The Donkey on Wheels “There was once a poor little donkey on wheels. It had never wagged its tail, or tossed its head, or said, “Hee-haw!” or tasted a tender thistle. It always went about, anywhere that anyone pulled it, on four wooden wheels, carrying a foolish knight, who wore a large cocked hat and a long cloak, because he had no legs. Now, a man who has no legs, and...

The Duck Pond SO little Bridget took the baby on her right arm and a jug in her left hand, and went to the farm to get the milk. On her way she went by the garden-gate of a large house that stood close to the farm, and she told the baby a story:- “Last summer,” she said,” a little girl, bigger than you, for she was just able to walk,...

The Wooden Horse “Come and have a ride,” the big brother said. “I am afraid,” the little one answered; ” the horse’s mouth is wide open.” “But it’s only wooden. That is the best of a horse that isn’t real. If his mouth is ever so wide open, he cannot shut it. So come,” and the big brother lifted the little one up, and dragged him about. “Oh, do stop!” the...

The Sisters   The little sisters went into the room to play at ball. We must be careful not to wake the white cat,” the tall one said, softly. “Or to spoil the roses,” the fat one whispered; ” but throw high, dear sister, or we shall never hit the ceiling.” “You dear children,” thought the white cat, “why do you come to play here at all? Only just round the...

The Pink Parasol THE pink parasol had tender whalebone ribs and a slender stick of cherry-wood. It lived with the willful child in the white-house, just beyond the third milestone. All about the trees were green, and the flowers grew tall; in the pond behind the willows the ducks swam round and round and dipped their heads beneath the water. Every bird and bee, every leaf and flower, loved the child...

The Bad Girl SHE was always called the bad girl, for she had once, when she was very little, put out her tongue at the postman. She lived alone with her grandmother and her three brothers in the cottage beyond the field, and the girls in the village took no notice of her. The bad girl did not mind this, for she was always thinking of the cuckoo clock. The clock...

Smut Now, this story is quite true. Once upon a time there was a cat called Mr. Puff; he lived in a grand house, quite close to the Turkish Embassy. A lord and a lady ‘and several servants lived with Mr. Puff; he was very kind to them, letting them do in all things as they liked, and never sending them away or keeping the house to himself. One day Mr....

The Swallows THERE were some children in the north looking at the swallows flying south. “Why are they going away?” the little one asked. “The summer is over,” the elder sister answered, “and if they stayed here they would be starved and die of cold, and so, when the summer goes, they journey south.” “Our mother and sisters are in the south,” the little one said, as they looked after the...