Converse with them daily, and you put what they acquire to instant profit. They discover the advantage of education, by being enabled to make it instantly available in their conversation with their elders. And, on the other hand, those elders will not fail to perceive that there are aspects of almost every subject to which children are the first to call their attention. The little fellow in frock and trowsers looks under the table, while his seniors see only the cover.
“Stories” are always interesting to children—and are much better told than read. A very little fancy will enable a parent, before such kind and respectful critics as his children, to introduce passages bearing on the conduct and character of members of his auditory; and reproof or encouragement, playfully conveyed in this manner, is sure to be remembered.
VOYAGES AND ADVENTURES
OF
BOB THE SQUIRREL.
“Now, father! a story—a story!” said Mr. Goodman’s children, as their father and mother drew up to the fire one winter evening, after the tea-service was removed—“A story! a story!”
There were two children; one a fine little girl, whose name was Mary, the other a little boy, whose name was Frank. He looked a little pale, as if he had been sick, and one of his arms was hung in a handkerchief, which was fastened round his neck. Why this was done, the little reader will find out, before the end of the book.
“Well,” said the kind father, willing to oblige his children, “what shall the story be? About a good boy?”
“No, father,” said little Mary, “we have heard quite enough about good boys.”
“About a bad one, then?”