澳大利亚学生文学读本（第3册）(txt+pdf+epub+mobi电子书下载)

作者：澳大利亚维多利亚教育部

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澳大利亚学生文学读本（第3册）试读：

Lesson 1 THE FAIRY’S HOUSE

　　I think she’d been to marketFor, as she hurried by,I peeped into her basketTo see what I could spy—A pair of golden slippers,A reel of silvery thread,A tiny jar of honey,And a weeny loaf of bread!

　　I hid amongst the tall grass,As still as still could be;The fairy gave a rat-tatUpon a hollow tree.And then, for just an instant,I peeped into her house,And, do you know？The front doorWas opened by a mouse.About the Author.—The name of the author is not known.About the Poem.—Describe the fairy’s dress. What was she bringing from market？Tell about her house and her doorkeeper.Now continue the story, saying what she did when she got inside.Draw a picture to suit each verse. Write a little poem beginning “A fairy went a-marketing”.

Lesson 2 CINDERELLA

Once upon a time, the wife of a rich man fell sick and died. She left behind her a dear little girl, who was good and kind to everything. She loved the flowers and the animals. Her name was Cinderella.

When Cinderella was about twelve years old, her father married again. Her new stepmother brought with her to the house two daughters, both of them older than Cinderella.

The step-sisters were very unkind to her. They took away all her nice dresses, and sent her into the kitchen to help the cook. She used to wash the dishes, sweep and scrub the floors, and mend her step-sisters’ clothes.When she was not hard at work, she would sit alone by the fireside among the cinders. That is why she first came to be called Cinderella, which means “little cinder girl. ”

Years passed by, and still poor Cinderella had to work in the kitchen and sit among the ashes. Her only friends were the mice, which were caught in the mousetrap when cook thought to set it in the pantry. Oh, no!She had yet another friend. There was her godmother,who was a fairy, and who could come and go at any moment, as fairies do. Now the king of that country was going to give two great parties, because the prince, his eldest son, was coming of age. The step-sisters were asked to go, and they were very proud of it.“What is the matter,my dear？”

The night of the first ball came, and Cinderella was told to brush her sisters’ shoes, arrange their hair, and fasten their gloves. As they went out, how the eyes of poor Cinderella followed them! She thought how nice it would be to have a pretty dress. How she would have liked to be dressed in robes like those of her sisters! She sighed, and then gave a sob, as she again sat on the floor by the fire.

“What is the matter, my dear？” asked a soft voice.Cinderella gave a start. Then she bowed to the little lady who had spoken so kindly to her. This was no other than her fairy godmother.

“Would you like to go to the ball, too, my dear？”asked the kind fairy. A glad look was the only answer.“Very well, you shall go. But first you must do as I tell you. Bring me a pumpkin—the biggest one you can find.”

Cinderella ran at once and brought a large pumpkin.The fairy godmother touched it with her wand, and,behold, it was at once changed into a beautiful, gilded coach !

“Now run and bring me the mouse-trap from the pantry.” Cinderella brought the mouse-trap, which had six mice in it. At one touch of the fairy’s wand the trap-door flew open, and out marched the six mice, one at a time. As they came out, each mouse was touched with the wand, and it became a noble white horse.

A rat, which happened at that moment to be peeping round the corner before settling down to his supper, was changed by the magic wand into a tall, gay coachman.A Carriage for Cinderella.

Two lizards had been brought in with the wood, and were making themselves snug for the night when the fairy caught sight of them. In a moment her wand was at work again, and out stepped two grand footmen.

“One thing more must be done, ” said the fairy, as she waved her wand over the head of Cinderella. “I always leave the best till the last. ”

Is this really Cinderella—this lovely princess？She wears a beautiful pink and white dress, which glitters with pearls and diamonds. Red roses are in her hair, and her slippers are of dainty glass.

As she stepped into the carriage, and the horses dashed off, her godmother called out :— “Remember to leave the palace before the clock strikes twelve, or the coach will become a pumpkin again, the horses mice,the coachman a rat, the footmen lizards, and you, the ragged girl you were. ” Then she waved her hand, and said good-bye; and off went the coach with Cinderella.

So Cinderella drove in great state to the ball. The prince himself came to help her out of the coach and lead her to the ball-room. He had never seen so beautiful a princess before. The wicked step-sisters wondered who the lady could be. The prince danced with her more than with anyone else.

Just before midnight Cinderella thought of the fairy’s warning, and left the palace in plenty of time to get home by twelve. She found the fairy waiting for her. In a moment she was changed again into a little cindermaiden.

Next night the king gave the second ball, and Cinderella was again asked to help her sisters. Then she sat down once more among the ashes. Her fairy came as before, and worked just the same wonders with her wand.

Cinderella, looking even better than on the first night, again drove off in her gilded coach.

The prince danced only with her the whole evening,and she felt so happy that she forgot how the time was flying till she looked up at the clock. Suddenly leaving the prince’s side, without saying good-bye, she ran out of the ball-room. The clock had begun to strike twelve!

Just as she reached the outside of the palace door,the last stroke of twelve sounded; and she was at once changed into a ragged girl.

As she ran out of the palace, one of her glass slippers flew off. She had no time to look for it, but ran on and on till she reached home.

When Cinderella left the prince in such a hurry, he thought he would follow her. Although he could not find her, he came across the glass slipper she had lost. He put it in his pocket.

Next day, a youth went through the city crying out that the prince wanted to find the owner of the glass slipper, for he meant to marry her.

All the ladies who had been at the ball tried it on;but the shoe was too small to fit any of them. At last the youth came to the house of Cinderella’s father. Each of the sisters tried very hard to make the slipper fit, but it would not go even half on. Just as the youth was about to leave, Cinderella came in with some of her sister’s clothes, which she had mended.

“Let me try, ” she said; “I think it might fit my foot. I have a small foot, you know. ”

“You! ” cried the sisters together; “as if a ragged, dirty creature like you could wear the slipper of a princess! ”

The youth gave the slipper to Cinderella to try on,and it just fitted her. Then the fairy godmother came in and touched Cinderella with her wand. She became once again the beautiful princess. This time the charm was to stay forever. The prince and Cinderella were married,and went to live in the palace.

The step-sisters were treated very kindly by both Cinderella and her handsome husband, who forgave them everything.About the Story.—This is one of those very old stories or myths which have been handed down by word of mouth for ages. It is told under various forms in many countries. What kind of a girl was Cinderella？Tell the story as the Fairy Godmother would tell it. Now tell it as if you were the Prince. Make up a play about Cinderella and act it in class.

Lesson 3 THE ROOM WITH THE WALLS OF GLASS

“You did ! ” shouted the Prince. “I didn’t ! ” cried the little Princess. The Prince doubled his fists, and the Princess stamped her foot. Both of their faces were red and angry.

“Hush, hush! ” said the Nurse. “What a noise you are making, and how ugly you look! That’s not the way for a Prince and Princess to behave. ”

“I don’t care, ” said the Prince; “ she pulled the mane off my wooden horse. ”

“I didn’t! ” screamed the Princess. “It just came off.But I’ll pull its tail off. ”

“You won’t !’ ” shouted the Prince.

“I will, ” cried the Princess. And she was just going to give a tug at the horse’s white tail when the nursery door opened.

And there stood the King in his crimson velvet cloak,carrying his hat in his hand. “Dear me, ” said the King,still standing at the nursery door, “there’s a great deal of noise. What is the matter, children？”

“She did! ” shouted the Prince. And his face was still red and angry.

“No, I didn’t, ” said the Princess, beginning to cry and rub her eyes with her hands.

“Your Majesty, ” said the Nurse, “that is the way their Highnesses go on all day long. Quarrel and scream,scream and quarrel, and nothing that I can say or do will teach them to behave better. ”

“But they must behave better, ” said the King. And he looked sternly at his children. “Be good, children; don’t quarrel; do not scream and shout. Behave as well as a Prince and a Princess should behave. ”

“I’m sure they will, your Majesty, ” said the Nurse.“I’m sure her Highness the Princess did not mean to be unkind to his Highness the Prince. ”

“Yes, she did! ” shouted the Prince, who had suddenly found his tongue again.

“I will be unkind if I choose! ” screamed the Princess,who had just found hers, too. And then the Prince and Princess began to hit each other, and they looked two of the ugliest children you could see in a ten-mile walk.

“Ring the bell, ” said the King. He pulled his crimson cloak round him and looked very angry. “Fetch the Chief Doctor. Their Highnesses are ill. ” And when the Doctor heard that he was wanted in the nursery he shut his book and made haste upstairs.

“The Prince and the Princess are ill, Doctor, ” said the King. “They scream and quarrel all day. ”

“But we are not ill, ” said the Prince and the Princess.They were quite quiet now, and rather pale. “I can cure their Highnesses, ” said the Chief Doctor, looking at the Prince and the Princess through his spectacles. “But I must take them home with me. ”

“Do as you like with them, ” said the King, “so long as you cure them. ” And he picked up his crimson velvet hat and went down to dinner.

So the Doctor’s coach was called, and the Prince and the Princess got in, with the Nurse and the Chief Doctor,and away they drove. The Prince and the Princess went on fighting, but soon the coach reached the Doctor’s house.

“Put their Highnesses in the Round Room, and leave them, and shut the door, ” said the Chief Doctor. “They are ill and must be cured quickly. ” So the Prince and the Princess, still screaming and struggling, were left alone in the Round Room. The door was shut, and the footmen went downstairs.

The minute the Prince and the Princess were on their feet they began to hit each other and cry, “It’s your fault.” And the shining glass walls of the Round Room looked at them.

Suddenly the Prince turned his head and saw an angry little boy making ugly faces and hitting a little girl, who was making ugly faces too. Just at the same moment the Princess saw the same thing.

“Why, that’s me, ” cried the Princess, staring.

“And me, ” said the Prince.

“You did look horrid, ” said the Princess.

“So did you, ” said the Prince.

The Prince and the Princess stood looking at the glass walls all round them. Then they both burst out laughing. And the glass walls showed them a handsome little boy and a pretty little girl laughing at them.

“That’s you, ” said the Princess. “How nice you look!”

“And it’s you, ” said the Prince. “I didn’t know you were as pretty as that. ”

Then the Prince and the Princess jumped and danced and laughed again, just for the fun of seeing the happy pair of children in the shining looking- glass walls.

“Hullo, ” said the Chief Doctor, opening the door of the Round Room. “You seem very happy in here. ”

“We are, ” cried the Prince and the Princess. “We think it’s a lovely room. ”

“Then you must be cured, ” said the Chief Doctor.And he called downstairs to the footmen, “Bring dinner for their Highnesses quickly, and with plenty of treacle tart. ”by H.WADDINGHAM SEERSAbout the Author.—H. WADDINGHAM SEERS is an English writer of short stories for children. His books include Gingerbread Jane (from which this story is taken), Peter Perkin’s Puppets, Timothy Tick-tock;and Little Nature Stories.About the Story.—This is a “talking” story, with much conversation.Do you like stories that are written in this way？Make a little play out of the story. Why not build a puppet theatre？This would make a good puppet play.

Lesson 4 HIST!

First Child—

Hist! ....... Hark!

The night is very dark,

And we’ve to go a mile or so

Across the Possum Park.

Step ....... light,

Keeping to the right;

If we delay, and lose our way,

We’ll be out half the night.

The clouds are low and gloomy.　　Oh!

It’s just begun to mist!

We haven’t any overcoats

And—

Sccond Child—Hist!. ...... Hist!

Mopoke—Mo ....... poke!

Second Child—

Who was that that spoke？

This is not a fitting spot

To make a silly joke.

Dear ....... me !

A mopoke in a tree!

It jarred me so, I didn’t know

Whatever it could be.

But come along; creep along;

Soon we shall be missed.

They’ll get a scare and wonder where

We—

First Child—

Hush ! ....... Hist !

Ssh! ....... Soft!

I’ve told you oft and oft

We should not stray so far away

Without a moon aloft.

Cat—Oo ! ....... Scat !

First Child—

Goodness! What was that？

Upon my word, it’s quite absurd,

It’s only just a cat.

But come along; haste along;

Soon we’ll have to rush,

Or we’ll be late, and find the gate

Is—

Second Child—Hist ! ....... Hush !

Frog—Kok ....... Korrock !

Second Child—

Oh! I’ve had a shock!

I hope and trust it’s only just

A frog behind a rock.

Shoo! ....... Shoo!

We’ve had enough of you;

Scaring folks just for a joke

Is not the thing to do.

But come along, slip along—

Isn’t it a lark

Just to roam so far from home

On—

First Child—

Hist! ....... Hark!

Look! ....... See !

Shining through the tree,

The window-light is glowing bright

To welcome you and me.

Shout! ....... Shout!

There’s some one round about,

And through the door I see some more,

And supper all laid out.

Both together—

Now, run, run, run! .......

Oh, we’ve had such splendid fun—

Through the park, in the dark,

As brave as anyone.

Laughed we did, and chaffed we did,

And whistled all the way,

And we’re home again! Home again!

Hip ....... Hooray !Arranged for verse-speaking from a poem by C. J. DENNISAbout the Author.—C. J. DENNIS (1876-1938) was born in South Australia and went to school there. He became a writer and wrote for newspapers in different parts of Australia. For many years before his death he lived in Toolangi, near Healesville. He wrote many stories and verses for children and for grown-ups. Now is the time to read his children’s book Roundabout; in a few years’ time you will enjoy his “grown-up” books of verse— The Sentimental Bloke, Ginger Mick, and The Glugs of Gosh.About the Poem.—Every boy and girl will know just how these two children felt. Think of some other titles for the poem. Why is “Hist!”better than any of your titles？There is a change of feeling in the poem;where does it occur？Suggestions for Verse-speaking.—Beat time as you practise saying the poem; there are two beats to each line, even to the lines with two words.Can you walk to the rhythm？Draw a long, curving line on the schoolroom floor or on the ground; suppose that is the path through the park. Place the“mopoke”, the “cat”, and the “frog” along the path and let two children walk through the “park” and act the parts as they say the poem.

Lesson 5 THE LAD WHO WENT TO THE NORTH WIND

Once upon a time there was an old widow who had one son, and, as she was ill, her son had to go up into the barn to fetch meal for cooking. But, just as he was going down the steps of the barn, the North Wind came puffing and blowing, caught up the meal, and took it away through the air.

Then the lad went back into the barn for more; but,when he came out again on the steps, the North Wind came again and carried off the meal with a puff; more than that, he did so the third time.

This made the boy very angry. So off he went to the North Wind’s house. The way was long, but at last he came to his journey’s end.

“Good day, ” said the lad, “and thank you for coming to see us yesterday. ”“GOOD DAY! ” answered the North Wind, for his voice was loud and gruff,　“AND THANKS FOR COMING TO SEE ME. WHAT DO YOU WANT？”

“Oh, ” answered the lad, “I only wished to ask you to be so good as to let me have back that meal you took from me on the barn steps, for we haven’t much to live on. ”

“I haven’t your meal, ” said the North Wind. “But if you are in such need I’ll give you a cloth which will get you everything you want. All you have to say is, ‘Cloth,spread yourself, and serve up all kinds of good dishes!’ ”

The lad took the cloth and set off for home. But, as the way was so long, he couldn’t get home in one day, so he stopped at an inn on the way. When they were going to sit down to supper, he laid the cloth on a table which stood in the corner and said: “Cloth, spread yourself,and serve up all kinds of good dishes ! ”

He had scarcely said so before the cloth did as it was bid. All who stood by thought it a fine thing, but most of all the landlord. So, when all were fast asleep, at dead of night, he took the lad’s cloth, and put another in its place. It was just like the one the boy had got from the North Wind, but it couldn’t so much as serve up a bit of dry bread. So when the lad awoke he took his cloth and went off with it, and that day he got home to his mother.

“Now, ” said he, “I’ve been to the North Wind’s house, and a good fellow he is, for he gave me this cloth.I have only to say to it, ‘Cloth, spread yourself, and serve up all kinds of good dishes.’ Then I get any sort of food I please. ”

“All very true, I dare say, ” said his mother; “but seeing is believing, and I shan’t believe it till I see it. ”

So the lad made haste, drew out a table, laid the cloth on it, and said “Cloth, spread yourself, and serve up all kinds of good dishes ! ” But never a bit of dry bread did the cloth serve up.

“Well, ” said the lad, “there’s no help for it but to go to the North Wind again ” and away he went. Late in the afternoon he came to where the North Wind lived.

“Good evening, ” said the lad.

“Good evening, ” said the North Wind.

“I want to be paid for that meal of ours which you took, ” said the lad. “As for that cloth I got, it isn’t worth a penny. ”

“I have no meal, ” said the North Wind; “but over there is a goat which makes gold coins as soon as you say to it, ‘ Goat, goat, make money ! ’ ”

So the lad thought this a fine thing. But as it was too far to get home that day, he stopped for the night at the same inn where he had slept before.

Before he called for anything, he said, “Goat, goat,make money! ” And there, in a minute, the goat made some gold coins.

When the landlord saw that, he thought it was a wonderful goat. So, when the lad had fallen asleep, he took another which couldn’t make money, and changed the two.

Next morning off went the lad. When he got home to his mother, he said, “After all, the North Wind is a jolly fellow; for now he has given me a goat which can make gold coins if I only say, ‘Goat, goat, make money!’ ”

“All very true, I dare say, ” said his mother. “But I shan’t believe that until I see the coins. ”

“Goat, goat! Make money! ” said the lad; but the goat made no money.

So the lad went back again to the North Wind, and said the goat was worth nothing, and he must be paid for the meal.

“Well, ” said the North Wind, “ I’ve nothing else to give you but that old stick in the corner; but if you say‘Stick, stick, lay on !’ it lays on till you say ‘ Stick, stick,now stop!’ ”

So, as the way was long, the lad stayed this night,too, with the landlord. But, as he guessed what had happened to the cloth and the goat, he lay down at once on the bench and began to snore, as if he were asleep.Now the landlord, who saw that the stick must be worth something, hunted up one like it.

When he heard the lad snore, he was going to change the two. But, just as the landlord was about to take it,the lad called out “ Stick, stick! lay on! ”

So the stick began to beat the landlord till he jumped over chairs, and tables, and benches, and yelled and roared, “Oh my! Oh my! Bid the stick be still, else it will beat me to death, and you shall have back your cloth and your goat. ”

When the lad thought the landlord had had enough,he said “Stick, stick, now stop! ” Then he took the cloth and put it into his pocket, and went home with his stick in his hand, leading the goat by a cord round its horns.And so he got paid for the meal he had lost.About the Author.—This is an old Norse story from the far north of Europe. Many of these stories were first written down by Peter Christian Asbjornsen (1812-1885), a Norwegian scientist, explorer, and author.They were first translated into English by Sir George Dasent (1817-1896).About the Story.—Find Norway on the map. Can you guess why many Norse stories are about the north wind and frost giants？What kind of a wind is the north wind in Norway？This is another story that would make a good play for your puppet theatre.

Lesson 6 STONE SOUP

One cold, rainy night an old man was walking along a road. He was wet and hungry, for he had walked a long way. All at once he saw a house and, knocking at the door, he asked the cook for some food. But she told him she had none.

“May I come in and dry myself by the fire then？”asked the old man. “Oh yes, ” said the cook, “but you must not get in my way. ” So the old man came in and sat down. Soon he was dry and warm. But he was still very hungry.

Soon he said, “I am a good cook myself. I can make a lovely soup. It is called stone soup. ” The cook wanted very much to know how to make such a cheap soup. So the old man said he would show her how it was done.

“Just fetch me a pot with some water in it, ” he said.When she brought it, he put it on the fire. Then, taking a clean white stone from his pocket, he dropped it into the water.

When the water was hot the old man tasted it. “This is going to be fine soup, ” he said; “but a little seasoning would add to the taste. I see an old piece of cabbage and some onions on the table. May I drop them in？”

The cook, who was watching closely, nodded, and in went the vegetables. After a time the old man tasted the soup again. “This is good, ” he said, “but it wants some stirring. I see a ham bone over there. May I use that？”

Again the cook nodded, and the maker of soup began to stir his soup with the ham bone. He took care to use the end with a little meat still clinging to it. Soon he tasted the soup again. “This is the best soup I have ever made, ” he said. “But I think it could do with a little thickening. Could I have a little flour？”

The cook passed him some flour. He mixed it with water and put it into the pot. After a time he tasted the soup once more. “This, ” he said, “is fit for the best in the land. A wee lump of butter and a drop of milk would make it fit for the King himself. ”

The cook went to get the butter and the milk. “And while you are getting those, ” the old man said, “I will just drop in that chicken that I see hanging over there. It can’t do any harm.”

So he dropped in the chicken and the butter and the milk, and he stirred and stirred. Soon he poured out the soup, some for the cook and some for himself. He fished out the stone, dried it, and put it in his pocket.

“This soup tastes fine, ” said the cook. “And to think that it was made from a stone! I am so glad that I have been able to learn how to make stone soup. ”About the Story.—This is an old story that has been told for hundreds of years in Ireland. Write out a recipe, like those in Mother’s cookery book, telling how to make “stone soup” Begin this way : “Take a clean white stone and put it into...” This is another story with much conversation. Could you make up a play about the tramp and the cook？

Lesson 7 MY SHADOW

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,

And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.

He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;

And I see him jump before me when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—

Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;

For he sometimes shoots up taller like an indiarubber ball,

And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all.

He hasn’t any notion of how children ought to play,

And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.

He stays so close beside me, he’s a coward you can see;

I’d think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,

I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;

But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,

Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.—R.L.STEVENSONAbout the Author.—ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON(1850—1894) wrote poems, essays, short stories, and longer stories. He was very fond of writing for children. His Child’s Garden of Verses is a charming study of the fancies that come to very little boys, while Treasure Island is a stirring tale that big boys like. Born in Edinburgh, he visited Australia, and he passed the last years of his life in Samoa,and died there. No modern writer is better loved than Robert Louis Stevenson.About the Poem.—When does one’s shadow shoot up tall？When does it shrink to nothing？Why did the boy have no shadow in the early,dewy morning？Do you know a story about a boy who lost his shadow？

Lesson 8 THE HOUSE THAT KAK BUILT

Kak (kark) was a bright, happy Eskimo boy. One morning, Kak’s father said to him, “While I am watching the seal-hole to-day, you may take the sledge to the dead whale and bring some of the flesh I cut up yesterday. ”

Kak was very happy at the chance of taking the sledge out by himself. He was soon hitching the two dogs to their traces.

“Why are you taking father’s snow-knife？” called his sister, Noashak.

“Just in case I stay all night and need it to build a house, ” said Kak, swelling with pride.

“Pooh! ” said his sister. “The whale is not far away.Father said that you could make two trips. ”

“Two trips ! ”said Kak. “I shall make four trips! ”

Letting go the dogs, he sprang for the sledge with a“Yi-yi-yip ! ” Both dogs gave a bound, and they were off.

It was wonderful to ride along the track, over the hard snow, to the whale. Once there, Kak had to work hard, piling the big, rough pieces of frozen meat on to the sledge. When he came back, Noashak ran to meet him, and Kak gave her a ride on top of the meat. Twice more he went back to the whale, and, just as it was growing dark, he proudly brought home his third load.

He called to Noashak, “You said ‘two loads’. I have brought three. ”

“Three ! That’s nothing ! ” cried Noashak. “You said that you could bring four. You are too much afraid to go back for another load now. ”

Kak did not like this. “I am not afraid, ” he shouted.And once more he swung his team round and dashed off, leaving his sister gazing after him.

By the time Kak reached the whale, night was coming on. He heard the howl of the wolves far off. He thought,too, of the big white bear, and his hands began to shake.The night grew blacker, and the wind grew colder. Great shapes seemed to be moving across the snow. He would stay no longer. “Hok! Hok! ” he called to the dogs. Then they all dashed off home.

All at once the sledge slipped. Turning upside down,it sent Kak flying heels over head.

The dogs stopped, and Kak was soon on his feet again, shaking the snow from his furry clothes. He looked round, trying to see his home. Alas, his heart sank, for he had missed the track! Then, as he sat on the sledge, wondering what to do, his eyes fell upon the snow-knife.

Jumping up, he led the dogs along until he found some hard snow. Then he set to work to build his first snow house. He cut out with his knife blocks of hard snow, and placed them in a ring, making them slope a little inwards. On top of them he placed another row,and then another, going up and round all the time. It was hard work. Kak worked like a man, and the little beehive house was at last roofed in.

He made a hole in the wall, so that he could crawl out for blocks to finish the house. When it was ready he scrambled in, pulling the dogs after him. Then he closed the hole with a block of snow. One small hole was left in the door block, and another in the roof, to let in fresh air. Then Kak lay down on the sledge-rug with a furry dog on each side of him, and was soon fast asleep.

When he opened his eyes again, he saw the yellow sunlight shining through the roof of his house. Then he heard a sound of knocking. A second later, the door block fell in, and Kak saw poking through it—his father’s face!

“Ha! ha! ” said Kak’s father. “This is a fine house,with no proper door and tunnel into it! It is a good thing I came to dig you out. But I suppose you want to stay here now. ”

“No, I want to go home, ” said Kak. And, as his father moved back from the opening, the dogs tumbled out with Kak on top of them, all snowy and furry, and glad to be free.

As Kak sat on the sledge eating a nice, raw, frozen fish, he laughed at his funny little house. It was far from being round and smooth like the houses his father built.

“But it did stand up, ” he said, “and it saved us from bears and wolves, and from being frozen. ”

When he reached home, Kak was a real hero. Never again did Noashak tease him about being afraid of anything.by V. STEFANSSON and VIOLET ITWIN.About the Author.—VILHJALMUR STEFANSSON was born in Canada in 1879.His parents had come to Canada from Iceland. He made several journeys through Arctic lands and lived for many years with the Eskimos. He has written several books about his journeys and the Eskimos.About the Story.—What do you learn about the Eskimos from the story？What food is eaten？How do they travel？How are they dressed？How do they build their snow huts？What wild animals are their enemies？

Lesson 9 THE MODEST VIOLET

　　An d yet it was a lovely flower,Its colour bright and fair;It might have graced a rosy bower,Instead of hiding there.

　　Yet there it was content to bloom,In modest tints arrayed;And there diffused its sweet perfumeWithin the silent shade.

　　Then let me to the valley goThis pretty flower to see,That I may also learn to growIn sweet humility.—JANE TAYLORAbout the Author.—JANE TAYLOR (1783—1824) and her sister ANN TAYLOR (1782—1866) were two English ladies who wrote poems for children and called the book Rhymes for the Nursery. One of them is the well-known “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”

Lesson 10 YOSHI SAN AND O KIKU

Yoshi San is a Japanese boy and O Kiku is his little sister. Their father, who is a rich man, lives in a Japanese city.

O Kiku is a very pretty little girl. Both she and Yoshi San have yellow skin, very black hair, and black eyes that seem to be set slantingly in their faces. O Kiku’s long hair is carefully done up and dressed with beautiful silken bows and long silver hairpins like her mother’s.Yoshi San’s hair is nearly all shaved off his little round head, like the Japanese dolls you have seen. When Yoshi San grows up to be a man, he will not have his head shaved, unless he becomes a priest in one of the Japanese temples.

Both children wear long silken robes with sashes around their bodies, high up under the arms. They have their pockets in their big flowing sleeves.

O Kiku and Yoshi San dress and look so much alike that at first it would not be easy for you to tell them apart, or to know them from any of their little playmates.

These children do not know anything about Christmas or Santa Claus. New Year’s Day is their greatest holiday, when there is always much feasting and visiting, and every one receives many presents.

On the third day of March, O Kiku will be a very happy little girl. On that day she will receive a new doll and many other new toys.

But there will be something better than this. Her mother will open the store-room, which has been shut up for a year. She will take out a great many boxes in which are many, many dolls, some almost as large as O Kiku, and some very much smaller. There are nearly a hundred of these beautiful dolls— lady dolls, baby dolls,a doll king, and a doll queen.

O Kiku’s mother will also bring out doll-trunks, full of beautiful doll-clothes. Then, too, there are toy teapots, bowls, vases, and tiny tea-tables. O Kiku will dress the dolls and give them a feast. Of course she will have to eat the cakes and drink the tea for them.

All these lovely things once belonged to O Kiku’s mother, and some of them even belonged to O Kiku’s grandmother. When the day is over, the dolls will be all put away until the next “Feast of Dolls. ”

The best of Yoshi San’s holiday festivals is the“Feast of Flags, ” which comes on the fifth day of the fifth month. Early on that morning, his father and his grandfather will stand with him by the high pole which is in front of the house. On the top of the pole Yoshi San will raise a big paper fish. This fish, which is hollow,puffs out as soon as the wind strikes it. The wind makes it flap its tail and fins, and tug on the line like a real fish on a hook. These paper fish are bright red and gold. Just think how beautiful the Japanese cities must look on the day of the “Feast of Flags ! ”

The paper fish looks like the carp, which is the strongest and boldest fish known in Japan. It swims against the current and leaps over waterfalls. The Japanese people are very happy and gay, and laugh a great deal. But they are also very brave, and they like other things that are brave. And so they are proud of this big, strong fish.

Yoshi San’s father tells him that, just as the carp is the strongest and bravest of all fish, so Yoshi San must be the strongest and bravest of all boys, and must be kind to the weak.

Then he gives Yoshi San some new toys, which he has long wanted to have. The store-room is again opened,and the toys that belonged to his father and grandfather are given to Yoshi San to play with all day. There are toy soldiers, guns, swords, drums, flags, and everything else that is used in war.

Yoshi San and his little playmates have mock battles all day. When the day is over, the toys and flags are put back in the store-room for another year.

When kite time comes, Yoshi San and all Japanese boys are happy. Even the old men like to fly kites with the boys.

They have kites of all sizes and colours—in the form of birds, butterflies, fans, flowers, funny faces, and many other things. There are kites that make music as they rise in the air. There are kites with strings made sharp by glue mixed with pounded glass.

They can have real battles in the air with these kites.A boy will get his sharp kite-string right across another boy’s sharp kite-string. Then each tries to saw through the other’s until one or both kites fall to the ground.When only one kite falls, it belongs to the boy who cut the string.

But Japanese children do not spend all their time in playing games. They go to school also, and learn to read books that are much harder to read than your books.They are very fond of hero stories, of which there are many in Japan. There are also many very pretty fairy stories.

“Taro and the Turtle ” is one of these fairy stories.When you read it, you may think of the Japanese children playing with their pet turtles and watching their funny ways of walking.

But, in all their play, Japanese children never tease or hurt these poor, helpless pets. It is not often that anyone is unkind to animals in Japan.About the Author.—The name of the author is not known.About the Story.—See Japan on the map and find pictures of Japanese children. Tell how the two children were dressed and what they looked like. Why don’t the Japanese celebrate Christmas？Describe the Feast of Dolls and the Feast of Flags, and the sport of kite-flying.

Lesson 11 TARO AND THE TURTLE

Taro was a fisherman who lived long, long ago. He was young and strong, and he could catch fish more easily than anybody else. He was very kind,too. In all his life he had never hurt anything.

One time when Taro had been fishing all day, he was very tired and hungry. He was going home to rest and eat. On his way he saw a crowd of boys who had caught a turtle and were teasing it.

Taro felt so sorry for the turtle that he gave the boys some money, and they gave him the turtle. Taro stroked the turtle’s back. “Poor thing! ” he said. “I will take you to your home in the sea. Perhaps you will live a thousand years. ”So Taro put the turtle in the water and went home.

The next morning Taro got up early and went out in his boat to fish. He passed all the other boats and went far out to sea. “Oh, I am so happy! ” he said. “I wish I could live a thousand years, like the turtle. ”

All at once Taro heard some one calling him. “ Taro!Taro! Taro! ” called the voice. “Who is calling me？” he asked. “I am calling you, Taro, ” said a clear, soft voice. “I have come to thank you for saving my life. ”

There, by the side of the boat, was the turtle that Taro had put back into the water. “Will you go with me,Taro？” said the turtle. “I will take you to my home. It is in the Sea-King’s palace underneath the sea. It is always summer there. ”

“I am strong, ” said Taro, “but I cannot swim so far as that. ” “Get on my back, ” said the turtle. “Oh, but you are too small, ” replied Taro, looking sadly at the turtle.

But what did he see？The turtle was getting bigger and bigger. It grew bigger than Taro! “Now I am not too small, ” said the turtle. Taro got on its back. Down they went into the sea through the clear water.

At last they saw a great gate, and behind it the SeaKing’s palace. All around it was the land of summer,where birds sang and flowers bloomed. Taro and the turtle went up to a great gate. A gate-keeper stood there.He was a fish, and all his helpers were fishes.

“This is Taro, ” said the turtle. Then all at once the turtle was gone. “Come with us, Taro, ” said the gatekeeper. “ We know where to take you. ” The gate opened,and Taro and the fishes went into the Sea-King’s palace.

They took him to a beautiful princess. Her dress was green, like the under side of a wave, and her voice was as clear as a bell.

“Come here, Taro, ” she said. “Here in the land of summer I am a princess. When I go to your land I change to a turtle. I was the turtle you saved. This morning I heard you wish you could live a thousand years. Come and live with me. I will share everything with you. ”

So Taro and the princess lived a thousand years in the land of summer, under the sea.About the Story.—This is a story that is loved by Japanese children.It has been told in English so that you can enjoy it, too. What kind of a man was Taro？Find two sentences in “Yoshi San and O Kiku” that tell how Japanese children are kind to animals.

Lesson 12 WHERE THE CABBAGES GROW

　　There’s a wee wooden door;On the wee wooden floorStand six little stools in a row;There are books here and there,And a cushioned arm-chairThat mother mouse sits in to sew.

　　There’s a four-poster bed,With a foot and a head,And six cosy cots with railed sides;There are playthings, of course—One, a wee wooden horseThat each little mousikin rides.

　　There’s a window and sill(With a curtain of twill),Where a pimpernel blooms in a pot;There are flowers in a jar—’Twould be easier farTo describe all the things there are not!There’s a stove bright and new,And a Dutch oven, too,And bellows to blow up the fire;There’s a dusty, dark hole—I suppose for the coal,The next time I call I’ll inquire.

　　In the tiny wee houseOf this tiny wee mouse,There is freedom from worry and care;When winter sets in,No mouse will grow thin—There’ll be plenty for all, and to spare.About the Author.—The name of the author is not known.About the Poem.—What kind of mice live out in the open？What are some other things that you think would be in the mouse’s house？Perhaps you could write another verse about them. Make a drawing of two rooms in the house.Suggestions for Verse-speaking.—Divide the class into five parts and let each part speak a verse. All join in the last verse.

Lesson 13 THE GOOD LITTLE GOBLIN

THERE was once a goblin who wanted to go to Fairyland. Most goblins hate the very sight of a fairy,and as for Fairyland—why, they can’t even bear to talk about it, much less want to see it! But this goblin, whose name was Scareacat, was not at all like other goblins.Instead of being naughty and fond of playing unkind tricks on people, he was quite a nice, kind little fellow,always ready to help anyone who might be in trouble.

Scareacat did not like being a goblin at all. He thought his name was a dreadfully ugly one, and, indeed,it didn’t fit him at all, for he wouldn’t have scared a fly,much less a cat!

Now Scareacat’s only chance of seeing the fairies at all was to watch for them on a midsummer night, when, as of course you know, fairies become visible to mortal eyes,and even goblins are able to see them if they wish to do so.

For many years, Scareacat had watched the fairy revels on a midsummer night without being discovered by the fairies. But, one year, as he was crouching down underneath a foxglove plant, he must in his excitement have leaned too far forward, for, suddenly,one of the fairies stopped dancing, and cried out,“A goblin—a goblin! ” And she pointed straight at Scareacat’s hiding-place.Drawn by Elsie J. McKissockFairy Revels

In a moment Scareacat was surrounded by elves and fairies, who dragged him out from the foxglove plant,and pushed him forward to the Fairy Queen’s throne.

“Why have you come hither to spy upon us？” the Fairy Queen demanded sternly. “You must be meaning to work us some mischief—for you are one of the deadly enemies of our race. ”

“Indeed, Your Majesty, I would not harm you, ”pleaded the goblin, dropping on his knees before the Fairy Queen. “I hate the evil deeds of my brothers, and never take part in their hateful plots. Every midsummer night I come to watch your revels, and my only wish is that I might be a fairy and go myself to Fairyland. ”

One of the fairies stepped forward and bowed low to the Fairy Queen.

“It is true, Your Majesty, ” she said. “This goblin is not as other goblins. He loves the light of day, and hates the dark deeds of night. Often have I watched him working in his garden—and I have seen that he is ever kind and tender to the birds and bees and flowers around him. ”

The Fairy Queen looked at Scareacat more kindly.

“If this is so, we shall forgive you, ” she said. “And,since I would make amends for my first harsh judgment,I shall grant you one wish.

“Ask what you will, and, if it be within my power to grant your desire, it shall be yours. ”

The goblin gave a gasp of delight.

“May I ask anything—anything I like？” he said. “Then let me go to Fairyland! ”

The Fairy Queen shook her head.

“It would be no good my taking you to Fairyland, ” she said. “Your eyes are not fairy eyes, and so you would see nothing even if I did. But there is one charm that would enable you to obtain your wish. If you were to bathe your eyes with dew from a fourleaved clover, fairy sight would be given to you, and you would see clearly the way to Fairyland. ”

“Oh, thank you, thank you for telling me! ” cried the goblin. “And where can I find a four- leaved clover？”

“Ah, that you must find out for yourself, ” said the Fairy Queen.

Just at that moment the cock began to crow, and in an instant Queen and elves and fairies had vanished from Scareacat’s sight. He was left alone, as he had been on so many midsummer nights, but this time his heart was beating high with hope.

“I’ll search through the world until I have found a four-leaved clover! ” he cried. “When I have bathed my eyes in its magic dew I shall see clearly the way to Fairyland! ”

The little goblin lost no time in setting out on his search.

“I shall go first to the common, ” he said to himself.“I shall be sure to find a four-leaved clover there. ” But,though he searched the common from end to end, he couldn’t find a four-leaved clover.

Scareacat was rather disappointed at his failure, but he soon cheered up.

“Never mind, ” he said to himself, “I’ll try the forest next. ” So he journeyed on until he came to the forest,and then he hunted over every little bit of ground,peeping under every bush and looking behind every tree,but he couldn’t find a four-leaved clover in the forest.

“Maybe I shall find it on the mountains, ” said the goblin; but, though he climbed ever so many mountains and grew terribly footsore and tired, he couldn’t find a four-leaved clover on the mountains. And at last poor Scareacat grew quite despairing.

“I shall never find a four-leaved clover, never! ” he said with a choking sob. “And I shall never, never be able to go to Fairyland. I suppose I’d better go home to my little house, and try not to mind about having to be a goblin. ”

Very sadly and slowly Scareacat made his way back to his little house in Buttercup Meadow. It was quite early in the morning when he reached it, and all the flowers and grasses were wet with dew.

He had been away for three years, and the garden round the house was overgrown with weeds and grass.

Scareacat was quite shocked when he caught sight of it.

“Dear me! Dear me! ” he exclaimed. “My poor little garden! I shouldn’t have stayed away so long. ” Taking off his coat, he began at once to set the garden in order,without even waiting for his breakfast. He began at the front door, and the very first thing he uncovered was—what do you think？—a clover plant bearing a spray of four-leaved clover!

Scareacat hardly believed his eyes. He rubbed them,and pinched himself all over to make sure it wasn’t a dream. But it was true; he gave a shout of delight and flung his cap up in the air, he was so pleased and surprised and happy.

“Now I shall be able to find the way to Fairyland! ” he cried.

The dew was still wet on the clover, and Scareacat quickly bathed his eyes in the magic liquid. Scarcely had he done so when he heard a laugh close behind him.

“Bravo! Bravo! ” said a tiny little voice. “Why, I declare that you have found the charm at last! ”

Scareacat turned round hastily. There, perched on his own front gate, sat a little fairy, smiling and laughing at him! And all round her were other fairies, laughing and singing and working together. Scareacat rubbed his eyes again.

“Why, ” he said in surprise, “I’ve never seen a fairy in Buttercup Meadow before! I didn’t know you ever came here.”Drawn by Elsie J. MckissockThe Goblin’s House

“Why, of course we do! Buttercup Meadow is part of Fairyland, ” said the fairies, laughing. “We’ve been here all the while, only you didn’t see us until just this minute. ”

“Buttercup Meadow part of Fairyland! ” gasped Scareacat. “Why, then—I’ve been living in Fairy-land all the time! ”

“Yes, of course you have! ” laughed the fairies.

“Only you were so stupid you couldn’t understand.Fairyland is just wherever there are birds and flowers and sunshine—and, now that you’ve bathed your eyes with dew from a four-leaved clover, you will be able to see us and work with us, and be a sort of fairy, too. ”

The little goblin lived on in his cottage in Buttercup Meadow, very happy and contented. The fairies often came to take tea with him in his little house, and then the little goblin would tell them all about his tremendous search for the four-leaved clover, and how disappointed and despairing he was when he thought he would never be able to find the way to Fairyland after all. “And just fancy! ” he would say when he came to the end of his story, and the fairies were listening hard, “just fancy! I spent three years searching the world for a four-leaved clover, and all the while it was growing beside my own front door! ”From Tiny TotsAbout the Author.—The author is not known.About the Story.—How many characters are mentioned？What is a goblin？Is there any difference between elves and fairies？Why is it hard to find a four-leaved clover？Make up a play about the good little goblin and act it in class. A “common” is land owned by all the people in a village. Anyone living in the village may graze animals there.

Lesson 14 THE PEDIAR’S CARAVAN

Lesson 15 TOM AND THE LOBSTER

Tom was going along the rocks in three-fathom water when he saw a round cage of green withes, and inside it,looking very much ashamed of himself, sat his friend the lobster.

“What! Have you been naughty, and have they put you in the lock-up？”asked Tom.

The lobster felt a little indignant at such a notion, but he only said, “I can’t get out. ”

“Why did you get in？”

“After that nasty piece of dead fish. ”

“Where did you get in？”

“Through that round hole at the top. ”

“Then why don’t you get out through it？”

“Because I can’t, ” and the lobster twiddled his horns more fiercely than ever, but he was forced to confess.

“I have jumped upwards, downwards, backwards,and sideways at least four thousand times, and I can’t get out. ”

Tom looked at the trap, and, having more wit than the lobster, he saw plainly enough what was the matter.

“Stop a bit, ” said Tom. “Turn your tail up to me, and I’ll pull you through hindforemost, and then you won’t stick in the spikes. ”

But the lobster was so stupid and clumsy that he couldn’t hit the hole. Tom reached and caught hold of him; and then, as was to be expected, the clumsy lobster pulled him in headforemost.

“Hullo! Here is a pretty business, ” said Tom. “Now take your great claws and break the points off those spikes, and then we shall both get out easily. ”

“I never thought of that, ” said the lobster.

But they had not got half the spikes away when they saw a great dark cloud over them, and, lo and behold, it was the otter!

How she did grin and grin when she saw Tom! “Yar!”said she, “you little meddlesome wretch, I have you now!” And she crawled all over the pot to get in.

Tom was horribly frightened when she found the hole in the top and squeezed herself right down through it, all eyes and teeth. But no sooner was her head inside than Mr. Lobster caught her by the nose and held on.

And there they were all three in the pot, rolling over and over, and very tight packing it was. And the lobster tore at the otter, and the otter tore at the lobster, and both squeezed poor Tom till he had no breath left in his body; and I don’t know what would have happened to him if he had not got on the otter’s back and out of the hole.Drawn by Miss E. H. Rix“Tom reached and caught hold of him. ”

He was right glad when he got out; but he would not desert his friend who had saved him, and the first time he saw his tail uppermost he caught hold of it, and pulled with all his might.

But the lobster would not let go.

“Come along, ” said Tom; “don’t you see she is dead？” And so she was, quite drowned and dead.

And that was the end of the wicked otter.

But the lobster would not let go.

“Come along, you stupid old stick-in-the-mud, ”cried Tom, “or the fisherman will catch you! ” And that was true, for Tom felt some one above beginning to haul up the pot.

But the lobster would not let go.

Tom saw the fisherman haul him up to the boatside,and thought it was all up with him. But, when Mr.Lobster saw the fisherman, he gave such a furious and tremendous snap that he snapped out of his hand,and out of the pot, and safe into the sea. But he left his knobbed claw behind him; for it never came into his stupid head to let go after all, so he just shook his claw off as the easier method.

Tom asked the lobster why he never thought of letting go. He replied very firmly that it was a point of honour among lobsters.From The Water-Babies, by CHARLES KINGSLEY.About the Author.—CHARLES KINGSLEY (1819-1875), born in Devon,spent nearly all his life as a clergyman in Hampshire, but in his later years was a professor of history at Cambridge and was for a time chaplain to Queen Victoria. He wrote many fine novels—Alton Locke,Yeast, Two Years Ago, Westward Ho!, Hereward the Wake, The Water Babies, Hypatia, etc.About the Story.—Tom was a little London chimney-sweep who ran away from his cruel master. He had wonderful adventures under the sea with all the sea creatures. Which animal was Tom’s friend？Why did the lobster not let go？

Lesson 16 WHAT THE BIRDS SAY

　　In the winter they’re silent,The wind is so strong;What it says I don’t know;But it sings a loud song.

　　But green leaves and blossoms,And sunny, warm weather,And singing and lovingAll come back together.

　　Then the lark is so brimfulOf gladness and love—The green fields below him,The blue sky above—That he sings and he singsAnd forever sings he,“I love my love,And my love loves me. ”—SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGEAbout the Author.—SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE (1772-1834), son of a Devonshire clergyman and schoolmaster, was a poet who lived in the Lake country in England. Among his friends were Robert Southey,William Wordsworth, and Charles Lamb. His best-known poem is the“Ancient Mariner”.About the Poem.—What is the word that is repeated in every verse but the second？What birds are mentioned？What verse describes winter？What other pictures are there？When you say the poem, speak lightly and happily, just like a bird’s song. Make a list of all the songs and poems about birds that you know.

Lesson 17 THE ORIGIN OF THE SPIDER

Arachne (ah-rǎk’-nǐ) was a beautiful maiden, and the most wonderful weaver that ever lived. Her father had great skill in colouring, and he dyed her wools in all the colours of the rainbow.

People came from miles around to see her wonderful work. They all agreed that surely no one but Athena, the goddess, could have been her teacher.

But Arachne proudly said that no one had taught her to weave. She even said that she would be glad to weave with Athena, to see which had the greater skill.

In vain her father told her that perhaps the goddess,unseen, guided her hand. Arachne would not listen, and would thank no one for her gift, believing only in herself.

At last one day, as she was boasting of her skill, an old woman came to her and begged her to insult Athena no more. She warned her that no mortal could hope to equal a goddess, and advised her to accept humbly her heaven-bestowed gift.

But Arachne scorned her advice, and said again that nothing would please her so much as to weave with the goddess.

“If I fail, ” she said, “I will gladly take the punishment; but Athena is afraid to weave with me. ”

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