In this story the loving helpfulness of Old Pipes brought back his strength and youth quite as much as the kiss of the Dryad; for are we not always strong and happy when helping others?
What other pieces of literature teach this lesson?
Read Lowell’s poem, “Rhœcus.”
Compare the dryad in Stockton’s story with the dryads of the myths.
How do you think this idea of dryads originated?
Discuss the character of Old Pipes. Have you ever met another like him in your reading?
Did the Dryad do right in not returning the money to the villagers?
THE BEE-MAN OF ORN
This story can be made a starting-point for interesting science lessons. Children can easily observe the habits of bees. In ancient times, when honey was a staple article of food, much was thought and written about the care of bees. Read with the children John Burroughs’ “Birds and Bees,” also bits from Virgil’s “Georgics,” Book IV.
Lead the children to discuss the following points: