Learn:

BABY

BY GEORGE MACDONALD

Where did you come from, baby dear?
Out of the everywhere into the here.

Where did you get those eyes so blue?
Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?
Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?

I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high? A soft hand stroked it as I went by.

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?
I saw something better than any one knows.

Whence that three-cornered smile of bliss?
Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get this pearly ear?

God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and hands?
Love made itself into bonds and bands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?
From the same box as the cherub's wings.

How did they all just come to be you?
God thought about me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?
God thought about you, and so I am here.

OCTOBER: KINDNESS TO ANIMALS

Begin the month with stories of animals. Ask the children to watch the squirrels and see them hide their nuts. Notice the different kinds of squirrels. Why do they bury their nuts? What do squirrels do in winter? What do birds do in winter? What can we do with our crumbs?

Attract birds or squirrels into the school yard if you can. Put water in a dish for the birds. Let the children watch them bathe. Notice how they look round on every side before daring to pick up food. Why are they frightened? How can we help to make them less afraid?

Notice the protective coloration in insects. Study the industry and skill of spiders. Get caterpillars and watch them make cocoons. Tell the children how an ugly caterpillar becomes an exquisite butterfly. Tell the story of "The Ugly Duckling," by Hans Christian Andersen.

Ethical teaching never means preaching, but making vivid to children the world around them. The lessons of industry and of foresight, the truth that beauty may come out of ugliness, will be learned indirectly.

Tell the story of Robert Bruce and the spider. Tell the fable of "The Ant and the Grasshopper" (Æsop).

Learn: Psalm xxiii.

Read the following: "The Emperor's Bird's Nest," by Henry W. Longfellow; "The Pet Lamb," by William Wordsworth; "To a Field Mouse," by Robert Burns; "The Poor Turkey Girl," from Cushing's Zuni Folk-Tales.

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI AND THE WOLF

Twenty miles above Assisi in Italy is a little town called Gubbio. Great mountains rise about it covered with snow. One day when St. Francis and his friends entered it, he found the men of the village coming out with swords, and looking very sorrowful.

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"God give you peace, good brothers," said Francis. "Whither away?" "Have you seen the wolf?" they asked excitedly. "No, brother." 'Alas! it eats our cattle, our goats, and even our little children." And one of the men fell a-weeping. Then he told how his two little girls had been forbidden to go out alone. One day they disobeyed, and when their father went to seek them, he heard the wolf growling and found only the remains of their torn clothes. Then Francis said: "I will go forth to meet our brother wolf." "Brother wolf indeed! Surely you will meet your death, father," answered the men. "Nay, all creatures are our brothers and sisters," said Francis. "God will help me to reason with brother wolf and persuade him to forsake his wicked ways.

Then the men of the village showed him the way through thick woods to the den. There was a harsh noise and suddenly a great wolf rushed out openmouthed. But Francis did not stop or tremble. He made the sign of the cross over the wolf and said: "Brother Wolf, in the name of Christ, I bid you do no harm to me or to any one." And the wolf crouched down and crawled quietly to the feet of Francis like a gentle dog. "Brother Wolf," said Francis, "you have done great and grievous wrong and every man's hand is against you. But I come to make friends. Promise never to hurt or kill any one again, and we will give you abundance of food." Then the wolf bowed his head and

wagged his tail. "Brother Wolf, let all the people see that you can be trusted." The wolf put his paw in the hand of Francis. "Now come with me," said Francis, and the fierce wolf followed like a dog, wagging his tail. Then all the people praised God and promised to give the wolf food. Never again did he hurt any one and every day the people fed him. When he died after two years they were very sorry, for he had become like a friend to all the village.

Questions: Why was the wolf so fierce? Was he hungry? If you pull a cat's tail, will she like it? Why? What can she do to show she does not like it? Has she a voice to ask you not to hurt her? Can you give her food? Will she trust you when you are kind to her?

For further legends about St. Francis, read The Little Flowers of St. Francis, and A Little Brother to the Birds, by F. W. Wheldon (Jacobs & Co.).

For further stories and legends about friendly animals, read The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts, by Abbie Farwell Brown (Houghton Mifflin Co.).

A LESSON OF MERCY

BY ALICE CARY

A boy named Peter

Found once in the road

All harmless and helpless,
A poor little toad;

And ran to his playmate,

And all out of breath

Cried, "John, come and help,

And we 'll stone him to death!"

And picking up stones,

The two went on the run,

Saying, one to the other,
"Oh, won't we have fun?"

Thus primed and all ready,
They'd got nearly back,
When a donkey came

Dragging a cart on the track.

Now the cart was as much
As the donkey could draw,
And he came with his head
Hanging down; so he saw,

All harmless and helpless,
The poor little toad,
A-taking his morning nap
Right in the road.

He shivered at first,

Then he drew back his leg,

And set up his ears,

Never moving a peg.