52. Letter Writing

A STORY TO FINISH

2. Look at the second picture and tell what has happened since the boys tied the dog to the bicycles. How did the boat happen to upset? Is this dog a good swimmer? Could he probably save the drowning boy if he were not tied? What will happen next? This exciting story might end in several ways. Tell the class how you think it ended. Begin your story with the tying of the dog.

It is over a month since you mailed a letter in the class post office. Shall we have another letter-writing day? It might be fun for all the pupils to send short letters to each other.

Written Exercise.1. Think of a question that you would like to ask one of your classmates.[60]It may be something you really want to know, or it may be a question that you are asking just for fun. It does not matter. Write a short note asking the question.

2. Before mailing the letter, read it over several times with one of the following questions in your mind at each reading:

1. Have you begun the letter correctly? If it begins with a greeting likeDear TomorDear Mary, there should be this mark (:) after the name of the pupil to whom you are writing.2. Have you written your own name in the right place at the end of the letter? No mark should follow your name.3. Does the first line of the letter begin a little more to the right than the lines below it?4. Did you place a question mark at the end of the question you are asking?5. Would it be a good plan to write your letter over so that it will be one of the best and neatest letters in the class post office?

1. Have you begun the letter correctly? If it begins with a greeting likeDear TomorDear Mary, there should be this mark (:) after the name of the pupil to whom you are writing.

2. Have you written your own name in the right place at the end of the letter? No mark should follow your name.

3. Does the first line of the letter begin a little more to the right than the lines below it?

4. Did you place a question mark at the end of the question you are asking?

5. Would it be a good plan to write your letter over so that it will be one of the best and neatest letters in the class post office?

3. The class letter carrier will bring you the letter that one of your classmates has sent you. Write a letter[61]answering the question you have been asked. You know how to write dates. Place in the upper right-hand corner of your letter the date of your writing. The following letter shows the date written in the right place and in the right way:

March 25, 1919Dear Tom:The question you sent me is the same as the one my letter asks you. I wonder whether the answers will be the same. My answer is, Yes, I do want to go to the woods next Saturday.

March 25, 1919

Dear Tom:

The question you sent me is the same as the one my letter asks you. I wonder whether the answers will be the same. My answer is, Yes, I do want to go to the woods next Saturday.

Fred

It is very pleasant to listen to speakers who make no mistakes in pronouncing words. In the list below are some of the words that give trouble to some pupils.

Oral Exercise.1. Listen carefully as the teacher pronounces the words in the following list. Then read thewhole list as rapidly as you can, pronouncing no word incorrectly or indistinctly.

2. Ask your classmates questions in which the words above are used. The answers, too, should use words from the list.

THE DAUGHTER OF CERES

Long ago there lived on the earth a good goddess or fairy whose name was Ceres.[62]It was she who made the corn and the grass and the flowers grow. She drove over the fields in her magic chariot and waved her wand. Then the trees put forth green leaves, the grain sprouted, and the fruits glistened in red and gold colors. She was the queen of all growing plants.Ceres had an only daughter, of whom she was very fond. Her name was Proserpina.[62]One day Proserpina begged her mother to allow her to go into the meadow to gather flowers."You hardly ever let me wander in the fields, Mother," she said. "Other girls go. Do let me go to-day. I shall be gone only a short time."

Ceres had an only daughter, of whom she was very fond. Her name was Proserpina.[62]One day Proserpina begged her mother to allow her to go into the meadow to gather flowers.

"You hardly ever let me wander in the fields, Mother," she said. "Other girls go. Do let me go to-day. I shall be gone only a short time."

Ceres did not like to let her daughter go. She feared some harm might come to the little girl. But Proserpina begged so piteously that, finally, Ceres agreed."But," she said, "you must not go farther than the brook that borders the meadow. Do not cross that. I want to be able to see you when I look out of my window."Proserpina promised gladly. In a minute she had put on her bonnet and had kissed her mother good-bye. With a basket on her arm she ran gaily toward the near-by fields. They were dotted, on this sunny morning, with the most beautiful flowers. Ceres at her window watched the happy girl for a time. Then she returned to her work, for she was always very busy.Proserpina, like a butterfly that is glad to use its wings, wandered delightedly from flower to flower. Never had the sunshine seemed brighter and pleasanter. Never had the birds sung more happily. Never had she seen such beautiful flowers. The violets seemed larger and sweeter than ever before. The roses, the pinks, and the lilacs seemed to be wearing holiday clothes. In a short time she had filled not only her basket but also her apron with the choicest blossoms. Then she sat in the tall grass and clover to make some wreaths. She decided to make one for herself and a large, beautiful one for her mother.

Ceres did not like to let her daughter go. She feared some harm might come to the little girl. But Proserpina begged so piteously that, finally, Ceres agreed.

"But," she said, "you must not go farther than the brook that borders the meadow. Do not cross that. I want to be able to see you when I look out of my window."

Proserpina promised gladly. In a minute she had put on her bonnet and had kissed her mother good-bye. With a basket on her arm she ran gaily toward the near-by fields. They were dotted, on this sunny morning, with the most beautiful flowers. Ceres at her window watched the happy girl for a time. Then she returned to her work, for she was always very busy.

Proserpina, like a butterfly that is glad to use its wings, wandered delightedly from flower to flower. Never had the sunshine seemed brighter and pleasanter. Never had the birds sung more happily. Never had she seen such beautiful flowers. The violets seemed larger and sweeter than ever before. The roses, the pinks, and the lilacs seemed to be wearing holiday clothes. In a short time she had filled not only her basket but also her apron with the choicest blossoms. Then she sat in the tall grass and clover to make some wreaths. She decided to make one for herself and a large, beautiful one for her mother.

As she sat there in the sunshine and twined the stems of flowers into pretty wreaths, she suddenly heard a low murmuring. It seemed to come from near by. She listened. The sound kept steadily on. She arose to see what it was. A few steps showed her that she had heard only the murmuring and splashing and babbling of a little brook. It bordered the meadow in which she had been gathering flowers and was the very brook that her mother had told her not to cross.And now a strange thing happened. As Proserpina stood beside the running water, she saw, just a little distance on the other side, a large shrub such as she had never set eyes on before. It was completely covered with the most wonderful flowers in the world. Before she knew what she was doing she had stepped lightly across the brook. The nearer she came to the beautiful plant, the more attractive it looked; and when she stood close to it, its beauty seemed richer than anything she had ever seen. There were a hundred flowers on it. Each had a color of its own. All together they made one beautiful bouquet.Proserpina was so charmed with what she saw that she did nothing at first but look and look at the magical sight. At length, however, she made up her mind to pull the shrub up and carry it home.

And now a strange thing happened. As Proserpina stood beside the running water, she saw, just a little distance on the other side, a large shrub such as she had never set eyes on before. It was completely covered with the most wonderful flowers in the world. Before she knew what she was doing she had stepped lightly across the brook. The nearer she came to the beautiful plant, the more attractive it looked; and when she stood close to it, its beauty seemed richer than anything she had ever seen. There were a hundred flowers on it. Each had a color of its own. All together they made one beautiful bouquet.

Proserpina was so charmed with what she saw that she did nothing at first but look and look at the magical sight. At length, however, she made up her mind to pull the shrub up and carry it home.

"I will plant it in our garden at home," she said.So she took hold of the thick stem at the center of the plant and pulled. It would not come up. She tried harder and loosened it a little. Then she grasped it firmly near the ground with both hands, and pulled and pulled with all her might. Suddenly, up came the shrub, roots and all, so suddenly that Proserpina nearly fell. A deep hole had been left in the soil where the plant had grown. As Proserpina looked at this hole, it grew wider and wider and deeper and deeper. In a few moments it had grown so deep that the bottom seemed to be entirely gone.Suddenly a tall man arose from the black depths. He wore a helmet and carried a shield. As soon as he saw the frightened maiden, he made a sign to her to come nearer."Do not be afraid," he said. "I shall do you no harm. I have come to take you to my palace. You may live there as long as you please."Proserpina was so frightened that she wanted to run away. But she was not able to move."No, no," she cried. "I don't want to go to your palace. I want to go to my mother."The stranger leaped swiftly to where she stood. He caught her in his arms. In a moment he had jumped with her into the deep and almost bottomless opening. There, far down, stood agolden chariot, drawn by six coal-black horses. Into this chariot the stranger stepped, carrying the frightened girl. He laid her gently on the floor of the car and took the reins in his hands. They were off at once at a furious pace. In a minute they had left the meadows and the brook far behind them. Then the opening slowly closed. Nowhere was there left the least mark or sign to tell what had happened.

"I will plant it in our garden at home," she said.

So she took hold of the thick stem at the center of the plant and pulled. It would not come up. She tried harder and loosened it a little. Then she grasped it firmly near the ground with both hands, and pulled and pulled with all her might. Suddenly, up came the shrub, roots and all, so suddenly that Proserpina nearly fell. A deep hole had been left in the soil where the plant had grown. As Proserpina looked at this hole, it grew wider and wider and deeper and deeper. In a few moments it had grown so deep that the bottom seemed to be entirely gone.

Suddenly a tall man arose from the black depths. He wore a helmet and carried a shield. As soon as he saw the frightened maiden, he made a sign to her to come nearer.

"Do not be afraid," he said. "I shall do you no harm. I have come to take you to my palace. You may live there as long as you please."

Proserpina was so frightened that she wanted to run away. But she was not able to move.

"No, no," she cried. "I don't want to go to your palace. I want to go to my mother."

The stranger leaped swiftly to where she stood. He caught her in his arms. In a moment he had jumped with her into the deep and almost bottomless opening. There, far down, stood agolden chariot, drawn by six coal-black horses. Into this chariot the stranger stepped, carrying the frightened girl. He laid her gently on the floor of the car and took the reins in his hands. They were off at once at a furious pace. In a minute they had left the meadows and the brook far behind them. Then the opening slowly closed. Nowhere was there left the least mark or sign to tell what had happened.

Oral Exercise.1. What did you like best in this story? Do you like the ending? How do you wish it had ended?

2. With a classmate play the first part of the story. This is the part that tells about Ceres and Proserpina before Proserpina goes to the meadow. What does Proserpina say? What does Ceres say?

3. Now with another pupil play the part of the story that tells what happened after Proserpina crossed the brook. First, she sees the beautiful shrub. What does she say when she sees that? Next, she tries to pull it up. How she tugs and tugs at it! This must be shown in the playing. What does she say as she pulls away at it? How does she look and what does she say when she sees the deep hole that grows wider and deeper every moment? Last, the stranger is seen. He and Proserpina talk together before he carries her away. Does Proserpina scream as the stranger picks her up? Scream as if you were being carried away.

4. Now that spring is here, shall you be going into the fields and woods to gather flowers? Tell the class the best places you know, how to reach them, and what flowers may now be found there. Do you know any place where some rare wild flower grows every year? What is the most beautiful wild flower you have ever found or seen?

5. Did you ever see a brook? If you did, tell your classmates how a brook looks. How is it different from a river or a lake? Can you tell the class where to go to see a brook?

THE RETURN OF SPRING

Have you noticed any signs that spring is coming? The bluebirds are usually among the first to tell us that winter is over. Soon after, the robins tell the same glad story. Then the song sparrow puts the good news into a beautiful song. At about this time boys and girls begin to talk of going into the woods for flowers.But the air still seems a little too cold. The ground is still too wet. The tramps into the country are put off a while. In the meantime a pretty flower, an early dandelion perhaps, shows itself here and there along the roadside or on a green lawn. Then, suddenly, one fine warm day, a boy brings to school a handful of yellow marsh marigolds. He found them in the low meadows. Now every boy and girl starts out, and spring flowers are seen in every schoolroom and in every home.Gradually the pleasant weather grows still warmer. One boy sees a snake. Another finds a turtle. These have been enjoying their long winter sleep deep down, a yard or more, in the ground. Now they are glad to lie in the pleasant sunshine, as if they needed to thaw out. In the ponds the frogs sing day and night. More and more flowers start up, more and more birds arriveand begin to build their nests. Boys play marbles and make willow whistles. Farmers start their early plowing. A veil of delicate green shows clearly on the forest trees. Spring has come.

But the air still seems a little too cold. The ground is still too wet. The tramps into the country are put off a while. In the meantime a pretty flower, an early dandelion perhaps, shows itself here and there along the roadside or on a green lawn. Then, suddenly, one fine warm day, a boy brings to school a handful of yellow marsh marigolds. He found them in the low meadows. Now every boy and girl starts out, and spring flowers are seen in every schoolroom and in every home.

Gradually the pleasant weather grows still warmer. One boy sees a snake. Another finds a turtle. These have been enjoying their long winter sleep deep down, a yard or more, in the ground. Now they are glad to lie in the pleasant sunshine, as if they needed to thaw out. In the ponds the frogs sing day and night. More and more flowers start up, more and more birds arriveand begin to build their nests. Boys play marbles and make willow whistles. Farmers start their early plowing. A veil of delicate green shows clearly on the forest trees. Spring has come.

Written Exercise.Make a list of all the birds you know. Make a list of all the flowers you know. Make a third list of all the flowers, birds, and animals other than birds, that you have seen this spring.

Correction Exercise.The teacher will now write three lists on the board. The first will give the names of all the birds the class knows. The second will name all the flowers the class knows, and the third all the flowers and all the birds and other animals that have been seen this spring. Compare your own lists with those on the board, and correct any mistakes in spelling that you may have made.

Group Exercise.Think of one of the birds or flowers or animals in your three lists. Tell your classmates an interesting fact about it. Tell it in two or three sentences. Thus, you might choose the bluebird from your list and say:

A pair of bluebirds is building a nest in a bird-box my father put up. They lived in the same box last year.

Your classmates will tell about some bird or flower or animal in their lists. The teacher will write some or allthese groups of sentences on the board,[64]or ask some of the pupils to write their own on the board. Then the class will try to improve each of these short accounts. Thus, what was said about the bluebird might be changed to read as follows:

A bluebird family has rented the birdhouse that my father built in our back yard. They seem to like it, for they lived there last year. Perhaps they will buy it some day and decide to live there always.

Or:

Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird have started housekeeping in a little flat near my home. I saw them getting the straw mattress ready. They are old neighbors, for they lived here last summer.

CERES AND APOLLO[62]

Ceres, the good queen of fruit trees, grains, vegetables, and all growing plants, returned to her work after watching Proserpina run gaily to the meadow to pick flowers. She was very busy. Now and then during the afternoon she went to the window. She wanted to make sure that her daughter was in sight and safe. She saw the girl sit down in the long grass."The child is getting a little tired, I suppose," she said. "She will be coming home before long."But an hour passed, and Proserpina had not yet returned."She has probably fallen asleep in the soft grass," said her mother. "When she awakes, she will run home as fast as her legs will carry her."But when another hour had slipped by, and Proserpina was still not in sight, Ceres became greatly worried."I wonder what has happened," she cried, as she hurried outdoors. She ran into the meadow. She called. Here and there she found a withered flower that the girl had dropped. At length Ceres reached the place where Proserpina had sat in the grass and where, as Ceres supposed, she had fallen asleep. There was nothing here but an unfinished wreath beside a pile of flowers. Ceres hastened to the brook. Yes, there in the soft ground on the edge of the water Proserpina's footprint was plainly to be seen. A little farther on, Ceres came upon the shrub that Proserpina had pulled out of the soil. But no other trace of the girl could she discover anywhere.A farmer chanced to be passing. He was on his way home from the fields where he had been at work all day.Ceres called to him. "Have you seen a little girl around here to-day?"The farmer thought a moment. Then he shook his head.A little later Ceres met an old woman in a meadow. The old woman was gathering herbs. She had seen no girl.It was not only human beings whom Ceres asked about her daughter. She asked the animals too. A robin on a tree top was merrily singing his evening song. Ceres asked him. A pair of squirrels were chattering noisily in a pine tree. Ceres stopped a minute to question them. But no one had seen the lost maiden.At last night fell. Ceres left the fields and entered the open road. At the door of every house she knocked. Wondering and pitying faces looked at her curiously as she told her story. Some asked her to come in and rest a while. But Ceres had no thought of rest. All night long she kept up her search, and when morning came she was far from home. She looked about her in the early light. She found that she had wandered to that far eastern place where the sun rises and begins the day.In a few minutes, indeed, Apollo, the sun-god, appeared. He was all ready to drive his sun-chariot across the sky. In this way he giveslight and warmth to the people of the earth. His six white horses wore golden harness, which jingled pleasantly as they pranced about. They were anxious to be off. Apollo held them in check with a firm hand, when he saw Ceres approaching.

"The child is getting a little tired, I suppose," she said. "She will be coming home before long."

But an hour passed, and Proserpina had not yet returned.

"She has probably fallen asleep in the soft grass," said her mother. "When she awakes, she will run home as fast as her legs will carry her."

But when another hour had slipped by, and Proserpina was still not in sight, Ceres became greatly worried.

"I wonder what has happened," she cried, as she hurried outdoors. She ran into the meadow. She called. Here and there she found a withered flower that the girl had dropped. At length Ceres reached the place where Proserpina had sat in the grass and where, as Ceres supposed, she had fallen asleep. There was nothing here but an unfinished wreath beside a pile of flowers. Ceres hastened to the brook. Yes, there in the soft ground on the edge of the water Proserpina's footprint was plainly to be seen. A little farther on, Ceres came upon the shrub that Proserpina had pulled out of the soil. But no other trace of the girl could she discover anywhere.

A farmer chanced to be passing. He was on his way home from the fields where he had been at work all day.

Ceres called to him. "Have you seen a little girl around here to-day?"

The farmer thought a moment. Then he shook his head.

A little later Ceres met an old woman in a meadow. The old woman was gathering herbs. She had seen no girl.

It was not only human beings whom Ceres asked about her daughter. She asked the animals too. A robin on a tree top was merrily singing his evening song. Ceres asked him. A pair of squirrels were chattering noisily in a pine tree. Ceres stopped a minute to question them. But no one had seen the lost maiden.

At last night fell. Ceres left the fields and entered the open road. At the door of every house she knocked. Wondering and pitying faces looked at her curiously as she told her story. Some asked her to come in and rest a while. But Ceres had no thought of rest. All night long she kept up her search, and when morning came she was far from home. She looked about her in the early light. She found that she had wandered to that far eastern place where the sun rises and begins the day.

In a few minutes, indeed, Apollo, the sun-god, appeared. He was all ready to drive his sun-chariot across the sky. In this way he giveslight and warmth to the people of the earth. His six white horses wore golden harness, which jingled pleasantly as they pranced about. They were anxious to be off. Apollo held them in check with a firm hand, when he saw Ceres approaching.

"What brings you here before sunrise, Mother Ceres?" he called to her gaily, for he had known her a long time. Then he saw that her eyes were red with weeping, and he leaped from his chariot to take her hand."What has happened?" he asked in a gentle tone."Oh, Apollo," cried Ceres, while the tears streamed down her cheeks, "I have lost Proserpina. Only yesterday I allowed her to go into the meadow near my house to gather flowers. She did not return, and I can find no trace of her. Oh, tell me, have you seen her? You see everything as you drive across the sky."Apollo thought a moment. "Let me see," he said. "Could that have been little Proserpina I saw in Pluto's[62]chariot—""In Pluto's chariot?" cried Ceres. "What would she be doing in Pluto's chariot?""It was she," said Apollo. "Now that I think of it, I am certain it was she."Then Apollo told Ceres all that had happened. He told her about the shrub of marvellous flowers. He told of the hole that its roots left in the ground. He told of Pluto and his six black horses, and of how Pluto had carried off Proserpina."He will never bring her back," said Apollo.Then Ceres dried her tears. Her face grew stern and cold. She stood straight and held her head high, like a queen."He will bring her back," she said. "I shall make him bring her. Until he does, I shall allow nothing on the earth to grow. Until he brings Proserpina to me, no tree shall put forth leaves or fruit, no grass shall becomegreen, no grain shall sprout,—nothing, nothing at all, shall grow on the earth."Scarcely had she said this when a change came over the earth. The leaves on trees and shrubs everywhere grew yellow and dropped to the ground. The green fields became brown and gray. Fruits rotted on the stem, and vegetables dried where they grew. Even flowerbeds lost their bloom and became patches of dry stalks.Mother Ceres looked upon all these changes with a hard heart."Never," she said, "will the earth grow green again, until my daughter is returned to me."

"What has happened?" he asked in a gentle tone.

"Oh, Apollo," cried Ceres, while the tears streamed down her cheeks, "I have lost Proserpina. Only yesterday I allowed her to go into the meadow near my house to gather flowers. She did not return, and I can find no trace of her. Oh, tell me, have you seen her? You see everything as you drive across the sky."

Apollo thought a moment. "Let me see," he said. "Could that have been little Proserpina I saw in Pluto's[62]chariot—"

"In Pluto's chariot?" cried Ceres. "What would she be doing in Pluto's chariot?"

"It was she," said Apollo. "Now that I think of it, I am certain it was she."

Then Apollo told Ceres all that had happened. He told her about the shrub of marvellous flowers. He told of the hole that its roots left in the ground. He told of Pluto and his six black horses, and of how Pluto had carried off Proserpina.

"He will never bring her back," said Apollo.

Then Ceres dried her tears. Her face grew stern and cold. She stood straight and held her head high, like a queen.

"He will bring her back," she said. "I shall make him bring her. Until he does, I shall allow nothing on the earth to grow. Until he brings Proserpina to me, no tree shall put forth leaves or fruit, no grass shall becomegreen, no grain shall sprout,—nothing, nothing at all, shall grow on the earth."

Scarcely had she said this when a change came over the earth. The leaves on trees and shrubs everywhere grew yellow and dropped to the ground. The green fields became brown and gray. Fruits rotted on the stem, and vegetables dried where they grew. Even flowerbeds lost their bloom and became patches of dry stalks.

Mother Ceres looked upon all these changes with a hard heart.

"Never," she said, "will the earth grow green again, until my daughter is returned to me."

Oral Exercise.1. Play that you are Ceres working in her house and glancing out of the window now and then. Say what she said when she saw Proserpina sit down in the long grass. Say what she said when, after several hours, her daughter was still absent. Say it in the way you think she said it. Now show your classmates how she hurried into the meadow to find Proserpina; how she picked up the half-finished wreath and crossed the brook; how she looked when she saw her daughter's footprint in the soft ground near the brook. What do you think she was thinking then?

2. One of your classmates will be the farmer in the story, another the old woman, another the robin, twoothers the pair of squirrels. Still other pupils will be the people in the houses at whose doors Ceres knocks. Now play that you are Ceres looking for her daughter, and asking everywhere for her. Remember how Ceres must have felt. Show that feeling in what you say and in the way you say it. The pupils playing the other speakers in the story will answer your questions. Try not to ask your questions always in the same words.

Group Exercise.1. Now let other groups of pupils play this part of the story.

2. Each time[57]the class will say what they liked and what they did not like. The following questions should be answered by the class:

1. Did the pupil playing Ceres look very much worried over Proserpina's not returning? Several pupils should try to show the class how the player ought to have looked.2. Did the pupil playing Ceres talk like a worried person? Several pupils should show how Ceres probably did talk.3. Did the pupil playing Ceres talk enough? What might she say as she looks out of the window now and then? What might she say when she finds the unfinished wreath? What might she say when she sees Proserpina's footprint and, a little farther along, the beautiful shrub pulled out of the ground?4. Did the pupils playing the farmer, the old woman, the robin, the squirrels, and the other people speak as persons really would speak if a poor woman should ask them where her daughter was? What might these say that none of the players said?5. Did the pupil playing Ceres ask each of the other players the same question in the same way? Would it be better if this player asked the question differently of different persons? Should this player grow more worried and more excited all the time?

1. Did the pupil playing Ceres look very much worried over Proserpina's not returning? Several pupils should try to show the class how the player ought to have looked.

2. Did the pupil playing Ceres talk like a worried person? Several pupils should show how Ceres probably did talk.

3. Did the pupil playing Ceres talk enough? What might she say as she looks out of the window now and then? What might she say when she finds the unfinished wreath? What might she say when she sees Proserpina's footprint and, a little farther along, the beautiful shrub pulled out of the ground?

4. Did the pupils playing the farmer, the old woman, the robin, the squirrels, and the other people speak as persons really would speak if a poor woman should ask them where her daughter was? What might these say that none of the players said?

5. Did the pupil playing Ceres ask each of the other players the same question in the same way? Would it be better if this player asked the question differently of different persons? Should this player grow more worried and more excited all the time?

Oral Exercise.1. Make believe that you are Apollo. Obtain a long rope and harness your six horses. Choose six classmates to be the horses, but first explain to the class how you plan to harness them. Then drive them up and down in front of the class once or twice. As you do so, you see Ceres coming toward you. You pull in your horses in great surprise. Show your classmates this surprise. What might you say in a low tone to yourself to express this surprise?

2. Talk with Ceres. The pupil playing Ceres will answer you very sadly at first. But at the end of the story the manner of Ceres changes. How does Apollo look and what does he say when Ceres declares that nothing shall grow on earth until Proserpina is returned?

Group Exercise.1. Several pairs of pupils should play the meeting between Apollo and Ceres. Each pair should try to show the class exactly how they think Apollo and Ceres looked and spoke and acted.

2. Then the class will tell what they liked and what they did not like in each playing.

3. Now the entire story should be played several times. After each time the class will explain to the players how the story might have been played better.

Game.The teacher asks a pupil to stand before the class. This pupil plays that he is a certain bird, flower, or animal other than a bird, that is seen in the woods in the spring, but he tells no one except the teacher what he is. The class must guess this. No pupil may guess more than once, and only ten guesses are allowed the whole class. The pupil before the class says nothing except that he is or is not the bird, flower, or animal guessed. The game moves along as follows:

First Guesser: Are you a dandelion, John?Pupil before the Class: No, Fred, I am not a dandelion.Second Guesser: Are you a turtle, John?Pupil before the Class: No, Mary, I am not a turtle.Third Guesser: Are you a song sparrow, John?Pupil before the Class: Yes, Nellie, I am a song sparrow.

First Guesser: Are you a dandelion, John?

Pupil before the Class: No, Fred, I am not a dandelion.

Second Guesser: Are you a turtle, John?

Pupil before the Class: No, Mary, I am not a turtle.

Third Guesser: Are you a song sparrow, John?

Pupil before the Class: Yes, Nellie, I am a song sparrow.

The pupil who guesses correctly is the next flower or bird. If no one of the ten guesses is correct, the pupil before the class says, "Classmates, I am a song sparrow." Then he names the pupil who is to take his place in the game.

One day our old friend Tom read his mother a riddle he had made. This is it:

I am a tiny little thing and have an orange face. What am I?

"Can you guess it, mother?" he asked. "A dandelion," she answered. "Yes, that's right," said Tom. "What do you think of it?"

"It's a pretty good little riddle," his mother replied, "but I think you can make it better. Isorangethe best word for a dandelion? And should you not put in something to show that you do not mean a bird? Your riddle, as it is, would do for a yellow bird as well as for a dandelion."

Tom thought this over. Then he wrote the following riddle:

I am a tiny little thing with a bright yellow face. I have no legs or wings, but I come and go with spring. What am I?

Tom's mother was very much pleased with this riddle, and so was Tom. Tom thought he could not make it the least bit better. The next day, however, he had made the riddle over once more. "This," said Tom, "is the very best that I can do."

Here it is:

My face is bright yellow. I have hundreds of brothers and sisters. We have fine parties on the lawn. I cannot walk, but I can fly when I am old and white-haired. What am I?

Oral Exercise.1. Which of Tom's three riddles do you like the best? Which do you care for least?Why? Do you think the third riddle is too long? What is in the third riddle that you do not find in the second?

2. Can you make a riddle of your own about the dandelion?

3. Make riddles for your classmates to guess, about flowers, birds, and animals that are seen in the spring.

Written Exercise.Write on paper the best riddle of a bird or a flower that you can make. Then, as Tom did, think it over a little longer and try to make it better. When you think it is so bright that your classmates will be much pleased with it, read it to them.[66]

Group Exercise.Some of the riddles should now be copied neatly on the board. It will be fun for the whole class to try to make them better. The very best ones the teacher will copy in a book to show to other classes.[35]

Written Exercise.1. Copy the riddle or riddles that your teacher chooses. As you copy them, notice the spelling of the words, the capital letters, the punctuation marks, and the beginning of the first line of each riddle. This will help you to write the riddles correctly when you reach the next exercise. Together with another pupil, correct your copy and his.

2. Write from dictation the riddles you have copied. Then correct any mistakes you may have made. You may do this work of correcting either alone or with one or more other pupils.

CERES AND PLUTO

In the underground world, where Pluto was king, stood a magnificent palace, in which he lived. The pillars that held up the roof were of solid gold. Jewels of many colors shone and sparkled in the walls.Two persons were talking together in a room in this wonderful building. One of these, who was no other than the lost Proserpina, was crying. Before her stood Pluto. He was trying to comfort her."Why do you keep on weeping day after day?" he asked. "Look about you and see what a beautiful place it is to which I have brought you."Proserpina only shook her head and cried the harder. "I do not care how beautiful it is," she said. "I want to go back to my mother. I want to see the sunshine and the blue sky, and the flowers growing in the meadows."Pluto pointed to the jewels that gleamed from the walls and floor and ceiling of the palace. Some were red as roses, others blue as violets. Still others shone yellow as dandelions or purple as lilacs or green as the young grass that grows on the banks of brooks."There are flowers for you," said he. "See all their colors! And these flowers are unlike thoseon the earth, that last only a day or a week. These never wither and never fade."But Proserpina did not so much as look at the jewels that Pluto praised so highly."Please take me back to the earth," she begged. "If you will do that, I shall always think of you as a kind king. Perhaps I should visit you now and then."Pluto smiled and shook his head. "I do not dare let you go back to the earth, Proserpina," he explained. "I am almost sure you would never come back to me. Think how lonely I should be down here. I should have no one to share my palace and my riches with me. But let me tell what I will do."He took the golden crown from his head. It was the most splendid crown in all the world. He held it out before her. It sparkled with a thousand lights. The most skilful goldsmiths in Pluto's kingdom had made it."This," said Pluto, "I will give you, if you will stay with me."Before Proserpina could answer, the bark of a dog was heard outside the palace wall. It was Pluto's giant mastiff. He was a huge three-headed dog that guarded the palace gate. Some one was coming. A minute later a loud knock sounded on the door. At once this flew open and showed a tall young man standing there.His face was flushed and he was breathless, as if he had run a long distance.

Two persons were talking together in a room in this wonderful building. One of these, who was no other than the lost Proserpina, was crying. Before her stood Pluto. He was trying to comfort her.

"Why do you keep on weeping day after day?" he asked. "Look about you and see what a beautiful place it is to which I have brought you."

Proserpina only shook her head and cried the harder. "I do not care how beautiful it is," she said. "I want to go back to my mother. I want to see the sunshine and the blue sky, and the flowers growing in the meadows."

Pluto pointed to the jewels that gleamed from the walls and floor and ceiling of the palace. Some were red as roses, others blue as violets. Still others shone yellow as dandelions or purple as lilacs or green as the young grass that grows on the banks of brooks.

"There are flowers for you," said he. "See all their colors! And these flowers are unlike thoseon the earth, that last only a day or a week. These never wither and never fade."

But Proserpina did not so much as look at the jewels that Pluto praised so highly.

"Please take me back to the earth," she begged. "If you will do that, I shall always think of you as a kind king. Perhaps I should visit you now and then."

Pluto smiled and shook his head. "I do not dare let you go back to the earth, Proserpina," he explained. "I am almost sure you would never come back to me. Think how lonely I should be down here. I should have no one to share my palace and my riches with me. But let me tell what I will do."

He took the golden crown from his head. It was the most splendid crown in all the world. He held it out before her. It sparkled with a thousand lights. The most skilful goldsmiths in Pluto's kingdom had made it.

"This," said Pluto, "I will give you, if you will stay with me."

Before Proserpina could answer, the bark of a dog was heard outside the palace wall. It was Pluto's giant mastiff. He was a huge three-headed dog that guarded the palace gate. Some one was coming. A minute later a loud knock sounded on the door. At once this flew open and showed a tall young man standing there.His face was flushed and he was breathless, as if he had run a long distance.

When the stranger saw the king and Proserpina, he drew himself up to his full height and made a deep bow."What is it?" asked Pluto.The tall stranger stepped into the room. He was still breathing hard. "I am the bringer of sad news, King Pluto," he began. "I come from the earth to let you know what has happened.""Well, what has happened?" impatiently asked the king."The earth has lost its color and its beauty," answered the stranger. "Nothing grows any more. Where once there were beautiful fields and orchards, now there is nothing but the uncovered ground and bare branches to be seen. And Ceres sends me to you with this message, O Pluto. Until you return her daughter, not a blade of grass, not a shoot of corn shall grow, not a flower shall bloom, not a tree shall put forth leaves, on the whole earth that was once so green and wonderful."Pluto smiled at these words. "What care I," he said, "whether anything grows on the earth!" Then he saw that Proserpina was weeping. His voice grew softer. "What does Ceres want me to do?" he asked."She wants you to return that which you have taken away," was the solemn answer."That," said Pluto, "I will never do."The messenger of Ceres turned to go, without another word. Proserpina stepped forward and stopped him."I have a plan," she said, "that will help us all." She turned to Pluto. "Let me spend half of every year with Mother Ceres," she said, "and I will gladly spend the other half with you."Pluto looked at her and made no answer. He did not like being alone in his great palace six months of every year. But then he thought ofhow unhappy Proserpina would be if he never allowed her to see her mother again. He did not wish her to be unhappy. At last he said, "I will do it."Proserpina clapped her hands. She laughed and danced about. "Six months here," she said, "and six months on earth. That will make six months of green and bloom on earth, and six months of bare branches and empty fields. Every year when I start back to the earth, things will begin to grow and bud and blossom. That will be spring. Every year when I return to this underground world, the leaves will fall from the trees, the grass will become yellow, and flowers will wither and fade. That will be fall."Proserpina at once prepared for her journey back to the earth. When she had said good-bye to Pluto, Ceres's messenger led the way. They passed the growling three-headed dog. They passed the iron gates of Pluto's kingdom. Far ahead they saw a bright light. It was the sunshine of the earth. They hastened toward it. As they hurried along, Proserpina noticed that the dry fields began to change. Green grass sprang up in them, and flowers. A veil of green covered all the shrubs and trees, and fruit blossoms began to unfold. The farmers had been sad over the long winter. Now they worked merrily in the fields, glad at the coming of spring.

When the stranger saw the king and Proserpina, he drew himself up to his full height and made a deep bow.

"What is it?" asked Pluto.

The tall stranger stepped into the room. He was still breathing hard. "I am the bringer of sad news, King Pluto," he began. "I come from the earth to let you know what has happened."

"Well, what has happened?" impatiently asked the king.

"The earth has lost its color and its beauty," answered the stranger. "Nothing grows any more. Where once there were beautiful fields and orchards, now there is nothing but the uncovered ground and bare branches to be seen. And Ceres sends me to you with this message, O Pluto. Until you return her daughter, not a blade of grass, not a shoot of corn shall grow, not a flower shall bloom, not a tree shall put forth leaves, on the whole earth that was once so green and wonderful."

Pluto smiled at these words. "What care I," he said, "whether anything grows on the earth!" Then he saw that Proserpina was weeping. His voice grew softer. "What does Ceres want me to do?" he asked.

"She wants you to return that which you have taken away," was the solemn answer.

"That," said Pluto, "I will never do."

The messenger of Ceres turned to go, without another word. Proserpina stepped forward and stopped him.

"I have a plan," she said, "that will help us all." She turned to Pluto. "Let me spend half of every year with Mother Ceres," she said, "and I will gladly spend the other half with you."

Pluto looked at her and made no answer. He did not like being alone in his great palace six months of every year. But then he thought ofhow unhappy Proserpina would be if he never allowed her to see her mother again. He did not wish her to be unhappy. At last he said, "I will do it."

Proserpina clapped her hands. She laughed and danced about. "Six months here," she said, "and six months on earth. That will make six months of green and bloom on earth, and six months of bare branches and empty fields. Every year when I start back to the earth, things will begin to grow and bud and blossom. That will be spring. Every year when I return to this underground world, the leaves will fall from the trees, the grass will become yellow, and flowers will wither and fade. That will be fall."

Proserpina at once prepared for her journey back to the earth. When she had said good-bye to Pluto, Ceres's messenger led the way. They passed the growling three-headed dog. They passed the iron gates of Pluto's kingdom. Far ahead they saw a bright light. It was the sunshine of the earth. They hastened toward it. As they hurried along, Proserpina noticed that the dry fields began to change. Green grass sprang up in them, and flowers. A veil of green covered all the shrubs and trees, and fruit blossoms began to unfold. The farmers had been sad over the long winter. Now they worked merrily in the fields, glad at the coming of spring.

It was not long before Proserpina saw that she had reached the meadow in which she had gathered flowers. Yes, there was the brook she had crossed without really meaning to do it. There was the place where she had sat in the grass to weave wreaths. And there, at the edge of the meadow, stood her mother's house. Hurrying from it and toward Proserpina with outstretched arms was Mother Ceres herself.

Oral Exercise.1. Make believe that you are Proserpina in the story above. Think how you would feel if you were in an underground palace far from your mother. A classmate will play that he is King Pluto. Ask him to let you go back. Speak as Proserpina probably spoke. Pluto will answer you. He will try to explain to you that you ought to stay with him.

2. Make believe that you are the messenger from Ceres. Make the deep bow that he made when he saw the king. Tell the king what is happening on the earth. Give him the message from Ceres.

3. You and two classmates should now play the story. Would it be a good plan to have some one play the dog?

Group Exercise.1. Now three other pupils[67]should play the story, and then three others. Each group will try to show the class exactly how everything happenedin the story. Each player will try to look and act and speak exactly as he thinks the person in the story did.

2. The class will praise what is good in the playing and point out what might be done better.

Why couldn't the class plan a spring festival? It might be held on a Friday afternoon. Every pupil could invite his parents and friends. The festival would be one way of showing how glad you and your classmates are that spring has come.

Oral Exercise.1. Make a plan for a spring festival.[68]Then stand before the class and tell the other pupils what your plan is. The following questions may help you to make a plan that your classmates will enjoy carrying out:

1. Shall the festival be held in the schoolroom or outdoors?2. Shall you decorate the room with spring flowers?3. Shall the festival begin with a march by the pupils?4. Do you know a suitable story that could be played by a group of pupils?5. Could some suitable poems be recited?6. Would it be a good plan to have each pupil play that he is a spring flower or a bird and make a riddle about himself for the visitors to guess?7. How shall visitors be invited? Shall each pupil write a letter inviting somebody and mail it in the United States Post Office?

1. Shall the festival be held in the schoolroom or outdoors?

2. Shall you decorate the room with spring flowers?

3. Shall the festival begin with a march by the pupils?

4. Do you know a suitable story that could be played by a group of pupils?

5. Could some suitable poems be recited?

6. Would it be a good plan to have each pupil play that he is a spring flower or a bird and make a riddle about himself for the visitors to guess?

7. How shall visitors be invited? Shall each pupil write a letter inviting somebody and mail it in the United States Post Office?

2. It would be fun to have you and a classmate talk the spring festival over on the class telephone. Of course this is only a make-believe telephone, but two pupils can talk to each other over it just as well as if it were real. Tell your classmate at the other end of the telephone what you think of the spring-festival plan. Ask him questions about it. He will ask you questions.

3. Use the class telephone to invite persons to the spring festival. Different classmates of yours will play that they are Mr. Brown and Mrs. Brown and others whom you wish to invite. Tell them about the spring festival. Tell them why the class will have it, and what it is to be like. Then invite them to come.

Group Exercise.The class of course hears these telephone conversations. After each one the class should talk about it with the following questions[69]in mind:

1. Did the speakers telephone in clear, pleasant voices that could easily be heard?2. Were the speakers polite to each other?3. Did the speakers make any mistakes in English? Did they pronounce any words incorrectly?4. Did the speakers say bright things that every one likes to hear?5. Can you think of anything the speakers might have said to make the telephone talk more interesting?

1. Did the speakers telephone in clear, pleasant voices that could easily be heard?

2. Were the speakers polite to each other?

3. Did the speakers make any mistakes in English? Did they pronounce any words incorrectly?

4. Did the speakers say bright things that every one likes to hear?

5. Can you think of anything the speakers might have said to make the telephone talk more interesting?

A few days before the spring festival you will be inviting your parents and friends to come to it. You could write short letters asking them to come. You could take your letters to their houses or you could send the invitations by mail.[70]

Here is an invitation to the spring festival. It was written, as you see, by a boy named George Smith to his friend Mr. Brown.

Oral Exercise.What do you think of George Smith's invitation? What do you think Mr. Brown will say when he receives it? Does George Smith seem to be a very politeboy? How could the invitation be made more polite? What should the invitation tell about the spring festival?

Written Exercise.Write one of your invitations for the spring festival. Put in it all that you think such an invitation should say to the one who receives it. Before you begin it, notice how the following greetings are written. This may help you in writing yours.[71]

Group Exercise.A number of the invitations should now be copied neatly on the board. Then you and your classmates may point out what is good in each, and may try to make each one better.

If you send your invitations by mail, you will need to know how to write the addresses on the envelopes. Perhaps you can learn this most quickly by carefully copying addresses that are correctly written. Before copying them you should read them with care. Notice every capital letter and punctuation mark.

Oral Exercise.Read the name of the person to whom each of the following envelopes is addressed. Is it placed nearer the top or the bottom edge of the envelope? Is it nearer the right or the left edge of the envelope?Is it placed exactly in the middle of the envelope? Is the second line of the address exactly under the first line? Is the third line exactly under the second line?

Written Exercise.1. Draw lines to mark off an envelope on your paper. Then copy the first of the addresses above. Mark off another envelope, and copy the second address.[72]

2. Cut figures of paper the size and shape of an envelope, and on each write one of the following addresses:

1. The address of your father2. The address of your mother3. Your own address4. The address of a friend not in the class5. The address of a friend who is a classmate

1. The address of your father

2. The address of your mother

3. Your own address

4. The address of a friend not in the class

5. The address of a friend who is a classmate

Oral Exercise.1. When did you last go to the circus?[73]Of course you remember many interesting things about it. Think of these a minute; then tell your classmates about them. Perhaps the following questions will help you remember:

1. Did you see the circus come to town early in the morning?2. Did you see the men putting up the tents?3. Did you see the parade?4. Where did you buy your ticket?5. What did you see first when you entered the tent?6. What did you like best of all you saw and heard?

1. Did you see the circus come to town early in the morning?

2. Did you see the men putting up the tents?

3. Did you see the parade?

4. Where did you buy your ticket?

5. What did you see first when you entered the tent?

6. What did you like best of all you saw and heard?

2. If you were old enough to travel with a circus, and if your parents would allow you to go, what should you most like to be? Should you like to be an animal trainer? Should you like to be a horseback rider?Should you like to be a juggler, a tightrope walker, or a clown? Tell your classmates what you would be if you could join a circus. Besides, tell what that kind of performer needs to know and do. Tell how he does some of his tricks.

You and your classmates may now plan to make a book about the circus. Each pupil should write a page for it. One could tell about the parade, another about the tents and the seats and the rings, another about the horses, another about the jugglers, another about the trapeze performers, and so on. When all the pages are finished, they should be bound and a cover put on them. On the cover might be written or printed in large letters:[74]

Back to Index Next