I.
Preparation.
The story of a rich girl who had to serve her sisters; of her sisters’ unkindness; of kind friends who helped her, and of how she was happy at last.
Explainserveandservant. Talk of servants’ work.
Narration.
Once upon a time there was a girl whose father and mother were rich. They lived in a beautiful house and had everything that they could want. They loved each other very much and lived happily together.
But one day the mother became very sick and, as she grew worse and worse, she knew that she was going to die. She called her daughter to her and said: “My child, I am going to leave you. When I am gone, remember that I have tried to teach you to be good and kind and loving.”
The daughter promised that she would never forget what her dear mother had taught her. They kissed each other lovingly, and not long after the mother died.
After a while the father brought a new wife home. He thought that this lady would be a kind mother to his daughter.
But he was mistaken. The new wife was not at all kind. She was proud and bad-tempered. And she had two young lady daughters who were even worse than their mother.
One day, not long after the new mother and sisters had come to the little girl’s home, they were all sitting together in the parlor.
One of the sisters said: “Mother, must we have her sitting with us all the time? We don’t want her here. Send her into the kitchen and let her do the work.” And the mother said to the little girl, “Yes, go into the kitchen and work. We do not want you here. Go quickly.”
So the daughter of the house went into the kitchen and began to work. The sisters came out after a while and looked at her as she worked. One of them said, “That dress is altogether too pretty for you; give it to me.” The other sister said, “Take off those pretty shoes and give them to me.” She gave her pretty shoes and dress to her sisters, who threw a ragged old dress and wooden shoes to her saying, “Here, take these; they are good enough for you.”
Then they said to her, “Your bedroom is too nice for a girl who works in the kitchen. We want that room for ourselves; you may sleep here.” As she had nowhere else to sleep, the poor girl slept in the kitchen.
It was often cold there at night after the fire had gone out. So she would creep into the great fireplace and curl herself up into the warm ashes and sleep.
Her sisters found this out. But, instead of being sorry for her, they laughed at her and called her Cinderella, the ash-girl.
Suggestions.
Wooden shoes.Unkindness in the family.
Wooden shoes.
Unkindness in the family.
II.
Preparation.
Cinderella’s father goes to a fair and promises to bring each one a present. What will each ask for?
Explainfair.Pearl necklace.
Narration.
There was a large town near Cinderella’s home. Every year there was a fair in this town. The people who had things to sell brought them to the fair.
If you were to walk through the streets of this town you would see booths gaily trimmed with flags and flowers and the branches of trees.
There were many pretty things for sale in these booths. There were silks and satins. There were rings and bracelets and necklaces; and there were toys for boys and girls.
People walked about looking at the beautiful things in the booths. There was music and dancing, and everybody was gay and happy.
One morning Cinderella’s father said, “I am going to the fair. I will buy each of you girls a present, so tell me what you want.” The oldest one said, “O papa, bring me a pretty silk dress. I need a new party dress.” “Oh!” cried the second sister, “I must have a pearl necklace. Do bring me a beautiful pearl necklace.” “Very well,” said the father, “you shall have what you want.” Then he turned to Cinderella and asked, “And what shall I bring you, my daughter?” She replied, “I do not want anything from the fair, father. But please bring me the first branch that touches your hat as you ride home through the forest.”
The two sisters laughed and said: “What a goose you are, Cinderella. Why don’t you ask for something nice?” Her father said, “Yes, daughter, I will bring you anything you wish from the fair.” But Cinderella said, “I do not want anything, father, but the first branch that touches your hat as you ride home through the forest.” So the father mounted his horse and rode off to the fair.
By and by he came back; and sure enough he brought the silk dress and the pearl necklace to the sisters, and to Cinderella he gave the branch she had asked for.
She took the branch and planted it on her mother’s grave. Every day she watered it and at last the branch grew to be a fine tree. Its roots reached down into the ground. Its branches spread out on every side. The birds came and built their nests in it. How glad Cinderella was to see her tree growing so big and strong! When she felt sad and lonely, she went out to her dear tree and it comforted her. The birds, too, were her friends. She talked to them, and brought them crumbs to eat, and they sang their sweetest songs for her.
Suggestions.
Talk of planting trees.Needs of such plants.Treatment of birds.
Talk of planting trees.
Needs of such plants.
Treatment of birds.
III.
Preparation.
Cinderella’s sisters go to a ball. Explainking,queen,prince. Children give their idea of a ball. Will Cinderella go?
Narration.
The king of the country in which Cinderella lived had a son. When this son was twenty-one years old the king saidto the queen, “Let us give a grand ball for our son. We will invite all the beautiful young ladies of the land so that our son can choose a wife.”
The king and queen sent out invitations to the ball and Cinderella’s father and mother were invited to come and bring their daughters. The ball was to last three nights, and everyone expected to have a very fine time, indeed.
How glad Cinderella’s sisters were when the invitations came. They said, “We must get out our most beautiful dresses and our loveliest ornaments; and you, Cinderella, must help us.”
And so poor little Cinderella had to run to and fro helping her proud sisters to get ready for the ball.
At last the day of the ball came. Oh, how busy Cinderella was! She had to brush and comb her sisters’ hair. She had to sew bows on their slippers. She had to help them dress.
“O sisters,” she said at last, “I wish I could go to the ball, too. I would like to see the king and queen, and the handsome young prince.” But her sisters said, “Nonsense! Your dress is too ragged and your shoes are too clumsy. You cannot go.”
So Cinderella went to the mother and asked her if she might go to the ball. The mother took a peck of seeds and flung them out into the backyard where they fell among theashes. “Now, Cinderella,” she said, “if you pick up all of those seeds in an hour, you may go to the ball.” Cinderella stood in the yard and began to call, in her soft, sweet voice: “Come, little pigeons and turtle doves. If you don’t help me, what shall I do?”
Down flew the pigeons and the turtle doves and all the birds who knew and loved Cinderella. Down they came and set to work to help her. Pick! pick! pick! with their sharp little bills, and soon all the seeds were out of the ashes and back in the peck measure again.
Then Cinderella ran to her mother. “See, mother,” she said, “here are the seeds. Now may I go to the ball?” But the mother said, “No, you cannot go;” and turning her back on the poor girl she and her daughters went to the ball.
Suggestions.
Talk about pigeons and doves.Promise-breaking.Recall instances of, in previous stories.
Talk about pigeons and doves.
Promise-breaking.Recall instances of, in previous stories.
IV.
Preparation.
Talk of Cinderella’s wish to go to the ball. Difficulties in the way. Children imagine how she might be able to go.
Narration.
After her mother and sisters had gone to the ball, Cinderella felt very lonely and sad. She sat in the kitchen for a while. Then she said to herself, “I will go out to my dear tree; perhaps it will help me.”
How pretty and strong the tree looked in the moonlight. Cinderella thought, “Surely, my dear tree will help me.” Then she said aloud, “Rustle and shake yourself, dear tree. Throw gold and silver down on me.” And what do you think happened? Why, the tree shook its branches and down dropped such lovely things,—a beautiful, snow-white dress, all trimmed with gold and silver; and the prettiest little slippers in the world.
Oh, how glad Cinderella was! You may be sure she dressed herself quickly and went to the ball. And when she got there she was the prettiest and sweetest looking girl in all that great company. The prince danced with her. The king and queen spoke kindly to her. They also said to one another, “She is a lovely maiden, so sweet and gentle.”
Her mother and sisters did not know her at all. They never thought that the happy looking girl in the beautiful ball dress was their Cinderella.
When it grew late, Cinderella stole quietly out of the ball-room and ran home. She took off her pretty things and took them back to the tree. Then she lay down in her bed in the ashes and was soon fast asleep.
When her sisters and their mother came home they woke her. “O Cinderella!” they said, “we had a delightful time. And there was the most beautiful girl there! She wore a dress all trimmed with gold and silver. And the prince danced with her. We wondered who she could be.” Cinderella laughed softly to herself, but she said never a word.
The second night of the ball came. Cinderella’s sisters had kept her running back and forth waiting upon them; but at last they were dressed.
As soon as they and their mother had gone, Cinderella ran out to her kind friend, the tree. Again she called out, “Rustle and shake yourself, dear tree. Throw gold and silver down on me.” And down fell a lovely ball dress, prettier even than the one she wore the night before. When Cinderella reached the ball-room, the prince was waiting for her. The king and queen welcomed her; and everyone seemed glad to see this sweet-faced, happy maiden.
How happy Cinderella was! She forgot all about her ragged dress, her clumsy wooden shoes, and her bed in the ashes. She was the happiest of all in that great ball-room.
When it grew late, she again stole quietly away and ranhome. She took off her pretty things and laid them down under the tree, and they were quickly gone. She was asleep when the sisters came home; but they woke her to help them undress and to listen to all their talk about the ball.
The last night of the ball came. How anxious the sisters were to look as fine as possible! How hard they made Cinderella work getting them ready! How cross they were because their dresses were not handsome enough, and how gentle and kind dear Cinderella was to them!
At last they were gone, and Cinderella hurried out to her tree. Again she called out in her sweet voice, “Rustle and shake yourself, dear tree. Throw gold and silver down on me.” I wish you could have seen the lovely things that the tree threw down. Such a beautiful dress! Such dear little slippers! And I wish you could have seen Cinderella when she was dressed in all those pretty things.
The prince was waiting for her. He took her by the hand and lead her to his father and mother. “See, dear father and mother,” he said, “this is the sweetest maiden in all the world. This is the one I choose to be my wife.”
And so Cinderella and the prince were married. Cinderella lived in the palace the rest of her life, and never, never again slept in the ashes.
Suggestions.
Gold and silver. Appearance. Uses of. Source. Recall mention in other stories.Patience and sweetness under trial.
Gold and silver. Appearance. Uses of. Source. Recall mention in other stories.
Patience and sweetness under trial.
I.
Preparation.
I am now going to tell you of a wonderful traveler that had the power of giving to each one whatever he wished. I will tell you how night overtook him on a journey and how he was refused a place to sleep by a proud man who lived in a mansion, but was made welcome and given a bed and food by a kind, generous man who lived in a little hut near the mansion. You will hear of three wishes granted and what each one wished for.
Do you remember anyone overtaken by darkness while on a journey in our stories? Yes. Star Dollar Girl. The Girl in “Mother Frost.” The Cock and the Hen. The Street Musicians. Tell how each one passed the night. Where have you seen a traveler? Our story happened long ago, before there were railroads and before there were many inns. Explainopposite.
Narration.
A long time ago there was a wonderful traveler passing through a country. He was tired, footsore, and hungry. Ithappened that night overtook him when he was a long way from an inn. He did not know what he should do.
Finally, as he trudged along, he came to two houses standing opposite each other. One was large and beautiful, the other was small and ugly. The large house belonged to a proud, selfish man; the other to a modest, generous man.
The traveler thought, “Now, I would not be a burden to the man who lives in the large house because he has so much room. I will knock at his door.” As he knocked the owner raised a window, looked out, and asked of the stranger what he wanted. The poor traveler answered, “I ask only a place to sleep over night.” The proud man looked the stranger over from head to foot. And because his clothes were poor and soiled with dust, and because he did not look like one who had money to pay for his lodging, the owner shook his head and said, “I cannot take you in, for my house is full. If I received into my house everyone that came along, I should soon have to go begging myself. Seek elsewhere for your night’s lodging.” At that he closed the window with a bang, and left the poor traveler standing without in the darkness.
The weary traveler then went to the cottage and knocked gently at the door. Scarcely had he knocked when the generous man unlocked his door and cheerfully called out, “Come in, stranger, and pass the night with me. It is now quite dark. You can go on your journey in the morning.”
This welcome pleased the traveler and he went in. The good man’s wife took him by the hand. “We have not much,” she said, “but what we have you are welcome to.” She then put some potatoes on the fire to bake. While they were cooking she milked the goats so that there might be a little milk for the evening meal.
Suggestions.
1. Tell of the two houses that the wonderful traveler came to on his journey. To whom did the houses belong? Why did the traveler knock at the door of the mansion? Who answered the knock? What was said? Why did the proud man refuse the traveler a night’s lodging? Tell the words he used. Where, then, did the traveler turn? How was he received at the cottage? Tell what was said. What did the wife say and do?Reproduction.2. What animal furnishes us milk?Where are cows kept? Who brings us milk?3. Do you like it that the traveler was refused a night’s lodging at the mansion? What should the owner have said to him? Was the proud man kind? Was he friendly? Do we always welcome strangers? Would we take strangers into our homes?4. What can you say of the poor man and his wife? What shall we say of them? Were they generous, kind, hospitable? (They gave the stranger welcome and the best they had.)5. Why did the proud man look at the traveler’s clothes? Who else refused to keep lodgers over night because he thought at first they could not pay? (Landlord in “The Cock and The Hen.”)
1. Tell of the two houses that the wonderful traveler came to on his journey. To whom did the houses belong? Why did the traveler knock at the door of the mansion? Who answered the knock? What was said? Why did the proud man refuse the traveler a night’s lodging? Tell the words he used. Where, then, did the traveler turn? How was he received at the cottage? Tell what was said. What did the wife say and do?
Reproduction.
2. What animal furnishes us milk?
Where are cows kept? Who brings us milk?
3. Do you like it that the traveler was refused a night’s lodging at the mansion? What should the owner have said to him? Was the proud man kind? Was he friendly? Do we always welcome strangers? Would we take strangers into our homes?
4. What can you say of the poor man and his wife? What shall we say of them? Were they generous, kind, hospitable? (They gave the stranger welcome and the best they had.)
5. Why did the proud man look at the traveler’s clothes? Who else refused to keep lodgers over night because he thought at first they could not pay? (Landlord in “The Cock and The Hen.”)
II.
Preparation.
We shall now learn how the stranger passed the nightand of three wishes he granted to the good old man and his wife. What do you suppose the good people asked for?
Narration.
When the table was spread, they all sat down and ate. The plain food tasted good to them because they were all happy. After they had eaten, and bedtime had come, the good woman said to her husband, “Let us make for ourselves a bed of straw on the floor and give our bed to the traveler so that he may rest well. He has been traveling the whole day and must be very weary.” “With all my heart,” said her husband; “I will offer our bed to him.” Then he went to the stranger and said to him, “We want you to sleep in our bed to-night. You are tired and you can rest better there.”
At first the stranger would not take the bed from the old people. But they would not take no for an answer, so finally he consented and lay down for the night in the comfortable bed. The two old people made a bed of straw on the floor. Early the next morning they were up. They cooked their guest a breakfast of the best they had.
As the sun shone through the window the traveler arose, ate his simple meal with the good man and his wife, and was about to depart. As he stood in the door, ready to go, he turned to them and said. “Because you are so good and hospitable,you may make three wishes and I will fulfill them.”
The old people were surprised and at first did not know what to say. Then they wished as the first wish that they might always be contented. For the second, that they might always have health and their daily bread. For their third wish they did not know what to wish. But the wonderful traveler looked at their poor little house and said, “Would you not like to have a new house as your last wish?” “Oh, yes!” they cried. “A new house would please us best of anything.” The wonderful traveler then gave them their wish and changed their old house into a new, large and beautiful one. When he had done this, he bade them good-bye and departed.
Suggestions.
1. Why did the food taste good? What offer did the good man and wife make the traveler? Where did they sleep? What did the wonderful traveler offer to the good people? What was their first wish? Their second? Their third? Reproduction.2. Tell in what ways the good man and wife were kind, generous, and hospitable. What pleases you in the treatment of the traveler? Do you like the three wishes? What might they have wished for? What is it to be contented? Do you know any who are never contented? Who was not contented in “Mother Frost”? In “The Wolf and the Fox”? In “Cinderella”?
1. Why did the food taste good? What offer did the good man and wife make the traveler? Where did they sleep? What did the wonderful traveler offer to the good people? What was their first wish? Their second? Their third? Reproduction.
2. Tell in what ways the good man and wife were kind, generous, and hospitable. What pleases you in the treatment of the traveler? Do you like the three wishes? What might they have wished for? What is it to be contented? Do you know any who are never contented? Who was not contented in “Mother Frost”? In “The Wolf and the Fox”? In “Cinderella”?
III.
Preparation.
Let us hear now how surprised the man who lived in the mansion was the next morning when he saw the fine newhouse across the way, and how he found out about the three wishes. Also how he overtook the wonderful traveler and obtained the promise of three wishes for himself.
Narration.
When the proud man arose and looked out of his window, imagine his surprise to see a beautiful new house, with red-tiled roof and bright windows, where the ugly little hut had stood the night before. He called his wife and said, “Just see there! How could it have happened? Yesterday evening the ugly little hut stood there. Now there is a beautiful new house. Run over there quickly and learn how it happened.”
The wife ran over to the new house and inquired of the good people how it came there. The generous man told her of the wonderful traveler who had sought a night’s lodging and who, at his departure the next morning, had granted them three wishes—contentedness, health and daily bread, and a fine new, red-tiled house.
When the proud man’s wife heard this, she hastened back and told her husband all that had happened. The man said. “What a fool I am! Had I only known! That man knocked at our door last night, but I sent him away.” “Then,” said his wife, “hurry, get on your horse! You can overtake him and maybe he will grant you three wishes.”
So the proud man jumped on his horse and rode after the traveler. He soon overtook him and said, “I hope you will forgive me for not letting you in last night. I went to find the door key and when I returned with it you had gone. When you come this way again, you must stop with me.” “Yes,” said the traveler, “when I come this way again I will stop at your house.”
Then the proud man asked, “May I not also have three wishes fulfilled like my neighbor?” “Yes,” said the traveler, “you may; but it would be better for you not to wish for anything.” The proud man replied, “I would certainly seek out something that would make me happy if I only knew that it would be given me.” “Very well,” said the traveler, “go home and your three wishes shall be fulfilled.”
Suggestions.
1. What did the inhospitable man see over the way the next morning? Describe the house. What did he do? Tell what he said to his wife. What did she do? Tell what the good people told her. Tell what the proud man said when his wife told him how it happened. What did his wife tell him to do? Tell what the proud man said when he had overtaken the traveler. What did he ask for? Was his request granted? Repeat what was said.2. What are tiles? Where are they placed on a house? What are they for? Tell the names of the different parts of a house. (Foundation,cellar or basement,first story, etc.) Name as many different kinds of buildings as you can. (Schoolhouses,churches,store buildings, etc.) Tell of large buildings you have seen and what they were used for.3. Did the good man and woman tell the truth about how they came to have a new house? Did the proud man tell the truth about going forthe key? Why did he try to deceive the wonderful traveler? Was he truly sorry that he had been selfish? Whose conduct pleases you? Was the traveler grateful to the poor people? Why do you think he granted the same favor to the unkind man? What did he say when he told the man he might have three wishes granted?4. Who deceived in “The Seven Little Goats”? In “Red Riding Hood”? In “Death of the Cock”? In “Mother Frost”? How were they all punished?Reproduction.
1. What did the inhospitable man see over the way the next morning? Describe the house. What did he do? Tell what he said to his wife. What did she do? Tell what the good people told her. Tell what the proud man said when his wife told him how it happened. What did his wife tell him to do? Tell what the proud man said when he had overtaken the traveler. What did he ask for? Was his request granted? Repeat what was said.
2. What are tiles? Where are they placed on a house? What are they for? Tell the names of the different parts of a house. (Foundation,cellar or basement,first story, etc.) Name as many different kinds of buildings as you can. (Schoolhouses,churches,store buildings, etc.) Tell of large buildings you have seen and what they were used for.
3. Did the good man and woman tell the truth about how they came to have a new house? Did the proud man tell the truth about going forthe key? Why did he try to deceive the wonderful traveler? Was he truly sorry that he had been selfish? Whose conduct pleases you? Was the traveler grateful to the poor people? Why do you think he granted the same favor to the unkind man? What did he say when he told the man he might have three wishes granted?
4. Who deceived in “The Seven Little Goats”? In “Red Riding Hood”? In “Death of the Cock”? In “Mother Frost”? How were they all punished?
Reproduction.
IV.
Preparation.
We will next learn how the proud man had his wishes granted. What do you suppose he will wish for? Let us see.
Narration.
Now that the proud man had obtained what he wanted, he started home very happy and began to think what he would wish for. As he rode along he let the bridle reins hang loose on the horse’s neck. All at once his horse began to jump and rear upon his hind feet. His master patted him on the neck and said, “Be still, there.” But the horse jumped and reared all the more. At last the master became very angry and said, “I wish you would break your neck.” No sooner had he spoken the words than his horse fell backward, broke his neck, and died. Thus was the first wish of the proud man fulfilled.
But the proud man was very careful not to lose anything,so he took the saddle from the dead horse, threw it on his back, and started home on foot.
“Now,” he thought, “I have two wishes left.” In this way he comforted himself. His road lay through deep sand. It was noon. The sun shone hot and the saddle made his back sore. This made him sigh. He was so warm and uncomfortable. He had not yet made up his mind what to wish. He turned many things over in his mind. “I will manage it,” he thought, “so that there will be nothing more in all the world to wish.”
Many times he thought, “Now I have found it.” But presently it would seem that his wish was too small. Then he began to think of his wife sitting at home in the cool house enjoying herself. This made him out of humor and, without thinking, he said, “I wish that she sat there at home on my saddle, and could not get free from it, instead of its being here on my back!” No sooner said than he felt the saddle disappear and knew that his second wish had been granted.
Then he began to be afraid and he ran toward home as fast as he could. He wanted to get home and sit down in a quiet room and think what he would ask for in his third wish. He wanted to wish something as large as he could. But, as he came to his house and opened the door, there sat his wife on the saddle. She was very red in the face, and very angry, and she shrieked at the top of her voice.
“Be contented,” said her husband. “I am going to wish you all the riches in the world. Just be quiet.” But she answered, “What good would all the riches in the world do me if I have to sit on this saddle always? You have wished me on it and now you must wish me off.” The proud man must now, whether willing or not, use his third wish to get his wife free from the saddle. So he said, “I wish you may get off the saddle.”
When his wife stood again upon her feet she began to scold her foolish husband. “You are very silly and stupid,” she exclaimed; “I could have managed it much better.” Thus the proud man had nothing for his pains but anger, scolding, and a dead horse. His neighbors, however, lived contented and quiet, but happy, till the end of their days.
Suggestions.
1. Tell how the proud man started home. What did the horse do? Tell about the man’s first wish. Tell about the saddle. What put him out of humor? How did he think he would manage his remaining wishes? Tell about his second wish. Why did he hasten home? What did he find there? Tell about his third wish. What did his wife say to him when she regained her liberty? What had he for his pains? How did his neighbors live?Reproduction.2. Where have you seen a horse with saddle and bridle on? What is the saddle used for? The reins? How is the saddle fastened on? Do you know the names of some parts of the horse’s harness? I will tell you some. Here is a picture of a horse with harness on. [Show picture.] Tell how horses are used. Which is more useful, a horse or a donkey? In what story did we learn of a donkey? Which do we like better? Do men ride donkeys, too? Tell how we should care for our horses.3. Was the traveler right when he told the proud man it would be better if he did not wish at all? Why did he fare so badly in his wishes? Why didn’t he wish better things?Was he as wise as his neighbor?Was he as happy?
1. Tell how the proud man started home. What did the horse do? Tell about the man’s first wish. Tell about the saddle. What put him out of humor? How did he think he would manage his remaining wishes? Tell about his second wish. Why did he hasten home? What did he find there? Tell about his third wish. What did his wife say to him when she regained her liberty? What had he for his pains? How did his neighbors live?
Reproduction.
2. Where have you seen a horse with saddle and bridle on? What is the saddle used for? The reins? How is the saddle fastened on? Do you know the names of some parts of the horse’s harness? I will tell you some. Here is a picture of a horse with harness on. [Show picture.] Tell how horses are used. Which is more useful, a horse or a donkey? In what story did we learn of a donkey? Which do we like better? Do men ride donkeys, too? Tell how we should care for our horses.
3. Was the traveler right when he told the proud man it would be better if he did not wish at all? Why did he fare so badly in his wishes? Why didn’t he wish better things?
Was he as wise as his neighbor?
Was he as happy?