美国少儿英语=Story hour readers for young boys and girls:英文彩色插图版.1-3(txt+pdf+epub+mobi电子书下载)


发布时间:2020-07-05 03:17:02

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作者:(美)寇,(美)克里斯蒂

出版社:天津人民出版社

格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT

美国少儿英语=Story hour readers for young boys and girls:英文彩色插图版.1-3

美国少儿英语=Story hour readers for young boys and girls:英文彩色插图版.1-3试读:

第1册

"It gives me pleasure to introduceSome very old friends," says Mother Goose."Here's Humpty Dumpty and Little Boy Blue,Little Bo Peep and Miss Muffet, too.Little Jack Horner and Dickory Dare,The queer little Pig who flew up in the air.Simple Simon and Old Mother Hubbard,The dear old lady who went to the cupboard.Here's Marjory Daw and Baby Bunting,Whose father boldly went a-hunting.With a rub-a-dub-dub,and a ding, dong, bell,I'm very sure you'll love them well."(To be read to the children)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 behind them.(To be used as a rote song)Little Miss MuffetSat on a tuffet,Eating her curds and whey.There came a big spiderWho sat down beside her,And frightened Miss Muffet away.(To be memorized)

01 BO PEEP AND HER SHEEP

Little Bo Peep lost her sheep.She looked and lookedbut could not find them.Then she went toLittle Jack Horner."Please, Little Jack Horner,help me find my sheep!"Little Jack Hornersat in a corner.Little Jack Horner said,"Leave them alone,and they'll come home."Then she went toLittle Miss Muffet."Please, Little Miss Muffet,help me find my sheep!"Little Miss Muffetsat on a tuffet.Little Miss Muffet said,"Leave them alone,and they'll come home."

She went to Humpty Dumpty."Please, Humpty Dumpty,help me find my sheep!"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.Humpty Dumpty said,"Leave them alone,and they'll come home."Little Bo Peepfound the sheep herself.The sheep came home,wagging their tails behind them.Humpty Dumpty sat on a wa1l.Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.All the king's horsesand all the king's menCan not put Humpty Dumptytogether again.

02 HUMPTY DUMPTY'S FALL

Little Miss Muffetwas in the garden.Little Miss Muffet's Dogwas in the garden, too.Little Miss Muffetwas eating curds and whey.

Humpty Dumpty and Boy Blue came into the garden.

"Please, Little Miss Muffet, give me some curds and whey!" said Humpty Dumpty.

But Little Miss Muffet said, "No."

"Please, Little Miss Muffet, give me some curds and whey!" said Little Boy Blue.

But Little Miss Muffet said, "No."

Humpty Dumpty put a spider right down beside her and frightened Miss Muffet away.

Then the Dog ran after Humpty Dumpty and Little Boy Blue.

Humpty Dumpty and Boy Blue ran to the wall.

Little Boy Blue climbed over the wall.

But Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.Little Jack Horner sat in a corner,Eating his Christmas pie.He put in his thumband pulled out a plum,And said, "What a good boy am I!"

03 JACK HORNER AND THE PIE

Little Jack Horner was in the garden.

Little Jack Horner's Dog was in the garden, too.

Jack Horner was eating a pie.

Humpty Dumpty came along.

"Will you give me some pie, Little Jack Horner?" asked Humpty Dumpty.

"No, I will not," said Little Jack Horner.

Humpty Dumupty put in his thumb and pulled out a plum.

Then he ran to the wall.

Little Jack Horner ran after Humpty Dumpty.

The Dog ran after him, too.

Humpty Dumpty tried to climb over the wall.

But Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.Hey, diddle, diddle,The cat and the fiddle,The cow jumped over the moon.The little dog laughedTo see such sport,And the dish ran away with the spoon.

04 MRS. SUGAR BOWL'S PARTY

Mrs. Sugar Bowl gave a party.Dish was there.Cup and Saucer were there.Knife and Fork were there.Little Spoon was there, too."Let us play Cat and Mouse,"said Mrs. Sugar Bowl.They played Cat and Mouse.Then Mrs. Sugar Bowl said,"Now let us have the party.""What fine ice cream!" said Dish."What fine cake!" said Knife."What fine candy!" they all said.Then Mrs. Sugar Bowl said,"Let us all dance."The Cat played the fiddle.Cup and Saucer danced together.Knife and Fork danced together.Dish and Little Spoon danced together.The little Dog laughed to see such sport.And the Dish ran away with Little Spoon.

05 DISH AND MRS. SUGAR BOWL

Once there was a big round Dish.He lived with Mrs. Sugar Bowl.Dish said,"Please give me some ice cream!""I will not," said Mrs. Sugar Bowl."You ran away with Little Spoon.Go back to the table."But Dish would not go back.Mrs. Sugar Bowl called to the Maid.She said,"Dish ran away with Little Spoon.Go and wash his face."But Dish hid behind the door.He did not like to have his face washed.Old Mother HubbardWent to the cupboardTo get her poor dog a bone.But when she got thereThe cupboard was bare,And so the poor dog had none.

06 MOTHER HUBBARD'S PARTY

Old Mother Hubbard gave a party.

Little Bo Peep was there.

Little Miss Muffet was there.

Humpty Dumpty was there.

Little Jack Horner was there.

Little Boy Blue was there.

Old Mother Hubbard's Dog was there, too.

"Play Puss in the Corner," said Old Mother Hubbard.

So they played Puss in the Corner.

Humpty Dumpty was It.

"Puss, Puss, Puss," said Little Boy Blue.

Then Humpty Dumpty ran for a corner.

But Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Then Old Mother Hubbard said, "Now let us have the party."

"What fine ice cream!" said Little Jack Horner.

"What fine candy!" said Little Boy Blue.

Then Old Mother Hubbard said, "Let us all dance."

The Cat played the fiddle.

Little Jack Horner and Little Miss Muffet danced together.

Humpty Dumpty and Bo Peep danced together.

The little Dog laughed to see such sport.

Then they all said goodby to Old Mother Hubbard and went home.

07 THE CAT AND MISS MUFFET

Once there was a big black Cat.

She lived with Miss Muffet.

The Cat said, "Please, Miss Muffet, give me some curds and whey!"

"No, I will not," said Miss Muffet. "You killed a bird. Run home."

The Cat would not go home.

Miss Muffet called the Dog.

She said, "The big black Cat is in the garden. Go and frighten her."

The Cat climbed over the wall and ran away.See, saw, Marjory Daw,Jack shall have a new master.He shall have but a penny a day,Because he can't work any faster.

08 RED HEN'S NEST

Red Hen was in the garden.

She was eating corn.

Then she went to her nest.

Red Hen saw something white in her nest.

"Cluck, cluck! Oh, I am so frightened!" said Red Hen.

Red Hen ran till she met Gray Duck.

Gray Duck said, "Quack, quack! Good morning, Red Hen."

Red Hen said, "Cluck, cluck! Oh, I am so frightened! There is something white in my nest."

"Did you look at it?" asked Gray Duck.

"Yes, I looked at it," said Red Hen.

"Did you talk to it?" asked Gray Duck.

"No, I did not talk to it," said Red Hen.

"Let us go and tell White Goose," said Gray Duck.

So they ran and ran till they met White Goose.

White Goose said, "S-s-s! Good morning, Red Hen."

Red Hen said, "Cluck, cluck! Oh, I am so frightened! There is something white in my nest."

"Did you look at it?" asked White Goose.

"Yes, I looked at it," said Red Hen.

"Did you talk to it?" asked White Goose.

"No, I did not talk to it," said Red Hen.

"Let us go and tell Brown Owl."

So they all ran on and on till they saw Brown Owl.

Brown Owl was up in a tree.

Brown Owl looked very wise.

Brown Owl said, "Who, who! Good morning, Red Hen.'

Red Hen said, "Oh, I am so frightened! There is something white in my nest."

"Did you look at it?" asked Brown Owl.

"Yes, I looked at it," said Red Hen.

"Did you talk to it?" asked Brown Owl.

"No, I did not talk to it," said Red Hen.

Brown Owl said, "Let me think."

Red Hen said, "Let him think."

Gray Duck said, "Let him think."

White Goose said, "Let him think."

So they all let him think.

By and by Brown Owl said, "Let us go to Red Hen's nest."

Brown Owl and Red Hen walked together.

Gray Duck and White Goose walked together.

They walked and walked till they came to Red Hen's nest.

Brown Owl said, "All stand back, and I will call. Who, who is in Red Hen's nest?"

But no one made a sound.

Brown Owl called once more. "Who, who is in Red Hen's nest?"

But no one made a sound.

So Brown Owl said, "I will look in Red Hen's nest."

He looked in Red Hen's nest, and saw—a white kitty!

"Oh," said Brown Owl, "it is only a kitty! What a pity!"

09 RED FOX AND THE NEST

Mrs. Hen was in the garden.

She was eating corn.

Then she went to her nest.

She saw something black in her nest.

"Cluck, cluck! Oh, I am so frightened!" said Mrs. Hen.

And away she ran.

She ran and ran till she met Mrs. Duck.

Mrs. Duck said, "Quack, quack! Good morning, Mrs. Hen."

Mrs. Hen said, "Oh, I am so frightened! There is something black in my nest."

"Did you look at it?" asked Mrs. Duck.

"Yes, I did," said Mrs. Hen.

"Did you talk to it?" asked Mrs. Duck.

"No, I did not," said Mrs. Hen.

"Let us go and tell Mrs. Goose," said Mrs. Duck.

So they walked and walked till they met Mrs. Goose.

Mrs. Goose said, "S-s-s! Good morning, Mrs. Hen."

Mrs. Hen said, "Oh, I am so frightened! There is something black in my nest."

"Did you look at it?" asked Mrs. Goose.

"Yes, I did," said Mrs. Hen.

"Did you talk to it?" asked Mrs. Goose.

"No, I did not," said Mrs. Hen.

"Let us go and tell Mr. Owl," said Mrs. Goose.

So they walked and walked.

On the way they saw Red Fox.

Red Fox saw them, too.

Red Fox said to himself,

"What a fine dinner Mrs. Hen would make!

What a fine dinner Mrs. Duck would make!

What a fine dinner Mrs. Goose would make!

I will try to catch them."

"Oh, I am so frightened!" said Mrs. Duck.

"Oh, I am so frightened!" said Mrs. Goose.

And they ran away.

Mrs. Hen flew up into a tree.

Red Fox went to the tree.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"There is something black in my nest," said Mrs. Hen. "I am going to tell Mr. Owl."

"Do not tell Mr. Owl," said he. "I will go and see what is in your nest."

Red Fox said to himself, "Maybe there is a fine dinner in Mrs. Hen's nest."

Red Fox went to the nest.

He looked in the nest and saw—a black hat!

"Oh," said Red Fox, "it is only a black hat! What do you think of that?"Dickory, dickory, dare,The pig flew up in the air.The man in brownsoon brought him down,Dickory, dickory, dare.

10 RED HEN AND BROWN FOX

Red Hen was in the garden.She was eating corn.Brown Fox saw Red Hen.Brown Fox said to himself,"What a fine dinner Red Hen would make!"So he went to Red Hen.But Red Hen flew up into a tree,Brown Fox looked up into the tree.He saw Red Hen in the tree.He said to himself, "Let me think."Then he swayed to and fro.He swayed and swayed.This made Red Hen dizzy.She fell out of the tree.Brown Fox picked her up.He put her into his bag.Then he walked and walked.Red Hen had a pair of scissors.She cut a hole in the bag and flew out.Brown Fox came to his den.He put the bag down.He said to himself, "What a fine dinner I have!He opened the bag, and found—a big round hole!

11 GRAY DUCK AND BROWN FOX

Gray Duck was in the garden.

She was eating corn.

Brown Fox saw Gray Duck.

Brown Fox said to himself, "What a fine dinner Gray Duck would make!"

So he went near Gray Duck.

Gray Duck walked to the pond and swam away.

Brown Fox saw Gray Duck.

He hid behind a rock.

Gray Duck came back to the garden.

Brown Fox caught Gray Duck and put her into his bag.

Then he walked away.

Gray Duck had a pair of scissors.

She cut a hole in the bag and jumped out.

By and by, Brown Fox came to his den.

He put the bag down.

He said to himself, "What a fine dinner I have!"

He opened the bag, and found

—a big round hole!

12 THE CAT AND THE GOOSE

Once upon a time, White Goose invited Gray Cat to supper.

White Goose baked some cakes for supper.

She baked one hundred cakes.

White Goose kept two cakes for herself.

She gave the rest to Gray Cat.

Gray Cat ate all his cakes.

He said, "Dear me! I am still hungry. Have you anything more to eat?"

"I have only my two cakes," said White Goose.

So Gray Cat ate the two cakes.

Then Gray Cat said, "I am still hungry. Have you anything more to eat?"

"I don't see anything more," said White Goose.

"I think I shall eat you, then," said Gray Cat.

And—slippety, slip, down went White Goose.

Gray Cat walked down the road till he met Little Duck.

"You are a bad cat to eat White Goose," said Little Duck.

"White Goose, indeed! I think I shall eat you, too," said Gray Cat.

And—slippety, slip, down went Little Duck.

Gray Cat met Big Pig.

"You are a bad cat to eat Little Duck," said Big Pig.

"Little Duck, indeed! I think I shall eat you, too," said Gray Cat.

And—slippety, slip, down went Big Pig.

Gray Cat walked down the road till he met Black Bear.

"You are a bad cat to eat Big Pig," said Black Bear.

"Big Pig, indeed! I think I shall eat you, too," said Gray Cat.

And—slippety, slip, down went Black Bear.

Then Gray Cat met Brown Lion.

"You are a bad cat to eat Black Bear," said Brown Lion.

"Black Bear, indeed! I think I shall eat you, too," said Gray Cat.

And—slippety, slip down went Brown Lion.

On and on walked Gray Cat till he met Red Hen.

"You are a bad cat to eat Brown Lion," said Red Hen.

"Brown Lion, indeed! I think I shall eat you, too," said Gray Cat.

And—slippety, slip, down went Red Hen.

It was very dark there.

Red Hen looked all around.

Then, snip, snap, snip, snap went her scissors.

She cut a hole in Gray Cat's coat and jumped out.

Then out walked Brown Lion.

Then out walked Black Bear.

Then out walked Big Pig.

Then out walked Little Duck.

Then out walked White Goose.

And Gray Cat sat all day, sewing up the hole in his coat.Handy, Spandy, Jack-a-Dandy,Loves plum cake and sugar candy;He bought some at a grocer's shop,And out he came, hop, hop, hop.

13 THE GREEDY LION

Once upon a time, Brown Lion met Little Duck.

He said, "Little Duck, I am going to eat you, I am."

"Oh, please do not eat me!" said Little Duck.

"Indeed, I will," said Brown Lion.

And—Handy, Spandy, Jack, down went Little Duck.

Then Brown Lion walked on till he met White Goose.

"I have eaten Little Duck, and I am going to eat you, too, I am."

"Oh, please do not eat me!" said White Goose.

"Indeed, I will," said Brown Lion.

And—Handy, Spandy, Jack, down went White Goose.

Then Brown Lion met Big Pig.

"I have eaten Little Duck, I have eaten White Goose, and I am going to eat you, too, I am."

"Please do not eat me!" said Big Pig.

"Yes, I will," said Brown Lion.

And—Handy, Spandy, Jack, down went Big Pig.

Brown Lion walked on till he met Black Bear.

"I have eaten Little Duck, I have eaten

White Goose, I have eaten Big Pig, and I am going to eat you, too, I am."

"Oh, please do not eat me!" said Black Bear.

"Yes, I will," said Brown Lion.

And—Handy, Spandy, Jack, down went Black Bear.

Next he met Spry Mouse.

"I have eaten Little Duck, I have eaten White Goose, I have eaten Big Pig, I have eaten Black Bear, and I am going to eat you, too, I am."

"Oh, please do not eat me!" said Spry Mouse.

"Yes, I will," said Brown Lion.

And—Handy, Spandy, Jack, down went Spry Mouse.

It was very dark down there.

Spry Mouse looked all around.

She gnawed a big hole in Brown Lion's coat and jumped out.

Then out jumped Black Bear.

Then out jumped Big Pig.

Then out jumped White Goose.

Then out jumped Little Duck.

And Brown Lion sat all day, sewing up the hole in his coat.Ding, dong, bell,Pussy's in the well.Who put her in?Little Tommy Green.Who pulled her out?Little Tommy Trout.

14 THE LITTLE TIN SOLDIER

Once upon a time, there was a Tin Soldier. He lived in a box.

One day he jumped out.

He said, "I will go and fight for the King."

So he walked and walked till he met a Gun.

"Good morning, Tin Soldier," said the

Gun. "Where are you going today?"

The Tin Soldier said, "I am going to fight for the King."

"May I go?" asked the Gun.

"Come along," said the Soldier.

So the Gun went along, too.

By and by they met a Drum.

"Good morning, Tin Soldier," said the Drum. "Where are you going today?"

The Tin Soldier said, "I am going to fight for the King."

"May I go?" asked the Drum.

"Come along," said the Soldier.

So the Drum went along, too.

They walked on till they met a Sword.

"Good morning, Tin Soldier," said the Sword. "Where are you going today?"

The Tin Soldier said, "I am going to fight for the King."

"May I go?" asked the Sword.

"Come along," said the Soldier.

So the Sword went along, too.

By and by they met a Bugle.

"Good morning, Tin Soldier," said the Bugle. "Where are you going today?"

The Tin Soldier said, "I am going to fight for the King."

"May I go?" asked the Bugle.

"Come along," said the Soldier.

They came to the King's Castle.

Tin Soldier said, "We have come to fight for you, O King."

And the King thanked them and gave each one a medal.Little Boy Blue,come blow your horn.The sheep's in the meadow,the cow's in the corn.Where's the little boythat looks after the sheep?Under the haystack fast asleep.

15 BOY BLUE AND THE DRUM

Once upon a time, there was a Drum.

He lived in a Toy Store.

One day he said, "I will go and play with Little Boy Blue."

He marched out of the Store.

He marched and marched till he met a Gun.

"Good morning," said the Gun. "Where are you going today?"

"I am going to play with Little Boy Blue," said the Drum.

"Do not go, Drum," said the Gun. "Stay and play with me."

"No, I will not," said the Drum. "You would only shoot me. I will not stay with you."

And the Drum marched away.

By and by he met a Sword.

"Good morning," said the Sword. "Where are you going today?"

"I am going to play with Little Boy Blue," said the Drum.

"Do not go," said the Sword. "Stay and play with me."

"No, I will not," said the Drum. "You would only stab me. I will not stay with you."

And the Drum marched away.

He went on and on till he met a Bugle.

"Good morning," said the Bugle. Where are you going today?"

"I am going to play with Little Boy Blue," said the Drum.

"Do not go," said the Bugle. "Stay and play with me."

"No, I will not," said the Drum. "You would only beat me. I will not stay with you."

And the Drum marched away.

He came to Little Boy Blue's House.

The Drum said, "Good morning. Will you play with me?"

"Oh, yes, I will play with you!" said Little Boy Blue.

So Little Boy Blue played with the Drum.

He played so hard, that the Drum fell down and broke his head.Bye, Baby Bunting,Father's gone a-hunting,To get a little rabbit skin,To wrap his Baby Bunting in.

16 BUNNY BUNTING

Bunny Bunting was a little white rabbit.

He lived in a nest. The nest was in the tall grass.

One day Mother Bunting said, "I am going to find some clover for breakfast.

Be a good rabbit and stay in the nest."

"Yes, Mother," said Bunny.

Mother Bunting hopped away.

Bob White came to the nest.

"Bob White! Bob White! Good morning, Bunny," said he. "What a fine day it is! Come out and play with me."

"No, I must not," said Bunny Bunting.

"Oh, come out and play with me, and I will give you a carrot!" said Bob White.

"No, I must not," said Bunny Bunting.

So Bob White flew away.

Then Robin Redbreast came to the nest.

"Cheer up! Cheer up! Good morning, Bunny," said he. "What a fine day it is! Come out and play with me."

"No, I must not," said Bunny.

"Oh, come out and play with me, and I will give you some cherries!" said Robin Redbreast.

"No, I must not," said Bunny.

So Robin Redbreast flew away.

Bluebird came to the nest.

"Chirp! Chirp! Good morning, Bunny," said he. "What a fine day it is! Come out and play with me."

"No, I must not," said Bunny.

"Oh, come out and play with me, and I will give you a cabbage!" said Bluebird.

"No, I must not," said Bunny.

So Bluebird flew away.

Hark! What a queer sound in the tall grass!

Swish—swish—swish—swish.

Bunny Bunting raised his long ears.

Then he heard the queer sound once more.

Swish—swish—swish—swish.

There was a big Black Snake!

"Th—th—th—th! Good morning, Bunny Bunting," said Black Snake.

Bunny Bunting was frightened.

"Mother! Mother!" he cried.

Mother Bunting heard the cry.

She went back to the nest as fast as she could.

Hop, hop, and Mother Bunting was on Black Snake's back.

How she scratched him!

"Run, Bunny Bunting, run!" she cried.

Bunny Bunting ran and hid in the tall grass.

Mother Bunting ran and hid in the tall grass, too.

Black Snake looked and looked, but he could not find them.

So he started to go home.

But a big tree fell down on Black Snake's head and killed him.

Then Mother Bunting and Bunny went back to the nest in the tall grass.Simple Simon went a-fishingFor to catch a whale.All the water that he hadWas in his mother's pail.

17 WHY THE RABBIT LAUGHED

"I am stronger than you," said the Whale to the Elephant.

"You are not," said the Elephant. "I am stronger than you. Here comes White Rabbit. You ask him if I am not stronger than you."

White Rabbit came along, hoppety, hoppety, hop.

White Rabbit said, "How do you do, Mr. Whale! How do you do, Mr. Elephant!"

"White Rabbit, is the Elephant stronger than I am?" asked the Whale.

"You are both very strong," said White Rabbit. "Here is a rope. Now play Tug of War.

If you can pull Mr. Elephant into the water, you are the stronger, Mr. Whale.

If you can pull Mr. Whale out of the water, then you are the stronger, Mr. Elephant."

White Rabbit tied one end of the rope around the Elephant. He tied the other end around the Whale.

"One, two, three, pull!" said White Rabbit.

The Whale began to pull.

The Elephant began to pull.

The rope began to stretch.

How White Rabbit laughed!

"Pull harder!" said White Rabbit.

The Whale pulled harder.

The Elephant pulled harder.

The rope stretched tighter.

Snap, snap, went the rope.

"Ha, ha!" laughed White Rabbit.

"Why do you not pull harder?" asked White Rabbit.

The Whale pulled harder.

The Elephant pulled harder.

Then the rope broke.

The Whale went down to the bottom of the sea.

The Elephant fell over backwards.

White Rabbit sat in the bushes and laughed, and laughed.

18 THE BUCKWHEAT BOY

Once upon a time, a little Old Woman and a little Old Man lived all alone in a little Old House.

One day the little Old Woman made a little boy out of a buckwheat cake.

"Now I have a little boy," said the little Old Woman.

Soon the Buckwheat Boy was nice and brown.

He jumped out of the pan.

He jumped down to the floor and away he ran.

He ran out of the door and down the street.

The little Old Woman and the little Old Man ran after him as fast as they could.

Buckwheat Boy laughed and shouted,

"Run, run! ahoy, ahoy! You can't catch me, I'm the Buckwheat Boy."

And they could not catch him.

Buckwheat Boy ran on and on till he met a Cow.

"Stop, little Buckwheat Boy, I am going to eat you," said the Cow.

Buckwheat Boy laughed and shouted, "I have run away from a little Old Woman, and a little Old Man, and I can run away from you, I can."

As the Cow chased him he looked back and shouted,

"Run, run! ahoy, ahoy! You can't catch me, I'm the Buckwheat Boy."

The Cow could not catch him.

Buckwheat Boy ran on and on till he met a Horse.

"Stop," said the Horse. "I am going to eat you."

Buckwheat Boy laughed and shouted, "I have run away from a little Old Woman, a little Old Man, and a Cow, and I can run away from you, I can."

As the Horse chased him he looked back and shouted,

"Run, run! ahoy, ahoy! You can't catch me, I'm the Buckwheat Boy."

The Horse could not catch him.

Then the Buckwheat Boy ran on and on, till he met a Wolf.

"Do not run so fast, little Buckwheat Boy," said the Wolf, "I am going to eat you."

Buckwheat Boy laughed and shouted, "I have run away from a little Old Woman, a little Old Man, a Cow, and a Horse, and I can run away from you, I can."

As the Wolf chased him, he looked back and shouted,

"Run, run! ahoy, ahoy! You can't catch me, I'm the Buckwheat Boy."

The Wolf could not catch him.

"Nobody can ever catch me," said the Buckwheat Boy.

So Buckwheat Boy ran on and on till he met a Fox.

"You can't catch me," said the Buckwheat Boy to the Fox.

"I have run away from a little Old Woman, a little Old Man, a Cow, a Horse, and a Wolf, and I can run away from you, I can.

Run, run! ahoy, ahoy! You can't catch me, I'm the Buckwheat Boy."

"I would not catch you if I could." said the Fox. "I do not care to catch you."

Then Buckwheat Boy came to the river.

He could not swim across.

"Jump on my back, and I will take you across," said the Fox.

So Buckwheat Boy jumped on the Fox's back.

"You will get wet on my back," said the Fox. "Jump on my shoulder."

Buckwheat Boy jumped on the Fox's shoulder.

"You will get wet on my shoulder," said the Fox. "Jump on my head."

Buckwheat Boy jumped on the Fox's head.

"You will get wet on my head," said the Fox. "Jump on my nose."

Buckwheat Boy jumped on the Fox's nose.

The Fox gave a snap.

"I am half gone," said the Buckwheat Boy.

The Fox gave another snap.

Buckwheat Boy was all gone.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 boyWho lives in the lane.Mistress Mary, quite contrary,How does your garden grow?With silver bells, and cockle shells,And pretty maids all in a row.

19 THE NAUGHTY BILLY GOAT

A little Boy had a Billy Goat.

Billy Goat ran into the woods.

He ate the grass there.

The Boy said, "Let us go home, Billy Goat."

But Billy Goat said, "No."

Then the Boy said,"Intery,mintery,cuttery, corn,Apple seed and apple thorn.If we don't start home now,We won't reach there till morn."

And the Boy began to cry.

Billy Goat said,"Cry, baby, cry,Put your finger in your eye,And tell your motherIt wasn't I."

And tell your mother

It wasn't I."

And he ran away.

White Rabbit came by.

He said, "Why do you cry?"

The Boy said, "Billy Goat has run away and will not go home."

White Rabbit said, "Do not cry, little Boy. I will make Billy Goat go home."

And he ran till he met Billy Goat.

White Rabbit said, "Let us go home, Billy Goat."

But Billy Goat said, "No."

Then White Rabbit said,"Intery, mintery, cuttery, corn,Apple seed and applethorn.If we don't start home now,We won't reach there till morn."

And White Rabbit began to cry.

Billy Goat said,"Cry, baby, cry,Put your finger in your eye,And tell your motherIt wasn't I."

And he ran away.

Gray Squirrel came by. He said, "Why do you cry, White Rabbit?"

White Rabbit said, "Billy Goat has run away and will not go home."

Gray Squirrel said, "Do not cry, White Rabbit. I will make Billy Goat go home."

And he ran till he met Billy Goat.

Gray Squirrel said, "Let us go home, Billy Goat."

But Billy Goat said, "No."

Then Gray Squirrel said,"Intery, mintery, cuttery, corn,Apple seed and apple thorn.If we don't start home now,We won't reach there till morn."

And Gray Squirrel began to cry.

Billy Goat said,"Cry, baby, cry,Put your finger in your eye,And tell your motherIt wasn't I."

And he ran away.

Red Fox came by.

He said, "Why do you cry, Gray Squirrel?"

Gray Squirrel said, "Billy Goat has run away and will not go home."

Red Fox said, "Do not cry, Gray Squirrel. I will make Billy Goat go home."

And he ran till he met Billy Goat.

Red Fox said, "Let us go home, Billy Goat."

But Billy Goat said, "No."

Then Red Fox said,"Intery, mintery, cuttery, corn,Apple seed and apple thorn.If we don't start home now,We won't reach there till morn."

And Red Fox began to cry.

Billy Goat said,"Cry, baby, cry,Put your finger in your eye,And tell your motherIt wasn't I."

And he ran away.

Bumblebee flew by.

He said, "Why do you cry, Red Fox?"

Red Fox said, "Billy Goat has run away and will not go home."

Bumblebee said, "Do not cry, Red Fox. I will make Billy Goat go home."

And away he flew till he met Billy Goat.

Bumblebee said, "Z-Z-Z-Z!"

Billy Goat said, "Bumblebee can sting. I will run home."

And he began to run home.

Skippety, skippety, skip!

Billy Goat rushed by Red Fox.

Red Fox began to laugh.

Hoppety, hoppety, hop!

Billy Goat rushed by Gray Squirrel.

Gray Squirrel began to laugh.

Jumpety, jumpety, jump!

Billy Goat rushed by White Rabbit.

White Rabbit began to laugh.Jiggety, jiggety, jig!Billy Goat rushed by the Boy.Then the Boy began to laugh.And Billy Goatnever stopped runningtill he reached home.Rab, reb, rib, rob, rub,Three little men in a tub.A butcher, a baker,a candlestick maker,Rab, reb, rib, rob, rub.Fa, fe, fi, fo, fu,Kitty said, "Mew, mew!"The clock struck one,The mouse ran down,Fa, fe, fi, fo, fu.Cock crows in the mornTo tell us to rise,And he who lies lateWill never be wise.For early to bed,And early to rise,Is the way to be healthy,And wealthy, and wise.

20 PIGGY WIG'S HOUSE

Piggy Wig lived in a pen.

He did not like his pen.

Piggy said, "I will build a house."

So he went to the forest for some wood.

On the way he met Peter Rabbit.

"How do you do, Piggy Wig!" said Peter Rabbit. "Where are you going this bright morning?"

"I do not like my pen," said Piggy Wig.

"I am going to build a house."

"May I go along and help you?" asked Peter Rabbit.

"What can you do?" asked Piggy Wig.

"Do you see my sharp teeth?

I can gnaw the trees and get the wood for your house," said Peter Rabbit.

"Then you are the very one I want," said

Piggy Wig. "Come along with me."

They walked along till they met Gray Duck.

"Quack, quack! How do you do, Piggy Wig!" said Gray Duck. "Where are you going this bright morning?"

"I do not like my pen," said Piggy Wig. "I am going to build a house."

"May I go along and help you?" asked Gray Duck.

"What can you do?" asked Piggy Wig.

"Do you see my nice flat bill? I can carry mud in it and help to plaster your house," said Gray Duck.

"Come along with me," said Piggy. "You are the very one I want."

Very soon they met White Cock.

"Cock-a-doodle-doo! How do you do, Piggy Wig!" said White Cock. "Where are you going this bright morning?"

"I do not like my pen," said Piggy. "I am going to build a house."

"May I go along?" asked White Cock.

"What can you do?" asked Piggy.

"I can crow in the morning and wake you," said White Cock. "I will be your clock. Hear me crow. Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

"Very well," said Piggy Wig. "Come along with me."

Soon they came to the forest.

Peter Rabbit gnawed the wood.

Piggy Wig nailed the boards.

Gray Duck plastered the house.

And White Cock crowed every morning when it was time to rise.There was a piper had a goat.He had no grass to give her.He took his pipe and played a tune,"Consider, goat, consider!"The goat considered very well,And gave the man a penny,That he might play the other tune,Of, "Apples there are many."

21 BILLY GOAT AND THE WOLF

Billy Goat was eating grass in the meadow.

His mother, Nanny Goat, was eating grass in the meadow, too.

Billy Goat ran after a butter fly.

He chased the butter fly into the woods.

It grew very dark, and Billy Goat became frightened.

He heard a fierce growl,— "Gr-r!"

There stood a big, hungry Wolf.

"Gr-r! I am going to eat you," said the Wolf. "Have you anything to say before I eat you?"

"I know that you can kill me," said Billy Goat. "But may I ask a favor before you do?"

"What do you wish, Billy Goat?"

"Will you play for me to dance? I have heard that you play well," said Billy Goat.

"Yes, I will," said the Wolf.

So the Wolf played the music, and Billy Goat danced.

By and by the Wolf stopped playing.

"It is time for my dinner," said he.

"Please play once more, only once more," said Billy Goat. "You play so well, so very well, I could dance all day to your music."

"Very well, I will," said the Wolf. And he played once more for Billy Goat to dance.

The dogs heard the music and came to see who was playing.

So the Wolf had to run for his life. Billy Goat scampered away, too. As he ran down the road he saw his mother coming to look for him.

"Oh, Mother!" he cried. "The dogs are coming!"

"Let us run and hide," said Nanny Goat.

They ran back to the meadow.

And Billy Goat never chased a butter fly again.The Queen of Hearts,She made some tarts,All on a summer's day.The Knave of Hearts,He stole those tarts,And with them ran away.

22 TOMMY TART

One day the Queen of Hearts was making some tarts.

While she was making them she said to herself, "I will make a nice little boy out of these tarts."

So she made Tommy Tart and put him into the oven to bake.

The Knave of Hearts saw Tommy Tart put into the oven.

He said, "I will open the oven door and steal Tommy Tart."

So he opened the oven door, and out jumped Tommy Tart.

Tommy Tart ran across the floor and out of the door.

"Stop running! I wish to eat you," called the Knave of Hearts.

But Tommy Tart ran down the road. The Knave of Hearts ran after him. Tommy Tart laughed and shouted,"Run, run!You'll be smart,If you can catchTommy Tart."

And the Knave of Hearts could not catch him.

Tommy Tart ran down the road till he met Peter Rabbit.

"Stop running!" called Peter Rabbit. "I wish to eat you."

Tommy Tart said, "I have run away from the Queen of Hearts, and the Knave of Hearts, and I can run away from you, too, if you give me a start.Run, run!You'll be smart,If you can catchTommy Tart."

"We'll see about that," said Peter Rabbit.

And he ran after Tommy Tart.

But Peter Rabbit could not catch him.

By and by he met Frisky Lamb.

"Stop running!" called Frisky Lamb. "I wish to eat you."

Tommy Tart said, "I have run away from the Queen of Hearts, the Knave of Hearts, and Peter Rabbit, and I can run away from you, too, if you give me a start.Run, run!You'll be smart,If you can catchTommy Tart."

"Indeed!" cried Frisky Lamb.

And he ran after Tommy Tart.

Frisky Lamb could not catch him.

On and on ran Tommy Tart till he met Bruin Bear.

"Stop running!" called Bruin Bear. "You look so sweet I wish to eat you."

Tommy Tart said, "I have run away from the Queen of Hearts, the Knave of Hearts,

Peter Rabbit, and Frisky Lamb, and I can run away from you, too, if you give me a start.Run, run!You'll be smart,If you can catchTommy Tart."

"Are you sure?" asked Bruin Bear.

And he ran after Tommy Tart.

Bruin Bear could not catch him.

"Nobody can ever catch me," said Tommy Tart.

In the tall grass sat Red Fox.

"Hello, hello!" called Red Fox, as Tommy Tart rushed by.

Tommy Tart stopped running.

He went back to talk to Red Fox.

He said, "I have run away from the Queen of Hearts, the Knave of Hearts, Peter Rabbit, Frisky Lamb, and Bruin Bear, and

I can run away from you, too, if you give me a start.Run, run!You'll be smart,If you can catchTommy Tart."

"I do not wish to catch you," said Red Fox. "Come and rest in this cool grass."

"I am afraid that you will eat me," said Tommy Tart.

"Why should I?" said Red Fox. "You are too sweet."

Tommy Tart came a little nearer.

"Come and have a drink of water. You must be thirsty," said Red Fox.

"Thank you, I will," said Tommy Tart.

But as he stooped to drink the water, snap went Red Fox's teeth, and Tommy Tart was gone.

23 THREE LITTLE KITTENS

Three little kittensThey lost their mittens,And they began to cry,"Oh, mother dear,We sadly fear,Our mittens we have lost.""What, lost your mittens!You naughty kittens!Then you shall have no pie.Me-ow, me-ow, me-ow,Then you shall have no pie."The three little kittensThey found their mittens,And they began to cry,"Oh, mother dear,See here, see here!Our mittens we have found.""What, found your mittens!You darling kittens!Then you shall have some pie.Me-ow, me-ow, me-ow,Then you shall have some pie."The three little kittensPut on their mittens,And soon ate up the pie."Oh, mother dear,We sadly fear,Our mittens we have soiled.""What, soiled your mittens!You naughty kittens!"Then they began to sigh,"Me-ow, me-ow, me-ow."Then they began to sigh.The three little kittensThey washed their mittens,And hung them up to dry."Oh, mother dear,See here, see here!Our mittens we have washed.""What, washed your mittensYou darling kittens!I smell a rat close by.Hush, hush, hush!I smell a rat close by."

24 FRISKY, SKIPPY, AND TRIXY

Once upon a time, Mother Black Cat lived in a barn with her three little kittens.

One kitten was named Frisky.

One was named Skippy.

And one was named Trixy.

One day Mother Black Cat said, "Children,

I am going to the house. If you are good while I am away, I will bring you some pie. You may go out to play in the barn yard. It is very cold today, so put on your mittens."

"Yes, mother dear," said the three little kittens.

So the three little kittens went out to play in the barn yard.

Skippy said, "Let us play Tag, and I will be It."

So the three little kittens took off their mittens and played Tag.

Very soon Mother Black Cat came home from the big house, and the three little kittens ran to meet her.

"Have you been good kittens?"

"Oh, yes, very good! "said the three little kittens.

Then Mother Black Cat said,

"Why, where are your mittens?"

"Oh, mother dear, We sadly fear, Our mittens we have lost."

"Then you shall have no pie. Go and find your mittens, you naughty kittens."

The three little kittens went into the barn yard to hunt for their mittens.

Frisky found her mittens in the hay.

Skippy found her mittens under the leaves.

Trixy found her mittens near the fence.

The kittens went to their mother, and they began to cry,

"Oh, mother dear, See here, see here! Our mittens we have found."

"What, found your mittens! You darling kittens! Then you shall have some pie."

Trixy said, "Let us put on our mittens."

So the three little kittens put on their mittens.

Mother Black Cat said, "Here is some pie."

She cut three pieces for the little kittens.

"Oh, Skippy," said Frisky, "you have soiled your mittens!"

"Look at your own mittens. They are soiled," said Skippy.

"Oh, look at Trixy's mittens! They are soiled, too."

"Oh, mother dear, We sadly fear, Our mittens we have soiled."

"Go and wash your mittens, you naughty kittens."

They washed their mittens, and hung them up to dry.

"Oh, mother dear, See here, see here! Our mittens we have washed."

"You darling kittens! I smell a rat close by."

And the three little kittens scampered after the rat.There was an Old WomanWho lived in a shoe.She had so many childrenShe didn't know what to do.She gave them some brothWithout any bread.She gave them a spankingAnd put them to bed.

25 THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG

The Old Woman who lived in a shoe found a gold dollar.

She went to market and bought a Pig. Then she said, "Pig, let us go home."

But the Pig would not go home.

Then she went to a Dog and said, "Dog, Dog, bite Pig;The Pig will not go home.See by the moonlight,It's almost midnight,—Time to go home,An hour ago.""No," said the Dog, "I will not."Then the Old Woman met a Stick.The Old Woman said, "Stick, Stick, beatDog, The Dog will not bite the Pig;The Pig will not go home.See by the moonlight,It's almost midnight,—Time to go home,An hour ago.""No," said the Stick, "I will not."Then the old Woman met a Fire.She said,"Fire, Fire, burn Stick;The Stick will not beat the Dog;The Dog will not bite the Pig;The Pig will not go home.See by the moonlight,It's almost midnight,—Time to go home,An hour ago.""No," said the Fire, "I will not."Then the Old Woman met the Water.She said,"Water, Water, quench Fire;The Fire will not burn the Stick;The Stick will not beat the Dog;The Dog will not bite the Pig;The Pig will not go home.See by the moonlight,It's almost midnight,—Time to go home,An hour ago.""No," said the Water, "I will not."

The Old Woman walked on and on till she met an Ox.

She said,"Ox, Ox, drink Water;The Water will not quench the Fire;The Fire will not burn the Stick;The Stick will not beat the Dog;The Dog will not bite the Pig;The Pig will not go home.See by the moonlight,It's almost midnight,—Time to go home,An hour ago.""No," said the Ox, "I will not."Then the Old Woman met a Butcher.The Old Woman said,"Butcher, Butcher, kill Ox;The Ox will not drink the Water;The Water will not quench the Fire;The Fire will not burn the Stick;The Stick will not beat the Dog;The Dog will not bite the Pig;The Pig will not go home.See by the moonlight,It's almost midnight,—Time to go home,An hour ago.""No," said the Butcher, "I will not."Then the Old Woman met a Rope.She said,"Rope, Rope, hang Butcher;The Butcher will not kill the Ox;The Ox will not drink the Water;The Water will not quench the Fire;The Fire will not burn the Stick;The Stick will not beat the Dog;The Dog will not bite the Pig;The Pig will not go home.See by the moonlight,It's almost midnight,—Time to go home,An hour ago.""No," said the Rope, "I will not."The Old Woman walked on till she met a Rat.The Old Woman said,"Rat, Rat, gnaw Rope;The Rope will not hang the Butcher;The Butcher will not kill the Ox;The Ox will not drink the Water;The Water will not quench the Fire;The Fire will not burn the Stick;The Stick will not beat the Dog;The Dog will not bite the Pig;The Pig will not go home.See by the moonlight,It's almost midnight,—Time to go home,An hour ago.""Yes, I will," said the Rat, "if you will give me some cheese."So she gave him some cheese. Then,—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;And the Pig began to go home.

26 THE RACE

Slow-but-Sure was a tortoise.

By-and-By was a hare.

One day Slow-but-Sure was creeping along when she met By-and-By.

"Good morning, my friend," said By-and-By. "Do you not wish that you could run as fast as I can?"

"You can run very fast," said Slow-but-Sure, "but I think that I could beat you in a race."

"You! beat me in a race!" cried By-and-By. "Oh, we shall see about that!"

"Very well, I am willing," said Slow-but-Sure. "Here comes Reynard the Fox. He shall be judge of the race."

"Good morning, my friends," said Reynard the Fox. "What are you talking about?"

"Slow-but-Sure says that she can beat me in a race. What do you think of that?" said By-and-By.

"Perhaps she can," said Reynard the Fox. "Why don't you start here and run across the fields to the great oak tree?"

"Let us try it," said Slow-but-Sure.

So Reynard the Fox said, "Get on your mark. Ready—set—go!"

And off they started.

By-and-By went like the wind.

Slow-but-Sure crept slowly along.

The hare ran swiftly across one field.

Then he looked back, but he could not see the tortoise.

"Oh, what fine clover! I shall stop and eat some," said By-and-By. "Then I shall take a nap, for I wish Slow-but-Sure to see me, when I win the race."

So he ate the clover, and then he fell asleep.

He took a long nap.

Slow-but-Sure did not stop to rest.

She plodded on and on while By-and-By was sleeping.

So she reached the oak tree first.

When By-and-By awoke he looked up and down the fields.

Then he ran to the tree, and there was the tortoise!

"Ah!" said Reynard the Fox, "Slow-but-Sure wins the race."

27 OVER IN THE MEADOW

Over in the meadow,In the sand, in the sun,Lived an old mother toadAnd her little toadie one."Wink!" said the mother;"I wink," said the one.So she winked and she blinked,In the sand, in the sun.Over in the meadow,Where the stream runs blue,Lived an old mother fishAnd her little fishes two."Swim!" said the mother;"We swim," said the two.So they swam and they leaped,Where the stream runs blue.Over in the meadow,In a hole in a tree,Lived a mother bluebirdAnd her little bluebirds three."Sing!" said the mother;"We sing," said the three.So they sang and were glad,In the hole in the tree.Over in the meadow,In the reeds on the shore,Lived a mother muskratAnd her little muskrats four."Dive!" said the mother;"We dive," said the four.So they dived and they burrowed,In the reeds on the shore.Over in the meadow,In a snug beehive,Lived a mother honeybeeAnd her little honeys five."Buzz!" said the mother;"We buzz," said the five.So they buzzed and they hummed,In the snug beehive.—OLIVE A. WADSWORTH

28 TRADING BABIES

One fine day Sophie took her baby brother out for a walk.

She walked in the meadow in the sand, in the sun, till she met an old mother toad and her little toadie.

She said to the toad,"What will you give,What will you give,To trade for my baby dear?There is nothing so sweet,There is nothing so fair,Anywhere, far or near."

"Can your baby wink and blink?"

"My baby can not wink and blink."

"Then he is not so clever as my baby toad. So I do not wish to trade with you."

Sophie walked in the meadow, where the stream runs blue. Here lived an old mother fish and her two little fishes.

Sophie said to the fish,"What will you give,What will you give,To trade for my baby dear?There is nothing so sweet,There is nothing so fair,Anywhere, far or near."

"Can your baby swim and leap?"

"My baby can not swim and leap."

"Then he is not so clever as my baby fishes, for they can swim and leap. So I do not wish to trade with you."

And the fish swam away.

Then Sophie came to a big tree.

Here lived a mother bluebird and her little bluebirds three.

She said to the mother bluebird,"What will you give,What will you give,To trade for my baby dear?There is nothing so sweet,There is nothing so fair,Anywhere, far or near."

"Can your baby sing?"

"No, my baby can not sing."

"Then he is not so clever as my baby birds, for they can sing. So I do not wish to trade with you."

And the bluebird flew away.

Sophie soon came to the reeds on the shore.

In the reeds on the shore lived a mother muskrat and her four little muskrats.

Sophie said to the mother muskrat,"What will you give,What will you give,To trade for my baby dear?There is nothing so sweet,There is nothing so fair,Anywhere, far or near."

"Can your baby dive and burrow?" "My baby can not dive and burrow."

"Then he is not so clever as my baby rats, for they can dive and burrow. So I do not wish to trade with you."

And the muskrat ran away.

Sophie then saw a snug beehive.

Here lived a mother honeybee and her five little honeys.

She said to the mother honeybee,"What will you give,What will you give,To trade for my baby dear?There is nothing so sweet,There is nothing so fair,The mother honeybee asked,

"Can your baby buzz and hum?"

"My baby can not buzz and hum."

"Then he is not so clever as my babies, for they can buzz and hum. So I do not wish to trade with you."

The baby brother began to cry, and Sophie took him home.

Sophie told her mother all about her walk in the meadow.

Then the mother took the baby and said,

"We love him best,

We love him best,

This dear baby brother fair.

There's nothing so bright

As his pretty blue eyes,

Or soft as his golden hair."

29 THE ALPHABET

Aa BbA is for Alice, who likes apples red.B is for Bessie, who won't go to bed.Cc DdC is for Charles, who a captain was once.D is for Dick, who was never a dunce.Ee FfE is for Elmer, and for elephant big.F is for Frank, who ate a ripe fig.Gg HhG is for George, who rode on a goat.H is for Harry, and his hound in a boat.Ii JjI is for Ida, who slides on the ice.J is for Jessie, who thinks jelly nice.Kk LlK is for Kate, who can fly a kite.L is for Laura, who saw a bright light.Mm NnM is for Minnie, who owned a big mill.N is for Nellie, who found nuts on ahill.Oo PpO is for Olive, whose orange was round.P is for Paul, whose penny was found.Qq RrQ is for Queenie, who likes to eat quail.R is for Ralph, who walks on a rail.Ss TtS is for Stella, who likes sugar sweet.T is for Thomas, who has tarts to eat.Uu VvU is for Una, with an urn and a fan.V is for Vera, and valley and van.Ww XxW is for William, who saw a big whale.X is for Xerxes, who expected to sail.Yy ZzY is for Yetta, who stands under a yew.Z is for Zella, and zebra, and zoo.a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y zA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

第2册

This little pig went to market;This little pig stayed at home;This little pig had roast beef;This little pig had none;This little pig cried, "Wee, wee,"All the way home.

01 THE THREE PIGS

There was once a Mother Pig who had three little pigs.

One of them was named Big Pig.

One was named Middle-sized Pig.

One was named Little Wee Pig.

One day Mother Pig said to her three little pigs, "You must all go away and seek your fortune."

"Very well, Mother dear," said the three little pigs.

And away they went to seek their fortune.

Very soon Big Pig met a man with some straw. "Please, Man, give me some straw to build a house," he said.

"Very well, I will give you some."

So Big Pig built his house of straw.

Very soon Mr. Wolf came to Big Pig's house.

He knocked at the door and said, "Little Pig, Little Pig, Let me come in."

"No, no, by the hair Of my chinny, chin, chin."

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, And I'll blow your house in."

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he blew the house in, and he ate Big Pig.

Middle-sized Pig met a man with some wood. "Please, Man, give me some wood to build a house," he said.

"Very well, you may have some."

So Middle-sized Pig built his house of wood.

Very soon Mr. Wolf came to Middle-sized Pig's house.

He knocked at the door and said, "Little Pig, Little Pig, Let me come in."

"No, no, by the hair Of my chinny, chin, chin."

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, And I'll blow your house in."

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he blew the house in, and he ate Middle-sized Pig.

Little Wee Pig met a man with some bricks.

"Please, Man, give me some bricks to build a house," he said.

"Very well, you may have some."

So Little Wee Pig built his house of bricks.

Very soon Mr. Wolf came to Little Wee Pig's house.

He knocked at the door and said, "Little Pig, Little Pig, Let me come in."

"No, no, by the hair Of my chinny, chin, chin."

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, And I'll blow your house in."

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, but he could not blow the house in.

Then Mr. Wolf said, "Oh, Little Wee Pig, I know where to get some nice, big, red apples. Be ready tomorrow morning at five o'clock."

"Very well, I will be ready."

But Little Wee Pig got up at four o'clock and went for the apples.

Then he went home.

At five o'clock Mr. Wolf came.

"Are you ready, Little Wee Pig?" asked Mr. Wolf.

"Ha, ha!" laughed Little Wee Pig. "See this pail of nice, red apples! I got up at four o'clock and picked them."

This made Mr. Wolf very angry, and he growled, "Gr-r, gr-r! I am going to eat you, Little Wee Pig."

So Mr. Wolf climbed upon the roof and went down through the chimney.

Little Wee Pig had a big pot of hot water on the fire.

Mr. Wolf fell into it and was killed.

Little Wee Pig cut a hole in Mr. Wolf's coat.

Then out jumped Middle-sized Pig and Big Pig.

The three little pigs ate Mr. Wolf for supper.

02 SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE

Sing a song of sixpence,A pocket full of rye;Four and twenty blackbirdsBaked in a pie.When the pie was opened,The birds began to sing.Wasn't that a dainty dish.To set before a king?The king was in the 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.

03 THE SNOWBIRDS

Once upon a time, Jack Frost went to visit Sammy Scare Crow.

Sammy Scare Crow lived in a field, near the King's castle.

Jack Frost wore a coat trimmed with icicles.

His hair was white, like the snow.

He looked like a snowman.

Sammy Scare Crow was made of straw.

His hat and coat were very old and badly torn.

Sammy Scare Crow's pockets were always filled with grains of rye.

The four and twenty Blackbirds liked the grains of rye.

They would hop into Sammy Scare Crow's pockets for the rye.

Then they would perch upon his shoulders and sing.

When Jack Frost came to the field, the Blackbirds flew away.

"Where have they gone?" he asked.

"You have frightened them away with your cold breath," said Sammy.

"They have gone to the King's castle, where it is nice and warm."

"How long will they stay there?"

"I do not know. There is the Maid in the garden, hanging out the clothes. Perhaps she can tell you."

"How do you do, Maid!" called Jack Frost. "Will you tell me what happened to the four and twenty Blackbirds?"

"I baked them in a pie."

"Did you open the pie?"

"Yes, I did, and—

'When the pie was opened,

The birds began to sing.'"

"Was the King frightened when the birds began to sing?"

"Oh, no, indeed! The King only laughed and asked, 'Where is the Queen?' I told him, 'the Queen is in the parlor, Eating bread and honey.'

I went into the parlor. I told the Queen that the King had a surprise for her.

The Queen went to the counting house and asked, 'Have you a surprise for me?'

The King showed the pie to the Queen.

The Queen said,

'Wasn't that a dainty dish,

To set before a King?'"

At that moment the four and twenty Blackbirds flew away from the King's castle.

"Ha, ha!" laughed Jack Frost. "Now is my chance to turn them into Snowbirds."

So Jack Frost said, "Blow, North Wind, blow."

The North Wind blew so hard that the Blackbirds turned white.

They were changed into Snowbirds.

All were changed but one little bird.

When he saw his brothers changed into Snowbirds, he was very angry.

He thought that the Maid had sent the cold North Wind. So,—

"Down came the blackbird

And nipped off her nose."John Brown had a little Indian,John Brown had a little Indian,John Brown had a little Indian,One little Indian boy.One little, two little, three little Indians;Four little, five little, six little Indians;Seven little, eight little, nine little Indians;Ten little Indian boys.

04 FOREST ROVER

Once upon a time, there was a little Indian boy, and his name was Forest Rover.

He lived in a wigwam with his father and mother.

On his birthday his mother gave him a coat and a pair of trousers, made of deerskin.

His father gave him a pair of beautiful red moccasins and a belt of beads.

Forest Rover put on his fine clothes and went for a walk in the forest.

By and by he saw a Bear.

He was very much frightened and started to run away.

The Bear saw Forest Rover and ran after him.

"Forest Rover," he growled, "I am going to eat you."

"Oh, please do not eat me!"

"What will you give me, if I do not eat you?"

"I will give you my beautiful deerskin coat."

"If you will give me your coat, I will not eat you today."

So the Bear put on the coat.

"What a fine coat this is!" he said. "I am the finest Bear in the forest."

Forest Rover walked away, feeling very sad because he had lost his coat.

As he came to a big tree, a second Bear stood behind it.

"Forest Rover," he growled, "I am going to eat you."

"Oh, please do not eat me!"

"What will you give me, if I do not eat you?"

"I will give you my beautiful deerskin trousers."

"If you give me your trousers, I will not eat you today." The Bear put on the trousers, saying, "I am the finest Bear in the forest."

Little Forest Rover walked away.

He felt very unhappy, because he had lost his beautiful trousers.

As he walked along he heard a fierce growl.

Forest Rover looked back, and there was a third Bear running after him.

"Forest Rover," he growled, "I am going to eat you."

"Oh, please do not eat me, and I will give you my beautiful red moccasins!"

"How can I use your moccasins?"

"You dance on your hind legs. Keep my moccasins for your dancing slippers."

So the Bear put on the moccasins and began to dance.

He danced around the tree, saying, "I am the finest Bear in the forest."

Forest Rover saw a fourth Bear in the middle of the forest.

"Forest Rover," he growled, "I am going to eat you."

"Oh, please do not eat me, and I will give you my beautiful belt of beads!"

"How can I wear your belt of beads? I am too fat."

"You can wear it for a bracelet."

"So I can," said the Bear.

He put on the belt for a bracelet and walked away.

"What a fine bracelet I have! I am the finest Bear in the forest."

Forest Rover sat down on a rock.

He began to cry, because he had lost all his fine clothes.

At that moment his father, Fleet-of-Foot, came along with some Indians.

He said to Forest Rover, "Why do you cry, my son?"

"The Bears have taken away all my presents," said Forest Rover.

"Do not cry," said the father. "We will hunt those Bears with our bows and arrows."

So all the Indians went to hunt the Bears.

When the Bears saw the Indians coming with their bows and arrows, they threw the presents away and ran to their cave in the rocks.

So Forest Rover put on all his fine clothes again and went back to the wigwam with Fleet-of-Foot.

05 I SAW A SHIP A-SAILING

I saw a ship a-sailing,A-sailing on the sea;And, oh! it was all ladenWith pretty things for thee!There were candies in the cabin,And apples in the hold;The sails were made of silk,And the masts were made of gold.The four and twenty sailors,That stood between the decks,Were four and twenty white mice,With chains about their necks.The captain was a duck,With a packet on his back;And when the ship began to moveThe captain said, "Quack, quack!"

06 THE CLEVER JACKAL

A little Jackal lived near a river.

One day he said, "Dear me! I am so hungry! I must find some crabs for dinner."

So he went to the bank of the river and put his paw into the water, to catch a crab.

And snap! a big Alligator had the paw in his mouth.

"Dear me!" thought the Jackal. "The big Alligator has my paw in his mouth. In a minute he will pull me down and eat me. What shall I do? What shall I do?"

Then he said to the Alligator, "Ho, ho! kind Mr. Alligator, clever Mr. Alligator, to take those reeds for my paw! I hope that they taste good."

"What a foolish mistake!" said Mr. Alligator.

So the Alligator opened his mouth and let the little Jackal go.

The little Jackal ran as fast as he could.

And as he ran, he called out, "Thank you, Mr. Alligator, kind Mr. Alligator."

The Alligator lashed his tail and snapped his jaws. He was so very angry!

"What a foolish mistake," said Mr. Alligator.

About a week later the little Jackal said again, "Dear me! I am so hungry! I must find some crabs for dinner."

So he went to the bank of the river.

He looked around for the Alligator but did not see him.

So he began to talk to himself. "When I do not see any crabs on the bank of the river, I often see them peep above the water, and then I put in my paw and catch them."

Mr. Alligator was hiding in the mud.

"That is easy," said he to himself. "I will put my

nose above the water and pretend to be a little crab."

The little Jackal took one look, then ran as fast as he could.

"Thank you, Mr. Alligator, kind Mr. Alligator," he called.

The Alligator lashed his tail and snapped his jaws. He was so very angry!

It was two weeks before the little Jackal went to the bank of the river again.

He looked all around for the Alligator but did not find him.

"If I do not see any crabs on the bank of the river," said the Jackal, "I often see them making bubbles which go puff, puff, puff. Then I put in my paw and catch them."

"That is easy," thought Mr. Alligator. "I will blow little crab bubbles, and the Jackal will put in his paw where I can get it."

So the Alligator blew and blew, and great bubbles came to the top of the water.

The little Jackal took one look, then ran as fast as he could.

And as he ran he called out, "Thank you, Mr. Alligator, kind Mr. Alligator."

The Alligator lashed his tail, snapped his jaws and said, "I will catch that Jackal yet."

So one day he crawled over the ground till he came to the Jackal's house.

Then he went inside and hid.

When the Jackal came home he saw that the door was broken.

He called out, "Why don't you speak, little House?

You know that you always speak to me when I come home."

"I will speak softly," said Mr. Alligator, "and pretend to be the little House."

"Hello, Jackal!"

How frightened the Jackal was!

"It is Mr. Alligator. What shall I do?" he thought.

Then he said, "Thank you, little House. I will be with you in a minute. I must get some wood and make a fire for dinner."

So the Jackal went and gathered wood, and more wood, and still more wood.

He piled it up against the door and all around the house.

Then he set fire to the wood.

It burned, and burned, and smoked, and smoked.

The Alligator could not get away.

He lashed his tail and snapped his jaws. He was so very angry!

But he could not get away.

Next morning the Jackal looked for the Alligator.

All that he found was the alligator's leather coat.

07 MOTHER GOOSE'S MAY PARTY

Once upon a time, Mother Goose invited all her children to a May Party.

Jill was Queen of the May.

Jack was King of the May.

Jack wore a crown on his head.

Jill wore a crown, too.

Little Jack Horner carried the May Pole.

Marjory Daw and Humpty Dumpty marched beside the May Pole.

They carried the pink ribbons.

Little Bo Peep and Tommy Tucker marched beside the May Pole, too.

They carried the blue ribbons.

All the children wore pink and blue caps.

They marched to the house in the woods, singing,"Mother Goose had a house.'twas built in a wood,Where an owl at the doorFor sentinel stood."

"Now let us play some games," said Mother Goose.

"Oh, yes, let us play some games," said the children.

"Play Jack be Nimble," said Mother Goose.

So they played Jack be Nimble.

They played other games, too.

Then it was time for the party.

Mother Goose said,"Polly put the kettle on,Polly put the kettle on,Polly put the kettle on,And we’ll all take tea."

Little Tommy Tucker sang for his supper.

The pieman gave some pies to Simple Simon, for the party.

Little Jack Horner said, "Please give me a plum pie."

Mother Goose gave him a plum pie.

"He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum."

"The Queen of Hearts She made some tarts" and brought them to the party.

The Queen of Hearts gave each child a tart.

The Little Pig brought some roast beef from the market.

The children ate, and ate, and ate.

Then Mother Goose said, "Let us dance around the May Pole."

Little Jack Horner went to Mistress Mary and said, "Will you dance with me?"

But Mistress Mary was quite contrary and said, "No, thank you, I do not wish to dance."

Marjory Daw and Humpty Dumpty danced together.

Little Bo Peep and Tommy Tucker danced together.

The children danced around the May Pole, singing,"Dance to your daddy,My little babby;Dance to your daddy,My little lamb.You shall have a fishyIn a little dishy;You shall have a fishyWhen the boat comes in."

Then Mother Goose said, "Let us have a race down the hill before going home."

So they raced down the hill.

Jack led the race. "Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after."

"It is time for you to go, children," said Mother Goose, "for I must take my ride."

"Very well," said the children.

They thanked Mother Goose for the party, and said, "Good-by."

Then they marched home again.

Mother Goose went to her house and called her Gander."Old Mother Goose, whenShe wanted to wander,Would ride through the airOn a very fine Gander.She went to her house,And caught Gander soon,And mounting his back,Flew up to the moon."

08 FROLIC OF THE FAIRIES

Heigh-ho! the fairies O!The trip and they sing,They skip and they swing,While the bells of the flowersSo merrily ring.Heigh-ho! the fairies O!By the gleam of the moon,They dance, to the tuneOf the humming-bird's humAnd zephyr's soft croon.Heigh-ho! the fairies O!At dawn of the day,Still happy and gay!When Queen Mab waves her wand,They tiptoe away.

09 GIANT GIRO

Long ago, a family of goats lived in a meadow, near a river.

One of them was Billy Goat, one of them was Nanny Goat, and the third was named Frisky.

"Do look at the green grass on the other side of the river! Let us go over and eat some," said Frisky, one morning.

"Oh, no! I am afraid of Giant Giro!" said Billy Goat.

"He owns the bridge over the river.

It is said that he likes goat meat.

He will be sure to catch us if we try to go over the bridge."

Frisky walked away, feeling very sad.

Suddenly he heard some one say,

"Why are you so sad, Frisky?"

Frisky turned and saw a tiny dwarf. He told the dwarf about Giant Giro.

"I will help you," said the dwarf. "Giant Giro will be unable to see you when you go over the bridge, if you sing this little song:"Twirl your thumbs,Wiggle your ear;When danger comes,You've nothing to fear."

Frisky was delighted and ran home to tell the other goats.

When he sang the song that the dwarf had taught him, the other goats laughed at him.

"Very well," said Frisky. "I will go over the bridge alone."

And off he started!

Bumpety-bump, bumpety-bump, went Frisky's feet on the bridge.

"Who is bumping over my bridge?"

Giant Giro roared, in his great, gruff voice.

Frisky was very much frightened, but he sang the song that the dwarf had taught him:"Twirl your thumbs,Wiggle your ear;When danger comesYou've nothing to fear."

And Giant Giro could not see Frisky.

Frisky ran over the bridge safely and began to eat grass in the meadow.

When Nanny Goat saw that Frisky had crossed the river and was eating grass in the meadow, she started for the bridge.

Thumpety-thump, thumpety-thump, went Nanny Goat's feet on the bridge.

"Who is thumping over my bridge?" Giant Giro roared, in his great, gruff voice.

How frightened Nanny Goat was!

She tried to remember the song that the dwarf had taught Frisky, but she could sing only half of it:"Twirl your thumbs,Wiggle your ear."

She could not remember the rest!

Because Nanny Goat could sing only half of the song, half of her could still be seen.

When Giant Giro ran upon the bridge, he was so surprised to see half a goat that he could not move. So Nanny Goat ran across safely.

When Billy Goat saw the others eating grass in the meadow, he said, "If they crossed the bridge safely, surely I have nothing to fear. What was the song that Frisky sang? Oh, yes, I can sing it!"You've nothing to fear;When danger comes,Wiggle your ear,Twirl your thumbs."

Then he started for the bridge.

Thudety-thud, thudety-thud, went Billy Goat's feet on the bridge.

"Who is thudding over my bridge?" Giant Giro roared, in his great, gruff voice.

Billy Goat was frightened, but he sang,"You've nothing to fear,When danger comes,Wiggle your ear,Twirl your thumbs."

Because Billy Goat had sung the song backward, instead of being hidden he was changed into a huge monster, as large as a giant.

How angry Giant Giro was! He rushed upon the bridge to strike the monster with his club.

The monster sprang at Giant Giro, and with his great horns pushed Giant Giro into the river. And that was the end of Giant Giro!

Then the monster was changed back into Billy Goat once more.

Billy Goat crossed the bridge and ran swiftly to the meadow, to tell the good news to Nanny Goat and Frisky.

After that the bridge belonged to the family of goats.

10 BED IN SUMMER

In winter I get up at nightAnd dress by yellow candlelight.In summer, quite the other way,I have to go to bed by day.I have to go to bed and seeThe birds still hopping on the tree,Or hear the grown-up people's feetStill 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?—ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

11 THE THREE BEARS

Once upon a time, three bears lived in a log cabin in the midst of the woods.

Father Bear was a great, huge bear. Mother Bear was a middle-sized bear. Baby Bear was a tiny, wee bear.

One day the three bears went out for a long walk in the shady woods. They left three bowls of porridge cooling on a table in the log cabin.

While the bears were away, little Goldilocks went to the log cabin. She had gone into the woods to pick some wild flowers.

The little girl knocked at the door.

No one came to open the door. She lifted the latch and walked in.

When Goldilocks entered the room, she saw the three bowls of porridge.

Goldilocks tasted the porridge in Father Bear's great, huge bowl. It was too hot to eat.

She tasted the porridge in Mother Bear's middle-sized bowl. It was too cold to eat.

Then she tasted the porridge in Baby Bear's tiny, wee bowl. It was neither too hot nor too cold, so Goldilocks ate the porridge.

Then Goldilocks looked about her.

She saw three chairs in the room. The little girl was very tired, and she thought that she would rest.

Goldilocks climbed up into Father Bear's great, huge chair. It was too hard for her.

She tried to sit in Mother Bear's middle-sized chair. It was too soft for her.

Then she sat down in Baby Bear's tiny, wee chair. It was neither too hard nor too soft, but exactly the right size for her.

Goldilocks rocked so hard that the chair fell to pieces, and down she tumbled to the floor, thumpety, thump.

Then Goldilocks went up the stairs to the bears' bedroom. There she saw three beds.

Tired little Goldilocks said, "I will lie down and take a nap."

She tried Father Bear's bed. It was too high at the head.

She tried Mother Bear's bed. It was too low at the foot.

She tried Baby Bear's tiny, wee bed. It was neither too high at the head nor too low at the foot.

Goldilocks lay down on the tiny bed and soon fell fast asleep.

Before very long the three bears came back from their walk. They had returned to the log cabin to eat their porridge.

They were very hungry, so they went at once to the table where the three bowls stood.

Great, huge Father Bear said, in a great, huge voice,

"WHO HAS BEEN TASTING MY PORRIDGE?"

Middle-sized Mother Bear said, in a middle-sized voice,

"WHO HAS BEEN TASTING MY PORRIDGE?"

Tiny, wee Baby Bear said, in a tiny, wee voice, "WHO HAS BEEN TASTING MY PORRIDGE AND HAS EATEN ALL OF IT?"

Then the three bears growled, "Ugh, ugh, ugh!" as they looked around the room.

Great, huge Father Bear looked at his great, huge chair.

Then he said, in a great, huge voice,

"WHO HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR?"

Middle-sized Mother Bear said, in a middle-sized voice, "WHO HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR?"

Tiny, wee Baby Bear said, in a tiny, wee voice, "WHO HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY CHAIR AND HAS BROKEN IT TO PIECES?"

Then the three bears went upstairs.

Great, huge Father Bear's feet went thump, thump, thump, thump.

Middle-sized Mother Bear's feet went thud, thud, thud, thud.

Tiny, wee Baby Bear's feet went trip, trop, trip, trop.

Great, huge Father Bear said, in a great, huge voice,

"WHO HAS BEEN LYING ON MY BED?"

Middle-sized Mother Bear said, in a middle-sized voice, "WHO HAS BEEN LYING ON MY BED?"

Tiny, wee Baby Bear said, in a tiny, wee voice, "WHO HAS BEEN LYING ON MY BED? WHO IS LYING ON MY BED NOW?"

The wee voice awoke Goldilocks.

The little girl was frightened when she saw the three brown bears.

She jumped out of the window and ran until she reached home.

Goldilocks was very happy to be safe, away from the Three Bears!

12 TO A HONEYBEE

"Busybody, busybody,Always on the wing.Wait a bit, where you have lit,And tell me why you sing."Up and in the air again,Flap, flap, flap!And now she stops, and now she dropsInto the rose's lap.Busybody, busybody,Always light and gay,It seems to me, for all I see,Your work is only play.And now the day is sinkingTo the goldenest of eves,And she doth creep, for quiet sleepAmong the lily leaves."Come, just a moment come,From your snowy bed."Hum, hum, hum, hum—That was all she said.But the while I mused, I learnedThe secret of her way:Do my part with cheerful heart,And turn my work to play.—ALICE CARY

13 HOW THE PONY WAS WON

Three boys lived with their father, in a little cottage.

The oldest of the three was Arthur, the second one was Raymond, and the youngest was Howard.

One day while the boys were out flying their kites, they saw a man coming along the road, leading a Shetland pony. He wanted to sell his pony.

The three boys wished for the pony and asked their father to buy him. Their father bought the pony.

All went well for a few days, and the brothers played happily with their new pet.

Then they began to quarrel, for each boy claimed the pony. Arthur said to his brothers,

"Father bought the pony for me, and neither of you can have him. You shall not play with him any more."

"The pony is mine," said Raymond. "He was bought on my birthday."

Howard said nothing, for he knew his brothers would laugh if he claimed the pony as his.

The quarrel became so noisy that the father of the boys went to find the cause of the trouble.

"Boys! Boys!" he called. "What does this noise mean? Are you quarreling about the pony? He belongs to all of you."

But the boys were very foolish, and they would not stop quarreling.

At last the father said, "The pony shall be given to the boy who can bring me this hemp bag filled with water from the pond."

This pleased the boys, for each one hoped to win the pony.

The bag was woven loosely and had tiny holes between the meshes.

The father said to Arthur, "Go first, my son, and try your skill."

The boy took the bag and rushed away.

Arthur ran quickly, on and on, until he reached the woods.

A little brown squirrel jumped out of a hole in a tree and stood in front of the boy. The squirrel chattered merrily,"Line it with wax,Or gum today,And carry the bagAway, away."

Arthur did not stop to look, but he said, in a cross voice, "Get out of the way, Chatterbox! I have no time to listen to you now, for I am in a hurry."

The little brown squirrel shook his head and frisked his tail as Arthur rushed away.

When the boy reached the pond, he stooped to fill the hemp bag. Close beside him a bullfrog croaked, in a hoarse voice,"Line it with wax,Or gum to-day,And carry the bagAway, away."

Arthur tried to strike the bullfrog and nearly fell into the pond.

The bullfrog jumped upon a log.

Then he watched Arthur as the boy bent over the water, holding the hemp bag with both hands.

Arthur poured water into the bag, but it leaked out.

He dug up muddy roots and moss and spread them over the inside. Then he filled the bag again and ran as fast as he could go.

By the time he reached home, every drop of the water had leaked out of the hemp bag.

Raymond was the next to go.

While he was walking quickly toward the pond in the woods, a field mouse ran across the path.

Raymond did not look at the mouse.

Then the friendly little field mouse stood on a log and said,"Line it with wax,Or gum today,And carry the bagAway, away."

"What squeaky noises you make, Mr. Mouse!" said Raymond.

The mouse went back to his nest.

A big, brown owl called out from the top of a tree,"Line it with wax,Or gum today,And carry the bagAway, away."

But Raymond was planning how he would carry the water. He did not hear the brown owl calling to him from the tree.

He gathered some leaves and lined the hemp bag with them. Then he poured water into the bag, but it leaked out.

He went home with an empty bag.

It was now the youngest son's chance.

Howard walked quickly along until he had nearly reached the pond.

A little honeybee flew by.

The bee hummed to Howard,"Line it with wax,With wax today,And carry the bagAway, away."

"To use wax is a fine idea," said Howard as he turned around.

"Can you spare some from the hive?" he asked the honeybee.

"Oh, yes," said the honeybee. "Come and take all you need."

"Thank you," said Howard.

Howard spread the soft wax over the inside of the hemp bag.

As he walked toward the pond, he heard a balsam fir tree say,"Line it with gum,With gum to-day,And carry the bagAway, away"

"How kind of you, balsam fir! Do you think that you can spare a little gum from your tree, so that I may line the bag with it?"

"Oh, yes, indeed!" said the fir.

Howard thanked the kind fir tree.

He made a second lining, by spreading the gum all over the lining of wax.

This time, when the bag was filled, not a drop of water leaked out.

Howard ran home with the bag and gave it to his father.

How surprised his brothers were!

Then the father said to the boy, "Howard, you have won the prize."—Adapted from "Dunny," by Jane Hoxie.

14 FROGS AT SCHOOL

Twenty froggies went to schoolDown beside a rushy pool—Twenty little coats of green;Twenty vests all white and clean."We must be in time," said they:"First we study, then we play;That is how we keep the rule,When we froggies go to school."

15 SPRY MOUSE AND MR. FROG

Spry Mouse had a nest in a field. Mr. Bullfrog lived nearby in a pond.

One day Spry Mouse invited Mr. Bullfrog to visit her.

"Please bring your banjo," she said, "so that you can play and sing for me."

The next day Mr. Bullfrog called. He played and sang for Spry Mouse.

Then Spry Mouse said, "Will you please play for me to dance? I could dance all day to your music."

"Yes, I will," said Mr. Bullfrog.

So Mr. Bullfrog played the banjo, and Spry Mouse danced to the music.

Spry Mouse thanked Mr. Bullfrog. Then she served luncheon for him. She gave him a dainty dish of flies, which he liked very much.

While he was eating the flies, Spry Mouse nibbled some roots.

By and by Mr. Bullfrog said, "It is time for me to go home. I have enjoyed my visit very much. I wish that you would come and visit me in my home. Will you come along with me?"

"I can not go to your home, for it is on a great log in the center of the lily pond, and I do not like to swim."

"You need not swim," said the frog, "for I can tow you along in the water. I will tie your foot to mine, with a piece of strong grass. Then, while I swim through the water, you can sail after me like a boat."

"When I say three, be ready to jump.

One, two, three!" he cried.

They jumped as far as they could. Then away they both went—down, down, down, with a big splash, into the lily pond.

How frightened Spry Mouse was!

"Please take me back!" she cried. "Oh, please, kind Mr. Bullfrog, take me back to my own little nest among the tall grasses. I do not like to swim, and my pretty fur coat is very wet."

But Mr. Bullfrog only laughed at the little mouse.

"Come, let us swim some more," said Mr. Bullfrog. "I will take good care of you."

But this time Spry Mouse pulled and pulled upward, while naughty Mr. Bullfrog pulled and pulled downward.

At that moment Mr. Hawk flew over the lily pond. He saw the bullfrog and the mouse.

"I must catch Mr. Bullfrog for my dinner," thought Mr. Hawk.

So Mr. Hawk flew down and caught Mr. Bullfrog by the neck.

Spry Mouse pulled once more. She broke the strong grass, and down she tumbled to the ground!

When at last she was able to rise, she was so bruised and so lame that she could scarcely hobble home. She never again visited Mr. Bullfrog.

16 SONG OF THE GRASS

The grass nods in the breeze,A slender stalk of green,To greet the birds and butter fliesAnd happy, buzzing bees.The grass stirs in the breeze,And plays the sweetest tunes;The sunlight loves to linger near,To hear the melodies.The grass sways low at night,Dew-fringed with fairy pearls;And moonbeams glimmer o'er the lea,The fairy troops to light.

17 UNHAPPY GRASS STALK

Near the bank of a narrow river, grow the tall, slender grasses which the clever Indian women weave into their baskets and mats.

One day an Indian woman took hold of a tall grass stalk and nearly uprooted the whole plant.

The grass stalk was frightened. He wished he were something else.

Close by grew a cluster of herbs. The grass saw the cluster of herbs. Grass said, "I wish I were an herb."

At once he became an herb.

The Indian women came again, bringing their sharp-pointed picks. They had made the sharp picks from the antlers of reindeer.

The women began to dig the herbs.

Little Herb was frightened. Just then he saw a creeping vine.

Herb said, "I wish I were a vine."

At once he became a creeping vine.

The Indian women came again and took some of the creeping vines.

Little Vine was frightened.

"Where shall I hide?" he said. At that moment he saw some roots.

Vine said, "I wish I were a root hidden under the dark ground."

At once he became a root.

A little mouse came by. The mouse began to nibble the roots.

Root said, "I shall not be safe until I become a mouse. I wish I were a mouse."

At once he became a little mouse.

Little Mouse now felt very safe, and he began to nibble the roots.

Suddenly something flew above him. It circled round and round. It was a big, brown owl.

The owl had seen the little mouse and was flying down to catch him.

But the little mouse ran quickly. He hid out of sight among the tall, slender grasses near the bank of the river.

The grasses nodded and swayed in the cool breeze.

When the frightened little mouse saw the grasses nodding and swaying in the cool breeze, he wished to be a grass stalk again.

The little mouse said, "I shall not be happy until I am a grass stalk once more. I wish I were a grass stalk."

The mouse became a grass stalk growing near the bank of the river. And ever afterwards he was happy and contented.

18 THE MOON

The moon has a facelike the clock in the hall,She shines on thieveson the garden wall,On streets and fieldsand harbor quays,And birdies asleepin the forks of the trees.The squalling catand the squeaking mouse,The howling dogby the door of the house,The bat that liesin bed at noon,All love to be outby the light of the moon.—ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

19 MAYOR RAT'S NIECE

White Rat lived with her uncle. Her uncle was Mayor of Ratville.

White Rat was loved very much, for her beauty and her pleasing ways.

Mr. Gray Fur lived in Ratville, too. He saw how pretty White Rat was, and he wished to marry her.

Every day he would call at her home and would leave grains of wheat and other dainties which rats like.

This made Mayor Rat very angry.

One morning he said to his wife, "Gray Fur shall not marry our niece. Our beautiful White Rat must marry the greatest person in the whole, wide world.

"The sun, high up in the sky, gives us heat and light. The sun must be the greatest person in the whole, wide world. Perhaps he will marry our niece."

So the Mayor left Ratville and climbed up the blue sky until he met the sun.

"O Sun," cried Mayor Rat, "surely you, with your warm rays, must be the greatest person in the whole, wide world. Please marry my niece, White Rat."

"Ha, ha!" laughed the sun. "You are very much mistaken. I am not so great as you think. Do you see that cloud over there? He is much greater than I. He can make me hide my face."

Then Mayor Rat left the sun and traveled till he met the cloud floating along in the blue sky.

"O Cloud," said Mayor Rat, "surely you, who can hide the sun, must be the greatest person in the whole, wide world. Please marry my niece, White Rat."

"Ha, ha!" laughed the cloud. "You are very much mistaken. Indeed I am not the greatest person in the whole, wide world.

"Do you hear North Wind blowing? He is much greater than I. I go where he sends me."

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