THESTORYOFTHETHREEBEARS[1]
　　[1]AdaptedfromJosephJacobs’sEnglishFairyTales（DavidNutt，57—59LongAcre，W。C。6s。）
　　OnceuponatimetherewereThreeBears，wholivedtogetherinahouseoftheirown，inawood。OneofthemwasaLittleSmallWeeBear，andonewasaMiddle—sizedBear，andtheotherwasaGreatHugeBear。Theyhadeachapotfortheirporridge，——alittlepotfortheLittleSmallWeeBear，andamiddle—sizedpotfortheMiddle—sizedBear，andagreatpotfortheGreatHugeBear。Andtheyhadeachachairtositin，——alittlechairfortheLittleSmallWeeBear，andamiddle—sizedchairfortheMiddle—sizedBear，andagreatchairfortheGreatHugeBear。Andtheyhadeachabedtosleepin，——alittlebedfortheLittleSmallWeeBear，andamiddle—sizedbedfortheMiddle—sizedBear，andagreatbedfortheGreatHugeBear。
　　Oneday，aftertheyhadmadetheporridgefortheirbreakfast，andpoureditintotheirporridge—pots，theywalkedoutintothewoodwhiletheporridgewascooling，thattheymightnotburntheirmouths，bybeginningtoosoontoeatit。Andwhiletheywerewalking，alittlegirlnamedGoldilockscametothehouse。Shehadneverseenthelittlehousebefore，anditwassuchastrangelittlehousethatsheforgotallthethingshermotherhadtoldheraboutbeingpolite：firstshelookedinatthewindow，andthenshepeepedinatthekeyhole;andseeingnobodyinthehouse，sheliftedthelatch。
　　Thedoorwasnotfastened，becausetheBearsweregoodBears，whodidnobodyanyharm，andneversuspectedthatanybodywouldharmthem。SoGoldilocksopenedthedoor，andwentin;andwellpleasedshewaswhenshesawtheporridgeonthetable。IfGoldilockshadrememberedwhathermotherhadtoldher，shewouldhavewaitedtilltheBearscamehome，andthen，perhaps，theywouldhaveaskedhertobreakfast;fortheyweregoodBears——alittlerough，asthemannerofBearsis，butforallthatverygood—naturedandhospitable。ButGoldilocksforgot，andsetabouthelpingherself。
　　SofirstshetastedtheporridgeoftheGreatHugeBear，andthatwastoohot。AndthenshetastedtheporridgeoftheMiddle—sizedBear，andthatwastoocold。AndthenshewenttotheporridgeoftheLittleSmallWeeBear，andtastedthat：andthatwasneithertoohotnortoocold，butjustright;andshelikeditsowell，thatsheateitallup。
　　ThenGoldilockssatdowninthechairoftheGreatHugeBear，andthatwastoohardforher。AndthenshesatdowninthechairoftheMiddle—sizedBear，andthatwastoosoftforher。AndthenshesatdowninthechairoftheLittleSmallWeeBear，andthatwasneithertoohardnortoosoft，butjustright。Sosheseatedherselfinit，andthereshesattillthebottomofthechaircameout，anddownshecame，plumpupontheground。
　　ThenGoldilockswentupstairsintothebed—
　　chamberinwhichtheThreeBearsslept。AndfirstshelaydownuponthebedoftheGreatHugeBear;butthatwastoohighattheheadforher。AndnextshelaydownuponthebedoftheMiddle—sizedBear，andthatwastoohighatthefootforher。AndthenshelaydownuponthebedoftheLittleSmallWeeBear;andthatwasneithertoohighattheheadnoratthefoot，butjustright。Soshecoveredherselfupcomfortably，andlaytheretillshefellfastasleep。
　　BythistimetheThreeBearsthoughttheirporridgewouldbecoolenough;sotheycamehometobreakfast。NowGoldilockshadleftthespoonoftheGreatHugeBearstandinginhisporridge。
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENATMY
　　PORRIDGE！"saidtheGreatHugeBear，inhisgreat，rough，gruffvoice。AndwhentheMiddle—sizedBearlookedathis，hesawthatthespoonwasstandinginittoo。
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENATMYPORRIDGE！"
　　saidtheMiddle—sizedBear，inhismiddle—sizedvoice。
　　ThentheLittleSmallWeeBearlookedathis，andtherewasthespoonintheporridge—
　　pot，buttheporridgewasallgone。
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENATMYPORRIDGE，AND
　　HASEATENITALLUP！"saidtheLittleSmallWeeBear，inhislittle，small，weevoice。
　　Uponthis，theThreeBears，seeingthatsomeonehadenteredtheirhouse，andeatenuptheLittleSmallWeeBear’sbreakfast，begantolookaboutthem。NowGoldilockshadnotputthehardcushionstraightwhensherosefromthechairoftheGreatHugeBear。
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENSITTINGIN
　　MYCHAIR！"saidtheGreatHugeBear，inhisgreat，rough，gruffvoice。
　　AndGoldilockshadcrusheddownthesoftcushionoftheMiddle—sizedBear。
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENSITTINGINMYCHAIR！"
　　saidtheMiddle—sizedBear，inhismiddle—sizedvoice。
　　AndyouknowwhatGoldilockshaddonetothethirdchair。
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENSITTINGINMYCHAIRAND
　　HASSATTHEBOTTOMOUTOFIT！"saidtheLittleSmallWeeBear，inhislittle，small，weevoice。
　　ThentheThreeBearsthoughtitnecessarythattheyshouldmakefurthersearch;sotheywentupstairsintotheirbed—chamber。NowGoldilockshadpulledthepillowoftheGreatHugeBearoutofitsplace。
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENLYINGIN
　　MYBED！"saidtheGreatHugeBear，inhisgreat，rough，gruffvoice。
　　AndGoldilockshadpulledthebolsteroftheMiddle—sizedBearoutofitsplace。
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENLYINGINMYBED！"
　　saidtheMiddle—sizedBear，inhismiddle—sizedvoice。
　　AndwhentheLittleSmallWeeBearcametolookathisbed，therewasthebolsterinitsplace;andthepillowinitsplaceuponthebolster;anduponthepillowwastheshining，yellowhairoflittleGoldilocks！
　　"SOMEBODYHASBEENLYINGINMYBED，——
　　ANDHERESHEIS！"saidtheLittleSmallWeeBear，inhislittle，small，weevoice。
　　Goldilockshadheardinhersleepthegreat，rough，gruffvoiceoftheGreatHugeBear;
　　butshewassofastasleepthatitwasnomoretoherthantheroaringofwindortherumblingofthunder。Andshehadheardthemiddle—sizedvoiceoftheMiddle—sizedBear，butitwasonlyasifshehadheardsomeonespeakinginadream。Butwhensheheardthelittle，small，weevoiceoftheLittleSmallWeeBear，itwassosharp，andsoshrill，thatitawakenedheratonce。Upshestarted，andwhenshesawtheThreeBearsononesideofthebed，shetumbledherselfoutattheother，andrantothewindow。Nowthewindowwasopen，becausetheBears，likegood，tidyBearsastheywere，alwaysopenedtheirbed—chamberwindowwhentheygotupinthemorning。
　　OutlittleGoldilocksjumped，andranawayhometohermother，asfastasevershecould。
　　THEOLDWOMANANDHERPIG[1]
　　[1]AdaptedfromJosephJacobs’sEnglishFairyTales（DavidNutt，57—59LongAcre，W。C。6s。）。
　　Ithappenedonedaythatasanoldwomanwassweepingherhouseshefoundalittlecrookedsixpence。"What，"saidshe，"shallI
　　dowiththislittlesixpence？Iwillgotomarket，andbuyalittlepig。"
　　Onthewayhomeshecametoastile;butthepiggywouldn’tgooverthestile。
　　Sosheleftthepiggyandwentonalittlefurther，tillshemetadog。Shesaidtohim，"Dog，dog，bitepig;piggywon’tgooverthestile;andIsha’n’tgethometo—night。"Butthedogwouldn’tbitepiggy。
　　Alittlefurtheronshemetastick。Soshesaid："Stick！stick！beatdog！dogwon’tbitepig;piggywon’tgooverthestile;andIsha’n’tgethometo—night。"Butthestickwouldn’tbeatthedog。
　　Alittlefurtheronshemetafire。Soshesaid："Fire！fire！burnstick！stickwon’tbeatdog;dogwon’tbitepig;piggywon’tgetoverthestile;andIsha’n’tgethometo—night。"Butthefirewouldn’tburnthestick。
　　Alittlefurtheronshemetsomewater。Soshesaid："Water！water！quenchfire;firewon’tburnstick;stickwon’tbeatdog;dogwon’tbitepig;piggywon’tgetoverthestile;
　　andIsha’n’tgethometo—night。"Butthewaterwouldn’tquenchthefire。
　　Alittlefurtheronshemetanox。Soshesaid："Ox！ox！drinkwater;waterwon’tquenchfire;firewon’tburnstick;stickwon’tbeatdog;dogwon’tbitepig;piggywon’tgetoverthestile;andIsha’n’tgethometo—night。"
　　Buttheoxwouldn’tdrinkthewater。
　　Alittlefurtheronshemetabutcher。Soshesaid："Butcher！butcher！killox;oxwon’tdrinkwater;waterwon’tquenchfire;firewon’tburnstick;stickwon’tbeatdog;dogwon’tbitepig;piggywon’tgetoverthestile;
　　andIsha’n’tgethometo—night。"Butthebutcherwouldn’tkilltheox。
　　Alittlefurtheronshemetarope。Soshesaid："Rope！rope！hangbutcher;butcherwon’tkillox;oxwon’tdrinkwater;waterwon’tquenchfire;firewon’tburnstick;stickwon’tbeatdog;dogwon’tbitepig;piggywon’tgetoverthestile;andIsha’n’tgethometo—
　　night。"Buttheropewouldn’thangthebutcher。
　　Alittlefurtheronshemetarat。Soshesaid："Rat！rat！gnawrope;ropewon’thangbutcher;butcherwon’tkillox;oxwon’tdrinkwater;waterwon’tquenchfire;firewon’tburnstick;stickwon’tbeatdog;dogwon’tbitepig;piggywon’tgetoverthestile;andI
　　sha’n’tgethometo—night。"Buttheratwouldn’tgnawtherope。
　　Alittlefurtheronshemetacat。Soshesaid："Cat！cat！killrat;ratwon’tgnawrope;
　　ropewon’thangbutcher;butcherwon’tkillox;oxwon’tdrinkwater;waterwon’tquenchfire;firewon’tburnstick;stickwon’tbeatdog;dogwon’tbitepig;piggywon’tgetoverthestile;andIsha’n’tgethometo—night。"Butthecatsaidtoher，"Ifyouwillgotoyondercow，andfetchmeasaucerofmilk，Iwillkilltherat。"Soawaywenttheoldwomantothecow。
　　Butthecowrefusedtogivethemilkunlesstheoldwomanfirstgaveherahandfulofhay。
　　Soawaywenttheoldwomantothehaystack;
　　andshebroughtthehaytothecow。
　　Whenthecowhadeatenthehay，shegavetheoldwomanthemilk;andawayshewentwithitinasaucertothecat。
　　Assoonasithadlappedupthemilk，thecatbegantokilltherat;theratbegantognawtherope;theropebegantohangthebutcher;thebutcherbegantokilltheox;theoxbegantodrinkthewater;thewaterbegantoquenchthefire;thefirebegantoburnthestick;thestickbegantobeatthedog;thedogbegantobitethepig;thelittlepiginafrightjumpedoverthestile;andsotheoldwomandidgethomethatnight。
　　Thebriefestexaminationofthesethreestoriesrevealsthefactthatoneattributebeyonddisputeineach。Somethinghappens，allthetime。Everystepineachstoryisanevent。Thereisnotimespentinexplanation，description，ortellinghowpeoplefelt;thestoriestellwhatpeopledid，andwhattheysaid。
　　Andtheeventsarethelinksofasequenceoftheclosestkind;inpointoftimeandofcausetheyfollowasimmediatelyasitispossibleforeventstofollow。Therearenogaps，andnocomplicationsofplotrequiringareturnontheroad。
　　Asecondcommoncharacteristicappearsonbriefestexamination。Asyourunoverthelittlestoriesyouwillseethateacheventpresentsadistinctpicturetotheimagination，andthatthesepicturesaremadeoutofverysimpleelements。Theelementsareeitherfamiliartothechildoranalogoustofamiliarones。Eachobjectandhappeningisverylikeeveryday，yettouchedwithasubtledifference，richinmystery。Forexample，thedetailsofthepicturesintheGoldilocksstoryarepartsofeverydaylife，——house，chairs，beds，andsoon;
　　buttheyarethehouse，chairs，andbedsofthreebears;thatisthetouchofmarvelwhichtransformsthescene。Theoldwomanwhoownedtheobstinatepigisthecentreofacircleinwhichstandonlyfamiliarimages，——stick，fire，water，cow，andtherest;butthewonderenterswiththefactthattheseusuallyinanimateordumbobjectsofnatureentersohumanlyintothecontestofwills。Soitis，also，withthedoingsofthethreelittlepigs。Everyimageisexplicabletotheyoungesthearer，whilenonesuggestsactualfamiliarity，becausetheactorsarenotchildren，butpigs。Simplicity，withmystery，isthekeynoteofallthepictures，andtheseareclearanddistinct。
　　Stillathirdcharacteristiccommontothestoriesquotedisacertainamountofrepetition。
　　Itismoredefinite，andofwhathasbeencalledthe"cumulative"kind，inthestoryoftheoldwoman;butinallitisadistinctivefeature。
　　Herewehave，then，threemarkedcharacteristicscommontothreestoriesalmostinvariablylovedbychildren，——action，inclosesequence;
　　familiarimages，tingedwithmystery;somedegreeofrepetition。
　　Itisnothardtoseewhythesequalitiesappealtoachild。Thefirstistheprimecharacteristicofallgoodstories，——"storiesasisstories";thechild’sdemandforitbutbearswitnesstothefactthathisinstinctivetasteisoftenbetterthanthetastehelaterdevelopsunderartificialculture。Thesecondisamatterofcommon—sense。Howcouldtheimaginationcreatenewworlds，saveoutofthematerialoftheold？Toofferstrangeimagesistoconfusethemindanddulltheinterest;toofferfamiliarones"withadifference"istopiquetheinterestandengagethemind。
　　Thecharmofrepetition，tochildren，isamorecomplexmatter;thereareundoubtedlyagoodmanyelementsenteringintoit，hardtotraceinanalysis。Butoneortwoofthemoreobviousmaybeseizedandbroughttoview。
　　Thefirstisthesubtleflatteryofanunexpectedsenseofmastery。Whenthechild—mind，followingwithtoilfulalertnessanewtrainofthought，comessuddenlyonafamiliarepithetorexpression，Ifancyitiswithmuchthesamesenseofsatisfactionthatweolderpeoplefeelwheninthemidstofalongprogrammeofnewmusictheorchestrastrikesintosomethingwehaveheardbefore，——Handel，maybe，oroneofthemorefamiliarBeethovensonatas。"Iknowthat！Ihaveheardthatbefore！"wethink，triumphant，andsettledowntoenjoymentwithouteffort。Soitis，probably，withthe"middle—sized"articlesofthebears’houseandthe"andIsha’n’tgethometo—night"oftheoldwoman。Eachrecurrencedeepensthenoteoffamiliarity，ticklestheprimitivesenseofhumour，andeasesthestrainofattention。
　　Whentherepetitioniscumulative，liketheextremeinstanceofTheHousethatJackBuilt，Ihaveanotionthatthejoyofthechildisthepleasureofintellectualgymnastics，nottoohardforfun，butnottooeasyforexcitement。Thereisadealoffuntobegotoutofpurelyintellectualprocesses，andchild—
　　hoodisnottoosoonfortherudimentsofsuchfuntoshow。Thedelightthehealthyadultmindtakesinworkingoutaneatproblemingeometry，thepleasureamusicianfindsinfollowingtheinvolutionsofafugue，areofthesametypeofsatisfactionasthelikingofchildrenforcumulativestories。Complexityandmass，arrivedatbystagesperfectlyintelligibleinthemselves，mountingsteadilyfromastarting—pointofsimplicity;thenthesamecomplexityandmassresolvingitselfasitweremiraculouslybackintosimplicity，thisisanintellectualjoy。Itdoesnotdiffermaterially，whetherfoundinthestudyofcounterpoint，atthirty，orinthestoryoftheoldwomanandherpig，atfive。Itisperfectlynaturalandwholesome，anditmayperhapsbeamorepowerfuldevelopingforceforthebuddingintellectthanweareaware。
　　Forthesereasonsletmeurgeyou，whenyouarelookingforstoriestotelllittlechildren，toapplythisthreefoldtestasakindoftouchstonetotheirqualityoffitness：Aretheyfullofaction，inclosenaturalsequence？Aretheirimagessimplewithoutbeinghumdrum？Aretheyrepetitive？Thelastqualityisnotanabsoluterequisite;butitisatleastveryoftenanattributeofagoodchild—story。
　　Havingthistouchstoneinmindforgeneralselection，wecannowpasstothematterofspecificchoicesfordifferentagesofchildren。
　　Noonecanspeakwithabsoluteconvictioninthismatter，sogreatlydothetasteandcapacityofchildrenofthesameagevary。Anyapproachtoanexactclassificationofjuvenilebooksaccordingtotheirsuitabilityfordifferentageswillbefoundimpossible。Thesamebookinthehandsofaskilfulnarratormaybemadetoafforddelighttochildrenbothoffiveandten。Thefollowingaremerelytheinferencesdrawnfrommyownexperience。Theymustbemodifiedbyeachteacheraccordingtotheconditionsofhersmallaudience。Ingeneral，Ibelieveittobewisetoplanthechoiceofstoriesmuchasindicatedinthetable。
　　Atalaterstage，varyingwiththestandardofcapacityofdifferentclasses，wefindthetemperofmindwhichaskscontinually，"Isthattrue？"Tomeetthisdemand，onedrawsonhistoricalandscientificanecdote，andonreminiscence。Butthedemandisneversoexclusivethatfictitiousnarrativeneedbecastaside。Allthatisnecessaryistostatefranklythatthestoryyouaretellingis"justastory，"
　　or——ifitbethecase——thatitis"parttrueandpartstory。"
　　AtallstagesIwouldurgethetellingofBiblestories，asfarasisallowedbythespecialcircumstancesoftheschool。Thesearestoriesfromasourceunsurpassedinourliteratureforpurityofstyleandloftinessofsubject。MoreespeciallyIurgethetellingoftheChrist—story，insuchpartsasseemlikelytobewithinthegraspoftheseveralclasses。InallBiblestoriesitiswelltokeepasnearaspossibletotheoriginalunimprovabletext。[1]Someamplificationcanbemade，butnoexcessivemodernisingorsimplifyingisexcusableinfaceoftheausteregraceandmajesticsimplicityoftheoriginal。Suchadaptationashelpstocutthelongnarrativeintoseparateunits，makingeachanintelligiblestory，Ihaveventuredtoillustrateaccordingtomyownpersonaltaste，intwostoriesgiveninChapterVI。Theobjectoftheusualmodernisingorenlargingofthetextmaybefarbetterattainedforthechildlistenerbyinfusingintothetextasitstandsastrongrealisingsenseofitsmeaningandvitality，lettingitgiveitsownmessagethroughafitmediumofexpression。
　　[1]StoriesfromtheOldTestament，byS。Platt，retellstheOldTestamentstoryasnearlyaspossibleintheactualwordsoftheAuthorisedVersion。
　　Thestoriesgivenaregroupedasillustrationsofthetypessuitablefordifferentstages。Theyare，however，veryofteninterchangeable;andmanystoriescanbetoldsuccessfullytoallclasses。Avitallygoodstoryislittlelimitedinitsappeal。Itis，nevertheless，ahelptohavecertainplainresultsofexperienceasabasisforchoice;thatwhichisgivenisintendedonlyforsuchabasis，notintheleastasafinallist。
　　CERTAINTYPESOFSTORYCLASSIFIED
　　FORKINDERGARTENANDCLASSI。：
　　LittleRhymedStories（includingthebestofthenurseryrhymesandthemorepoeticfragmentsofMotherGoose）
　　StorieswithRhymeinPartsNatureStories（inwhichtheelementofpersonificationisstrong）
　　NonsenseTalesWonderTalesFORCLASSESII。ANDIII。：
　　NonsenseTalesWonderTalesFairyandFolkTalesFablesLegendsNatureStories（especiallystoriesofanimals）
　　FORCLASSESIV。ANDV。：
　　FolkTalesFablesMythsandAllegoriesDevelopedAnimalStoriesLegends：HistoricandHeroicHistoricalStoriesHumorousAdventureStories"TrueStories"
　　ThewondertalesmostfamiliarandaccessibletotheteacherareprobablythoseincludedinthecollectionsofAndersenandtheBrothersGrimm。Soconstantisthedemandforthesethatthefollowinglistmaybefounduseful，asindicatingwhichofthestoriesaremoreeasilyandeffectivelyadaptedfortelling，andcommonlymostsuccessful。
　　Itmustberememberedthatmanyofthesestandardtalesneedsuchadaptingashasbeensuggested，cattingthemdown，andriddingthemofvulgarorsophisticateddetail。
　　FromtheBrothersGrimm：
　　TheStarDollarsTheCatandtheMouseTheNailTheHareandtheHedgehogSnow—WhiteandRose—RedMotherHolleThumblingThreeBrothersTheLittlePorridgePotLittleSnow—WhiteTheWolfandtheSevenLittleKidsTheSeaMouseFromAndersen：
　　LittleTinyTheLarkandtheDaisyTheUglyDucklingTheSevenStoriesoftheSnowQueenTheFlaxTheLittleMatchGirlTheFir—TreeTheRedShoesOleLukoieMondaySaturdaySundayTheElfoftheRoseFivePeasinaPodThePortugueseDuckTheLittleMermaid（muchshortened）
　　TheNightingale（shortened）
　　TheGirlwhotrodonaLoafTheEmperor’sNewClothesAnotherfamiliarandeasilyattainabletypeofstoryistheclassicmyth，asretoldinKupfer’sLegendsofGreeceandRome。[1]
　　Ofthese，again，certaintalesaremoresuccessfullyadaptedtochildrenthanothers。Amongthebestfortellingare：
　　ArachnePandoraMidasApolloandDaphneApolloandHyacinthusNarcissusLatonaandtheRusticsProserpine[1]Awell—nighindispensablebookforteachersisGuerber’sMythsofGreeceandRome，whichcontainsinbriefformacompletecollectionoftheclassicmyths。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　ADAPTATIONOFSTORIESFORTELLING
　　Itsoonbecomeseasytopickoutfromacollectionsuchstoriesascanbewelltold;butatnotimeisiteasytofindasufficientnumberofsuchstories。Storiessimple，direct，andsufficientlyfullofincidentfortelling，yethavingthebeautifulorvaluablemotivewedesireforchildren，donotliehiddenineverybook。Andevenmanyofthestorieswhicharemostcharmingtoreaddonotanswerthedoubledemand，fortheappealtotheeyediffersinmanyimportantrespectsfromthattotheear。Unlessoneisabletochangetheformofastorytosuittheneedsoforaldelivery，oneislikelytosufferfrompovertyofmaterial。Perhapsthecommonestneedofchangeisinthecaseofastorytoolongtotell，yetembodyingsomeonebeautifulincidentorlesson;oroneincludingaseriesofsuchincidents。ThestoryofTheNurnbergStove，byOuida，[1]isagoodexampleofthelatterkind;Ruskin’sKingoftheGoldenRiverwillserveasanillustrationoftheformer。
　　[1]SeeBimbi，byOuida。（Chatto。2s。）
　　Theprobleminonecaseischieflyoneofelimination;intheotheritisalsoinalargedegreeoneofrearrangement。InbothcasesI
　　havepurposelychosenextremeinstances，asfurnishingplainerillustration。Theusualstoryneedslessadaptationthanthese，butthesamekind，initsowndegree。Condensationandrearrangementarethecommonestformsofchangerequired。
　　Purecondensationisprobablytheeasierformostpersons。WithTheNurnbergStoveinmindforreference，letusseewhattheprocessincludes。Thisstorycanbereadilyfoundbyanyonewhoisinterestedinthefollowingexampleofadaptation，fornearlyeverylibraryincludesinitscataloguethejuvenileworksofMlle。delaRamee（Ouida）。Thesuggestionsgivenassumethatthestoryisbeforemyreaders。
　　Thestoryasitstandsistwothousandfourhundredwordslong，obviouslytoolongtotell。
　　Whatcanbeleftout？Letusseewhatmustbekeptin。
　　ThedramaticclimaxtowardwhichweareworkingistheoutcomeofAugust’sstrangeexploit，——hisdiscoverybythekingandtheopportunityforhimtobecomeanartist。Thejoyofthisclimaxistwofold：AugustmaystaywithhisbelovedHirschvogel，andhemaylearntomakebeautifulthingslikeit。Toarriveatthetwofoldconclusionwemuststartfromadoublepremise，——theloveofthestoveandtheyearningtobeanartist。Itwill，then，benecessarytoincludeinthebeginningofthestoryenoughdetailsofthefamilylifetoshowplainlyhowpreciousandnecessaryHirschvogelwastothechildren;andtostatedefinitelyhowAugusthadlearnedtoadmireandwishtoemulateHirschvogel’smaker。Weneednodetailbeyondwhatisnecessarytomakethisclear。
　　Thebeginningandtheendofastorydecidedupon，itsbodybecomesthebridgefromonetotheother;inthiscaseitisAugust’sstrangejourney，beginningwiththecatastropheandhisgrief—dazeddecisiontofollowthestove。Thejourneyislong，andeachstageofitistoldinfull。Asthisisimpossibleinoralreproduction，itbecomesnecessarytochoosetypicalincidents，whichwillgivethesamegeneraleffectasthewhole。Theincidentswhichanswerthispurposeare：thebeginningofthejourney，theexperienceontheluggagetrain，thejoltingwhilebeingcarriedonmen’sshoulders，thefinalfrightandsuspensebeforethekingopensthedoor。
　　Theepisodeofthenightinthebric—a—bracshopintroducesawhollynewandconfusingtrainofthought;therefore，charmingasitis，itmustbeomitted。Andthesecondarythreadofnarrativeinterest，thatofthepricesforwhichthestovewassold，andtheretributionvisitedonthecheatingdealers，isalso"anotherstory，"
　　andmustbeignored。Eachofthesedestroystheclearsequenceandthesimplicityofplotwhichmustbekeptfortelling。
　　Wearereduced，then，forthewhole，tothis：
　　abriefpreliminarystatementoftheplaceHirschvogelheldinthehouseholdaffections，andtheambitionarousedinAugust;thecatastropheofthesale;August’sdecision;hisexperiencesonthetrain，ontheshouldersofmen，andjustbeforethediscovery;hisdiscovery，andthedenouement。
　　Thisnotonlyreducesthestorytotellableform，butitalsoleavesasuggestiveinterestwhichheightenslaterenjoymentoftheoriginal。
　　IsuggesttheadaptationofKateDouglasWiggin，inTheStoryHour，sinceinviewoftheexistenceofasatisfactoryadaptationitseemsunappreciativetoofferasecond。TheoneI
　　madeformyownusesomeyearsagoisnotdissimilartothis，andIhavenoreasontosupposeitmoredesirable。
　　Ruskin’sKingoftheGoldenRiverissomewhatdifficulttoadapt。Notonlyisitlong，butitsstyleismature，highlydescriptive，andcloselyallegorical。Yetthetaleistoobeautifulandtoosuggestivetobelosttothestory—teller。
　　Anditis，also，sorecognisedapartofthestandardliteraryequipmentofyouththatteachersneedtobeabletointroducechildrentoitscharm。Tomakeitavailablefortelling，wemustchoosethemostessentialeventsoftheseriesleadinguptotheclimax，andpresentthesesosimplyastoappealtochildren’sears，andsobrieflyasnottotirethem。
　　Theprintedstoryiseightthousandwordsinlength。ThefirstthreethousandwordsdepictthebeautyandfertilityoftheTreasureValley，andthecruelhabitsofHansandSchwartz，itsowners，andgivetheculminatingincidentwhichleadstotheirbanishmentby"WestWind。"
　　Thisepisode，——theWestWind’sappearanceintheshapeofanagedtraveller，hiskindreceptionbytheyoungerbrother，littleGluck，andthesubsequentwrathofHansandSchwartz，withtheirresultingpunishment，——occupiesabouttwothousandwords。TherestofthestorydealswiththethreebrothersafterthedecreeofWestWindhasturnedTreasureValleyintoadesert。
　　Inthelittlehousewheretheyareplyingtheirtradeofgoldsmiths，theKingoftheGoldenRiverappearstoGluckandtellshimthemagicsecretofturningtheriver’swaterstogold。
　　HansandSchwartzinturnattemptthemiracle，andinturnincurthepenaltyattachedtofailure。Glucktries，andwinsthetreasurethroughself—sacrifice。TheformofthetreasureisarenewalofthefertilityofTreasureValley，andthemoralofthewholestoryissummedupinRuskin’swords，"Sotheinheritancewhichwaslostbycrueltywasregainedbylove。"
　　Itiseasytoseethatthedramaticpartofthestoryandthatwhichmostpointedlyillustratestheunderlyingidea，isthetripleattempttowinthetreasure，——thetwofailuresandtheonesuccess。ButthisisnecessarilyintroducedbytheepisodeoftheKingoftheGoldenRiver，whichis，also，anincidentsuretoappealtoachild’simagination。Andtheregainingoftheinheritanceismeaninglesswithoutthefactofitspreviousloss，andthereasonfortheloss，asacontrastwiththereasonforitsrecovery。Weneed，then，themainfactsrecordedinthefirstthreethousandwords。ButtheWestWindepisodemustbeavoided，notonlyforbrevity，butbecausetwosupernaturalappearances，sosimilar，yetofdifferentpersonalities，wouldhopelesslyconfuseatoldstory。
　　OuroralstoryisnowtobemadeoutofacondensedstatementofthecharacteroftheValleyandofitsowners，andthemannerofitsloss;theinterventionoftheKingoftheGoldenRiver;thethreeattemptstoturntherivertogold，andGluck’ssuccess。Gluckistobeourhero，andourunderlyingideaisthepowerofloveversuscruelty。Descriptionistobereducedtoitslowestterms，andthelanguagemadesimpleandconcrete。
　　Withthisoutlineinmind，itmaybeusefultocomparethefollowingadaptationwiththeoriginalstory。Theadaptationisnotintendedinanysenseasasubstitutefortheoriginal，butmerelyasthatformofitwhichcanbeTOLD，whiletheoriginalremainsforreading。
　　THEGOLDENRIVER[1]
　　[1]AdaptedfromRuskin’sKingoftheGoldenRiver。
　　Therewasonceabeautifullittlevalley，wherethesunwaswarm，andtherainsfellsoftly;itsapplesweresored，itscornsoyellow，itsgrapessoblue，thatitwascalledtheTreasureValley。Notariverranintoit，butonegreatriverfloweddownthemountainsontheotherside，andbecausethesettingsunalwaystingeditshighcataractwithgoldaftertherestoftheworldwasdark，itwascalledtheGoldenRiver。Thelovelyvalleybelongedtothreebrothers。Theyoungest，littleGluck，washappy—heartedandkind，buthehadahardlifewithhisbrothers，forHansandSchwartzweresocruelandsomeanthattheywereknowneverywherearoundasthe"BlackBrothers。"
　　Theywerehardtotheirfarmhands，hardtotheircustomers，hardtothepoor，andhardestofalltoGluck。
　　AtlasttheBlackBrothersbecamesobadthattheSpiritoftheWestWindtookvengeanceonthem;heforbadeanyofthegentlewinds，southandwest，tobringraintothevalley。Then，sincetherewerenoriversinit，itdriedup，andinsteadofatreasurevalleyitbecameadesertofdry，redsand。TheBlackBrotherscouldgetnothingoutofit，andtheywanderedoutintotheworldontheothersideofthemountain—peaks;andlittleGluckwentwiththem。
　　HansandSchwartzwentouteveryday，wastingtheirtimeinwickedness，buttheyleftGluckinthehousetowork。AndtheylivedonthegoldandsilvertheyhadsavedinTreasureValley，tillatlastitwasallgone。
　　TheonlypreciousthingleftwasGluck’sgoldmug。ThistheBlackBrothersdecidedtomeltintospoons，tosell;andinspiteofGluck’stears，theyputitinthemeltingpot，andwentout，leavinghimtowatchit。
　　PoorlittleGlucksatatthewindow，tryingnottocryforhisdeargoldenmug，andasthesunbegantogodown，hesawthebeautifulcataractoftheGoldenRiverturnred，andyellow，andthenpuregold。
　　"Oh，dear！"hesaidtohimself，"howfineitwouldbeiftheriverwerereallygolden！
　　Ineedn’tbepoor，then。"
　　"Itwouldn’tbefineatall！"saidathin，metalliclittlevoice，inhisear。
　　"Mercy，what’sthat！"saidGluck，lookingallabout。Butnobodywasthere。
　　Suddenlythesharplittlevoicecameagain。
　　"Pourmeout，"itsaid，"Iamtoohot！"
　　Itseemedtocomerightfromtheoven，andasGluckstood，staringinfright，itcameagain，"Pourmeout;I’mtoohot！"
　　Gluckwasverymuchfrightened，buthewentandlookedinthemeltingpot。Whenhetouchedit，thelittlevoicesaid，"Pourmeout，Isay！"AndGlucktookthehandleandbegantopourthegoldout。
　　Firstcameoutatinypairofyellowlegs;thenapairofyellowcoat—tails;thenastrangelittleyellowbody，and，last，aweeyellowface，withlongcurlsofgoldhair。Andthewholeputitselftogetherasitfell，andstooduponthefloor，——thestrangestlittleyellowdwarf，aboutafoothigh！
　　"Dear，me！"saidGluck。
　　Butthelittleyellowmansaid，"Gluck，doyouknowwhoIam？IamtheKingoftheGoldenRiver。"
　　Gluckdidnotknowwhattosay，sohesaidnothing;and，indeed，thelittlemangavehimnochance。Hesaid，"Gluck，Ihavebeenwatchingyou，andwhatIhaveseenofyou，Ilike。Listen，andIwilltellyousomethingforyourgood。WhoevershallclimbtothetopofthemountainfromwhichtheGoldenRiverfalls，andshallcastintoitswatersthreedropsofholywater，forhimandhimonlyshallitswatersturntogold。Butnoonecansucceedexceptatthefirsttrial，andanyonewhocastsunholywaterintheriverwillbeturnedintoablackstone。"
　　Andthen，beforeGluckcoulddrawhisbreath，theKingwalkedstraightintothehottestflameofthefire，andvanishedupthechimney！
　　WhenGluck’sbrotherscamehome，theybeathimblackandblue，becausethemugwasgone。
　　ButwhenhetoldthemabouttheKingoftheGoldenRivertheyquarrelledallnight，astowhichshouldgotogetthegold。Atlast，Hans，whowasthestronger，gotthebetterofSchwartz，andstartedoff。Thepriestwouldnotgivesuchabadmananyholywater，sohestoleabottleful。Thenhetookabasketofbreadandwine，andbegantoclimbthemountain。
　　Heclimbedfast，andsooncametotheendofthefirsthill。Buttherehefoundagreatglacier，ahillofice，whichhehadneverseenbefore。Itwashorribletocross，——theicewasslippery，greatgulfsyawnedbeforehim，andnoiseslikegroansandshriekscamefromunderhisfeet。Helosthisbasketofbreadandwine，andwasquitefaintwithfearandexhaustionwhenhisfeettouchedfirmgroundagain。
　　Nexthecametoahillofhot，redrock，withoutabitofgrasstoeasethefeet，oraparticleofshade。Afteranhour’sclimbhewassothirstythathefeltthathemustdrink。
　　Helookedattheflaskofwater。"Threedropsareenough，"hethought;"Iwilljustcoolmylips。"Hewasliftingtheflasktohislipswhenhesawsomethingbesidehiminthepath。Itwasasmalldog，anditseemedtobedyingofthirst。Itstonguewasout，itslegswerelifeless，andaswarmofblackantswerecrawlingaboutitslips。ItlookedpiteouslyatthebottlewhichHansheld。Hansraisedthebottle，drank，kickedattheanimal，andpassedon。
　　Astrangeblackshadowcameacrossthebluesky。
　　AnotherhourHansclimbed;therocksgrewhotterandthewaysteepereverymoment。Atlasthecouldbearitnolonger;hemustdrink。
　　Thebottlewashalfempty，buthedecidedtodrinkhalfofwhatwasleft。Asheliftedit，somethingmovedinthepathbesidehim。Itwasachild，lyingnearlydeadofthirstontherock，itseyesclosed，itslipsburning，itsbreathcomingingasps。Hanslookedatit，drank，andpassedon。
　　Adarkcloudcameoverthesun，andlongshadowscreptupthemountain—side。
　　Itgrewverysteepnow，andtheairweighedlikeleadonHans’sforehead，buttheGoldenRiverwasverynear。Hansstoppedamomenttobreathe，thenstartedtoclimbthelastheight。
　　Asheclamberedon，hesawanold，oldmanlyinginthepath。Hiseyesweresunken，andhisfacedeadlypale。
　　"Water！"hesaid;"water！"
　　"Ihavenoneforyou，"saidHans;"youhavehadyourshareoflife。"Hestrodeovertheoldman’sbodyandclimbedon。
　　Aflashofbluelightningdazzledhimforaninstant，andthentheheavensweredark。
　　AtlastHansstoodonthebrinkofthecataractoftheGoldenRiver。Thesoundofitsroaringfilledtheair。Hedrewtheflaskfromhissideandhurleditintothetorrent。Ashedidso，anicychillshotthroughhim;heshriekedandfell。AndtheriverroseandflowedoverTheBlackStoneWhenHansdidnotcomebackGluckgrieved，butSchwartzwasglad。Hedecidedtogoandgetthegoldforhimself。Hethoughtitmightnotdotostealtheholywater，asHanshaddone，sohetookthemoneylittleGluckhadearned，andboughtholywaterofabadpriest。Thenhetookabasketofbreadandwine，andstartedoff。
　　Hecametothegreathillofice，andwasassurprisedasHanshadbeen，andfounditashardtocross。Manytimesheslipped，andhewasmuchfrightenedatthenoises，andwasverygladtogetacross，althoughhehadlosthisbasketofbreadandwine。Thenhecametothesamehillofsharp，redstone，withoutgrassorshade，thatHanshadclimbed。AndlikeHanshebecameverythirsty。LikeHans，too，hedecidedtodrinkalittleofthewater。Asheraisedittohislips，hesuddenlysawthesamefairchildthatHanshadseen。
　　"Water！"saidthechild。"Water！Iamdying。"
　　"Ihavenotenoughformyself，"saidSchwartz，andpassedon。
　　Alowbankofblackcloudroseoutofthewest。
　　Whenhehadclimbedforanotherhour，thethirstovercamehimagain，andagainheliftedtheflasktohislips。Ashedidso，hesawanoldmanwhobeggedforwater。
　　"Ihavenotenoughformyself，"saidSchwartz，andpassedon。
　　Amist，ofthecolourofblood，cameoverthesun。
　　ThenSchwartzclimbedforanotherhour，andoncemorehehadtodrink。Thistime，asheliftedtheflask，hethoughthesawhisbrotherHansbeforehim。Thefigurestretcheditsarmstohim，andcriedoutforwater。
　　"Ha，ha，"laughedSchwartz，"doyousupposeIbroughtthewateruphereforyou？"Andhestrodeoverthefigure。Butwhenhehadgoneafewyardsfarther，helookedback，andthefigurewasnotthere。
　　ThenhestoodatthebrinkoftheGoldenRiver，anditswaveswereblack，andtheroaringofthewatersfilledalltheair。Hecasttheflaskintothestream。Andashedidsothelightningglaredinhiseyes，theearthgavewaybeneathhim，andtheriverflowedoverThetwoBlackStones。
　　WhenGluckfoundhimselfalone，heatlastdecidedtotryhisluckwiththeKingoftheGoldenRiver。Thepriestgavehimsomeholywaterassoonasheaskedforit，andwiththisandabasketofbreadhestartedoff。
　　ThehilloficewasmuchharderforGlucktoclimb，becausehewasnotsostrongashisbrothers。Helosthisbread，felloften，andwasexhaustedwhenhegotonfirmground。Hebegantoclimbthehillinthehottestpartoftheday。Whenhehadclimbedforanhourhewasverythirsty，andliftedthebottletodrinkalittlewater。Ashedidsohesawafeebleoldmancomingdownthepathtowardhim。
　　"Iamfaintwiththirst，"saidtheoldman;
　　"willyougivemesomeofthatwater？"
　　Glucksawthathewaspaleandtired，sohegavehimthewater，saying，"Pleasedon’tdrinkitall。"Buttheoldmandrankagreatdeal，andgavebackthebottletwo—thirdsemptied。ThenhebadeGluckgoodspeed，andGluckwentonmerrily。
　　Somegrassappearedonthepath，andthegrasshoppersbegantosing。
　　Attheendofanotherhour，Gluckfeltthathemustdrinkagain。But，asheraisedtheflask，hesawalittlechildlyingbytheroadside，anditcriedoutpitifullyforwater。AfterastrugglewithhimselfGluckdecidedtobearthethirstalittlelonger。Heputthebottletothechild’slips，anditdrankallbutafewdrops。Thenitgotupandrandownthehill。
　　Allkindsofsweetflowersbegantogrowontherocks，andcrimsonandpurplebutterfliesflittedaboutintheair。
　　Attheendofanotherhour，Gluck’sthirstwasalmostunbearable。Hesawthattherewereonlyfiveorsixdropsofwaterinthebottle，however，andhedidnotdaretodrink。
　　Sohewasputtingtheflaskawayagainwhenhesawalittledogontherocks，gaspingforbreath。
　　Helookedatit，andthenattheGoldenRiver，andherememberedthedwarf’swords，"Noonecansucceedexceptatthefirsttrial";andhetriedtopassthedog。Butitwhinedpiteously，andGluckstopped。Hecouldnotbeartopassit。"ConfoundtheKingandhisgold，too！"hesaid;andhepouredthefewdropsofwaterintothedog’smouth。
　　Thedogsprangup;itstaildisappeared，itsnosegrewred，anditseyestwinkled。Thenextminutethedogwasgone，andtheKingoftheGoldenRiverstoodthere。HestoopedandpluckedalilythatgrewbesideGluck’sfeet。
　　Threedropsofdewwereonitswhiteleaves。
　　ThesethedwarfshookintotheflaskwhichGluckheldinhishand。
　　"Casttheseintotheriver，"hesaid，"andgodowntheothersideofthemountainsintotheTreasureValley。"Thenhedisappeared。
　　GluckstoodonthebrinkoftheGoldenRiver，andcastthethreedropsofdewintothestream。
　　Wheretheyfell，alittlewhirlpoolopened;butthewaterdidnotturntogold。Indeed，thewaterseemedvanishingaltogether。Gluckwasdisappointednottoseegold，butheobeyedtheKingoftheGoldenRiver，andwentdowntheothersideofthemountains。
　　WhenhecameoutintotheTreasureValley，ariver，liketheGoldenRiver，wasspringingfromanewcleftintherocksabove，andflowingamongtheheapsofdrysand。Andthenfreshgrasssprangbesidetheriver，flowersopenedalongitssides，andvinesbegantocoverthewholevalley。TheTreasureValleywasbecomingagardenagain。
　　GlucklivedintheValley，andhisgrapeswereblue，andhisappleswerered，andhiscornwasyellow;andthepoorwereneverdrivenfromhisdoor。Forhim，astheKinghadpromised，theriverwasreallyaRiverofGold。
　　Itwillprobablybecleartoanyonewhohasfollowedtheseattempts，thatthefirststepinadaptationisanalysis，carefulanalysisofthestoryasitstands。Oneasksoneself，Whatisthestory？Whicheventsarenecessarylinksinthechain？Howmuchofthetextispuredescription？
　　Havingthisessentialbodyofthestoryinmind，onethendecideswhichofthestepstowardtheclimaxareneededforsafearrivalthere，andkeepsthese。Whentwoormorestepscanbecoveredinasinglestride，onemakesthestride。
　　Whenanecessaryexplanationisundulylong，oriswovenintothestoryintoomanystrands，onedisposesofitinanintroductorystatement，orperhapsinasideremark。Iftherearetwoormorethreadsofnarrative，onechoosesamongthem，andholdsstrictlytotheonechosen，eliminatingdetailswhichconcerntheothers。
　　Inordertoholdthesimplicityofplotsoattained，itisalsodesirabletohavebutfewpersonagesinthestory，andtonarratetheactionfromthepointofviewofoneofthem，——usuallythehero。Toshiftthepointofviewoftheactionisconfusingtothechild’smind。
　　Whentheanalysisandcondensationhavebeenaccomplished，thewholemustbecastinsimplelanguage，keepingifpossiblethesamekindofspeechasthatusedintheoriginal，butchangingdifficultortechnicaltermstoplain，andcompleximagestosimpleandfamiliarones。
　　Alltypesofadaptationshareinthisneedofsimplelanguage，——storieswhicharetooshort，aswellasthosewhicharetoolong，havethisfeatureintheirchangedform。Thechangeinashortstoryisappliedoftenestwhereitbecomesdesirabletoamplifyasingleanecdote，orperhapsafable，whichistoldinverycondensedform。Suchaninstanceisthefollowinganecdoteofheroism，whichintheoriginalisquotedinoneofF。W。Robertson’slecturesonPoetry。
　　Adetachmentoftroopswasmarchingalongavalley，thecliffsoverhangingwhichwerecrestedbytheenemy。A
　　sergeant，withelevenmen，chancedtobecomeseparatedfromtherestbytakingthewrongsideofaravine，whichtheyexpectedsoontoterminate，butwhichsuddenlydeepenedintoanimpassablechasm。Theofficerincommandsignalledtothepartyanordertoreturn。Theymistookthesignalforacommandtocharge;thebravefellowsansweredwithacheer，andcharged。Atthesummitofthesteepmountainwasatriangularplatform，defendedbyabreastwork，behindwhichwereseventyofthefoe。Ontheywent，charginguponeofthosefearfulpaths，elevenagainstseventy。Thecontestcouldnotlongbedoubtfulwithsuchodds。Oneafteranothertheyfell;sixuponthespot，theremainderhurledbackwards;butnotuntiltheyhadslainnearlytwicetheirownnumber。
　　Thereisacustom，wearetold，amongstthehillsmen，thatwhenagreatchieftainoftheirownfallsinbattle，hiswristisboundwithathreadeitherofredorgreen，thereddenotingthehighestrank。Accordingtocustom，theystrippedthedead，andthrewtheirbodiesovertheprecipice。Whentheircomradescame，theyfoundtheircorpsesstarkandgashed;
　　butroundbothwristsofeveryBritishherowastwinedtheredthread！
　　Thisanecdoteservesitspurposeofillustrationperfectlywell，butconsideredasaseparatestoryitissomewhattooexplanatoryindiction，andtoocondensedinform。Justasthelongstoryisanalysedforreductionofgivendetails，sothismustbeanalysed，——tofindthedetailsimplied。Wehavetoreadintoitagainallthathasbeenleftbetweenthelines。
　　Moreover，theordermustbeslightlychanged，ifwearetoendwiththeproper"snap，"thefinalstingofsurpriseandadmirationgivenbythepointofthestory;thepointmustbepreparedfor。Thepurposeoftheoriginalisequallywellservedbytheexplanationattheend，butwemustneverforgetthattheplacefortheclimax，oreffectivepointinastorytold，isthelastthingsaid。Thatiswhatmakesastory"gooff"well。
　　Imaginingvividlythesituationsuggested，andkeepingthelogicalsequenceoffactsinmind，shallwenotfindthestorytellingitselftoboysandgirlsinsomewhatthisform？
　　THEREDTHREADOFCOURAGE[1]
　　[1]SeealsoTheRedThreadofHonour，bySirFrancisDoyle，inLyraHeroica，ThisstorywhichIamgoingtotellyouisatrueone。IthappenedwhiletheEnglishtroopsinIndiawerefightingagainstsomeofthenativetribes。Thenativeswhoweremakingtroublewerepeoplefromthehill—country，calledHillsmen，andtheywerestrongenemies。TheEnglishknewverylittleaboutthem，excepttheircourage，buttheyhadnoticedonepeculiarcustom，aftercertainbattles，——theHillsmenhadawayofmarkingthebodiesoftheirgreatestchiefswhowerekilledinbattlebybindingaredthreadaboutthewrist;thiswasthehighesttributetheycouldpayahero。TheEnglish，however，foundthecommonmenofthemquiteenoughtohandle，fortheyhadprovedthemselvesgoodfightersandcleveratambushes。
　　Oneday，asmallbodyoftheEnglishhadmarchedalongwayintothehillcountry，aftertheenemy，andintheafternoontheyfoundthemselvesinapartofthecountrystrangeeventotheguides。Themenmovedforwardveryslowlyandcautiously，forfearofanambush。Thetrailledintoanarrowvalleywithverysteep，high，rockysides，toppedwithwoodsinwhichtheenemymighteasilyhide。
　　Herethesoldierswereorderedtoadvancemorequickly，thoughwithcaution，togetoutofthedangerousplace。
　　Afteralittletheycamesuddenlytoaplacewherethepassagewasdividedintwobyabigthree—corneredboulderwhichseemedtorisefromthemidstofthevalley。Themainlineofmenkepttotheright;tosavecrowdingthepath，asergeantandelevenmentooktheleft，meaningtogoroundtherockandmeettherestbeyondit。
　　Theyhadbeeninthepathonlyafewminuteswhentheysawthattherockwasnotasingleboulderatall，butanarmoftheleftwallofthevalley，andthattheyweremarchingintoadeepravinewithnooutletexceptthewaytheycame。
　　Bothsidesweresheerrock，almostperpendicular，withthicktreesatthetop;infrontofthemthegroundroseinasteephill，bareofwoods。Astheylookedup，theysawthatthetopwasbarricadedbythetrunksoftrees，andguardedbyastrongbodyofHillsmen。AstheEnglishhesitated，lookingatthis，ashowerofspearsfellfromthewood’sedge，aimedbyhiddenfoes。Theplacewasadeathtrap。
　　Atthismoment，theirdangerwasseenbytheofficerincommandofthemainbody，andhesignalledtothesergeanttoretreat。
　　Bysometerriblemischance，thesignalwasmisunderstood。Thementookitforthesignaltocharge。Withoutamoment’spause，straightuptheslope，theychargedontherun，cheeringastheyran。
　　Somewerekilledbythespearsthatwerethrownfromthecliffs，beforetheyhadgonehalfway;somewerestabbedastheyreachedthecrest，andhurledbackwardfromtheprecipice;
　　twoorthreegottothetop，andfoughthandtohandwiththeHillsmen。Theywereoutnumbered，seventoone;butwhenthelastoftheEnglishsoldierslaydead，twicetheirnumberofHillsmenlaydeadaroundthem！
　　Whenthereliefpartyreachedthespot，laterintheday，theyfoundthebodiesoftheircomrades，fullofwounds，huddledoverandinthebarricade，orcrushedontherocksbelow。
　　Theyweremutilatedandbattered，andboreeverysignoftheterriblestruggle。BUTROUND
　　BOTHWRISTSOFEVERYBRITISHSOLDIERWASBOUND
　　THEREDTHREAD！
　　TheHillsmenhadpaidgreaterhonourtotheirheroicfoesthantothebravestoftheirownbravedead。
　　Anotherinstanceistheshortpoem，which，whilebeingperfectlysimple，isrichinsuggestionofmorethantheyoungchildwillseeforhimself。Thefollowingexampleshowstheworkingoutofdetailsinordertoprovideasatisfactorilyroundedstory。
　　THEELFANDTHEDORMOUSE[1]
　　[1]AdaptedfromTheElfandtheDormouse，byOliverHerford，inATreasuryofVerseforLittleChildren。
　　（Harrap。1s。net。）
　　Onceuponatimeadormouselivedinthewoodwithhismother。Shehadmadeasnuglittlenest，butSleepy—head，asshecalledherlittlemousie，lovedtoroamaboutamongthegrassandfallenleaves，anditwasahardtasktokeephimathome。Onedaythemotherwentoffasusualtolookforfood，leavingSleepy—
　　headcurledupcomfortablyinacornerofthenest。"HewilllietheresafelytillI
　　comeback，"shethought。Presently，however，Sleepy—headopenedhiseyesandthoughthewouldliketotakeawalkoutinthefreshair。Sohecreptoutofthenestandthroughthelonggrassthatnoddedovertheholeinthebank。Heranhereandheranthere，stoppingagainanagaintocockhislittleearsforsoundofanycreepingthingthatmightbecloseathand。Hislittlefurcoatwassoftandsilkyasvelvet。Motherhadlickeditcleanbeforestartingherday’swork，youmaybesure。AsSleepy—headmovedfromplacetoplacehislongtailswayedfromsidetosideandtickledthedaisiessothattheycouldnotholdthemselvesstillforlaughing。
　　PresentlysomethingverycoldfellonSleepy—
　　head’snose。Whatcoulditbe？Heputuphislittlepawanddabbedattheplace。Thenthesamethinghappenedtohistail。Hewhiskeditquicklyroundtothefront。Ah，itwasraining！NowSleepy—headcouldn’tbearrain，andhehadgotalongwayfromhome。
　　Whatwouldmothersayifhisnicefurrycoatgotwetanddraggled？Hecreptunderabush，butsoontherainfoundhimout。Thenherantoatree，butthiswaspoorshelter。Hebegantothinkthathewasinforasoakingwhenwhatshouldhespy，alittledistanceoff，butafinetoadstoolwhichstoodboltuprightjustlikeanumbrella。ThenextmomentSleepy—
　　headwascrawlingunderneaththefriendlyshelter。Hefixedhimselfupassnuglyashecould，withhislittlenoseuponhispawsandhislittletailcurledroundall，andbeforeyoucouldcountsix，eight，ten，twenty，hewasfastasleep。