iJ'tatc (QolUge of Agriculture Kt (t^acnell Iniuersitg atltataVSf. 1- Xitbcacg Date Due ^ M>»W »'^ Library Bureau Cat. No. 1137 3 1924 053 968 487 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924053968487 NATURE MYTHS AND STORIES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN BY FLORA J. COOKE el the Francis W. Parker Normal School Chicago GAN CO., PubushskA^ Cbicaco X, .1 cnnj j\l3 COPYKIGHTBD 1895 By flora J. COOKE PREFACE. ^EELING the great need of stories founded upon good literature, which are within the comprehension of little children, I have written the following stories, hoping that they may suggest to primary teachers the great wealth of material within our reach. Many teachers, who firmly believe that reading should be some- thing more than mere word-getting while the child's reading habit \s forming, are practically help- less without the use of a printing press. We will all agree that myths and fables are usually beautiful truths clothed in fancy, and the dress is almost always simple and transparent. Who can study these myths and not feel that nature has a new language for him, and that though the tales may be thousands of years old, they are quite as true as they were in the days of Homer. If the trees and the flowers, the clouds and the wirfd, all tell wonderful stories to the child he has IV. PREFACE. sources of happiness of which no power can de- prive him. And when we consider that here, too, is the key which unlocks so much of the best in art and litera- ture, we feel that we cannot rank too highly the importance of the myth in the primary schoolroom. For instance the child has been observing, read- ing, and writing about -the sun, the moon, the direction of the wind, the trees, the flowers, oi the forces that are acting around him. He has had the . songs, poems, and pictures connected with these lessons to further enhance his thought, inter- est, and observation. He is now given a beautiful myth. He is not expected to interpret it. It is presented for the same purpose that a good picture is placed before him. He feels its beauty, but does not analyze it. If, through his observation or something in his experience, he does see a meaning in the story he has entered a new world of life and beauty. Then com.es the question to every thoughtful teacher, " Can the repetition of words necessary to the growth of the child's vocabulary be obtained in this way?" PREFACE. V. This may be accomplished if the teacher in plan- ning her year's work, sees a close relation between the science, literature, and number work, so that the same words are always recurring, and the interest in each line of work is constant and ever increasing. The following stories are suggested in the stand- ard books of mythology and poetry, and have been tested and found to be very helpful in the first and third grades. CONTENTS, ANIMAL STORIES:— Donkey and the Salt ) ^ , 59 Fox and the Stork J .91 Grateful Foxes . . . .43 A^pted from Edvoin ArrwWs Poem. Permission of Chas. Scribners' Sons. How the Spark of Fire Was Saved . 79 Adaptedfrom John Vance Cheney's Poem. How the Chipmunk Got the Stripes on Its Back ... . . 89 Adaptedfrom Hdwin Arnold's Poem. An Indian Story of the Mole ... 77 BIRD STORIES:— An Indian Story of the Robin . . 26 Adaptedfrom Whittier's Poem, "How iheBobin Came." ' How the Robin's Breast Became Red . 24 The Red-headed Woodpecker , 29 Adaptedfrom Phoebe Gary's Poem. CLOUD STORIES:— Palace of Alkinoos . .36 Adapted from the Odyssey. Swan Maidens .... 54 FLOWER STORIES:— Clytie .9 Golden-rod and Aster . . . 13 INSECT STORIES:— Arachne . . . . ,19 Aurora and Tithonus ... 22 King Solomon and the Ants . .18 Adapted from Whittier's Poem. King Solomon and the Bee . . .16 Adapted from Saxe's Poem. MINERALOGY STORIES:— Sisyphus . . . . . 33 The Story of the Pudding Stone . .31 SUN MYTHS:— Balder . . . . . . 83 Persephone .... 48 Adapted from "Story of Persephone," told hy Helen Ericson, class of 1895, Cook County, ( III. ), Normal School. Phaethon . . ... 39 TREE STORIES: — Daphne . . .... 74 Fairy Story . . ... 66 Philemon and Baucis . . . 71 Poplar Tree . . . . .56 The Secret of Fire . . . 61 MISCELLANEOUS STORIES:— Hermes ... . .97 Iris' Bridge . . . . 101 Prometheus . . . .92 CLYTIE jLYTlE was a beautiful little water nymph who lived in a cave at the bottom of the sea. The walls of the cave were covered with pearls and shells. The floor was made of sand as white as snow. There were many chairs of amber with soft mossy cushions. On each side of the cave-opening was a great forest of coral. Back of the .cave were Clytie's gardens. ■ Here were the sea anemones, starfish and all kinds of seaweed. In the garden grotto were her horses. These were the gentlest goldfish and turtles. The ocean fairies loved Clytie and wove her dresses of softest green sea lace. With all these treasures Clytie should have been happy, but she was not. She had once heard a mermaid sing of a glorious light which shone on the top of the water. She could think of nothing else, but longed day and night to know more of the wonderful light. No ocean fairy dared take her to it, and she was afraid to go alone. 10 Nature Myths and Stories One day she was taking her usual ride in her shell carriage. The water was warm and the tur- tles wentso slowly that Clytie soon fell asleep. On and on they went, straight towards the light, until they came to an island. As the waves dashed the carriage against the shore Clytie awoke. She climbed out of the shell and sat down upon a large rock. She had never seen the trees and flowers. She had never heard the birds chirping or the forest winds sighing. For Little Children — Clytie. 1 1 She had never known the perfume of the flowers or seen the dew on the grass. In wonder, she saw a little boy and girl near her and heard them say, " Here it comes I Here it comes I " As she looked away in the east she saw the glori- ous light that she had so longed for. In its midst, in a golden chariot, sat a wonderful king. The king smiled and instantly the birds began to sing, the plants unfolded their buds, and even the old sea looked happy. Clytie sat on the rock all day long and wished that she might be like the great kind king. She wept when he entered the land of the sun- set and she could see him no longer. She went home, but she could scarcely wait until the morn- ing. Very early the next day her swiftest goldfish carried her to the rock. After this, she came every day, wishing more and more to be like the great kind king. One evening as she was ready to go home, she found that she could not move her feet. She leaned out over the sea and knew that she had her wish. Instead of a water nymph a beautiful sunflower looked back at her from the water. Her yellow hair had become golden petals, her green lace dress had turned into leaves and stems, and her little feet had become roots which fastened her to the ground. 12 Nature Myths and Stories. The good king the next day sent her into many countries, into dry and sandy places, that the people might be made happy by looking at her bright face, so like his own. GOLDEN-ROD AND ASTER. ^OLDEN Hair and Blue Eyes lived at the foot of a great hill. On the top of this hill in a little hut lived a strange, wise woman. It was said that she could change people into anything she wished. She looked so grim and severe that people were afraid to go near her. One summer day the two little girls at the foot of the hill thought they would like to do something to make everybody happy. "I know," said Golden Hair, "Let us go and ask the woman on the hill about it. She is very wise and can surely tell us just what to do." "Oh, yes," said Blue Eyes, and away they started at once. It was a warm day and a long walk to the top of the hill. 1 4 Nature Myths and Stories. The little girls stopped many times to rest undei the oak trees which shaded their pathway. They could find no flowers, but they made a basket of oak leaves and filled it with berries for the wise woman. They fed the fish in the brook and talked to the squirrels and the birds. They walked on and on in the rocky path. After awhile the sun went down. The birds stopped singing. The squirrels went to bed. The trees fell asleep. Even the wind was resting. Oh, how still and cool it was on the hillside ! The moon and stars came out. The frogs and toads awoke. The night music began. The beetles and fireflies flew away to a party. But the tired little children climbed on towards the hilltop. At last they reached it. There at the gate was the strange, old woman, looking even more stern than usual. The little girls were frightened. They clung close together while brave Golden Hair said, " we know you are wise and we came to see if you would tell us how to make everyone happy." "Please let us stay together," said timid . Blue Eyes. Golden-Rod and Aster. 15 As she opened the gate for the children, the wise woman was seen to smile in the moonlight. The two little girls were never seen again at the foot oi the hill. The next morning all over the hillside people saw beautiful, waving golden-rod and pur- ple asters growing. , It has been said that these two bright flowers, which grow side by side, could tell the secret,, if they would, of what became of the two little girls on that moonlight summer night. Bureau Nature Stur^-' Cornell University. ItJiaca, K. THE WISE KING AND THE BEE. 1 ONG ago there lived in the East the great- est king in the world. It was believed that no one could ask him a question which he could not answer. Wise men came from far and near, but they were never able to puzzle King Solomon, He knew all the trees and plants. He understood the beasts, fowls and creeping things almost as well as he did people. The fame of his knowledge spread into all lands. In the south, the great Queen of Sheba heard of the wonderful wisdom of Solomon and said, "I shall test his power for myself." * She picked some clover blossoms from the field and bade a great artist make for her, in wax, flowers, buds and leaves exactly lik^ them. She was much pleased when they were finished, for she herself could see no difference in the two bunches. She carried them to the king and said, " Choose, Oh wise king, which are the real flowers ?" At first King Solomon was puzzled, but soon he saw a bee buzzing at the window. "Ah," said he, "here is one come to help me in my choice. Throw open the window for my friend," The Wise King and the Bee. 17 Then the Queen of Sh.eba bowed her head and said: "You are indeed a wise king, but I begin to understand your wisdom. I thank you for this lesson." KING SOLOMON AND THE ANTS. ^NE morning the Queen of Sheba started back to her home in the south. King Solomon and all his court went with her to the gates of the city. It was a glorious sight. The king and queen rode upon white horses. The purple and scarlet coverings of their followers glittered with silver and gold. The king looked down and saw an ant hill in the path before them. " See yonder little people," he said, "do you hear what they are saying as they run about so wildly?" "They say, ' Here comes the king, men call wise, and good and great. ' He will trample us under his cruel feet.' " "They should be proud to die under the feet of such a king," said the queen. " How dare they complain ? " "Not so. Great Queen," replied the king. He turned his horse aside and all his followers did the same. When the great company had passed there was the ant hill unharmed in the path. The Queen said, " Happy indeed, must be your people, wise king. I shall remember the lesson. "He only is noble and great who cares for the helpless and weak." ARACHNE. iRACHNE was a beautiful maiden and the most wonderful weaver that ever lived. Her father was famed throughout the land for his great skill in coloring. He dyed Arachne's wools in all the colors of the rainbow. People came from miles around to see and admire her work. They all agreed that Queen Athena must have been her teacher. Arachne proudly said that she had never been taught to weave. She said that she would be glad to weave with Athena to see which had the greater skill. In vain her father told her that perhaps Athena, un- seen, guided her hand. Arachne would not listen and would thank no one for her gift, believing only in herself. One day as she was boasting of her skill an old woman came to her. She kindly advised her to accept her rare gift humbly, " Be thankful that you are so fortunate, Arac h ne," said she. " You may give great happiness to others by your beautiful work. " Queen Athena, longs to help you. " But I warn you. She can do no more for you until you grow unselfish and kind." Arachne scorned this advice and said again that 20 Nature Myths and Stories nothing would please her so much as to weave with Athena, "If I fail," she said, "I will gladly take the pun^ ishment, but Athena is afraid to weave with me." Then the old woman threw aside her cloak and said, "Athena is here. "Come, foolish girl, you shall try your skill with hers." Both went quickly to work and for hours their shuttles flew swiftly in and out. Athena, as usual, used the sky for her loom and in it she wove a picture too beautiful to describe. If you wish to know more about it look at the western sky when the sun is setting. Arachne's work, though her colors were in harmony and her weaving wonderfully fine, was full of spite and selfishness. When the work was finished Arachne lifted her eyes to Athena's work. Instantly she knew that she had failed. Ashamed and miserable she tried to hang herself in her web. Athena saw her and said in pity, "No, you shall not die; live and do the workfor which you are best fitted. " You shall be the mother of a great race which shall be called spiders. "You and your children shall be among the greatest spinners and weavers on earth." For Little Children — Arachne. 21 As she spoke, Arachne became smaller and smaller until she was scarcely larger than a fly. From that day to this Arachne and her family have been faithful spinners, but they do their work so quietly and in such dark places, that very few people know what marvelous weavers they are. AURORA AND TITHONUS. IhE beautiful youth, Tithonus, loved Aurora, the queen of the dawn. He was the first one to greet her each day as she drew back the purple curtains of the east. He made his bed on the green grass in the meadow that he might not miss her coming. Aurora grew to expect his welcome and to love the youth dearly. One morning when she came Tithonus was not in his usual place. As she looked anxiously around she saw him with pale face and closed eyes lying upon the ground. She darted down to earth and carried his almost lifeless body to Zeus. She begged the great king to promise that 'Hus should never die. But alas, in her haste, she forgot to ask that he might forever remain young. Therefore he grew old and bent, and could no longer walk. In misery, he begged to go back to the cool grass in the meadow where he had been so happy. Aurora in pity said, "you shall go, my Tithonus. To make you happy is my dearest wish. Nature Myths and Stories. 23 " You shall be free from all care. " You shall not be a man, lest you be compelled to work for your food in your old age. " You shall be a grasshopper, free to dance in the meadow grass all the long summer days. " I have prepared a dress for you, which shall protect you well." Then she gave Tithonus the wonderful grass- hopper coat of mail which had been unknown on earth until this time. She tinted it a soft green so that he might not be noticed in the grass. Tithonus went that day to live ii) the meadow and there, any summer day, you may find him and his family hopping merrily about in the sunshine. HOW THE ROBIN'S BREAST BECAME RED. , ONG ago in the far North, where it is very cold, there was only one fire. A hunter and his little son took care of this fire and kept it' burning day and night. They knew that if the fire went out the people would freeze and the white bear would have the North- land all to himself. One day the hunter became ill and his son had the work to do. For many days and nights he bravely took care of his father and kept the fire burning. The white bear was always hiding near, watch- ing the fire. He longed to put it out, but he did not dare, for he feared the hunter's arrows. When he saw how tired and sleepy the little boy was, he came closer to the fire and laughed to himself. *' . One night the poor boy could endure the fatigue no longer and fell fast asleep. The white bear ran as fast as he could and jumped upon the fire with his wet feet, and rolled upon it. At last, he thought it was all out and went happily away to his cave. A gray robin was flying near and saw what the white bear was doing. Nature Myths and Stories. 25 She waited until the bear went away. Then she flew down and searched with her sharp little eyes until she found a tiny live coal. This she fanned patiently with her wings for a long time. Her little breast was scorched red, but she did not stop until a fine red flame blazed up from the ashes. " Then she flew away to every hut in the North- land. Wherever she touched the ground a fire began to burn. Soon instead of one little fire the whole north country was lighted up. The white bear went further back into his cave : in the iceberg and growled terribly. He knew that there was now no hope that he would ever have the Northland all to himself. This is the reason that the people in the north country love the robin, and are never tired of telling their children how its breast became red. AN INDIAN STORY OF THE ROBIN. HEN an Indian boy was eleven years old, he was sent into a forest far away from his home. He had to stay there all alone and fast for seven days and nights. The Indians thought that at this time a spirit came into the youth which helped him to become a great chief and warrior. The spirit also told the boy what his name should be in the tribe. Once there was a fierce Indian war chief who had only one son. The little boy was not strong, but his father loved him more than anything else on earth. When this boy was eleven years old, the chief went out into the forest and built a small lodge for him to stay in. In it he placed a mat of reeds which his good squaw had woven with great care. By the side of the mat he laid a bow, some arrows and his own great tomahawk. Next he painted pictures upon the trees along the path leading from the wigwam to the lodge. Nature Myths and Stories. 27 He did this tiiat the little boy might easily find his way home. When everything was ready he sadly sent his son away into the forest. He missed him so much that he went every morning to look at him. Each day he asked him if the spirit had not come to him. Each day the little boy shook his head without opening his eyes. On the fifth day his son said to him, " Father, take me home or I shall die. No spirit will come to me." The old chiefs pride was greater than his pity and he said, "No, my son, you must not be .a cow- ard. You shall be as wise as a fox and as strong as a bear. " Better that you should die than that boy and squaw should cry 'Shame' upon your father's son. " Be patient, I will come in two days and bring you food." The sixth day came and the little boy lay upon the mat white and still. On the seventh, when the chief came with the sun's first rays, his son was not in the lodge nor about it. Above the door sat a bird with brown coat and red breast, which until this time had been unknown to man. 28 Nature Myths and Stories. Sadly the chief listened to the bird and under- stood its message. ■ "Mourn me not, great chief," it sang. "1 was once your son. " I am happy now and free. " I am the friend of man and shall always live near him and be his companion. " 1 shall bring the tidings of spring. "When the maple buds shoot and the wild flowers come, every child in the land shall know my voice. " I shall teach how much better it is to sing than to slay. "Chief, listen, chief, Be more gentle ; be more loving. Chief, teach it, chief, Be not fierce, oh, be not cruel ; Love each other 1 Love each other 1 " THE RED-HEADED WOODPECKER. iHERE was an old woman who lived on a hill. You never heard of any one smaller or neater than she was. She always wore a black dress and a large white apron with big bows behind. On her head was the queerest little red bonnet that you ever saw. It is a sad thing to tell, but this woman had grown very selfish as the years went by. People said this was because she lived alone and thought of nobody but herself. One morning as she was baking cakes, a tired, hungry man came to her door. "My good woman," said he, "will you give me one of your cakes? I am very hungry. I have no money to pay for it, but whatever you first wish for you shall have. " The old woman looked at her cakes and thought that they were too large to give away. She broke off a small bit of dough and put it into the oven to bake. When it was done she thought this one was too nice and brown for a beggar. She baked a smaller one and then a smaller one, but each one was as nice and brown as the first. 30 Nature Myths and Stories. At last she took a piece of dough only as big as the head of a pin; yet even this, when it was baked, looked as fine and large as the others. So the old woman put all the cakes on the shelf and offered the stranger a dry crust of bread. The poor man only looked at her and before she could wink her eye he was gone. She had done wrong and of course she was un- happy. "Oh, I wish I were a bird!" said she, "I would fly to him with the largest cake on the shelf." As she spoke she felt herself growing smaller and smaller until the wind whisked her up the chimney. She was no longer an old woman but a bird as she had wished to be. She still wore her black dress and red bonnet. She still seemed to have the large white apron with the big bows behind. Because from that day she pecked her food from the hard wood of a tree, people named this bird the red-headed wood-pecker. THE STORY OF THE PUDDING STONE. h^S 'NCE upon a time a family of giants lived upon the high mountains in the West. One day the mother giant was called away from home. She arose early in the morning and made ready the bread and butter for the little giants to eat while she was gone. When she had finished her work it was not yei. time to start upon her journey. She said to herself, "My children are the best children in the world and they shall have a treat. I have many plums left from the Christmas feast. ! will make them a plum pudding for a surprise. The good woman brought together the plums which it had taken her many days to prepare witn the help of all her children. Indeed she had emptied several mountain lakes to get water enough to wash them all. She now mixed these wonderful plums into a pudding and put it into an oven to bake. The mixing took so long that she had to hurry, and she quite forgot to say anything about the pud- ding to the little giants. 32 Nature Myths and Stories. She had intended to tell them about it just be- fore she left them. It was afternoon when the giant children found the pudding. It was badly burned upon the top by that time. They had already eaten the bread and butter and were not hungry. One little giant said to the others, " Let us make balls of the pudding and see who can throw the farthest." You know that giants are very strong, and away went the pudding up into the air. The little giants made little balls and the older giants threw pieces as big as a house. Many pieces went over the mountains and fell down into the valley beyond. Indeed this wonderful pudding was scattered for miles over the whole land, for the giants did not stop throwing as long as there was any pudding left in the pan. When the sun had shone upon it many days and dried and hardened it, people called it pudding stone. You may find it to-day thrown all over the land, full of the plums which the good woman washed with the waters of many lakes. STORY OF SISYPHUS. ITTLE White Cloud was the Ocean's daughter. The Ocean loved her, and wished always to keep her near him. One day, when her father was asleep, White Cloud went out to walk alone. The Sun saw her and said, "Come, White Cloud, I am your king, I will give you a ride upon my bright rays." White Cloud had often longed for this very thing, so she went gladly, and soon found her- self among the fleecy clouds in the sky. When the Ocean awoke he called his little daughter. She did not answer. He called again and again, louder and still louder, until the people said, " Listen, it is thundering! " But the Ocean only heard the echo of his own voice from the shore. He rushed high up on the beach and moaned aloud. He ran into all the caves but White Cloud could not be found. Every one had loved White Cloud, so by this time all the water was white with the crests of the weeping sea nymphs. A great giant was sitting upon the shore near the sea. His name was Sisyphus. He felt sorry for 34 Nature Myths and Stories. the Ocean and said, " Listen, friend Ocean, I often watch you carrying the great ships and wish that I. too, had a great work to do. " You see how dry it is on this side of the moun- tain. Few people come this way. You are not even now as lonely as I, yet I want to help you. Promise me that you will put a spring upon this mountain side, where all the tired and thirsty people may drink, and I'll tell you where White Cloud is." The Ocean said, " I cannot put a spring upon the mountain, but if you will follow my son. River, he will take you to a spring where he was born." The giant told the Ocean how the Sun ran away with White Cloud. The Sun heard him and was angry. He placed Sisyphus in the sea T^or Little Children — Sisyphus, 35 saying, " You are far too strong to sit idly .here upon the shore. You say you want a great work to do; you shall have it. You shall forever use your strength to push these stones upon the shore, and they shall forever roll back upon you." The giant began his work at once, and has worked faithfully every day since that time Many people do not yet know what his work is Do you ? Do you know what Sisyphus is making? THE PALACE OF ALKINOOS. ^N a high plain covered with flowers once 5^^? lived good KingAlkinoos and his gentle ^^^^s*' people, the Phaiakians. They were great sailors and went about in silver ships without rudders or sails. These wonderful ships went slowly or ver>' fast just as the sailors wished. For many years the Phaiakians were peaceful and happy. Though they were as brave as they were gentle, they hated war. Far below the Phaiakians, in a valley, lived a people larger, darker, fiercer than themselves. These dark people cared for nothing so much as war and conquest. When they saw the silver ships with the golden prows, they wanted them for their own. They armed themselves and made ready for a great battle. To be sure of victory, they borrowed the thunder and lightning from Zeus. The day came and all was ready for the dark people to advance. They reached the land of the Phaiakians in the Nature Myths and Stories. 37 morning and King Alkinoos came forward to meet them. They soon saw that he alone was more powerful than their entire army. He was dressed in armor so bright that it dazzled their eyes to look at it. It was covered with mil- lions of golden arrows tipped with diamonds. The king showed the frightened people how he could shoot the arrows in all directions at the same time. The dark people trembled with fear, but King Alkinoos smiled at them, and then he and his people sailed slowly away toward the West. On and on they went, until they came to a great silver sea. Here they stopped and built a palace for their king. This palace was made of silver and gold and precious stones. Its towers were rose color and shone with a wonderful light. Its steps were of pure gold. On each side of the silver gates were huge dogs which guarded the palace. There were boys in the halls dressed in white, holding burning torches. There were girls weaving wonderful curtains and painting pictures upon the walls. There were mountains and fountains, and rivers and lakes. 38 Nature Myths and Stories. There were singing birds and flov/er 'gardfehs, and little children everywhere. Even to this day, the great king often sits in his palace in the West when his day's work is done. He loves to see the people glide about upon the silver sea, in their ships without rudders or sails. The fierce, dark people still go to war. They seldom let the gentle king see them fighting. Yet often after a brave battle, Alkinoos comes out of his palace and smiles brightly upon them. The dark people blush and seem to smile at the king. You must find out how much good these dark people do and how the King of the Phaiakians helps them in their work, if you wish to understand their friendship. PHAETHON. . HAETHON was the son of . Helios, who drove the chariot of the sun. He lived with his mother, the gentle Clymene, in a beautiful valley in the east. One day when Phaethon was telling his com- panions about his father, the sky king, they laughed and said, "How do you know that Helios is your father? You have never seen him. If, as you say, he cannot safely come nearer to the earth- why do you not sometimes goto his land." Phaethon answered, "My father's throne is far away from this valley. My mother has promised that when I am stronger, 1 shall go to my father's palace. I often watch his golden chariot roll by in its path and think perhaps some day I shall drive the glorious horses of the sun. "1 shall go now to my mother, and ask her how much longer 1 must wait." When Phaethon told his mother what his com- panions had said she answered, "Go, my child, ask Great Helios if you are his son. If you are worthy to be the son of Helios you will be given strength and courage for the journey." 40 Nature Myths and Stories Phaethon gladly and bravely climbed the unused path which led to the palace of the sun. At last he came in sight of the throne. He had never seen anything so beautiful. On one side were standing the days, months and the old years. On the other side were the seasons; Spring, covered with flowers; Summer, with her baskets of fruit and grain; Autumn, in a many-colored dress; and Young Winter, with a crown of icicles. As Phaethon came nearer to the throne, the light was greater than his eyes could bear. Its wonder- ful colors dazzled him. Helios saw the brave youth and knew that it was Phaethon, his son. He took his glittering crown from his head and went forward to meet him. Phaethon cried, "Great Helios, if you are my father give me and others proof that it is so." Helios took him in his arms and kissed him. "You are indeed my son," he said, " I will put an end to your doubts. Ask any gift you will, and it shall be yours." Phaethon had always had one wish in his heart and said, " O, my father, let me drive the wonderful golden chariot of the sun for just one day." Helios shook his head sadly and said, " That is the one thing which you must not ask to do. " You are my son, and I love you. For your own sake, I cannot let you do this. You have neither the strength nor the wisdom for the great work. for Little Children — Phaethon. 41 "The first part of the way is very steep and ••ugged. In the middle part, even I dare not lool< below at the far stretching earth, and the last part is full of terrible dangers." Phaethon would not listen, but threw his arms around his father's neck and begged to go. Helios said at last, " If you persist, foolish boy, you shall have your wish, for I cannot break my promise. I beg of you choose more wisely. Ask the most precious thing on earth or in the sky, and you shall have it." Already Dawn had drawn back the purple curtains of the morning and the Hours were harnessing the horses to the chariot. The stars and moon were retiring for the day. The chariot glittered with jewels which sent the light in all directions. Phaethon looked upon it with delight and longed impatiently for the great joy of driving it. Helios said, "O, my dear son, go not too high or you will scorch the dwelling of heaven, nor too low, lest you set the world on fire. " Keep the middle path ; that is best, and do not use the whip; rather, hold the horses in." Phaethon was too happy to hear what his father was saying. He leapt into the golden chariot and stood erect as the fiery horses sprang forth from the eastern gates of Day. 42 Nature Myths and Stones. They soon missed the strong steady hand of their master. Up, up they went, far into the sl