THE HOME IN THE COUNTRY.
Once upon a time there lived a little boy whose name was Hans. His home was in a village where the tall trees shaded the green grass that grew around the houses. Hans loved his home very much. He loved to hear the birds sing and to watch them fly high in the air, and he often threw crumbs upon the ground for them to eat.
He loved the bright red and blue and yellow flowers which grew in the garden behind the house. He delighted in sweet odors which came all unseen from their very hearts. So he gladly watered them when they looked thirsty. His mother soon taught him how to place strong, straight sticks beside the weak vines so that they, too, could climb up and get the sunlight.
Hans loved the dear old hens and their downy chickens that were not afraid to peck the grain out of his hand. In fact, Hans loved everything and everybody about him, from the small naked worms which crawled about among the clods of earth, up to the strange and beautiful stars which shone so high above his head. He was a very happy little fellow, always busy, always finding something to do for somebody.
Suggestions.
1. Question to deepen and connect the story.
Reproduction.
2. A talk about gardens and flowers, chickens and how they are cared for. Earth worms, their habits, appearance, habitat, uses.
Explain clods.
3. Kindness to dependent creatures. Recall Cinderella’s kindness to birds. Kindness of Rose-red and Snow-white to animals.
II.
Preparation.
How Hans helped his father work in the forest, and how he left home to work in a big city.
Talk of work in a forest and in the city.
Narration.