Story Hour Readers — Book Three

								

The lion watched greedily to see what the fox would do next.
"This is your share, King Lion," said the fox.
The lion was pleased with the way the fox had divided the meat.
"Who taught you how to divide the wolf?" he said.
Once more the fox bowed low before King Lion.
Then he said humbly, "Friend Donkey taught me how to divide the wolf!"

ROBIN REDBREAST

 Good-by, good-by to summer!
For summer's nearly done;
The garden smiling faintly,
Cool breezes in the sun.
Our thrushes now are silent,
Our swallows flown away--
But Robin's here with coat of brown,
And ruddy breast-knot gay.



    Robin, Robin Redbreast,

      O Robin dear!

    Robin sings so sweetly

      In the falling of the year.
Bright yellow, red, and orange,
The leaves come down in hosts;
The trees are Indian princes,
But soon they'll turn to ghosts;
The leathery pears and apples
Hang russet on the bough;
It's autumn, autumn, autumn late,
'Twill soon be winter now.



    Robin, Robin Redbreast,

      O Robin dear!

    And what will this poor robin do?

      For pinching days are near.
The fireside for the cricket,
The wheat stack for the mouse,
When trembling night winds whistle
And moan all round the house;
The frosty ways like iron,
The branches plumed with snow--
Alas! In winter dead and dark,
Where can poor Robin go?



    Robin, Robin Redbreast,

      O Robin dear!

    And a crumb of bread for Robin,

      His little heart to cheer!
WILLIAM ALLINGHAM.

THORN ROSE

In the long, long ago, there lived a king and queen who for many years
had no children.
At last a lovely baby was born to them--a little princess.
There was great rejoicing over all the land. The king and queen decided
to have a party in honor of the princess.
In the palace there was hurry and stir to make ready. Messengers were
sent far and near, to invite the lords and ladies of the land to the
great feast.
Among the guests invited to the party were seven good fairies.
It was a beautiful summer afternoon. The roses on the palace wall were
nodding their heads sleepily in the warm breeze, when the chariot with
the seven fairies arrived.
The good fairies entered the princess' room. There the tiny baby lay,
sleeping in a dainty pearl cradle.
"She is as sweet and fair as a rose!" they exclaimed. "We will call her
Rose."
Now it happened that the king and queen had failed to invite a spiteful
and ill-tempered old witch. The old witch was very angry, because she
had not been invited to the party.
After the guests had all arrived, she entered through the keyhole. No
one saw her enter.
Each of the good fairies bestowed on the princess a precious gift.
"I bestow upon you, sweet princess, the gifts of health and
cheerfulness," said the first fairy.
"You shall be the most beautiful princess in the world," said the second
fairy.
"You shall be witty and wise," said the third.