第5章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"Stories To Tell To Children",免费读到尾

  \"Parrot,indeed!\"saidthecat。\"What’saparrottome?——I’veagreatmindtoeatyou,too。\"And——beforeyoucouldsay\"JackRobinson\"——slip!slop!gobble!downwenttheoldwoman!

  Thenthecatstarteddowntheroadagain,walkinglikethis,becausehefeltsofine。

  Prettysoonhemetamandrivingadonkey。

  Themanwasbeatingthedonkey,tohurryhimup,andwhenhesawthecathesaid,\"Getoutofmyway,cat;I’minahurryandmydonkeymighttreadonyou。\"

  \"Donkey,indeed!\"saidthecat,\"muchI

  careforadonkey!Ihaveeatenfivehundredcakes,I’veeatenmyfriendtheparrot,I’veeatenanoldwoman,——what’stohindermyeatingamiserablemanandadonkey?\"

  Andslip!slop!gobble!downwenttheoldmanandthedonkey。

  Thenthecatwalkedondowntheroad,jauntily,likethis。Afteralittle,hemetaprocession,comingthatway。Thekingwasatthehead,walkingproudlywithhisnewlymarriedbride,andbehindhimwerehissoldiers,marching,andbehindthemwereeverandeversomanyelephants,walkingtwobytwo。Thekingfeltverykindtoeverybody,becausehehadjustbeenmarried,andhesaidtothecat,\"Getoutofmyway,pussy,getoutofmyway,——myelephantsmighthurtyou。\"

  \"Hurtme!\"saidthecat,shakinghisfatsides。\"Ho,ho!I’veeatenfivehundredcakes,I’veeatenmyfriendtheparrot,I’veeatenanoldwoman,I’veeatenamanandadonkey;

  what’stohindermyeatingabeggarlyking?\"

  Andslip!slop!gobble!downwenttheking;downwentthequeen;downwentthesoldiers,——anddownwentalltheelephants!

  Thenthecatwenton,moreslowly;hehadreallyhadenoughtoeat,now。Butalittlefartheronhemettwoland—crabs,scuttlingalonginthedust。\"Getoutofourway,pussy,\"theysqueaked。

  \"Ho,hoho!\"criedthecatinaterriblevoice。\"I’veeatenfivehundredcakes,I’veeatenmyfriendtheparrot,I’veeatenanoldwoman,amanwithadonkey,aking,aqueen,hismen—at—arms,andallhiselephants;andnowI’lleatyoutoo。\"

  Andslip!slop!gobble!downwentthetwoland—crabs。

  Whentheland—crabsgotdowninside,theybegantolookaround。Itwasverydark,buttheycouldseethepoorkingsittinginacornerwithhisbrideonhisarm;shehadfainted。

  Nearthemwerethemen—at—arms,treadingononeanother’stoes,andtheelephants,stilltryingtoformintwos,——buttheycouldn’t,becausetherewasnotroom。Intheoppositecornersattheoldwoman,andnearherstoodthemanandhisdonkey。Butintheothercornerwasagreatpileofcakes,andbythemperchedtheparrot,hisfeathersalldrooping。

  Let’sgettowork!\"saidtheland—crabs。

  And,snip,snap,theybegantomakealittleholeintheside,withtheirsharpclaws。Snip,snap,snip,snap,——tillitwasbigenoughtogetthrough。Thenouttheyscuttled。

  Thenoutwalkedtheking,carryinghisbride;

  outmarchedthemen—at—arms;outtrampedtheelephants,twobytwo;outcametheoldman,beatinghisdonkey;outwalkedtheoldwoman,scoldingthecat;andlastofall,outhoppedtheparrot,holdingacakeineachclaw。(youremember,twocakeswereallhewanted?)

  Butthepoorcathadtospendthewholedaysewinguptheholeinhiscoat!

  THERATPRINCESS[1]

  [1]AdaptedfromFrankRinder’sOldWorldJapan。IntellingthisstorythevoiceshouldbechangedfortheSunCloud,Wind,andWall,asisalwaysdoneintheoldstoryofTheThreeBears。

  Onceuponatime,therewasaRatPrincess,wholivedwithherfather,theRatKing,andhermother,theRatQueen,inaricefieldinfarawayJapan。TheRatPrincesswassoprettythatherfatherandmotherwerequitefoolishlyproudofher,andthoughtnoonegoodenoughtoplaywithher。Whenshegrewup,theywouldnotletanyoftheratprincescometovisither,andtheydecidedatlastthatnooneshouldmarryhertilltheyhadfoundthemostpowerfulpersoninthewholeworld;nooneelsewasgoodenough。AndtheFatherRatstartedouttofindthemostpowerfulpersoninthewholeworld。ThewisestandoldestratinthericefieldsaidthattheSunmustbethemostpowerfulperson,becausehemadethericegrowandripen;sotheRatKingwenttofindtheSun。Heclimbedupthehighestmountain,ranupthepathofarainbow,andtravelledandtravelledacrosstheskytillhecametotheSun’shouse。

  \"Whatdoyouwant,littlebrother?\"theSunsaid,whenhesawhim。

  \"Icome,\"saidtheRatKing,veryimportantly,\"toofferyouthehandofmydaughter,theprincess,becauseyouarethemostpowerfulpersonintheworld;nooneelseisgoodenough。\"

  \"Ha,ha!\"laughedthejollyroundSun,andwinkedwithhiseye。\"Youareverykind,littlebrother,butifthatisthecasetheprincessisnotforme;theCloudismorepowerfulthanIam;whenhepassesovermeIcannotshine。\"

  \"Oh,indeed,\"saidtheRatKing,\"thenyouarenotmymanatall\";andhelefttheSunwithoutmorewords。TheSunlaughedandwinkedtohimself。AndtheRatKingtravelledandtravelledacrosstheskytillhecametotheCloud’shouse。

  \"Whatdoyouwant,littlebrother?\"sighedtheCloudwhenhesawhim。

  \"Icometoofferyouthehandofmydaughter,theprincess,\"saidtheRatKing,\"becauseyouarethemostpowerfulpersonintheworld;theSunsaidso,andnooneelseisgoodenough。\"

  TheCloudsighedagain。\"Iamnotthemostpowerfulperson,\"hesaid;\"theWindisstrongerthanI,——whenheblows,Ihavetogowhereverhesendsme。\"

  \"Thenyouarenotthepersonformydaughter,\"saidtheRatKingproudly;andhestartedatoncetofindtheWind。Hetravelledandtravelledacrossthesky,tillhecameatlasttotheWind’shouse,attheveryedgeoftheworld。

  WhentheWindsawhimcominghelaughedabig,gustylaugh,\"Ho,ho!\"andaskedhimwhathewanted;andwhentheRatKingtoldhimthathehadcometoofferhimtheRatPrincess’shandbecausehewasthemostpowerfulpersonintheworld,theWindshoutedagreatgustyshout,andsaid,\"No,no,Iamnotthestrongest;theWallthatmanhasmadeisstrongerthanI;Icannotmakehimmove,withallmyblowing;gototheWall,littlebrother!\"

  AndtheRatKingclimbeddownthesky—

  pathagain,andtravelledandtravelledacrosstheearthtillhecametotheWall。Itwasquitenearhisownricefield。

  \"Whatdoyouwant,littlebrother?\"

  grumbledtheWallwhenhesawhim。

  \"Icometoofferyouthehandoftheprincess,mydaughter,becauseyouarethemostpowerfulpersonintheworld,andnooneelseisgoodenough。\"

  \"Ugh,ugh,\"grumbledtheWall,\"Iamnotthestrongest;thebiggreyRatwholivesinthecellarisstrongerthanI。WhenhegnawsandgnawsatmeIcrumbleandcrumble,andatlastIfall;gototheRat,littlebrother。\"

  Andso,aftergoingallovertheworldtofindthestrongestperson,theRatKinghadtomarryhisdaughtertoarat,afterall;buttheprincesswasverygladofit,forshewantedtomarrythegreyRat,allthetime。

  THEFROGANDTHEOX

  OncealittleFrogsatbyabigFrog,bythesideofapool。\"Oh,father,\"saidhe,\"I

  havejustseenthebiggestanimalintheworld;

  itwasasbigasamountain,andithadhornsonitshead,andithadhoofsdividedintwo。\"

  \"Pooh,child,\"saidtheoldFrog,\"thatwasonlyFarmerWhite’sOx。Heisnotsoverybig。Icouldeasilymakemyselfasbigashe。\"

  Andheblew,andheblew,andheblew,andswelledhimselfout。

  \"Washeasbigasthat?\"heaskedthelittleFrog。

  \"Oh,muchbigger,\"saidthelittleFrog。

  TheoldFrogblew,andblew,andblewagain,andswelledhimselfout,morethanever。

  \"Washebiggerthanthat?\"hesaid。

  \"Much,muchbigger,\"saidthelittleFrog。

  \"Icanmakemyselfasbig,\"saidtheoldFrog。Andoncemoreheblew,andblew,andblew,andswelledhimselfout,——andheburst!

  Self—conceitleadstoself—destruction。

  THEFIRE—BRINGER[1]

  [1]AdaptedfromTheBasketWoman,byMaryAustin。

  ThisistheIndianstoryofhowfirewasbroughttothetribes。Itwaslong,longago,whenmenandbeaststalkedtogetherwithunderstanding,andthegreyCoyotewasfriendandcounsellorofman。

  TherewasaBoyofthetribewhowasswiftoffootandkeenofeye,andheandtheCoyoterangedthewoodtogether。Theysawthemencatchingfishinthecreekswiththeirhands,andthewomendiggingrootswithsharpstones。

  Thiswasinsummer。Butwhenwintercameon,theysawthepeoplerunningnakedinthesnow,orhuddledincavesoftherocks,andmostmiserable。TheBoynoticedthis,andwasveryunhappyforthemiseryofhispeople。

  \"Idonotfeelit,\"saidtheCoyote。

  \"Youhaveacoatofgoodfur,\"saidtheBoy,\"andmypeoplehavenot。\"

  \"Cometothehunt,\"saidtheCoyote。

  \"Iwillhuntnomore,tillIhavefoundawaytohelpmypeopleagainstthecold,\"saidtheBoy。\"Helpme,OCounsellor!\"

  ThentheCoyoteranaway,andcamebackafteralongtime;hesaidhehadfoundaway,butitwasahardway。

  \"Nowayistoohard,\"saidtheBoy。SotheCoyotetoldhimthattheymustgototheBurningMountainandbringfiretothepeople。

  \"Whatisfire?\"saidtheBoy。AndtheCoyotetoldhimthatfirewasredlikeaflower,yetnotaflower;swifttoruninthegrassandtodestroy,likeabeast,yetnobeast;fierceandhurtful,yetagoodservanttokeeponewarm,ifkeptamongstonesandfedwithsmallsticks。

  \"Wewillgetthisfire,\"saidtheBoy。

  FirsttheBoyhadtopersuadethepeopletogivehimonehundredswiftrunners。ThenheandtheyandtheCoyotestartedatagoodpaceforthefarawayBurningMountain。Attheendofthefirstday’strailtheylefttheweakestoftherunners,towait;attheendofthesecond,thenextstronger;attheendofthethird,thenext;andsoforeachofthehundreddaysofthejourney;andtheBoywasthestrongestrunner,andwenttothelasttrailwiththeCounsellor。Highmountainstheycrossed,andgreatplains,andgiantwoods,andatlasttheycametotheBigWater,quakingalongthesandatthefootoftheBurningMountain。

  Itstoodupinahighpeakedcone,andsmokerolledoutfromitendlesslyalongthesky。Atnight,theFireSpiritsdanced,andtheglarereddenedtheBigWaterfarout。

  TheretheCounsellorsaidtotheBoy,\"StaythouheretillIbringtheeabrandfromtheburning;bereadyandrightforrunning,forI

  shallbefarspentwhenIcomeagain,andtheFireSpiritswillpursueme。\"

  Thenhewentuptothemountain;andtheFireSpiritsonlylaughedwhentheysawhim,forhelookedsoslinking,inconsiderable,andmean,thatnoneofthemthoughtharmfromhim。Andinthenight,whentheywereattheirdanceaboutthemountain,theCoyotestolethefire,andranwithitdowntheslopeoftheburningmountain。WhentheFireSpiritssawwhathehaddonetheystreamedoutafterhim,redandangry,withahummingsoundlikeaswarmofbees。ButtheCoyotewasstillahead;thesparksofthebrandstreamedoutalonghisflanks,ashecarrieditinhismouth;

  andhestretchedhisbodytothetrail。

  TheBoysawhimcoming,likeafailingstaragainstthemountain;heheardthesingingsoundoftheFireSpiritsclosebehind,andthelabouringbreathoftheCounsellor。Andwhenthegoodbeastpanteddownbesidehim,theBoycaughtthebrandfromhisjawsandwasoff,likeanarrowfromabentbow。Outheshotonthehomewardpath,andtheFireSpiritssnappedandsangbehindhim。Butfastastheypursuedhefledfaster,tillhesawthenextrunnerstandinginhisplace,hisbodybentfortherunning。

  Tohimhepassedit,anditwasoffandaway,withtheFireSpiritsraginginchase。

  Soitpassedfromhandtohand,andtheFireSpiritstoreafteritthroughthescrub,tilltheycametothemountainsofthesnows;thesetheycouldnotpass。Thenthedark,sleekrunnerswiththebackwardstreamingbrandboreitforward,shiningstarlikeinthenight,glowingredinsultrynoons,violetpaleintwilightglooms,untiltheycameinsafetytotheirownland。

  Andtheretheykeptitamongstonesandfeditwithsmallsticks,astheCounselloradvised;

  anditkeptthepeoplewarm。

  EveraftertheBoywascalledtheFire—Bringer;

  andeveraftertheCoyoteborethesignofthebringing,forthefuralonghisflankswassingedandyellowfromtheflamesthatstreamedbackwardfromthebrand。

  THEBURNINGOFTHERICEFIELDS[1]

  [1]AdaptedfromGleaningsinBuddha—Fields,byLafeadioHearn。(KeganPaul,Trench,TrubnerandCo,Ltd。5s。net。)

  Oncetherewasagoodoldmanwholiveduponamountain,farawayinJapan。Allroundhislittlehousethemountainwasflat,andthegroundwasrich;andtherewerethericefieldsofallthepeoplewholivedinthevillageatthemountain’sfoot。Morningsandevenings,theoldmanandhislittlegrandson,wholivedwithhim,usedtolookfardownonthepeopleatworkinthevillage,andwatchtheblueseawhichlayallroundtheland,soclosethattherewasnoroomforfieldsbelow,onlyforhouses。

  Thelittleboylovedthericefields,dearly,forheknewthatallthegoodfoodforallthepeoplecamefromthem;andheoftenhelpedhisgrandfathertowatchoverthem。

  Oneday,thegrandfatherwasstandingalone,beforehishouse,lookingfardownatthepeople,andoutatthesea,when,suddenly,hesawsomethingverystrangefaroffwheretheseaandskymeet。Somethinglikeagreatcloudwasrisingthere,asiftheseawereliftingitselfhighintothesky。Theoldmanputhishandstohiseyesandlookedagain,hardashisoldsightcould。Thenheturnedandrantothehouse。\"Yone,Yone!\"hecried,\"bringabrandfromthehearth!\"

  Thelittlegrandsoncouldnotimaginewhathisgrandfatherwantedwithfire,buthealwaysobeyed,soheranquicklyandbroughtthebrand。

  Theoldmanalreadyhadone,andwasrunningforthericefields。Yoneranafter。Butwhatwashishorrortoseehisgrandfatherthrusthisburningbrandintotheripedryrice,whereitstood。

  \"Oh,Grandfather,Grandfather!\"screamedthelittleboy,\"whatareyoudoing?\"

  \"Quick,setfire!thrustyourbrandin!\"saidthegrandfather。

  Yonethoughthisdeargrandfatherhadlosthismind,andhebegantosob;butalittleJapaneseboyalwaysobeys,sothoughhesobbed,hethrusthistorchin,andthesharpflameranupthedrystalks,redandyellow。Inaninstant,thefieldwasablaze,andthickblacksmokebegantopourup,onthemountainside。

  Itroselikeacloud,blackandfierce,andinnotimethepeoplebelowsawthattheirpreciousricefieldswereonfire。Ah,howtheyran!

  Men,women,andchildrenclimbedthemountain,runningasfastastheycouldtosavetherice;notonesoulstayedbehind。

  Andwhentheycametothemountaintop,andsawthebeautifulrice—cropallinflames,beyondhelp,theycriedbitterly,\"Whohasdonethisthing?Howdidithappen?\"

  \"Isetfire,\"saidtheoldman,verysolemnly;

  andthelittlegrandsonsobbed,\"Grandfathersetfire。\"

  Butwhentheycamefiercelyroundtheoldman,with\"Why?Why?\"heonlyturnedandpointedtothesea。\"Look!\"hesaid。

  Theyallturnedandlooked。Andthere,wheretheblueseahadlain,socalm,amightywallofwater,reachingfromearthtosky,wasrollingin。Noonecouldscream,soterriblewasthesight。Thewallofwaterrolledinontheland,passedquiteovertheplacewherethevillagehadbeen,andbroke,withanawfulsound,onthemountainside。Onewavemore,andstillonemore,came;andthenallwaswater,asfarastheycouldlook,below;thevillagewheretheyhadbeenwasunderthesea。

  Butthepeoplewereallsafe。Andwhentheysawwhattheoldmanhaddone,theyhonouredhimaboveallmenforthequickwitwhichhadsavedthemallfromthetidalwave。

  THESTORYOFWYLIE[1]

  [1]AdaptedfromRabandhisFriends,byDrJohnBrown。

  Thisisastoryaboutadog,——notthekindofdogyouoftenseeinthestreethere;notafat,wrinklypugdog,norasmooth—skinnedbulldog,norevenabigshaggyfellow,butaslim,silky—

  haired,sharp—earedlittledog,theprettiestthingyoucanimagine。HernamewasWylie,andshelivedinScotland,faruponthehills,andhelpedhermastertakecareofhissheep。

  Youcan’tthinkhowclevershewas!Shewatchedoverthesheepandthelittlelambslikeasoldier,andneverletanythinghurtthem。

  Shedrovethemouttopasturewhenitwastime,andbroughtthemsafelyhomewhenitwastimeforthat。Whenthesillysheepgotfrightenedandranthiswayandthat,hurtingthemselvesandgettinglost,Wylieknewexactlywhattodo,——roundononesideshewouldrun,barkingandscolding,drivingthemback;thenroundontheother,barkingandscolding,drivingthemback,tilltheywereallbunchedtogetherinfrontoftherightgate。Thenshedrovethemthroughasneatlyasanyperson。Shelovedherwork,andwasawonderfullyfinesheepdog。

  Atlasthermastergrewtoooldtostayaloneonthehills,andsohewentawaytolive。Beforehewent,hegaveWylietotwokindyoungmenwholivedinthenearesttown;heknewtheywouldbegoodtoher。Theygrewveryfondofher,andsodidtheiroldgrandmotherandthelittlechildren:shewassogentleandhandsomeandwellbehaved。

  SonowWylielivedinthecitywheretherewerenosheepfarms,onlystreetsandhouses,andshedidnothavetodoanyworkatall,——

  shewasjustapetdog。Sheseemedveryhappyandshewasalwaysgood。

  Butafterawhile,thefamilynoticedsomethingodd,somethingverystrangeindeed,abouttheirpet。EverysingleTuesdaynight,aboutnineo’clock,WylieDISAPPEARED。Theywouldlookforher,callher,——no,shewasgone。Andshewouldbegoneallnight。ButeveryWednesdaymorning,thereshewasatthedoor,waitingtobeletin。Hersilkycoatwasallsweatyandmuddyandherfeetheavywithweariness,butherbrighteyeslookedupathermastersasifsheweretryingtoexplainwhereshehadbeen。

  Weekafterweekthesamethinghappened。

  NobodycouldimaginewhereWyliewenteveryTuesdaynight。Theytriedtofollowhertofindout,butshealwaysslippedaway;theytriedtoshutherin,butshealwaysfoundawayout。

  Itgrewtobearealmystery。WhereintheworlddidWyliego?

  Younevercouldguess,soIamgoingtotellyou。

  Inthecitynearthetownwherethekindyoungmenlivedwasabigmarketlike(namingoneintheneighbourhood)。Everysortofthingwassoldthere,evenlivecowsandsheepandhens。OnTuesdaynights,thefarmersusedtocomedownfromthehillswiththeirsheeptosell,anddrivethemthroughthecitystreetsintothepens,readytosellonWednesdaymorning;thatwasthedaytheysoldthem。

  Thesheepweren’tusedtothecitynoisesandsights,andtheyalwaysgrewafraidandwild,andgavethefarmersandthesheepdogsagreatdealoftrouble。Theybrokeawayandranabout,ineverybody’sway。

  Butjustasthetroublewasworst,aboutsunrise,thefarmerswouldseealittlesilky,sharp—

  eareddogcometrottingallalonedowntheroad,intothemidstofthem。

  Andthen!

  Inandoutthelittledogranlikethewind,roundandabout,alwaysintherightplace,driving——coaxing——pushing——makingthesheepmindlikeagoodschool—teacher,andneverfrighteningthem,tilltheywereallsafelyin!

  Alltheotherdogstogethercouldnotdoasmuchasthelittlestrangedog。Shewasaperfectwonder。Andnooneknewwhosedogshewasorwhereshecamefrom。Thefarmersgrewtowatchforher,everyweek,andtheycalledher\"theweefellyin\"whichisScotsfor\"thelittleterror\";theyusedtosaywhentheysawhercoming,\"There’stheweefellyin!Nowwe’llgetthemin。\"

  Everyfarmerwouldhavelikedtokeepher,butsheletnoonecatchher。Assoonasherworkwasdoneshewasoffandawaylikeafairydog,nooneknewwhere。Weekafterweekthishappened,andnobodyknewwhothelittlestrangedogwas。

  ButonedayWyliewenttowalkwithhertwomasters,andtheyhappenedtomeetsomesheepfarmers。ThesheepfarmersstoppedshortandstaredatWylie,andthentheycriedout,\"Why,THAT’STHEDOG!That’stheweefellyin!\"Andsoitwas。ThelittlestrangedogwhohelpedwiththesheepwasWylie。

  Hermasters,ofcourse,didn’tknowwhatthefarmersmeant,tilltheyweretoldallaboutwhatIhavebeentellingyou。Butwhentheyheardabouttheprettystrangedogwhocametomarketallalone,theyknewatlastwhereWyliewent,everyTuesdaynight。AndtheylovedherbetterthaneverWasn’titwiseofthedearlittledogtogoandworkforotherpeoplewhenherownworkwastakenaway?Ifancysheknewthatthebestpeopleandthebestdogsalwaysworkhardatsomething。Anywayshedidthatsamethingaslongasshelived,andshewasalwaysjustasgentle,andsilky—haired,andlovingasatfirst。

  LITTLEDAYLIGHT[1]

  [1]AdaptedfromAttheBackoftheNorthWind,byGeorgeMacdonald。

  Oncetherewasabeautifulpalace,whichhadagreatwoodatoneside。Thekingandhiscourtiershuntedinthewoodnearthepalace,andthereitwaskeptopen,freefromunderbrush。

  Butfartherawayitgrewwilderandwilder,tillatlastitwassothickthatnobodyknewwhatwasthere。Itwasaverygreatwoodindeed。

  Inthewoodlivedeightfairies。Sevenofthemweregoodfairies,whohadlivedtherealways;theeighthwasabadfairy,whohadjustcome。AndtheworstofitwasthatnobodybuttheotherfairiesknewsheWASafairy;

  peoplethoughtshewasjustanuglyoldwitch。

  Thegoodfairieslivedinthedearestlittlehouses!

  Onelivedinahollowsilverbirch,oneinalittlemosscottage,andsoon。Butthebadfairylivedinahorridmudhouseinthemiddleofadarkswamp。

  Nowwhenthefirstbabywasborntothekingandqueen,herfatherandmotherdecidedtonameher\"Daylight,\"becauseshewassobrightandsweet。Andofcoursetheyhadachristeningparty。AndofCOURSEtheyinvitedthefairies,becausethegoodfairieshadalwaysbeenatthechristeningpartywhenaprincesswasborninthepalace,andeverybodyknewthattheybroughtgoodgifts。

  But,alas,nooneknewabouttheswampfairy,andshewasnotinvited,——whichreallypleasedher,becauseitgaveheranexcusefordoingsomethingmean。

  Thegoodfairiescametothechristeningparty,and,oneafteranother,fiveofthemgavelittleDaylightgoodgifts。Theothertwostoodamongtheguests,sothatnoonenoticedthem。Theswampfairythoughttherewerenomoreofthem;

  soshesteppedforward,justasthearchbishopwashandingthebabybacktothelady—in—waiting。

  \"Iamjustalittledeaf,\"shesaid,mumblingalaughwithhertoothlessgums。\"Willyourreverencetellmethebaby’snameagain?\"

  \"Certainly,mygoodwoman,\"saidthebishop;

  \"theinfantislittleDaylight。\"

  \"AndlittleDaylightitshallbe,forsooth,\"

  criedthebadfairy。\"Idecreethatsheshallsleepallday。\"Thenshelaughedahorridshriekinglaugh,\"He,he,hi,hi!\"

  Everyonelookedateveryoneelseindespair,butoutsteppedthesixthgoodfairy,whobyarrangementwithhersistershadremainedinthebackgroundtoundowhatshecouldofanyevilthattheswampfairymightdecree。

  \"Thenatleastsheshallwakeallnight,\"shesaid,sadly。

  \"Ah!\"screamedtheswampfairy,\"youspokebeforeIhadfinished,whichisagainstthelaw,andgivesmeanotherchance。\"Allthefairiesstartedatoncetosay,\"Ibegyourpardon!\"

  Butthebadfairysaid,\"Ihadonlylaughed`he,he!’and`hi,hi!’Ihadstill`ho,ho!’and`hu,hu!’tolaugh。\"

  Thefairiescouldnotgainsaythis,andthebadfairyhadherotherchance。Shesaid,——

  \"Sincesheistowakeallnight,Idecreethatsheshallwaxandwanewiththemoon!Ho,ho,hu,hu!\"

  Outsteppedtheseventhgoodfairy。\"Untilaprinceshallkissherwithoutknowingwhosheis,\"shesaid,quickly。

  Theswampfairyhadbeenpreparedforthetrickofkeepingbackonegoodfairy,butshehadnotsuspecteditoftwo,andshecouldnotsayaword,forshehadlaughed\"ho,ho!\"and\"hu,hu!\"

  Thepoorkingandqueenlookedsadenough。

  \"Wedon’tknowwhatyoumean,\"theysaidtothegoodfairywhohadspokenlast。Butthegoodfairysmiled。\"Themeaningofthethingwillcomewiththething,\"shesaid。

  Thatwastheendoftheparty,butitwasonlythebeginningofthetrouble。Canyouimaginewhataqueerhouseholditwouldbe,wherethebabylaughedandcrowedallnight,andsleptallday?LittleDaylightwasasmerryandbrightallnightasanybabyintheworld,butwiththefirstsignofdawnshefellasleep,andsleptlikealittledormousetilldark。

  Nothingcouldwakenherwhiledaylasted。

  Still,theroyalfamilygotusedtothis;buttherestofthebadfairy’sgiftwasagreatdealworse,——thataboutwaxingandwaningwiththemoon。Youknowhowthemoongrowsbiggerandbrightereachnight,fromthetimeitisacurlysilverthreadlowintheskytillitisroundandgolden,floodingthewholeskywithlight?Thatisthewaxingmoon。Then,youknow,itwanes;itgrowssmallerandpaleragain,nightbynight,tillatlastitdisappearsforawhile,altogether。Well,poorlittleDaylightwaxedandwanedwithit。Shewastherosiest,plumpest,merriestbabyintheworldwhenthemoonwasatthefull;butasitbegantowaneherlittlecheeksgrewpaler,hertinyhandsthinner,witheverynight,tillshelayinhercradlelikeashadow—baby,withoutsoundormotion。Atfirsttheythoughtshewasdead,whenthemoondisappeared,butaftersomemonthstheygotusedtothistoo,andonlywaitedeagerlyforthenewmoon,toseeherrevive。Whenitshoneagain,faintandsilver,onthehorizon,thebabystirredweakly,andthentheyfedhergently;eachnightshegrewalittlebetter,andwhenthemoonwasnearthefullagain,shewasagainalively,rosy,lovelychild。

  Soitwentontillshegrewup。Shegrewtobethemostbeautifulmaidenthemoonevershoneon,andeveryonelovedhersomuch,forhersweetwaysandhermerryheart,thatsomeonewasalwaysplanningtostayupatnight,tobenearher。Butshedidnotliketobewatched,especiallywhenshefeltthebadtimeofwaningcomingon;soherladies—in—waitinghadtobeverycareful。Whenthemoonwanedshebecameshrunkenandpaleandbent,likeanold,oldwoman,wornoutwithsorrow。Onlyhergoldenhairandherblueeyesremainedunchanged,andthisgaveheraterriblystrangelook。Atlast,asthemoondisappeared,shefadedawaytoalittle,bowed,oldcreature,asleepandhelpless。

  Nowondershelikedbesttobealone!Shegotinthewayofwanderingbyherselfinthebeautifulwood,playinginthemoonlightwhenshewaswell,stealingawayintheshadowswhenshewasfadingwiththemoon。Herfatherhadalovelylittlehouseofrosesandvinesbuiltforher,there。Itstoodattheedgeofamostbeautifulopenglade,insidethewood,wherethemoonshonebest。Theretheprincesslivedwithherladies。Andthereshedancedwhenthemoonwasfull。Butwhenthemoonwaned,herladiesoftenlostheraltogether,sofardidshewander;andsometimestheyfoundhersleepingunderagreattree,andbroughtherhomeintheirarms。

  Whentheprincesswasaboutseventeenyearsold,therewasarebellioninakingdomnotfarfromherfather’s。Wickednoblesmurderedthekingofthecountryandstolehisthrone,andwouldhavemurderedtheyoungprince,too,ifhehadnotescaped,dressedinpeasant’sclothes。

  Dressedinhispoorrags,theprincewanderedaboutalongtime,tillonedayhegotintoagreatwood,andlosthisway。ItwasthewoodwherethePrincessDaylightlived,butofcoursehedidnotknowanythingaboutthatnorabouther。Hewanderedtillnight,andthenhecametoaqueerlittlehouse。Oneofthegoodfairieslivedthere,andtheminuteshesawhimsheknewallabouteverything;buttohimshelookedonlylikeakindoldwoman。Shegavehimagoodsupperandabedforthenight,andtoldhimtocomebacktoherifhefoundnobetterplaceforthenextnight。Buttheprincesaidhemustgetoutofthewoodatonce;sointhemorninghetookleaveofthefairy。

  Alldaylonghewalked,andwalked;butatnightfallhehadnotfoundhiswayoutofthewood,sohelaydowntoresttillthemoonshouldriseandlighthispath。

  Whenhewokethemoonwasglorious;itwasthreedaysfromthefull,andbrightassilver。Byitslighthesawwhathethoughttobetheedgeofthewood,andhehastenedtowardit。Butwhenhecametoit,itwasonlyanopenspace,surroundedwithtrees。Itwassoverylovely,inthewhitemoonlight,thattheprincestoodaminutetolook。Andashelooked,somethingwhitemovedoutofthetreesonthefarsideoftheopenspace。Itwassomethingslimandwhite,thatswayedinthedimlightlikeayoungbirch。

  \"Itmustbeamoonfairy,\"thoughttheprince;andhesteppedintotheshadow。

  Themoonfairycamenearerandnearer,dancingandswayinginthemoonlight。Andasshecame,shebegantosingasoft,gaylittlesong。

  Butwhenshewasquiteclose,theprincesawthatshewasnotafairyafterall,butarealhumanmaiden,——theloveliestmaidenhehadeverseen。Herhairwaslikeyellowcorn,andhersmilemadealltheplacemerry。Herwhitegownflutteredasshedanced,andherlittlesongsoundedlikeabirdnote。

  Theprincewatchedhertillshedancedoutofsight,andthenuntilsheoncemorecametowardhim;andsheseemedsolikeamoon—

  beamherself,assheliftedherfacetothesky,thathewasalmostafraidtobreathe。Hehadneverseenanythingsolovely。Bythetimeshehaddancedtwiceroundthecircle,hecouldthinkofnothingintheworldexceptthehopeoffindingoutwhoshewas,andstayingnearher。

  Butwhilehewaswaitingforhertoappearthethirdtime,hiswearinessovercamehim,andhefellasleep。Andwhenheawoke,itwasbroadday,andthebeautifulmaidenhadvanished。

  Hehuntedabout,hopingtofindwhereshelived,andontheothersideofthegladehecameuponalovelylittlehouse,coveredwithmossandclimbingroses。Hethoughtshemustlivethere,sohewentroundtothekitchendoorandaskedthekindcookforadrinkofwater,andwhilehewasdrinkingitheaskedwholivedthere。ShetoldhimitwasthehouseofthePrincessDaylight,butshetoldhimnothingelseabouther,becauseshewasnotallowedtotalkabouthermistress。Butshegavehimaverygoodmealandtoldhimotherthings。

  Hedidnotgobacktothelittleoldwomanwhohadbeensokindtohimfirst,butwanderedalldayinthewood,waitingforthemoontime。Againhewaitedattheedgeofthedell,andwhenthewhitemoonwashighintheheavens,oncemorehesawtheglimmeringinthedistance,andoncemorethelovelymaidenfloatedtowardhim。HeknewhernamewasthePrincessDaylight,butthistimesheseemedtohimmuchlovelierthanbefore。

  Shewasallinblueliketheblueoftheskyinsummer。(Shereallywasmorelovely,youknow,becausethemoonwasalmostatthefull。)Allnighthewatchedher,quiteforgettingthatheoughtnottobedoingit,tillshedisappearedontheoppositesideoftheglade。

  Then,verytired,hefoundhiswaytothelittleoldwoman’shouse,hadbreakfastwithher,andfellfastasleepinthebedshegavehim。

  ThefairyknewwellenoughbyhisfacethathehadseenDaylight,andwhenhewokeupintheeveningandstartedoffagainshegavehimastrangelittleflaskandtoldhimtouseitifeverheneededit。

  Thisnighttheprincessdidnotappearinthedelluntilmidnight,attheveryfullofthemoon。Butwhenshecame,shewassolovelythatshetooktheprince’sbreathaway。Justthink!——shewasdressedinagownthatlookedasifitweremadeoffireflies’wings,em—

  broideredingold。Shedancedaroundandaround,singing,swaying,andflittinglikeabeamofsunlight,tilltheprincegrewquitedazzled。

  Butwhilehehadbeenwatchingher,hehadnotnoticedthattheskywasgrowingdarkandthewindwasrising。Suddenlytherewasaclapofthunder。Theprincessdancedon。

  Butanotherclapcamelouder,andthenasuddengreatflashoflightningthatlituptheskyfromendtoend。Theprincecouldn’thelpshuttinghiseyes,butheopenedthemquicklytoseeifDaylightwashurt。Alas,shewaslyingontheground。Theprincerantoher,butshewasalreadyupagain。

  \"Whoareyou?\"shesaid。

  \"Ithought,\"stammeredtheprince,\"youmightbehurt。\"

  \"Thereisnothingthematter。Goaway。\"

  Theprincewentsadly。

  \"Comeback,\"saidtheprincess。Theprincecame。\"Ilikeyou,youdoasyouaretold。

  Areyougood?\"

  \"NotsogoodasIshouldliketobe,\"saidtheprince。

  \"Thengoandgrowbetter,\"saidtheprincess。

  Theprincewent,moresadly。

  \"Comeback,\"saidtheprincess。Theprincecame。\"Ithinkyoumustbeaprince,\"shesaid。

  \"Why?\"saidtheprince。

  \"Becauseyoudoasyouaretold,andyoutellthetruth。Willyoutellmewhatthesunlookslike?\"

  \"Why,everybodyknowsthat,\"saidtheprince。

  \"Iamdifferentfromeverybody,\"saidtheprincess,——\"Idon’tknow。\"

  \"But,\"saidtheprince,\"doyounotlookwhenyouwakeupinthemorning?\"

  \"That’sjustit,\"saidtheprincess,\"Ineverdowakeupinthemorning。Inevercanwakeupuntil————\"Thentheprincessrememberedthatshewastalkingtoaprince,andputtingherhandsoverherfaceshewalkedswiftlyaway。Theprincefollowedher,butsheturnedandputupherhandtotellhimnotto。Andlikethegentlemanprincethathewas,heobeyedheratonce。

  Nowallthistime,thewickedswampfairyhadnotknownawordaboutwhatwasgoingon。Butnowshefoundout,andshewasfurious,forfearthatlittleDaylightshouldbedeliveredfromherspell。SoshecastherspellstokeeptheprincefromfindingDaylightagain。Nightafternightthepoorprincewanderedandwandered,andnevercouldfindthelittledell。Andwhendaytimecame,ofcourse,therewasnoprincesstobeseen。

  Finally,atthetimethatthemoonwasalmostgone,theswampfairystoppedherspells,becausesheknewthatbythistimeDaylightwouldbesochangedanduglythattheprincewouldneverknowherifhedidseeher。Shesaidtoherselfwithawickedlaugh:——

  \"Nofearofhiswantingtokisshernow!\"

  Thatnighttheprincedidfindthedell,butnoprincesscame。Alittleaftermidnighthepassednearthelovelylittlehousewhereshelived,andthereheoverheardherwaiting—

  womentalkingabouther。Theyseemedingreatdistress。Theyweresayingthattheprincesshadwanderedintothewoodsandwaslost。Theprincedidn’tknow,ofcourse,whatitmeant,buthedidunderstandthattheprincesswaslostsomewhere,andhestartedofftofindher。Afterhehadgonealongwaywithoutfindingher,hecametoabigoldtree,andtherehethoughthewouldlightafiretoshowherthewayifsheshouldhappentoseeit。

  Astheblazeflaredup,hesuddenlysawalittleblackheapontheothersideofthetree。

  Somebodywaslyingthere。Herantothespot,hisheartbeatingwithhope。Butwhenheliftedthecloakwhichwashuddledabouttheform,hesawatoncethatitwasnotDaylight。Apinched,withered,white,littleoldwoman’sfaceshoneoutathim。Thehoodwasdrawnclosedownoverherforehead,theeyeswereclosed,andastheprinceliftedthecloak,theoldwoman’slipsmoanedfaintly。

  \"Oh,poormother,\"saidtheprince,\"whatisthematter?\"Theoldwomanonlymoanedagain。Theprinceliftedherandcarriedherovertothewarmfire,andrubbedherhands,tryingtofindoutwhatwasthematter。Butsheonlymoaned,andherfacewassoterriblystrangeandwhitethattheprince’stenderheartachedforher。Rememberinghislittleflask,hepouredsomeofhisliquidbetweenherlips,andthenhethoughtthebestthinghecoulddowastocarryhertotheprincess’shouse,whereshecouldbetakencareof。

  Asheliftedthepoorlittleforminhisarms,twogreattearsstoleoutfromtheoldwoman’sclosedeyesandrandownherwrinkledcheeks。

  \"Oh,poor,poormother,\"saidtheprincepityingly;andhestoopedandkissedherwitheredlips。

  Ashewalkedthroughtheforestwiththeoldwomaninhisarms,itseemedtohimthatshegrewheavierandheavier;hecouldhardlycarryheratall;andthenshestirred,andatlasthewasobligedtosetherdown,torest。

  Hemeanttolayherontheground。Buttheoldwomanstooduponherfeet。

  Andthenthehoodfellbackfromherface。

  Asshelookedupattheprince,thefirst,long,yellowrayoftherisingsunstruckfulluponher,——anditwasthePrincessDaylight!Herhairwasgoldenasthesunitself,andhereyesasblueastheflowerthatgrowsinthecorn。

  Theprincefellonhiskneesbeforeher。Butshegavehimherhandandmadehimrise。

  \"YoukissedmewhenIwasanoldwoman,\"

  saidtheprincess,\"I’llkissyounowthatIamayoungprincess。\"Andshedid。

  Andthensheturnedherfacetowardthedawn。

  \"DearPrince,\"shesaid,\"isthatthesun?\"

  THESAILORMAN[1]

  [1]FromTheGoldenWindows,byLauraE。Richards。

  (H。R。AllensonLtd。2s。6d。net。)

  Onceuponatime,twochildrencametothehouseofasailorman,wholivedbesidethesaltsea;andtheyfoundthesailormansittinginhisdoorwayknottingropes。

  \"Howdoyoudo?\"askedthesailorman。

  \"Weareverywell,thankyou,\"saidthechildren,whohadlearnedmanners,\"andwehopeyouarethesame。Weheardthatyouhadaboat,andwethoughtthatperhapsyouwouldtakeusoutinher,andteachushowtosail,forthatiswhatwemostwishtoknow。\"

  \"Allingoodtime,\"saidthesailorman。\"I

  ambusynow,butby—and—by,whenmyworkisdone,Imayperhapstakeoneofyouifyouarereadytolearn。Meantimeherearesomeropesthatneedknotting;youmightbedoingthat,sinceithastobedone。\"Andheshowedthemhowtheknotsshouldbetied,andwentawayandleftthem。

  Whenhewasgonethefirstchildrantothewindowandlookedout。

  \"Thereisthesea,\"hesaid。\"Thewavescomeuponthebeach,almosttothedoorofthehouse。Theyrunupallwhite,likeprancinghorses,andthentheygodraggingback。Comeandlook!\"

  \"Icannot,\"saidthesecondchild。\"Iamtyingaknot。\"

  \"Oh!\"criedthefirstchild,\"Iseetheboat。

  Sheisdancinglikealadyataball;Ineversawsuchabeauty。Comeandlook!\"

  \"Icannot,\"saidthesecondchild。\"Iamtyingaknot。\"

  \"Ishallhaveadelightfulsailinthatboat,\"

  saidthefirstchild。\"Iexpectthatthesailormanwilltakeme,becauseIamtheeldestandIknowmoreaboutit。Therewasnoneedofmywatchingwhenheshowedyoutheknots,becauseIknewhowalready。\"

  Justthenthesailormancamein。

  \"Well,\"hesaid,\"myworkisover。Whathaveyoubeendoinginthemeantime?\"

  \"Ihavebeenlookingattheboat,\"saidthefirstchild。\"Whatabeautysheis!IshallhavethebesttimeinherthateverIhadinmylife。\"

  \"Ihavebeentyingknots,\"saidthesecondchild。

  \"Come,then,\"saidthesailorman,andheheldouthishandtothesecondchild。\"Iwilltakeyououtintheboat,andteachyoutosailher。\"

  \"ButIamtheeldest,\"criedthefirstchild,\"andIknowagreatdealmorethanshedoes。\"

  \"Thatmaybe,\"saidthesailorman;\"butapersonmustlearntotieaknotbeforehecanlearntosailaboat。\"

  \"ButIhavelearnedtotieaknot,\"criedthechild。\"Iknowallaboutit!\"

  \"HowcanItellthat?\"askedthesailorman。

  THESTORYOFJAIRUS’SDAUGHTER[1]

  [1]ThisshouldusuallybeprefacedbyabriefstatementofJesushabitofhealingandcomfortingallwithwhomHecameinclosecontact。TheexactformoftheprefacemustdependonhowmuchofHislifehasalreadybeengiveninstories。

  Once,whileJesuswasjourneyingabout,HepassednearatownwhereamannamedJairuslived。Thismanwasarulerinthesynagogue,andhehadjustonelittledaughterabouttwelveyearsofage。AtthetimethatJesuswastherethelittledaughterwasverysick,andatlastshelaya—dying。

  Herfatherheardthattherewasawonderfulmannearthetown,whowashealingsickpeoplewhomnooneelsecouldhelp,andinhisdespairheranoutintothestreetstosearchforHim。

  HefoundJesuswalkinginthemidstofacrowdofpeople,andwhenhesawHimhefelldownatJesusfeetandbesoughtHimtocomeintohishouse,tohealhisdaughter。AndJesussaid,Yes,hewouldgowithhim。Butthereweresomanypeoplebeggingtobehealed,andsomanylookingtoseewhathappened,thatthecrowdthrongedthem,andkeptthemfrommovingfast。Andbeforetheyreachedthehouseoneoftheman’sservantscametomeetthem,andsaid,\"Thydaughterisdead;troublenottheMastertocomefarther。\"

  ButinstantlyJesusturnedtothefatherandsaid,\"Fearnot;onlybelieve,andsheshallbemadewhole。\"AndHewentonwithJairus,tothehouse。

  Whentheycametothehouse,theyheardthesoundofweepingandlamentation;thehouseholdwasmourningforthelittledaughter,whowasdead。Jesussentallthestrangersawayfromthedoor,andonlythreeofHisdisciplesandthefatherandmotherofthechildwentinwithHim。AndwhenHewaswithin,Hesaidtothemourningpeople,\"Weepnot;sheisnotdead;shesleepeth。\"

  WhenHehadpassed,theylaughedHimtoscorn,fortheyknewthatshewasdead。

  ThenJesusleftthemall,andwentaloneintothechamberwherethelittledaughterlay。

  AndwhenHewasthere,alone,Hewentuptothebedwhereshewas,andbentoverher,andtookherbythehand。AndHesaid,\"Maiden,arise。\"

  Andherspiritcameuntoheragain!Andshelived,andgrewupinherfather’shouse。

  ESPECIALLYFORCLASSESIV。ANDV。

  ARTHURANDTHESWORD[1]

  [1]AdaptedfromSirThomasMalory。

  OncetherewasagreatkinginBritainnamedUther,andwhenhediedtheotherkingsandprincesdisputedoverthekingdom,eachwantingitforhimself。ButKingUtherhadasonnamedArthur,therightfulheirtothethrone,ofwhomnooneknew,forhehadbeentakenawaysecretlywhilehewasstillababybyawiseoldmancalledMerlin,whohadhimbroughtupinthefamilyofacertainSirEctor,forfearofthemaliceofwickedknights。EventheboyhimselfthoughtSirEctorwashisfather,andhelovedSirEctor’sson,SirKay,withtheloveofabrother。

  Whenthekingsandprincescouldnotbekeptincheckanylonger,andsomethinghadtobedonetodeterminewhowastobeking,MerlinmadetheArchbishopofCanterburysendforthemalltocometoLondon。ItwasChristmastime,andinthegreatcathedralasolemnservicewasheld,andprayerwasmadethatsomesignshouldbegiven,toshowwhowastherightfulking。Whentheservicewasover,thereappearedastrangestoneinthechurchyard,againstthehighaltar。Itwasagreatwhitestone,likemarble,withsomethingsunkinitthatlookedlikeasteelanvil;andintheanvilwasdrivenagreatglisteningsword。

  Theswordhadlettersofgoldwrittenonit,whichread:\"WhosopullethoutthisswordofthisstoneandanvilisrightwisekingbornofallEngland。\"

  Allwonderedatthestrangeswordanditsstrangewriting;andwhenthearchbishophimselfcameoutandgavepermission,manyoftheknightstriedtopulltheswordfromthestone,hopingtobeking。Butnoonecouldmoveitahair’sbreadth。

  \"Heisnothere,\"saidthearchbishop,\"thatshallachievethesword;butdoubtnot,Godwillmakehimknown。\"

  Thentheysetaguardoftenknightstokeepthestone,andthearchbishopappointedadaywhenallshouldcometogethertotryatthestone,——kingsfromfarandnear。Inthemeantime,splendidjoustswereheld,outsideLondon,andbothknightsandcommonswerebidden。

  SirEctorcameuptothejousts,withothers,andwithhimrodeKayandArthur。KayhadbeenmadeaknightatAllhallowmas,andwhenhefoundtherewastobesofineajousthewantedasword,tojoinit。Buthehadlefthisswordbehind,wherehisfatherandhehadsleptthenightbefore。SoheaskedyoungArthurtorideforit。

  \"Iwillwell,\"saidArthur,androdebackforit。Butwhenhecametothecastle,theladyandallherhouseholdwereatthejousting,andtherewasnonetolethimin。

  ThereatArthursaidtohimself,\"MybrotherSirKayshallnotbewithoutaswordthisday。\"

  Andherememberedtheswordhehadseeninthechurchyard。\"Iwilltothechurchyard,\"

  hesaid,\"andtakethatswordwithme。\"Soherodeintothechurchyard,tiedhishorsetothestile,andwentuptothestone。Theguardswereawaytothetourney,andtheswordwasthere,alone。

  Goinguptothestone,youngArthurtookthegreatswordbythehilt,andlightlyandfiercelyhedrewitoutoftheanvil。

  ThenherodestraighttoSirKay,andgaveittohim。

  SirKayknewinstantlythatitwastheswordofthestone,andherodeoffatoncetohisfatherandsaid,\"Sir,lo,hereistheswordofthestone;Imustbekingoftheland。\"ButSirEctoraskedhimwherehegotthesword。AndwhenSirKaysaid,\"Frommybrother,\"heaskedArthurhowhegotit。WhenArthurtoldhim,SirEctorbowedhisheadbeforehim。

  \"NowIunderstandyemustbekingofthisland,\"hesaidtoArthur。

  \"WhereforeI?\"saidArthur。

  \"ForGodwillhaveitso,\"saidEctor;

  \"nevermanshouldhavedrawnoutthisswordbuthethatshallberightwisekingofthisland。

  Nowletmeseewhetheryecanputtheswordasitwasinthestone,andpullitoutagain。\"

  StraightwayArthurputtheswordback。

  ThenSirEctortriedtopullitout,andafterhimSirKay;butneithercouldstirit。ThenArthurpulleditout。Thereupon,SirEctorandSirKaykneeleduponthegroundbeforehim。

  \"Alas,\"saidArthur,\"mineowndearfatherandbrother,whykneelyetome?\"

  SirEctortoldhim,then,allabouthisroyalbirth,andhowhehadbeentakenprivilyawaybyMerlin。ButwhenArthurfoundSirEctorwasnottrulyhisfather,hewassosadatheartthathecarednotgreatlytobeking。Andhebeggedhisfatherandbrothertolovehimstill。

  SirEctoraskedthatSirKaymightbeseneschalwhenArthurwasking。Arthurpromisedwithallhisheart。

  Thentheywenttothearchbishopandtoldhimthattheswordhadfounditsmaster。Thearchbishopappointedadayforthetrialtobemadeinthesightofallmen,andonthatdaytheprincesandknightscametogether,andeachtriedtodrawoutthesword,asbefore。Butasbefore,nonecouldsomuchasstirit。

  ThencameArthur,andpullediteasilyfromitsplace。

  Theknightsandkingswereterriblyangrythataboyfromnowhereinparticularhadbeatenthem,andtheyrefusedtoacknowledgehimking。

  Theyappointedanotherday,foranothergreattrial。

  Threetimestheydidthis,andeverytimethesamethinghappened。

  Atlast,atthefeastofPentecost,Arthuragainpulledouttheswordbeforealltheknightsandthecommons。Andthenthecommonsroseupandcriedthatheshouldbeking,andthattheywouldslayanywhodeniedhim。

  SoArthurbecamekingofBritain,andallgavehimallegiance。

点击下载App,搜索"Stories To Tell To Children",免费读到尾