McGuffey's Third Eclectic Reader Part 14

10. "Mother sent these sh.e.l.ls; I do n't know where to put them," said a little fretful wave. "Lay them one by one on the sand, and do not break them," said the eldest wave.

11. And the little one went about its work, and learned to be quiet and gentle, for fear of breaking the sh.e.l.ls.

12. "Where is my work?" said a great, full-grown wave.

"this is mere play. The little ones can do this and laugh over it. Mother said there was work for me." And he came down upon some large rocks.

13. Over the rocks and into a pool he went, and he heard the fishes say, "The sea is coming. Thank you, great sea; you always send a big wave when a storm is nigh. Thank you, kind wave; we are all ready for you now."

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14. Then the waves all went back over the wet sands, slowly and carelessly, for they were tired.

15. "All my sh.e.l.ls are safe," said one.

16. And, "My seaweeds are left behind," said another.

17. "I washed all of the pebbles," said a third.

18. "And I--I only broke on a rock, and splashed into a pool," said the one that was so eager to work. "I have done no good, mother--no work at all"

19. "Hus.h.!.+" said the sea. And they heard a child that was walking on the sh.o.r.e, say, "O mother, the sea has been here!

Look, how nice and clean the sand is, and how clear the water is in that pool."

20. Then the sea, said, "Hark!" and far away they heard the deep moaning of the coming storm.

21. "Come, my darlings," said she; "you have done your work, now let the storm do its work."

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LESSON LV.

DO N'T KILL THE BIRDS.

1. Do n't kill the birds! the little birds, That sing about your door Soon as the joyous Spring has come, And chilling storms are o'er.

2. The little birds! how sweet they sing!

Oh, let them joyous live; And do not seek to take the life Which you can never give.

3. Do n't kill the birds! the pretty birds, That play among the trees;

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For earth would be a cheerless place, If it were not for these.

4. The little birds! how fond they play!

Do not disturb their sport; But let them warble forth their songs, Till winter cuts them short.

5. Do n't kill the birds! the happy birds, That bless the field and grove; So innocent to look upon, They claim our warmest love.

6. The happy birds, the tuneful birds, How pleasant 't is to see!

No spot can be a cheerless place Where'er their presence be.

LESSON LVI.

WHEN TO SAY NO.

1. Though "No" is a very little word, it is not always easy to say it; and the not doing so, often causes trouble.

THIRD READER. 145 2. When we are asked to stay away from school, and spend in idleness or mischief the time which ought to be spent in study, we should at once say "No."

3. When we are urged to loiter on our way to school, and thus be late, and interrupt our teacher and the school, we should say "No." When some schoolmate wishes us to whisper or play in the schoolroom, we should say "No."

4. When we are tempted to use angry or wicked words, we should remember that the eye of G.o.d is always upon us, and should say "No."

5. When we have done anything wrong, and are tempted to conceal it by falsehood, we should say "No, we can not tell a lie; it is wicked and cowardly."

6. If we are asked to do anything which we know to be wrong, we should not fear to say "No."

7. If we thus learn to say "No," we shall avoid much trouble, and be always safe.

3.10.

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LESSON LVII.

WHICH LOVED BEST?

"I love you, mother," said little John; Then, forgetting work, his cap went on, And he was off to the garden swing, Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

2. "I love you, mother," said rosy Nell; "I love you better than tongue can tell;"

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Then she teased and pouted full half the day, Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.

3. "I love you, mother," said little Fan; "To-day I'll help you all I can; How glad I am that school does n't keep!"

So she rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

4. Then, stepping softly, she took the broom, And swept the floor, and dusted the room; Busy and happy all day was she, Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

5. "I love you, mother," again they said-- Three little children going to bed; How do you think that mother guessed Which of them really loved her best?

Joy Allison.

LESSON LVIII.

JOHN CARPENTER.

1. John Carpenter did not like to buy toys that somebody else had made. He liked the fun of making them himself. The thought that they were his own work delighted him.

2. Tom Austin, one of his playmates, thought a toy was worth nothing unless it cost a great deal of money. He never tried to make anything, but bought all his toys.

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3. "Come and look at my horse," said he, one day. "It cost a dollar, and it is such a beauty! Come and see it."

4. John was soon admiring his friend's

horse; and he was examining it carefully, to see how it was made. The same evening he began to make one for himself.

5. He went into the wood shed, and picked

THIRD READER. 149 out two pieces of wood--one for the head of his horse, the other for the body. It took him two or three days to shape them to his satisfaction.

6. His father gave him a bit of red leather for a bridle, and a few bra.s.s nails, and his mother found a bit of old fur with which he made a mane and tail for his horse.