TARPEIA
TherewasonceagirlnamedTarpeia，whosefatherwasguardoftheoutergateofthecitadelofRome。Itwasatimeofwar，——theSabineswerebesiegingthecity。Theircampwascloseoutsidethecitywall。
TarpeiausedtoseetheSabinesoldierswhenshewenttodrawwaterfromthepublicwell，forthatwasoutsidethegate。Andsometimesshestayedaboutandletthestrangementalkwithher，becauseshelikedtolookattheirbrightsilverornaments。TheSabinesoldiersworeheavysilverringsandbraceletsontheirleftarms，——someworeasmanyasfourorfive。
Thesoldiersknewshewasthedaughterofthekeeperofthecitadel，andtheysawthatshehadgreedyeyesfortheirornaments。Sodaybydaytheytalkedwithher，andshowedhertheirsilverrings，andtemptedher。AndatlastTarpeiamadeabargain，tobetrayhercitytothem。
Shesaidshewouldunlockthegreatgateandletthemin，IFTHEYWOULDGIVEHERWHATTHEYWORE
ONTHEIRLEFTARMS。
Thenightcame。Whenitwasperfectlydarkandstill，Tarpeiastolefromherbed，tookthegreatkeyfromitsplace，andsilentlyunlockedthegatewhichprotectedthecity。Outside，inthedark，stoodthesoldiersoftheenemy，waiting。
Assheopenedthegate，thelongshadowyfilespressedforwardsilently，andtheSabinesenteredthecitadel。
Asthefirstmancameinside，Tarpeiastretchedforthherhandforherprice。Thesoldierliftedhighhisleftarm。\"Takethyreward！\"hesaid，andashespokehehurleduponherthatwhichheworeuponit。Downuponherheadcrashed——notthesilverringsofthesoldier，butthegreatbrassshieldhecarriedinbattle！
Shesankbeneathit，totheground。
\"Takethyreward，\"saidthenext;andhisshieldrangagainstthefirst。
\"Thyreward，\"saidthenext——andthenext——
andthenext——andthenext;everymanworehisshieldonhisleftarm。
SoTarpeialayburiedbeneaththerewardshehadclaimed，andtheSabinesmarchedpastherdeadbody，intothecityshehadbetrayed。
THEBUCKWHEAT[1]
[1]AdaptedfromHansChristianAndersen。
Downbytheriverwerefieldsofbarleyandryeandgoldenoats。Wheatgrewthere，too，andtheheaviestandrichestearsbentlowest，inhumility。Oppositethecornwasafieldofbuckwheat，butthebuckwheatneverbent;ithelditsheadproudandstiffonthestem。
Thewiseoldwillow—treebytheriverlookeddownonthefields，andthoughthisthoughts。
Onedayadreadfulstormcame。Thefield—
flowersfoldedtheirleavestogether，andbowedtheirheads。Butthebuckwheatstoodstraightandproud。
\"Bendyourhead，aswedo，\"calledthefield—
flowers。
\"Ihavenoneedto，\"saidthebuckwheat。
\"Bendyourhead，aswedo！\"warnedthegoldenwheat—ears;\"theangelofthestormiscoming;hewillstrikeyoudown。\"
\"Iwillnotbendmyhead，\"saidthebuckwheat。
Thentheoldwillow—treespoke：\"Closeyourflowersandbendyourleaves。Donotlookatthelightningwhenthecloudbursts。Evenmencannotdothat;thesightofheavenwouldstrikethemblind。Muchlesscanwewhoaresoinferiortothem！\"
\"`Inferior，’indeed！\"saidthebuckwheat。
\"NowIWILLlook！\"Andhelookedstraightup，whilethelightningflashedacrossthesky。
Whenthedreadfulstormhadpassed，theflowersandthewheatraisedtheirdroopingheads，cleanandrefreshedinthepure，sweetair。Thewillow—treeshookthegentledropsfromitsleaves。
Butthebuckwheatlaylikeaweedinthefield，scorchedblackbythelightning。
THEJUDGMENTOFMIDAS[1]
[1]AdaptedfromOldGreekFolk—Stories，byJosephinePrestonPeabody。（Harrap&Co。9d。）
TheGreekGodPan，thegodoftheopenair，wasagreatmusician。Heplayedonapipeofreeds。Andthesoundofhisreed—pipewassosweetthathegrewproud，andbelievedhimselfgreaterthanthechiefmusicianofthegods，Apollo，theson—god。SohechallengedgreatApollotomakebettermusicthanhe。
Apolloconsentedtothetest，forhewishedtopunishPan’svanity，andtheychosethemountainTmolusforjudge，sincenooneissooldandwiseasthehills。
WhenPanandApollocamebeforeTmolus，toplay，theirfollowerscamewiththem，tohear，andoneofthosewhocamewithPanwasamortalnamedMidas。
FirstPanplayed;heblewonhisreed—pipe，andoutcameatunesowildandyetsocoaxingthatthebirdshoppedfromthetreestogetnear;
thesquirrelscamerunningfromtheirholes;
andtheverytreesswayedasiftheywantedtodance。Thefaunslaughedaloudforjoyasthemelodytickledtheirfurrylittleears。AndMidasthoughtitthesweetestmusicintheworld。
ThenApollorose。Hishairshookdropsoflightfromitscurls;hisrobeswereliketheedgeofthesunsetcloud;inhishandsheheldagoldenlyre。Andwhenhetouchedthestringsofthelyre，suchmusicstoleupontheairasnevergodnormortalheardbefore。Thewildcreaturesofthewoodcrouchedstillasstone;thetreeskepteveryleaffromrustling;
earthandairweresilentasadream。Tohearsuchmusicceasewaslikebiddingfarewelltofatherandmother。
Whenthecharmwasbroken，thehearersfellatApollo’sfeetandproclaimedthevictoryhis。AllbutMidas。HealonewouldnotadmitthatthemusicwasbetterthanPan’s。
\"Ifthineearsaresodull，mortal，\"saidApollo，\"theyshalltaketheshapethatsuitsthem。\"AndhetouchedtheearsofMidas。
Andstraightwaythedullearsgrewlong，pointed，andfurry，andtheyturnedthiswayandthat。Theyweretheearsofanass！
ForalongtimeMidasmanagedtohidethetell—taleearsfromeveryone;butatlastaservantdiscoveredthesecret。Heknewhemustnottell，yethecouldnotbearnotto;
soonedayhewentintothemeadow，scoopedalittlehollowintheturf，andwhisperedthesecretintotheearth。Thenhecovereditupagain，andwentaway。But，alas，abedofreedssprangupfromthespot，andwhisperedthesecrettothegrass。Thegrasstoldittothetree—tops，thetree—topstothelittlebirds，andtheycrieditallabroad。
Andtothisday，whenthewindsetsthereedsnoddingtogether，theywhisper，laughing，\"Midashastheearsofanass！Oh，hush，hush！\"
WHYTHESEAISSALT[1]
[1]Therearemanyversionsofthistale，indifferentcollections。Thisoneisthestorywhichgrewupinmymind，aboutthebareoutlinerelatedtomebyoneofMrsRutan’shearers。Whattheoriginaltellersaid，Ineverknew，butwhatthelistenerfeltwasclear。AndinthisformIhavetolditagreatmanytimes。
Oncethereweretwobrothers。Onewasrich，andonewaspoor;therichonewasrathermean。WhenthePoorBrotherusedtocometoaskforthingsitannoyedhim，andfinallyonedayhesaid，\"There，I’llgiveittoyouthistime，butthenexttimeyouwantanything，youcangoBelowforit！\"
PresentlythePoorBrotherdidwantsomething，andheknewitwasn’tanyusetogotohisbrother;hemustgoBelowforit。Sohewent，andhewent，andhewent，tillhecameBelow。
Itwasthequeerestplace！Therewereredandyellowfiresburningallaround，andkettlesofboilingoilhangingoverthem，andaqueersortofmenstandinground，pokingthefires。
TherewasaChiefMan;hehadalongcurlytailthatcurledupbehind，andtwouglylittlehornsjustoverhisears;andonefootwasveryqueerindeed。Andassoonasanyonecameinthedoor，thesemenwouldcatchhimupandputhimoveroneofthefires，andturnhimonaspit。AndthentheChiefMan，whowastheworstofall，wouldcomeandsay，\"Eh，howdoyoufeelnow？Howdoyoufeelnow？\"Andofcoursethepoorpeoplescreamedandscreechedandsaid，\"Letusout！
Letusout！\"ThatwasjustwhattheChiefManwanted。
WhenthePoorBrothercamein，theypickedhimupatonce，andputhimoveroneofthehottestfires，andbegantoturnhimroundandroundliketherest;andofcoursetheChiefMancameuptohimandsaid，\"Eh，howdoyoufeelnow？Howdoyoufeelnow？\"ButthePoorBrotherdidnotsay，\"Letmeout！
Letmeout！\"Hesaid，\"Prettywell，thankyou。\"
TheChiefMangruntedandsaidtotheothermen，\"Makethefirehotter。\"ButthenexttimeheaskedthePoorBrotherhowhefelt，thePoorBrothersmiledandsaid。\"Muchbetternow，thankyou。\"TheChiefMandidnotlikethisatall，because，ofcourse，thewholeobjectinlifeofthepeopleBelowwastomaketheirvictimsuncomfortable。Sohepiledonmorefuelandmadethefirehotterstill。ButeverytimeheaskedthePoorBrotherhowhefelt，thePoorBrotherwouldsay，\"Verymuchbetter\";andatlasthesaid，\"Perfectlycomfortable，thankyou;couldn’tbebetter。\"
YouseewhenthePoorBrotherwasonearthhehadneveroncehadmoneyenoughtobuycoalenoughtokeephimwarm;sohelikedtheheat。
AtlasttheChiefMancouldstanditnolonger。
\"Oh，lookhere，\"hesaid，\"youcangohome。\"
\"Ohno，thankyou，\"saidthePoorBrother，\"Ilikeithere。\"
\"YouMUSTgohome，\"saidtheChiefMan\"ButIwon’tgohome，\"saidthePoorBrother。
TheChiefManwentawayandtalkedwiththeothermen;butnomatterwhattheydidtheycouldnotmakethePoorBrotheruncomfortable;
soatlasttheChiefMancamebackandsaid，——
\"What’llyoutaketogohome？\"
\"Whathaveyougot？\"saidthePoorBrother。
\"Well，\"saidtheChiefMan，\"ifyou’llgohomequietlyI’llgiveyoutheLittleMillthatstandsbehindmydoor。\"
\"What’sthegoodofit？\"saidthePoorBrother。
\"Itisthemostwonderfulmillintheworld，\"
saidtheChiefMan。\"Anythingatallthatyouwant，youhaveonlytonameit，andsay，`Grindthis，LittleMill，andgrindquickly，’andtheMillwillgrindthatthinguntilyousaythemagicword，tostopit。\"
\"Thatsoundsnice，\"saidthePoorBrother。
\"I’lltakeit。\"AndhetooktheLittleMillunderhisarm，andwentup，andup，andup，tillhecametohisownhouse。
Whenhewasinfrontofhislittleoldhut，heputtheLittleMilldownonthegroundandsaidtoit，\"Grindafinehouse，LittleMill，andgrindquickly。\"AndtheLittleMillground，andground，andgroundthefinesthousethateverwasseen。Ithadfinebigchimneys，andgablewindows，andbroadpiazzas;andjustastheLittleMillgroundthelaststepofthelastflightofsteps，thePoorBrothersaidthemagicword，anditstopped。
Thenhetookitroundtowherethebarnwas，andsaid，\"Grindcattle，LittleMill，andgrindquickly。\"AndtheLittleMillground，andground，andground，andoutcamegreatfatcows，andlittlewoollylambs，andfinelittlepigs;andjustastheLittleMillgroundthelastcurlonthetailofthelastlittlepig，thePoorBrothersaidthemagicword，anditstopped。
Hedidthesamethingwithcropsforhiscattle，prettyclothesforhisdaughters，andeverythingelsetheywanted。Atlasthehadeverythinghewanted，andsohestoodtheLittleMillbehindhisdoor。
AllthistimetheRichBrotherhadbeengettingmoreandmorejealous，andatlasthecametoaskthePoorBrotherhowhehadgrownsorich。ThePoorBrothertoldhimallaboutit。Hesaid，\"ItallcomesfromthatLittleMillbehindmydoor。AllIhavetodowhenIwantanythingistonameittotheLittleMill，andsay，`Grindthat，LittleMill，andgrindquickly，’andtheLittleMillwillgrindthatthinguntil————\"
ButtheRichBrotherdidn’twaittohearanymore。\"WillyoulendmetheLittleMill？\"hesaid。
\"Why，yes，\"saidthePoorBrother，\"Iwill。\"
SotheRichBrothertooktheLittleMillunderhisarmandstartedacrossthefieldstohishouse。Whenhegotnearhomehesawthefarm—handscominginfromthefieldsfortheirluncheon。Now，youremember，hewasrathermean。Hethoughttohimself，\"Itisawasteofgoodtimeforthemtocomeintothehouse;
theyshallhavetheirporridgewheretheyare。\"
Hecalledallthementohim，andmadethembringtheirporridge—bowls。ThenhesettheLittleMilldownontheground，andsaidtoit，\"Grindoatmealporridge，LittleMill，andgrindquickly！\"TheLittleMillground，andground，andground，andoutcamedeliciousoatmealporridge。Eachmanheldhisbowlunderthespout。Whenthelastbowlwasfilled，theporridgeranoverontheground。
\"That’senough，LittleMill，\"saidtheRichBrother。\"Youmaystop，andstopquickly。\"
Butthiswasnotthemagicword，andtheLittleMilldidnotstop。Itground，andground，andground，andtheporridgeranallroundandmadealittlepool。TheRichBrothersaid，\"No，no，LittleMill，Isaid，`Stopgrinding，andstopquickly。’\"ButtheLittleMillground，andground，fasterthanever;andpresentlytherewasaregularpondofporridge，almostuptotheirknees。TheRichBrothersaid，\"Stopgrinding，\"ineverykindofway;hecalledtheLittleMillnames;butnothingdidanygood。
TheLittleMillgroundporridgejustthesame。
Atlastthemensaid，\"GoandgetyourbrothertostoptheLittleMill，orweshallbedrownedinporridge。\"
SotheRichBrotherstartedforhisbrother’shouse。Hehadtoswimbeforehegotthere，andtheporridgewentuphissleeves，anddownhisneck，anditwashorridandsticky。Hisbrotherlaughedwhenheheardthestory，buthecamewithhim，andtheytookaboatandrowedacrossthelakeofporridgetowheretheLittleMillwasgrinding。AndthenthePoorBrotherwhisperedthemagicword，andtheLittleMillstopped。
Buttheporridgewasalongtimesoakingintotheground，andnothingwouldevergrowthereafterwardsexceptoatmeal。
TheRichBrotherdidn’tseemtocaremuchabouttheLittleMillafterthis，sothePoorBrothertookithomeagainandputitbehindthedoor;andthereitstayedalong，longwhile。
YearsafterwardsaSeaCaptaincamethereonavisit。HetoldsuchbigstoriesthatthePoorBrothersaid，\"Oh，Idaresayyouhaveseenwonderfulthings，butIdon’tbelieveyoueversawanythingmorewonderfulthantheLittleMillthatstandsbehindmydoor。\"
\"Whatiswonderfulaboutthat？\"saidtheSeaCaptain。
\"Why，\"saidthePoorBrother，\"anythingintheworldyouwant，——youhaveonlytonameittotheLittleMillandsay，`Grindthat，LittleMill，andgrindquickly，’anditwillgrindthatthinguntil————\"
TheSeaCaptaindidn’twaittohearanotherword。\"WillyoulendmethatLittleMill？\"
hesaideagerly。
ThePoorBrothersmiledalittle，buthesaid，\"Yes，\"andtheSeaCaptaintooktheLittleMillunderhisarm，andwentonboardhisshipandsailedaway。
Theyhadhead—windsandstorms，andtheyweresolongatseathatsomeofthefoodgaveout。Worstofall，thesaltgaveout。Itwasdreadful，beingwithoutsalt。ButtheCaptainhappenedtoremembertheLittleMill。
\"Bringupthesaltbox！\"hesaidtothecook。
\"Wewillhavesaltenough。\"
HesettheLittleMillondeck，putthesaltboxunderthespout，andsaid，——
\"Grindsalt，LittleMill，andgrindquickly！\"
AndtheLittleMillgroundbeautiful，white，powderysalt。Whentheyhadenough，theCaptainsaid，\"Nowyoumaystop，LittleMill，andstopquickly。\"TheLittleMillkeptongrinding;andthesaltbegantopileupinlittleheapsonthedeck。\"Isaid，`Stop，’\"saidtheCaptain。ButtheLittleMillground，andground，fasterthanever，andthesaltwassoonthickonthedecklikesnow。TheCaptaincalledtheLittleMillnamesandtoldittostop，ineverylanguageheknew，buttheLittleMillwentongrinding。Thesaltcoveredallthedecksandpoureddownintothehold，andatlasttheshipbegantosettleinthewater;saltisveryheavy。
Butjustbeforetheshipsanktothewater—line，theCaptainhadabrightthought：hethrewtheLittleMilloverboard！
Itfellrightdowntothebottomofthesea。
ANDITHASBEANGRINDINGSALTEVERSINCE。
BILLYBEGANDHISBULL[1]
[1]AdaptedfromInChimneyCorners，bySeumasMcManus。
IhaveventuredtogivethisinthesomewhatHibernianphraseologysuggestedbytheoriginal，becauseIhavefoundthatthehumourofthemannerofitappealsquiteasreadilytotheboysandgirlsofmyacquaintanceastomaturerfriends，andtheydistinguishasquicklybetweenthesavourofitandanyunintentionalcrudenessofdiction。
Onceuponatime，therewasakingandaqueen，andtheyhadoneson，whosenamewasBilly。AndBillyhadabullhewasveryfondof，andthebullwasjustasfondofhim。Andwhenthequeencametodie，sheputitasherlastrequesttotheking，thatcomewhatmight，comewhatmay，he’dnotpartBillyandthebull。
Andthekingpromisedthat，comewhatmight，comewhatmay，hewouldnot。Thenthegoodqueendied，andwasburied。
Afteratime，thekingmarriedagain，andthenewqueencouldnotabideBilly;nomorecouldshestandthebull，seeinghimandBillysothick。
Sosheaskedthekingtohavethebullkilled。
Butthekingsaidhehadpromised，comewhatmight，comewhatmay，he’dnotpartBillyBegandhisbull，sohecouldnot。
ThenthequeensentfortheHen—Wife，andaskedwhatsheshoulddo。\"Whatwillyougiveme，\"saidtheHen—Wife，\"andI’llverysoonpartthem？\"
\"Anythingatall，\"saidthequeen。
\"Thendoyoutaketoyourbed，verysickwithacomplaint，\"saidtheHen—Wife，\"andI’lldotherest。\"
Sothequeentooktoherbed，verysickwithacomplaint，andthekingcametoseewhatcouldbedoneforher。\"Ishallneverbebetterofthis，\"shesaid，\"tillIhavethemedicinetheHen—Wifeordered。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"saidtheking。
\"AmouthfulofthebloodofBillyBeg’sbull。\"
\"Ican’tgiveyouthat，\"saidtheking，andwentaway，sorrowful。
Thenthequeengotsickerandsicker，andeachtimethekingaskedwhatwouldcurehershesaid，\"AmouthfulofthebloodofBillyBeg’sbull。\"Andatlastitlookedasifsheweregoingtodie。Sothekingfinallysetadayforthebulltobekilled。Atthatthequeenwassohappythatshelaidplanstogetupandseethegrandsight。Allthepeopleweretobeatthekilling，anditwastobeagreataffair。
WhenBillyBegheardallthis，hewasverysorrowful，andthebullnoticedhislooks。\"Whatareyoudoitherin’about？\"saidthebulltohim。
SoBillytoldhim。\"Don’tfretyourselfaboutme，\"saidthebull，\"it’snotIthat’llbekilled！\"
Thedaycame，whenBillyBeg’sbullwastobekilled;allthepeoplewerethere，andthequeen，andBilly。Andthebullwasledout，tobeseen。WhenhewasledpastBillyhebenthishead。\"Jumponmyback，Billy，myboy，\"
sayshe，\"tillIseewhatkindofahorsemanyouare！\"Billyjumpedonhisback，andwiththatthebullleapedninemileshighandninemilesbroadandcamedownwithBillystickingbetweenhishorns。Thenawayherushed，overtheheadofthequeen，killingherdead，whereyouwouldn’tknowdaybynightornightbyday，overhighhills，lowhills，sheepwalksandbullocktraces，theCoveo’Cork，andoldTomFoxwithhisbuglehorn。
Whenatlasthestoppedhesaid，\"Now，Billy，myboy，youandImustundergogreatscenery;there’samightygreatbulloftheforestImustfight，here，andhe’llbehardtofight，butI’llbeableforhim。Butfirstwemusthavedinner。Putyourhandinmyleftearandpulloutthenapkinyou’llfindthere，andwhenyou’vespreadit，itwillbecoveredwitheatinganddrinkingfitforaking。\"
SoBillyputhishandinthebull’sleftear，anddrewoutthenapkin，andspreadit;and，sureenough，itwasspreadwithallkindsofeatinganddrinking，fitforaking。AndBillyBegatewell。
Butjustashefinishedheheardagreatroar，andoutoftheforestcameamightybull，snortingandrunning。
Andthetwobullsatitandfought。Theyknockedthehardgroundintosoft，thesoftintohard，therocksintospringwells，andthespringwellsintorocks。Itwasaterriblefight。Butintheend，BillyBeg’sbullwastoomuchfortheotherbull，andhekilledhim，anddrankhisblood。
ThenBillyjumpedonthebull’sback，andthebulloffandaway，whereyouwouldn’tknowdayfromnightornightfromday，overhighhills，lowhills，sheepwalksandbullocktraces，theCoveo’Cork，andoldTomFoxwithhisbuglehorn。AndwhenhestoppedhetoldBillytoputhishandinhisleftearandpulloutthenapkin，becausehe’dtofightanothergreatbulloftheforest。SoBillypulledoutthenapkinandspreadit，anditwascoveredwithallkindsofeatinganddrinking，fitforaking。
And，sureenough，justasBillyfinishedeating，therewasafrightfulroar，andamightygreatbull，greaterthanthefirst，rushedoutoftheforest。Andthetwobullsatitandfought。
Itwasaterriblefight！Theyknockedthehardgroundintosoft，thesoftintohard，therocksintospringwells，andthespringwellsintorocks。
Butintheend，BillyBeg’sbullkilledtheotherbull，anddrankhisblood。
Thenheoffandaway，withBilly。
Butwhenhecamedown，hetoldBillyBegthathewastofightanotherbull，thebrotheroftheothertwo，andthatthistimetheotherbullwouldbetoomuchforhim，andwouldkillhimanddrinkhisblood。
\"WhenIamdead，Billy，myboy，\"hesaid，\"putyourhandinmyleftearanddrawoutthenapkin，andyou’llneverwantforeatingordrinking;andputyourhandinmyrightear，andyou’llfindastickthere，thatwillturnintoaswordifyouwaveitthreetimesroundyourhead，andgiveyouthestrengthofathousandmenbesideyourown。Keepthat;thencutastripofmyhide，forabelt，forwhenyoubuckleiton，there’snothingcankillyou。\"
BillyBegwasverysadtohearthathisfriendmustdie。Andverysoonheheardamoredreadfulroarthaneverheheard，andatremendousbullrushedoutoftheforest。Thencametheworstfightofall。Intheend，theotherbullwastoomuchforBillyBeg’sbull，andhekilledhimanddrankhisblood。
BillyBegsatdownandcriedforthreedaysandthreenights。Afterthathewashungry;
soheputhishandinthebull’sleftear，anddrewoutthenapkin，andateallkindsofeatinganddrinking。Thenheputhishandintherightearandpulledoutthestickwhichwastoturnintoaswordifwavedroundhisheadthreetimes，andtogivehimthestrengthofathousandmenbesidehisown。Andhecutastripofthehideforabelt，andstartedoffonhisadventures。
Presentlyhecametoafineplace;anoldgentlemanlivedthere。SoBillywentupandknocked，andtheoldgentlemancametothedoor。
\"Areyouwantingaboy？\"saysBilly。
\"Iamwantingaherd—boy，\"saysthegentleman，\"totakemysixcows，sixhorses，sixdonkeys，andsixgoatstopastureeverymorning，andbringthembackatnight。Maybeyou’ddo。\"
\"Whatarethewages？\"saysBilly。
\"Oh，well，\"saysthegentleman，\"it’snousetotalkofthatnow;there’sthreegiantsliveinthewoodbythepasture，andeverydaytheydrinkupallthemilkandkilltheboythatlooksafterthecattle;sowe’llwaittotalkaboutwagestillweseeifyoucomebackalive。\"
\"Allright，\"saysBilly，andheenteredservicewiththeoldgentleman。
Thefirstday，hedrovethesixcows，sixhorses，sixdonkeys，andsixgoatstopasture，andsatdownbythem。Aboutnoonheheardakindofroaringfromthewood;andoutrushedagiantwithtwoheads，spittingfireoutofhistwomouths。
\"Oh！myfinefellow，\"sayshetoBilly，\"youaretoobigforoneswallowandnotbigenoughfortwo;howwouldyouliketodie，then？
Byacutwiththesword，ablowwiththefistoraswingbytheback？\"
\"Thatisasmaybe，\"saysBilly，\"butI’llfightyou。\"Andhebuckledonhishidebeltandswunghisstickthreetimesroundhishead，togivehimthestrengthofathousandmenbesideshisown，andwentforthegiant。
AndatthefirstgrappleBillyBegliftedthegiantupandsunkhimintheground，tohisarmpits。
\"Oh，mercy！mercy！Sparemylife！\"criedthegiant。
\"Ithinknot，\"saidBilly;andhecutoffhisheads。
Thatnight，whenthecowsandthegoatsweredrivenhome，theygavesomuchmilkthatallthedishesinthehousewerefilledandthemilkranoverandmadealittlebrookintheyard。
\"Thisisveryqueer，\"saidtheoldgentleman;
\"theynevergaveanymilkbefore。Didyouseenothinginthepasture？\"
\"Nothingworsethanmyself，\"saidBilly。
Andnextmorninghedrovethesixcows，sixhorses，sixdonkeys，andsixgoatstopastureagain。
Justbeforenoonheheardaterrificroar;andoutofthewoodcameagiantwithsixheads。
\"Youkilledmybrother，\"heroared，firecomingoutofhissixmouths，\"andI’llverysoonhaveyourblood！Willyoudiebyacutofthesword，oraswingbytheback？\"
\"I’llfightyou，\"saidBilly。Andbucklingonhisbeltandswinginghisstickthreetimesroundhishead，heraninandgrappledthegiant。Atthefirsthold，hesunkthegiantuptotheshouldersintheground。
\"Mercy，mercy，kindgentleman！\"criedthegiant。\"Sparemylife！\"
\"Ithinknot，\"saidBilly，andcutoffhisheads。
Thatnightthecattlegavesomuchmilkthatitranoutofthehouseandmadeastream，andturnedamillwheelwhichhadnotbeenturnedforsevenyears！
\"It’scertainlyveryqueer，\"saidtheoldgentleman;\"didyouseenothinginthepasture，Billy？\"
\"Nothingworsethanmyself，\"saidBilly。
Andthenextmorningthegentlemansaid，\"Billy，doyouknow，Ionlyheardoneofthegiantsroaringinthenight，andthenightbeforeonlytwo。Whatcanailthem，atall？\"
\"Oh，maybetheyaresickorsomething，\"
saysBilly;andwiththathedrovethesixcows，sixhorses，sixdonkeys，andsixgoatstopasture。
Ataboutteno’clocktherewasaroarlikeadozenbulls，andthebrotherofthetwogiantscameoutofthewood，withtwelveheadsonhim，andfirespoutingfromeveryoneofthem。
\"I’llhaveyou，myfineboy，\"crieshe;\"howwillyoudie，then？\"
\"We’llsee，\"saysBilly;\"comeon！\"
Andswinginghisstickroundhishead，hemadeforthegiant，anddrovehimuptohistwelvenecksintheground。Alltwelveoftheheadsbeganbeggingformercy，butBillysoonoutthemshort。Thenhedrovethebeastshome。
Andthatnightthemilkoverflowedthemill—
streamandmadealake，ninemileslong，ninemilesbroad，andninemilesdeep;andtherearesalmonandwhitefishtheretothisday。
\"Youareafineboy，\"saidthegentleman，\"andI’llgiveyouwages。\"
SoBillywasherd。
Thenextday，hismastertoldhimtolookafterthehousewhilehewentuptotheking’stown，toseeagreatsight。\"Whatwillitbe？\"saidBilly。\"Theking’sdaughteristobeeatenbyafierydragon，\"saidhismaster，\"unlessthechampionfighterthey’vebeenfeed—
ingforsixweeksonpurposekillsthedragon。\"
\"Oh，\"saidBilly。
Afterhewasleftalone，therewerepeoplepassingonhorsesandafoot，incoachesandchaises，incarriagesandinwheelbarrows，allgoingtoseethegreatsight。AndallaskedBillywhyhewasnotonhisway。ButBillysaidhedidn’tcareaboutgoing。
Whenthelastpasser—bywasoutofsight，Billyrananddressedhimselfinhismaster’sbestsuitofclothes，tookthebrownmarefromthestable，andwasofftotheking’stown。
Whenhecamethere，hesawabigroundplacewithgreathighseatsbuiltuparoundit，andallthepeoplesittingthere。Downinthemidstwasthechampion，walkingupanddownproudly，withtwomenbehindhimtocarryhisheavysword。Andupinthecentreoftheseatswastheprincess，withhermaidens;shewaslookingverypretty，butnervous。
ThefightwasabouttobeginwhenBillygotthere，andtheheraldwascryingouthowthechampionwouldfightthedragonfortheprincess’ssake，whensuddenlytherewasheardafearsomegreatroaring，andthepeopleshouted，\"Hereheisnow，thedragon！\"
Thedragonhadmoreheadsthanthebiggestofthegiants，andfireandsmokecamefromeveryoneofthem。Andwhenthechampionsawthecreature，heneverwaitedeventotakehissword，——heturnedandran;andheneverstoppedtillhecametoadeepwell，wherehejumpedinandhidhimself，uptotheneck。
Whentheprincesssawthatherchampionwasgone，shebeganwringingherhands，andcrying，\"Oh，please，kindgentlemen，fightthedragon，someofyou，andkeepmefrombeingeaten！Willnoonefightthedragonforme？\"
Butnoonesteppedup，atall。Andthedragonmadetoeattheprincess。
Justthen，outsteppedBillyfromthecrowd，withhisfinesuitofclothesandhishidebeltonhim。\"I’llfightthebeast，\"hesays，andswinginghisstickthreetimesroundhishead，togivehimthestrengthofathousandmenbesideshisown，hewalkeduptothedragon，witheasygait。Theprincessandallthepeoplewerelooking，youmaybesure，andthedragonragedatBillywithallhismouths，andtheyatitandfought。Itwasaterriblefight，butintheendBillyBeghadthedragondown，andhecutoffhisheadswiththesword。
Therewasgreatshouting，then，andcryingthatthestrangechampionmustcometothekingtobemadeprince，andtotheprincess，tobeseen。ButinthemidstofthehullabalooBillyBegsslipsonthebrownmareandisoffandawaybeforeanyonehasseenhisface。But，quickashewas，hewasnotsoquickbutthattheprincesscaughtholdofhimashejumpedonhishorse，andhegotawaywithoneshoeleftinherhand。Andhomeherode，tohismaster’shouse，andhadhisoldclothesonandthemareinthestablebeforehismastercameback。
Whenhismastercameback，hehadagreattaleforBilly，howtheprincess’schampionhadrunfromthedragon，andastrangeknighthadcomeoutofthecloudsandkilledthedragon，andbeforeanyonecouldstophimhaddisappearedinthesky。\"Wasn’titwonderful？\"
saidtheoldgentlemantoBilly。\"Ishouldsayso，\"saidBillytohim。
Soontherewasproclamationmadethatthemanwhokilledthedragonwastobefound，andtobemadesonofthekingandhusbandoftheprincess;forthat，everyoneshouldcomeuptotheking’stownandtryontheshoewhichtheprincesshadpulledfromoffthefootofthestrangechampion，thathewhomitfittedshouldbeknowntobetheman。Onthedayset，therewaspassingofcoachesandchaises，ofcarriagesandwheelbarrows，peopleonhorsebackandafoot，andBilly’smasterwasthefirsttogo。
WhileBillywaswatching，atlastcamealongaraggedyman。
\"Willyouchangeclotheswithme，andI’llgiveyouboot？\"saidBillytohim。
\"Shametoyoutomockapoorraggedyman！\"saidtheraggedymantoBilly。
\"It’snomock，\"saidBilly，andhechangedclotheswiththeraggedyman，andgavehimboot。
WhenBillycametotheking’stown，inhisdreadfuloldclothes，nooneknewhimforthechampionatall，andnonewouldlethimcomeforwardtotrytheshoe。Butafterallhadtried，Billyspokeupthathewantedtotry。Theylaughedathim，andpushedhimback，withhisrags。Buttheprincesswouldhaveitthatheshouldtry。\"Ilikehisface，\"saidshe;\"lethimtry，now。\"
SoupsteppedBilly，andputontheshoe，anditfittedhimlikehisownskin。
ThenBillyconfessedthatitwashethatkilledthedragon。Andthathewasaking’sson。Andtheyputavelvetsuitonhim，andhungagoldchainroundhisneck，andeveryonesaidafiner—lookingboythey’dneverseen。
SoBillymarriedtheprincess，andwastheprinceofthatplace。
THELITTLEHEROOFHAARLEM[1]
[1]Toldfrommemoryofthestorytoldmewhenachild。
Alongwayoff，acrosstheocean，thereisalittlecountrywherethegroundislowerthanthelevelofthesea，insteadofhigher，asitishere。Ofcoursethewaterwouldruninandcoverthelandandhouses，ifsomethingwerenotdonetokeepitout。Butsomethingisdone。
Thepeoplebuildgreat，thickwallsallroundthecountry，andthewallskeeptheseaout。
Youseehowmuchdependsonthosewalls，——
thegoodcrops，thehouses，andeventhesafetyofthepeople。Eventhesmallchildreninthatcountryknowthatanaccidenttooneofthewallsisaterriblething。Thesewallsarereallygreatbanks，aswideasroads，andtheyarecalled\"dikes。\"
Oncetherewasalittleboywholivedinthatcountry，whosenamewasHans。Oneday，hetookhislittlebrotherouttoplay。Theywentalongwayoutofthetown，andcametowheretherewerenohouses，buteversomanyflowersandgreenfields。By—and—by，Hansclimbeduponthedike，andsatdown;thelittlebrotherwasplayingaboutatthefootofthebank。
Suddenlythelittlebrothercalledout，\"Oh，whatafunnylittlehole！Itbubbles！\"
\"Hole？Where？\"saidHans。
\"Hereinthebank，\"saidthelittlebrother;
\"water’sinit。\"
\"What！\"saidHans，andhesliddownasfastashecouldtowherehisbrotherwasplaying。
Therewasthetiniestlittleholeinthebank。
Justanair—hole。Adropofwaterbubbledslowlythrough。
\"Itisaholeinthedike！\"criedHans。\"Whatshallwedo？\"
Helookedallround;notapersonorahouseinsight。Helookedatthehole;thelittledropsoozedsteadilythrough;heknewthatthewaterwouldsoonbreakagreatgap，becausethattinyholegaveitachance。Thetownwassofaraway——iftheyranforhelpitwouldbetoolate;whatshouldhedo？Oncemorehelooked;theholewaslarger，now，andthewaterwastrickling。
SuddenlyathoughtcametoHans。Hestuckhislittleforefingerrightintothehole，whereitfittedtight;andhesaidtohislittlebrother，\"Run，Dieting！Gotothetownandtellthementhere’saholeinthedike。TellthemIwillkeepitstoppedtilltheygethere。\"
ThelittlebrotherknewbyHans’facethatsomethingveryseriouswasthematter，andhestartedforthetown，asfastashislegscouldrun。Hans，kneelingwithhisfingerinthehole，watchedhimgrowsmallerandsmallerashegotfartheraway。
Soonhewasassmallasachicken;thenhewasonlyaspeck;thenhewasoutofsight。
Hanswasalone，hisfingertightinthebank。
Hecouldhearthewater，slap，slap，slap，onthestones;anddeepdownundertheslappingwasagurgling，rumblingsound。Itseemedverynear。
By—and—by，hishandbegantofeelnumb。Herubbeditwiththeotherhand;butitgotcolderandmorenumb，colderandmorenumb，everyminute。Helookedtoseeifthemenwerecoming;theroadwasbareasfarashecouldsee。Thenthecoldbegancreeping，creeping，uphisarm;firsthiswrist，thenhisarmtotheelbow，thenhisarmtotheshoulder;howcolditwas！Andsoonitbegantoache。Uglylittlecramp—painsstreameduphisfinger，uphispalm，uphisarm，tilltheyreachedintohisshoulder，anddownthebackofhisneck。Itseemedhourssincethelittlebrotherwentaway。
Hefeltverylonely，andthehurtinhisarmgrewandgrew。Hewatchedtheroadwithallhiseyes，butnoonecameinsight。Thenheleanedhisheadagainstthedike，toresthisshoulder。
Ashiseartouchedthedike，heheardthevoiceofthegreatsea，murmuring。Thesoundseemedtosay，——
\"Iamthegreatsea。Noonecanstandagainstme。Whatareyou，alittlechild，thatyoutrytokeepmeout？Beware！Beware！\"
Hans’heartbeatinheavyknocks。Wouldtheynevercome？Hewasfrightened。
Andthewaterwentonbeatingatthewall，andmurmuring，\"Iwillcomethrough，Iwillcomethrough，Iwillgetyou，Iwillgetyou，run——run——beforeIcomethrough！\"
Hansstartedtopullouthisfinger;hewassofrightenedthathefeltasifhemustrunforever。
Butthatminuteherememberedhowmuchdependedonhim;ifhepulledouthisfinger，thewaterwouldsurelymaketheholebigger，andatlastbreakdownthedike，andtheseawouldcomeinonallthelandandhouses。Hesethisteeth，andstuckhisfingertighterthanever。
\"YoushallNOTcomethrough！\"hewhispered，\"IwillNOTrun！\"
Atthatmoment，heheardafar—offshout。
Farinthedistancehesawablacksomethingontheroad，anddust。Themenwerecoming！Atlast，theywerecoming。Theycamenearer，fast，andhecouldmakeouthisownfather，andtheneighbours。Theyhadpickaxesandshovels，andtheywererunning。Andastheyrantheyshouted，\"We’recoming;takeheart，we’recoming！\"
Thenextminute，itseemed，theywerethere。
AndwhentheysawHans，withhispaleface，andhishandtightinthedike，theygaveagreatcheer，——justaspeopledoforsoldiersbackfromwar;andtheyliftedhimupandrubbedhisachingarmwithtenderhands，andtheytoldhimthathewasarealheroandthathehadsavedthetown。
Whenthemenhadmendedthedike，theymarchedhomelikeanarmy，andHanswascarriedhighontheirshoulders，becausehewasahero。AndtothisdaythepeopleofHaarlemtellthestoryofhowalittleboysavedthedike。
THELASTLESSON[1]
[1]AdaptedfromtheFrenchofAlphonseDaudet。
LittleFranzdidn’twanttogotoschool，thatmorning。Hewouldmuchratherhaveplayedtruant。Theairwassowarmandstill，——youcouldheartheblackbirdsingingattheedgeofthewood，andthesoundofthePrussiansdrilling，downinthemeadowbehindtheoldsawmill。
HewouldSOmuchratherhaveplayedtruant！
Besides，thiswasthedayforthelessonintheruleofparticiples;andtheruleofparticiplesinFrenchisvery，verylong，andveryhard，andithasmoreexceptionsthanrule。LittleFranzdidnotknowitatall。Hedidnotwanttogotoschool。
But，somehow，hewent。Hislegscarriedhimreluctantlyintothevillageandalongthestreet。
Ashepassedtheofficialbulletin—boardbeforethetownhall，henoticedalittlecrowdroundit，lookingatit。Thatwastheplacewherethenewsoflostbattles，therequisitionformoretroops，thedemandsfornewtaxeswereposted。
Smallashewas，littleFranzhadseenenoughtomakehimthink，\"WhatNOW，Iwonder？\"Buthecouldnotstoptosee;hewasafraidofbeinglate。
Whenhecametotheschool—yardhisheartbeatveryfast;hewasafraidheWASlate，afterall，forthewindowswereallopen，andyetheheardnonoise，——theschoolroomwasperfectlyquiet。Hehadbeencountingonthenoiseandconfusionbeforeschool，——theslammingofdeskcovers，thebangingofbooks，thetappingofthemaster’scaneandhis\"Alittlelessnoise，please，\"
——tolethimslipquietlyintohisseatunnoticed。
Butno;hehadtoopenthedoorandwalkupthelongaisle，inthemidstofasilentroom，withthemasterlookingstraightathim。Oh，howhothischeeksfelt，andhowhardhisheartbeat！
Buttohisgreatsurprisethemasterdidn’tscoldatall。Allhesaidwas，\"Comequicklytoyourplace，mylittleFranz;wewerejustgoingtobeginwithoutyou！\"
LittleFranzcouldhardlybelievehisears;
thatwasn’tatallthewaythemasterwasaccustomedtospeak。Itwasverystrange！Somehow——
everythingwasverystrange。Theroomlookedqueer。Everybodywassittingsostill，sostraight——asifitwereanexhibitionday，orsomethingveryparticular。Andthemaster——
helookedstrange，too;why，hehadonhisfinelacejabotandhisbestcoat，thatheworeonlyonholidays，andhisgoldsnuff—boxinhishand。
Certainlyitwasveryodd。LittleFranzlookedallround，wondering。Andthereinthebackoftheroomwastheoddestthingofall。There，onabench，satVISITORS。Visitors！Hecouldnotmakeitout;peoplenevercameexceptongreatoccasions，——examinationdaysandsuch。Anditwasnotaholiday。Yetthereweretheagent，theoldblacksmith，thefarmer，sittingquietandstill。Itwasvery，verystrange。
Justthenthemasterstoodupandopenedschool。Hesaid，\"Mychildren，thisisthelasttimeIshalleverteachyou。TheorderhascomefromBerlinthathenceforthnothingbutGermanshallbetaughtintheschoolsofAlsaceandLorraine。ThisisyourlastlessoninFrench。
Ibegyou，beveryattentive。\"
HISLASTLESSONINFRENCH！LittleFranzcouldnotbelievehisears;hislastlesson——ah，THAT
waswhatwasonthebulletin—board！Itflashedacrosshiminaninstant。Thatwasit！HislastlessoninFrench——andhescarcelyknewhowtoreadandwrite——why，then，heshouldneverknowhow！Helookeddownathisbooks，allbatteredandtornatthecorners;andsuddenlyhisbooksseemedquitedifferenttohim，theyseemed——somehow——likefriends。Helookedatthemaster，andheseemeddifferent，too，——likeaverygoodfriend。LittleFranzbegantofeelstrangehimself。Justashewasthinkingaboutit，heheardhisnamecalled，andhestooduptorecite。
Itwastheruleofparticiples。
Oh，whatwouldn’thehavegiventobeabletosayitoffrombeginningtoend，exceptionsandall，withoutablunder！Buthecouldonlystandandhanghishead;hedidnotknowawordofit。Thenthroughthehotpoundinginhisearsheheardthemaster’svoice;itwasquitegentle;notatallthescoldingvoiceheexpected。Anditsaid，\"I’mnotgoingtopunishyou，littleFranz。Perhapsyouarepunishedenough。Andyouarenotaloneinyourfault。
Wealldothesamething，——weallputoffourtaskstillto—morrow。And——sometimes——to—
morrownevercomes。Thatiswhatithasbeenwithus。WeAlsatianshavebeenalwaysputtingoffoureducationtillthemorrow;andnowtheyhavearight，thosepeopledownthere，tosaytous，`What！YoucallyourselvesFrench，andcannotevenreadandwritetheFrenchlanguage？
LearnGerman，then！’\"
AndthenthemasterspoketothemoftheFrenchlanguage。Hetoldthemhowbeautifulitwas，howclearandmusicalandreasonable，andhesaidthatnopeoplecouldbehopelesslyconqueredsolongasitkeptitslanguage，forthelanguagewasthekeytoitsprison—house。
Andthenhesaidhewasgoingtotellthemalittleaboutthatbeautifullanguage，andheexplainedtheruleofparticiples。
Anddoyouknow，itwasjustassimpleasABC！LittleFranzunderstoodeveryword。
Itwasjustthesamewiththerestofthegrammarlesson。Idon’tknowwhetherlittleFranzlistenedharder，orwhetherthemasterexplainedbetter;butitwasallquiteclear，andsimple。
Butastheywentonwithit，andlittleFranzlistenedandlooked，itseemedtohimthatthemasterwastryingtoputthewholeFrenchlanguageintotheirheadsinthatonehour。
Itseemedasifhewantedtoteachthemallheknew，beforehewent，——togivethemallhehad，——inthislastlesson。
Fromthegrammarhewentontothewritinglesson。Andforthis，quitenewcopieshadbeenprepared。Theywerewrittenonclean，newslipsofpaper，andtheywere：——
France：Alsace。
France：Alsace。
Allupanddowntheaislestheyhungoutfromthedeskslikelittlebanners，waving——
France：Alsace。
France：Alsace。
Andeverybodyworkedwithallhismight，——
notasoundcouldyouhearbutthescratchingofpensonthe\"France：Alsace。\"
Eventhelittleonesbentovertheirupanddownstrokeswiththeirtonguesstuckouttohelpthemwork。
Afterthewritingcamethereadinglesson，andthelittleonessangtheirba，be，bi，bo，bu。
Rightinthemidstofit，Franzheardacurioussound，abigdeepvoiceminglingwiththechildren’svoices。Heturnedround，andthere，onthebenchinthebackoftheroom，theoldblacksmithsatwithabigABCbookopenonhisknees。ItwashisvoiceFranzhadheard。
Hewassayingthesoundswiththelittlechildren，——ba，be，bi，bo，bu。Hisvoicesoundedsoodd，withthelittlevoices，——soveryodd，——itmadelittleFranzfeelqueer。Itseemedsofunnythathethoughthewouldlaugh;thenhethoughthewouldn’tlaugh，hefelt——hefeltveryqueer。
Soitwentonwiththelessons;theyhadthemall。Andthen，suddenly，thetownclockstrucknoon。AndatthesametimetheyheardthetrampofthePrussians’feet，comingbackfromdrill。
Itwastimetocloseschool。
Themasterstoodup。Hewasverypale。
LittleFranzhadneverseenhimlooksotall。
Hesaid：\"Mychildren——mychildren\"——butsomethingchokedhim;hecouldnotgoon。Insteadheturnedandwenttotheblackboardandtookupapieceofchalk。Andthenhewrote，highup，inbigwhiteletters，\"VivelaFrance！\"
Andhemadealittlesigntothemwithhishead，\"Thatisall;goaway。\"
THESTORYOFCHRISTMAS
Therewasonceanationwhichwasverypowerful，veryfortunate，andveryproud。Itslandswerefruitful;itsarmieswerevictoriousinbattle;andithadstrongkings，wiselawgivers，andgreatpoets。Butafteragreatmanyyears，everythingchanged。Thenationhadnomorestrongkings，nomorewiselawgivers;itsarmieswerebeateninbattle，andneighbouringtribesconqueredthecountryandtookthefruitfullands;therewerenomorepoetsexceptafewwhomadesongsoflamentation。Thepeoplehadbecomeacaptiveandhumiliatedpeople;andthebitterestpartofallitssadnesswasthememoryofpastgreatness。
Butinalltheyearsoffailureandhumiliation，therewasonethingwhichkeptthispeoplefromdespair;onehopelivedintheirheartsandkeptthemfromuttermisery。Itwasahopewhichcamefromsomethingoneofthegreatpoetsofthepasthadsaid，inprophecy。Thisprophecywaswhisperedinthehomesofthepoor，taughtinthechurches，repeatedfromfathertosonamongtherich;itwaslikeadeep，hiddenwellofcomfortinadesertofsuffering。Theprophecysaidthatsometimeadeliverershouldbebornforthenation，anewkingevenstrongerthantheoldones，mightyenoughtoconqueritsenemies，setitfree，andbringbackthesplendiddaysofold。Thiswasthehopeandexpectationallthepeoplelookedfor;theywaitedthroughtheyearsfortheprophecytocometrue。
Inthisnation，inalittlecountrytown，livedamanandawomanwhosenameswereJosephandMary。Andithappened，oneyear，thattheyhadtotakealittlejourneyuptothetownwhichwasthenearesttax—centre，tohavetheirnamesputonthecensuslist;becausethatwasthecustominthatcountry。
Butwhentheygottothetown，somanyotherswerethereforthesamething，anditwassuchasmalltown，thateveryplacewascrowded。
Therewasnoroomforthemattheinn。Finallytheinnkeepersaidtheymightsleepinthestableonthestraw。Sotheywentthereforthenight。
Andwhiletheywerethere，inthestable，theirfirstchildwasborntothem，alittleson。AndbecausetherewasnocradletoputHimin，themothermadealittlewarmnestofthehayinthebigwoodenmangerwheretheoxenhadeaten，andwrappedthebabyinswaddlingclothes，andlaidHiminthemanger，forabed！
Thatsamenight，onthehillsoutsidethetown，therewereshepherds，keepingtheirflocksthroughthedarkness。Theyweretiredwithwatchingoverthesheep，andtheystoodorsatabout，drowsily，talkingandwatchingthestars。Andastheywatched，behold，anangeloftheLordappeareduntothem！AndthegloryoftheLordshoneroundaboutthem！
Andtheyweresoreafraid。Buttheangelsaiduntothem，\"Fearnot，forbeholdIbringyougoodtidingsofgreatjoy，whichshallbetoallpeople。Foruntoyouisborn，thisday，inthecityofDavid，asaviour，——whichisChristtheLord。
Andthisshallbeasignuntoyou：yeshallfindthebabe，wrappedinswaddlingclothes，lyinginamanger。\"
Andsuddenlytherewaswiththeangelamultitudeoftheheavenlyhost，praisingGod，andsaying，\"GlorytoGodinthehighest，andonearthpeace，goodwilltowardmen。\"
Whentheangelsweregoneupfromthemintoheaven，theshepherdssaidtooneanother，\"LetusnowgoevenuntoBethlehem，andseethisthingwhichiscometopass，whichtheLordhathmadeknownuntous。\"Andtheycame，withhaste，andtheyfoundMary，andJoseph，andthebabelyinginamanger。AndwhentheysawHiminthemanger，theyknewthatthewonderfulthingtheangelsaidhadreallyhappened，andthatthegreatdelivererwasbornatlast。
THECHILD—MIND;ANDHOWTOSATISFYIT
\"Itisthegrownpeoplewhomakethenurserystories，\"wroteStevenson，\"allthechildrendoisjealouslytopreservethetext。\"Andthegrownperson，whetherhemakeshisstorieswithpenorwithtongue，shouldbringtwoqualitiesatleasttothework——simplicityoflanguageandaserioussincerity。Thereasonforthesimplicityisobvious，fornoone，childorotherwise，canthoroughlyenjoyastorycloudedbywordswhichconveynomeaningtohim。
Thesecondqualityislessobviousbutequallynecessary。Noabsenceoffunisintendedbythewords\"serioussincerity，\"buttheymeanthatthestory—tellershouldbringtothechildanequalinterestinwhatisabouttobetold;anhonestacceptance，forthetimebeing，ofthefairies，ortheheroes，orthechildren，ortheanimalswhotalk，withwhichthetaleisconcerned。Thechilddeservesthisequalityofstandpoint，andwithoutittherecanbenoentiresuccess。
Asforthestoriesthemselves，thedifficultylieswiththematerial，notwiththeCHILD。Stylesmaybevariedgenerously，butthemattermustbequarriedfor。Outofahundredchildren’sbooksitismorethanlikelythatninety—ninewillbeuseless;yetperhapsoutofoneautobiographymaybegleanedananecdote，orareminiscencewhichcanbeamplifiedintoanabsorbingtale。
Almosteverystory—tellerwillfindthattheopeneyeandearwillservehimbetterthanmucharduoussearching。Noonebookwillyieldhimtheincreasetohisrepertoirewhichwillcometohimbylistening，bybrowsinginchancevolumesandmagazines，andevennewspapers，byobservingeverydaylife，andinallrememberinghisownyouth，andhisyouthful，waitingaudience。
Andthatyouthfulaudience？Arathertoocommonmistakeismadeinallowingovermuchforthecreativeimaginationofthenormalchild。
Itisnotcreativeimaginationwhichthenormalchildpossessessomuchasanenormouscredulityandnolimitations。Ifweconsiderforamomentweseethattherehasbeenlittleornothingtolimitthingsforhim，thereforeanythingispossible。Itistheyearsofourlifeastheycomewhichnarrowourfanciesandsetaboundtoourbeliefs;forexperiencehastaughtusthatforthemostpartacertaincausewillproduceacertaineffect。Thechild，onthecontrary，hasbutlittleknowledgeofcauses，andasyetbutanimperfectrealisationofeffects。Ifwe，forinstance，gointothemidstofasavagecountry，weknowthatthereisthechanceofourmeetingasavage。ButtotheyoungchilditisquiteaspossibletomeetaRedIndiancomingroundthebendofthebrookatthebottomoftheorchard，asitistomeethiminhisownwigwam。
Thechildisanadeptatmake—believe，buthismake—believesare，asarule，practicalandserious。
Itiscredulityratherthanimaginationwhichhelpshim。HetakesthetaleshehasbeenTOLD，thefactshehasobserved，andforthemostpartreproducesthemtothebestofhisability。And\"nothing，\"asStevensonsays，\"canstaggerachild’sfaith;heacceptstheclumsiestsubstitutesandcanswallowthemoststaringincongruities。
Thechairhehasjustbeenbesiegingasacastleistakenawayfortheaccommodationofamorningvisitorandheisnothingabashed;hecanskirmishbythehourwithastationarycoal—scuttle;
inthemidstoftheenchantedpleasuancehecansee，withoutsensibleshock，thegardenersoberlydiggingpotatoesfortheday’sdinner。\"
Thechild，infact，isneitherundeveloped\"grown—up\"norunspoiledangel。Perhapshehasadashofboth，butmostofallheisakintothegrownpersonwhodreams。Withthedreamerandwiththechildthereisthatunquestioningacceptanceofcircumstancesastheyarise，howeverunusualanddisconcertingtheymaybe。Indreamsthewildest，mostimprobableandfantasticthingshappen，buttheyarenotsotothedreamer。Theveriestcynicamongstusmusttakehisdreamsseriouslyandwithoutasneer，whetherheisforcedtoleapfromtheedgeofaprecipice，whetherhefindshimselfutterlyincapableofpackinghistrunkintimeforthetrain，whetherinspiteofhisdistressattheimpropriety，hefindshimselfatadinner—
partyminushiscollar，orwhethertherichesofElDoradoarelaidathisfeet。Forhimatthetimeitisallquiterealandharassinglyorsplendidlyimportant。
Tothechildandtothedreamerallthingsarepossible;frogsmaytalk，bearsmaybeturnedintoprinces，gallanttailorsmayovercomegiants，fir—treesmaybefilledwithambitions。Achairmaybecomeahorse，achestofdrawersacoachandsix，ahearthrugabattlefield，anewspaperacrownofgold。Andthesearefactswhichthestory—tellermustrealise，andchooseandshapethestoriesaccordingly。
Manyanoldbook，whichtoamoderngrownpersonmayseemprimandover—rigid，willbetothechildadelight;forhimtheprimnessandtheseverityslipaway，thestoryremains。
SuchabookasMrsSherwood’sFairchildFamilyisanexampleofthis。Toagrownpersonreadingitforthefirsttime，theloafingpropensitiesoftheimmaculateMrsFairchild，whoneverdoesahand’sturnofgoodworkforanyonefromcovertocover，thehardpiety，thesnobbishness，thebrutalityoftakingthechildrentotheoldgallowsandseatingthembeforethedanglingremainsofamurderer，whilethelessonofbrotherlyloveisimpressedareshockingwhentheyarenotamusing;buttothechildthedoingsofthenaughtyandrepentantlittleFairchildsareengrossing;andexperienceprovestousthatthetwentieth—centurychildisaseagerforthebookaswereeverhisnineteenth—centurygrandfatherandgrandmother。
GoodMrsTimmin’sHistoryoftheRobins，too，isacontinuousdelight;andfromitspompousandhigh—soundingdialogueaskilfuladaptermaygleannotonlyonestory，butonestorywithtwoversions;fortheinfantofeighteenmonthscanfollowthenarrativeofthejoysandtroubles，errorsandkindnessesofRobin，Dicky，FlopsyandPecksy;whilethechildoffiveortenorevenmorewillbekeenlyinterestedinafulleraccountofthebirds’
adventuresandthedevelopmentoftheirseveralcharactersandthoseoftheirhumanfriendsandenemies。
Fromthesetwobooks，fromMissEdgeworth’swonderfulMoralTales;fromMissWetherell’sdelightfulvolumeMrRutherford’sChildren;
fromJaneandAnnTaylor’sOriginalPoems;
fromThomasDay’sSandfordandMerton;fromBunyan’sPilgrim’sProgressandLamb’sTalesfromShakespeare，andfrommanyanotheroldfriend，storiesmaybegathered，butthestorytellerwillfindthatinalmostallcasesadaptationisanecessity。Thejoyofthehunt，however，isarealjoy，andwithafieldwhichstretchesfromthemythsofGreecetoUncleRemus，fromLeMorted’ArthurtotheJungleBooks，thereneedbenomorelackofpleasurefortheseekerthanforthereceiverofthespoil。