Catch the thief and slit his ear.”
The following verse, which is often shouted by boisterous little scholars, pokes fun at a greedy schoolmaster, who has lost the respect of his pupils. The first and third lines are from the Three Character Classic, the first book a child learns; the others are hits at the master.
“‘Primal man’s condition’
Teacher sly steals chicken.
‘Good at root was his heart,’
Teacher’s nicking gizzard.
The boys won’t touch a book,
Roll teacher in the brook.”
The boys and girls of China are learning the stories of Joseph, Samuel and Jonathan, of John the Baptist and of Peter. They read the Pilgrim’s Progress, Jessica’s First Prayer, Christie’s Old Organ and many another favourite, which has been put into the Chinese language for them by the missionaries. Best of all they learn the story of our Lord Jesus Christ, and through it come to know the Blessed Saviour Himself.