A Foolish Stag

One hot summer day, a Stag went to a pool to drink water. The pool water was clear. It could see its reflection in the water. It felt proud of its beautiful horns. But when it saw the shadow of its thin legs, it felt sad and hated them. While it was still thinking of its ugly legs, it heard the sound of the horse’s hoofs of a huntsman and the barking of hounds. It ran for its life as fast as its legs could carry it. In no time it left the hounds far behind. Now it happened to pass through a thick forest.

. The Donkey Trapped in His Own Trick

A villager had a donkey. He earned his living by transporting goods from place to place on that donkey. One early morning, he loaded the donkey with salt and set off to the town. A stream ran across his way to the market. As the donkey walked through the stream it slipped and fell down. A good deal of salt was washed away and the donkey felt light. The donkey thought it was quite a good trick to make the load light.

The next morning, the man again loaded it with salt.

The Three Little Pigs

Once upon a time, there were three little pigs. They decided to go out and seek their fortune in the world.

The first pig built his house out of straw. It was very fragile and did not take long for the big bad wolf to blow it down easily in one puff.

The second pig built his house out of sticks. The wolf managed to blow it down in two puffs.

The third pig built his house out of bricks. No matter how hard the wolf blew, he could not make it fall down because it was very strong.

1. A Farmer and His Sons

Once a farmer had three grown-up sons. They always quarreled among themselves. Their father advised them to live in peace but it had no effect on them. He was worried about their future. One day the farmer fell seriously ill. He sent for his sons. He asked them to collect a handful of sticks which they did at once. He tied the sticks into a bundle.

Now, he asked them to break the bundle one by one. They tried hard to break it but none could. At last, the farmer untied the bundle and asked each of them to break each stick.

Chapter 7A Difficult Time

          ‘I saw Morris often when you were away,’ said Catherine’s aunt.

          ‘I know from his letters that you were very nice to him. 1 won’t forget that, aunt.’

          ‘He liked to come and talk. I gave him tea — that was all. Your Aunt Almond thought it was too much. He liked to sit in your father’s room,’ she said and smiled.

          Catherine was quiet for a minute.

They talked for some time as lovers.

vv v

Chapter 6The Long Wait

          Morris was more handsome than Catherine remembered. He put his arms round her. She knew that she loved him very much.

          ‘Why did you send for me?’

          ‘Because I wanted to see you,’ said the girl quietly.

          ‘Do you want only to look at me? Or to tell me something?’

           He waited. Then he suddenly said, ‘Marry me tomorrow. Take me or leave me. Decide between me and your father.’

          ‘I want you, Morris.

Chapter 5Mrs Penniman’s Plan

          Catherine did not speak about Morris to her father.

          After some days, he said to her, ‘I’m lucky to have a good daughter.’

          ‘I’m trying to be good,’ she answered.

          Catherine did not see Morris at this time, but she wrote to him. A long letter of five pages. Morris thought it was long. She asked him not to visit for a time.

          Morris wrote back. He talked about his meeting with Dr Sloper.

Chapter 4For Love or Money?

          Catherine heard her father come home that evening. She stood outside the door of his room for nearly half an hour. Then she went in. He sat in his chair by the fire, with a cigar in his hand, and read the newspaper.

          ‘I have something to say to you,’ she began, very quietly. She sat down. ‘I’m going to marry Morris Townsend.’ The doctor looked at her. ‘When did he ask you?’

          ‘This afternoon — four hours ago,’ she answered.

Chapter 3Secrets

          To Dr Sloper, the thing was a game. He slept well, he ate well. ‘This young man is trying to catch Catherine. I’ll watch and wait,’ he thought. He did not think his daughter was in danger. Morris Townsend was not rich, but that was not important. The doctor did not want Catherine to marry a rich man. ‘Two people can live on her money. She can marry a man with no money. But he must be honest and strong and have a good schooling,’ thought the doctor.