A Waldorf Reader

for Early Third Grade

T h e A s s o c i a t i o n of Wa l d or f
Schools of Nor th America
Publications Office
3911 Bannister Road
Fair Oaks, C A 9 562 8
As My Heart Awakes
A Waldorf Reader
for Early Third Grade

Text by Arthur M. Pittis

Illustrations by Ausa M. Peacock
 Table of Contents

Godric and the Hare 2

The Ant and the Grasshopper 4
Here We Come A-Haying 6
The Turtle Who Talked too Much 8
Printed through support from the Norton Foundation Saint Moling and the Fox 10
Title: As My Heart Awakes The Boy and the Nuts 17
Author: Arthur M. Pittis
Illustrator: Ausa M. Peacock
Harvest Song 18
Editor: David Mitchell The Fox and the Grapes 19
Cover layout: Hallie Wootan
Proofreader: Ann Erwin A Lesson in Compassion 20
ISBN # 1-888365-62-5
© 2005 by: AWSNA Publications The Wolf and the Watchdog 22
3911 Bannister Road
Fair Oaks, CA 95628 The Miller Who Tried to Please Everybody 24
916-961-0927 The Boy Bishop 28
www.awsna.org/publications
[email protected] The Gnat and the Lion 33
This Waldorf Reader Series is dedicated to Rosemary Gebert Jack Frost Was in the Garden 34
who was my teacher at the Waldorf Institute in 1980Ð81 and
whose work as a teacher of teachers inspired me to undertake this Bell the Cat 36
project for the benefit of all class teachers and their students.
The author wishes to thank the Austin Waldorf School, its The Three Dowerless Maidens 39
teachers and students, the Waldorf Educational Foundation, the
Norton Foundation, the Association of Waldorf Schools of North The Frog in the Pail of Cream 46
America, and especially David Mitchell for the support that made
this reader series possible. The Witch 47
The Banyan Deer 48
The Jackass in the LionÕs Skin 52
The Three Schoolboys and the Salting Tub 53
The Lion and the Mouse 58
The Miser 60
John Wesley’s Rule
Two Little Kittens 61
The Golden Cups 62
Do all the good you can,
The Chimp and the Dolphin 68 In all the ways you can,
The Dog and the Porcupine 70 In all the places you can,
The Suspicious Disciple 78 At all the times you can,
At the LionÕs Den 80 To all the people you can,
Why the Dog and the Cat Are Enemies 81 As long as ever you can.
The Blind Men and the Elephant 84
Everything the Lord Does Is for the Best 87
The Proud Bull-Frog 92
The Danger of Knowing How to Read 94
Lucia and the Trolls 96
 Godric and the Hare
Godric loved all living things. He planted up. The little hare trembled as he looked her
gardens for the poor and tended each plant in the eye.
with love and care. One day he saw that a ÒI know that you are hungry, but that
hare had eaten a row of ripe peas. does not let you steal from the poor. So,
ÒShe is one of GodÕs children too and has what do you have to say for yourself?Ó
to live,Ó Godric said. The hare could only tremble.
But the next day he saw that the hare ÒWell, take this!Ó said Godric.
had come back and eaten two more rows of With one swift swing of his arm, he
ripe peas. hung a ring of peas around the trembling
ÒThis is too much!Ó Godric said. ÒThe hareÕs neck. Then he dropped her over the
thief must learn a lesson.Ó garden fence.
That evening Godric waited for the hare As she ran
to come back again. He did not have to wait away Godric
long. Just as the moon was rising, he saw called, ÒNext time
the hare slip through the garden fence. you feel hungry,
She was careful. She stood up, looked donÕt steal from
about and carefully sniffed the air. All the poor. Eat
seemed safe. So she began to eat another the wild
row of peas. plants.
Godric went up to her and spoke. God
ÒIÕve got you now, my little thief.Ó planted
The hare tried to run, but Godric was them for
faster. He stepped in her way and picked her you.Ó


 The Ant and the Grasshopper
One warm summer day, a grasshopper like me! Be like me! Enjoy your life! DonÕt
sat on a blade of grass. The warm sun work so hard. Have some fun!Ó
shone, and the warm wind danced through ÒYouÕll be sorry,Ó said the ant, and she
the grass. went on her way.
ÒIsnÕt life good?Ó the grasshopper sang. Soon the days became shorter. A cold
ÒAll I have to do is eat and sing.Ó wind blew from the north, and cold, white
Just then an ant passed by, dragging a snow fell.
yellow kernel of corn. Soon the lazy grasshopper cried, ÒHelp
ÒHey, little ant,Ó the grasshopper me! Help me, please!Ó
called. ÒWhy work so hard? Enjoy yourself! But the hard-working ant did not hear
The sun is shining, and a warm wind him. She was safe in her nest and had
dances through the grass.Ó yellow corn to eat.
The ant did not stop; she just kept And so the ant
dragging her yellow kernel of corn. lived to see the warm
ÒFoolish grasshopper,Ó the ant said, days of spring, but the
ÒdonÕt you know winter is coming?Ó grasshopper died of the
ÒWhy should I care about winter,Ó the cold.
grasshopper said, Òwhen I have grass to eat
and songs to sing?Ó
ÒYou will sing a different song when
winterÕs here,Ó said the ant.
ÒTra la la!Ó sang the grasshopper as he
danced from blade to blade of grass. ÒBe


 Here We Come A-Haying

Here we come a-haying, Now the farmerÕs ready,

A haying, a-haying, Rake it into tidy piles,
Here we come a-haying, Load it on the old hay carts,
Among the leaves so green. Drawn by faithful Neddy.

Up and down the mower goes Down the lane the last load goes,
All the long field over, Hear the swallows calling.
Cutting down the long green grass, Now at last our work is done,
And the purple clover. Night is softly falling.
Toss the hay and turn it, Ð Eunice Close
Laid in rows so neatly,
Summer sun a-shining down,
Makes it smell so sweetly.

 
 The Turtle Who Talked too Much
Two geese once lived by the edge of a ÒBut,Ó said the other goose, Òdo not
pond. They had made friends with a turtle talk while the stick is in your mouth. You
who lived in the water. This turtle liked to must keep your mouth shut.Ó
talk, but sometimes he talked too much. The turtle was happy to go with them
One hot summer all the water in the and thanked them. He took the stick in his
pond dried up. mouth, and they lifted him into the sky.
As the geese were getting ready to fly As they were flying high over a village,
away, one said to the other, ÒWhat about some boys and girls looked up and saw
our friend the turtle? What will he do? The them.
pond is dry, and I am afraid he will die.Ó ÒLook!Ó cried a girl, ÒLook at the silly
Now, the two geese wanted to help turtle in the sky! DoesnÕt he know that
their friend go to a new pond where there turtles canÕt fly.Ó
was water. The turtle felt insulted, so he opened
ÒWe will help you go to a new pond his mouth and called, ÒMind your own
where there is water,Ó said one goose. business!Ó
ÒTake this stick in your beak, and we will And no sooner had he opened his
take you with us.Ó mouth than he fell to his death.
ÒPoor turtle,Ó said the geese. ÒHe never
knew when to keep his mouth shut.Ó


 Saint Moling and the Fox
Every morning, a fox much! That fox is no good, just you wait
would trot into Abbot and see.Ó
MolingÕs copying room. One day the fox ran into the copying
The fox would stop at room and hid under Abbot MolingÕs desk.
the door and look about He was being chased by many angry monks.
at the monks copying They waved sticks and shouted and shook
books. Then he would go their fists!
and sit under the abbotÕs ÒAbbot Moling,Ó shouted the cranky
desk. brother, Òhow can you help that thief?Ó
Abbot Moling would stop his copying The Abbot put down his pen and looked
and pat the foxÕs head. The other monks about, ÒHelp a thief? What do you mean?Ó
also stopped their work. But they just ÒThat fox just stole our best hen! Look
rolled their eyes, as if to say, ÒWhat can we at him! DonÕt you see the feathers all
say?Ó over his chin!Ó
There was one monk Ð a cranky old ÒBrother Fox,Ó asked the
brother Ð who did not like the fox. This abbot. ÒThat is a very bad
brother worked in the hen house. He did thing to do. What do you have
not roll his eyes; he spoke his mind. to say for yourself?Ó
ÒAbbot Moling!Ó he said, ÒIÕm happy to The fox just hung his head
share GodÕs blessing with almost any beast. and rolled his eyes, as if to
But share it with a fox? That is asking too say, “I’m sorry. I won’t do it
again.”

10 11
 ÒSee,Ó said the good abbot, ÒBrother ÒBrother Fox,Ó said Abbot Moling,
Fox is sorry. He has given his word; he will ÒDidnÕt anyone ever tell you that two
not do it again.Ó wrongs donÕt make a right? You must give
The brothers just rolled their eyes, as if the hen back.Ó
to say, ÒWhat can we say?Ó But the cranky The farmer took his hen, looked her
monk threw up his arms and said, ÒThat fox over and thanked the abbot. But the
is the devil himself. Things will get worse cranky monk just shook his head and said,
before they get better. Just you wait and ÒYou canÕt make a Christian out of a beast.
see!Ó Its nature is too strong.Ó
Now the fox wanted to thank the ÒBut,Ó said the abbot kindly, ÒcanÕt you
abbot. After all, the man had saved his say the same about men?Ó
life. The only thing to do was to get him So the cranky monk just threw up his
another hen. arms and went back to his hen yard.
Luckily, there was a farm nearby. The ÒWell, IÕm not going to wait and see,Ó
fox slipped into the farm-yard and took he said to himself as he began to look for
the first hen he saw. It was a big, fat one! holes in the fence.
Then he ran back to the copying room. ò ô
But as soon as he put the hen at the
The next day, Abbot Moling looked
abbotÕs feet, the room filled with the farmer
down at the fox and said, ÒI must teach this
and many angry monks. They waved sticks
beast how to tell the good from the bad.Ó
and shouted and shook their fists!
So he lifted the fox onto his desk and
opened a book. The fox had never looked

12 13
at a book before. It looked very odd. It But there were bad pictures too. Little
was white like a field of snow, and all over men with sticks were chasing the fox. That
the white snow were little black marks. was bad, very bad.
ÒWhat are they?Ó the fox wondered. That night the fox wanted to know
ÒAh! animal tracks!Ó more about the good and bad, so he stole
ÒYou are a smart animal,Ó the abbot the book and took it to his den.
began. ÒThis book tells about good and His pups could also see that the book
bad, and how the good is always the was full of good things. They were so
sweetest.Ó happy with it that they wanted to eat it for
The man put his finger on one of the supper. But it tasted bitter, not like chicken
little black marks and smiled. or rabbit at all.
ÒThat must be good,Ó thought the fox, The next morning, Abbot Moling was
and he licked one of the black marks. But it waiting for the fox.
was not good at all; it was bitter. But then ÒWhere is my book?Ó the abbot said
the fox saw why it was good! All around as soon as the fox came into the copying
the white field of snow were little rabbits room. ÒBring it back now!Ó
and hens. So the fox ran back to his den and got
ÒSo they had made the tracks! They look the book as fast as he could.
very good, very good . . . to eat!Ó When he put the book on the abbotÕs
But the best thing was the little picture desk, he hung his head and rolled his eyes,
of a fox. He was chasing the rabbits and as if to say, ÒI’m sorry. I won’t do it again.Ó
hens! Now, that was the best thing of all!

14 15
 The Boy and the Nuts
ÒSee,Ó said the abbot to the other monks, A boy once found a pitcher full of nuts,
ÒBrother Fox is sorry. He will not steal another so he put his hand into the pitcher and
book.Ó grabbed a fist full of nuts.
The monks just rolled their eyes, as if to But when he tried to pull his hand out,
say, ÒWhat can we say?Ó he found that the pitcherÕs neck was too
But the cranky monk threw up his arms narrow.
and went right back to his hen yard. He knew The boy did not know what to do. He
what to do Ð look for more holes in the fence. did not want to let go of the nuts and lose
Now, it is true that the fox never stole them, but he did not want to keep his hand
another book or another hen. Abbot Moling in the pitcher.
was right about that. But that very evening, So he burst into tears.
he did steal a beehive from the garden. Just then a good old woman passed
As he and his pups licked the last sweet by. She felt sorry for the boy.
drops of honey from their paws, the fox purred, ÒWhy all the tears, little one?Ó the good
as if to say, ÒThe man was right. The sweetest woman asked.
things are always the best things of all.” The boy pointed at his fist and cried, ÒI
want those nuts, but I canÕt get them out!Ó
ÒSilly boy,Ó the good woman laughed,
Òif you could be happy with half of what
you have grabbed, you would have all that
you need.Ó

17
 The Fox and the Grapes
One day a red fox was walking through
the forest. He came upon a grape vine
hanging in a tree. The big blue grapes looked
very good.
Harvest Song ÒThose big blue grapes will make a good
lunch,Ó the red fox thought. So he stood up
The boughs do shake and the bells do ring, on his hind legs and tried to reach them.
So merrily comes our harvest in, But the grapes
Our harvest in, our harvest in, were beyond his
So merrily comes our harvest in. reach. He tried,
and he tried, again
We have ploughed; we have sowed; and again. He even
We have reaped; we have mowed; jumped and snapped
We have brought home every load, at them with his
Hip, hip, hip harvest home! jaws. But the blue
grapes were far out of
– Traditional his reach.
At last, the red fox
gave up.
ÒWho wants those
grapes anyway?Ó he
said. ÒTheyÕre probably
sour.Ó

18 19
 A Lesson in Compassion
There once was an old monk who ÒIt is good and wise,Ó they said, Òfor
wanted to find deep wisdom. He meditated our master to show kindness to even the
on a rock near a pond. smallest creature, but how can he find deep
But each day as he sat down on the wisdom if he is hopping up and down all
rock to meditate, he would see some little day?Ó
insect, splashing helplessly in the water. So they went to him and asked,
The insectÕs distress would upset him ÒMaster, how can you meditate and find
deeply. So he would stop his meditations, deep wisdom if you are hopping up and
reach down and help the insect out of the down all day?Ó
water. After he had put the little insect The wise old monk sat silently for a
safely on the rock, he would begin his long time. Then he spoke.
meditations again. ÒYou are right. My meditation would
But no sooner had he begun than he be deeper if I sat still all day. But how can
would see another little insect, splashing I sit still while even the smallest of GodÕs
helplessly in the water. creatures suffers distress at my feet?Ó
Once again he would stop his
meditations, reach down and help the little
insect out of the water.
This happened time after time and day
after day.
His fellow monks saw him hopping up
and down and became deeply upset.

20 21
 The Wolf and the Watchdog
A wolf and a watchdog met one night. ÒCousin,Ó the wolf asked, Òwhat is that
The wolf was so lean and hungry that he on your neck?Ó
felt near death. The dog, on the other ÒOh, itÕs my collar.Ó
hand, was well fed. ÒBut what is a collar, and what is it for?Ó
ÒWhy is it, cousin,Ó asked the wolf, ÒItÕs where my master hooks my chain.Ó
Òthat you get so much to eat? Are you ÒA chain!Ó cried the wolf, stopping.
really such a better hunter?Ó ÒDoes that mean you are not free?Ó
ÒWhy, itÕs really very easy,Ó said the ÒWell, itÕs not really too bad. My
dog. ÒIf you had work like mine, you could master only chains me during the day, but
eat as much as you wanted.Ó he always sets me free at night. ItÕs a small
ÒWell, IÕm ready to do almost any work price to pay for all you can eat.Ó
if it will keep me from starving,Ó said the ÒNo, thank you, cousin,Ó said the wolf,
wolf. ÒWhat is your work?Ó turning to go. ÒI would rather be free and
ÒIÕm a watchdog for a farmer. All I starve than a fat slave on a chain.Ó
have to do is sleep at my masterÕs door and
bark if I hear a noise.Ó
ÒI could do that!Ó said the wolf. ÒLet
me come with you, and IÕll start work right
away.Ó
As they walked back to the farm-house,
the wolf saw something odd around the
dogÕs neck.

22
The Miller Who Tried to Please Everybody
There once was a miller who tried to ÒWell, look at that!Ó he said. ÒItÕs just
please everybody. One day he said to his like I said: boys these days have no respect.
boy, ÒHow about going to market?Ó If that boy was a good boy, heÕd let his old
The boy liked the idea, so they put father ride.Ó
some sacks of flour on their donkeyÕs back The miller was upset by the old manÕs
and set off for market. words and said, ÒWell, how about that!Ó
After a while, they passed three So he climbed up on the donkeyÕs back
women sitting in a doorway. One of the and rode behind the boy.
women looked at the miller and shook her After a while, they passed some girls
head. sitting by a well. One of the girls looked at
ÒWell, look at that!Ó the woman said. the two riders and shook her head.
ÒDid you ever see such a thing? If that man ÒJust look at that!Ó she said. ÒPoor
was a good father, heÕd let his poor boy donkey! Those two brutes are breaking her
ride.Ó back. If they were good people, theyÕd let
The miller was upset by the womanÕs the poor donkey ride.Ó
words and said, ÒWell, how about that!Ó The miller was upset by the girlÕs words
So he told his boy to ride on the and said, ÒWell, how about that!Ó
donkeyÕs back. So he and the boy climbed off the
After a while, they passed some old donkeyÕs back and stood in the road for a
men sitting in the shade. One of the long, long time. The miller did not know
old men looked at the boy riding on the what to do.
donkeyÕs back and shook his head.

24 25
 After a while, they came to a bridge
over a stream. Across the stream was the
market where a great many people were
gathered.
ÒJust look at that!Ó somebody laughed,
looking at the miller and his boy carrying
the donkey between them.
ÒHave you ever seen such a thing?
Those two fools are breaking their backs
giving some donkey a ride.Ó
Everybody ran to the stream, laughing
and pointing and shouting advice.
ÒI know how to please everybody, Now the donkey, who was already
Father!Ó said the boy. ÒLetÕs get a pole and upset by being carried upside down,
tie the donkey to it. Then the donkey can became even more upset at all the laughing
ride!Ó and shouting.
ÒWell, how about that!Ó said the miller. It twisted and turned. It brayed, and it
ÒHavenÕt I always said you were smart! kicked. And at last, it broke free, knocking
Everybody will be pleased by that!Ó the miller and his boy into the stream.
So they found a pole and tied the ÒWell, how about that!Ó said the miller
donkey to it. It was hard work carrying the to his boy as they watched the donkey run
donkey between them. away. ÒWhoÕs pleased by that?Ó

26 27
 The Boy Bishop
A long time ago, a merchant and his The baby looked up at her and spoke.
good wife were blessed with all the good ÒFriday is GodÕs fast day. It is GodÕs law
things in life except a child. So they prayed that we should not eat.Ó
to God and gave gifts to the poor. At last, Then his mother was full of joy, for she
God gave them a baby boy. They called felt in her heart that the boy would grow
him Nicolas, which means victorious. up to be a holy man.
As the servants washed the newborn ò ô
baby, he stood up in his tub and spoke.
When Nicolas was nine years old, a
The women were very afraid.
great sickness struck his land. Many died
ÒThe child is cursed! The devil has
of the sickness, even his parents. He was
him!Ó they cried and ran away.
now alone in the world, so he set out by
The next day was Friday, and the boy
himself.
would not nurse. His mother felt afraid.
One day he came to a city where the
ÒMaybe the devil does have the boy.Ó
bishop also had died of the sickness. All the
she wondered.
other bishops in the land had come to the
So she prayed to God, and by the next
city to elect a new bishop.
day all was well.
That night the leader of the bishops
A week passed, and on the next Friday,
had a dream. In his dream an angel told
the baby would not nurse again. Now his
him, ÒLet Nicolas be the one.Ó The next
mother looked down at him and asked, ÒIs
morning he told the other bishops about his
my milk bad?Ó
dream.

28 29
 ÒLet Nicolas come forward,Ó the leader
of the bishops proclaimed. But no one
moved. No one there was named Nicolas.
Just then the door opened. All the
bishops turned and glared at the boy who
stood in the door.
ÒHow dare you come in here!Ó one of the
bishops said.
ÒGo away, boy!Ó said another.
ÒWho do you think you are?Ó said a third
bishop.
ÒMy name is Nicolas; God has sent me
here because my parents are dead.Ó
The bishops were amazed.
ÒThis is a miracle!Ó their leader said.
ÒHere is the one of whom the angel told me.Ó As Nicolas passed down the street, the
So they made the boy their new bishop. devil saw a boy who was standing by the
As they led Nicolas out of the church, side of a well. He slipped up behind the boy
all the city cheered. But the devil, who was and pushed him in.
watching, was filled with envy and rage. As the boy fell, Nicolas felt the boyÕs
ÒI will spoil their joy,Ó the evil one swore. fear and lifted three fingers into the air. At
once, the boy stopped falling and flew out
of the well.

30 31
 The Gnat and the Lion
ÒIÕm saved!Ó the boy cried. A gnat once flew up to a lion and buzzed
ÒA miracle! A miracle!Ó everyone about his head.
cheered. ÒYou think youÕre the strongest beast,
But the devil did not cheer. He could donÕt you?Ó the gnat mocked.
only snarl and storm away. ÒOf course,Ó said the lion. ÒI am the King
ÒFrom now on,Ó the evil one swore, of the Beasts.Ó
Òthat Nicolas is my special enemy.Ó ÒWell,Ó mocked the gnat. ÒLetÕs fight,
And thus did Nicolas become the and IÕll prove you wrong.Ó
patron saint of children and the special The gnat sounded his mighty hum and
enemy of the devil. the lion his mighty roar. The gnat flew right
at the lion and stung him on his nose. The
lion swung his sharp claws but only scraped
his own nose. Finally, the lion fell down, too
tired to fight any more.
ÒSee!Ó boasted the gnat. ÒThere you lie,
bleeding to death while I buzz my mighty
hum. Now whoÕs the strongest of beasts?Ó
The proud gnat flew off but did not fly
far. He flew right into a spiderÕs web.
As the spider crept towards him, the
gnat cried, ÒHow unfair! Why must I, the
strongest of beasts, be dinner for a mere
spider?Ó

32 33
 Jack Frost Was in the Garden
Jack Frost was in the garden; Jack Frost was in the garden
I saw him there at dawn; But now IÕd like to know
He was dancing round the bushes Where I can find him hiding;
And prancing on the lawn. IÕve hunted high and low Ð
He had a cloak of silver, IÕve lost his cloak of silver,
A hat all shimmÕring white, His hat all shimmÕring white,
A wand of glittering star-dust, His wand of glittering star-dust,
And shoes of sunbeam light. His shoes of sunbeam light.

Jack Frost was in the garden, Ð John P. Smeeton

When I went out to play.
He nipped my toes and fingers
And quickly ran away.
I chased him round the wood-shed,
But, oh! IÕm sad to say
That though I chased him everywhere,
He simply wouldnÕt stay.

34 35
 Bell the Cat
There was once a barn full of mice. They seemed so brave and squeaked and
Day and night, a cat hunted them down chattered their teeth so loudly that all the
and ate them up. One night when the cat other mice wanted war too.
was away, the mice held a meeting. ÒFools!Ó squeaked one of the mother mice.
ÒSomething must be done about that ÒDo you think war will save us? You talk big,
cat,Ó squeaked a mother mouse. ÒShe ate but the cat is bigger. She will eat you for sure.
my family.Ó We need to find a better way than war.Ó
ÒHear, hear!Ó squeaked a second ÒI know!Ó squeaked her son, a little mouse
mouse. ÒThat cat is the very devil.Ó who liked to chew on the farmerÕs books.
ÒNobodyÕs safe while sheÕs around,Ó
ÒLetÕs put a bell on the cat. Then weÕll hear her
squeaked a third mouse.
coming.Ó
Just then a bold, young mouse jumped
ÒThatÕs my boy!Ó the mother
up and squeaked, ÒWe need to stand up to
that cat! IÕm sick and tired of being pushed mouse squeaked. ÒDidnÕt
around!Ó I tell you he was the
ÒHear, hear!Ó squeaked the other young smartest mouse
mice, twitching their whiskers boldly. of all?Ó
One bold, young mouse even jumped The mice
on top of a hay bale and squeaked, ÒDeath were now very
to all cats! Long live the mice!Ó happy. They
ÒTo war! To war!Ó all the young mice danced about
squeaked. Some ran up the walls and some the barn,
ran down.

36
 The Three Dowerless Maidens

jumping from hay bale to hay bale and running There once was a selfish man who
up and down the walls wildly. loved gold more than he loved his own
The smart little mouse even found a little daughters. One day he went to a wicked
bell and dragged it out for all the mice to see. woman and said, ÒI do not like being poor.
As the mice stood looking at it, they squeaked Will you buy my oldest daughter?Ó
about how good life would be now. ÒWhy should I buy her?Ó asked the
ÒFriends, there is just one problem,Ó wicked woman. ÒTell me what you will do
squeaked the oldest and wisest mouse of all. with the money.Ó
Everyone looked at him and wondered ÒI will use some of the gold as a dowry
for the next girl and spend the rest on
what he would say.
myself,Ó said the selfish man.
ÒTell me,Ó he squeaked wisely, Òwho will
The old woman liked his plan and said,
bell the cat?Ó
ÒBring the girl to me, and IÕll give you a
sack of gold.Ó
That night the
man said to his
oldest daughter,
ÒMake ready, my
child. Tomorrow
we will go on a trip.
We will see many
wonderful sights.Ó

38 39
 The girl was happy. She thanked her When the selfish manÕs second
father and packed up the few things she daughter came of age, he went to the
had in this world and went to bed. wicked old woman and sold the girl for a
No sooner had she fallen asleep than sack of gold.
she heard a voice. ÒNow,Ó he said, ÒIÕll have a dowry for
ÒBeware, dear child. Your father plans my third daughter, and I will spend the rest
to sell you to a wicked woman and use the on myself.Ó
money as a dowry for your sister. In your He went to his
stocking you will find a sack of gold. Make second daughter
him use it for your dowry, and you will be and said, ÒMake
saved.Ó ready, my child.
In the morning when the girl awoke, Tomorrow we
she was very afraid. go on a trip. We
ÒWhat a terrible nightmareÓ she will see many
thought. ÒIÕm glad it was only a dream.Ó wonderful sights.Ó
But when she pulled on her stocking The girl
and found the gold, she knew the voice had was happy. She
spoken the truth. thanked her father and packed up the few
She went to her father. things she had in this world and went to
ÒHere,Ó she said, Òis gold for my dowry. bed.
Now find me a husband.Ó No sooner had she fallen asleep than
The selfish man had to obey, and so the she too heard a voice.
first daughter was saved.

40 41
 ÒBeware, dear child. Your father plans Now, his third daughter was the most
to sell you to a wicked woman and use the beautiful girl of all. But he could find no
money as a dowry for your sister. In your one who would marry a poor girl without a
stocking you will find a sack of gold. Make dowry.
him use it for your dowry, and you will be Everyone said the same thing, ÒA girl
saved.Ó without a dowry is
In the morning, the second daughter like a spring without
awoke, trembling from head to toe. rain.Ó
ÒWhat a terrible nightmareÓ she So the man went
thought. ÒIÕm glad it was only a dream.Ó back to the wicked
But when she pulled on her stocking woman.
and found the gold, she knew the voice had ÒYou again,Ó she
spoken the truth. laughed. ÒIsnÕt this
She went to her father. one your last girl?Ó
ÒHere,Ó she said, Òis gold for my dowry. Her voice made
Now find me a husband.Ó him afraid, so he acted bravely.
The selfish man had to obey, and so the ÒThis time, no-one will trick me out of my
second daughter was saved. But he was as gold,Ó he bragged. ÒIÕll hide in her room and
poor as before. catch any thief who comes in the night.Ó
ò ô ÒMy!Ó said the wicked woman, Òyou are a
brave one. Here is your gold.Ó

42 43
 So the selfish father went to his third ÒForgive me, good Bishop,Ó the man
daughter and said, ÒMake ready, my child. cried, and he dropped to his knees. ÒI now
Tomorrow we go on a trip to see many see how IÕve sinned.Ó
wonderful sights.Ó ÒIt is not for me to forgive you,Ó replied
The girl was happy. She thanked her Nicolas. ÒOnly God and your daughters
father, packed the few things she had in can do that.Ó
this world, then jumped into bed. From then on, the poor man had to
When the girl was fast asleep, the make his own living. Whether his three
father crept into her room. He sat in the daughters ever forgave him, the story does
shadows and watched as the hours passed. not say. You will have to find the answer in
At last, dawn brightened the sky. your own heart. But now you know why
ÒAh, now I am safe,Ó he sighed and fell children in Christian lands hang stockings
asleep. But something woke him; and as on Christmas Eve.
he awoke, he saw someone jump out the
window.
ÒStop thief! What have you done to my
girl?Ó
He chased the thief across the yard.
But when he grabbed the thief, he saw that
it was the boy bishop, Nicolas.

44 45
 The Frog in the Pail of Cream The Witch
Two frogs were hopping around a I saw her plucking cowslips,
barn when they hopped right into a pail of And marked her where she stood:
cream. Try as they might, they could not She never knew I watched her
hop out. While hiding in the wood.
One of the frogs lost hope and let
himself drown. But the other frog was no Her skirt was brightest crimson,
quitter. He kicked, and he swam, hour after And black her steeple hat,
hour. Her broomstick lay beside her Ð
Just as he was feeling weak, he felt IÕm positive of that.
the cream getting firm. All his kicking and
swimming had churned the cream into a Her chin was sharp and pointed,
chunk of butter. Her eyes were Ð I donÕt know Ð
He climbed up on top of the chunk For, when she turned towards me Ð
of butter and saw that he was now high I thought it best to go!
enough to hop out. And he did!
– Percy H. Hott

46 47
 The Banyan Deer
There once was a deer the color of gold. One day, the King came to see the
His eyes were like jewels. His antlers were hunting park. As the villagers were showing
white as silver. His mouth was red as a rose, it to him, the King saw the two deer kings.
and his hoofs were hard and bright. He was ÒThose two deer are kings of the forest,Ó
a king of the forest and ruled a herd of five he said to his hunters. ÒI grant them their
hundred Banyan deer. lives. You may not hunt them, but you may
Also living in the same forest was a herd hunt as many of the other deer as you like.Ó
of Monkey deer. They were smaller than the So the KingÕs hunters hunted the herds
Banyan, and their king was not as fine. easily, killing a great many of them. One
Now the human King of this land loved to day, the Banyan Deer King spoke with the
eat deer meat. Each day, he sent his hunters Monkey Deer King.
into the forest to hunt the deer. To make the ÒIt is now too easy for the hunters. They
huntersÕ work easier, he ordered villagers to are killing more of our brothers and sisters
stop their work and drive the deer to them. than ever before. Soon our herds will be no
Because of the KingÕs order, the villagers more.Ó
never got any work done, so they decided to ÒWhat shall we do?Ó asked the Monkey
build a hunting park for their King. Deer King.
Once the park was done, the villagers ÒLet me send one of my herd on the first
drove the two herds of deer into it and shut day. Then on the next day, you send one of
the gate. Now the hunters could find as your herd. In this way the hunters will kill
many deer as they liked, and the villagers only the deer we send them, and our herds
could do their work. will be saved.Ó

48 49
 ÒIt is the law,Ó he said. ÒYou must go.Ó
She next went to the Banyan Deer King
and begged him to save her life.
ÒGo back to your fawn. I will take your
place,Ó said the noble Banyan Deer King.
When the hunters found the Banyan King
waiting at the gate to be killed, they were
afraid and ran back to their King and asked
ÒThat is fair,Ó said the Monkey Deer what they should do.
King. ÒYou are wise, indeed.Ó When their King heard that the Banyan
So first one deer from the Banyan herd Deer King waited at the gate, he himself went
gave up its life, and then one deer of the back with his hunters.
Monkey herd did the same. ÒKing of the Banyan,Ó the King asked,
One day, a mother deer of the Monkey Òwhy are you here? I granted you your life.Ó
herd was called to give up her life, so she ÒYes, you did. But a mother deer came
went to her king. to me and begged me to spare her life so her
ÒOh, Monkey Deer King,Ó she begged her fawn might live. It would be wrong to order
king, Òplease send another in my place. My another to take her place, so I came myself.Ó
fawn is so little, and she cannot live without ÒNoble king of the forest,Ó said the human
me. If I die, she will die too. When she no King, Ònever before have I seen such kindness.
longer needs me, I will go.Ó Your life is spared, and never again will my
But her king would not help her. hunters kill any deer.Ó

50 51
 The Jackass in the Lion’s Skin The Three Schoolboys and the Salting Tub
Once a jackass came upon a lionÕs skin. One morning three boys set off for
It was hanging on a wall. Hunters had school. It was a fine spring day.
hung it there to dry, but the jackass felt it ÒWhy waste such a day in school?Ó said
had been left for him. one of the boys. ÒWe could go for a swim.Ó
ÒWouldnÕt I look fearsome in that!Ó he ÒOr we could climb up the mountain and
brayed. watch the ships out at sea.Ó
So he put the lionÕs skin over his back ÒOr better yet,Ó said the oldest, Òwe
and went on his way. could climb over the mountain and visit my
Soon he came to his own barnyard. uncle. He has a fine horse!Ó
When everyone saw him, they were very The other two boys liked this idea, so
they hid their books in a hollow tree and set
afraid. The people ran into their houses,
off.
and the animals ran into the barn.
Higher and higher, they climbed until
The jackass was now very happy with
the houses below them looked like little toys.
himself, so he squatted down in the mud Half way up the mountain, they stopped to
and let out a proud bray. eat lunch. The blue sky and ocean sparkled
ÒHe Haw! Hee Haaww! Heee brightly as far as they could see.
Haaawww!Ó ÒHow far is it?Ó asked the youngest.
All this braying woke an old dog who ÒOh, not very far,Ó said the oldest.
was sleeping in the sun. Higher and higher they climbed. Hours
ÒFool,Ó she barked, Òdo you think fine passed, and the path became steep and hard.
clothes hide the fact that you are really just But the boys felt brave.
an ass?Ó

52 53
 Finally, a stiff wind began to blow.
The sky grew black, and the boys became
afraid.
ÒPlease, letÕs turn back,Ó said the
youngest boy.
ÒAnd miss riding that fine horse?Ó said
the oldest. ÒItÕs not very far.Ó
But the sky grew blacker.
Soon the wind began to howl, and cold
rain soaked them to the bone.
The path was now too dark to follow
easily, so they took hands. Trembling with
fear, they pushed on.
After a while, they saw two dim red
lights in the distance.
ÒItÕs the eyes of a devil!Ó cried the
youngest boy. about the house, and they did not want to
ÒNo, no,Ó the oldest one comforted him. go near.
ÒIt is only a house!Ó But the boys were colder than afraid,
ÒThen we are saved,Ó said the third. so they tapped on the dark door. It swung
Soon they came to a broken-down hut. open, and there stood a fearsome man. In
Its roof over-hung the dim red windows like his hand, he held a steaming ladle.
a frowning brow. There was an evil feeling

54 55
 ÒCome in, my dear boys,Ó he said in a Now the wicked man thought he would
sweet, friendly voice. spite the good bishop by giving him a
ÒThank you, sir,Ó they said as they special treat. As he opened the salting tub,
crept through the door. the bishop lifted three fingers into the air.
ÒCome sit by the fire while I make you ÒCome out, my dear boys,Ó Nicolas called.
some warm soup and a nice, soft bed.Ó Instantly, the lid of the salting tub flew
They sat by the fire and shared some out of the wicked manÕs hand, and the
warm soup. Then their host tucked them three boys hopped out, as happy and well
into a nice, warm bed. as the day they left home.
But no sooner were they asleep than the ÒMy, I slept well!Ó said the oldest boy.
wicked host killed them and put them into a ÒAnd so did I!Ó said the second
big salting tub that he used to cure meat. ÒMe too!Ó laughed the youngest of all.
Seven years passed. ÒI even dreamed we were in Paradise.Ó
One day Bishop Nicolas was climbing The wicked host, who was really the
up that same mountain path. At dusk, he devil, howled bitterly and stormed off into
found himself in front of the old, low-roofed the night.
hut. A storm was brewing, so he tapped on Since then Saint Nicolas has been
the door. known as the patron saint of school
ÒCome in, Bishop Nicolas,Ó called a children Ð the naughty as well as the nice.
sweet, friendly voice. ÒCome in and enjoy
some warm soup and a nice, soft bed.Ó

56 57
 The Lion and the Mouse
One fine day some playful mice found a Later that day, the lion set off for his
lion napping in the forest. They ran up his den. But while he had been napping, some
back and slid down his nose. hunters had laid a net across his path.
All this running up and As he passed, he sprang the trap and
sliding down upset the lionÕs was swung up into the air and caught.
napping, so he opened one Hard as he tried, the lion could not free
eye. himself. Just then, the mouse hopped out
ÒAh!Ó he said and and began gnawing at the ropes. Soon the
trapped one of the mice lion was able to pull himself free.
under his paw. ÒThank you, little friend,Ó said the lion.
ÒPlease donÕt ÒDidnÕt I say I would help you some
kill me,Ó the mouse day?Ó said the mouse. ÒAfter all, one good
begged. ÒIf you spare deed always deserves another.Ó
my life, IÕll repay you
in kind some day.Ó
ÒA little mouse
help me?Ó laughed
the lion. ÒBe gone
and donÕt bother me
again.Ó
He let the little mouse go
and fell back asleep.

58 59
 The Miser Two Little Kittens
A miser once sold everything he had Two little kittens, one stormy night,
and bought a lump of gold. He loved this Began to quarrel, and then to fight.
lump of gold and buried it deep in the One had a mouse, and the other had none,
forest. Every night he slipped into the And thatÕs the way a quarrelÕs begun.
forest, dug up his gold and admired it.
ÒIÕll have that mouse,Ó said the bigger cat.
One night a thief followed him. The
ÒYouÕll have this mouse? WeÕll see about that!Ó
thief watched the miser carefully. Then
after the miser had left, the thief dug up the ÒIÕll have that mouse,Ó said the oldest one.
gold and stole it. ÒThis mouse is mine!Ó said the youngest one.
When the miser found his gold stolen, I told you before Õtwas a stormy night
he wept so bitterly that a nearby hermit When these two kittens began to fight.
heard him.
Their mistress seized her sweeping broom,
ÒWhy are you weeping so bitterly?Ó
And swept those kittens right out of the room.
asked the hermit.
ÒMy gold! ItÕs gone! Someone stole it!Ó The ground was covered with frost and snow,
The miser then told his story. And the two little kittens had nowhere to go.
ÒFriend,Ó said the hermit, Òtake this So they lay right down before the door
stone and bury it. It will bring you the same Until their mistress let them in once more.
profit.Ó Then in they crept, as quiet as mice,
ÒHow can a mere stone bring me any All wet with the snow and cold as ice.
profit?Ó wept the miser.
ÒHow did your gold, when it was buried They found it better on a stormy night,
in the forest, bring you any more profit?Ó To curl up together than quarrel and fight.
– Anonymous
60 61
 The Golden Cups
There once was a vain man who had Then the vain man thought, ÒThis cup
many daughters but not one son. Every is too beautiful to give away. IÕll make a
night he knelt before an image of Saint second cup, a smaller one for the saintÕs
Nicolas and prayed. gift. After all, who will ever know?Ó
ÒGood Saint, if you give me a son, I will When the second, smaller cup was
give your church a cup of the finest gold.Ó done, the vain man was very pleased, and
As if in reply to his prayers, a son was he set out for Saint NicolasÕ church, taking
born, and the vain man was filled with his son with him. But while at sea, a wave
happiness and pride. swept the boy off the boat.
ÒSee what my prayers have done?Ó he The man wept and pulled his hair.
boasted. ÒNow I will do as I said.Ó ÒA chest of gold for the man who saves
So without delay, the man went to the my boy!Ó he cried.
best goldsmith in the land. But the child could not be found.
ÒSpare no cost, but make me a gold cup When the vain man arrived at the
that is the finest cup in the world!Ó church, he placed the second, smaller cup
The goldsmith worked for two full upon the altar. But it fell onto the floor
years. When the cup was finished, it was with a hollow ring. He picked it up and put
the finest cup the vain man had ever seen. it back, but again it fell.
Its stem was shaped like two angels He tried over and over again.
with wings lifted in praise. Its bowl was ÒWhat could be wrong?Ó he wondered.
inlaid with the purest pearls that looked like He turned the cup over, but the bottom
grapes ready to be pressed into wine. was flat. So he tried one more time, but
once again it fell with a hollow ring.

62 63
 When the vain man arrived home, he took One day the goldsmith came to his
out the first cup and gazed on it. Surely, it was door.
the most beautiful cup he had ever seen. But ÒI know a rich man who wants to buy
he felt no joy in its beauty. He felt only sorrow your golden cups. He will give you a good
and pain. price for them.Ó
ò ô ÒNo, I will not sell them. They are the

Months passed. Every day, the man took saintÕs.Ó
out the two golden cups and gazed at them. ÒDo not be a fool, man. His price is the
Finally, he understood. These cups were made best you will ever get. What will the saint
for God. ever give you for them?Ó
He packed his bag. But when he was all ÒNo, I will not sell them.Ó
set to go, there was something he had to do ÒThen donÕt blame me if you starve,Ó
first. Many times, he tried to go, but each time said the goldsmith as he left.
he stayed, and so the years passed. That afternoon the man put the two
Hard times befell the man. He grew old golden cups in a sack and left home. The
and bitter. His wife no longer loved him, and trip was long and hard. As he watched the
she moved away with his daughters. waves roll across the sea, he remembered
Finally, he became so poor that he had to his son and wept for the long lost boy.
borrow money. Then he had to sell the last As soon as he landed, he went to Saint
things he had to pay back his loans. NicolasÕ church. First, he placed the smaller
Only the two golden cups were left of all cup on the altar. It fell to the floor.
his riches, but he would not sell them. ÒAh,Ó he murmured.

64 65
 Then he took out the bigger cup Ð the
finest cup in the world Ð and placed it on
the altar.
It did not move.
ÒAh,Ó he murmured.
After picking up the smaller cup, he
turned to go. An old man was walking
towards him. The man wore a bishopÕs
robe and had kind, grey eyes. He was
leading a little boy by the hand.
ÒHow can this be?Ó the man gasped.
ÒMy son? Is it you?Ó
The old man in the bishopÕs robe smiled
kindly and gave him the boyÕs hand. Then
the grey-eyed man looked at the cup in his
hand and nodded towards the altar.
ÒAh,Ó the vain man murmured, and he
did what he had to do. He put the second
cup next to the first.
This time, the cup did not fall.

66
 The Chimp and the Dolphin
A chimp went to sea with his master, ÒI pity you,Ó laughed the chimp. ÒIt is
a rich merchant. One day the chimp was hard being foolish.Ó
swinging on the boatÕs ropes and fell into By now the dolphin was feeling glad
the sea. But luckily for him, a dolphin saved that they were nearing shore. The chimp
his life. was becoming a burden.
As the dolphin was carrying the chimp ÒIÕll take you to those rocks,Ó the dolphin
to shore, the chimp began to brag. said. ÒFrom there IÕm sure you can find your
ÒIÕm a rich merchant, you know. I way home.Ó
have four feet of coins and two gallons of ÒWeigh home?Ó declared the chimp. ÒI
servants. When I get home, IÕll throw ten know how to weigh homes. IÕd say those
inches into the water for you.Ó rocks will make a very good home and weigh
The dolphin had never before met a about ten feet each. Why, I could
rich merchant, so she did not know what to weigh those rocks minus the
think. ocean in my five hands.Ó
ÒAnd let me tell you,Ó the chimp ÒFaker!Ó cried the dolphin
bragged, ÒI can count to twenty and even who now knew the chimp for
fourteen. Not many merchants can do that! what he was. With a flip
Most of the ones I know can only count to a of her tail, she dove
hundred. I bet you canÕt do twice that?Ó under the waves,
ÒI donÕt know anything about counting,Ó and the chimp
said the dolphin. ÒI never went to school. I had to save
went to sea the day I was born.Ó himself.

68
 The Dog and the Porcupine
A long time ago, the dog and the So the porcupine tried the sugar cane
porcupine were friends. The dog was easy- and liked it a lot.
going and liked to help everybody. The ÒHow can I get more?Ó the porcupine
porcupine was . . . let us say . . . prickly. asked.
One day the porcupine came to the ÒGo into my field and take what you
dogÕs house. need, but donÕt eat the roots. If you eat the
ÒFriend,Ó said the porcupine, ÒI have no roots no more sugar cane will grow.Ó
house and must live in the bush all day and But the porcupine paid the dog no
night. ItÕs not very nice out there, so help mind. He dug up the sugar cane, roots and
me out.Ó all, until nothing was left.
ÒOf course,Ó said the dog, and he When the dog saw what the porcupine
invited the porcupine to live with him. had done, he spoke to him.
The dog gave the porcupine food and a ÒI thought you were my friend, but you
bed. The next morning the dog showed the went into my field and dug up the sugar
porcupine some fat, green sticks. cane, roots and all, until nothing was left.Ó
ÒDo you know what these are?Ó asked ÒYour field?Ó huffed the porcupine.
the dog. ÒWhy, that field is as much mine as it is
ÒOf course not. I live in the bush yours.Ó
and eat grass. How would I know what The easy-going dog was surprised and
anything is?Ó did not know what to say.
ÒIt is sugar cane. Try some. It is very ò ô
sweet.Ó

70 71
 ÒWhy are the humans so angry?Ó
asked all the animals. ÒWhat have we done
wrong?Ó
ÒItÕs the dogÕs fault,Ó said the
porcupine. ÒHe dug up their sugar cane,
roots and all, until nothing was left.Ó
ÒFoolish dog!Ó the animals cried. ÒHow
could he do such a thing?Ó
So they went to the dogÕs house.
ÒDog! Come out here right now.Ó
The easy-going dog came out and
asked, ÒWhy are you so angry? Is
something wrong?Ó
The next morning the porcupine went ÒYouÕre a bad dog. You dug up the
to another animalÕs field. He dug up the humansÕ sugar cane, roots and all, until
sugar cane, roots and all, until nothing was nothing was left. Now they chase us with
left. spears.Ó
Day after day, he did the same thing ÒNo!Ó said the dog. ÒI didnÕt do that. It
until he went into the humanÕs field and was the porcupine.Ó
dug up the sugar cane, roots and all, until ÒOh!Ó cried the porcupine. ÒWhat a
nothing was left. liar! You know you dug up the sugar cane,
The humans blamed the animals and roots and all, until nothing was left.Ó
began to chase them with spears.

72 73
 ÒThis isnÕt fair,Ó said the dog. ÒI want porcupine left the path and went into the
to go before a judge and clear my good tall grass.
name.Ó ÒWhy canÕt we stay on the path?Ó
All the animals agreed that they would whined the dog. ÒThe grass is so wet.Ó
take the dogÕs case before the judge the ÒWeÕre going through the grass,Ó
very next morning. insisted the porcupine. ÒNow hurry up, or
ò ô youÕll be late. That wouldnÕt look good
with the judge.Ó
Early the next morning the porcupine
So the easy-going dog agreed.
woke the dog up.
They went through the wet grass. Mile
ÒHurry up, lazy bones,Ó poked the
after mile, they went. The dog became
porcupine. ÒYou donÕt want to be late
very cold and shivered so much that his
before the judge.Ó
teeth rattled, but the porcupine did not feel
ÒBut itÕs still black night,Ó whined the
a thing.
dog. ÒLetÕs wait until dawn.Ó
When they arrived at the judge, the sun
ÒNo,Ó insisted the porcupine. ÒWe must
was already high in the sky. All the animals
go now.Ó
were waiting. They had been there since
So the easy-going dog agreed.
dawn.
Blackness was everywhere, and the air
ÒYou are late. Where have you been?Ó
was very damp and cold. The dog started
they asked.
to shiver and whine, but the porcupine
ÒThe dog is to blame,Ó said the
did not feel a thing. After a while, the

74 75
porcupine. ÒHe ran off into the tall grass, But the dog could only shiver and
and I had to find him.Ó rattle and said, ÒChh, chh, chh, chh, chh!Ó
The judge called the dog to him. ÒThen, dog, I find you guilty,Ó declared
ÒStand here before me,Ó the judge said. the judge. ÒYou cannot be trusted. From
ÒDid you dig up the sugar cane, roots and this day onward, you will have to be
all, until nothing was left?Ó chained.Ó
The poor dog was terribly cold. He So there, my friends, is why the dog
just stood before the judge and shivered. spends his days chained. Oh, yes! It
He shivered so much that his teeth almost also tells us why he barks at all the other
rattled out of his head. animals when they pass by.
ÒLook at him,Ó said the porcupine. ÒSee
how he shivers and rattles his teeth in fear
before the judge. He acts like heÕs guilty.Ó
ÒYes,Ó all the animals agreed. ÒHe acts
like heÕs guilty.Ó
ÒWell, dog,Ó asked the judge, Òhave you
nothing better to say for yourself?Ó
But the dogÕs teeth rattled so much
that all he could say was, ÒChh, chh, chh,
chh!Ó
ÒSo you have nothing to say for
yourself?Ó the judge asked.

76
 The Suspicious Disciple
One day a young disciple saw Master the master went into an old farm house.
Rumi carrying a tray of fine food through The disciple slipped up to the house and
the streets of the city. peeked in the window.
ÒHow can Master Rumi eat such fine There sat Rumi on the floor. Beside
food? HasnÕt he sworn to live a simple life?Ó him lay a mother dog and her four new
the disciple wondered. ÒHasnÕt he told us pups. Rumi was feeding the mother
that fine food like that is only for rich men the rich food, and she was nursing her
who think only of themselves and not of puppies.
others?Ó Then Master Rumi felt his discipleÕs
The disciple was very upset. eyes on him. He looked up and put his
ÒCould our master have a false heart?Ó fingers to his lips.
he wondered. ÒIs he sneaking away to eat ÒYou know your heart is awake,Ó he
that food where no one will see him?Ó whispered, Òwhen you can hear soft cries
Now the disciple needed to know if for help
Master Rumi was the kind of man who said from miles
one thing but did another. So he decided to away.Ó
follow his master to see if he was sneaking
away to eat the rich food in secret.
The disciple followed Master Rumi
through the cityÕs streets and out the city
gate. He then followed his master through
some woods and across a field. At last,

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 At the Lion’s Den Why the Dog and the Cat Are Enemies
Once there was a lion who became too There once was a man and his wife
old to hunt. Instead of starving, he acted who owned a golden ring. The ring was
like he was ill. He lay deep in his cave and a lucky ring, and whoever owned it had
moaned as if he were near death. everthing they would ever need.
When the other animals heard of the Sad to say, the man and woman did
lionÕs illness, they came to see him. Some not know that the ring was lucky, and one
were sorry that their king was dying, and day they sold it to a rich man. As soon as
some were just curious. Some were glad the ring was gone, they became poor, and
that the old killer would soon be gone and the man who bought it became richer.
came to gloat. Now, the man and woman had a dog
One by one, the animals went into the and a cat. These two creatures suffered
cave, and the old lion ate them. So despite with them.
his age, he was better off than before. Luckily, the dog knew the secret of the
Only the fox stayed outside. ring, and one day he said to the cat, ÒLong
ÒHow goes it, my king?Ó called the fox Whiskers, we must get the ring back.Ó
from the mouth of the cave. ÒBut how, Waggy Tail?Ó asked the cat.
ÒNot well, not well,Ó moaned the lion. ÒThe ring is at the rich manÕs house, and he
ÒIÕm nearly blind. Come a little closer, my keeps it in a wooden box that he locks with
friend, so I can see you one last time.Ó a key.Ó
ÒIf youÕll excuse me, my king, IÕd rather ÒYou must catch a mouse,Ó said the
stay outside. I can see many tracks going dog. ÒTell the mouse that if she gnaws a
into your den, but none coming out.Ó hole in the box, you will not eat her.Ó

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 ÒYou are a smart one, Waggy Tail,Ó ÒGood friend,Ó they said to the cat, Òfrom
purred the cat. now on you will live in our house and sleep
The cat caught a mouse, and they set near the fire.Ó
out for the rich manÕs house. When they A few hours later the dog finally arrived
got there, the cat set the mouse down. home. When the man and woman saw him,
ÒDonÕt try to trick me,Ó the cat warned. they were very angry.
ÒI know the cat, who lives here, and she is ÒWhere have you been?Ó they scolded,
very mean. If you do not get me the ring, I holding up the lucky ring. ÒLook what the cat
will tell her to eat you.Ó got for us. Why didnÕt you do something like
When the mouse got the ring, she gave that for us? Out you go! Sleep in the yard
it to the cat, who took it between her teeth until you learn how to serve us better.Ó
and started for home, the dog following The cat just lay by the fire and purred,
behind. but the dog was very angry. The next time
Now, the cat could go much faster the cat came out of the house, he chased her,
than the dog. While the dog could only but she was faster, and still is to this day.
run along the ground, the cat could climb
up and jump over everything. So by the
time she was home, the dog was still miles
behind.
The cat gave the ring to the man and
the woman who now felt that their luck
had changed.

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The Blind Men and the Elephant
It was six men of Hindustan The Third approached the animal
To learning much inclined, And, happening to take
Who went to see the Elephant, The squirming trunk within his hands,
Though all of them were blind, Thus boldly up he spake:
That each by observation ÒI see,Ó quoth he, Òthe Elephant
Might satisfy his mind. Is very like a snake!Ó
The First approached the Elephant The Fourth reached out an eager hand
And, happening to fall And felt about the knee:
Against his broad and sturdy side, ÒWhat most the wondrous beast is like
At once began to bawl: Is very plain,Ó quoth he.
ÒGod bless me, but the Elephant Ò ÕTis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a wall!Ó Is very like a tree!Ó
The Second, feeling the tusk, The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Cried, ÒHo! what have we here, Said, ÒEven the blindest man
So very round and smooth and sharp? Can tell what this resembles most.
To me Õtis very clear Deny the fact who can:
This wonder of an Elephant This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!Ó Is very like a fan!Ó

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 Everything the Lord Does Is for the Best
Each year Rabbi Akiva went to a
different town to collect money for the
The Sixth no sooner had begun poor students in his care. These young
About the beast to grope men spent their days studying Torah Ð the
Than, seizing on the swinging tail Word of God Ð and needed charity to live.
That fell within his scope, On one such trip Rabbi Akiva took
ÒI see,Ò quoth he, Òthe Elephant some young men with him who had never
Is very like a rope!Ó been as far from home as a mouse wanders
from her nest.
And so these men of Hindustan The rabbi and his students took with
Disputed loud and long, them a donkey to carry the Torah, a candle
Each in his own opinion to study it by, and a rooster to wake them
Exceeding stiff and strong. at dawn.
Though each was partly in the right, By the time they came to the town, it
They all were in the wrong! was dark. They knocked on the gate, but
the gatekeeper would not let them in.
– John Godfrey Saxe ÒLet us in,Ó cried the students. ÒIt is
cold and dark out here. Where are we to
sleep?Ó
ÒOn the ground,Ó said the gatekeeper.
ÒHow do I know who you are? You might
be robbers.Ó

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 ÒBut weÕre honest students.Ó A few hours later, the roar of a lion
ÒCome back in the morning. Then IÕll woke them. Then they heard the wild
be able to see who you are.Ó braying of their donkey.
The students began to complain. ÒSilence!Ó ordered Rabbi Akiva.
ÒDonÕt worry,Ó Rabbi Akiva told them. Then to their horror, they heard the
ÒEverything the Lord does is for the best. lion eating their donkey.
Let us find a place to sleep in that nearby ÒLet us run back to that town!Ó a
field. There will be grass enough for our student cried.
donkey. We have our candle to study ÒDonÕt be afraid,Ó Rabbi Akiva
Torah, and our rooster will wake us at whispered. ÒRemember, everything the
dawn.Ó Lord does is for the best.Ó
After finding a place to spend the night, Once again they fell asleep but soon
they lit their candle and began to study awoke in horror. A wildcat was eating their
Torah. But a strong wind blew out the rooster.
candle, and, try as they might, they could ÒWe must run for our lives,Ó they cried.
not light it again. ÒLie back down, my friends, and make
ÒGood master,Ó complained the no sound,Ó their rabbi whispered.
students, Òhow can we study Torah in the ÒBut we will be next!Ó
dark?Ó ÒThe Lord is our Shepherd. He will
ÒDo not fear the dark,Ó their teacher not forget us in this place of darkness.
said. ÒEverything the Lord does is for the Remember, everything the Lord does is for
best.Ó the best.Ó

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 At last, the students fell into a fitful would now be slaves. If the donkey and
sleep while Rabbi Akiva sat watch. rooster had not been killed, their braying
Night slowly slipped from the sky, and and squawking would have led the robbers
the heavens changed from black to pink to to us. And if the candle had not blown out,
blue. A fresh breeze arose, and soon the its light would have led the robbers to us,
good sun gave light and warmth to the and now we too would be slaves.
world. ÒSo do not get too upset by the
ÒWake up, my friends,Ó said Rabbi problems life brings us, my friends.
Akiva. ÒA new day is here, and with it Sometimes a small problem saves you from
comes another chance to serve the Lord.Ó a problem that is far worse.
As they admired the beautiful morning, ÒNow, I hope I have taught you at least
a man came running towards them. It was one thing that you will always remember:
the gatekeeper. He was pale with fear and Everything the Lord does is for the best.Ó
looked behind him as he ran.
ÒWhy are you running?Ó they asked.
ÒLast night a gang of robbers climbed
over the walls and stole everyone away.
IÕm the only one they did not get.Ó
The students gasped in horror.
ÒNow do you see,Ó said Rabbi Akiva,
Òhow everything the Lord does is for the
best? If this gatekeeper had let us in, we

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 The Proud Bull-Frog
A big, fat bull-frog was sitting in the mud, ÒNow, am I not puffier than that mere
bragging to the smaller frogs about his great ox?Ó
size. ÒNo, Your Puffiness,Ó they replied. ÒHeÕs
ÒLook at me,Ó he bragged. ÒAm I not the puffier still.Ó
puffiest creature in the world?Ó So he puffed himself up even more.
He puffed himself up, and the smaller frogs ÒNow I am surely puffier than he!Ó
all agreed that he was puffy indeed. Just then ÒNo, your Puffiness. The ox is puffier still.Ó
an ox came down to the pond to drink. ÒWell!Ó he huffed, and he puffed
ÒBut, Your Puffiness,Ó asked one of the
smaller frogs, Òis not that ox puffier than you?Ó himself up and up until he
ÒHumph!Ó said the bull-frog, and he puffed
himself up even more.
Soon he was almost
twice his size.

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 The Danger of Knowing How to Read
One day, as a fox was trotting through The wolf was listening very carefully to
the forest, he met a mule. He had never what the fox said, and now his vanity was
seen a mule before and felt very afraid. So excited, so he stepped out onto the road.
he turned tail and ran to tell his friend the ÒI know some of that reading stuff,Ó he
wolf about the new creature. boasted. ÒLet me have a look.Ó
ÒHmm,Ó said the wolf. ÒIÕve never heard The mule lifted his hind foot and said,
of such a creature, but IÕm sure it must be ÒItÕs writ there, on my shoe.Ó
good to eat. LetÕs go and find out.Ó The wolf looked at the nails on the
When they found the mule, the wolf shoe, but he could not make out a thing.
told the fox to go up and ask for its name ÒItÕs pretty small reading,Ó he said. ÒIÕll
while he hid in the bushes. have to get a closer look.Ó
ÒWhile you have its attention,Ó said the The vain wolf then put his nose right
wolf, ÒIÕll jump on it from behind.Ó up against the muleÕs hoof. Suddenly, the
The wolf then slid behind a bush, and mule jerked back his leg and kicked the wolf
the fox went up to the mule. clear over the trees. Seeing what happened
ÒHello, friend,Ó called the fox. ÒI donÕt to his friend, the fox turned tail and ran.
think weÕve met. IÕm a fox. What are you?Ó ÒKnowing how to read looks pretty
ÒI got told once,Ó said the mule, Òbut bad to me!Ó said the fox as he ran through
I done gone anÕ forgot it. But if you can the woods. ÒWho knows what you might
read, itÕs writ on my foot.Ó learn!Ó
ÒOh,Ó said the fox. ÒI never learned the
art of reading.Ó

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 Lucia and the Trolls
A story to be read aloud by the teacher

A long time ago in a far northern land, The fear was so great that sometimes
at that time of year when darkness has even the bravest souls would not even
overcome light, and cold has frozen the dare to go from house to barn. Who knew
earth as hard as iron, the trolls would come what lay in wait for them? Maybe some
down from their mountain strongholds and little troll would jump out from behind a
spread fear across the land. snow pile and scare them. Or maybe even
These trolls delighted in wickedness. worse. Maybe a big troll would snatch
They pushed huge rocks down the them up and carry them away, high into
mountainsides. They made great walls the mountains, never to be seen again.
of snow slide down into the valleys. They So the people huddled inside their homes,
shouted and howled and ran through the day after day, while their poor animals,
villages, smashing whatever they found. shivering in dark barns, suffered.
Rotten as the big trolls were, the little One very cold December, the trolls
ones were worse. One of their nasty tricks were making more trouble than usual.
was to roll themselves up like logs and hide They had closed off the valleys and blocked
in woodpiles. Then when some poor human all the doors with huge piles of snow. They
went to fetch wood, the little imps would had released their devil cats who yowled
unroll themselves and laugh horribly. The constantly, day and night. So wicked were
poor person, needless to say, would cry out these trolls that some were even planning
in fear, drop the wood, and flee back to his to blow out all the fires in the peopleÕs
freezing house. homes.

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 Naturally, everyone was terrified. The
old people said they had never known the
trolls to act so mean, and the young people
swore they would move to the city if spring
ever came. It could not have been worse,
and the whole village was close to despair.
In a tiny cabin where one distant
village nestled against the foot of a great
ice field, a family shivered in fear. Hours
had passed since their stove had gone cold,
and it had been two days since they had
eaten their last warm meal. Even though
the mother and father were brave souls,
they feared that if one of them left to seek
help, the trolls would try to snatch their
children away.
ÒGood mother,Ó the good father sighed,
Òwe cannot last much longer. Unless we
have food, we will all die. I must go out, no
matter how dangerous it is.Ó
He took his strong axe and headed for
the door. Outside the trolls howled, and the

99
devil cats yowled, and great rocks crashed ÒDaughter, take my axe. You are a
down from the mountains. Then just as he strong girl, almost a woman. If the trolls
touched the door latch, the oldest daughter come near you, drive them away. They will
stood up and declared, ÒNo, Father, I am fear you if you have courage in your heart.Ó
the one who must go!Ó ÒThank you, Father,Ó replied the girl,
ÒNo, dear child,Ó the father replied. ÒI Òbut you must keep the axe here to defend
am the father and must defend us from this our family. May the saints protect me.
evil. It is my duty.Ó Just give me the lantern, so I can see my
ÒYes, Father, that is true,Ó the brave way.Ó
daughter declared as she stood across the Amid much weeping, the brave girl
door. ÒSo it is clear that I must be the one stepped out into the howling dark and
to go.Ó held her lantern high. Immediately, the
ÒWhat do you mean?Ó trolls and devil cats saw her. The terrible
ÒOnce you have gone, father, the trolls trolls beat the ground with their clubs, and
will feel bold enough to attack. But if they the cruel devil cats hissed and advanced
know that you and Mother are both still towards her. But before she could go even
inside, our family will be safe. It is clear, I one step, a great light filled the darkness. A
must go.Ó beautiful maiden stood in the middle of the
ÒShe is right,Ó the mother wept, Òbut lane, shining with the glory of Heaven.
how can we let her go?Ó The maiden wore a long flowing robe,
The father pondered what to do. and, on her head, she wore a wreath of
Finally he spoke. greens, crowned by four bright candles.

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Her light shone up to the highest mountain light. Out of their doors they came and
tops and down into deepest caves. gathered around the girl, asking her why
ÒNever before,Ó the heavenly maiden she had dared to be so brave and venture
said with a smile, Òhas anyone ever dared out into such danger.
to venture forth against the trolls. You are When they learned about her familyÕs
the first. Walk with me.Ó hunger, they brought the brave girl trays
ÒWho are you?Ó the girl asked. of warm buns and pots of hot coffee, which
ÒI am Saint Lucia. I light the way.Ó she, ever the dutiful daughter, speedily
The sight of this pair amazed the trolls, carried home.
and they all fell quiet. Even the devil cats So to this day, in the far northern land
stopped their hissing and began to purr, of Sweden, at that time of year just before
rubbing themselves against the brave girlÕs Christmas, light overcomes the darkness.
legs. Then the little trolls took hands and, It is then that the oldest daughter in every
singing with joy, began to dance around household dresses up like Lucia. Wearing
the brave girl and Saint Lucia. a wreath with candles on her head, she
But most amazing of all, tiny stars brings warm buns and hot coffee to her
danced down from Heaven and came to home. And while the trolls no longer come
rest above the little trollsÕ heads. down from their mountain strongholds and
One by one, the village doors and spread fear across the land, all the little
windows opened. The sight of the brave brothers remember them by wearing star-
girl walking besides the heavenly Saint topped hats upon their heads.
Lucia filled the villagers with courage and

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 Origins of Stories Author and Illustrator
The Saint Stories:
Godric and the Hare........................................ Catholic
Saint Moling and the Fox................................ Catholic Author:
The Boy Bishop............................................... Greek Orthodox Arthur M. Pittis has been a class and high school humanities
The Three Schoolboys and the Salting Tub...... Greek Orthodox teacher in Waldorf schools for twenty-four years, first at the
The Three Dowerless Maidens......................... Greek Orthodox Waldorf School of Baltimore and now at the Austin Waldorf
The Golden Cups............................................. Greek Orthodox School. He is the author of Pedagogical Theatre and is a
Everything the Lord Does Is for the Best.......... Hassidic member of the Leadership Council of AWSNA. He is the father of
A Lesson in Compassion................................. Buddhist two adult daughters who received Waldorf educations.
Lucia and the Trolls......................................... Sweden/Traditional
The Fables:
Illustrator:
Ausa M. Peacock attended the Austin Waldorf School from
The Ant and the Grasshopper......................... Aesop kindergarten through twelfth grade and is currently studying
At the LionÕs Den............................................ Aesop art at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. In illustrating this
Bell the Cat..................................................... Aesop series, she called upon her experience as a student in the Waldorf
The Banyan Deer............................................ India school in creating her warm and evocative drawings.
The Boy and the Nuts..................................... Aesop
The Chimp and the Dolphin............................ Aesop
The Danger of Knowing How to Read............. Italy
The Dog and the Porcupine............................. West Africa
The Fox in the Grapes..................................... Aesop
The Frog in the Pail of Cream.......................... Aesop
The Gnat and the Lion.................................... Aesop
The Jackass in the LionÕs Skin......................... Aesop
The Lion and the Mouse.................................. Aesop
The Miller Who Tried to Please Everybody...... England
The Miser........................................................ Aesop
The Proud Bull-Frog........................................ Aesop
The Turtle Who Talked too Much..................... India
Why the Dog and Cat Are Enemies................. China
The Wolf and the Watchdog........................... Aesop