I know two children who are not afraid of a big black bear. You and I would be afraid, would we not, little reader? These little ones are only babies. They are not a year old yet. Do you think it is because they know no better that they are not afraid? The babies are twins; that is, they are both of the same age- a little brother and sister, perhaps. They are very fond of the old black bear. They like to lie down by her side. They will sleep there for an hour at a time, and when they wake, they will coax the bear to play with them. If she is sleepy, she may be a little cross at first; perhaps she will speak sharply to them, or push them away; but they do not mind that. They will go on coaxing till she is wide awake. Then what a frolic they will have! How the babies will roll and tumble! And the bear seems to like it as well as they do. She is very fond of them. No one would dare to go near her to take the little ones away. But it would not be safe for all children to be so free with a bear. These, if they could speak, would call her mother." That is why they feel so safe. Mothers, all over the world, are good to their little children, are they not? Look at the picture. See the bright face of the mother bear. She does not look as if she would harm any one. And see the little cubs look up at her. What are they saying? They are full of fun and frolic. This kind of bear is not apt to be cross. She would be if her children were in danger. She might be if she were hungry, for that would make her cross. I would not care to go very near her; would you? I should not .... to go ... the bear is. Do not your dress. It is a day. I will the apple. The teacher may tell what the missing word is, and let the children point to it. .... Take .. of your SPELL: sew (so), does, puts, any, next. THE LOST STITCHES. Grandmamma is always knitting. She says she is growing blind, and cannot see to read and sew as mamma does. But her eyes do not look blind to little Bennie. He thinks they are full of light and love. He likes to watch grandmamma at her knitting, she makes the needles fly so fast. "How can you, Grandma, when you don't look on?" he asks. Sometimes she drops a stitch; then she looks on. Bennie thinks her eyes look sorry. He does not like to have grandmamma drop a stitch. And he cannot think where they go when they fall. She is knitting a red hood now for the little lame girl in the next street. Bennie wants all the stitches to go in to make it pretty and warm. So he has taken his little basket. You see him in the picture. He is looking on the floor to see if he can find any of them. |