Story Lessons on Character-Building (Morals) and Manners

AUTHOR OF KINDERGARTEN GUIDE, NEW RECITATIONS FOR INFANTS, GAMES WITHOUT MUSIC, ETC. LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON NEW YORK AND BOMBAY 1900

Although it is admitted by all teachers, in theory at least, that morals and manners are essential subjects in the curriculum of life, how very few give them an appointed place in the school routine. Every other subject has its special time allotted, but these—the most important subjects—are left to chance, or taken up, haphazard, at any time; surely this is wrong.
Incidents often occur in the school or home life which afford fitting opportunity for the inculcation of some special moral truth, but maybe the teacher or mother has no suitable illustration just at hand, and the occasion is passed over with a reproof. It is hoped that where such want is felt this little book may supply the need.



1. The Fairy Temple.
(The following story should be read to the children first , as it forms a kind of groundwork for the Story Lessons which follow.)
It was night—a glorious, moonlight night, and in the shade of the leafy woods the Queen of the fairies was calling her little people together by the sweet tones of a tinkling, silver bell. When they were all gathered round, she said: My dear children, I am going to do a great work, and I want you all to help me . At this the fairies spread their wings and bowed, for they were always ready to do the bidding of their Queen. They were all dressed in lovely colours, of a gauzy substance, finer than any silk that ever was seen, and their names were called after the colours they wore. The Queen's robe was of purple and gold, and glittered grandly in the moonlight.
I have determined, said the Queen, to build a Temple of precious stones, and your work will be to bring me the material. Rosy-wings, she continued, turning to a little fairy clad in delicate pink, and fair as a rose, you shall bring rubies. Grass-green, to a fairy dressed in green, your work is to find emeralds; and Shiny-wings, you will go to the mermaids and ask them to give you pearls.