THE PROUD MAN OVERTAKES THE TRAVELER.
When the proud man arose and looked out of his window, imagine his surprise to see a beautiful new house, with red-tiled roof and bright windows, where the ugly little hut had stood the night before. He called his wife and said, “Just see there! How could it have happened? Yesterday evening the ugly little hut stood there. Now there is a beautiful new house. Run over there quickly and learn how it happened.”
The wife ran over to the new house and inquired of the good people how it came there. The generous man told her of the wonderful traveler who had sought a night’s lodging and who, at his departure the next morning, had granted them three wishes—contentedness, health and daily bread, and a fine new, red-tiled house.
When the proud man’s wife heard this, she hastened back and told her husband all that had happened. The man said. “What a fool I am! Had I only known! That man knocked at our door last night, but I sent him away.” “Then,” said his wife, “hurry, get on your horse! You can overtake him and maybe he will grant you three wishes.”
So the proud man jumped on his horse and rode after the traveler. He soon overtook him and said, “I hope you will forgive me for not letting you in last night. I went to find the door key and when I returned with it you had gone. When you come this way again, you must stop with me.” “Yes,” said the traveler, “when I come this way again I will stop at your house.”
Then the proud man asked, “May I not also have three wishes fulfilled like my neighbor?” “Yes,” said the traveler, “you may; but it would be better for you not to wish for anything.” The proud man replied, “I would certainly seek out something that would make me happy if I only knew that it would be given me.” “Very well,” said the traveler, “go home and your three wishes shall be fulfilled.”
Suggestions.
1. What did the inhospitable man see over the way the next morning? Describe the house. What did he do? Tell what he said to his wife. What did she do? Tell what the good people told her. Tell what the proud man said when his wife told him how it happened. What did his wife tell him to do? Tell what the proud man said when he had overtaken the traveler. What did he ask for? Was his request granted? Repeat what was said.
2. What are tiles? Where are they placed on a house? What are they for? Tell the names of the different parts of a house. (Foundation, cellar or basement, first story, etc.) Name as many different kinds of buildings as you can. (Schoolhouses, churches, store buildings, etc.) Tell of large buildings you have seen and what they were used for.
3. Did the good man and woman tell the truth about how they came to have a new house? Did the proud man tell the truth about going for the key? Why did he try to deceive the wonderful traveler? Was he truly sorry that he had been selfish? Whose conduct pleases you? Was the traveler grateful to the poor people? Why do you think he granted the same favor to the unkind man? What did he say when he told the man he might have three wishes granted?
4. Who deceived in “The Seven Little Goats”? In “Red Riding Hood”? In “Death of the Cock”? In “Mother Frost”? How were they all punished?
Reproduction.
IV.
Preparation.
We will next learn how the proud man had his wishes granted. What do you suppose he will wish for? Let us see.
Narration.