprised to find it in his room by his
bedside. Next morning he called Beauty in and
told her the secret, but said nothing to the older
sisters, for he knew they would wish to return to
town at once.
As the time drew near, Beauty divided all her
belongings among her sisters and said good-bye to
everybody she loved, and when the three months
were past she encouraged her father and spoke
cheerfully to the children w^ho were to be left behind.
All wept sadly, although the grief of the sisters was
make-believe; in fact, they had rubbed their eyes
Mutli onion skins to force the tears.
Father and daughter mounted the noble horse
which he had brought from the palace and started
on their journey, which would indeed have been
delightful had it not been for the thought of what
was to happen at the end of it. Still her father tried
to persuade Beauty to give up her mad project. She
328 Beauty and the Beast
was immovable, however, and fully determined to
sacrifice herself cheerfully. Even while they were
talking, night fell, and they reached the great avenue
which led up to the palace. Here everything was
brilliantly illuminated. Not only the house, but the
garden as well, shone with bright lights and glittered
with blazing decorations. In the courtyard in the
garden were tents, from which came the sounds of
beautiful music, and it was plain to be seen that
preparations had been made for great rejoicings.
Beauty tried to laugh as she said, "How hungry
the Beast must be if he makes all this show when
his prey arrives."
The horse cantered gracefully up to the steps, and
M'hen they had dismounted the father led her to the
little room where he had been before. No one
appeared, but, as before, they found a dainty table
bearing a delicious supper, this time set for two.
Their long ride had made them hungry, and in spite
of their fear they ate the meal that had been pro-
vided for them, although the merchant had little
appetite.
They had scarcely finished when a terrible noise
was heard in the room next to them, and a moment
later the Beast was seen entering the room. Beauty
shuddered and clung to her father at the terrible
sight, but in a moment she controlled her terror, and
when she spoke her voice scarcely trembled. The
Beast was evidently pleased with her, and though
his voice was a loud roar it did not sound angry.
"Good evening, old man. Good evening. Beauty,"
said the Beast.
The merchant was too much frightened to reply,
but Beauty spoke sweetly, "Good evening, Beast."
Beauty and the Beast 329
"Did you come here of your own accord?" asked
the Beast. "Will you remain here after your father
goes away?"
"I came because I wished to come, and I am will-
ing to remain."
"That pleases me," said the Beast. "As you came
of your own accord, you may remain. As for you,
old man, get away from here to-morrow, and never
let me see you again. Good night, Beauty."
"Good night. Beast," said she, and the Beast left
the room.
No sooner had he gone than the merchant began
kissing his daughter and begging her again and
again to go home and let him remain; but Beauty
would not be persuaded, and insisted that her father
return in the morning as he had been told. Then
they wished each other good night and went to bed.
Much to their surprise they fell quickly asleep and
did not wake until morning. Beauty dreamed that
a sweet lady came to her and said, "For your good-
ness to your father you shall be rewarded."
In the morning when she told her father the
dream he was much comforted, but still his heart
was heavy with grief. When he was ready to go,
the Beast appeared again and told them that in the
next room they would find two traveling trunks
which they might fill with rich clothing and gold
and silver. All this wealth the father was to take
with him for himself and his family. Everything
was found as the Beast had told them, and it took
them a long time to fill the two trunks ; for although
they put quantities of gold and silver into one and
quantities of rich clothing into the other, yet there
seemed to be room for more. When, however, the
330
Beauty and the Beast
trunks were at last full, they were so heavy that
neither could be lifted, and the father thought the
Beast had been making sport of them. Just at this
time a bell sounded in the courtyard, and the father
knew it was the signal for his departure ; so bidding
Beauty good-bye, he hastened down, and was sur-
prised to find waiting for him a beautiful horse
ready saddled, and another bearing the two trunks
which he had filled. The merchant mounted, and
left at such a pace that he was soon lost to sight.
When the merchant had departed. Beauty sat
down in the large hall and began to cry, for she then
realized fully her terrible fate. After a little, how-
ever, as her courage rose, she saw how foolish it was
to make her sad case worse by weeping, and resolved
to wait as calmly as she could till the Beast was
BEAUTY S ROOM IN THE PALACE
Beauty and the Beast 331
ready to devour her. Tlie palace was so })cautifiil
that she walked about from room to room looking
here and there, much charmed by the beautiful fur-
niture and the rich ornaments that she saw every-
where.
Imagine her surprise when on the sunny side of
the castle she came to a great door on which was
wTitten, "BEAUTY'S ROO.AL" All excitement,
she hurriedly opened the door, and was dazzled by
the grandeur of the chamber which she saw before
her. Everywhere were books and musical instru-
ments, pictures, and wardrobes filled with beautiful
dresses, all of which delighted the eye and cheered
the heart of the frightened girl.
"The Beast means that I shall amuse myself while
^vaiting," said Beauty, as she turned one of the
beautiful books. "What is this? 'You are sole mis-
tress over everything. Your commands and tiishes
shall all be faithfully e^vecuted!' There is only one
thing that I want, and that is to see my father and
brothers and sisters."
Almost as she spoke the room seemed to fade
away from about her, and she saw her father sitting
in the cottage, surrounded by her brothers and
sisters. He was telling them of his experiences, and
while he and her brothers wept over Beauty's fate,
she was pained to see that her sisters were rejoicing
over the riches that had been brought home to them
rather than grieving at the loss of a sister. The
vision vanished in a moment, but Beauty turned
away, feeling in her heart some gratitude toward
the Beast for so quickly granting her wish.
When noontime came she found the table laid
readv for her, and all the time she was eatins sweet
332 Beauty and the Beast
music played, but not a single living creature came
in sight. When one is alone, however, it does not
take long to eat one's dinner, and soon she was
ready again to go about the castle and wonder over
the strange things that happened. At supper time
the table was placed as at noon, but just as she was
seating herself she heard the noise of the Beast
approaching, and could not help trembling.
"Beauty," said the Beast, "may I stay and watch
you eat?"
"That is as you please," she replied.
"Not at all," answered the Beast. "In this place
you alone command. If you do not want me here,
you have only to say so and I will leave; but tell
me truly — do you think me very ugly?"
"I am sorry to pain you," she replied, "but really
you are very, very ugly. However I think you are
verj^ kind and good."
"Yes, you are right," said the Beast. "I am ugly,
and stupid as well, but I try to be kind to everybody.
Go on now, and finish your supper."
Beauty, who had by this time ceased to be fright-
ened, ate her supper in silence, turning only now
and then to look at the Beast, who sat in the corner
watching her. Just as she was finishing, however,
he startled her by calling out suddenly, "Beauty,
will you marry me?"
For a moment she was terribly frightened, for she
felt that her answer would put him in an awful rage;
at last, however, she said as sweetly as possible, "No,
Beast; I cannot be your wife."
With a sigh that could be heard all over the house,
the Beast turned and left the room, saying only as
he closed the door, "Good night, Beauty."
Beauty and the Beast 333
In spite of his hideous shape, Beauty could not
help feeling that there were worse monsters in the
world, and that many a man with a handsomer form
did not have so kind a heart as the poor Beast. Her
heart was heavy with grief, for she saw how sensitive
he was in spite of his coarse and repulsive form.
For three months Beauty lived in this way, spend-
ing every day pleasantly in the castle or garden,
finding every wish gratified as soon as it was uttered.
Many times she called before her the vision of her
father's home, and seemed to mingle with her
brothers and sisters as they sat about the fireside or
attended to their daily work. She might, indeed,
have been quite happy if it had not been that every
night the Beast asked her to marry him. Every
time she refused as gently as she could, and every
time he turned away w ith his sigh and his pleasant,
"Good night, Beauty." So much had he done for
her that she felt the greatest friendship for him and
was willing to do almost anything to serve him,
although she could not love him.
One day when she had called up the vision of home
she learned that her brothers had gone away to war
and her sisters had ungratefully deserted her father,
who lay moaning in sickness. That night when the
Beast met her in the garden and asked her to marry
him she told him very firmly that it could never be,
that as she knew her father was sick and alone she
felt that she must go to him, and she begged the
Beast to give her permission to return home.
"If I cannot see my father again I am sure I shall
die with grief," she said.
"I would rather die myself, Beauty," said the
Beast, "than cause you a tear. I wall send you
334 Beauty and the Beast
to-morrow to your father's cottage. I shall remain
here to die of sorrow at your absence."
"No," said Beauty, "I cannot allow that. You
have been too kind to me, and I promise you that I
will come back in a week."
"Very well," said the Beast. "To-morrow morn-
ing you will find yourself at home, but do not for-
get your promise. When you are ready to return,
lay your ring upon the table and you will find your-
self with me. Good-bye, Beauty."
With these words the Beast sighed heavily as
usual and left Beauty to go to her bed, feeling sad
indeed to leave him in so much suffering.
Next morning when Beauty awoke she found
herself in her father's cottage, and he was so de-
lighted to see her alive and in such good health that
his sickness quickly deserted him and he was able
to leave his bed before the day was out.
The sisters had all been married, and that day
they came back with their husbands to see Beauty.
Not one of them had married happily, and not one
was wealthy. The husband of one was handsome,
but he had no means to support a wife comfortably.
The husband of another was a scholar, but cared
more for his books than for his wife. Another had
married a soldier who was away from home all the
time, and who was too cowardly to win promotion.
And so it was with the rest of them. When these
women saw Beauty's rich dresses, and how much like
a princess she looked, they were more vexed and
revengeful than ever at the good luck that seemed
to follow her. They hoped in their evil minds for
some revenge, and planned to keep Beauty with
them till after the week had expired, so that the
Beauty and the Beast 335
Beast would be angry and eat her up as sooji as lie
had caught her. Every one tried to be pleasant and
to make Beauty so happy that she would forget the
day of her departure.
All came about as they had planned, but scarcely
had the week ended when Beauty began to worry
about her broken promise. Every night she
dreamed a strange dream of a beautiful prince who
came to her and told her that she had left him to
perish unaided and alone and urged her never to
trust appearances. She could not account for this
remarkable dream, nor could her father assist her at
all in explaining it. On the tenth night, the dream
changed. She thought she was back in the garden
of the palace, and as she wandered through one of
the arbors, she saw the Beast dying on the ground.
She ran hastily up to him and cried out, "You poor
Beast, what is the matter? What can I do to help
youf
"You have forgotten your promise and left me
to die of grief. My Beauty has proved false," said
the Beast, with a pathetic moan.
At that moment Beauty awoke, and the remem-
brance of the broken promise was more than she
could bear. Hastily jumping out of bed she took
off her ring and laid it on the table, saying, "O, I
must return to the palace and my poor Beast."
Immediately she became calm and crept back into
bed, where she soon fell asleep. In the morning, as
the Beast had said, she found herself again in the
palace, M'ith everything at her command as before.
It seemed a long day, for she was impatient for the
Beast to come to her supper. She knew now how
very kind and gentle he had always been, and she
336 Beauty and the Beast
felt growing in her heart some love for the unfortu-
nate creature. At night the table was spread as
usual, but no Beast came to watch her, and no voice
begged her to marry. After her supper was fin-
ished, Beauty became alarmed and ran through the
palace, calling the Beast's name and begging him to
come to her. The more she searched the more fright-
ened she became, until, almost beside herself with
fear and excitement, she rushed out into the garden
to the very place she had dreamed of. There on the
ground lay the Beast, just as she had dreamed, at
the very gates of death. She forgot everything, and
threw herself upon his body, thinking nothing of his
ugliness, but only of his kindness and the love he
had lavished upon her. When she found that his
heart was still beating, she ran to the fountain,
gathered water in her hands and dashed it into his
face. The shock recalled his wandering senses and
made him open his eyes.
"Is it you returned. Beauty?" he said. "You
forgot your promise, and my grief has made me
starve myself to death. But at least I shall die
happy, having seen you once again."
"You shall not die," said Beauty. "You must
live for me, for I can never forget your kindness
and can never be happy without you. I have come
to stay with you as long as we both live."
"Then will you marry me?" said the Beast de-
lightedly.
"Yes, live and be my husband, for I love you with
all my heart," was the reply of Beauty.
Like a flash of lightning, every window in the
palace was illuminated, torches blazed out in the
garden, and all the place took on a festal appear-
Beauty and the Ueast
aa7
aiice, while sweet music filled the air. Beauty gazed
about her in astonishment, and then turned her eyes
to the ground, where to her amazement no Beast
could she find. As she looked up with a great fear
in her heart, she wjis still more astounded to see
standing before her the beautiful prince of her
dreams.
BEAUTY TOOK THE PRINCK BY THE HAND
"O, where is my poor Beast?" she asked the prince
anxiously. "I want my Beast. He has become
everything to me."
"I was the Beast," said the prince. "A wicked
fairy changed me into that hideous form, in w^hich
I was to remain until some kind and gentle maiden
loved me enough to marry me in spite of my
ugliness."
338 The Horse and the Stag
Filled with joy, Beauty took the prince by the
hand and turned toward the palace, while on every
side voices called out, "Long life and happiness to
our prince and his fair bride." When they had
entered the palace, they met Beauty's father and
were promptly married, and began the long life of
happiness in which they never forgot that kindness
and sympathy had brought them all their joy.
THE HORSE AND THE STAG
ONE day the Horse and the Stag had a (juarrel,
in which the Horse was beaten. Although the
Horse tried his best, he could find no way to revenge
himself upon his enemy until he applied to a man
for help.
The man said promptly, "I can tell you how we
will do it. You let me saddle and bridle you, and
then you can carry me till we overtake the Stag,
when I can easily kill him."
The angry Horse consented, and the Stag was
killed.
The Horse neighed with joy, and cried out, "Now
take off this heavy saddle, this iron bit, and the bridle
that galls me so. I want to run back and tell my
family."
"No, no," said the man ; "you are much too useful
to me as you are."
Always afterward the Horse served the man, and
he found that his revenge had cost him his liberty.
The Owl and the Pussy-Cat 339
L^tilTTTsir'rs
THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-CAT
By Edward Lear
THE Owl and the Pussy-Cat went tu sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat ;
They took some honey, and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
The Owl looked up to the moon above,
And sang to a small guitar,
"Oh, lovely Pussy! Oh, Pussy, my love!
What a beautiful Pussy you are —
You are.
What a beautiful Pussy you are!"
Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl!
How wonderful sweet you sing !
Oh, let us be married — too long we have tarried-
But what shall we do for a ring?"
340 Time to Rise
They sailed away for a year and a day
To the land where the Bong-tree grows,
And there in a wood a piggy-wig stood
With a ring in the end of his nose —
His nose,
With a ring in the end of his nose.
"Dear Pig, are you willing to sell for one shilling
Your ring?" Said the piggy, "I will."
So they took it away, and were married next day
By the turkey who lives on the hill.
They dined upon mince and slices of quince,
Which they ate with a runcible spoon,
And hand in hand on the edge of the sand
They danced by the light of the moon —
The moon,
They danced by the light of the moon.
TIME TO RISE
By Robert Louis Stevenson
A birdie with a yellow bill
Hopped upon the window-sill.
Cocked his shining eye and said :
"Ain't you 'shamed, you sleepyhead!"
No boy likes to be called a sleepyhead, but none
can read Stevenson's funny little stanza without
smiling.
The Enchanted Stag
841
THE ENCHANTED STAG
By WlLHELM AND JaKOB GrIMM
THERE were once a brother aiid sister who
loved each other dearly ; their inother was dead,
and their father had married a woman who was most
unkind and cruel to them. One day the boy took
his sister's hand and said to her, "Dear little sister,
since our mother died we have not had one happy
hour. Our stepmother gives us dry, hard crusts for
dinner and supper; she often knocks us about, and
threatens to kick us out of the house. Even the little
dogs under the table fare better than we do, for she
often throws them nice pieces to eat. Heaven pity
us! O, if our dear mother knew! Come, let us go
out into the wide world!"
342 The Enchanted Stag
So they went out, and wandered over fields and
meadows the whole day till evening. At last they
found themselves in a large forest ; it began to rain,
and the little sister said, "See, brother, heaven and
our hearts weep together."
Finally, tired out with hunger and sorrow and
the long journey, they crept into a hollow tree,
laid themselves down, and slept till morning. When
they awoke the sun was high in the heavens, and
shone brightly- into the hollow tree, so they left their
place of shelter and wandered away in search of
water.
"O, I am so thirsty!" said the boy. "If we could
only find a brook or a stream!" He stopped to
listen, and said, "Stay, I think I hear a running
stream." So he took his sister by the hand, and
they ran together to find it.
Now, the stepmother of these poor children was
a wicked witch. She had seen the children go away,
and following them cautiously like a snake, had
bewitched all the springs and streams in the forest.
The pleasant trickling of a brook over the pebbles
was heard by the children as they reached it, and the
boy was just stooping to drink when the sister heard
in the babbling of the brook :
"Whoever drinks of me,
A tiger soon will be."
Then she cried quickly, "Stay, brother, stay! Do
not drink, or yoii will become a wild beast and tear
me to pieces."
Thirsty as he was, at her words the brother con-
quered his desire to drink, and said, "Dear sister,
I will wait till we come to a spring." So they wan-
The Enchanted Stag 343
dered farther, ])ut as they approached she heard in
the bubhhng spring the words:
"Who drinks of me,
A wolf will be."
"Brother, I pray you, do not drink of this spring;
you will be changed into a wolf and devour me."
Again the brother denied himself and promised to
wait; but he said, "At the next stream I must drink,
say what you will, my thirst is so great."
Not far off ran a pretty streamlet, looking clear
and bright; but here also in the murmuring waters
the sister heard the words:
"Who dares to drink of me,
Turned to a stag will be."
"Dear brother, do not drink," she began; but she
was too late, for her brother had already knelt by
the stream to drink, and as the first drop of water
touched his lips he became a fawn. How the little
sister wept over her enchanted brother, and how the
fawn wept also!
He did not run away, but stayed close to her ; and
at last she said, "Stand still, dear fawn; don't fear;
I must take care of you, but I will never leave you."
So she untied her little golden garter and fastened
it round the neck of the fawn; then she gathered
some soft green rushes and braided them into a
string which she fastened to the fawn's golden col-
lar. She then led him away into the forest.
After wandering about for some time they at last
found a little deserted hut, and the sister was over-
joyed, for she thought it would form a nice shelter
for them both. So she led the fawn in and then went
344 The Enchanted Stag
out alone to gather moss and dried leaves to make
him a soft bed.
Every morning she went out to gather dried roots,
nuts, and berries for her own food, and sweet, fresh
grass for the fawn, which he ate out of her hand,
and the poor little animal went out with her and
played about, as happy as the day was long.
When evening came and the poor sister felt tired,
she would kneel down and say her prayers, and then
la}" her delicate head on the fawn's back, which was
a soft, warm pillow on which she could sleep peace-
fully. Had this dear brother only ke})t his own
proper form, how happy they would have been
together! After they had been alone in the forest
for some time and the little sister had grown a lovely
maiden and the fawn a large stag, a numerous hunt-
ing party came to the forest, and among them the
king of the country.
The sounding horn, the barking of the dogs, the
halloo of the huntsmen, resounded through the
forest, and were heard by the stag, who became
eager to join his companions.
"O, dear!" he said, "do let me go and see the hunt;
I cannot restrain myself." And he begged so hard
that at last she reluctantly consented.
"But remember," she said, "I must lock the cot-
tage door against those huntsmen, so when you come
back in the evening and knock, I shall not admit
you unless you say, 'Dear little sister, let me in.' "
He bounded off as she spoke, scarcely stopping to
listen, for it was so delightful for him again to
breathe the fresh air and be free.
He had not run far when the king's chief hunter
caught sight of the beautiful animal, and started off
The Enchanted Stag 345
in chase of him; hut it was no easy matter to over-
take so rapid an animal. Once, when the hunter
thought he had him safe, the fawn sprang over the
bushes and disappeared.
As it was now nearly dark he ran up to the little
cottage, knocked at the door and cried, "Dear little
sister, let me in!"
The door was instantly opened, and oh, how glad
his sister was to see him safely resting on his soft,
pleasant bed!
A few days after this the huntsmen were again
in the forest; and when the fawn heard the halloo
he could not rest in peace, but begged his sister again
to let him go.
She opened the door and said, "I will let you go
this time ; but pray do not forget to say what I told
you when you return this evening."
The chief hunter very soon espied the beautiful
fawn with the golden collar, pointed it out to the
king, and they determined to hunt it.
They chased him with all their skill till the even-
ing; but he was too light and nimble for them to
catch, till a shot wounded him slightly in the foot,
so that he was obliged to hide himself in the bushes.
After the huntsmen were gone, he limped slowly
home.
One of them, however, determined to follow him
at a distance and discover where he went. What
was his surprise at seeing him go up to a door and
knock, and at hearing him say, "Dear little sister, let
me in." The door was opened only a little way, and
was quickly shut ; but the huntsman had seen enough
to make him full of wonder, and he returned and
described to the king what he had seen.
346 The Enchanted Stag
"We will have one more chase to-morrow," said
the king, "and discover this mystery."
In the meantime the loving sister was terribly
alarmed at finding the stag's foot wounded and
bleeding. She quickly washed off the blood, and
after bathing the wound, placed healing herbs on it,
and said, "Lie down on your bed, dear fawn; the
wound will soon heal, if you rest j^our foot."
In the morning the wound was so much better
that the stag felt the foot almost as strong as ever,
and so, when he again heard the halloo of the hunt-
ers, he could not rest. "O, dear sister, I must go
once more ; it wdll be easy for me to avoid the hunters
now, and my foot feels quite well ; they will not hunt
me unless they see me running, and I don't mean to
do that."
But his sister wept, and begged him not to go.
"If they kill you, dear fawn, I shall be here alone
in the forest, forsaken by the whole world."
"And I shall die of grief," he said, "if I remain
here listening to the hunter's horn."
So at length his sister, with a heavy heart, set
him free, and he bounded away joyfully into the
forest.
As soon as the king caught sight of him he said to
the huntsmen, "Follow that stag about, but don't
hurt him."
So they hunted him all day, but at the approach
of sunset the king said to the hunter who had fol-
lowed the fawn the day before, "Come and show
me the little cottage."
So they went together, and when the king saw it
he sent his companion home, and went on alone so
quickly that he arrived there before the fawn; and
The Enchanted Stag 347
going 11]) to the little door, kiiockcMl and said softly,
"Dear little sister, let me in!"
As the door opened the king step])ed in, and in
great astonishment saw a maiden more heautiful
than he had ever seen in his life standing before him.
Bnt how frightened she felt to see, instead of her
red fawn, a noble gentleman with a gold crown on
his head!
However, he a])])eared very friendly, and after
a little talk he held out his hand to her, and said,
"Will you go with me to my castle and be my dear
wife?"
"Ah, yes," replied the maiden, "I would willingly
go; but I cannot leave my dear fawn; he must go
with me wherever I am."
"He shall remain with you as long as you live,"
replied the king, "and I will never ask you to for-
sake him."
While they were talking the fawn came bounding
in, looking quite well and happy. Then his sister
fastened the string of rushes to his collar, took it in
her hand, and led him away from the cottage in the
wood to where the king's beautiful horse waited for
him.
The king placed the maiden before him on his
horse and rode away to his castle, the fawn running
by their side. Soon after, their marriage was cele-
brated Avith great splendor, and the fawn was taken
the greatest care of, and played where he pleased, or
roamed about the castle grounds in happiness and
safety.
In the meantime the wicked stepmother, who had
caused these two young people such misery, sup-
posed that the sister had been devoured by wild
348 The Enchanted Stag
beasts and that the fawn had been hunted to death.
Therefore, when she heard of their happiness, such
envy and maHce arose in her heart that she could
find no rest till she had tried to destroy it.
She and her ugly daughter came to the castle when
the queen had a little baby, and one of them pre-
tended to be a nurse, and at last they got the mother
and child into their power.
The_v shut the queen up in the bath and tried to
suffocate her, and the old woman put her own ugly
daughter in the queen's bed, that the king might not
know she was away.
The daughter would not, however, let the king
speak to her, but pretended that she must be kept
quite quiet.
The queen soon escaped from the bathroom, where
the wicked old woman had shut her up, but she did
not go far, as she wanted to watch over her child and
the fawn.
For two nights the baby's nurse saw a figure like
the queen come into the room and take up her baby
and nurse it. Then she told the king, and he deter-
mined to watch himself.
The old stepmother, who acted as nurse to her
ugly daughter, had said that the queen was too weak
to see him, and never left her room.
"There cannot be two queens," said the king to
himself, "so to-night I will watch in the nursery."
As soon as the figure came in and took up her
baby, he saw it was his real wife, and caught her in
his arms, saying, "You are my own beloved wife, as
beautiful and as well as ever."
The wicked witch had thrown the queen into a
trance, hoping she would die, and that the king
Keepsake Mill 349
would then marry her daughter; hut when the king
spoke to her, the spell was hroken. The (pieen told
the king how cruelly she had been treated by her
stepmother, and on hearing this he became very
angry, and had the witch and her daughter brought
to justice. They were both sentenced to die; the
daughter to be devoured by wild beasts, and the
mother to be burned alive.
No sooner, however, was the witch reduced to
ashes than the charm which held the queen's brother
in the form of a stag was broken; he recovered his
own natural shape, and appeared before them a tall,
handsome young man.
After this the brother and sister lived happily
and peacefully for the rest of their lives.
KEEPSAKE MILL
By Robert Louis Stevenson
OVER the borders, a sin without pardon.
Breaking the branches and crawling below.
Out through the breach in the wall of the garden,
Down by the banks of the river, we go.
Here is the mill with the humming of thunder,
Here is the weir with the wonder of foam,
Here is the sluice with the race running under —
Marvelous places, though handy to home !
Sounds of the village grow stiller and stiller.
Stiller the note of the birds on the hill ;
Dusty and dim are the eyes of the miller,
Deaf are his ears with the moil of the mill.
350 Keepsake ]\Iill
Years may go by, and the wheel in the river
Wheel as it wheels for us, children, to-day,
Wheel and keep roaring and foaming forever.
Long after all of the boys are away.
Home from the Indies and home from the ocean.
Heroes and soldiers we all shall come home;
Still we shall find the old mill-wheel in motion,
Turning and churning that river to foam.
You M'ith the bean that I gave when we quarrelled,
I with your marble of Saturday last,
Honored and old and all gayly apparelled.
Here we shall meet and remember the past.
Do you not think this a beautiful little poem ? It
almost reads itself, or, better, it almost sings itself.
If you read it aloud you will hear the music, and
music is a large part of poetry.
When we read Stevenson we remember always
that he was Scotch, but we know that he belongs as
much to us as to the boys and girls of Scotland. We
can see that he is Scotch in this poem. For instance,
he says weir when we would say mill-dam, and sluice
when we would be more likely to say gate. Then we
might say rvork or drudgeri/ in place of 7?wil.
Again, our boys are not liable to go to the Indies,
but many of the boys of Great Britain go to the
British possessions in India, and they think more
of the army and navy than our boys do in the United
States. But they all come back, just as we do, to
the places loved in childhood, and they remember
their little keepsakes when they come — the bean or
the marble that meant so much then.
Foreign Children 351
Read this poem to your parents — they will ap-
preciate it more than you do now, and will tell you
that when you have grown older and have children
of your own you will love Keepsake Mill better than
you do now.
FOREIGN CHILDREN
By Robert Louis Stevexsox
ITTLE Indian, Sioux or Crow,
Little frosty Eskimo,
Little Turk or Japanee,
O ! don't you wish that you were me ?
You have seen the scarlet trees
And the lions over seas ;
You have eaten ostrich eggs,
And turned the turtles off their legs.
Such a life is very fine,
But it's not so nice as mine:
You must often, as you trod,
Have wearied not to be abroad.
You have curious things to eat,
I am fed on proper meat;
You must dwell beyond the foam.
But I am safe and live at home.
Little Indian, Sioux or Crow,
Little frosty Eskimo,
Little Turk or Japanee,
O! don't vou wish that vou were me?
352
The Golden Bird
By WiLHELM AND JaKOB GrIMM
ONCE upon a time there lived a king who had a
beautiful pleasure garden behind his castle, in
which grew a tree which bore golden apples ; as the
apples ripened they were counted, and every morn-
ing one would be missing. The king noticed this,
and ordered that every night watch should be kept
imder the tree.
The king had three sons, and he sent the eldest to
watch in the garden for the first night, but when mid-
night came he could not keep himself awake, and the
next morning another apple was missing. On the
following night the second son tried to watch, but
he succeeded no better; after struggling to keep
awake for twelve hours he slept one, and in the
morning, as usual, an apple was missed.
Now came the turn of the third son to watch, but
at first the king did not trust him; he thought he
would be as unsuccessful as his brothers. At length,
however, he gave him permission. The youth laid
himself down imder the tree and watched, but he did
not allow sleep to gain the mastery over him, and as
the clock struck twelve he heard a sound of rushing
wings through the air, and presently a bird flew by
with plumage that glittered like gold. The bird
The Golden Bird 353
alighted on the tree and was plucking an apple,
when the young man raised his gun and fired. The
bird escaped, but the shot had touched its plumage,
and one of its golden feathers fell to the earth.
The youth picked it up, and the next morning
carried it to the king and related to him what he
had seen during the night. The king assembled his
counselors and laid the whole case before them, and
they all declared that such a feather as the bird had
dropped was of more value than the whole kingdom.
"If one feather is so costlj%" cried the king, "whether
I have help or not, I must and will have the whole
bird!"
Then the eldest son, relying on his own cleverness,
set out on a journey to find the bird, and felt sure
he should do so very quickly. He had not gone far
when he came to the borders of a wood, where he
saw a fox, and immediately presented his gun at
him. "Do not shoot me," cried the fox; "I can give
you good advice. I know you are searching for the
golden bird, and if you keep straight on you will
arrive toward evening at a little village in which
there are two inns on exactly opposite sides of the
road. You will find one lighted up brightly and
with all sorts of amusement and gayety going on,
but do not enter there ; go to the other inn, however
dark and dismal it may appear to you."
"Why should I listen to the advice of an ignorant
animal, however cunning he may be?" thought the
young man ; yet he followed the fox, who stretched
854 The Golden Bird
out his bushy tail and darted off quickly through the
wood.
After walking a long time he came toward eve-
ning to a village, and there stood both the inns, as
the fox had said. In one, which was brilliantly
lighted up, he heard music and dancing, but the
other had a dark, gloomy, sorrowful appearance.
"I should be a fool, indeed," said the young man,
"if I went to such a dismal old lumber place as
that, instead of to this, which looks so bright and
cheerful."
So he walked into the attractive house, and lived
there in such sumptuous luxury and dissipation that
he soon forgot not only the golden bird, but his
father, and the lessons he had been taught at home.
As time went on and the oldest son did not return,
the second son offered to do what he could; so he
set out on his way to find the golden bird. As the
eldest had done, he also met a fox, who gave him
the same advice, to which he paid no attention.
When he arrived at the two hotels, his brother,
who was standing at one of the windows from which
sounds of merriment issued, saw him pass, and called
to him to come in. He could not withstand this
invitation, so he entered, and was very soon, like his
brother, living a life of pleasure and luxury only. .
Again the time passed on, and the youngest
brother, finding the others did not return, offered
to go and seek for them; but his father would not
give him permission.
"You are less likely to find the golden bird than
your brothers," he said ; "for if any misfortune
should happen to them they know how to take care
of themselves, and will not fail to act for the best."
The Golden Bird
355
But at last, as the brothers did not return, and
the king became anxious, he allowed the youngest
to go. At the entrance to the wood the fox again
appeared, begged to have his life spared, and offered
the third brother the same advice. The youth had
plenty of courage, and he said, "Make yourself quite
easy, dear fox; I will do you no harm."
"Neither shall you repent of your kindness," an-
swered the fox; "and that you may go very fast on
your journey, just climb up behind on my tail."
THE FOX AIDS THE YOUNGEST BROTHER
No sooner ^vas the j^outh seated than the fox be-
gan to run, and they went so fast over sticks and
stones that the wind whistled through his hair. As
soon as they arrived near the village the young man
slipped from the fox's back, and following his good
advice turned without being seen into the humble-
looking inn, and remained there for the night.
The next morning he rose and went out into the
fields, and there ^vas the fox waiting for him. "I
will tell you what to do next," he said when the
youth appeared. "You must go straight on from
here till you come to a castle, before which you will
356 The Golden Bird
find a whole band of soldiers lying down; but do
not trouble yourself about that, for they will all be
asleep and snoring. So pass in between them and
enter the castle, and go through all the rooms. At
last you will reach a chamber in which hangs a
golden bird in a wooden cage. Near it stands an
empty cage, made of gold, for show ; but be careful
while you are taking the golden bird out of his com-
mon cage to put him into the handsome one, or he
may do you some harm."
At these words the fox again stretched out his
tail, the king's son seated himself on it, and away
they went like the wind.
As soon as they arrived at the castle the young
prince found all as the fox had told him. He passed
the sleeping soldiers safely, entered the castle, and
walked from room to room till he reached the cham-
ber in which hung the golden bird in its wicker cage.
The gilded cage also hung close by ; and on the floor
lay the three golden apples which had been plucked
from the king's garden while his three sons watched.
The young man felt inclined to laugh at his
wonderful success when he opened the mean-look-
ing wicker cage ; but he seized the bird rather care-
lessly while removing it to the gilded cage, and it
uttered such a heart-rending scream that the soldiers
awoke. Rushing suddenly into the room, they took
the king's son off to prison without allowing him to
speak.
The next morning he was carried before the
judge, who, when he had heard the accusation,
passed sentence of death upon him. The matter,
hov>'ever, was laid before the king in whose castle he
had found the bird, and he consented to spare the
The Golden Bird 357
young man's life on condition that he discovered tl.e
golden horse which could run faster than the wind-
shonfd if'Tr'^ '!\'* T^'" ^' ^^«"^ht it to him he'
should have the golden bird as a reward. The kind's
son agreed that lie would do this; but when they fet
hini free he felt very sorrowful, and sighed deeply
as he went on his way. ^^<^iny
THE BIRD SCREAMED
'Where and how shall I ever be able to find this
«tnT 1 °'' T/ ' '" ^"' *° ''™^^'f- ^' «'- —
Tld Wendl'r rr ^'""'"^ '' *'" ^°'"'^'^^ ""' '-
"Cheer up, friend!" said the fox. "Remember
you have not heard yet what I can do. KeeT u ,'
your courage: I will myself tell you how you ma v
travel fof't" ''"'"' '"'^, '^^'^ ^"^ '" '*• You must
ravel fo, a long way without turning right or left
Sioh "tbTT' *° V'f'' ■" ""' of the^stables o
which the horse stands. Near the stable manv
will be asleep and snoring, and you can quietiv lead
the golden horse out. But you must be careful to
place on the horse the common saddle, made of ool
358 The Golden Bird
and leather, not the gilded one which hangs near it,
or some harm will happen to you." , , . . ,
Then the fox stretched out his tail, and the kmg s
son seated himself upon it, and away they went
again like the wind.
Everything occurred as the fox had said, and he
soon reached the stable where the golden horse stood ;
but as he was going to put on the common leather
saddle, he thought to himself, "Such a beautiful
horse as this ought not to have a common saddle on
his back; it is not suitable for him." But no sooner
had he touched the golden saddle than the horse
began to neigh as loud as he could.
The grooms and stable-boys awoke, seized the
young man, and carried him off to prison. The next
morning he was again brought before the justice and
condemned to die. This time when he appealed to
the king, the king promised to grant him his lite it
he could bring the beautiful princess from the golden
castle. . . J
With a heavy heart the young man started on
what appeared to him a hopeless journey, wlien, to
his good fortune, he again met the faithful tox
waiting for him. „
"I should now leave you to your fate, said lie,
"for not following my directions; but I feel com-
passion for you, and once more I will help you out
of your trouble. To find the golden castle you must
keep straight on, without turning right or left, and
you will arrive there about sunset. Late in the eve-
ning the princess, when all is still, will go alone
through the garden to the bath. You must conceal
yourself, and as she passes spring out upon her, and
give her a kiss. Then she will follow you, and you
The Golden Bird 3.59
can easily carry her away; but on no account allow
her to stay to say farewell to her parents. If you
do so, evil will befall you." Then the fox stretched
out his tail, the king's son seated himself upon it,
and away they went like the wind.
When he came near the castle he found everything
as the fox had described. He waited till midnight,
when every one slept, and then, as he heard the foot-
steps of the beautiful young princess coming toward
the bath, he hid himself till she came near, when he
sprang out and gave her a kiss. She was terribly
frightened, but he talked gently to her, and after a
while she promised to go away with him if he would
only allow her to take leave of her parents. He
refused at first, but she prayed and wept piteously,
and fell at his feet, begging him to grant her request,
so that at last he could not withstand her tears, and
gave his consent.
No sooner, however, had the young maiden en-
tered her parents' chamber than every inhabitant of
the golden castle awoke; the servants went out,
found the young man, and took him prisoner.
The next morning the king of the golden castle
sent for him and said, "Your life is forfeited, and
you can only obtain pardon by removing that moun-
tain which lies before my window, and over which I
cannot see the distant country; and this task must
be finished in eight days. If you succeed, then you
shall have my daughter as a reward."
The king's son went out directly and began dig-
ging and shoveling with all his might. Night and
day he worked without any success ; all he did seemed
lost, and when the seventh day arrived he gave up
hope, and was overcome with sorrow%
360 The Golden Bird
On the evening of the seventh day the fox pre-
sented himself to the mourner. "You do not deserve
that I should take any notice of you," he said; "but
go away now and get a little sleep. I will finish your
task for you."
The next morning, when they all arose and looked
out of the window, the mountain had vanished.
The young man hastened, full of joy, to the king,
and informed him that he had completed the con-
dition imposed upon him. The king, therefore,
whether he would or not, was obliged to keep his
word and give him his daughter.
Then the two went out together to find the fox,
and they did not w^ait long before the faithful ani-
mal made his appearance.
"This is, indeed, the best of your performances,"
said the fox; "but remember that the golden horse
belongs to the young lady of the golden castle!"
"How am I to get it?" asked the prince.
"I will tell you this also," he replied. "First take
the beautiful j^rincess to the king who sent you to
the golden castle; he will be so overjoyed that he
will at once give you the golden horse, as he prom-
ised. When the horse is brought to the door, hold
out your hand to every one present to say farewell,
and leave the princess till the last. Then, as soon
as you take her hand to wish her good-bye, hold it
fast, and with a spring lift her on your horse, and
ride away with her. Xone of those who stand by
you will attempt to overtake you, for the golden
horse runs swifter than the wind."
All this happily came to pass, and the young
prince galloped off with the beautiful maiden far
away from all pursuers.
The Golden Bird
301
THE KING S SON RODE AWAY WITH THE MAIDEN AND THE BIRD
But the fox was not far behind when they stopped,
so he came up to them and said, "Now I will help
you to get the golden bird. When you approach the
castle where it is concealed, you must leave the young
lady under my protection and ride into the castle
court with your golden horse. They will all be so
delighted at seeing the beautiful animal that they
will bring out the golden bird to you; and as soon
as you have the cage in your hand, then ride back to
us and fetch the beautiful princess."
Everything happened as they expected, and the
king's son, lifting the young maiden on the horse,
was quite ready to ride home with his treasures.
"And now," said the fox, "what reward am I to
have for my assistance to you?"
"What do you wish for?" asked the young man.
"I wish," he replied, "that when you reach the
362 The Golden Bird
wood where you first saw me, you will shoot me dead
and cut off my head and feet."
"That would indeed be a pleasant way of showing
my gratitude," said the king's son; "but it is an
impossibility for me to do so."
"Then," replied the fox, "if you will not do it, I
must leave you here; but before I go I will once
more give you good advice. For two miles be very
careful of yourselves ; on no account sit on the edge
of a well, and do not buy gallows meat." After
saying these words the fox ran away into the wood.
"What a wonderful animal that is!" said the
young man to himself, "and what curious, strange
whims he has! Who ever would think of buying
gallows flesh? and the wish to sit on the edge of a
well would never occur to me."
So he rode away with the beautiful princess. The
road led him through the village in which his two
brothers were staying, and on arriving there he
heard a great noise, and saw the people running
about. Upon inquiring what was the matter he was
told that two people were going to be hung; and
as he drew nearer he saw that they were his two
brothers, who had committed all sorts of wicked
actions, and wasted and spent all their property.
Eagerly he asked if he could not set them free and
save them.
"If you will pay a ransom for them you can,"
answered the crowd; "but why should you give
vour gold for two wicked men who deserve to be
iiung?"
But the younger brother did not listen to this; he
paid the ransom for them, set them free, and told
them to travel home with him.
The Golden Bird 363
When they reached the wood where each of them
had first met the fox, it was so cool and pleasant, and
so sheltered from the burning sun, that the elder
brothers said, "Let us stay here and rest for a time,
while we take something to eat and drink." The
younger brother was quite willing; he alighted from
his horse, and when one of them asked him to sit on
the brink of the well with him he readily consented,
quite forgetting the warning and his promise to the
fox. He had scarcely seated himself, when his two
brothers suddenly turned upon him and pushed him
l)ackward into the well.
Then they started up, took possession of the
young princess, the golden horse, and the golden
bird, and traveled quickly home to their father.
"We have brought home not only the golden
bird," they said, "but the golden horse and the young-
princess from the golden castle, as booty."
There was great rejoicing over their arrival at
first ; but it caused much anxiety when it was found
that the horse would not eat, the bird would not sing,
and the young maiden only sat and wept.
The younger brother, however, was not dead.
Fortunately the well was dry, and he fell on the
soft moss without receiving the least injury. He
could not, however, get out without help, and help
was at hand, for in his trouble the faithful fox did
not forsake him. He came to the well, and, after
looking over, he jumped doMTi to him and began
to scold him well for having forgotten his advice.
"I cannot, however, leave you here," he said; "T
will help you again into the daylight."
So he told the young man to lay hold tightly by
his tail, and then the fox climbed up and dragged
364 The Golden Bird
the young man after him. "You are still in danger,"
he said; "for your brothers, not being sure of your
death, have placed watchers about the wood to kill
you if they see you."
Presently the king's son saw a poor man sitting
under a tree, begging. "Change clothes with him,"
whispered the fox, and then ran away.
The man was very ready to make the exchange,
and then the younger brother took his way as a poor
beggar across the fields, till he came to the court-
yard of his father's castle. Xo one recognized him,
so he went on still closer to the windows, and asked
for alms. In a moment the bird in the cage began
to sing, the horse in the stable ate his corn, and the
beautiful young maiden ceased to weep.
"What is the meaning of this?" asked the king, in
wonder.
Then said the maiden, "I cannot tell why, but I
have been so sad, and now I feel quite happy. It is
as if mj' real bridegroom had returned."
At length she determined to tell the king all that
had occurred, although the other brothers had
threatened to kill her if she betrayed them.
The king upon this ordered every one in the castle
to appear before him, and among them came the
poor man in ragged clothes. The princess rec-
ognized him immediately, and fell on his neck and
wept for joy to find him alive. The king also rec-
ognized his youngest son after he had thrown off
his disguise. Then the brothers were brought to
justice and punished, while the youngest married
the beautiful princess, and was named as the king's
successor.
We must now hear what became of the poor fox.
The Golden Bird
363
THE KING WELCOMED HIS YOUNGEST SON
Not long after, the king's son met him and the fox
said, "You have everything that you can Avish for
in the world, but to my misfortunes there appears no
end, although you have the power of setting me
free;" and once more he begged so earnestly to be
shot dead, and to have his head and feet cut off, that
the king's son at last, with sorrow, consented. What
was his surprise as soon as he had finished the pain-
ful task to see a fine, tall young man stand up in
the place of the fox, who was no other than the
brother of the beautiful princess, whom the king's
son had at last set free from the enchantment that
lay upon him.
After this nothing ever happened to interfere
with their happiness and good fortune.
366 Lady Button-Eyes
LADY BUTTON-EYES*
By Eugene Field
WHEN the busy day is done
And my weary little one
Rocketh gentl}^ to and fro;
When the night winds softly blow,
And the crickets in the glen
Chirp and chirp and chirp again;
When upon the haunted green
Fairies dance around their queen —
Then from yonder misty skies
Cometh Lady Button-Eyes.
Through the murk and mist and gloam
To our quiet, cozy home,
AYhere to singing, sweet and low,
Rocks a cradle to and fro ;
Where the clock's dull monotone
Telleth of the day that's done ;
Where the moonbeams hover o'er
Playthings sleeping on the floor —
Where my weary wee one lies
Cometh Lady Button-Eyes.
Cometh like a fleeting ghost
From some distant eerie coast;
Never footfall can you hear
As that spirit fareth near —
Never whisper, never word
*From "Love-Songs of Childhood." Copyright, 1894, by Eugene
Field; published by Charles Scribner's Sons.
Lady Button-Eyes 367
From that shadow-queen is heard.
In ethereal raiment dight,
From the realm of fay and sprite
In the depth of yonder skies
Cometh Lady Button-Eyes.
Layeth she her hands upon
My dear weary little one,
And those white hands overspread
Like a veil the curly head,
Seem to fondle and caress
Every little silken tress ;
Then she smooths the ej^elids down
Over those two eyes of brown —
In such soothing, tender wise
Cometh Lady Button-Eyes.
Dearest, feel upon your brow
That caressing magic now ;
For the crickets in the glen
Chirp and chirp and chirp again,
While upon the haunted green
Fairies dance around their queen.
And the moonbeams hover o'er
Playthings sleeping on the floor —
Hush, my sweet! from yonder skies
Cometh Lady Button-Eyes!
THE WONDERFUL GIFTS
Adapted hy Anna McCaleb
^P in cold, northern Europe lived a
people who were known as the Norse-
men. They believed that there were
many gods, all of them very powerful
and very wise, and most of them very
good. However, there was one god,
named Loki, who was full of mischief,
and who was always getting himself and the other
gods into trouble.
Thor, the great, good-natured thunder-god, was
very proud of his strength and of the way people
loved him ; but most of all, he was proud of his wife,
Sif, and of her beautiful hair. He would never let
her twist her hair uj) into a knot — she always wore
it loose or braided into one great golden-yellow
braid, so that he could see it all at once.
One day when Thor was away from his palace,
managing a thunderstorm, Sif lay down to take a
nap. Her hair fell down over the side of the couch
and attracted the notice of Loki, who was sneaking
past looking into all the windows. Very quietly he
stole into the room, very quietly he drew out a sharp
knife and cut off all of Sif's golden hair. Then he
stole out again, chuckling to himself. When Sif
wakened and sat up, her head felt strange and light ;
and when she put up her hand to find out what was
wrong, she discovered that her head was all soft and
downy, just like a little chicken. She cried and
368
The Wonderful Gifts * 360
cried, for she could not bear to think of what Thor
would say when he came home; and when she really
heard him coming, she ran and hid herself behind a
pillar.
Always before she had met her husband at the
door, and he was frightened when he came into the
palace and did not see her.
"Sif ! Sif !" he called, but there was no answer.
When at last he heard some one crying, he went and
looked behind the pillar where the crying seemed to
come from, and there was poor Sif, trying to hide
her fuzzy head with her hands. Although Thor was
a good-natured god, he could get angry, and this
was one of the times when he did so.
"That wicked thief of a Loki has done this," he
cried, and at once he hurried after the mischief-
maker to punish him. It took him some time to
discover him, but when he did, his w rath was terrible
to see.
"You sneaking thief," he cried, "I'll teach you to
come into my palace and steal my chief treasure. If
you don't put Sif's hair back on her head at once,
I'll choke you to death."
"Please, please," gasped Loki, scarcely able to
speak with Thor's great hand gripping his throat,
"let me go. You know it isn't possible to make the
hair grow again ; and besides, I scattered it all over
the earth, and I could never find it."
"Very Avell, then," answered Thor. "You will
have to get some more hair for Sif, and that right
soon, or your life will be worthless." And away he
strode, not w^aiting for Loki to make any excuse.
This was really not such an impossible task for
Loki. He knew well where the black dwarfs lived,
370 The Wondeeful Gifts
and he knew, too, that the making of a head of
golden hair would not be at all hard for them.
Down to their blacksmith shop, far underground,
he went, and a gloomy place it was, to be sure. But
in this gloomy place there were heaps and heaps of
gold and silver and diamonds and rubies and
emeralds; for all the precious things hidden in the
earth belonged to the ugly little black dwarfs.
When they heard what Loki wanted, they brought
some of their finest, softest gold, which they quickly
drew out into long, fine threads, as fine as the hair
Loki had stolen from Sif. After making a great,
great number of these threads, they wove them into
a thick braid, and gave this to Loki.
"When this is placed near Sif's head," they ex-
plained, "it will begin to grow just like real hair,
but it Mill always be gold."
"And now," said Loki, "can't you make me a
present for Odin, the king of gods, and for Frey,
the god of the sunshine, so that they may not be
angry with me?"
Again the dwarfs set to work, and soon they
handed to Loki the two gifts. These were a spear,
called Gungnir, and a ship, called Skidbladnir, and
most wonderful gifts they were.
"If you shut your eyes and just throw the speai*,
without taking aim at all," said the dwarfs, "it al-
ways will hit whatever you want it to ; it cannot fail.
And the ship, though it is now so small that you can
put it into your pocket, can be made large enough
to hold all the gods ; and besides that, it always will
sail ofi' in the right direction, no matter which way
the M'ind may be blowing."
Loki was a great boaster, and now that he had
The Wonderful Gifts
371
something really worth hoasting about, he stopped
every one he met and said:
"I have here the most wonderful things that ever
were made or ever will be made."
At last the dwarf Brock, who belonged to a dif-
ferent family from those dwarfs who had helped
Loki, heard his speech and cried out:
BROCK AT THE FORGE
"I don't care what you have, or mIio made it; it's
not as wonderful as the things my brother Sindri
can make. He's the finest workman in all the
world."
"I'll bet my head against your head," said Loki,
laughing, "that he can't make anything to equal what
I have here."
"Wait and see," said Brock, and off he hurried to
372 The Wonderful Gifts
his brother's smithy, which was underground, like
that of the other dwarfs.
Sindri wasn't at all frightened when he heard
Brock's story; he knew what he could do. But he
didn't go about it in the way most blacksmiths
would have done. First, he took a pig's skin and
laid it on his great fire.
"Now," he said to Brock, "y^^ blow the bellows
until I come back. Don't stop, no matter what
happens, or everything will be spoiled." And away
he went.
Now Loki, although he had been so sure, did not
intend to take any chances. Therefore, he changed
himself into a great gadfly and came buzzing into
the smithy. Around and around he flew, and at last
he settled on Brock's hand. The pain was very bad,
and the poor little dwarf gritted his teeth; but he
never stopped working the bellows. The harder the
gadfly stung, the harder he blew, and Sindri, when
he returned, said:
"You're a brave brother. Now let's see what we
have ;" and he drew from the fire a shining golden
boar, named Gullin-bursti, which means Gold-
bristle.
Brock was a little disappointed, but he said noth-
ing ; and when Sindri had thrown into the fire a lump
of fine gold. Brock seized the bellows and began to
blow — blow — blow. Again the gadfly came, and
this time it settled on Brock's neck. The pain was
worse than before, and Brock could not keep from
crying out ; but still he gritted his teeth and kept his
hold on the bellows.
This time Sindri, when he returned, took out a
beautiful gold ring, made like a serpent with its tail
The Wonderful Gifts 878
in its mouth, and with glittering green stones for
eyes.
The poor little dwarf who had wagered his head
began to be somewhat scared — the gifts were beau-
tiful but he saw nothing very wonderful about them.
However, he kept still, and presently, when
Sindri had gone, he began to blow the fire, into
which had been thrown a lump of iron. No sooner
had he begun than the gadfly came buzzing in again
and settled just above his eye. Brock would never
have stopped for the pain, but when a stream of
blood began to run down into his eye, it blinded him
and he just had to put up his hand and wipe it away.
Then Loki, in his gadfly shape, flew away, thinking
that he had surely spoiled the dwarf's chances.
And indeed, when Sindri came back, he was very
angry.
"You may have spoiled everything and lost your
head by stopping," he cried. "I'm half afraid to
take this last thing out of the fire."
However, when it was taken out it proved to be
a heavy hammer, perfect except for its handle, which
was an inch too short.
"And now," Sindri said to Brock, "let me whisper
to you the secret of these gifts."
When he had heard what his brother had to tell
him about the gifts that had seemed to him so ordi-
nary, the little dwarf capered about for joy. He
had begun to fear that his head was no longer his
own, but once more it felt safe.
Away he hastened, with his sack on his shoulder,
to the kingdom of the gods, and at the great gate-
way Loki met him. Together they went to the
palace and took their stand before the throne.
374 The Wonderful Gifts
There sat Odin, the king of the gods, and beside
him were Frey, the sun-god, and Thor, who had
been watching anxiously for Loki's return. There,
too, was Sif, looking very much ashamed of her
cropped head, and there were all the other gods and
goddesses, looking on.
"Hurry!" exclaimed Thor. "Have you brought
that hair for Sif?"
First Loki stepped forward and handed the spear
to Odin, explaining that it was a magic spear which
could never miss its aim ; and mightily pleased was
the king of the gods. Then, to Thor, Loki gave the
golden hair ; and every one present watched while he
held it against Sif 's head. Everything happened as
the dwarfs had promised — the hair grew to her head,
and she was more beautiful than she'd ever been be-
fore, so that Thor forgave Loki on' the spot. Fi-
nally, Loki drew out Skidbladnir, the ship, and gave
it to Frey. The sun-god laughed with joy when its
use was explained to him, and instantly invited
everybody to take a sail with him.
"Wait," commanded Odin. "We have not seen
the gifts of Brock. They'll have to be very wonder-
ful to please us more than do these."
Unafraid, the dwarf stepped forward.
"From this ring," he said, handing the ring to
Odin, "will drop, every ninth night, eight other rings
as round and as heavy and as precious as itself."
"Good!" replied Odin. "I can scarce wait until
the ninth night comes round that I may see this
wonder. I like it even better than Loki's spear."
Then Brock shook his sack and out came Gold-
bristle, the boar.
"This is for Frey," he said. "On it he can ride
The Wonderful Gifts
375
through air and water more swiftly than ever horse
galloped or ship sailed. And no matter how dark
it is, Frey will always ride in the light, for the bristles
of this magic steed give out light like the sun."
"I vote for Brock, too; I like Gullin-bursti better
than Skidbladnir," cried Frey, who could pronounce
those hard names quite easily.
BROCK GAVE THE HAMMER TO THOR
376 The Wonderful Gifts
"And for Thor," went on Brock, "I have this."
And he presented the stub-handled hammer.
Thor did not seem very v^^ell pleased as he looked
from the heavy, ugly hammer to Sif's golden hair;
it was plain which he liked better.
"Wait, wait," cried Brock. "Don't speak until
you know all about the hammer. No mountain is
so hard that this hammer will not split it; no giant
is so big or so strong that this hammer will not kill
him. Yet it will never hurt you, and no matter how
far you throw it, it will always fly back to your hand
of its own accord."
Then indeed all the gods set up a great shout, for
the giants were their worst enemies, and they wanted
nothing else quite so much as protection against
these enemies.
"We can overcome the giants," they cried; "Brock
has won! Brock has won! Let him have his
reward!"
"And now for your head," said the delighted
Brock, turning to where Loki had stood but a
moment before. But behold! he had disappeared
utterly, and in vain Brock hunted for him. Finally
he asked Thor to help him in his search.
"Remember who gave you your wonderful ham-
mer," he reminded Thor, and Thor soon found
Loki and brought him back squirming, but not
abashed.
"All right," said Loki. "Take my head if they
all say you've won it. But if you take one-sixteenth
of an inch of my neck, you shall die, j'^ourself."
Brock saw that he had been fooled, for of course
it wasn't possible to cut off Loki's head without
touching his neck. He was bound to punish the
The Fox, the Wolf, and the Horse 377
boaster in some way, however, so he borrowed his
brother's awl and sewed Loki's hps together with
a leather thong, all the gods looking on with
laughter.
"That will keep you quiet for a while," he said.
All the gods admitted that it might be a good thing
to have Loki forced to keep still, for he made a great
deal of trouble by his tale-bearing and bragging and
quarreling. But before long Loki managed to cut
the string, and then he talked the more and the faster
because he had had to keep still for a time.
THE FOX, THE WOLF, AND THE
HORSE
A FOX, seeing a Horse for the first time, at once
. ran to a Wolf, and described the animal.
"It is, perhaps," said the Fox, "some delicious
prey that fortune has put in our path. Come with
me, and judge for yourself."
Off they ran, and soon came to the Horse.
"Sir," said the Fox, "we would learn the name by
"which you are known to your friends."
The Horse said it was written on his hoofs.
"Gladly would I read it," replied the sly Fox,
"but I never learned to read. My companion here,
on the contrary, can both read and write."
The Wolf at once went up to examine one of the
hoofs which the Horse raised for his convenience;
and when he had come near enough, the Horse gave
a sudden kick, and back to earth fell the Wolf, his
jaw broken and bleeding.
"Well, cousin," cried the Fox, "you need never
ask for the Horse's name again."
378
The Flax
THE FLAX
By Hans Christian Andersen
THE Flax stood in blossom; it had pretty little
blue flowers, delicate as a moth's wings, and even
more delicate. The sun shone on the Flax, and the
rain-clouds moistened it, and this was just as good
for it as it is for little children to be washed, and
afterwards get a kiss from their mother; they be-
come much prettier, and so did the flax.
"The people say that I stand uncommonly well,"
said the Flax, "and that I'm fine and long, and shall
make a capital piece of linen. How happy I am!
I'm certainly the happiest of all beings. How mcU
off I am ! And I may come to something ! How the
sunshine gladdens! The rain tastes good and re-
freshes me! I'm the happiest of beings."
"Yes, yes, yes!" said the Hedge-stake. "You
don't know the world, but we do, for we have knots
in us;" and then it creaked out mournfully:
"Snip-snap-snurre,
Bassellurre!
The song is done."
The Flax 379
"No, it is not done," said the Flax. "Tomorrow
the sun will shine, or the rain will refresh us. I feel
that I'm growing, I feel that I'm in blossom! I'm
the happiest of beings."
But one day the people came and took the Flax
by the head and pulled it up by the root. That hurt ;
and it was laid in water as if they were going to
drown it, and then put on the fire as if it were going
to be roasted. It was quite fearful !
"One can't always have good times," said the
Flax. "One must have one's own experiences, and
so one gets to know something."
But bad times certainly came. The Flax was
moistened and roasted, and broken and hackled.
Yes, it did not even know what the operations that
it was put through were called. It was put on the
spinning wheel — whirr! whirr! whirr — it was not
possible to collect one's thoughts!
"I have been uncommonly happy!" it thought in
all its pain. "One must be content with the good
one has enjoyed! Contented! contented! O!" And
it continued to say that when it was put into the
loom, and until it became a large, beautiful piece of
Linen. All the Flax, to the last stalk, was used in
making one piece.
"But this is quite remarkable! I should never
have believed it! How favorable fortune is to me!
The Hedge-stake was well informed, truly, with its
' Snip-snap-snurre,
Bassellurre!'
The song is not done by any means. Now it's be-
ginning in earnest. That's quite remarkable! If
I've suffered something, I've been made into some-
380 The Flax
thing! I'm the happiest of all! How strong and
fine I am, and how white and long! That's some-
thing different from being a mere plant; even if
one bears flowers, one is not attended to, and only
gets watered when it rains. Now I'm attended to
and cherished : the maid turns me over every morn-
ing, and I get a shower bath from the watering pot
every evening. Yes, the clergyman's wife has even
made a speech about me, and says I'm the best j^iece
in the whole parish. I cannot be happier!"
Now the Linen was taken into the house, and put
under the scissors. How it was cut and torn, and
then pricked with needles ! That was not pleasant ;
but twelve napkins were made of it — a whole dozen!
"Just look ! Now something has really been made
of me ! So that was my destiny. That's a real bless-
ing. Now I shall be of some use in the world, and
that's right, that's a true pleasure! We've been
made into twelve things, but yet we're all one and
the same; we're just a dozen."
Years rolled on, and now they would hold to-
gether no longer.
"It must be over one day," said each piece. "I
would gladly have held together a little longer, but
one must not expect impossibilities."
They were now torn into pieces and fragments.
They thought it was all over now, for they were
hacked to shreds, and softened and boiled ; yes, they
themselves did not know all that was done to them ;
and then they became beautiful white Paper.
"Now, that is a surprise, and a glorious surprise!"
said the Paper. "Now, I'm finer than before, and
I shall be written on; that is remarkably good
fortune!"
The Flax 381
And really, the most beautiful stories and verses
were written upon it, and only once there came a
blot; that was certainly remarkably good fortune.
And the people heard what was upon it; it was
sensible and good, and made people much more
sensible and better: there was a great blessing in
the- words that were on this Paper.
"That is more than I ever imagined when I was
a little blue flower in the fields. How could I fancy
that I should ever spread joy and knowledge among
men? I can't yet understand it myself, but it is
really so. I have done nothing but what I was
obliged with my weak powers to do for my own
preservation, and yet I have been promoted from
one joy and honor to another. Each time when I
think 'the song is done,' it begins again in a higher
and better way. Now I shall certainly be sent about
to journey through the world, so that all people
may read me. That cannot be otherwise; it's the
only probable thing. I've splendid thoughts, as
many as I had pretty flowers in the old times. I'm
the happiest of beings."
But the Paper was not sent on its travels; it was
sent to the printer, and everything that was written
upon it was set up in type for a book, or rather
for many hundreds of books, for in this way a far
greater number could derive pleasure and profit
from the book than if the one Paper on which it was
written had run about the world, to be worn out
before it had gone halfway round.
"Yes, that is certainly the wisest way," thought
the Written Paper. "I really did not think of that.
I shall stay at home, and be held in honor, just like
an old grandfather ; and I am really the grandfather
882 The Flax
of all these books. Now something can be effected :
I could not have wandered about thus. He who
wrote all this looked at me ; every word flowed from
his pen right into me. I am the happiest of all."
Then the Paper was tied together in a bundle,,
and thrown into a tub that stood in the wash-house.
"It's good resting after work," said the Paper.
"It is very right that one should collect one's
thoughts. Now I'm able for the first time to think
of what is in me, and to know oneself is true
progress. What will be done with me now? At
any rate I shall go forward again ; I'm always going
forward. I've found that out."
Now, one day all the Paper was taken out and
laid by on the hearth; it was to be burned, for it
might not be sold to hucksters to be used for cover-
ing for butter and sugar, they said. And all the
children in the house stood round about, for they
wanted to see the Paper burn, that flamed up so
prettily, and that left so many red sparks among
the ashes, careering here and there. One after an-
other faded out quick as the wind, and that they
called "seeing the children come out of school," and
the last spark was the schoolmaster; one of them
thought he had already gone, but at the next moment
there came another spark. "There goes the school-
master!" they said. Yes, they all knew about it;
they should have known who it was that went there.
We shall get to know it, but they did not. All the
old Paper, the whole bundle, was laid upon the fire,
and it was soon alight. "Ugh!" it said, and burst
out into bright flame. Ugh! that was not very
agreeable, but when the whole was wrapped in
bright flames, these mounted up higher than the
The Flax 383
Flax had ever been able to lift its little blue flowers,
and glittered as the white Linen had never been able
to glitter. All the written letters turned for a mo-
ment quite red, and all the words and thoughts
turned to flame.
"Now I'm mounting straight up to the sun," said
a voice in the flames; and it was as if a thousand
voices said this in unison ; and the flames mounted uj)
through the chimney and out at the top, and, more
delicate than the flames, invisible to human eyes,
little tiny beings floated there, as many as there had
been blossoms on the Flax. They were lighter even
than the flames from which they were born; and
when the flame was extinguished, and nothing re-
mained of the Paper but black ashes, they danced
over it once more, and where they touched the black
mass the little red sparks appeared. The children
came out of school, and the schoolmaster was the
last. That was fun ! and the children sang over the
ashes :
" Snip-snap-snurre,
Bassellurre!
The song is done."
But the little invisible beings all said,
"The song is never done, that is the best of all.
I know it, and therefore I'm the happiest of all."
But the children could neither hear that nor under-
stand it; nor ought they, for children must not know
everything.
384
The Duel
THE DUEL*
By Eugene Field
THE gingham dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat ;
'Twas half-23ast twelve, and (what do you think!)
Nor one nor t'other had slept a wink !
The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
Appeared to know as sure as fate
There was going to be a terrible spat.
(/ wasn't there: I simply state
What was told me hy the Chinese plate!)
The gingham dog went "Bow-wow-wow!"
And the calico cat replied "Mee-ow!"
The air was littered, an hour or so,
With bits of gingham and calico,
"From "Love-Songs of Childhood," copyright, 1894, by Eugene
Field ; published by Charles Scribner'a Sons.
The Bald Knight 385
While the old Dutch clock in the chimney-place
Up with its hands before its face,
For it always dreaded a family row!
(Now mind: I'm only telling you
What the old Dutch clock declares is true!)
The Chinese plate looked very blue,
And wailed, "Oh, dear! what shall we do?"
But the gingham dog and the calico cat
Wallowed this way and tumbled that,
Employing every tooth and claw
In the awfullest way you ever saw —
And, oh ! how the gingham and calico flew !
(Don't fancy I exaggerate!
I got my news from the Chinese plate!)
Next morning, where the two had sat,
They found no trace of dog or cat ;
And some folks think unto this day
That burglars stole that pair away !
But the truth about the cat and pup
Is this : they ate each other up !
Now what do you really think of that !
(The old Dutch clock it told me so.
And that is how I came to know.)
THE BALD KNIGHT
ACERTAIN knight, who wore a wig to conceal
. baldness, was out hunting one day, when a
sudden gust of wind carried away his M'ig.
His friends all laughed heartily at the odd figure
he made, but the old fellow, so far from being put
out, laughed heartily also. "Is it any wonder," said
he, "that another man's hair will not keep on my
head when my own would not stay there?"
ATALANTA'S RACE
Adapted by Anna INIcCaleb
^OST fathers and mothers are almost as
n^ /fT; glad to have a girl baby born into their
; N^ homes as a baby boy. But sometimes a
king who wants a son to reign after him
is very sorry when his first baby is a
girl. At any rate, this is what hap-
pened in the case of Jasius, a king of
Arcadia, in Greece. For a long time he had prayed
for a son, and when one day his servants said to him,
"You have a little daughter," he was very angry.
If he had looked at the child and had seen how
beautiful she was, and what bright black eyes she
had, he must have loved her, whether he wanted to
or not; but without having seen her, he just cried:
"I don't want her. She can never be a king.
Take her out on the mountain and let her die."
The baby's mother cried and begged, but the king
would have his way, and at last a servant took the
pretty baby far from its home and left it on the
mountain side.
While the child lay crying from hunger and cold
and fright, a big, black bear came along. She
sniffed at the child and rolled it over with her paw ;
but although she was so big and the baby was so
little, she never even tried to hurt it. When evening
came and the bear went back to her den and to the
cubs she had left there, she took the little girl with
her, and for a long time the child lived with the bear
.380
Atai-anta's Race 387
family in a cave on the mountain side. Her only
playmates were the bahy hears. She ate l)erries and
nuts and wild honey, as they did, and she grew quite
used to being out in all kinds of weather.
At last, one day, some hunters saw the little girl
and took her home with them. She was very lone-
some, and cried for her bear playmates, but when the
hunters made her a little hunting dress and gave her
arrows and a bow and a little spear, she forgot
to be lonely and became very happy again. She
learned to hunt better than any other girl who had
ever lived, and she could shoot an arrow or throw a
spear just as straight as a big, strong man. After
she grew to be a tall and beautiful girl, she took part
in many wonderful adventures which would have
frightened any other girl to death, and never once
was she hurt. One time she helped some of the
bravest and strongest men in all Greece to hunt a
great boar, with awful tusks, like knives, and fierce,
bloodshot eyes and long, stiff, sharp bristles. When
the boar was finally killed, its head and its hide were
given to the young huntress, because she had been
the first to wound it.
One day when King Jasius of Arcadia was sitting
on his golden throne, with his golden crown on his
head, a tall girl walked into the room and straight
up to the throne.
"Who are you, young woman," demanded the
king, "and how dare you come into the palace and
even to the steps of my throne?"
"My name is Atalanta," answered the girl, "and
I am your daughter. If you don't want me here, I
can go right back into the forest where I have
grown up."
388 Atalanta's Race
But the king, when he saw how beautiful and how
brave she was (for of course it takes a very brave
person to speak in that way to a king) , said to him-
self, "She will be almost as good as a son," and he
would not let her live any place but in the palace.
And it was not long before every one there became
so fond of her that it seemed strange they could ever
have lived without her. Many princes came from all
parts of Greece and wanted to marry her, but to
every one she said, "I don't want to get married,
and I'm not going to do anything I don't want
to do."
"But, my dear child," said old King Jasius, "who
ever heard of a princess without a husband? They
alwaj^s marry, and you'll just have to do it."
Atalanta pouted.
"But I don't want a husband," she said. "I like
men to go hunting with, but I'm sure I couldn't bear
to have one around all the time and to know that he
was my husband."
Finally, however, when the king insisted and in-
sisted, she thought of a way out.
"I'll marry any man," she said, "who can beat me
in a foot race."
"That's fair enough," replied the king. "I'll
send word to all the princes, and we'll have a great
race."
"There's one thing more," added Atalanta.
"Every man who tries and is beaten in the race must
allow himself to be put to death."
She wasn't i-eally such a cruel princess, but she
thought that if the young men knew they would die
if they failed, they would all go away and let her
alone.
Atalanta's Race 389
Her father looked very serious, but at last he said :
"Well, any one who will risk his life in that way
is a fool,- and deserves to die."
Word was sent to all the princes, but the most of
them thought that while they loved Atalanta very
much, they loved life even more, and they stayed
away. Some of the princes, however, liked Atalanta
so well that they could not bear to give her up with-
out a trial, and when the day came for the first race,
a number of strong young men were ready to try
their luck. Every day a race was run, and every
day, at the end of the race, some poor man had to
lose his head. For no matter how strong they were,
or how fast they could run, Atalanta beat them all
easily. At last the people who watched the races
began to feel that there had been enough blood shed,
and to wonder if, after all, Atalanta were quite such
a nice princess as they had thought her. Atalanta
herself was very sorry for the foolish young men,
but she could not stop now, for when a princess had
once said she would do a thing, it was thought the
worst sin in the world for her not to do it.
Now, among the princes w^ho came there was one,
named Hippomenes, who did not come to race. He
had never seen Atalanta, and King Jasius had asked
him to be there just to act as judge — that is, to
watch the races and see who really came out ahead.
The day before the first race Hippomenes w-ent
about telling the other princes how foolish he
thought they were to risk their lives for such a thing.
"I should never be so foolish," he said. "No
matter how beautiful and how rich the princess may
be, she can't be as beautiful and as rich as the life
I intend to lead."
390 Atalanta's Race
But he never said such things after that first day.
For when Atalanta stood up beside a brave young
prince, ready for the first race, she looked so lovely,
with her red cheeks and bright eyes and wind-blown
hair, that Hippomenes fell in love with her on the
spot. And as he watched her running and saw how
graceful she was, he loved her more and more. Each
day as he watched the race he found himself hoping
that she would win, because he could not bear to
think of any man but himself having her for his wife.
Finally, when all the other princes had run and
had been beheaded, Hippomenes said to the king:
"And now I am ready to make my trial."
The king was surprised and grieved, because he
had heard of the speeches Hippomenes had made to
the other princes, and because he liked this young
man the best of all who had come. But nothing he
could say could induce Hippomenes to change his
mind.
"I love Atalanta," he said, "and if I can't have
her for my wife, I want to die."
Before going to the race course the next day, the
prince, determined but frightened, prayed to Venus,
the goddess who took especial care of people who
were in love.
"Beautiful and powerful goddess," he prayed,
"help me to win this race and Atalanta, and I shall
never forget, as long as I live, to talk of your kind-
ness and to make you rich gifts."
Now Venus was almost always ready to help
people if they would admit that they could not get
on without her, and while Hippomenes prayed, he
saw that what he had thought was a soft white and
gold cloud ^-as really the goddess, coming toward
Atalanta's Race
391
him with her hand stretched out. She came nearer
and nearer, and finally dropped at his feet three
shining yellow ap])les. They were not common yel-
low apples — no indeed! Tliey came from Venus's
o^\•n garden, and were of heavy, precious gold.
"I thank you, goddess, for this fruit," said Hip-
pomenes. "In all my life I have never seen anything
more beautiful. But how can they help me?"
ATALANTA STOOPED FOR THE APPLE
392 Atalanta's Race
Then Venus stooped and whispered to the youth,
and when he again raised his eyes to thank her, she
had disappeared. But there was a smile on the face
of Hippomenes — he looked as if he were not wor-
ried about the race.
When he stood side by side with Atalanta, how-
ever, he tried not to look too happy. All the people
looked at him and whispered ( for they did not dare
let the king hear them grumbling) :
"Must this youth also be killed ? He is the young-
est and the handsomest of all, and the king's daugh-
ter is too cruel."
Atalanta herself was more sorry than she had
ever been before that she had made the vow about
the racing.
But when she tried to induce Hippomenes to
give her up without a trial, he only smiled at her
and said:
"Sometliing tells me that I shall not fail."
Atalanta knew nothing about the three golden
apples which he had hidden in front of his loose
robe; and when she saw that he was so sure of
winning, her cheeks grew red with anger, and she
said to herself :
"I had thought, because you are so young and
look so much nicer than any of the other princes,
that I might let you beat me. But since you are
so sure, I shall run my best; and you will not be
smiling long."
There they stood, each with one foot forward,
each looking light as a bird just ready to fly from
a branch. And then, while all the onlookers held
their breath, the herald gave the word, and they
were off.
Atalanta's Race 393
Hippomehes ran like a deer, and at first he was
a few paces ahead ; })ut Atalanta ran hke the wind,
and soon she passed him. Then, still straining every
nerve to overtake her, Hippomenes drew out one
of the glittering golden apples, and tossed it ahead
of him. Right in front of Atalanta's eyes it fell,
and then it rolled to one side and lay there on the
sand. What it was, Atalanta knew not — she only
knew that it was beautiful and that she must have
it. She turned aside, snatched it, and sped on. But
Avhile she stooped, Hippomenes had passed her, and
she could see his fluttering robe far down the course.
This did not frighten Atalanta — it just made her
run faster, so that in a very few minutes she was
again ahead. Then Hippomenes threw the second
apple, and it came to a standstill so directly in front
of Atalanta's feet that she almost fell when she
stooped to pick it up. Again Hippomenes heard her
breathing as she came close to him ; again he saw her
pass him.
The goal was in sight now, but the poor youth
was so tired and so out of breath that he could
scarcely run another step. You see, he had not
been having as much practice in running as had
Atalanta. But with all his strength he threw the
last apple off to one side of the course. It was al-
most hidden in the tall grass, but Atalanta had seen
as it passed her that this was the brightest and most
beautiful of all, and she could not — no, she could
not! — bear to think of any one else having it. As
she raised herself after stooping to pick it up, be-
hold! all the people were rising and were shouting
"Hippomenes! Hippomenes!" And there at the
end of the course, with his hands resting on the goal
394 Autumn Fires
post, was the young man who had beaten her, pant-
ing a little from his running, but looking, O, so
happy!
Do you suppose the princess said that it was not
a fair race — that he had not really run as fast as
she had? By no means. She was almost as happy
as he M^as as she went up to him with her hand
held out to lead him to her father. And the people
forgot all about the poor young men who had
had to die, and were happy again as they shouted,
"Hippomenes and Atalanta! Hippomenes and
Atalanta!"
I
AUTUMN FIRES
By Robert Louis Stevenson
N the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
And the grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall !
"SOMETHING
By Hans Christian Andersen
A¥ILL be Something," declared the
eldest of five brothers; "1 will be oi'
use in the world ; be it ever so humble
a position that I may hold, let me be
but useful, and that will be Some-
thing. I will make bricks; folk can-
not do without them, so I shall at
least do Something."
"Something very little, though," replied the
second brother. "Why, it is as good as nothing! it
is work that might be done by a machine. Better
be a mason, as I intend to be. Then one belongs
to a guild, becomes a citizen, has a banner of one's
own. Nay, if all things go well, I may become a
master, and have apprentices and workmen under
me. That will be Something!"
"It will be nothing at all then, I can tell you
that!" rejoined the third. "Think how many dif-
ferent ranks there are in a town far above that of
a master mason. You may be an honest sort of a
man, but you will never be a gentleman ; gentle and
simple — those are the two grand divisions, and you
will always be one of the 'simple.' Well, I know
better than that. I will be an architect; I will be
one of the thinkers, the artists; I will raise myself
to the aristocracy of intellect. I may have to begin
from the very lowest grade; I may begin as a car-
penter's boy, and run about with a paper cap on my
305
396 "Something"
head, to fetch ale for the workmen; I may not enjoy
that, but I shall try to imagine it is only a masquer-
ade. 'To-morrow,' I shall sa}", 'I will go my own
way, and others shall not come near me.' Yes, I
shall go to the Academy, learn to draw, and be called
an architect. That will be Something! I may get
a title, perhaps ; and I shall build and build, as others
before me have done. Yes, that will be Something!"
"But it is Something that I care nothing about,"
said the fourth. "I should not care to go on, on, in
the beaten track — to be a mere co^^yist. I will be
a genius, cleverer than all of you put together; I
will create a new style, provide ideas for buildings
suited to the climate and materials of our country,
suited to our national character, and the require-
ments of the age."
"But supposing the climate and the materials
don't agree," suggested the fifth, "how will you get
on then, if they won't help you? As for our na-
tional character, you do not know what it is now
or ever will be, nor do you know what the people
think nor what will please them now or in the future.
I see }^ou will none of you ever be anything, though
of course you won't believe me. But do as you
please, I shall not be like you. I shall reason over
what you execute; there is something ridiculous in
everything ; I shall find it out, show you your faults
— that will be Something!"
And he kept his Avord; and folk said of this fifth
brother, "There is something in him, certainly; he
has plenty of brains! but he does nothing." But he
was content, for he was Something.
But what became of the five brothers? We shall
hear the whole.
"Something" 397
The eldest brother, the brickmaker, found that
every brick he turned out whole yielded him a tiny
copper coin ; only copper — but a great many of these
small coins, added together, could be converted into
a bright silver dollar, and through the power of
this, wheresoever he knocked, whether at baker's,
butcher's or tailor's, the door flew open, and he re-
ceived what he wanted. Such was the virtue of his
bricks. Some, of course, were broken before they
were finished, but a use was found even for these.
For up by the trench poor JNIother JNIargaret would
fain build herself a little house, if she might; she
took all the broken bricks — ay, and she got a few
whole ones besides, for a good heart had the eldest
brother, though only a brickmaker. The poor thing
built her house with her own hands ; it was very nar-
row, its one window was all on one side, the door
was too low, and the thatch on the roof might have
been laid on better. But it gave her shelter and a
home, and could be seen far over the sea, which
sometimes burst over the trench in its might, and
sprinkled a salt shower over the little house, which
kept its i3lace there years after he who made the
bricks was dead and gone.
As for the second brother, he learned to build
after another fashion, as he had resolved. When he
was out of his apprenticeship, he buckled on his
knapsack and started on his travels, singing as he
went. He came home again, and became a master
in his native town. He built house after house, a
whole street of houses ; there they stood, looked well,
and were a credit to the town ; and these houses soon
built him a little house for himself. How ? Ask the
houses, and they will give you no answer; but the
398 "Something"
people will answer you and say, "Why, of course,
the street built him his house !" It was small enough,
and had only a clay floor, but when he and his bride
danced over it, the floor grew as smooth as if it had
been polished, and from every stone in the wall
sprang a flower, that looked as gay as the costliest
tapestry. It was a pretty house and a happy
wedded pair. The banner of the Masons' Guild
waved outside, and workmen and apprentices
shouted "Hurra!" Yes, that was Something! and
at last he died — that, too, was Something!
Next comes the architect, the third brother. He
began as a carpenter's apprentice, and ran about
the town on errands, wearing a paper cap; but he
studied industriously at the Academy, and rose
steadily upward. If the street full of houses had
built a house for his brother the mason, the street
took its name from the architect; the handsomest
house in the whole street was his — that was Some-
thing, and he was Something! His children were
gentlemen, and could boast of their "birth"; and
when he died, his widow was a widow of condition
— that is Something — and his name stood on the
corner of the street, and was in everybody's lips —
that is Something, too!
Now for the genius, the fourth brother, who
wanted to invent something new, something origi-
nal. Somehow the ground gave way beneath his
feet; he fell and broke his neck. But he had a
splendid funeral, with music and banners, and
flowery paragraplis in the newspapers; and three
eulogiums were pronounced over him, each longer
than the last, and this would have pleased him
mightily, for he loved speechifying, of all things.
"Something" 390
A monument was erected over his grave, only one
story high — but that is Something!
So now he was dead, as well as his three elder
brothers; the youngest, the critic, outlived them all,
and that was as it should be, for thus he had the
last word, which to him was a matter of the greatest
importance. "He had plenty of brains," folk said.
Kow his hour had struck ; he died, and his soul sought
the gates of heaven. There it stood side by side
with another soul — old JNIother JNlargaret from the
trenches.
"It is for the sake of contrast, I suppose, that I
and this miserable soul wait here together," thought
the critic. "Well, now, who are you, my good
woman?" he inquired.
And the old woman replied, with as much respect
as though Saint Peter himself were addressing her
— in fact, she took him for Saint Peter, he gave him-
self such grand airs — "I am a poor old soul, I have
no family — I am only old JNlargaret from the house
near the trenches."
"Well, and what have you done down below?"
"I have done as good as notliing in the world!
nothing whatever ! It will be mercy, indeed, if such
as I am suffered to pass through this gate."
"And how did you leave the world?" inquired the
critic, carelessly. He must talk about something;
it wearied him to stand there, waiting.
"Well, I can hardly tell how I left it; I have been
sickly enough during these last few years, and could
not well bear to creep out of bed at all during the
cold weather. It has been a severe winter, but now
that is all past. For a few days, as your highness
must know, the wind was quite still, but it was bit-
400 "Something"
terly cold ; the ice lay over the water as far as one
could see. All the people in the town were out on
the ice ; there was dancing, and music, and feasting,
and sledge-racing, I fancy ; I could hear something
of it all as I lay in my poor little chamber.
"And when it was getting towards evening, the
moon was up, but was not yet very bright ; I looked
from my bed through the window, and I saw how
there rose up over the sea a strange white cloud; I
lay and watched it, watched the black dot in it, which
grew bigger and bigger, and then I knew what it
foreboded ; that sign is not often seen, but I am old
and experienced. I knew it, and I shivered with
horror. Twice before in my life have I seen that
sign, and I knew that there would be a terrible storm
and a spring flood; it would burst over the poor
things on the ice, who were drinking and dancing
and merrymaking. Young and old, the whole town
was out on the ice ; who was to warn them, if no one
saw it, or no one knew what I knew ? I felt so ter-
rified, I felt all alive, as I had not felt for years!
I got out of bed, forced the window open; I could
see the folk running and dancing over the ice; I
could see the gay-colored flags, I could hear the
boys shout 'Hurra!' and the girls and lads a-singing.
All were so merry ; and all the time the white cloud
with its black speck rose higher and higher! I
screamed as loud as I could; but no one heard me,
I was too far off. Soon would the storm break
loose, the ice would break in pieces, and all that
crowd would sink and drown. Hear me they could
not; get out to them I could not; what was to be
done?
"Then our Lord sent me a good thought: I could
"Something" 401
set fire to my bed. Better let my house be burned
to the ground than that so many shouhl miserably
perish. So I kindled a light; I saw the red flame
mount up; I got out at the door, but then I fell
down; I lay there, I could not get up again. But
the flames burst out through the window and over
the roof; they saw it down below, and they all ran
as fast as they could to help me — the poor old crone
they believed would be burned; there was not one
who did not come to help me.
"I heard them come, and I heard, too, such a
rustling in the air, and then a thundering as of heavy
cannon shots, for the sj^ring flood was loosening the
ice, and it all broke up. But the folk were all come
off it to the trenches, where the sparks were flying
about me ; I had them all safe.
"But I could not bear the cold and the fright, and
that is how I have come up here. Can the gates of
heaven be opened to such a poor old creature as I ?
I have no house now at the trenches; where can I
go, if they refuse me here?"
Then the gates opened, and the Angel bade poor
Margaret enter. As she passed the threshold, she
dropped a blade of straw — straw from her bed —
that bed which she had set alight to save the people
on the ice; and lo! it had changed into gold! daz-
zling gold! yet flexible withal, and twisting into
various forms.
"Look, that was what yonder poor woman
brought," said the Angel. "But what dost thou
bring? Truly, I know well that thou hast done
nothing, not even made bricks. It is a pity thou
canst not go back again to fetch at least one
brick — not that it is good for anything when
402 "Something"
it is made, but because anything, the very least,
done M^th a good will, is Something. But thou
mayst not go back, and I can do nothing for thee."
Then poor JNlargaret pleaded for him thus: "His
brother gave me all the bricks and broken bits where-
with I built my poor little house — that was a great
kindness toward a poor old soul like me! ISlay not
all those bits and fragments, put together, be reck-
oned as one brick for him? It will be an act of
mercy; he needs it, and this is the home of mercy."
"To thy brother, whom thou didst despise," said
the Angel, "to him whose calling, in respect of
worldly honor, was the lowest, shalt thou owe this
mite of heavenly coin. Thou shalt not be sent away ;
thou shalt have leave to stand here without, and
think over thy manner of life down below. But
within thou canst not enter, until thou hast done
something that is good — Something!"
"I fancy I could have expressed that better,"
thought the critic; but he did not say it aloud, and
that was already — Something!
In the beginning of the story, the second brother
says, "Better be a mason. Then one belongs to a
guild," etc. Do you know what a guild was? Well,
a long time ago, about a thousand years ago, in
fact, the men of different trades formed clubs or
societies and called them guilds. The carpenters had
a guild, the jewelers a guild, the masons a guild, and
so on. Some of the guilds became very powerful,
owned fine buildings and even ruled big cities. The
second brother, if he wanted to become a mason,
must first be an apprentice and live in the house of
his master and work very hard for his food and
"Something" 403
clothing. After several years, perhaps when he was
twenty or twenty-one, he would be made a journey-
man. Then he would be paid some money for his
work, though he still must live in the house of his
master, and it would be years before he could earn
much money or become a master mason himself, and
have apprentices and workmen under him. How-
ever, no matter how hard he worked, he could never
become one of the aristocracy, the people who were
born to high positions. That is what troubled the
third brother.
A story so beautiful as this is worth thinking about
and remembering.
I. Here are the five brothers and what each
wished to do:
1. The eldest, the brickmaker, would be useful
and humble.
2. The second, the mason, sought influence
and power.
3. The third, the architect, would become a
gentleman, an aristocrat.
4. The fourth, the inventor, would be famed
for his genius and originality.
5. The fifth, the critic, would reason, and with
self-confidence give advice to others.
II. All succeeded in their wishes, and all died —
only the first brother thought of others.
III. The critic and INIargaret meet at the gates
of heaven and she tells her story :
1. She builds her house from the fragments of
the first brother's bricks.
2. She suffers from cold w^eather, but her shel-
ter keeps her alive.
404 "Something"
3. She stays at home while everj^ one else in the
village plays far out on the ice.
4. She sees a storm approaching.
5. She burns her cottage to alarm the people
and bring them into safety.
6. She dies from exposure, but she has saved
all the villagers.
IV. The Angel admits Margaret to heaven.
V. She drops a straw that turns to gold and
shows how great and good a deed it was to burn her
house.
VI. The critic is denied admission because he
has done nothing.
VII. Margaret begs for him.
VIII. His brother's bricks save him from pun-
ishment, but he may be admitted only when he has
done something.
IX. He feels critical about the Angel's remark,
but as he says nothing — that is at least something!
If the eldest brother had not given bricks to Mar-
garet, she would have died of exposure long before
she did ; if Margaret had died earlier she could not
have saved the villagers, nor could she have met the
fifth brother at the gates of heaven; if she had not
met the fifth brother, he would have been lost for-
ever. So the generous eldest brother saved them all.
Does the story not seem better now that we have
thought about it? Is it not worth reading again?
u
The Fairies 405
THE FAIRIES
By William Allingham
P the airy mountain,
Down the dusky glen,
We daren't go a-hunting
For fear of little men.
Wee folk, good folk.
Trooping all together;
Green jacket, red cap.
And white owVs fcatherl
Down along the rocky shore
Some make their home —
They live on crispy pancakes
Of yellow tide-foam;
Some in the reeds
Of the black mountain-lake
With frogs for their w^atchdogs.
All night awake.
High on the hilltop
The old king sits;
He is now so old and gray
He's nigh lost his wits.
With a bridge of white mist
Columbkill he crosses,
On his stately journeys
From Slieveleague to Rosses;
Or going up with music
On cold, stormy nights.
To sup wuth the queen
Of the gay Northern Lights.
406 The Fairies
They stole little Bridget
For seven years long;
When she came down again,
Her friends were all gone.
They took her lightly back
Between the night and morrow ;
They thought that she was fast asleep.
But she was dead with sorrow.
They have kept her ever since,
Deep within the lake,
On a bed of flag leaves,
Watching till she wake.
By the craggy hillside.
Thro' the mosses bare,
They have planted thorn-trees.
For pleasure here and there.
Is any man so daring
As dig them up in spite.
He shall find their sharpest thorns
In his bed at night.
Up the airy mountain,
Down the dusky glen.
We daren't go a-hunting
For fear of little men.
Wee folk, good folk.
Trooping all together;
Green jacket, red cap.
And white owl's feather!
A long time ago even the grown people believed
in fairies, and told wonderful tales of what the little
beings could do. Gradually, as people became
The Fairies 407
better educated, they grew to know tliat there really
were no fairies, but still they made stories about
them for their children, for they had found out that
there were few things in the world that children like
better to hear about. Some of the stories in this
book, such as Cinderella, were written far back in
the days when all people still believed in fairies.
To-day, there are in most countries many of the
uneducated peasant classes who still have a strong
belief in the "little people," and who see signs of
their activity all about.
When people of different nations think about
fairies they have somewhat different pictures before
their ej^es. Thus in Russia, where it is cold so much
of the time, fairies are supposed to be dressed always
in furs — beautiful white furs which only an emperor
could afford. The Chinese fairy has a queue, and
the fairies of India, where the learned Brahmins
are the class most looked up to, are thought of as
little old men, wise beyond words, but not bright
and friendly like the fairies that we hear most about.
Of course these fairies that w^e have heard most
about are the English fairies, and very beautiful
and charming creatures these are. Usually they
look like very small and particularly graceful human
beings, with gorgeous clothing and shimmering
wings, though of course, being fairies, they may
change their forms and look like anything they
choose. These little creatures live in a place called
Fairyland, where all things are done by magic ; but
they do not always stay there. In fine weather,
especially during the nights of summer, the fairies
prefer the earth to their own country, and they
gather in great numbers in some flowery field or
408 The Fairies
wood and revel all night long. On moonlight nights
they need no lights in the fields, but within the
woods it is always dark, and they are forced to use
fireflies as lanterns.
Sometimes, in a grassy meadow or pasture, there
appears a very green, fresh circle, with a ring bare
of grass about it; and to this day people call such
a spot a fairy ring, though they know now, as they
did not know when the name was given, that the
bare ring is not formed by the feet of the fairies
dancing in circle. Some of the gorgeous kinds of
mushrooms, too, are known as fairy tables.
But the fairies are not supposed to spend all their
time in dancing and playing; thej^ take, often, a
great part in the lives of human beings. Many
of the fairies are good, and are of much help to the
people who please them, slipping into their houses
by night and doing, in a few hours, work which
without them could not be accomplished in days ; but
some fairies are mischievous and tricky; and even
malicious, and delight in doing things to spite and
to injure people. Sometimes they overturn or take
for themselves food that has been saved; some-
times they turn sour the cream that the housewife
intends to use for butter on the morrow; some-
times they undo all the work that a seamstress
or a shoemaker has done during the day. If a man
can only find out what these mischievous little people
like best, he can buy their good will by placing such
things where the fairies can readily find them.
Besides the true fairies, there are supposed to be
many other kinds of sprites, who are sometimes
invisible, but who can appear when they wish. The
dwarfs, or gnomes, usually dwell underground.
The Fairies 409
where they guard the gold and silver and precious
stones hidden in the earth. The most malicious of
the dwarfs, called trolls, live in the hills, and often
come out to steal children, and even women. The
nixies, who live in the water, try to induce men or
children to go with them to their caves under the
sea; and if they caimot do this, they are quite
capable of carrying their victims off by force.
The Irish people have some veiy interesting fairy
beliefs. Thus, they think that the banshees are little
old women who conceal themselves in houses, and
by their mournful wailing give notice of any death
that is to occur. The pixies, another class of small
beings in w'hom the Irish believe, are supposed to
receive into themselves the souls of children who die
before they have been baptized.
Though we know now that there are no such
beings as fairies and gnomes, yet we can see about
us every daj^ things w hich are to the full as w onder-
ful as any which the old-time peoples believed
the fairies could accomplish. Centuries ago, when
a story-writer w^anted to have his hero go a very
long distance in a very short time, he had to intro-
duce a fairy ; to-day he simply makes his hero take
an express train. Then, a message could be trans-
mitted through space instantly only by means of a
fairy messenger; now the telegraph and the tele-
phone do the w^ork quite as quickly and as easily.
You see, the old-time peoples saw the things that
ought to be, but did not see how they could be; but
w^e to-day do not need fairies to make the world
seem marv^elous — the things that really exist about
us are more wonderful than anytliing that a man's
imagination could invent.
410 The Brother and Sister
THE BROTHER AND SISTER
ACERTAIN man had two children, a boy and
. girl. The lad was a handsome enough young-
fellow, but the girl was very plain.
The latter, provoked beyond endurance by the
way in which her brother looked in the glass and
made remarks to her disadvantage, went to her
father and complained of it.
The father drew his children to him very tenderly
and said, "My dears, I wish you both to look in the
glass every day. You, my son, that, seeing your
face is handsome, you may take care not to spoil it
by ill-temper and bad behavior, and you, my
daughter, that you may be encouraged to make up
for your want of beauty by the sweetness of your
manners and the grace of your conversation."
THE REAPER AND THE FLOWERS
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
THERE is a Reaper, whose name is Death,
And, with his sickle keen,
He reaps the bearded grain at a breath,
And the flowers that grow between.
"Shall I have naught that is fair?" saith he;
"Have naught but the bearded grain?
Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to
me,
I will give them all back again."
The Reaper and juk Flowers 411
He gazed at the flowers witli tearful eyes,
He kissed their drooping leaves;
It was for the Lord of Paradise
He bound them in his sheaves.
"My Lord has need of these flowerets gay,"
The Reaper said, and smiled;
"Dear tokens of the earth are they,
Where He was onee a child.
"They shall all bloom in fields of light,
Transplanted by my care.
And saints, upon their garments white
These sacred blossoms wear."
And the mother gave, in tears and pain.
The flowers she most did love;
She knew she should find them all again
In the fields of liffht above.
'O'
O, not in cruelty, not in wrath,
The Reaper came that day;
'Twas an angel visited the green earth,
And took the flowers awav.
412 The Sands of Dee
THE SANDS OF DEE
By Charles Kingsley
OMARY, go and call the cattle home,
And call the cattle home,
And call the cattle home.
Across the sands of Dee!"
The western wind was wild and dank wi' foam.
And all alone went she.
The western tide crept up along the sand,
And o'er and o'er the sand,
And round and round the sand,
As far as eye could see.
The rolling mist came down and hid the land —
And never home came she.
"Oh! is it weed, or fish, or floating hair —
A tress o' golden hair,
A dro^\iied maiden's hair
Above the nets at sea?
Was never salmon yet that shone so fair
Among the stakes on Dee."
They row'd her in across the rolling foam.
The cruel crawling foam.
The cruel hungry foam,
To her grave beside the sea ;
But still the boatmen hear her call the cattle
home
Across the sands of Dee!
Mercy to Animals 413
MERCY TO ANIMALS
By William Cowper
I WOULD not enter on my list of friends
( Though graced with pohshed manners and fine
sense,
Yet wanting sensibility) the man
Who needlessly sets foot upon a worm.
An inadvertent step may crush the snail
That crawls at evening in the public path;
But he that has humanity, forewarned.
Will tread aside, and let the reptile live.
The creeping vermin, loathsome to the sight,
And charged, perhaps, with venom, that intrudes,
A visitor unwelcome, into scenes
Sacred to neatness and repose, the alcove,
The chamber, or refectory, may die :
A necessary act incurs no blame.
Not so when, held within their proper bounds.
And guiltless of offence, they range the air,
Or take their pastime in the spacious field ;
There they are privileged ; and he that hunts
Or harms them there, is guilty of a wrong.
Disturbs the economy of Nature's realm,
AVlio, when she formed, designed them an abode.
The sum is this : If man's convenience, health.
Or safety interfere, his rights and claims
Are paramount, and must extinguish theirs.
THE UGLY DUCKLING
By Hans Christian Andersen
T was glorious out in the country. It
was summer, and the cornfields were
yellow, and the oats were green; the
hay had been put up in stacks in the
green meadows, and the stork went
about on his long red legs, and chat-
tered Egyptian, for this was the lan-
guage he had learned from his good mother. All
around the fields and meadows were great forests,
and in the midst of these forests lay deep lakes.
Yes, it was really glorious out in the country.
In the midst of the sunshine there lay an old
farm, surrounded by deep canals, and from the wall
down to the water grew great burdocks, so high
that little children could stand upright under the
loftiest of them. It was just as wild there as in
the deepest wood. Here sat a Duck upon her nest,
for she had to hatch her young ones; but she was
almost tired out before the little ones came ; and
414
The U(;ly Duckijno 41. "5
then she so seldom had visitors. The other ducks
Hked better to swim about in the canals than to
run up to sit down under a burdock, and cackle with
her.
At last one eggshell after another burst open.
"Peep! peep!" it cried, and in all the eggs there
were little creatures that stuck out their heads.
"Quack! quack!" they said; and they all came
quacking out as fast as they could, looking all
round them under the green leaves ; and the mother
let them look as much as they chose, for green is
good for the eyes.
"How wide the world is!" said the young ones,
for they certainly had much more room now than
when they were in the eggs.
"Do you think this is all the world?" asked the
mother. "That extends far across the other side
of the garden, quite into the parson's field, but I
have never been there yet. I hope you are all
together," she continued, and stood up. "No, I
have not all. The largest egg still lies there.
How long is that to last? I am really tired of it."
And she sat down again.
"Well, how goes it?" asked an old Duck who had
come to pay her a visit.
"It takes a long time for that one egg,'' said the
Duck who sat there. "It will not burst. Now,
only look at the others; are they not the prettiest
ducks one could possibly see? They are all like
their father; the bad fellow never comes to see me."
"Let me see the egg which will not burst," said
the old visitor. "Believe me, it is a turkey's egg.
I was once cheated in that way, and had much
anxiety and trouble with the young ones, for they
416 The Ugly Duckling
were afraid of the water. I could not get them
to venture in. I quacked and clucked, but it was of
no use. Let me see the egg. Yes, that's a turkey-
egg! Let it lie there, and you teach the other
children to swim."
"I think I will sit on it a little longer," said the
Duck. "I've sat so long now that I can sit a few
days more." "Just as you please," said the old
Duck ; and she went away.
At last the great egg burst. "Peep ! peep !" said
the little one, and crept forth. It was very large
and very ugly. The Duck looked at it.
"It's a very large duckling," said she; "none of
the others look like that; can it really be a turkey
chick? Now we shall soon find out. It must go
into the water, even if I have to thrust it in myself."
The next day the weather was splendidly bright,
and the sun shone on all the green trees. The
Mother-Duck went down to the water with all her
little ones. Splash! she jumped into the water.
"Quack! quack!" she said, and then one duckling
after another plunged in. The water closed over
their heads, but they came up in an instant, and
swam capitally; their legs went of themselves, and
there they were, all in the water. The ugly gray
Duckling swam with them.
"No, it's not a turkey," said she; "look how well
it can use its legs, and how upright it holds itself.
It is my own child ! On the whole it's quite pretty,
if one looks at it rightly. Quack! quack! come
with me, and I'll lead you out into the great world,
and present you in the poultry yard ; but keep close
to me, so that no one may tread on you; and take
care of the cats!"
The Ugly Duckling 417
And so they came into the poultry yard. There
was a terrible riot going on in there, for two families
were quarreling about an eel's head, and the cat
got it after all.
"See, that's how it goes in the world!" said the
Mother-Duck: and she whetted her beak, for she,
too, wanted the eel's head. "Only use your legs,"
she said. "See that you bustle about, and bow your
heads before the old Duck yonder. She's the
grandest of all here ; she's of Spanish blood — that's
why she's so fat; and do you see, she has a red rag
round her leg; that's something particularly fine,
and the greatest distinction a duck can enjoy; it
signifies that one does not want to lose her, and
that she's to be recognized by man and beast.
Shake yourselves — don't turn in your toes; a well-
brought-up duck turns its toes quite out, just like
father and mother, so! Now bend your necks and
say 'Quack!'"
And they did so ; but the other ducks round about
looked at them, and said quite boldly :
"Look here ! now we're to have these hanging on,
as if there were not enough of us already ! And —
fie — ! how that Duckling yonder looks; we won't
stand that!" And one duck flew up inmiediately,
and bit it in the neck. "Let it alone," said the
mother; "it does no harm to any one."
"Yes, but it's too large and peculiar," said the
Duck who had bitten it; "and therefore it must be
disciplined."
"Those are pretty children that the mother has
there," said the old Duck with the rag round her
leg. "They're all pretty but that one ; that was a
failure. I wish she could alter it."
418
The Ugly Duckling
"That cannot be done, my lady," replied the
Mother-Duck. "It is not pretty, but it has a really
good disposition, and swims as well as any other ; I
may even say it swims better. I think it will grow
up pretty, and become smaller in time; it has lain
too long in the egg, and therefore is not properly
^of.vT""
THE UGLY GRAY DUCKLING SWAM WITH THEM
shaped." And then she pinched it in the neck, and
smoothed its feathers. "Moreover, it is a drake,"
she said, "and therefore it is not of so much conse-
quence. I think he will be very strong; he makes*
his way already."
"The other ducklings are graceful enough," said
the old Duck. "Make yourself at home ; and if you
find an eel's head, you may bring it to me."
And now they were at home. But the poor
Duckling which had crept last out of the egg, and
looked so ugly, was bitten, pushed, and jeered at,
as much by the ducks as by the chickens.
The Ugly Duckling 419
"It is too big!" they all said. And the turkey
cock, who had been born with spurs, and therefore
thought himself an emperor, blew himself up like
a ship in full sail, and bore straight down upon it ;
then he gobbled, and grew quite red in the face.
The poor Duckling did not know where he should
stand or walk; he was quite sad because he looked
ugly and was scoffed at by the whole yard.
So it went on the first day; and afterward it
became worse and worse. The poor Duckling was
hunted about by every one; even his brothers and
sisters were quite angry with him, and said, "If the
cat would only catch you, you ugly creature!"
And the mother said, "If you were only far away!"
And the ducks bit him, and the chickens beat him,
and the girl who had to feed the poultry kicked at
him with her foot.
Then he ran and flew over the fence, and the
little birds in the bushes flew up in fear.
"That is because I am so ugly!" thought the
Duckling ; and he shut his eyes, but flew no farther ;
thus he came out into the great marsh where the
wild ducks lived. Here he lay the whole night
long, and he was weary and downcast.
Toward morning the wild ducks flew up, and
looked at their new companion.
"^Vhat sort of a one are you?" they asked; and
the Duckling turned in every direction, and bowed
as well as he could. "You are remarkably ugly!"
said the wild ducks. "But that makes no difference
to us, so long as you do not marry into our family."
Poor thing! He certainly did not think of mar-
rying, and only hoped to obtain leave to lie among
the reeds and drink some of the swamp water.
420 The Ugly Duckling
Thus he lay two whole days; then came thither
two wild geese, or, properly speaking, two wild
ganders. It was not long since each had crept
out of an egg, and that's why they were so saucy.
"Listen, comrade," said one of them. "You're
so ugly that I like you. Will you go with us, and
become a bird of passage? Near here, in another
marsh, there are a few lovely wild geese, all unmar-
ried, and all able to say 'Honk!' You've a chance
of making your fortune, ugly as you are!"
"Crack! crack!" resounded through the air; and
the two ganders fell down dead in the swamp, and
the water became blood-red. "Crack! bang!" it
sounded again, and whole flocks of wild geese rose
up from the reeds. And then there was another
report. A great hunt was going on. The hunters
were lying in wait all round the marsh, and some
were even sitting up in the branches of the trees,
which spread far over the reeds. The blue smoke
rose up like clouds among the dark trees, and was
wafted far away across the water ; and the hunting
dogs came — splash, splash! — into the swamp, and
the rushes and the reeds bent down on every side.
That was a fright for the poor Duckling! He
turned his head, and put it under his wing; but at
that moment a frightful great dog stood close by
the Duckling. His tongue hung far out of his
mouth, and his eyes gleamed horrible and ugly ; he
thrust out his nose close against the Duckling,
showed his sharp teeth, and — splash, splash ! — on he
went without seizing him.
"Oh, Heaven be thanked!" sighed the Duckling.
"I'm so ugly that even the dog does not like to bite
me I"
The Ugly Duckling 421
And so he lay quite quiet, wliile the shots rattled
through the reeds, and gun after gun was fired.
At last, late in the day, silence was restored; but
the poor Duckling did not dare to rise up ; he waited
several hours before he looked round, and then
hastened away out of the marsh as fast as he could.
He ran on over field and meadow; there was such
a storm raging that it was difficult to get from one
place to another.
Toward evening the Duck came to a little, miser-
able peasant's hut. This hut was so dilapidated
that it did not know on which side it should fall;
and that's why it remained standing. The storm
whistled round the Duckling in such a way that the
poor creature was obliged to sit down, and the
tempest grew w^orse and worse. Then the Duck-
ling noticed that one of the hinges of the door had
given way, and the door hung so slanting that the
Duckling could slip through the crack into the
room; and he did so.
Here lived a woman, with her Cat and her Hen.
And the Cat, whom she called Little Son, could
arch his back and purr, and could even give out
sparks; but for that, one had to stroke his fur the
wrong way. The Hen had quite little, short legs,
and therefore she was called Chickabiddy- Short-
legs. She laid good eggs, and the woman loved
her as her own child.
In the morning the strange Duckling was at once
noticed, and the Cat began to purr, and the Hen to
cluck.
"^Vliat's this?" said the woman, and looked all
round ; but she could not see well, and therefore she
thought the Duckling was a fat duck that had
422 The Ugly Duckling
strayed. "This is a rare prize," she said. "Now
I shall have duck's eggs. I hope it is not a drake.
We must try that."
And so the Duckling was admitted on trial for
three weeks; but no eggs came. And the Cat was
master of the house, and the Hen was the lady, and
they always said, "We and the world!" for they
thought they were half the world, and by far the
better half. The Duckling thought one might have
a different opinion, but the Hen would not allow it.
"Can you lav eggs?" she asked.
"No."
"Then you'll have the goodness to hold your
tongue."
And the Cat said, "Can you curve your back, and
piu'r, and give out sparks?"
"No."
"Then please keep still when sensible people
are speaking."
And the Duckling sat in a corner and was melan-
choly; then the fresh air and the sunshine streamed
in; and he was seized with such a strange longing
to swim on the water, that he could not help telling
the Hen of it.
"What are you thinking of?" cried the Hen.
"You have nothing to do, that's why you have these
fancies. Purr or lay eggs, and they will pass
■>■>
over.
"But it is so charming to swim on the water!"
said the Duckling; "so refreshing to let it close over
one's head, and to dive down to the bottom."
"Yes, that must be a mighty pleasure, truly,"
quoth the Hen. "I fancy you must have gone
crazy. Ask the Cat about it — he's the cleverest
The Ugly Duckling 423
animal I know — ask him if he likes to swim on the
water, or to divx down ; 1 won't speak about myself*.
Ask our mistress, the old woman; no one in the
world is cleverer than she. Do you think she has
any desire to swim, and to let the water close over
her head?"
"You don't understand me," said the Duckling.
"We don't understand you? Then pray, who is
to understand you? You surely don't pretend to
be cleverer than the Cat and the old woman — I
won't say anything of myself. Don't be conceited,
child, and be grateful for all the kindness you have
received. Did you not get into a warm room, and
have you not fallen into company from which you
may learn something? But you are a chatterer,
and it is not pleasant to associate with you. You
may believe me, I speak for your good. I tell you
disagreeable things, and by that one may always
know one's true friends. Only take care that you
learn to lay eggs, or to purr and give out sparks!"
"I think I will go out into the wide world," said
the Duckling.
"Yes, do go," replied the Hen.
And the Duckling went away. He swam on the
water, and dived, but he was slighted by every crea-
ture because of his ugliness.
Now came the autumn. The leaves in the forest
turned yellow and brown; the wind caught them
so that they danced about, and up in the air it was
very cold. The clouds hung low, hea^y wuth hail
and snowflakes, and on the fence stood the raven,
crying "Croak! croak!" for mere cold. Yes, it is
enough to make one feel cold to think of this. The
poor little Duckling certainly had a sorry time.
424 The Ugly Duckling
One evening — the sun was just setting in his
beauty — there came a whole flock of great, hand-
some birds out of the bushes ; they were dazzlingly
white, with long flexible necks and shining feathers ;
they were swans. They uttered a peculiar cry,
spread forth their glorious wings, and flew away
from that cold region to warmer lands, to fair open
lakes. They mounted so high, so high !
The ugly little Duckling felt quite strange as he
watched them. He turned round and round in the
water like a wheel, stretched out his neck toward
them, and uttered such a strange, loud cry that he
was frightened at himself, for he had never made
such a sound before.
Oh! he could not forget those beautiful, happy
birds ; and as soon as he could see them no longer,
he dived down to the very bottom, and when he
came up again he was quite beside himself. He
knew not the name of those birds, and knew not
whither they were flying; but he loved them more
than he had ever loved any one. He was not at all
envious of them. How could he think of wishing
to possess such loveliness as they had? He would
have been glad if only the ducks would have
endured his company — the poor, ugly creature!
And the winter came in earnest. It grew colder
and colder. The Duckling was forced to swim
about in the water, to prevent the surface from
freezing entirely ; but every night the hole in which
he swam about became smaller and smaller. The
Duckling was obliged to use his legs continually to
prevent the hole from freezing up. At last he be-
came exhausted, and lay quite still, and thus froze
fast into the ice.
The Ugly Duckling 425
Early in the morning a peasant came by, and
when he saw what had happened, he took his wooden
shoe, broke the ice crust to pieces, and carried the
Duckhng home to his wife. The warm room soon
brought him to again, and the children wanted to
play with him.
The Duckling thought they would hurt him, and
in his terror fluttered up into the milk-pan, so that
the milk spurted down into the room. The woman
clapped her hands, at which the Duckling flew down
into the butter-tub, and then into the meal-barrel
and out again. How he looked then!
The woman screamed and struck at him with the
fire-tongs; the children tumbled over one another
in their efforts to catch the Duckling, and they
laughed till they cried! Happily, the door stood
open, and the poor creature was able to slip out
between the shrubs into the newly-fallen snow ; and
there he lay quite exhausted.
But it would be too sad if I were to tell all the
misery and care which the Duckling had to endure
in the hard winter. He lay out on the moor among
the reeds, when the sun began to shine again and
the larks to sing ; it was a beautiful spring.
Then all at once the Duckling could flap his
wings ; they beat the air more strongly than before,
and bore him quickly away; and before he well
knew how all this had happened, he found himself
in a great garden, where the elder trees smelt sweet,
and bent their long green branches down to the
canal that wound through the park.
Oh, here it was so beautiful, such a gladness of
spring! and from the thicket came three glorious
white swans that rustled their wings, and swam
426
The Ugly Duckling
lightly on the water. The Duckling knew the
splendid creatures, and felt oppressed by a peculiar
sadness.
"I will fly away to them, to the royal birds! and
they will kill me, because I, that am so ugly, dare
A BEAUTIFUL WHITE SWAN !
to approach them. But it is of no consequence!
Better to be killed by them than to be pursued by
ducks, and beaten by fowls, and pushed about by
the girl who takes care of the poultry yard, and to
suffer hunger in winter!"
And he flew out into the water, and swam toward
The Ugly Duckling 427
the beautiful swans, who looked at him and came
sailing down upon him with outspread wings.
"Kill me!" said the poor creature, and bent his
head down upon the water, expecting nothing but
death. But what was this that he saw in the clear
water? He beheld his own image — and, lo! he was
no longer a clumsy, dark-gray l)ird, ugly and hate-
ful to look at, but — a beautiful, white swan!
It matters nothing if one is born in a duck yard,
if one can only be hatched from a swan's eggl
He felt quite contented after all the misfortunes
he had suffered, now that he realized his happiness
in all the splendor that surrounded him. And the
great swans swam round him, and stroked him with
their beaks.
Into the garden came little children, who threw
bread and corn into the water.
The youngest cried, "There is a new one!" and
the other children shouted joyously, "Yes, a new
one has arrived!"
They clapped their hands and danced about, and
ran to their father and mother; and bread and
cake were thrown into the water.
"The new one is the most beautiful of all! so
young and handsome!" they said in chorus.
And the old swans bowed their heads before him !
Then he felt quite humble, and hid his head under
his wing, for he had suffered too much to be proud.
He did not know what to do ; he was so happy and
contented. He thought how he had been perse-
cuted and despised ; and now he heard them saying
that he was the most beautiful of all the birds.
Even the elder tree bent its branches straight down
into the water before him, and the sun shone warm
428 The Ugly Duckling
and mild. Then his wings rustled, he lifted his
slender neck, and cried rejoicingly from the depths
of his heart :
"I never dreamed of so much happiness when
I was still that Ugly Duckling!"
THIS is one of the finest little stories that Hans
Christian Andersen ever wrote, and no man
ever wrote better stories for childi-en. This is so
good that w^e ought to be glad to read it more than
once and see if we cannot find in it something new
every time we read it.
In the first place, we are very much interested in
the Ugly Duckling himself, his sorrowful child-
hood, his sufferings in winter, and the glorious end
of everything; but unless we stop to think we do
not realize how very much like one of ourselves the
great Danish story-teller has made his Ugly Duck-
ling, or how much like human beings are the char-
acters in the story.
Does not the Ugly Duckling seem to feel as an
awkward boy does when people talk about his big
hands, his clumsy feet or his red hair?
Is it not just like a human mother to say, "Look
how well he can use his legs, and how upright he
holds his head. He is my own child. On the
whole he is quite pretty if one looks at it rightly."
Perhaps you have seen people like Little Son or
Chickabiddy- Shortlegs who were so very proud
because they could do some one thing well that they
made themselves disagreeable to everybody else.
It is not manly to think that the thing one can do
very well is the only thing that is worth doing.
Everybody can do something well, and something
The Ugly Duckling 429
that is very important, too. This is just what Lit-
tle Son and Chickabiddy-Shortlegs did not under-
stand.
Do you notice that the reason the Ugly Duckling
was not proud when he found he was a white swan
was that he had suffered so much when he was lit-
tle? We cannot always see that our trou})les make
us better and really turn out in the end to be great
blessings.
But then again, the birds and animals are not
entirely human. They show their own natures very
clearly.
The turkey cock swells up and struts around,
just as such birds always do. The hunting dog
will not touch the bird it is not trained to bring
back to its master, and the cat arches her back and
purrs just as cats always do when they are feeling
good.
In every flock of fowls there is one leader, and
every time new chickens or ducks come into the
flock they are looked at and approved, or picked at
and mistreated, just as are the old Duck's little
brood.
Perhaps the best thing in the whole story is the
conclusion that, after all, "it matters nothing if one
is born in a duck yard if one can only be hatched
from a swan's egg.^'
It seems a very good conclusion to make, for no
matter where a person was born, or how poor he is,
there is always a great deal of the swan in him if
he only takes care to find it, and he can make him-
self strong, fine-looking and noble if he remembers
that fact.
If you have time, and wish to study the story
430 The Ugly Duckling
more, you can find the answers to the following
(jiiestions written in the story, or you can think what
the answers may he and talk to your parents or
your older brothers and sisters about them :
1. How did the Duck find out that her ugly child
was not a turkey?
2. A\niat does the IMother-Duck mean when she
says, "That is how it goes in the world"?
3. Why does the Mother-Duck think that be-
cause he is a drake the Ugly Duckling's looks are
of no consequence?
4. Why did the dog's tongue hang out of his
mouth ?
5. What was the reason that the old woman's
house did not fall down?
6. "\Aniat advice did Little Son give the Ugly
Duckling?
7. Are the birds prettier in the early summer
than they are in the winter ? Do they change their
color? Is an old bird sometimes colored differently
from a young one? Do you know the bobolink?
Did you ever see him in winter when he is in the
southern states, and in summer in the north when
his wife is nesting?
8. Do you suppose the elder tree really bent its
branches straight down into the water?
9. Do you think that the way to know one's true
friends is by the disagreeable things they say?
BAUCIS AND PHILEMON
Adapted
^^^^^sONG, long ago, in a far-away land
^ called Greece, lived people who were
very different in some ways from those
who live to-day. About some things
they knew more than any people who
have lived since their time. They made
statues and built temples which were
more beautiful than any made in later ages, but
about some things they knew very little. They had
no correct ideas as to how the earth was made, and
they believed that there were many gods, who knew
all about everj^thing in the world, and who made
things happen just as they pleased.
These gods, they believed, could make themselves
look like anything they wanted to — so exactly like
that not even the brightest eyes could tell the dif-
ference. And the old Greeks used to be very fond
of telling their children stories about the times when
the gods made themselves look like human beings
and came to visit men and women. Then the people
whom they visited did not guess that their guests
were not men and women just like themselves, and
sometimes this was very unpleasant ; for if the gods
did not like w^hat people were doing and saying,
they punished the offenders. One of the stories
which the Greek children liked best you may read
here.
One day the king of the gods, the wisest and
431
432
Baucis and Philemon
strongest of them all, whose name was Jupiter,
called one of his sons to him and said :
"Come, Mercury, let us go and see how the people
in Phrygia are behaving themselves."
M112U[M][BI[EJ[^1M][S][B11^[MI[BJ[B1IM
MERCUKT ° tJUPITER
miv wt'nnvi i wnil-t'
Mercury was always very glad to go any place
with his father, and in a very little while he was
ready.
"But, my son," said Jupiter, "you cannot wear
Baucis and Philemon 433
your wings. Everybody who sees you will guess
who you are."
"O father," cried Mercury, "I get so tired with-
out my wings."
"Never mind," replied the father; "you may take
your staff, which will help you just as much.
Nobody will notice that."
It must have been a very strange staff which could
be as much help to a boy as a pair of wings, and
so, indeed, it was. For it had two little wings of
its own, and it made the person who carried it so
light that he could scarcely keep his feet on the
ground.
The clothes which Jupiter and Mercury put on
for this trip were old and shabby, and so, when
they came to the town in Phrygia which they meant
to visit, people thought they were just beggars.
Now, if they had come riding on fine horses, and
wearing gold chains about their necks and diamond
rings on their fingers, the people in this wicked town
would have given them their softest, whitest beds
to sleep in, and w^ould have cooked for them fine
dinners, for they were always ready to give good
things to people who could just as well have paid
for them. But when poor, hungry men came to the
town, children were sent out to drive them away,
and — for the people were very wicked — fierce dogs
were turned loose. And that's the way they treated
Jupiter and ^Mercury. How different it would have
been had they known who their visitors were 1
Mercury, who was young and proud, and had
always been used to having his own way, grew very
angry, and cried to his father, "Just let me wave
my staff over these wicked children and dogs, and
434 Baucis and Philemon
turn them all into stone children and iron dogs."
But Jupiter said, "No; let us see just how bad they
really can be."
So the two travelers were chased out of the village
and up a little hill, almost to the gate of a cottage
which stood back from the country road. Now it
was evening by the time they reached this place, and
the two old people who lived in the cottage had fin-
ished their work and eaten their supper and were
sitting on a bench beside their door. It was a very
hard bench and a very plain, low door, for old Phile-
mon and his wife Baucis were as poor as Jupiter
and JNIercury looked in their old clothes. But the
old couple were very different from the bad people
in the town, and as soon as they saw the two men
coming they hurried to the gate as fast as their old
feet would take them, and Philemon cried :
"Come in! Come in! Have those sauc)^ children
and those snappy dogs been treating you as they
treat every stranger ? You'll find no saucy children
or snappy dog here."
Jupiter and Mercury, smiling at each other, fol-
lowed the old people to the cottage door, and sat
down on the bench there.
"I'm very sorry," said Baucis, "that there is so
little in the house to give you to eat. You can see
without my telling you that we are very poor. But
what there is I shall be very glad to give j^ou."
While Philemon talked to the visitors and brought
water in a wooden bowl that they might wash, his
old wife got supper. And even though she thought
the visitors were only beggar men, she was just as
careful about the meal as she would have been had
she known that they were really gods.
Baucis and Philemon
43.5
BM[Ml|MI[PJ[^lBllMllMll^fMJPifMJ[^
MERCURY' JUPITER
BAUCIS
IHI.S W|-:illlHI I , WHITK
Finally, she called Philemon in and said:
"Everything is ready, but this table is so crooked
that I am ashamed to ask them to sit at it. One
leg is shorter than the rest."
It was hard for Philemon to get down on his
knees, for he was old and stiff; but he knelt and
shoved pieces of slate under the short table leg until
that corner was as high as the rest. Then Baucis
put the supper on the table and called the guests.
436 Baucis and Philemon
And after all, it was not such a bad supper. There
was a stew — not very rich or very strong, it is true,
but piping hot and nicely seasoned; and there was
cheese and brown bread and honey and milk. To
be sure, the pitcher that held the milk and the bowl
that held the stew were of the commonest brown
ware, while the cups and the plates were of wood.
But these things the visitors did not seem to mind
at all.
Poor Baucis was very much worried for fear there
was not enough milk, for the strangers seemed very
thirsty after their walk; and when Mercury asked
for the third cup of milk she said sadly, "I'm sorrj%
young man, but the milk is all gone. I poured the
last of it into j^our cup."
INIercury winked at his father, and there was even
a twinkle in Jupiter's eye, though the old people did
not see it.
"Just try and see," said Mercury; "maybe you
can squeeze out a drop for me."
To show him that she was right, Baucis seized
the pitcher and held it upside down over his cup;
when lo and behold! the milk came flowing out in
such a stream that it filled the cup and ran over onto
the floor. Baucis was so startled that she almost
dropped the pitcher. She knew that there was no
mistake; the pitcher had been empty and was now
full, yet no one had poured in a drop. It did not
take her as long to guess what had happened as it
would take you or me if such a thing should come
to pass in our homes ; and as soon as she could speak,
she cried :
"O Philemon, these are the gods, for nobody but
a god could fill an empty pitcher without even
Baucis and Philemon 437
touching it. Get down on your knees, Philemon,
for these are in truth the gods!"
This time it did not take Philemon so long to
kneel — he never stopped to think of his age and
stiffness, hut down he dropped beside his wife. They
both hid their faces in their hands, for they were
frightened half to death — not because they had done
anything bad, for they knew they hadn't; but just
because it was all so wonderful that it almost took
their breath away.
"Do not be afraid, good peo^Dle," said Jupiter in
a deep voice. "It is true that we are gods. I am
Jupiter, and this is JSIercury. But no one who does
good need fear the gods, and to you we shall bring
nothing but happiness, because you were kind to
us when you knew not who we were. The pitcher
of milk shall never be empty, no matter how much
you drink ; the loaf of bread shall never be eaten up,
no matter how much you eat, and there shall always
be honey to eat with your bread."
"But, father," put in JNIercury, "what about those
bad people in the village yonder?"
Spoiled bo}" that he was, he was thinking much
more about the punishment that should come to the
bad people whose children had thrown stones at
him and whose dogs had torn his clothes, than he
was about any reward for the good people who had
fed him.
"Come," said Jupiter, "let us go out and look at
the village."
Baucis and Philemon scrambled to their feet and
followed their guests out of doors, still too excited
to speak. From the hilltop on which their house
stood, they looked down toward the village, as they
438 Baucis and Philemon
had done every day of their life there. They
expected to see the white houses with their dark
roofs and the higher roofs of the temples shining
in the bright moonlight; but at the sight they saw
they could only stand and gasp. There was no vil-
lage there! The valley in which it had stood was
filled to the brim — almost to their very gate, in fact
— with a lake ; and the moon was shining across the
lake, making a silver road.
"Our neighbors!" gasped Baucis and Philemon
together. "Are they drowned?"
"All turned into fishes," replied Jupiter, "and
that's better than they deserved, heartless wretches
that they were. Now look behind you, Baucis and
Philemon, and see whether you like that sight
better."
The two old people were beginning to feel that
they could not bear many more surprises, but they
turned slowly and looked at their house. And right
before their eyes they saw the poor little cottage
changing to a great palace of white marble, with
wide marble steps.
"Come," said Mercury, "let me lead you into your
new home."
And the old people followed him up the steps and
through the doors and about the beautiful rooms
with their marble floors.
"Here shall you live, good Baucis and Philemon,"
said Jupiter. "And if there is any one thing that
you want very much, just ask me, and I will give it
to you."
Baucis and Philemon looked at each other. There
was no need for them to talk it over, for they had
often amused themselves by trying to think what
Baucis and Philemon 439
they would say if they ever had a chance to ask for
anything they wanted, and they had always decided
on the same thing.
"O kind and wonderful Jujiiter," answered Phile-
mon, "all we ask is that we may die at the same time.
Don't let one of us live after the other is dead."
"It shall be," replied JujDiter. And then, followed
by JNIercury, he left them, not taking the road
around the lake, but walking right across the water
on the silver road which the moon made.
For years Baucis and Philemon lived in their
beautiful house, and very happy they were because
they always had enough food to set before hungry
people, and plenty of beds where the tired might
rest. And you can imagine that they never grew
weary of telling their visitors of the wonderful things
the king of the gods had done for them, for they
never became forgetful or ungrateful.
One day they were standing at their door, one on
each side, talking about the goodness of the gods.
They thought that all the wonderful things were
over, but as they looked at each other, they saw that
another very strange thing was coming to pass.
They were turning into trees ! Their hair turned to
leaves, their arms to great branches, and the bark
grew about their bodies.
"Dear Baucis," said Philemon, and "Dear Phile-
mon," said Baucis; and then together thev said,
"Farewell!"
Just as they said it the bark closed over their
mouths, so that they never spoke again. But thev
grew before the house for many years, and were still
good to travelers ; for they threw a broad, cool shade
which was very pleasant to rest in on hot days. And
440 The Wind
those who knew the story of the two beautiful trees
used to fancy that the trees enjoyed giving pleasure,
and used to imagine that they heard the leaves say-
ing, just as the two kind old people had always said :
"Welcome, stranger ! Come in! Come in! Rest
and refresh yourself."
THE WIND
By Robert Louis Stevenson
I SAW you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky ;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass —
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song !
I saw the different things you did.
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all —
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song !
O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old ?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song !
Little Brown Hands 441
LITTLE BROWN HANDS
By Mary Hannah Kraut
THEY drive home the cows from the pasture
' • Up thro' the long, shady lane,
Where the quail whistles loud in the wheat field
That is yellow with ripening grain.
They toss the hay in the meadow.
They gather the elder-hloom white ;
They find where the dusky grapes purple
In the soft-tinted October light.
They wave from the tall, rocking tree-tops,
Where the oriole's hammock-nest swings;
And at night-time are folded in slumber
By a song that a fond mother sings.
Those who toil bravely are strongest ;
The humble and poor become great ;
And from those brown-handed children
Shall grow mighty rulers of state.
The pen of the author and statesman,
The noble and wise of our land —
The sword and the chisel and palette
Shall be held in the little brown hand.
WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT
^N the reign of Richard the Third, king
of Efngland, there lived a ragged httle
boy whose name was Dick Whitting-
ton. His father and mother died when
he was an infant, and as he had no
other relatives, he lived from hand to
mouth on the charity of the poor people
in the parish of Taunton Dean, in Somersetshire.
In spite of his rough life he grew up into a fine,
sturdy youth, but rather indifferent to work. When
he was strong enough to earn his own living, the
people in the parish grew tired of feeding him, and
threatened to whip him unless he set out to work
for himself.
Dick was a sharp young fellow and had learned
a great deal from listening to the talk of his elders,
and had been in so many homes that he had picked
up a great variety of information. More than by
anything else his fancy had been caught by tales of
London, M'hich in the minds of the ignorant people
of the parish was a marvelous city, the streets of
which were paved with gold, and which was inhab-
ited onh^ by gentlemen and beautiful, finely dressed
ladies. Dick felt that in such a place as this he
could earn his living much more easily than among
the country folk he knew.
The day he was threatened so severely a great
carriage drawn by six horses came through the vil-
lage on its way to London, and Dick resolved to
442
Whittington and His Cat 443
follow it. The driver took a fancy to the sturdy
lad, and in return for such little services as rubbing
down the horses and cleaning the harness, he often
gave Dick a ride, and at night bought him his
supper and gave him lodging. When, however,
they arrived in the great city, the driver, knowing
that Dick had no money, was afraid he would become
a troublesome hanger-on, and so gave him a shilling
and sent him about his business.
So in tattered clothes, dusty and forlorn, Dick
wandered about the city, very soon penniless, for
his shilling was all spent for his first meal. At many
places he asked for food and sometimes w^as given
a little, but never enough to stop the fierce hunger
that boys have. Several times he was tempted to
steal, but he was an honest lad and was firm in his
resolve to starve rather than take anything that did
not belong to him. As he wandered farther and
farther into the dark and filthy streets of London,
his rich men and ladies and golden streets faded
completely away.
After two days of such wandering he learned that
he must work if he would eat, and so no longer asked
for food. Everywhere he was called an idle rogue
and told to go to work, but no one gave him any-
thing to do. At night of the third day, more weary
and hungry than ever, he came to the house of a
rich merchant in Leadenhall street, where he asked
again for work or for food enough to keep him from
starving. The cook to whom he had applied was
an ill-natured w^oman, and exclaimed, "Get you
gone, you idle fellow. If you tarry here I will kick
you into the dog kennel."
This was the last straw for poor Dick, who crept
444 Whittingtox and His Cat
wearily into a corner and lay down upon the ground,
unable to go any farther.
In the meantime, iNIr. Fitzwarren, the merchant,
came home and found the boy lying exhausted by
his door. "What business have you here?" asked
the merchant. "Get up and leave at once, or I will
have vou sent to the house of correction, you lazy
fellow."
Dick struggled to his feet and tried to walk, but
after falling two or three times from faintness, he
lay upon the ground and sobbed out, "I am only a
poor, half-starved country boy. I am willing to
work if you will only give me something to do, no
matter what it is. I will work hard for my food
only."
]Mr. Fitzwarren looked more closely at Dick and
satisfied himself that the boy was telling the truth,
and as he was a kind-hearted man, he ordered one of
his servants to take the boy in, feed him well and set
him to work in the kitchen as a scullion. Dick might
have had a very happy time in this family but for
the ill-natured cook, who was always scolding and
finding fault.
"You are to work under me. Xow look sharp
at your business, clean the spits and dripping pans,
make the fires and do all the work I set }^ou about
in a hurry, or I will break your head with my ladle."
Such a place was very trying, but it was better
than starving, and Dick stuck to his work manfidly.
However, after a few days. Miss Alice, his master's
daughter, hearing of the arrival of the new scullion,
came into the kitchen to see him, and learning how
unkind the cook was, ordered her to be more con-
siderate to her new help. Then she talked to the
Whittington and His Cat 445
boy about his early home and his manner of living
and how he came to London, and finding him frank,
honest and pleasing in his answers, she had him
dressed properly for his position as a servant in their
household.
DICK IN HIS GARRET
After this, the cook treated him a little better, but
his bed was a poor mattress in the garret, w^here
the rats and mice ran over his face and squealed so
loudly and frequently that tliey troubled him almost
as much at night as the cook did during the day-
446 Whittington and His Cat
time. His bed was so unpleasant that he was always
up early in the morning and quite willing to remain
diligently at work until late in the evening. Such
hard, honest labor ought to have pleased the cook,
but her temper was so bad that poor Dick had to
take many beatings, and the more he tried to earn
her good will, the more she abused him.
About this time a strange merchant came to visit
Mr. Fitzwarren, and at night, as was the custom,
left his shoes outside the door to be cleaned. Dick
polished them carefully, and when he returned them
in the morning the gentleman gave him a penny.
The same day as he was going along the street
on an errand he met a woman carrying a cat.
"What will you take for the cat?" asked Dick,
who was very fond of animals.
"She is a fine mouser, this cat," said the woman,
"and I could not sell her for less than a sixpence."
"But I have only a penny," said Dick.
"O, well, if that is the case," said the woman, "you
may have the cat for a penny."
Delighted with his purchase, Dick took the cat
home and kept her in a box all day for fear she
might stray into the kitchen, where the cook would
kill her. At night he turned her loose in the garret,
and in a little while she had delivered him from his
plague of rats and mice.
Whenever Mr. Fitzwarren sent one of his ships
out on a voyage, in order that God might bless his
endeavors more abundantly, he called all his servants
together and gave each an opportunity to venture
something in the enterprise free of charge for freight
or custom. The ship was ready to sail soon after
Dick bought his cat, and all the other servants
Whittington and His Cat 447
brought something to venture on the voyage. As
he had nothing, neither money nor goods, Dick did
not go with the rest of the servants to his master,
but remained quietly at work in the kitchen. JMiss
Ahce missed him and went to the kitchen, where
she found him cleaning the spit.
"Why don't you invest something in the voyage
of the Unicorn?" asked the girl.
"I have nothing," said Dick; "nothing in the
world except my cat which I got for a penny."
Returning to the parlor, Alice said to her father,
"Dick Whittington, the scullion, is not here because
he has nothing to venture on the voyage. He has
no money, and owns nothing excepting a cat which
he bought for a penny, which has rid his garret of
mice and rats. I will put in some money for him
and let him have the profit."
"No, no," said the father; "that will not do.
Whatever is invested must be his own. Let him
bring his cat and let her go."
So Dick brought down his cat, and with tears in
his eyes gave her to the captain, who sailed away on
his voyage. Kind-hearted Alice gave him a little
to buy another cat, but it never quite took the place
of the first one. Besides the cook, seeing the interest
Alice took in him, grew jealous and more sullen
than ever. She was always sneering at him about
his grand venture and wondering what he expected
to get for his cat. In fact, she led him such a
life that he finally gave up in despair and decided
to quit the service of the Fitzwarrens for good
and all.
Packing up his little bundle one night, he started
early on All Hallow's Day, the first of November,
448 Whittington and His Cat
to begin again his rambles about the country. By
the time he reached JNloorefields he was beginning
to regret his resolution, and when he had reached
Halloway he sat down by the roadside to consider
the situation. While he waited there, lonely and
dejected, the bells of Bow^ Church began to ring a
merrj'- peal. The music caught his fancy, and as he
listened he thought he could hear them say :
"Turn again, Whittington,
Thrice Lord INIayor of London."
He could not resist such an appeal and the good
fortune promised him, and so turned back without
delay. In fact, so rapidly did he run that he reached
the house before the family were stirring, crept
softly in at the door he had left ajar, and set to
work at his usual drudgery, no one the wiser for
his little desertion.
All this time Dick's cat was sharing the fate of
the Unicorn, which, driven by contrary winds, was
forced to make land on the coast of Barbary, w^here
the ISIoors, unaccustomed to seeing white people,
treated them civilly and were eager to buy the won-
derful things that the strangers had for sale. The
captain, noticing this, sent samples of his goods to
the king of the country, who was much pleased with
them and invited him to bring his wares to the
palace.
Here, according to the custom of the country, the
captain w^as entertained lavishly, all sitting cross-
legged upon carpets of interwoven gold and silver.
Tables were brought in, laden with good things to
eat; but the feast was sadly marred by the great
troops of rats and mice which ran over the carpet
Whittington and His Cat 440
and even snatched bits of food from tlie table and
out of the fingers of the guests.
The surprised captain turned to one of the nobles
and said, "How do you endure this plague? Are
not the mice offensive to you?"
"Indeed they are," replied the noble, "very much
so. His majesty would give half his revenue to be
free from them. They are not only offensive at his
table, but he can scarcely sleep at night for the
hordes that invade his chamber and bed. In fact,
guards are always stationed near him for fear of
mischief."
This reminded the captain of Whittington's cat,
and rejoicing at the opportunity of helping the
king, he said, "Why, I have in my ship an English
beast that will rid the court of rats and mice in a
hurry."
When the king heard the good news he was over-
joyed and said, "Bring me this surprising creature.
If she can do what you say I will give you a good
price for her. I will load your ship with gold,
diamonds and rich pearls."
Such extravagant offers made the captain try to
put still a greater value on the cat's merits.
"She is the most wonderful animal I ever saw,"
he said, "and I cannot spare her. She keeps my
ship clear of rats and mice, which otherwise would
destroy all my goods."
But his majesty the king would listen to no
excuses, and ordered the cat brought before him.
Perhaps, too, the captain was influenced by the
queen's enthusiasm, for she added her good word
to the king's.
"Run, run," she said; "bring the dear creature.
450 Whittington and His Cat
I am perishing to see her. We will give you any-
thing you ask for her."
The cat was sent for, and the tables were again
spread for another feast, to which the rats and mice
came as before. As soon, however, as the cat was
freed she fell to her work, and in a trice killed all
the vermin, not leaving a single mouse to tell the
story of the destruction. Then, curling up her tail
and purring loudly, the cat walked up to the king
and queen and rubbed herself against them as if
begging for a reward for what she had done. For
their part, they were delighted, and pronounced it
the finest sport they had ever seen.
The INIoorish royal couple were pleased to have
a chance to do a good turn for the captain, so they
not only bought his whole cargo, but gave him for
the cat more than his whole shipload was worth.
Then, with a fair wind behind him, he sailed away,
arriving safely in England with the richest ship that
ever entered port.
Among the gifts of the king was a rich cabinet
of jewels, a special present for Dick, the owner of
the cat. These the captain took with him, as too
rich a prize to be left on board the ship. When he
made his report to Mr. Fitzwarren the latter was
much pleased, and gave thanks to God for such a
prosperous voyage.
As soon as he reached home he called his servants
all about him and gave to each his just share of the
profits.
When he came to Dick he remarked, "This casket
of jewels was given especially for Dick Whitting-
ton's cat, and God forbid I should deprive him of
a single farthing."
Whittington and His Cat 451
Then it was discovered that Dick, poor boy, was
still in the kitchen cleaning pots and pans.
"Run, one of you," said jNIr. Fitzwarren, "and
call Mr. Whittington to me."
When the messenger found Dick and called him
Mr. Whittington, and said the master wished to see
him, the poor boy made several excuses, but after
a while followed his fellow-servant to the door,
where he stood bowing and scraping before his mas-
ter. Not until the merchant had spoken to him
personally did he dare to enter, and when his
master offered him a chair beside himself, Dick felt
they must be making sport of him and fell on his
knees, exclaiming with tears in his eyes, "Why do
you make such sport of me? I am only a poor,
simple scullion who means no harm to any of you."
"Indeed, ^Ir. Whittington," said ]Mr. Fitzwar-
ren, raising him up, "we are very serious ^v^ith you,
for at this instant you are a richer man than myself."
When he had spoken these words he handed Dick
the casket, which indeed contained vast riches; for
when they were valued they were found to be worth
three hundred thousand pounds, about one and a
half million of dollars, which was considered an
immense sum in those days.
When Dick at last believed them, and before he
knew the extent of his riches, he again fell upon his
knees and thanked God for remembering so poor a
creature in his misery. Then, turning to his master,
he laid the casket before him and said, "Take what
you will. It is more yours than mine."
"Whittington, I shall not take so much as a shil-
ling from you. This is all yours, and I am sure you
will use it well."
452
Whittington and His Cat
Dick then turned to 3Iiss Alice and offered
the treasure to her, but she likewise refused the
proffer, urging Dick to use the money himself. Still
the generous fellow was not content, and distributed
DICK RECEIVES THE CASKET
great sums among his fellow-servants and to the
captain, the officers and the crew of the ship, for he
felt that he owed much of his good luck to his friends.
Moreover, he did not forget his mortal enemy, the
cook, who received one hundred pounds for her
share.
Whittington and His Cat 453
Following the advice of Mr. Fitzwarren, he sent
for the proper tradesmen, who fitted him out and
dressed him like a gentleman, after which he
returned to the house of Mr. Fitzwarren, who had
invited him to remain thei'e until he could i)rovide
himself with a better home.
When young INIr. Whittington appeared with
clean face, nicely combed hair, a cocked hat and the
fashionable clothes then worn by young gentlemen,
he was indeed comely to look upon, a fact which
Miss Alice did not fail to notice. Whittington was
an observant young man, and soon fitted himself
nicely to his new position in society. Remembering
the kindness that Alice had always shown him, he
would indeed have been ungrateful had he not shown
a great interest in her. He was always trying to do
little acts of kindness for her, and she in turn showed
that she appreciated his efforts. In a little while
they were deeply in love, and JNIr. Fitzwarren was
not long in noticing the situation.
By this time Whittington had won his way so far
into the good graces of his former master that the
latter proposed a match between him and JNIiss
Alice. At first Whittington objected on the grounds
of his humble birth, but that objection was soon
overruled, and the Lord jNIayor of London and
the aldermen were invited to the wedding. After
the honeymoon w^as over, Whittington went into
partnership with his wife's father, and their com-
mercial business made them immensely wealthy.
Whittington was not spoiled by his rapid rise to
riches, but remained honest in all his dealings and
became popular with every one who knew him,
because of his good manners and lively wit.
454 Whittington and His Cat
History tells us that Mr. Whittington and his
lady, with their family of several children, lived in
great splendor and were very happy. He was
sheriff of London, three times Lord Mayor, and
was knighted by King Henry the Fifth. When the
king returned from the great battle of Agincourt,
Sir Richard entertained him and his court in grand
style at Guild Hall. So delighted was his majesty
that he was pleased to say, "Never prince had such
a subject."
In return Richard remarked, "Never had subject
such a prince."
The king complimented him again on the fire,
which was of choice woods, cloves, mace and other
spices which gave forth a pleasing fragrance. On
hearing the king's praise. Sir Richard said, "I think
I can make the fire much more pleasing to Your
Majesty. Here are Your INIajesty's bonds, amount-
ing to over sixty thousand pounds, for loans made
in the progress of the war. All these I will throw
into the flames, and I believe Your Majesty can say
that you never saw another such fire."
Suiting the action to the words, he cast the bonds
into the flames, where they were quickly destroyed,
leaving the king and his nobles to marvel at such
wealth and liberality.
The remainder of his days Sir Richard spent
surrounded by wealth and beloved by all, and his
children grew up around him into manhood and
womanhood.
He built many charitable houses and a church
and college, to which he made an allowance for the
support of poor scholars. He built, too, the
famous prison of Newgate, where there was to be
The Wolf and the Lamb 455
seen as late as 1780 a statue of Sir Richard with
his cat.
Such is the popular legend of Dick AVhittington
and his cat. We do not know how much of this is
true, but there was a Sir Richard AVhittington who
arose from poverty to wealth and was three times
Lord Mayor of London.
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
AS a Wolf was lapping at the head of a running
L brook, he spied a stray Lamb paddling at some
distance down the stream. Having made up his
mind to seize her, he bethought liimself how he
might justify his violence.
"Villain," said he, running up to her, "ho^v dare
you muddle the water that I am drinking?"
"Indeed," said the Lamb humbly, "I do not see
how^ I can disturb the water, since it runs from j^ou
to me, not from me to you."
"Be that as it may," replied the Wolf, "it was
but a j^ear ago that you called me names."
"Oh, Sir!" said the Lamb, trembling, "a year ago
I was not born."
"Well," replied the Wolf, "if it was not you, it
was your father, and that is all the same; but it is
no use trying to argue with me;" and he fell upon
the Lamb and tore her to pieces.
THE STORY OF JOSEPH
T^HEN JoseiDh was little more than a
child, he began to helj) his brothers keep
and feed the flocks of their father on
the hills of Palestine. Joseph was then
the youngest of Jacob's sons, and
Jacob loved the lad more than he did
any of the others, and to show his
affection made him a coat of many colors.
The brethren, seeing how much their father loved
Joseph, hated him, and would not at any time,
unless the father was within hearing, speak to the
boy a kind or a gentle word.
Now it happened one time, as Joseph slept, he
dreamed a curious dream, and in the morning he
told it to his brothers.
"Listen to the dream I had last night," he said.
"I thought I was with you binding sheaves of grain
in the field, and when I laid down my sheaf, it stood
up, and yours, standing up all around, bowed down
and worshipped my sheaf."
His brethren answered, "Foolish boy, do you
think then that you should be our king and we should
be subject to you and obey your orders?"
So the dream became another cause of envy and
hatred, both of which were increased when Joseph
had another dream and told it to his father and his
brethren.
"Last night in my sleep I thought I saw the sun,
the moon and eleven stars worship me."
456
The Story or Joseph
457
Even the father blamed the boy for telling his
dream in so proud and lofty a manner.
"What!" said the father. "Do you think that
this dream means that I and your mother and your
brethren shall worship you upon earth?"
Nevertheless, the father wondered if this did not
mean that some time .Tose])h would ])e king.
A little while after, it hap])ened that Jacob called
458 The Story of Joseph
Joseph and said, "Your brethren are now feeding
their sheep in Shechem. I want you to go to them
and see if all things be well and prosperous, and then
come again and tell me what they are doing."
Joseph answered, "I am ready." So he went
from the vale of Hebron and came unto Shechem;
but here he could find no trace of either his brethren
or their flocks.
At last, however, a man spied him wandering in
the fields, and asked him what he sought. Joseph
answered, "I am looking for my brethren. Tell me
where they have fled with their flocks."
The man answered, "They have gone from this
place. I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.' "
So Joseph passed on into Dothan, and there he
found his brethren, who, when they saw him
approach, began to talk among themselves after
this fashion: "Lo! here the dreamer comes. Let us
slay liim and throw his body into this old cistern.
Then shall we tell our father that some evil beast
has devoured him, and then shall he know how little
Joseph's dreams profited him."
Reuben, one of the elder brothers, for his father's
sake tried to save Joseph. "Let us not slay him
nor shed his blood, but keep our hands clean. Fol-
low me and do as I direct."
So when Joseph came to them, they stripped off
his coat of many colors and dropped him down into
the well, where there was no water. Having done
this, they sat down to rest, and as they were eating
their noonday meal they saw a company of Ishmael-
ites coming from Gilead, who had, on their camels,
loads of spices and raisins which they were carrying
down to sell in Egypt.
The Story of Joseph 459
When Judah saw the Ishmaelites, he called to his
brothers, "How can it profit us if we slay our
brother and shed his blood? It is better for us to
sell him to these Ishmaelites. He is our own brother,
and of our own flesh. Let us not slay him."
The brothers agreed to this, and drawing Joseph
out of the well, they sold him to the merchants for
thirty pieces of silver, and Joseph was led away into
Egypt.
At the time Joseph was sold, Reuben was not
with the other brothers, but was tending his flock
in another place. When he returned, he went to
the well, and finding that Joseph was not there, he
tore his clothes in sorrow and cried out to his
brethren, "The child, my brother, is not j'^onder.
Where shall I go to find him?"
Then the brethren told Reuben that they had not
slain Joseph, but they had sold him into Egypt, and
all agreed not to tell their father what had hap-
pened. Instead, they slew a kid and dipped
Joseph's coat in the blood and sent the coat to their
father, saying, "Is not this coat, which we have
found thus sprinkled with blood, the coat of your
son Joseph, our brother?"
When Jacob saw the coat, he wept and said,
"This is indeed my son's coat. Some evil beast
must have devoured him." So Jacob, believing his
boy to be dead, rent his clothes, donned sackcloth
and threw ashes upon his head, while he wailed in
sorrow for his son.
All the brethren gathered together to comfort
their father and ease his sorrow, but Jacob would
take no comfort, saying, "I shall die and go to my
son and sorrow with him where he is."
460 The Story of Joseph
The merchants carried Joseph with them away
into Egypt, and sold him to Potiphar, master of
Pharaoh's knights. Here God was always with
Joseph and made him wise, ready, and prosperous
in everything he undertook. He dwelt in Poti-
phar's house, and so well pleased his lord that he
was given charge of the whole household, and ruled
it wisely and well. JMoreover, God blessed Egypt,
and Pharaoh's flocks and herds increased, and
wealth and plenty filled the land.
But after a time, the Egyptians grew jealous of
Joseph, and Potiphar's wife, accusing him falsely,
made her lord think that Joseph was a traitorous
friend. So Potiphar threw Joseph into prison and
kept him there for many days.
But still God was with Joseph and made him
win favor in the eyes of the chief keeper of the prison
to so great an extent that he was placed in charge
of all the other prisoners, and here he acted wisely
and ruled well.
After this, it happened that two of the king's
officers, one a butler and the other a baker, fell into
disgrace, and they were put into the prison where
Joseph w'as.
One night, while they lay in prison, each officer
had a dream which astonished him greatly, and
which he could not in any way understand.
When Joseph came in the next morning to serve
them, he noticed that they were troubled, and said,
"Why are you more sad this morning than on other
days?"
And they answered, "We have dreamed strange
dreams, and there is no one who can interpret them
to us."
The Story of Joseph 461
Joseph replied, "Perhaps God will give me grace
to interpret your dreams. Let me know what it
was you saw in your sleep."
The hutler told his dream first: "1 thought I saw
a vine that had three branches, and after they had
flowered and the grapes were ripe, I took the cup
of Pharaoh in my hand and wrung wine out of the
grapes into the cup and gave it to Pharaoh."
Joseph answered, "The three branches are three
days, after which Pharaoh shall remember your
service and restore you to j^our office, so that you
may serve him as you were wont to do. Then, I
pray you, remember me, and be so merciful as to
beg Pharaoh to take me out of this prison, for I
was stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and am
innocent of the sin with which I am charged."
Then the baker told his dream, as follows: "I
thought that I walked with three baskets upon my
head, and in the one basket that was highest, I bore
all the bread from the bakehouse, and the birds came
and ate of it."
Joseph answered, "This is the interpretation of
your dream : The three baskets are the three days
that yet remain before Pharaoh shall come, take you
from the prison and hang you on the cross. There
shall the birds tear your flesh."
The third day after this, Pharaoh gave a great
feast, and while he was eating he remembered the
baker and the butler, w^hom he had cast into prison,
and he summoned them to him. The butler he
restored to office and permitted him again to serve
the cup at the feast, but the baker he caused to be
taken out and hanged, as Joseph had predicted. The
butler, however, did not remember his promise to
462 The Story of Joseph
Joseph, who still remained forgotten in prison for
many long months.
Two years after Joseph was thrown into prison,
Pharaoh himself had a dream. He thought he stood
upon the river, from which he saw seven fair, fat
oxen come up to the land and feed in a pasture.
Then seven other poor and lean oxen came out of the
river and were fed in the green pastin-es until they
grew strong and devoured even the seven oxen that
were so fat and fair at first.
At this he started out of his sleep and wondered,
but after a time slept again and saw another dream.
This time there were seven ears of corn, each fair to
see and full of kernels, all standing on one stalk ; but
there were also seven other ears, small and gnarly,
smitten with drought, and these seven small ears
destroyed the full ones and left them all barren and
worthless.
In the morning, when Pharaoh arose, he was
greatly troubled by his dreams, and sent for all the
wise men and diviners of Egypt. When they were
gathered together, he told them his dreams and asked
them to interpret them for him, but there was no one
of all the wise men who could tell what the strange
dreams might mean.
At last the butler who had been in prison remem-
bered Joseph, and said to the king, "Once, you re-
member, O king, you became angered at your serv-
ants and sent the master of the bakers and me into
prison. There, one night, we dreamed strange dreams
that foretold things coming. There was then in the
prison a servant of the jailer, a child of the Hebrews,
and when we told him our dreams he explained them
to us and foretold what should happen. As he pre-
The Story of Joseph 468
dieted, I have been restored to my office, and the
baker has been hanged upon the cross."
The king then sent straightway for Joseph, who,
after being shaved, bathed, and clothed in fine
raiment, was brought before Pharaoh.
To him Pharaoh said, "I saw a dream which I
have told unto all the wise men of Egypt, and there
is no one of them who can interpret it."
Joseph replied, "God shall tell to Pharaoh,
through me, things that shall be greatly to his
advantage."
Then Pharaoh told Joseph his dreams of the seven
fat oxen and the seven lean ones, and how the lean
devoured the fat, and also of the seven full ears and
the seven poor ears, and how the latter destroyed
the former.
Without any hesitation, Joseph then said,
"Through these dreams God speaks to Pharaoh.
The seven fat oxen and the seven full ears betoken
that there will come seven years of great plenty in
the land of Egvpt. The seven poor oxen and the
seven small ears mean that after the seven plentiful
j^ears shall come seven years of barrenness and fam-
ine, so severe that all the plentifulness of the seven
fruitful jxars shall be forgotten, and Egypt shall be
smitten with hunger and suffering.
"Now, therefore, let the king choose some wise and
honest ruler who may appoint officers in all the to^Mis
of the kingdom. Let these officers gather into great
barns and granaries the fifth part of all the corn and
the fruits that shall grow during these first plenteous
years that be to come, and store it there to be ready
against the coming of the seven years of famine, so
that Egypt may not perish from hunger."
^.e-l The Story of Joseph
Pharaoh and his counselors all believed the words
of Joseph and Mere convinced that his advice was
good, and Pharaoh said to his servants, "Where shall
we find such a man as this Hebrew describes — a man
who is honest, and filled with the spirit of God?"
As he thought, he turned to Joseph and said, "In-
asmuch as God has spoken to us through you, we can
find no man who is wiser than you, or better fitted
to perform this great task than you are. So I make
you chief ruler of my house and my kingdom, and the
people shall obey the commands of your mouth. Only
I shall stand before you. Lo! thus have I ordained
you master over all the land of Egypt."
So Pharaoh took a ring from his hand and put it
into the hand of Joseph, and clothed him wath a rich
double cloak bordered with royal fur. He put a
golden collar about his neck and led him to the royal
chair. Then Pharaoh caused the trumpet to sound
and the heralds to cry out that all men should kneel
before Joseph, the chief ruler of all the land of
Egypt.
And the king said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh.
Without your command shall no man move hand
nor foot in all the land of Egypt."
At the same time, he changed Joseph's name to
one that in the tongue of the Egyptians meant The
Savior of the World. ^Moreover, he gave to the new
ruler, as his wife, Asenath, the daughter of the priest,
Poti-phera. At this time, Joseph was about thirty
years old.
The seven years of plenty came, and the yield of
the fields was greater than ever before. Joseph
traveled round about all the region, and under his
direction one-fifth of all the sheaves of corn were
The Story ok Joseph
465
THE BROTHERS BOWED DOWN BEFORE JOSEPH
brought into the barns, and of the abundance of
fruits, one-fifth was stored away in every town. So
great was the abundance that the corn might be com-
pared to the sands of the sea ; and it was impossible
to measure the great harvests.
During the seven years of plenty before the famine
and hunger came, Joseph had two sons. The first
of these he named jManasseh, saying, "God has made
me to forget all my labors, and my father's house has
forgotten me." The second son he named Ephraim,
saying, "God has made me to grow rich and power-
ful in the land of my poverty."
So passed the seven years of plenty and great fer-
tility, and the seven years of scarcity and hunger
began to come as Joseph had foretold. And all over
the world hunger and suffering grew universal, and
466 The Story of Joseph
in the land of Egypt, too, there were hunger and
scarcity.
Wlien the Egyptians, suffering from hunger,
cried aloud to Pharaoh, asking food, he answered
them, "Go to Joseph, and whatever he says, that
shall you do."
Daily grew the hunger and increased the suffer-
ing in all the land. Then Joseph opened the barns
and granaries and sold corn to the Egyptians, and
from all the j)rovinces people came into Egypt to
buy corn to stop their hunger.
Now Jacob, far away in Palestine, suffering from
the scarcity, heard that in Egypt were victuals to be
sold. So he called together his sons and said to
them, "Why are you so negligent? I have heard
that corn may be bought in Egypt. Go j'^ou thither
and buy for us what is necessary, that we and our
flocks may live, and not perish."
Then ten of the brothers of Joseph went down in-
to Egypt to buj^ wheat, but they left Benjamin, the
youngest, at home with their father, because of the
perils of the journey.
When they had entered into the land of Egypt
they came before Joseph, the prince and ruler, who
alone had poAver to sell wheat to the people. But
the brothers did not know Joseph, and they fell down
before him and worshipped him.
But Joseph recognized his brothers, and spoke to
them hard words, as though to strangers, saying,
"Whence come you?"
His brothers answered, "We are of the land of
Canaan, and have come hither to buy what is neces-
sary to keep us from starvation."
As Joseph looked upon his brothers, he remem-
The Story of Joseph 467
bered the dreams he liad had as a boy, yet he still
spoke harshly and said, "You are spies, and have
come here to note the weak places in this land."
"It is not so, my lord," they answered, "for we
thy servants have come only to buy victuals. We
are all sons of one man, and we come peaceably,
neither thinking nor imagining any eVil to you."
Again Joseph answered them, "That is not true.
You are certainly sj^ies, and have come to find our
weaknesses."
Still they replied, "We are twelve brothers, your
servants, sons of one man in the land of Canaan. One
brother is at home with our father, and one other
brother that we had is dead."
"What I said is true," said Joseph ; "you are spies.
I swear to you by the health of Pharaoh that you
shall not go hence till your youngest brother comes.
Send one of your number back to Canaan to bring
him hither. You shall lie in prison till it be proved
whether the things you say are true or false."
Joseph then cast them into prison, but at the end
of the third day he brought them out again and said,
"It may be that you are peaceable as you say. If
it proves so, then shall you live. Let one of you be
bound in prison here, and the rest go your way.
Carr}^ home with you the Avheat that you have
bought into your houses, and come to me with your
youngest brother, that I maj^ prove your words;
otherwise shall you die."
The brothers spoke together apart and said, "We
deserve to suffer thus, for long ago we sinned against
our brother Joseph, when in his anguish he prayed
to us and we heard him not. Therefore is this sorrow
fallen upon us."
468 The Story of Joseph
Reuben said, "Did I not tell you that in nowise
should you sin against the child, but you would not
hear me ? Now is his blood avenged upon us."
All this Joseph heard and understood, but the
brothers did not know it, for always before he had
spoken to them through an interpreter. So Joseph
turned aside a little and wept.
After he had returned to them, he took Simeon
and bound him and sent him to prison, and com-
manded his ministers to fill the other brothers' sacks
with wheat and to put each man's money in his sack,
and, more than that, to give them food for their
journey.
Afterwards, M'hen the brothers had loaded their
wheat, they departed on their way sorrowing, for
they feared that never again should they see Simeon.
As they went on their journey, one of the brothers
opened his sack, and seeing the money in the mouth
of it, said, "Here is my money in my sack. What is
this that God has done for us?" And they were all
astonished, for each man found in the mouth of his
sack the money he had paid for his wheat.
When they reached home and met their father,
they said to him, "The prince of Egypt spoke harshly
to us and said that we were spies who had come to
learn the weakness of the country. We told him
we were peaceable people and were not spies, and
that we were twelve sons born of one father, but that
one son was dead and the youngest was with our
father in Canaan.
"Then the prince said to us, 'Xow shall I prove
whether you are peaceable or not. You shall leave
here one brother with me, and take home all that is
necessary for you. Then if you bring to me your
The Story of Joseph 4G9
youngest brother, I sliall know that you are not spies,
and I will release the brother whom I hold in prison,
and you may then buy whatever grain you need and
take it back to your home.' "
Then they told him how each had found his money
in the mouth of his sack, and how strange it all was.
Jacob was astonished and much grieved when he
heard their story, and cried out to them, "You have
made me without children ; Joseph is gone and lost,
Simeon is bound in prison, and now you will take
Benjamin from me. Why do all these evils come
upon me?"
Judah answered him, "Take my two sons and slay
them, if I do not bring Benjamin back again to you.
Give him to me in my hands, and I will certainly
restore him again to you."
But the father answered, "My son shall not go
with you. His brother is dead, and Benjamin alone
is now left with me. If any misfortune should fall
upon him, then will my gray hair go down in sorrow
to the grave."
Still famine and hunger increased in the land of
Canaan, and in time the corn which the brothers had
brought from Egypt was consumed, and Jacob said
again to his sons, "Go back into Egypt and buy
for us more wheat, that we may not perish."
Judah answered, "That man said to us, swearing
by great oaths, 'You shall not see me again nor come
into my presence unless you bring your youngest
brother with you.'
"Therefore, if you will send Benjamin wuth us, we
wall go together and buy for us the provisions that
are necessary. If you will not let us have your son we
will not go, for the prince said, as we have often
470 The Story of Joseph
told you, if we bring not our youngest brother with
us, we shall not see the ruler's face."
Jacob said to them, "Why have you led me into
this miserj^? Why did you tell him that you had
another brother?"
"The prince asked of us, one by one," they an-
swered, "whether we had another brother, who our
father was, and all about us. We answered him
truthfully, as he asked, for we did not know what
he would sa}^ or that he would tell us to bring our
brother with us. Give us now the child, that we
may go forth and live, that neither we nor our chil-
dren may perish from hunger. If we bring the boy
not back with us, then shall we be guilty of sin. If
you had not delayed us, we might have gone there
and returned by this time."
Then Jacob, their father, said to them, "If it
be as necessary as you say, do as you wish ; but take
with you the best fruits that we have and present
them to that prince as gifts. Take some raisins and
honey, some storax, terebinth and dates. Take with
you, too, double money, and also the same money
that you found in your sacks, lest there be any mis-
take; and take with you Benjamin, your brother.
May God the Almighty make him happy with you,
and bring him back in safety to me, together with
Simeon, who is now held in prison. While you are
gone, I shall be a sad and lonely man, bereft entirely
of my children."
With the gifts, the double money and the money
that was first in their sacks, and with Benjamin, the
brothers went forth into Egypt and came and stood
again before Joseph.
When Joseph saw the brothers and Benjamin
The Story of Joseph 471
with them, he commanded the steward that he should
slay sheep and calves and make a great feast, so
that the brotlicrs might dine with him that day.
The servant did as he was commanded, and took the
brethren to Joseph's own house.
They were all very much frightened, for they
thought that Joseph meant to charge them with the
theft of the money that was in their sacks and then
throw them into slavery, so they spoke to the steward
at the gateway before they entered into Joseph's
house, saying:
*'We pray you to listen to us. The last time that
we came here to buy food, we found after we had
bought it and were on our way home, that in the
mouth of each one of our sacks was the money that
we had paid. Now we bring with us again this
money and more also to pay for the new food that
we wish. We do not want to keep the money, and
we have no idea who it was that put it in our sacks."
But the steward brought Simeon to them and con-
ducted them into Joseph's house, and washed their
feet as was the custom, while he gave orders to the
servants to feed their animals. Then, as they were
told that they should that day dine with Joseph, they
made ready and laid out their gifts and jDresents, so
that Joseph might see them when he came in.
When Joseph entered, they fell down to the
ground and worshipped him, at the same time hold-
ing up to him in their hands the gifts which they had
brought.
Joseph saluted them pleasantly, and asked, "Is
your father, of whom you told me, yet living, and is
he in good health?"
They answered, "Your servant, our father, is
472 The Story of Joseph
still living, and is in good health." Then they knelt
down and worshipped him again.
Joseph, casting his e5'e on his brother Benjamin,
who was indeed his own brother, for both had been
born of one mother, asked, "Is this your young
brother of whom you told me? God be merciful to
you, my son."
Then Joseph left them suddenly and went into
his bedchamber, for he was moved in spirit, and he
wept over his brother. Then, having washed his
face, he came out again with a cheerful countenance
and commanded that they should sit at the table, and
there he placed his brethren in order, each after his
own age.
But Joseph sat at another table and ate with the
Egyptians who were present, because it was not con-
sidered lawful for Egyptians to eat with the He-
brews. The brethren were all well served with fine
meats and drinks, but Benjamin was given always a
double portion.
Then Joseph said to his steward, "Fill every sack
with wheat as much as it will hold, and put into
every man's sack his money. But into the sack of
the youngest, with his money, put my cup of silver."
And all this was done as Joseph had commanded.
In the morning early the brethren loaded their
animals and departed from the town.
When they had gone but a little distance on their
way, Joseph called to his steward and said, "Make
ready and ride after the brothers and say to them,
'Why have you done evil for good. The cup that
my lord is accustomed to drink from, you have stolen.
There is no worse thing you can do.' "
Just as Joseph had commanded, the steward did,
The Story of Joseph 473
and they answered his charge, saying, "Why does
your lord accuse us so? The money that we found
in our sacks before, we brought back to you from the
land of Canaan, and now how can it be possible that
we should steal any gold or silver from the house of
your lord ? Look ! if it be found upon any one of us,
thy servants, let that one die."
The steward said to them, "It shall be as you wish,
and if the cup be found upon any of you, he shall
become my servant, but the rest of you shall be free
to go and not be considered guilty."
Then, one after another, beginning at the eldest,
the brothers took off their sacks and opened them,
and at last when they reached the sack of Benjamin,
there in the mouth they found the cup of silver.
When this was seen, all the brothers sorrowed great-
ly, and cut and rent their clothes. Neither would
they proceed on their journey, but loaded their ani-
mals and followed the steward and Benjamin back
into the town.
First, Judah with his brethren went before
Joseph, and all together they fell face down to the
ground.
"Why have you done this?" said Joseph. "Do
you not know that there is no man so wise as I am ?"
"What shall we say to you, my lord," Judah
answered, "or what defense can we make? God
hath remembered the sins of us your servants, for
we are all your servants, we, and he in whose sack
the cup was found."
"God forbid that I should act unjustly," said
Joseph. "Whosoever stole the cup shall be my serv-
ant. As for the rest of you, return you free to youi'
father."
474 The Story of Joseph
Then Judah, rising, approached near to Joseph
and said bravely, "I beseech you, my lord, that you
will hear me speak, and that you will not be angry
at your servant. You, I know, are next to Pharaoh.
Now, my lord, when you asked first of us, your serv-
ants, 'Have you a father or brother?' we told you,
my lord, that our father is an old man, and that we
have a brother, a young child, who was born to him
in his old age, whose brother of the same mother is
dead, and he the only son whom the father loveth
tenderly.
"Then you said to us, your servants, 'Bring the
boy hither to me, that I may see him.' We told you,
my lord, the truth, 'Our father will not let the child
go; if he lose him he will certainty die,' and you said
to us, your servants, 'If you do not bring him with
you, never again shall j^ou see my face.'
"Then when we had come to our father and told
him all these things, he told us to return and buy
more corn. We answered him, 'We may not go
thither again unless our youngest brother go with
us, for unless he accompany us we dai'e not go into
the presence of the prince.*
"Our father answered us, 'You know well that
my beloved wife gave me but two sons ; the one went
out and you said that wild beasts had devoured him,
and I heard no more of him and he never appeared.
If now 5^ou take this, my son, and anything happens
to him on the way, you will bring my gray hairs in
sorrow to the grave.'
"Therefore, if I now go home to my father, and
bring not Benjamin, his best-loved son, with me, our
father shall die, and we your servants shall be the
cause of his death. Now I took Benjamin upon my
The Story of Joseph 475
own promise and said to my father, 'If I bring him
not again to you, I shall be guilty.'
"So now I shall abide and eontinue your sei*vant
in place of the child, and shall minister and serve
you honestly, my lord. I may not go back without
the child, for I cannot endure the sorrow of my
father. Wherefore, I beseech you humbly to re-
ceive me into your service and to suffer this child to
go to his father."
When this request had been made, Joseph could
no longer control himself, but commanded that all
who stood by should withdraw, leaving only him and
his brothers together. No sooner were they alone
than he said to them, weeping, "I am Joseph, your
brother. Does my father yet indeed live?"
The brethren were so afraid that they could not
speak nor answer him.
Then he said lovingly to them, "Come hither to
me."
And when they were come round about him, he
said, "I am Joseph your brother, that you sold into
Egypt. Be not afraid, nor think it a sin that you
sold me into this country. God hath sent me into
Egypt before you for your safety. It is now two
years since the famine began, and there are five years
yet to come in which men will reap no harvests. God
sent me here that you might be preserved on earth
and have food for your need. It w^as not by your
counsel that I was sent hither, but by the will of
God, who placed me next to Pharaoh, the lord of
his house and prince in all the land of Egypt.
"Go you now to my father and say to him, 'These
words your son Joseph sends you: "God has made
me lord of the land of Egypt. Come to me now lest
476 The Story of Joseph
you die, and you shall dwell in the land of Goshen.
You shall be next to me, you and your sons and the
sons of your sons, and I shall feed your sheep, your
beasts and all that you have. Come, rest here
through the five years of famine that are yet before
us. Come! lest you perish with your house and all
that you own." '
"Lo! your eyes and the eyes of my brother Ben-
jamin see that I speak these words to you. Show you
my father all my glory and all that you have seen in
Egypt. Go quickly and bring him to me."
When he had finished speaking, Joseph embraced
his brother Benjamin and each of the others,
weeping with them, but none dared speak to him
again.
Soon it became known all about in the king's hall
that Joseph's brothers m ere come, and Pharaoh was
glad, as was all his household.
And Pharaoh told Joseph to say to his brethren,
"Load your beasts, and go into the land of Canaan
and bring thence your father and kindred, and come
to me, and I shall give you all the goods of Egypt,
that you may eat the very best that the earth pro-
duces. Take with you carriages from this land of
Egypt to bring with you your children and your
wives. Bring your father and come as soon as you
maj^ and leave nothing behind you, for all the best
things shall be yours."
The sons of Jacob did as they were commanded,
and Joseph gave them carriages, and meat to eat
by the way. Besides, he gave to every brother two
garments, but to Benjamin he gave five of the best
garments and three hundred pieces of silver. JNIore-
over, he sent clothing to his father and ten asses laden
The Story of Joseph 477
with all the riches of Egypt, and as many laden with
victuals to eat by the way.
As Joseph sent them from him he said, "Be you
not quarrelsome on the way."
When they were come into the land of Canaan
they met their father and said, "Joseph, your son, is
alive, and he is the greatest prince in all the land
of Egypt."
When Jacob heard this he awoke as a man that
had been startled suddenly out of his sleep. Never-
theless, he believed them not until they told him all
in the order in which it had occurred.
When he saw the carriages and all that Joseph
had sent, his spirit came back, and he believed.
"It is sufficient for me," he said, "if Joseph, my
son, yet lives. I shall go now to see him before I die."
Then Jacob went forth with all his followers and
slew beasts and made sacrifices to the God of Isaac,
his father. And that same night God appeared to
him in a vision, saying, "Jacob, Jacob!"
Jacob answered, "I am here."
God spoke again to him, saying, "I am the God
of thy father Isaac; dread not, but go down into
Egj^pt. There shall I make thee grow into a great
people. Thither will I go with thee, and back will
I come with thee when thou returnest. Joseph,
indeed, shall put his hands upon thine eyes."
Early in the morning Jacob and his sons took
their wives and children and placed them on the
carriages that Pharaoh had sent, and gathering all
that they possessed, they went down into the land of
Egj^pt. And Jacob sent Judah before him to tell
Joseph of his coming.
When Joseph heard that Jacob was in Goshen he
478 The Story of Joseph
ascended his chariot and drove forth to meet his
father, and when he saw him he embraced him
meekly and wept. And Jacob received his son and
embraced him also.
"Now shall I die joyously, because I have seen
your face," he said ; and Joseph spoke to his brothers
and to all the house of his father as follows :
"I shall go before you to Pharaoh and shall say to
him, 'JNIy brothers and all the house of my father
that were in the land of Canaan have come to me.
They are men accustomed to keeping sheep, and
they know well how to tend their flocks. They have
brought with them all their beasts of every kind that
they had.'
"When Pharaoh shall ask you of what occupation
j'^ou are, say to him, 'We, your servants, are shep-
herds from our childhood until now, even as our
fathers have been.' This shall you say so that you
may dwell in this land of Goshen, for the Egyptians
have enmity against shepherds."
So Joseph came before Pharaoh and said, "My
father, my brethren, their sheep and all their beasts
have come from the land of Canaan, and are in the
land of Goshen."
And Pharaoh asked of the five brothers whom
Joseph had brought Avith him, "What is your occu-
pation?"
"We, your servants, are keepers of sheep, we and
our father. We have come to dwell in your land, for
there is no grass for our sheep, so great is the famine
in the land of Canaan. We beseech you to let us,
your servants, dwell in the land of Goshen."
"Your father and your brethren," said the king to
Joseph, "have come to you. The land of Egypt is
The Story of Joseph 479
at your command. Permit them to dwell in the best
places, and give to them the land of Goshen. And
if you know that they are skilful herdsmen, make
them masters of my beasts."
After this Jose])li brought his father in and made
him stand before the king, and the king blessed him
and asked how old he was.
"The days of the pilgrimage of my life," he
answered, "are a hundred and thirty years, small and
evil, and yet have I not come under the days that my
fathers have lived." Then he blessed the king and
went out.
Then Joseph established his father and his
brothers in Egy])t in the best soil of the kingdom.
In all the world then was there a scarcity of bread,
and hunger and famine oppressed the whole land,
but especially, and most, the land of Egypt and the
land of Canaan. And Joseph collected all the money
for selling wheat and brought it into the treasury of
the king.
When people lacked monej^ to buy bread, they
came to Joseph, saying, "Give us bread, or we die,
for we have no money."
To them he answ^ered, "Bring to me your beasts,
and for them will I give you victuals, if you have no
money."
When they had brought their beasts he gave them,
in exchange for their horses, sheep, oxen and asses,
food for a year.
The second year they came and said, "We hide not
from you, our lord, that our money is gone, and our
beasts are gone, and there is nothing left but our
bodies and our land. Shall we die in your sight?
Rather buy us and our land into bondship and serv-
4.80 The Story of Joseph
itude to the king, and give us seed to sow lest the
world turn utterly into wilderness."
Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt, every
man selling his possessions because of the vehement
hunger he had. All this land he returned unto
Pharaoh, even to the uttermost, except the land be-
longing to the priests, for to them victuals were given
openly out of all the barns and granaries, so that
they were not compelled to sell their possessions.
Then Joseph spoke to all the people, saying, "Lo!
now you see and know that Pharaoh owns and is in
possession of you and of your land. Take seed, now,
and sow the fields, that you may have fruit. The
fifth part of the fruit you shall give to the king, and
four parts I promise to you, that you may have seed
and may have meat for your servants and your chil-
dren."
"Our health and our lives are in your hands," the
people answered; "gladly will we serve the king."
From that time until this present day, in all the
land of Egypt, the fifth part is paid to the king,
except that which is produced from the lands belong-
ing to the priests.
Now, all this time Jacob dwelt in the land of
Goshen, and his flocks and his herds increased and
multiplied greatly. When the years of his life were
an hundred and seven and forty, he understood that
the day of his death ap])roached. Then he called to
him his son Joseph, and said unto him :
"If I may find so much grace in your sight, show
me so much mercy as to promise and swear that you
will bury me not in Egypt. Take and carry me from
this land and lay me in the sepulchre of my fore-
fathers, that I may rest with them."
The Story of Joseph 481
"I shall do as you have commanded," answered
Joseph.
"Swear it to me," said his father.
And Joseph swore as he had been commanded.
As he listened to Joseph, Jacob adored and wor-
shipped God and turned his face away to the wall.
Soon after it was told to Joseph that his father
was feeble and sick. So the prince took his two
sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and went to his father.
When Jacob heard that Joseph was approaching,
he sat up in his bed and was comforted ; and when
Joseph entered, his father said, "Almighty God ap-
peared to me in the land of Canaan and blessed me
and said, 'I shall give to thee this land, to thee and
thy seed after thee in perpetual possession.'
"Therefore, the two sons that were born to you in
this land of Egypt, before I came hither, shall be
my sons, Ephraim and ]Manasseh, and they shall be
to me as Simeon and Reuben."
Then, seeing Joseph's two sons, he said, "Who be
these children?"
"They are my sons," answered Joseph, "whom
God hath given me in this place."
"Bring them hither to me," said Jacob, "that I
m.ay bless them."
The old man's eyes were dimmed, and he could
not see clearly because of his great age, but he took
them to him and kissed them, and said to Joseph,
"I have not been defrauded from the sight of you.
and, furthermore, God hath showed me your chil-
dren."
Then Joseph took his sens from his father's lap
and worshipped him, kneeling low to the earth, and
he set Ephraim on Jacob's left side, and ^lanasseh
482 The Story of Joseph
on the right side, but Jacob laid his right hand on
the head of Ephraim, the younger brother, and his
left hand upon the head of Manasseh, who was the
firstborn.
Then blessed he the sons of Joseph, saying, "God
in whose sight walked my fathers Abraham and
Isaac; God that fed me from my youth until this
present day; the angel that kept me from all evil,
bless these my children, and may my name be given
them, and the names of my fathers, Abraham and
Isaac, and may they grow into multitudes upon the
earth."
But Joseph, seeing that his father's right hand
lay upon Ephraim, the younger brother, felt sad,
and took his father's hand and would have laid it
on the head of Manasseh, saying, "Nay, father, this
is not right that you do. This is my older son. Put
your right hand upon his head."
But Jacob would not do as Joseph had said. "I
know, my son," he replied, "I know what I do. This
son shall increase into peoples and multiply, but his
younger brother shall be greater than he, and he
shall grow into larger power."
Then Jacob blessed them again, saying at the
same time, "In these shall be blessed my name."
Then he turned to Joseph, his son, and said, "Lo !
now I die, and God shall be with you. He shall
again bring you into the land of your fathers. And
I give to you, above your brethren, the lands which
I won from the hands of the Amorite with my sword
and my bow."
After speaking in this manner, Jacob called his
sons before him and said to them, "Gather now about
me, that I may show you the things that are to come,
The Story of Joseph 483
and listen while your father Jacob speaks." Then
told he to each of the brothers his condition and
future, one after another, and when he had blessed
his twelve sons he commanded them to bury him with
his fathers in the sepulchre which Abraham bought
in the land of Canaan. And when he had finished,
he lay down and died.
When Joseph saw that his father was dead he fell
on his face and kissed him. Then he commanded
his servants, the physicians, that they should embalm
his father's body with sweet spices, and decreed that
there should be mourning for forty days.
When the w^ailing time was passed, Joseph told
Pharaoh how he had sworn and promised to bury
Jacob in the land of Canaan.
"Go and bury thy father as thou hast sworn,"
said Pharaoh.
So Joseph took his father's body, and accom-
panied by the aged men of Pharaoh's house and the
noblest men of birth in all the land of Eg\"pt, and
the men of the house of Joseph also, went forth into
Canaan. There were chariots, carts and horsemen,
and a great gathering of people that came over the
Jordan, where they mourned and wailed for seven
days longer.
And the people of Canaan said, "This is a great
sorrow to the Egyptians likewise." And the place
is still called "The Wailing Place of Egypt."
When Jacob the father was buried, Joseph and
all his fellowship returned into Egypt, where they
had left their children and flocks and herds.
Then the brethren, after they had spoken together
alone, fearing that Joseph would avenge the wa'ong
that they had done to him, came and said :
484 The Story of Joseph
"Your father commanded us before he died that
we should say this to you: 'We praj^ that you will
forget and not remember the sin of your brothers,
and the malice with which they treated you. For-
give for thy father's sake this great wickedness.' "
Joseph, hearing this, wept bitterly, and his
brothers came and knelt low to the ground and wor-
shipped him, saying, "We are your servants."
"Be you nothing afraid and dread you not. Think
you that you can resist God's will? You thought
to have done me evil, but God has turned it into good,
and has exalted me as you see and know, so that He
might save many people from death by famine. Be
not afraid ; I shall feed you and your children."
So he comforted them with many fair and friendly
words.
So Joseph dwelt in the land of Egypt with the
house of his father, and lived an hundred and ten
years, and he saw the sons of Ephraim to the third
generation.
After these things he said to his brethren, "After
my death, God shall visit you and shall send you
again from this land into the land that he promised
to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. When that time
shall come, take my bones and carry them with you
from this place and bury them in the land of
Canaan."
So saying, Joseph died, and they embalmed his
body with sweet spices and aromatics, and laid it in
a sepulchre in Egypt till they should go forth into
the land of Canaan.
This Story of Josejuli has been taken from a trans-
lation of The Golden Legend. The tale has been
The Story of Joseph 485
simplified somewhat, and the language made a little
more modern, but the quaintness and eharm of the
old narrative have not been destroyed.
T//<? Golden Legend was written in the thirteenth
century by Jacobus de Voragina, the Archbishop of
Genoa. He used the Bible as the basis of his stories,
but combined with the Bible narrative the many
interesting legends that had grown up in the Church.
In the fourteenth century Hie Golden Legend was
translated into French, and from the latter version
the English translation was in turn made. This was
one of the books i^rinted by the famous William
Caxton, and for many, many years it was read in
church in England, where its simple and graphic
language created a lively interest in the stories of
the Old Testament.
PRONUNCIATION OF PROPER NAMES
Note. — The pronunciation of difficult words
is indicated by respelling them phonetically. N
is used to indicate the French nasal sound; K
the sound of ch in German; ii the sound of the
German il, and French u; o the sound of o in
foreign languages.
Abraham, a' bra ham
Agincourt, ah zhan koor'
Amherst, am' urst
Amorite, am' o rite
Arcadia, ar ha' di a
AsENATH, as' e nath
Atalanta, at' a layi' tah
Baucis, haw' sis
Bjornson, Bjornstjerne, byorn' son, hyorn' shur"-
ne
Brahmins, hrah' minz
Canaan, ha' nan
Cinderella, sin" dur cV lah
CoRMORAN, ko7'' moT an
Danish, dayn' ish
Don Quixote, don he ho' tay, or don qnix' oat
DoTHAN, do' than
Edinburgh, ed' 'n bur" a
Ephraim, e' fra im
Eskimo, es' ky mo
Frey, fri
Gaelic, gayl' ik
487
488 Pronunciation of Proper Names
Genoa, jen' o ah
GiLEAD, giV e ad
Goshen, go' shen
Grenadier, gren a deer'
Grethel, greth' el
Grimm, AYilhelm and Jakob, grim, viV helm and
yah' kohp
Guild, gild
GuLLiN-BuRSTi, gool" in boor' sty
GuNGNiR, goong' nir
Hansel, han' sel
Hebron, he' hron
HipPOMENES, hip pom' e neez
IsHMAELiTES, ish' ma el ites
Ivan, e vahn'
Jasius, ja' si us
Jekyll, jeh' il
JuDAH, ju' dah
Jupiter, ju' pi ter
LoKi, lo' he
Manasseh, ma nas' seh
Marie, mah ree'
Massachusetts, inas" sa chu' sets
Mercury, mur' ku ry
Merlin, mm-' lin
MooREFiELDS, moor' feeldz
Odin, o' din
Ogre, o' gur
Ogresses, o' gres sez
Palestine, pal' es tine
Perrault, pa" ro'
Pharaoh, fa' ro, or fa' ra o
Philemon, fil' e mon
Phrygia, frij' e a
Pronunciation of Proper Names 489
PoTiPHAR, pof i Jar
PoTiPHERA, po tij' c ra
Renard, ren' urd
Reuben, ru' hen
Saint Michael, saynt mi' ka el, or mi' kel
Samoan, sa mo' an
ScHURZ, Carl, shoorts, karl
Shechem, she' kem
SiF, sif
Simeon, sim' e on
Sindri, sin' dre
Sioux, soo
Skidbladnir, skid blahd' nir
Thor, thor, or tor
Unicorn, u' ny corn
Vaea, ve' a
Vailima, vail' i ma
Villeneuve, veel" neuv'
VoRAGiNA, Jacobus De, vo rah' ji na
^fse^
im
r^
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11