Preparation.
I am now going to tell you of a wonderful traveler that had the power of giving to each one whatever he wished. I will tell you how night overtook him on a journey and how he was refused a place to sleep by a proud man who lived in a mansion, but was made welcome and given a bed and food by a kind, generous man who lived in a little hut near the mansion. You will hear of three wishes granted and what each one wished for.
Do you remember anyone overtaken by darkness while on a journey in our stories? Yes. Star Dollar Girl. The Girl in “Mother Frost.” The Cock and the Hen. The Street Musicians. Tell how each one passed the night. Where have you seen a traveler? Our story happened long ago, before there were railroads and before there were many inns. Explain opposite.
Narration.
THE TRAVELER.
A long time ago there was a wonderful traveler passing through a country. He was tired, footsore, and hungry. It happened that night overtook him when he was a long way from an inn. He did not know what he should do.
Finally, as he trudged along, he came to two houses standing opposite each other. One was large and beautiful, the other was small and ugly. The large house belonged to a proud, selfish man; the other to a modest, generous man.
The traveler thought, “Now, I would not be a burden to the man who lives in the large house because he has so much room. I will knock at his door.” As he knocked the owner raised a window, looked out, and asked of the stranger what he wanted. The poor traveler answered, “I ask only a place to sleep over night.” The proud man looked the stranger over from head to foot. And because his clothes were poor and soiled with dust, and because he did not look like one who had money to pay for his lodging, the owner shook his head and said, “I cannot take you in, for my house is full. If I received into my house everyone that came along, I should soon have to go begging myself. Seek elsewhere for your night’s lodging.” At that he closed the window with a bang, and left the poor traveler standing without in the darkness.
The weary traveler then went to the cottage and knocked gently at the door. Scarcely had he knocked when the generous man unlocked his door and cheerfully called out, “Come in, stranger, and pass the night with me. It is now quite dark. You can go on your journey in the morning.”
This welcome pleased the traveler and he went in. The good man’s wife took him by the hand. “We have not much,” she said, “but what we have you are welcome to.” She then put some potatoes on the fire to bake. While they were cooking she milked the goats so that there might be a little milk for the evening meal.