Third Grade Read Aloud Banquet



Songs for March

The Three Little Kittens



Billy Pringle



Mrs. Bond



There Was a Lady Loved a Swine




The Land of Story-Books

At evening when the lamp is lit,

Around the fire my parents sit;

They sit at home and talk and sing,

And do not play at anything.


Now, with my little gun, I crawl

All in the dark along the wall,

And follow round the forest track

Away behind the sofa back.


There, in the night, where none can spy,

All in my hunter's camp I lie,

And play at books that I have read

Till it is time to go to bed.


These are the hills, these are the woods,

These are my starry solitudes;

And there the river by whose brink

The roaring lions come to drink.


I see the others far away

As if in firelit camp they lay,

And I, like to an Indian scout,

Around their party prowled about.


So when my nurse comes in for me,

Home I return across the sea,

And go to bed with backward looks

At my dear land of Story-Books.


  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Week 22 When the Sun Went Down from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Harold from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall An Independent Family from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess How Beowulf Returned to His Own Land from Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall England from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Jack the Giant-Killer from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Beside the Sea by Lisa M. Ripperton Jehu, the Furious Driver of His Chariot (Part 1 of 2) from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Lad Who Rode Sidesaddle from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Adventures of a Meadow Caterpillar from Holiday Meadow by Edith M. Patch The Victory at Yorktown and Washington as President from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Wolf and the Goat from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Kingdom from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon Shell-Fish from Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright The Wild Wood (Part 1 of 2) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Chambered Nautilus by Oliver Wendell Holmes The Piper by William Blake Who Stole the Bird's Nest? by Lydia Maria Child Sweet Peas by John Keats Poem by Rachel Field The Green Grass Growing All Around, Anonymous America by Samuel Francis Smith
Week 23 Magic from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett The Battle of Stamford Bridge from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Digger and His Cousin Glutton from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess How the Fire Dragon Warred with the Goth Folk from Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Elizabeth's Sailors from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Wise Men of Gotham from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Beside the Sea by Lisa M. Ripperton Jehu, the Furious Driver of His Chariot (Part 2 of 2) from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Whisperers from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Snowflakes (Part 1 of 2) from Holiday Meadow by Edith M. Patch Thomas Jefferson from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Ass and the Grasshoppers from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter Orpheus and Eurydice from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon The Story of Mr. Conch from Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright The Wild Wood (Part 2 of 2) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
On the Grasshopper and the Cricket by John Keats The Lily by William Blake Verse, Anonymous ---JUNE--- Poem by Rachel Field Robert of Lincoln by William Cullen Bryant The Little Green Orchard by Walter de la Mare
Week 24 "Let Them Laugh" from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett The Battle of Hastings from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Shadow and His Family from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess How Beowulf Overcame the Dragon from Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Drake's Voyage round the World from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Catskin from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Beside the Sea by Lisa M. Ripperton Saint Alban from Our Island Saints by Amy Steedman
How a Prince Learned To Read from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Snowflakes (Part 2 of 2) from Holiday Meadow by Edith M. Patch Daniel Boone from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Mule from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Man Who Never Died from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon Sea-Babies from Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright Mr. Badger (Part 1 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
A Boy's Song by James Hogg The Blossom by William Blake Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean, Anonymous The Fairies of the Caldon Low by Mary Howitt Poem by Rachel Field Dewdrops by Mary F. Butts The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Week 25 The Curtain from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett William the Conqueror—Hereward the Wake from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Two Famous Swimmers from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess Beowulf's Last Rest from Stories of Beowulf Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall The Great Armada from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge King Stork from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Beside the Sea by Lisa M. Ripperton Elisha and the Bow; Jonah and Nineveh from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
"Read and You Will Know" from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Silk Funnel from Holiday Meadow by Edith M. Patch Robert Fulton and the Steamboat from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Fox and the Goat from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Adventures of Perseus (Part 1 of 2) from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon More about Sea-Babies from Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright Mr. Badger (Part 2 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Children by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Night by William Blake Daisies by Bliss Carman Flower in the Crannied Wall by Alfred Lord Tennyson Poem by Rachel Field The Pine Lady by Richard Le Gallienne Flag Song by Lydia Avery Coonley Ward
Week 26 "It's Mother!" from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett William the Conqueror—Death of the King from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Spite the Marten and Pekan the Fisher from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess King Marsil's Council from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Among the Icebergs from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Hans in Luck from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton How the Ten Tribes Were Lost from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Young Cupbearer from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin An Invitation from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch William Henry Harrison from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Adventures of Perseus (Part 2 of 2) from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon About Mr. Drill from Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright Mr. Badger (Part 3 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Milking Song by Jean Ingelow My Pretty Rose Tree by William Blake Scythe Song by Andrew Lang White Butterflies by Algernon Charles Swinburne Poem by Rachel Field A Song by James Whitcomb Riley The Cow by Robert Louis Stevenson
Week 27 In the Garden from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett The Story of William the Red from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Reddy Fox Joins the School from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess The Emperor Charlemagne's Council from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Sir Humphrey Gilbert from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The White Bird from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The First Four Kings of Judah from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Sons of the Caliph from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Yelping Frog from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Andrew Jackson (Part 1 of 2) from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Wolf and the Shepherd from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Golden Fleece (Part 1 of 2) from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon The Story of a War from Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright Dulce Domum (Part 1 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Rain in Summer by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The Little Boy Lost by William Blake The Star-Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key Song of the Elf by Madison Cawein Poem by Rachel Field The Brook by Alfred Lord Tennyson One, Two, Three by Henry C. Bunner
Week 28 Up the Mountain to Alm-Uncle from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Henry I—The Story of the "White Ship" from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Old Man Coyote and Howler the Wolf from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess Ganelon's Treason from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall
Virginia from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge
The Three Spinsters from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Little Boy Who Was Crowned King from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Boy and the Robbers from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Lotor, the Washer (Part 1 of 2) from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Andrew Jackson (Part 2 of 2) from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Peacock and the Crane from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Golden Fleece (Part 2 of 2) from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon How Shell-Fish Feed from Seaside and Wayside, Book One by Julia McNair Wright Dulce Domum (Part 2 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
On the Desert by William Wetmore Story The Little Boy Found by William Blake The Pied Piper of Hamelin by Robert Browning An Old Song Re-Sung by John Masefield Poem by Rachel Field Hurt No Living Thing by Christina Georgina Rossetti The Little Elf-Man by John Kendrick Bangs
Week 29 At Home with Grandfather from Heidi by Johanna Spyri The Story of King Stephen from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Yowler and His Cousin Tufty from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess Roland's Pride from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Story of the Revenge from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Mighty Mikko from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton Three Kings and a Great Prophet from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
A Lesson in Justice from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Lotor, the Washer (Part 2 of 2) from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Morse and the Telegraph from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Farmer and the Cranes from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter A Lost Secret from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon A Look at an Ant from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Dulce Domum (Part 3 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Milking Time by Christina Georgina Rossetti From The Two Songs by William Blake The Song of the Busy Bee by Marian Douglas The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson Poem by Rachel Field If I Were Little as a Bee by John Martin Simple Simon, Mother Goose
Week 30 Out with the Goats from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Henry Plantagenet—Gilbert and Rohesia from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Some Big and Little Cat Cousins from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess Roland Sounds His Horn from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Sir Walter Raleigh from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Husband Who Was To Mind the House from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Good King Hezekiah from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The General and the Fox from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Blue Damsel‑Flies from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch How the Telegraph Became Successful from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Farmer and His Sons from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Champion of Athens (Part 1 of 2) from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon The Life of an Ant from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Mr. Toad (Part 1 of 2) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea by Allan Cunningham The Tiger by William Blake Answer to a Child's Question by Samuel Taylor Coleridge The Poppy by Jane Taylor Poem by Rachel Field What Do We Plant? by Henry Abbey The Night Will Never Stay by Eleanor Farjeon
Week 31 The Visit to Grandmother from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Henry Plantagenet—Thomas à Becket from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Bobby Coon Arrives from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess The Death of Oliver from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall The Fairy Queen from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Water of Life from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Lost Book Found in the Temple from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Bomb from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Visitors from the Sea from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Early Life of Abraham Lincoln from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Two Pots from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Champion of Athens (Part 2 of 2) from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon The Ant's Home from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Mr. Toad (Part 2 of 2) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Child's Evening Prayer by Sabine Baring-Gould To Summer by William Blake Over Hill, Over Dale by William Shakespeare Over Hill, Over Dale by William Shakespeare Poem by Rachel Field The Fairies Have Never a Penny to Spend by Rose Fyleman Harry Hippopotamus by Helen Cowles Le Cron
Week 32 Two Visits and What Came of Them from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Henry Plantagenet—The Conquest of Ireland from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Buster Bear Nearly Breaks Up School from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess The Death of Roland from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall A Great Dramatist from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Last Four Kings of Judah and the Weeping Prophet (Part 1 of 2) from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
A Story of Old Rome from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Painted Turtle from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Lincoln in Public Life from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Goose and the Golden Egg from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Oracle from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon The Ants at Home from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (Part 1 of 2) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Sea by Barry Cornwall The Schoolboy by William Blake To a Butterfly by William Wordsworth Hiawatha's Childhood by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Poem by Rachel Field Song for Music by Thomas Hood Very Nearly by Queenie Scott-Hopper
Week 33 A New Chapter about New Things from Heidi by Johanna Spyri The Story of Richard Coeur de Lion from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Buster Bear's Big Cousins from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess The Return of Charlemagne from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall The Golden Days of Good Queen Bess from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Old Hag of the Forest from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Last Four Kings of Judah and the Weeping Prophet (Part 2 of 2) from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
Saved by a Dolphin from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Cardinal Flowers from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Something about the Civil War from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Fighting Bulls and the Frog from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter
His First Labor: The Lion from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon
The Ants on a Trip from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (Part 2 of 2) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Song of Illyrian Peasants by Samuel Taylor Coleridge The Fly by William Blake The Dustman by Bliss Carman The Windy Night by Thomas Buchanan Read Poem by Rachel Field Night-Scented Flowers by Felicia Dorothea Hemans Farewell to the Farm by Robert Louis Stevenson
Week 34 Fraulein Rottenmeier Spends an Uncomfortable Day from Heidi by Johanna Spyri The Story of How Blondel Found the King from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Unc' Billy and Old Mrs. Possum from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess The Coming of the Emir of Babylon from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall First Voyage of the East India Company from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Simpleton and His Little Black Hen from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton What Ezekiel Saw in the Valley from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
"Little Brothers of the Air" from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Nim Fay, the Sap Drinker from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Something about the Spanish War from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Mouse and the Weasel from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter His Second Labor: The Hydra from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon The Farmer Ants from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Toad's Adventures (Part 1 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Kentucky Babe by Richard Henry Buck Laughing Song by William Blake Farm-Yard Song by John Townsend Trowbridge To a Child: Written in Her Album by William Wordsworth Poem by Rachel Field Requiem by Robert Louis Stevenson The Swallow by Christina Georgina Rossetti
Week 35 There Is a Great Commotion in the Large House from Heidi by Johanna Spyri John Lackland—The Story of Prince Arthur from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Lightfoot, Blacktail and Forkhorn from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess The Punishment of Ganelon from Stories of Roland Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall The Story of Henry Hudson from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Katie Woodencloak from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton Saint Giles from In God's Garden by Amy Steedman
A Clever Slave from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Sandy the Swallow from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch How the Unted States Became Larger (Part 1 of 2) from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Farmer and the Snake from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter
His Third Labor: The Stag from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon
Ants and Their Trades from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Toad's Adventures (Part 2 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Chanticleer by Katherine Tynan Hinkson Nurse's Song by William Blake The Swallow by Christina Georgina Rossetti Dirge on the Death of Oberon, the Fairy King by G. W. Thornbury Poem by Rachel Field The Green Gnome by Robert Buchanan The Mountain and the Squirrel by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Week 36 Herr Sesemann Hears of Things That Are New to Him from Heidi by Johanna Spyri John Lackland—The Story of the Great Charter from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Bugler, Flathorns and Wanderhoof from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess How Robin Hood Came To Live in the Green Wood from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Captain John Smith from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Dwarfs' Tailor from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Jewish Captives in the Court of the King from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Dark Day from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin A Pond‑Lily's Guests from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch How the Unted States Became Larger (Part 2 of 2) from A First Book in American History by Edward Eggleston The Sick Stag from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter His Fourth Labor: The Boar from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon The Slave Ants from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Toad's Adventures (Part 3 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Nathan Hale by Francis Miles Finch A Dream by William Blake My Heart's in the Highlands by Robert Burns The Sandpiper by Celia Thaxter Poem by Rachel Field Hunting Song by Sir Walter Scott To Mother Fairie by Alice Cary
Week 37 Another Grandmother from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Henry III of Winchester—Hubert de Burgh from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Thunderfoot, Fleetfoot and Longcoat from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess The Meeting of Robin Hood and Little John from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall The Founding of Quebec from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Christmas Cuckoo from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Golden Image and the Fiery Furnace from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Surly Guest from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Dusky Ducks from Holiday Pond by Edith M. Patch Benjamin Franklin (Part 1 of 4) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Goatherd and the Wild Goats from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter
His Fifth Labor: The Augean Stable from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon
Wonder Ants from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Wayfarers All (Part 1 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
September by Frank Dempster Sherman To Morning by William Blake The Owl and the Pussy-Cat by Edward Lear Allen-a-Dale by Sir Walter Scott Poem by Rachel Field When I Was a Little Boy, Anonymous Young Night-Thought by Robert Louis Stevenson
Week 38 Heidi Gains in One Way and Loses in Another from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Henry III of Winchester—Simon de Montfort from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Two Wonderful Mountain Climbers from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess The Wedding of Allan-a-Dale from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall The Pilgrim Fathers from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Clever Manka from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Tree That Was Cut Down and Grew Again from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Story of a Great Story from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Signs on the Hill from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Benjamin Franklin (Part 2 of 4) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Spendthrift and the Swallow from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter More Labors from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon The Ways of Ants from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Wayfarers All (Part 2 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
De Sheepfol' by Sarah Platt Greene The Fairy by William Blake The Arrow and the Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Pebbles by Frank Dempster Sherman Poem by Rachel Field The Windmill by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow I Love You, Mother by Joy Allison
Week 39 A Ghost in the House from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Henry III—The Story of the Poisoned Dagger from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Piggy and Hardshell from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess Robin Hood and the Butcher from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Thirty Years of War from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Susan Walker, What a Talker! from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Writing upon the Wall from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The King and the Page from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Old Boulder from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Benjamin Franklin (Part 3 of 4) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Cat and the Birds from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter His Eleventh Labor: The Garden of the Hesperides from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon Mr. Worm and His Family from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright Wayfarers All (Part 3 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Campbells Are Comin', Anonymous The Cloud by Sara Teasdale The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt The Lost Doll by Charles Kingsley Poem by Rachel Field SEPTEMBER POEM The Drum by Eugene Field
Week 40 A Summer Evening on the Mountain from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Edward I—The Little War of Chalons from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall The Mammals of the Sea from The Burgess Animal Book for Children by Thornton Burgess Robin Hood and the Bishop from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall The Dutch at Sea from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Aschenputtel from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton Daniel in the Den of Lions from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Hunted King from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Heath Bells and Berries from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Benjamin Franklin (Part 4 of 4) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Dog and the Oyster from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter His Twelfth Labor: The Descent into Hades from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon Mr. Earth-Worm at Home from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Further Adventures of Toad (Part 1 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Owl by Alfred Lord Tennyson To Autumn by William Blake The Eagle by Alfred Lord Tennyson The Captain Stood on the Carronade by Frederick Marryat Poem by Rachel Field The Sandpiper by Celia Thaxter October's Party by George Cooper
Week 41 Sunday Bells from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Edward I—The Lawgiver from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall The Ol' Beech Pa'tridge (Part 1 of 2) from Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long Robin Hood and Maid Marian from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall The Great South Land from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Puss in Boots; or, The Master Cat from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Story of a Joyous Journey from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
"Try, Try Again!" from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Cone Hunt from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Daniel Webster (Part 1 of 5) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Astrologer from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Choice of Hercules from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon Mr. Worm at Work from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Further Adventures of Toad (Part 2 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Hag by Robert Herrick The Clod and the Pebble by William Blake To an Autumn Leaf, Anonymous October's Bright Blue Weather by Helen Hunt Jackson Poem by Rachel Field Sir Patrick Spens, Anonymous Autumn Fires by Robert Louis Stevenson
Week 42 Preparations for a Journey from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Edward I—The Hammer of the Scots from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall The Ol' Beech Pa'tridge (Part 2 of 2) from Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long Robin Hood and the Silver Arrow from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Van Riebeek's Colony from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Murdoch's Rath from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton Saint Ursula (Part 1 of 2) from In God's Garden by Amy Steedman
Why He Carried the Turkey from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin A Tuft of Evening Primroses from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Daniel Webster (Part 2 of 5) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin Three Bullocks and a Lion from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Tunic of Nessus from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon Mr. Worm's Cottage by the Sea from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Further Adventures of Toad (Part 3 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Cavalier's Escape by Walter Thornbury Eternity by William Blake ---OCTOBER--- The Sands of Dee by Charles Kingsley Poem by Rachel Field Auld Daddy Darkness by James Ferguson Robin Redbreast by William Allingham
Week 43 A Visitor from Heidi by Johanna Spyri The Story of King Robert the Bruce and Bohun from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Following the Deer (Part 1 of 6) from Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long Robin Hood and King Richard from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall In the Days of Oliver Cromwell from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Faithful John, the King's Servant from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton Saint Ursula (Part 2 of 2) from In God's Garden by Amy Steedman
The Paddle-Wheel Boat from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin A Strange Cloak from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Daniel Webster (Part 3 of 5) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin Mercury and the Woodman from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter The Apple of Discord from Gods and Heroes by Robert Edward Francillon Mr. Worm at Home from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright "Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears" (Part 1 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Lullaby for Titania by William Shakespeare The Chimney Sweeper by William Blake Lord Lovel, Anonymous Friends by L. G. Warner Poem by Rachel Field The Basket-Makers by E. V. Lucas Jack Frost by Gabriel Setoun
Week 44 A Compensation from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Story of the Battle of Bannockburn from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Following the Deer (Part 2 of 6) from Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long The Death of Robin Hood from Stories of Robin Hood Told to the Children by H. E. Marshall Two Famous Admirals from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Flax from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The New Temple on Mount Moriah from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Caliph and the Gardener from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Sir Talis from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Daniel Webster (Part 4 of 5) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Frog and the Mouse from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter Daedalus and Icarus from A Child's Book of Myths and Enchantment Tales by Margaret Evans Price A Look at a House-Fly from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright "Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears" (Part 2 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Indian Summer by John Greenleaf Whittier Thoughts by Sara Teasdale Gaelic Lullaby, Anonymous The Frost Spirit by John Greenleaf Whittier Poem by Rachel Field Indian Summer by John Greenleaf Whittier How the Leaves Came Down by Susan Coolidge
Week 45 Winter in Dorfli from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Edward III of Windsor—The Battle of Sluys from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Following the Deer (Part 3 of 6) from Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long The Early Home of Joan from The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc by Viola Ruth Lowe De Ruyter from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Molly Whuppie from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Beautiful Queen of Persia (Part 1 of 2) from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Cowherd Who Became a Poet from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin The Vase and the Plume from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Daniel Webster (Part 5 of 5) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Fox and the Crab from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter Diana and Actaeon from A Child's Book of Myths and Enchantment Tales by Margaret Evans Price How To Look at a Fly from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright "Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears" (Part 3 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Splendor Falls by Alfred Lord Tennyson From Auguries of Innocence by William Blake November by Alice Cary ---NOVEMBER--- Sunday from Poems by Rachel Lyman Field The Tiger by William Blake Jack Frost by Hannah Flagg Gould
Week 46 The Winter Continues from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Edward III of Windsor—The Battle of Crecy from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Following the Deer (Part 4 of 6) from Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long The First Call from The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc by Viola Ruth Lowe The Founder of Pennsylvania from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge How One Turned His Trouble to Some Account from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Beautiful Queen of Persia (Part 2 of 2) from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Lover of Men from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Port of Elm from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Abraham Lincoln (Part 1 of 4) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Serpent and the Eagle from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter Pegasus and Bellerophon from A Child's Book of Myths and Enchantment Tales by Margaret Evans Price Mrs. Fly and Her Foes from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Return of Ulysses (Part 1 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
I Live for Those Who Love Me by G. Linnaeus Banks Rain at Night by Sara Teasdale The Pig and the Hen by Alice Cary The Owl by Alfred Lord Tennyson At the Bank from Poems by Rachel Lyman Field Robin Hood and the Ranger, Anonymous Come, Little Leaves by George Cooper
Week 47 News from Distant Friends from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Edward III of Windsor—The Siege of Calais from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Following the Deer (Part 5 of 6) from Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long The Journey to Chinon from The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc by Viola Ruth Lowe The Pilgrim's Progress from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge Little Freddy with His Fiddle from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Scribe Who Wrote the Old Testament from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
The Charcoal Man and the King from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Junco from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Abraham Lincoln (Part 2 of 4) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter Phaeton and the Chariot of the Sun from A Child's Book of Myths and Enchantment Tales by Margaret Evans Price Of What Use Are Flies from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Return of Ulysses (Part 2 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Ghost Fairies by Frank Dempster Sherman Stars by Sara Teasdale Don't Give Up by Phœbe Cary The Sandman by Margaret Vandegrift Fog from Poems by Rachel Lyman Field Thanksgiving by Amelia Barr Thanksgiving Day by Lydia Maria Child
Week 48 How Life Went On at Grandfather's from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Edward III of Windsor—The Battle of Poitiers from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Following the Deer (Part 6 of 6) from Secrets of the Woods by William J. Long The Siege of Orleans from The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc by Viola Ruth Lowe The House of Orange from The Awakening of Europe by M. B. Synge The Wild Swans from Fairy Tales Too Good To Miss—Aboard the Ship by Lisa M. Ripperton The Nobleman Who Built the Wall of Jerusalem from Hurlbut's Story of the Bible by Jesse Lyman Hurlbut
Which was the King? from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Little Snowshoes from Holiday Hill by Edith M. Patch Abraham Lincoln (Part 3 of 4) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin The Bull and the Goat from The Aesop for Children by Milo Winter Atalanta and Hippomenes from A Child's Book of Myths and Enchantment Tales by Margaret Evans Price A Swarm of Flies from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Return of Ulysses (Part 3 of 3) from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Abou Ben Adhem by Leigh Hunt To Winter by William Blake A Canadian Folk-Song by William Wilfred Campbell The First Snowfall by James Russell Lowell The Elf Tree from Poems by Rachel Lyman Field The Inchcape Rock by Robert Southey King Bruce by Eliza Cook
Week 49 Something Unexpected Happens from Heidi by Johanna Spyri Richard II of Bordeaux—Wat Tyler's Rebellion from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Kringle Valley from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Coronation at Rheims from The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc by Viola Ruth Lowe Whitefoot Goes Astray from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Awakening of Tuktu from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Great Mill from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess
The Golden Tripod from Fifty Famous People by James Baldwin Tuktu and Aklak from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess Abraham Lincoln (Part 4 of 4) from Four Great Americans by James Baldwin Tuktu's Soft Heart from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess Lost in the Fog from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess Some Queer Flies from Seaside and Wayside, Book Two by Julia McNair Wright The Good Spirit from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess
Why Does It Snow? by Laura E. Richards For Christmas by Rachel Lyman Field Old Winter by Thomas Noel Ceremonies for Christmas by Robert Herrick City Lights from Poems by Rachel Lyman Field While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night by Nahum Tate Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Week 50 "Good-bye Till We Meet Again" from Heidi by Johanna Spyri How King Richard Lost His Throne from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Tuktu Tells Her Story from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Siege of Paris from The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc by Viola Ruth Lowe The Deer People from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Wilful Young Deer from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess When the World Was Young from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess
The Chosen Deer from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess Tuktu's Happy Thought from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess How It Happened from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller Christmas on the Prairie from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller The Legend of the Christmas Rose from Legends and Stories of Italy by Amy Steedman A Droll Santa Claus from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller How a Bear Brought Christmas from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller
Christmas Song by Eugene Field How Far Is It to Bethlehem? by Frances Chesterton Bundles by John Farrar The Friendly Beasts, Anonymous A Catch by the Hearth from Poems, Anonymous The Unbroken Song by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night by Nahum Tate
Week 51 The First Reindeer from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess Henry IV of Bolingbroke—Battle of Shrewsbury from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall Tuktu and Aklak Have a Secret from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Capture of the Maid from The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc by Viola Ruth Lowe The Round-Up from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Christmas Story from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Great Temptation from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess
Christmas under the Snow from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller Little Spot and Tuktu Dream from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Christmas at Greccio: A Story of St. Francis from Christmas in Legend and Story: A Book for Boys and Girls by Elva S. Smith Carol's Good Will from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller Out of an Ash-Barrel from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller How a Toboggan Brought Fortune from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller The Telltale Tile from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller
An Old Christmas Greeting, Anonymous A Christmas Folk-Song by Lizette Woodworth Reese Cradle Hymn by Martin Luther A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore Bethlehem of Judea from Poems, Anonymous As I Sat Under a Sycamore Tree, Anonymous As Joseph Was A-Walking, Anonymous
Week 52 Attacked by Wolves from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Story of How Prince Hal Was Sent to Prison from Our Island Story by H. E. Marshall The Christmas Invitation from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Martyr Maid of France from The Beautiful Story of Joan of Arc by Viola Ruth Lowe The Christmas Vision from The Christmas Reindeer by Thornton W. Burgess The Wooden Shoes of Little Wolff from Good Stories for Great Holidays by Frances Jenkins Olcott The Golden Cobwebs from How To Tell Stories to Children and Some Stories To Tell by Sara Cone Bryant
The Birds' Christmas Tree from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller How the Horse Told from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller The Cat's Charm from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller May's Happy Thought from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller The Magic Figure from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller Christmas in the Alley from Kristy's Christmas Surprise by Olive Thorne Miller The Tailor of Gloucester from The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter
Santa Claus and the Mouse by Emilie Poulsson Christmas Carol by Sara Teasdale The Holly by Edith King The New Year by Dinah Mulock The Joy of Giving from Poems by John Greenleaf Whittier The Glad New Year by Mary Mapes Dodge Ring Out, Wild Bells by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Week 53              
             
             
Week 54              
             
             
Week 55              
             
             
Week 56              
             
             
Week 57              
             
             
Week 58              
             
             
Week 59              
             
             
Week 60              
             
             
Week 61              
             
             
Week 62              
             
             
Week 63              
             
             
Week 64              
             
             
Week 65              
             
             
Week 66              
             
             
Week 67              
             
             
Week 68              
             
             
Week 69              
             
             
Week 70              
             
             
Week 71              
             
             
Week 72              
             
             
Week 73              
             
             
First row Previous row          Next row Last row
READING-LITERATURE: Third Reader  by Harriette Taylor Treadwell

A Dog of Flanders

Nello and Patrasche were friends.

They were both of the same age. They had dwelt together almost all their days and they loved each other very dearly.

Their home was a little hut on the edge of a small village not far from Antwerp. The village was set in broad pastures with long lines of poplars and of alders along the great canal which ran through it. It had about a score of houses with shutters of bright green or sky-blue, and roofs rose-red or black and white, and walls whitewashed, until they shone in the sun like snow.

In the center of the village stood a windmill. Opposite the windmill was the little old gray church, whose bell rang morning, noon and night.

Within sound of the little bell, Nello and Patrasche lived in the little hut. It was the home of a very old man who had been a soldier. A wound had made him a cripple.

When this old man was eighty, his daughter died and left him her two year old son, Nello. The old man and the little child lived contentedly in the poor little hut.

It was a humble mud hut, but it was clean and white as a seashell. It stood in a small garden where they raised beans and herbs and pumpkins. They were very poor. Many a day they had scarcely anything to eat. But the old man was gentle and good to the boy, and the boy was a beautiful, truthful lad. They were happy on a crust and a few leaves of cabbage and asked for nothing except that Patrasche should be always with them.

For Patrasche was their breadwinner, their only friend and comforter. Patrasche was hands, head and feet to both of them. He was their very life, for the man was old and a cripple and Nello was but a child, and Patrasche was their dog.

Patrasche was a dog of Flanders with yellow hide and a large head, with wolf-like ears that stood erect, and bowed legs. He came of a race which had toiled hard for many a century.

Before he was thirteen months old he was sold to a hardware dealer, who wandered over the land, north and south, from the blue sea to the green mountains. He had been sold for a small price because he was so young. His new master was sullen, selfish and cruel. He heaped his cart full with pots and pans, and flagons and buckets, and other wares. Then he left Patrasche to draw the load as best he could.

One day, after two years of this toil, Patrasche was going along one of the dusty roads. It was full midsummer, and very warm. His cart was heavy and his owner walked on without noticing him. Going along thus in the full sun, and not having tasted water for twelve hours, Patrasche staggered and fell.

He fell in the middle of the dusty road, in the full glare of the sun. Patrasche lay in the summer dust as if dead, so his master kicked his body into the grass. He lay there in the grass-grown ditch. It was a busy road and hundreds of people went by, on foot and on mules, in wagons and in carts.

After a time there came along a little old man who was bent and lame and very feeble. He looked at Patrasche and turned aside. Then he knelt down in the grass and weeds and looked at the dog with eyes of pity. There was with him a little rosy, dark-eyed child who stood gazing upon the poor dog.

Thus it was that the little Nello and the big Patrasche met for the first time.

The old man drew the dog home to his own little hut, which was a stone's throw among the fields. There he tended him with so much care that the sickness, which had been brought on by heat and thirst, passed away. Health and strength returned, and Patrasche staggered up again upon his four stout legs.

For many weeks he had been useless, but all this time he had heard no rough word, and had felt no harsh touch. He had heard only the little child's voice and felt the caress of the old man's hand.

During the dog's sickness this lonely old man and the happy little child had grown to care for him. He had a corner of the hut with a heap of dry grass for his bed. When he was well enough to give a loud bark, they laughed aloud and almost wept for joy. Little Nello hung chains of flowers round his neck and kissed him.

So when Patrasche arose again, strong and big and powerful, his great eyes had a gentle surprise in them. There were no curses to arouse him, and no blows to drive him, and his heart awakened to a great love which never failed. Patrasche was grateful. He lay with grave, tender eyes watching his friends.

Now, the old soldier could do nothing for his living but limp about with a small cart. In this cart he carried the milk cans of his neighbors into the town of Antwerp. But it was hard work for the old man. He was eighty-three, and Antwerp was a good league off.

Patrasche watched the milk cans come and go that first day when he got well. He was lying in the sun with the wreath of flowers around his neck.

The next morning, before the old man had touched the cart, Patrasche arose and walked to it. He placed himself between its handles and showed his wish to work in return for the bread he had eaten. When they did not harness him, he tried to draw the cart with his teeth.

At length the old man made his cart so that Patrasche could walk between the handles and pull it. This the dog did every morning of his life thereafter.

When winter came, the old man thanked the fortune that had brought him the dog, for he was very old and he grew more feeble each year. He could not have taken his load of milk cans over the snow and through the mud if it had not been for the strength of this dog.

As for Patrasche, it seemed heaven to him. It was nothing but play to step out with this little green cart with its bright brass cans, and to walk by the side of the gentle old man. Besides, his work was over by three or four o'clock in the day, and after that time he was free to do as he would. He could stretch himself, sleep in the sun, wander in the fields, romp with the young child, or play with the other dogs. Patrasche was happy.

A few years later the old man became so lame that he could not go out with the cart any more. Then little Nello, who was now six years of age, took his place beside the cart. He sold the milk and brought back the coins to their owners with a pretty grace that charmed all who saw him.

Many an artist sketched the group as it went by him, the green cart with the brass cans, and the great dog with his belled harness, and the small boy with his little white feet in great wooden shoes.

Nello and Patrasche did the work so well that when the summer came the old man had no need to stir out. He could sit in the doorway in the sun and see them go forth through the garden. Then he would doze, and dream, and pray a little, and then awake again as the clock tolled three and watch for their return.

On their return Patrasche would shake himself free of his harness with a bay of glee, and Nello would tell with pride the doings of the day. Then they would all go in to their meal of rye-bread and milk or soup, and watch the shadows over the plain. After that they would lie down to sleep while the old man said a prayer.

So the days and years went on, and the lives of Nello and Patrasche were happy. They were never heard to complain. The child's wooden shoes and the dog's four legs would trot together over the frozen field to the chime of the bells on the harness.

Sometimes in the streets of Antwerp, some housewife would bring them a bowl of soup and a handful of bread, or some woman in their own village would bid them keep some of the milk for their own food. Then they would run over the white lands through the early darkness, bright and happy, and burst with a shout of joy into their home.

Patrasche in his heart was grateful. Though he was often hungry; though he had to work in the heat of summer and the chill of winter; though his feet were often cut by the sharp stones or ice; yet he was grateful and content. He did his duty with each day, and the eyes that he loved smiled down on him. That was enough for Patrasche.

adapted from Ouida's "A Dog of Flanders"