since the moment when she ran, with outstretched arms, to comfort poor King Midas. Her father did not think it necessary to tell his beloved child how very foolish he had been, but contented himself with 5 showing how much wiser he had now grown. For this purpose, he led little Marygold into the garden, where he sprinkled all the remainder of the water over the rose-bushes, and with such good effect that above five thousand roses recovered their beautiful bloom. There were two circumstances, however, which, 10 as long as he lived, used to put King Midas in mind of the Golden Touch. One was that the sands of the river sparkled like gold; the other, that little Marygold's hair had now a golden tinge, which he had never observed in it before she had been changed by the effect of his kiss. This change of hue 15 was really an improvement, and made Marygold's hair richer than in her babyhood. When King Midas had grown quite an old man, and used to trot Marygold's children on his knee, he was fond of telling them this marvelous story, pretty much as I have now told it to 20 you. And then would he stroke their glossy ringlets, and tell them that their hair, likewise, had a rich shade of gold, which they had inherited from their mother. "And to tell you the truth, my precious little folks," quoth King Midas, diligently trotting the children all the while, "ever 25 since that morning I have hated the very sight of all other gold, save this!" Why did Midas think so long before answering the second question? Read the sentence which tells what Midas wished. When did he receive his new power? What use did he make of it? What did Marygold think of the gold roses? Why was not Midas's breakfast a success? When did Midas first doubt whether riches are the most desirable thing in the world? How did he drive this thought away? What made him realize that his little daughter was dearer to him than gold? Read lines which tell what he realized when it was too late. PRONUNCIATION: Mi'-das com-păr'-à-tive-ly au-tum-năl făb'-ric flex'-i-bil'-i-ty ē-merged' în-di-vid'-u-al What did the stranger ask when he came again? What was the discovery which Midas had made since the stranger's first visit? How Was Midas cured of the Golden Touch? What was he told to do in order to restore Marygold to life? How were the roses restored? Why did Midas want to restore everything he had touched? How did this prove that he was truly repentant? Find lines which tell us how Midas had become so unreasonable in his desire for gold. What two things always reminded Midas of the Golden Touch? What was the only gold he cared about after he was saved from the Golden Touch? Clement C. Moore (1779-1863) was an American poet and author. He lived in New York City. For many years he was engaged in educational work. "Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, 5 The children were nestled all snug in their beds, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's 'nap- Tore open the shutters, and threw up the sash; I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, 20 And he whistled, and shouted and called them by name: "Now, Dasher! now Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!— As I drew in my head, and was turning around, 35 A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes, how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry; His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, 40 And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face, and a little round belly That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. 45 He was chubby and plump-a right jolly old elf; And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, 50 And filled all the stockings: then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.. 55 But I heard him exclaim, ere they drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night." HELPS TO STUDY Notes and Questions What picture do the first eight lines of this poem give you? Does this picture seem real to you? Of what were the children dreaming? What word do you use instead of sugarplums? What picture do lines 15 to 18 give you? What is the next picture? Read the lines which make it. To what is the swiftness of the reindeer compared? Why did St. Nicholas give "A wink of his eye, "" before he filled the stockings? What words show how lightly the reindeer flew through the air? Why was the beard on the chin of St. Nicholas "white as the snow''? Read the lines which picture St. Nicholas after he came down the chimney. Why did the poet laugh at the sight of St. Nicholas, in spite of himself? Which of all the pictures in the entire poem can you see most distinctly. Which do you like best? |