The fifty fables in this book have been selected for second grade reading because they are easily comprehended by pupils of that grade, and because they teach lessons which every child should learn.

   It is not wise to tell the class the moral application of the fables. It is better to have each pupil make his own application without any suggestion from the teacher.

   In adapting the stories the conversational form has been largely used; this form not only gives much pleasure to the children, but it also affords excellent opportunities for voice culture.

   Most of the stories have been successfully used for several years with classes of children in the State Normal School at DeKalb.

   "Take me with you, please," called a tortoise to a gray duck and a white duck that were flying over.

   The ducks heard the tortoise and flew down toward him.

   "Do you really wish to go with us?" asked the ducks as they came to the ground near the tortoise.

   "I surely do," replied the tortoise. "Will you please take me?"

   "Why, yes, I think we can do so," said the white duck slowly.

   The two ducks talked together in low tones for a few minutes. Then they flew to the woods. They soon brought back a strong twig and dropped it in front of the tortoise.

   "Now," said the ducks, "if we take you off to see the world, you must promise us one thing."

   "What is that?" asked the tortoise. "I will promise almost anything if you will let me go."

   "You must promise not to say one word while you are in the air, NOT ONE WORD," replied the ducks.

   "All right, I promise," said the tortoise. "Sometimes I do not say a word for a whole day because there is no one to listen to me."

   "Well, take firm hold of the middle of the twig; we are ready to start," said the gray duck.

   "If you value your life, you must hold on tightly," said the white duck.

   The tortoise took hold of the middle of the twig and each duck took hold of one end.

  P 1/42 next