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IF THE BOOK IS UNDER COPYRIGHT IN YOUR COUNTRY, DO NOT DOWNLOAD OR REDISTRIBUTE THIS FILE. _Title:_ The Canadian Readers, Book I, A Primer and First Reader _Date of first publication:_ 1931 _Author:_ John Miller Dow Meiklejohn (1836-1902) _Date first posted:_ Feb. 11, 2021 _Date last updated:_ Feb. 11, 2021 Faded Page eBook #20210253 This eBook was produced by: Iona Vaughan, Barbara Watson, David T. Jones, John Routh & the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at https://www.pgdpcanada.net THE CANADIAN READERS Book I A PRIMER AND FIRST READER _Authorized for Use in the Public Schools of Manitoba,_ _Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia_ TORONTO THE MACMILLAN COMPANY OF CANADA LIMITED 1931 COPYRIGHT, 1922 BY THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA LIMITED TORONTO _All Rights Reserved_ _Reprinted_ 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931. [Illustration] PRINTED IN CANADA A PRIMER CONTENTS PAGE TOM TINKER 5 JACK SPRAT 6 BETTY PRINGLE 7 LITTLE RED HEN 8 TOM TINKER SAID 9 JACK SPRAT SAID 10 BETTY PRINGLE SAID 11 LITTLE RED HEN SAID 12 DAFFY-DOWN-DILLY 13 LITTLE RED HEN GROUP 14 MOTHER GOOSE AND FAMILY 22 JACK AND JILL RHYME 23 THE TEA PARTY 24 HI DIDDLE DIDDLE 31 GOOD SPORT 32 BOW-WOW-WOW 36 RUNNING AWAY 37 LITTLE BETTY PRINGLE 38 LITTLE BETTY BLUE 39 THE LOST SHOE 40 LITTLE BO-PEEP 45 FINDING THE SHEEP 46 LITTLE BOY BLUE 49 FARMER BROWN AND BOY BLUE 50 LITTLE MISS MUFFET 54 BOY BLUE AND MISS MUFFET 55 ROBIN AND PUSSY-CAT 59 MY LITTLE ROSE 62 ALPHABET 63 THE CHILDREN’S SONG 64 PART II THE GINGERBREAD BOY 66 THE LITTLE BOY’S DREAM 73 CHICKEN LITTLE 74 WHAT DOES THE BEE DO? 81 THE BOY AND THE BEE 82 THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF 84 THREE LITTLE KITTENS 90 THE FIR TREE 94 THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT 97 HOW THE BEE DID IT 102 LITTLE WIND 107 THE THREE BEARS 108 AT THE SEA-SIDE 116 BOBBY AND BETTY 117 THE LITTLE HALF-CHICK 123 THE THREE PIGS 131 SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP 139 THE LITTLE BLUE EGG 140 SPRING WAKING 145 APPENDIX 149 WORD LIST PRIMER 150 PHONETIC TABLES 153 [Illustration] [Illustration] Tom Tinker had a dog. It said, “Bow-wow!” [Illustration] Jack Sprat had a cat. It said, “Meow! Meow!” [Illustration] Betty Pringle had a pig. It said, “Ough! Ough!” [Illustration] The Little Red Hen had some chicks. They said, “Peep! Peep!” [Illustration] Tom Tinker said, “I had a dog And a dog loved me, And I fed my dog Under a hollow tree. My dog went, ‘Bow-wow-wow!’” [Illustration] Jack Sprat said, “I had a cat And a cat loved me, And I fed my cat Under a hollow tree. My cat went, ‘Meow! Meow! Meow!’” [Illustration] Betty Pringle said, “I had a pig And a pig loved me, And I fed my pig Under a hollow tree. My pig went, ‘Ough! Ough! Ough!’” [Illustration] The Little Red Hen said, “I had some chicks And my chicks loved me, And I fed my chicks Under a hollow tree. My chicks went, ‘Peep! Peep! Peep!’” [Illustration] Daffy-Down-Dilly Has come up to town, In a yellow petticoat, And a green gown. [Illustration] THE LITTLE RED HEN The Little Red Hen found some wheat. She called the cat. She called the dog. She called the pig. [Illustration] The Little Red Hen said, “Who will help me plant the wheat?” “Not I,” said the cat. “Not I,” said the dog. “Not I,” said the pig. The Little Red Hen said, “Then I will plant the wheat.” And she did. [Illustration] The Little Red Hen said, “Who will help me cut the wheat?” “Not I,” said the cat. “Not I,” said the dog. “Not I,” said the pig. The Little Red Hen said, “Then I will cut the wheat.” And she did. [Illustration] The Little Red Hen said, “Who will help me grind the wheat?” “Not I,” said the cat. “Not I,” said the dog. “Not I,” said the pig. “Then I will grind the wheat,” said the Little Red Hen. And she did. [Illustration] The Little Red Hen said, “Who will help me make the bread?” “Not I,” said the cat. “Not I,” said the dog. “Not I,” said the pig. “Then I will make the bread,” said the Little Red Hen. And she did. [Illustration] “Who will help me bake the bread?” said the Little Red Hen. “Not I,” said the cat. “Not I,” said the dog. “Not I,” said the pig. “Then I will bake it myself,” said the Little Red Hen. And she did. [Illustration] The Little Red Hen said, “Who will help me eat the bread?” “Meow! Meow! Meow!” “I will,” said the cat. “Bow-wow-wow!” “I will,” said the dog. “Ough! Ough! Ough!” “I will,” said the pig. [Illustration] The Little Red Hen said, “You would not plant the wheat. You would not cut the wheat. You would not grind the wheat. You would not make the bread. You shall not eat the bread. My little chicks shall eat the bread.” And they did. [Illustration] [Illustration] JACK AND JILL Jack and Jill Went up the hill, To get a pail of water. Jack fell down And broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after. THE TEA PARTY “Who would like to have a tea party?” said Mother Goose. “I would,” said Polly. “I would,” said Tom Tinker. “I would,” said Miss Muffet. “Who will get the water to make the tea?” “I will get the water,” said Jack. “I will help you,” said Jill. Jack and Jill went to get the water. [Illustration] “Who will help me set the table?” said Mother Goose. “I will help you,” said Bo-Peep. “I will help, too,” said Boy Blue. “I will get the chairs,” said Jack Horner. “Thank you, children,” said Mother Goose. Jill called: “Mother Goose! Oh, Mother Goose! Please come to Jack. Please come with me. Jack and I had a pail of water. Jack tumbled down the hill. He broke his crown. Will you help him, Mother Goose?” “I will come with you,” said Mother Goose. When Mother Goose came back, the children ran to her. “Did Jack and Jill come with you, Mother Goose?” said the children. “Jack and Jill went back to get the pail of water. They will come soon,” said Mother Goose. “Is the table set, Boy Blue? Please get the bread, Miss Muffet. Please bring in the cake, Jack Horner.” “Here is a flower, Mother Goose.” said Polly. “I like to see a flower on the table.” “Thank you,” said Mother Goose. [Illustration] Jack and Jill came in with the pail of water. “Here is the water,” said Jack. “I fell down and broke my crown. Jill came tumbling after me. The pail came tumbling down, too. Mother Goose helped me up. Jill and I went back to get the water.” [Illustration] “Who will make the tea?” said Mother Goose. “I will,” said Jack Horner. “I will,” said Boy Blue. “I will,” said Tom Tinker. “No, I will make the tea,” said Polly. They all sang: Polly, put the kettle on, Polly, put the kettle on, Polly, put the kettle on, We’ll all take tea. Soon the kettle sang. “Come to tea, come to tea,” called Polly. “Oh, see the pretty flowers! And the little cakes! Oh! Oh! Oh!” Mother Goose sat in the big chair. After tea, Miss Muffet said, “Thank you, Mother Goose.” All the children said, “Thank you,” and Boy Blue said, “I would like to have a party, too.” [Illustration] HI DIDDLE DIDDLE Hi, diddle, diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon. The little dog laughed To see such sport, And the dish ran away with the spoon. GOOD SPORT Pussy-Cat was fast asleep. The moon looked in at the open door. “Oh, ho!” she said, “I shall have some fun. Jump up, Pussy-Cat, jump up.” Pussy-Cat jumped up. “Will you sing to me Pussy?” said the moon. “Yes, I will sing if you will play the fiddle,” said Pussy. “I cannot play,” said the moon. “Then I must,” said Pussy. [Illustration] “Hi, diddle, diddle, Hi, diddle, diddle,” she sang. The moon laughed and laughed, Pussy-Cat was so funny. “Oh, look,” said the moon, “here comes the cow.” “Can the cow sing?” said the moon. “Hi, diddle, diddle, Hi, diddle, diddle,” sang the cow, as she ran after the cat. The cow ran up and down. She jumped over a box. She upset the table with the dish on it. Then she saw the moon laughing at her. “I shall jump over you, too,” said the cow, and over she went. The dish jumped up and ran away with the spoon. [Illustration] The little dog laughed so much that he could not run. He laughed so much that he could not jump. “Oh, what sport!”, he said. “Yes,” said the moon, “You and I have fun when the children are fast asleep.” [Illustration] Bow-wow-wow, Whose dog art thou? Little Tom Tinker’s dog, Bow-wow-wow. RUNNING AWAY Tom Tinker’s dog went up the hill. A little pig came down the hill. “Bow-wow-wow,” said the dog, “Whose little pig are you?” “I am Betty Pringle’s pig; I am not very little.” “You are not very big,” said the dog. “I am as big as you are,” said the pig. “Where are you going, little dog?” “I am running away,” said Tom Tinker’s dog. “Why are you running away?” said the pig. “The children had a party. I was not at it, so I am running away.” “I shall run away, too,” said the pig. And they ran away over the hill. [Illustration] Little Betty Pringle, She had a little pig, It was not very little And not very big. [Illustration] LITTLE BETTY BLUE Little Betty Blue Lost her holiday shoe. What can little Betty do? Give her another To match the other, And then she will walk in two. [Illustration] THE LOST SHOE “Mother Goose, may we go up the hill and get some flowers?” said Polly. “Yes, Polly, I will come too,” said Mother Goose. “I shall bring my dog,” said Tom Tinker. Polly ran on to get the flowers. [Illustration] She met Betty Blue. “Oh Polly,” said Betty, “I have lost my shoe. Will you help me find it, Polly?” “Yes, Betty, after I tell Mother Goose.” “Betty lost her shoe, Mother Goose. She had her holiday shoes on. She lost one on the hill. She has looked and looked, but she cannot find it.” “Poor Betty!” said Mother Goose. “Go and help her to find it.” Boy Blue said, “Let us go up the hill and help Betty to find her shoe.” “Come, Betty, take my hand.” [Illustration] March! March! Two by two, My little sister Lost her shoe. “Come, Jack and Jill. Come, Polly and Miss Muffet. Come, Tom and Jack Horner. Good-bye, Mother Goose.” “Where can that shoe be?” said Miss Muffet. “I have looked and looked. I cannot find it.” “Where can my dog be?” said Tom Tinker. “I have looked and looked but I cannot see him.” “Oh, Tom Tinker, Look! Look!” said Polly. “Here comes your dog!” Tom Tinker ran to meet him. “Good little dog! Good little dog!” he said. “Come to me, Come: Good dog!” “Oh, Betty, Betty!” called Tom Tinker. “My little dog has your shoe. I will bring it to you.” “Oh, thank you, Tom Tinker.” “Now I have another To match the other.” The children ran to tell Mother Goose. “I have found my shoe,” said Betty. “And I have found my dog,” said Tom Tinker. [Illustration] [Illustration] LITTLE BO-PEEP Little Bo-Peep Has lost her sheep, And can’t tell where to find them; Leave them alone, And they’ll come home, And bring their tails behind them. FINDING THE SHEEP “Where is Bo-Peep, children?” said Mother Goose. “She went to bring the sheep home,” said Miss Muffet. “Did she go alone?” said Mother Goose. “Yes,” said the children; “Shall we go to help her?” The children ran to find Bo-Peep. “There she is on the hill,” said Jack Horner. “There are no sheep with her,” said Polly. “She has not found them,” said Boy Blue. [Illustration] “She sees us! She is coming down! Where are your sheep, Bo-Peep?” “I cannot find them. I have looked and looked. Where can they be? Oh, where can they be?” “They are eating grass where we cannot see them,” said Boy Blue. “Leave them alone, and they’ll come home. Tom Tinker’s dog came home,” said Polly. Bo-Peep and Polly went over the hill. They came back with the sheep. “I found them,” said Bo-Peep. “They were coming home.” [Illustration] [Illustration] LITTLE BOY BLUE Little Boy Blue, come, blow up your horn, The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn; But where is the little boy tending the sheep? He’s under the haycock fast asleep. FARMER BROWN AND BOY BLUE Boy Blue was blowing his horn. Farmer Brown called him and said, “I am going to town. Will you look after the cows and the sheep until I come back?” “Oh yes,” said Boy Blue, “I will look after them.” “Keep the gate shut,” said Farmer Brown. “Oh yes,” said Boy Blue, “I will keep it shut.” The hay in the meadow looked good to eat. “Baa! Baa! I do not like this grass.” [Illustration] “I shall jump into the meadow and eat hay,” said the sheep. The sheep jumped and jumped. She did not get in. “Moo-oo,” said the cow. “How green that corn looks. I shall jump over and eat it.” The cow jumped and jumped. She did not get in. Boy Blue went to play in the meadow. He had great fun tumbling in the hay. The day was very hot. Boy Blue lay down beside a haycock and soon was fast asleep. “Baa! Baa!” said the old sheep, “Boy Blue has left the gate open. Now I can get into the meadow.” “Moo-oo!,” said the cow. “Now I can get into the cornfield.” Farmer Brown came home and found the gate open. He found the sheep in the meadow. He found the cow in the corn. He found Boy Blue fast asleep under the haycock. Farmer Brown laughed. “Boy Blue is asleep,” he said. “He is too little to look after the sheep.” [Illustration] [Illustration] LITTLE MISS MUFFET Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet Eating of curds and whey. Along came a spider And sat down beside her And frightened Miss Muffet away. BOY BLUE AND MISS MUFFET Boy Blue took Miss Muffet for a walk. “Come and see the house Farmer Brown built for the pigs,” said Boy Blue. “I do not like pigs,” said Miss Muffet. In the meadow the cow looked at her and said, “Moo-oo-oo.” Miss Muffet was frightened. “I do not like cows,” said she. “What do you like?” said Boy Blue. “I like little chicks,” said she. [Illustration] Boy Blue and Miss Muffet went to feed the hens. Miss Muffet gave them some wheat. The old cock jumped up on a box and crowed “Cock-a-doodle-doo.” He frightened Miss Muffet so much that she ran away. Mother Goose called them. “Come children. Come to tea.” She gave Miss Muffet a dish of curds and whey. Boy Blue did not like curds and whey, so Mother Goose gave him bread and milk. Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet, and Boy Blue sat on a chair. A spider came behind Miss Muffet. It came up on the tuffet beside her. She jumped up and ran away. Mother Goose laughed when Miss Muffet ran away from the little spider. Boy Blue laughed, too, and said, “The cow frightened her. The pigs frightened her. The cock frightened her. Now, the spider has frightened her.” Mother Goose called, “Come back, Miss Muffet, You have frightened the spider away.” [Illustration] ROBIN AND PUSSY-CAT Little Robin Redbreast Sat upon a tree, Up went Pussy-cat, And down went he. Down came Pussy-cat, Away Robin ran; Says Little Robin Redbreast, “Catch me if you can.” Robin I like to be up in a tree. The cat sees me. She is coming up the tree. I shall fly down when she gets up to the top. Here I go. Pussy-cat Here I am up in the tree. Where is that robin? I cannot see him. Why, there he is on the ground. I can catch him there. I shall go down. [Illustration] Robin Come on, Pussy. Here I am, Run! Run! You have four feet. I have only two. Catch me if you can. Ha! Ha! Pussy! You see I have two wings. They are a great help. Good-bye, Pussy. Pussy-cat Meow! Meow! Meow! [Illustration] [Illustration] MY LITTLE ROSE There are roses that grow on a vine, There are roses that grow on a tree, But my little Rose grows on ten little toes, And she is the rose for me. THE ALPHABET A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. I have said my A, B, C. a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z. THE CHILDREN’S SONG Land of our Birth, We pledge to thee Our love and toil In the years to be; When we are grown And take our place As men and women With our race. —KIPLING OUR COUNTRY’S FLAG THE UNION JACK RED SAYS: BE BRAVE. WHITE SAYS: BE PURE. BLUE SAYS: BE TRUE. GOD SAVE THE KING [Illustration] THE GINGERBREAD BOY Once there was a little old woman and a little old man. They lived in a little old house. The little old woman made cakes in a little old pan in a little old oven. She made a Gingerbread Boy and put it in the oven to bake. When she opened the oven, out jumped the Gingerbread Boy and ran away down the road. “Stop, stop, Little Gingerbread Boy,” said the little old man. The Gingerbread Boy called back: “Run! Run! as fast as you can. You can’t catch me. I’m the Gingerbread Man.” They ran after him, but they could not catch him. The Gingerbread Boy ran on. Soon he met a cat. “Stop, Gingerbread Boy,” said the cat. The Gingerbread Boy said, “I ran away from a little old woman and a little old man. I can run away from you, I can, I can.” The cat ran after him. The Gingerbread Boy called back, “Run! Run! as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!” The cat could not catch him. The Gingerbread Boy ran on. Soon he met a pig. “Stop, Gingerbread Boy,” said the pig. The Gingerbread Boy said, “I ran away from a little old woman, a little old man, and a big black cat. I can run away from you.” The pig ran after him. The Gingerbread Boy called back, “Run! Run! as fast as you can! You can’t catch me. I’m the Gingerbread Man!” The pig could not catch him. The Gingerbread Boy ran on until he met a dog. He called out to the dog, “I have run away from a little old woman, a little old man, a big black cat, and a little fat pig. I can run away from you, I can, I can! Run! Run! as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!” [Illustration] “Oh, indeed!” said the dog. “We will see about that. You look good to eat.” The Gingerbread Boy ran just as fast as he could. But the dog could run faster. They came to a stream. The Gingerbread Boy jumped in. The dog jumped in after him. The Gingerbread Boy could not swim. “Get on my head,” said the dog. The Gingerbread Boy got on his head. “Get on my nose,” said the dog. The Gingerbread Boy got on his nose. Snap! went the dog’s teeth, and that was the end of the Gingerbread Boy. [Illustration] [Illustration] THE LITTLE BOY’S DREAM A little boy was dreaming Upon his mother’s lap, That the pins fell out of all the stars, And the stars fell into his cap. So when his dream was over, What did that little boy do? He went and looked inside his cap, And found it was not true. [Illustration] CHICKEN LITTLE Chicken Little was in the garden. A leaf fell on her head. “What is that?” said Chicken Little. She looked up and saw the blue sky. “I will go to tell the king that the sky is falling. A piece of it fell on my head.” Chicken Little ran down the road until she met Henny Penny. “Where are you going?” said Henny Penny. “I am going to tell the king that the sky is falling,” said Chicken Little. “I will go with you,” said Henny Penny. They ran down the road until they met Cocky Locky. “Where are you going?” said Cocky Locky. [Illustration] “I am going to tell the king that the sky is falling.” “I will go with you,” said Cocky Locky. So they ran down the road until they met Ducky Lucky. “Where are you going?” said Ducky Lucky. “I am going to tell the king that the sky is falling. A piece of it fell on my head,” said Chicken Little. “I will go with you,” said Ducky Lucky. So they ran down the road until they met Goosey Loosey. “Where are you going?” said Goosey Loosey. “I am going to tell the king that the sky is falling,” said Chicken Little. “A piece of it fell on my head.” [Illustration] So they ran down the road until they met Turkey Lurkey. “Where are you going?” said Turkey Lurkey. “I am going to tell the king that the sky is falling,” said Chicken Little. “I will go with you,” said Turkey Lurkey. So they ran down the road until they met Foxy Loxy. “Where are you going?” said Foxy Loxy. “We are going to tell the king that the sky is falling. A piece of it fell on my head,” said Chicken Little. “Come with me,” said Foxy Loxy. “I will take you to the king.” But they said, “Oh, no, Foxy Loxy, we know you. We will not go with you.” So they ran and ran, but they never found the king’s house. And the king never knew that the sky was falling. [Illustration] [Illustration] What does the bee do? Bring home honey. What does Father do? Bring home money. What does Mother do? Lay out the money. What does Baby do? Eat up the honey. [Illustration] THE BOY AND THE BEE A rose tree grew in the garden. A lovely rose was on the tree. A bee came to the rose tree. It saw the lovely rose. It wanted some honey, so it went into the rose to get it. A little boy came to the garden. He saw the lovely rose, too. “I want that rose” he said, so he broke it off. He did not see the bee but he felt it. “The rose is hot,” he said as he threw it on the ground. “It burnt my hand,” and he ran home to tell his mother. [Illustration] BEES Bees don’t care about the snow; I can tell you why that’s so. Once I caught a little bee Who was much too warm for me. [Illustration] THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF There were three Billy Goats Gruff. There was Little Billy Goat Gruff. There was Middle Billy Goat Gruff. There was Big Billy Goat Gruff. They liked to eat grass; the grass on the other side of the river was very green. “Let us go over and eat grass,” said Little Billy Goat Gruff. “You go first,” said the other goats. Under the bridge lived a Troll. If the sun shone on him, he would burst. So he had to stay in the shade. Little Billy Goat Gruff began to go over the bridge. “Who is trip-tripping on my bridge?” said the Troll. “I am,” said Little Billy Goat Gruff. [Illustration] “Where are you going?” “I am going over to eat grass.” “No, you are not. I am going to eat you.” “Oh, no! don’t eat me. Eat Middle Billy Goat Gruff, he is much bigger.” “Then be off,” said the Troll. Middle Billy Goat Gruff came next. “Trip, trap,” said the bridge. “Who is trip-trapping on my bridge?” said the Troll. “I am,” said Middle Billy Goat Gruff. “Where are you going?” “I am going over the bridge to eat grass.” “No, you are not. I am going to eat you.” “Oh, don’t eat me. Eat Big Billy Goat Gruff. He is bigger than I am.” “Then be off,” said the Troll. Big Billy Goat Gruff came next. “Trip, trop, trip, trop,” said the bridge. “Who is trip-tropping on my bridge?” said the Troll. “I am,” said Big Billy Goat Gruff. “Where are you going?” “I am going over the bridge to eat grass.” “No, you are not. I am coming out to eat you,” shouted the Troll. Out he came. Big Billy Goat Gruff ran at him and knocked him heels over head. The sun shone on him and—— Pop! Bang! off he went, and that was the last of the Troll. The three goats found all the grass they could eat. They grew fat. But they never went back to their old home. [Illustration] [Illustration] THREE LITTLE KITTENS Three little kittens lost their mittens, And they began to cry, “Oh, Mother, dear, We very much fear, That we have lost our mittens.” “What! lost your mittens! You naughty kittens! Then you shall have no pie.” “Meow, Meow, Meow.” “No, you shall have no pie.” The three little kittens found their mittens, And they began to cry, “Oh, Mother, dear, See here, see here! See! we have found our mittens.” “Put on your mittens, You silly kittens, And you may have some pie.” “Purr-r, purr-r, purr-r, Oh, let us have some pie.” The three little kittens put on their mittens, And soon ate up the pie; “Oh, Mother, dear, We greatly fear, That we have soiled our mittens.” “What! soiled your mittens! You naughty kittens!” Then they began to sigh, “Meow, Meow, Meow.” The three little kittens washed their mittens, And hung them out to dry; [Illustration] “Oh, Mother, dear, Do you not hear, That we have washed our mittens?” “What! washed your mittens! Then you’re good kittens. But I smell a rat close by. Hush! Hush!” “Meow, Meow, We smell a rat close by, Meow, Meow, Meow.” [Illustration] THE LITTLE FIR TREE A jolly little fir tree sang in the woods: “I want to be A Christmas tree. I want to be A Christmas tree.” The snow came down in big white flakes. The little tree looked very pretty. A man came to the wood with an axe in his hand. “This will make a good Christmas tree,” he said, as he cut a tall one. The wind blew the little tree and it sang: “O dear, O dear! I am too small. Will no one come For me at all?” Molly and her father came for a tree. He said, “I like this big one. Shall we take it?” “Oh no, Daddy, not that one,” said Molly. “Take this little tree with the snow on it. Mother wants one for the table. We must have this tree.” And all the time Molly’s father was cutting it, the little tree sang: “I am to be A Christmas tree. I am to be A Christmas tree.” [Illustration] [Illustration] THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT This is the house that Jack built. [Illustration] This is the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. [Illustration] This is the rat, that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built. [Illustration] This is the cat, that killed the rat, that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built. [Illustration] This is the dog, that worried the cat, that killed the rat, that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built. [Illustration] This is the cow with the crumpled horn, that tossed the dog, that worried the cat, that killed the rat, that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built. [Illustration] This is the cock that crowed in the morn, that waked the cow with the crumpled horn, that tossed the dog, that worried the cat, that killed the rat, that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built. This is the farmer who planted the corn, that kept the cock that crowed in the morn, that waked the cow with the crumpled horn, that tossed the dog, that worried the cat, that killed the rat, that ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built. [Illustration] HOW THE BEE DID IT There was once a boy who had three goats. All day long the three goats ran and played in the meadow. At night the boy drove them home. One night the frisky goats jumped into a turnip field. The boy tried to get them out, but he could not. Then he sat down and cried. A hare came along and asked, “Why do you cry?” “I cry because I cannot get the goats out of the field,” said the boy. “Let me try,” said the hare. So he tried, but the goats would not come out. Then the hare, too, sat down and cried. Along came a fox. “Why do you cry?” asked the fox. “I am crying because the boy cries,” said the hare. “The boy cries because he cannot get the goats out of the field.” “Let me try,” said the fox. So the fox tried to get them out of the field. But the goats would not come out. Then the fox, too, began to cry. Soon after a wolf came along. “Why do you cry?” asked the wolf. “I cry because the hare cries,” said the fox. “The hare cries because the boy cries.” “The boy cries because he cannot get the goats out of the field.” “Let me try,” said the wolf. He tried, but the goats would not come out of the field. So he sat down with the others and began to cry, too. After a little, a bee flew over and saw them all crying. “Why do you cry?” said the bee to the wolf. “I am crying because the fox cries. The fox cries because the hare cries. The hare cries because the boy cries. The boy cries because he cannot get the goats out of the field.” “I’ll do it,” said the bee. Then the big animals and the boy stopped crying a moment to laugh at the tiny bee. But the bee flew into the field and lit upon the big goat. She stung him on his ears. She stung him on his legs. She stung him on his tail. “Baa-baa-baa!” cried the big goat and away he ran out of the field, and all the goats ran after him. [Illustration] [Illustration] LITTLE WIND Little Wind blow on the hill-top, Little Wind blow on the plain, Little Wind blow up the sunshine, Little Wind blow off the rain. [Illustration] THE THREE BEARS Once there was a great big bear, a middle-sized bear, and a wee bear. These bears lived in a house in the woods. The great big bear was Father Bear. The middle-sized bear was Mother Bear. The wee wee bear was Baby Bear. One day Mother Bear made soup for dinner—three bowls of soup; a big black bowl for Father Bear, a small white bowl for Mother Bear, a little blue bowl for Baby Bear. Then the three bears went out for a short morning walk. They did not see a little girl playing near their house. She did not see the bears, but she saw the little house. She came slowly over to the door. “What a dear wee house!” she said. “I shall see who lives here.” [Illustration] Silverlocks knocked. No one came. She lifted the latch and went in. She saw the bowls of soup. She tasted Father Bear’s soup. It was very hot with pepper. She tasted Mother Bear’s soup. It was too salty. She tasted Baby Bear’s soup. It was just right and had bread in it. She saw three chairs in the house— a big oak chair for Father Bear, a rocking chair for Mother Bear, a wee cane chair for Baby Bear. She sat in the big chair. It was too hard. She sat in the rocking chair. It was too high. She sat in the cane chair. It was just right. She ate all of Baby Bear’s soup. As she stood on the chair to put the bowl on the table, the bottom fell out of the chair. [Illustration] She went upstairs. She saw three beds there— a great big bed for Father Bear, a middle-sized bed for Mother Bear, a wee wee bed for Baby Bear. She tried each bed. The great big bed was too hard. The middle-sized bed was too soft. The wee wee bed was just right, and she was soon asleep in it. “The soup will be cool now,” said Mother Bear. “Let us go home,” said Father Bear. “I am so hungry,” said Baby Bear. The three bears came home. They looked at their soup. Father Bear had a great big voice. “Who has been tasting my soup?” he growled. Mother Bear, in a middle-sized voice, said, “Who has been tasting my soup?” Baby Bear had a wee wee voice. “Who has eaten all my soup?” he cried. “Who has been sitting in my chair?” growled Father Bear. “Who has been sitting in my chair?” said Mother Bear. “Who has been sitting in my chair and has broken it?” cried Baby Bear. Then they rushed upstairs. “Who has been lying in my bed?” growled Father Bear. “Who has been lying in my bed?” said Mother Bear. “Who has been lying in my bed? Oh, here she is; oh, here she is!” cried Baby Bear. [Illustration] Silverlocks awoke. She slid off the bed. She jumped out of the open window. She flew away home as fast as she could. Now, she does not meddle with things that do not belong to her. [Illustration] AT THE SEA-SIDE When I was down beside the sea A wooden spade they gave to me To dig the sandy shore. My holes were empty like a cup. In every hole the sea came up, Till it could come no more. BOBBY AND BETTY Mother took Bobby and Betty to the seashore to play. They each had a pail and a wooden spade. “I shall build a house,” said Bobby, and he began to pile up sand with his spade. Then he found a little piece of wood and cut the wet sand to make the walls look right. Betty was digging holes near the water. “Oh! Oh!” she cried, “the water splashed right up in my eyes.” Bobby ran to her. “I think it was a clam,” he said. “Let me dig for it.” Bobby dug and dug. “Here he is,” he said, “the naughty little clam that threw water in your eyes.” Then both children dug for clams. They dug a great many holes, but they did not find another clam. “Come and see my house,” said Bobby. “That is a funny looking house, Bobby. It is so high. I never saw a house like that.” [Illustration] “Yes, Betty, we saw one when we went up the coast with Daddy in the big boat. It was white and it was on a big rock.” “I know! I know!” cried Betty. “It was a lighthouse. Yours looks like that one. Let us ask Mother to stay till dark and we’ll put a light in it.” The children ran to tell her about the lighthouse and to ask her to stay. “We will stay a little longer,” she said. “The tide is coming in; do you wish to wade?” “Oh yes,” they both said, and off came their shoes. “Stay near the shore, children, and don’t get your clothes wet,” said Mother. They had great fun wading in the sea. “See the little boats,” said Betty. “I want to ride in a boat.” “Would you like the red one Betty? I will wade out and get it.” This made Betty laugh. “I can wade out too,” she said. Just then a little crab took a nibble at Betty’s toe. There was a cry, a splash, and then Betty stood up, dripping. Mother came running. “Oh Mother, I did not mean to fall,” said Betty. Mother took off the wet clothes and put her coat round Betty. “Lie down on the warm sand and I will pile it on you,” said Bobby. When the clothes were dry, they took Mother to see Bobby’s lighthouse. They found the water coming up very fast. The spades were afloat, and Bobby had to run into the water to get the pails. Then a great high wave came and, as it went back, it took the lighthouse with it. “Another great loss at sea!” said Mother, “A lighthouse swept away.” [Illustration] THE LITTLE HALF-CHICK An old hen sat on some eggs. Three round fluffy chickens came out. They had bright black eyes. The next chick was a little one. He had only one eye, one wing, and one leg. So his mother called him little “Half-chick.” Little Half-chick was very quick. He would hoppety-kick across the yard as fast as the other chicks ran. One day he said, “I am tired of living in this yard. I am going to Madrid to see the King.” “No! no!” said his mother, “You are too young to go alone so far.” “I shall go to Madrid,” said the little Half-chick; “I shall go to-day,” and off he went hoppety-kick. Little Half-chick came to a stream. The water had grass and weeds in it. It could not run. “Please help me, little Half-chick,” said the stream. “The weeds will not let me run.” “I have no time to help you,” said little Half-chick. “I am going to Madrid to see the King.” Hoppety-kick, hoppety-kick, went little Half-chick along the road. He came to a fire that was almost out. “Please stop and help me, little Half-chick,” said the fire. “I am almost gone. Fan me with your wing.” [Illustration] “I have no time to help you,” said little Half-chick. “I am going to Madrid to see the King.” Hoppety-kick, hoppety-kick, went little Half-chick along the road. He came to a large pine tree. It had many leaves. The wind was caught in the leaves. “Please help me,” said the wind. “I cannot get free. I cannot blow.” “I have no time to help you,” said little Half-chick. “I am going to Madrid to see the King. I begin to see houses,” and hoppety-kick, on went the little Half-chick. Then he came to the King’s house. As he went past the house, the cook saw him. “That is just what I want for the King’s dinner—chicken soup,” she said. [Illustration] She caught Half-chick and put him in a pot of water over the fire. “O, Water, please help me; do not drown me,” said the little Half-chick. “When I was in trouble with the weeds you did not help me,” said the water. The water began to boil. “O, Fire, do not make the water boil so fast,” said the little Half-chick. “It burns me.” “Once when I was almost dead, you did not help me,” said the fire. Just then the cook took the lid off the pot. “This chicken is no good,” she said, and threw it out of the window. The wind caught the Half-chick and tossed him up into the air. “O, Wind, please do not blow me round so fast,” said Little Half-chick. “When I was caught in the leaves of the tree and could not get free, you did not help me,” said the wind. The wind blew faster and faster. Up, up, up, went the little Half-chick to the top of the roof. There he is to-day, turning round and round when the wind blows. [Illustration] THE THREE PIGS Once there were three little pigs. Their mother said one morning, “You must go out And make your own houses.” Next day they all went out. A man came along the road with a load of hay. “Please, Man, give me some hay. I want to make a house,” said the first pig. So the man gave him the hay. The pig made his house and when night came, he went to bed. [Illustration] By and by a wolf came and knocked at the door and said, “Little pig, little pig, let me in.” “No, no, by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin,” said the pig, “I won’t let you in.” “If you don’t let me in, I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in,” said the wolf. The pig did not let him in. Then he huffed and he puffed and he blew the house in and ate up the poor little pig. The second pig met a man with a load of wood. “Please, Man, give me some wood. I want to make a house.” The man gave him the wood. The pig made a house of wood and, when night came, he went to bed. Again the wolf came and knocked at the door and said, “Little pig, little pig, let me in.” “No, no, by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin,” said the pig, “I won’t let you in.” “If you don’t let me in, I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in,” said the wolf. Then he huffed and puffed and he blew the house in and ate up the poor little pig. The third pig met a man with a load of bricks. He said, “Please, Man, give me some bricks to make a house.” The man gave him the bricks. The pig made a strong brick house and, when night came, he went to bed. By and by the wolf came and knocked at the door and said, “Little pig, little pig, let me in.” “No, no, by the hair of my chinny, chin, chin,” said the pig, “I won’t let you in.” “If you don’t let me in, I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house in.” Then he huffed and he puffed, and he puffed and he huffed, but he did not blow the house in. Then the wolf said, “Little pig, I know where there are nice apples. Come with me and I will show you. Be ready at five o’clock to-morrow morning.” “Yes,” said the pig, “I’ll be ready.” But he got up at four o’clock and went for the apples. He filled his basket. [Illustration] The wolf came at five o’clock. He said, “Are you ready, little pig?” “I found the apple tree,” said the little pig. “I got a big basket of apples.” The wolf was very angry and growled “I’ll eat you yet. I’ll go up on the roof and come down the chimney and eat you.” [Illustration] Now the pig had a big pot of hot water on the fire. When the wolf began to come down the chimney, the pig took the lid off the pot. Down came the wolf “Splash” into the big pot of hot water. And that was the end of the big, bad wolf. [Illustration] Sleep, baby, sleep! Thy father’s watching the sheep, Thy mother’s shaking the dreamland tree, And down drops a little dream for thee. Sleep, baby, sleep. Sleep, baby, sleep! The large stars are the sheep; The little stars are the lambs, I guess, The bright moon is the shepherdess. Sleep, baby, sleep. [Illustration] THE LITTLE BLUE EGG A little boy and his mother lived in a little house on an old farm. A little stream of water ran across the farm. Little trees and bushes grew beside the stream. One summer day the little boy went out of the little house to take a little walk. He opened the gate and went out into the fields. When he came to the little stream, he sat down by it to rest under the shade of a little tree. As he looked up into the tree, he saw a little bird on its nest. The little bird was afraid and flew away. “Now,” said the boy, “I will peep into that nest, just one peep.” He did and saw three blue eggs in it. They were very pretty eggs. He said, “I’ll take one, just one. The bird will not miss it.” He took the egg home and put it in a little box in the window. He did not tell his mother. He was tired and lay down upon his bed. He fell asleep. Was he dreaming? He heard a tap on the window, and a voice said, “Bring back my little blue egg.” He was ashamed and hid his head under the clothes. He fell asleep. Again he heard a tap on the window, but louder, and the voice said, “Bring back my little blue egg.” He was more ashamed and hid his head farther under the clothes. Again he fell asleep. Once more he heard the tap, tap, on the window. The voice seemed very loud as it said, “BRING BACK MY LITTLE BLUE EGG” The little boy was so ashamed that he jumped out of the bed, took the egg and ran, as fast as he could, to the tree. The bird was sitting on the nest, She flew up and lit on a limb. The boy put the egg in the nest. He said, “Here is your little egg. I am very, very sorry I took it. I am ashamed.” The bird said, “Peep! Peep! Peep!” [Illustration] [Illustration] SPRING WAKING A snowdrop lay in the sweet, dark ground, “Come out,” said the Sun, “come out.” But she lay quite still and she heard no sound; “Asleep,” said the Sun, “no doubt.” The snowdrop heard, for she raised her head, “Look spry,” said the Sun, “look spry!” “It’s warm,” said the Snowdrop, “here in bed.” “Oh, fie!” said the sun, “oh, fie!” “You call too soon, Mr. Sun, you do!” “No, no,” said the Sun, “oh, no!” “There’s something above and I can’t see through.” “It’s snow,” said the Sun, “just snow.” “But I say, Mr. Sun, are the Robins here?” “Maybe,” said the Sun, “maybe.” “There wasn’t a bird when you called last year.” “Come out,” said the Sun, “and see.” The Snowdrop sighed, for she liked her nap, And there wasn’t a bird in sight, But she popped out of bed in her white night-cap; “That’s right,” said the Sun, “that’s right!” And, soon as that small night-cap was seen, A Robin began to sing, The air grew warm, and the grass turned green. “’Tis Spring!” laughed the Sun, “’tis Spring!” —ISABEL ECCLESTONE MACKAY [Illustration] APPENDIX This book provides easy material of an interesting nature for the purpose of teaching young children to read. It contains the kind of literature which the child loves and which is his rightful heritage. It includes in simplified form many of the children’s classics—Mother Goose Tales, Nursery Rhymes, Stories about Children, Animals, Birds, Flowers, etc. These seize his interest, stimulate his imagination, and arouse in him the desire to read. Interest and pleasure in the story is the motive for mastering the vocabulary. From the beginning the stories are simple, conversational and appealing, and the excellent illustrations will intensify interest. The language is familiar, the sentences short and the phrasing easy. There is careful gradation of difficulties and much repetition of words and phrases to fix the printed form. While it is suggested that the rhymes should be memorized before being used as reading exercises and that the earlier selections should be taught by the sentence and word method, it is recognized that few, if any, teachers confine their work to a single method, but use a combination of methods found best suited to the needs of their classes. The Teachers’ Manual of Method, published by The Macmillan Company of Canada, Limited, describes clearly how various methods of teaching primary reading may be used with this Reader and provides material for silent reading, dramatization, incidental reading growing out of school activities, language exercises, and phonic drill. WORD LIST: PRIMER This list gives the new words in the order in which they first appear. The numeral above each group of words refers to the page of the Primer. =5= Tom Tinker had dog it said bow-wow =6= Jack Sprat cat meow =7= Betty Pringle Pig ough =8= little red hen some chicks they peep =9= and loved me fed my under hollow tree went =13= Daffy-down-dilly has come up to town in yellow petticoat green gown =14= found wheat she called =15= who hill help plant not I then did =16= cut =17= grind =18= make bread =19= bake myself =20= eat =21= you would shall =22= Mother Goose Miss Muffet Bo-Peep Boy Blue Jack Horner Polly Jill =23= get pail of water fell broke his crown came tumbling after =24= like have tea party =25= set table chairs thank too children =26= oh please when back ran her with =27= soon bring cake here is flower see on =29= no all sang put kettle we’ll take =30= pretty sat big =31= high diddle fiddle cow jumped over moon laughed such sport dish away spoon =32= pussy was fast asleep looked open door ho fun sing yes play must =33= so funny =34= box upset saw at laughing =35= much that could what are =36= whose thou =37= very as where going running =38= why =39= Betty Blue lost holiday shoe do give another match other walk two =40= may we go =41= met find tell poor =42= hand march sister good-bye =43= be but meet =45= sheep can’t leave them alone they’ll home their tails behind =47= coming your =48= eating grass =49= blow horn meadow corn tending he’s under haycock =50= Farmer Brown until gate shut hay baa moo-oo =52= great hot lay beside now =54= tuffet curds whey along spider frightened =55= took for house built =56= feed gave cock-a-doodle-doo crowed =57= milk robin redbreast says catch =60= fly top ground =61= four feet only ha wings =62= roses grow vine ten toes PHONETIC TABLES These tables contain selected groups of phonic words similar in type and suitable for practice and illustration. The initial consonant sounds are learned from known words and are first combined with the short sound of the vowel “a” as in =ma=, =fa=, =pa=, =ca=, etc. Then another consonant is added as in the groups below. The sounds of the other vowels are blended similarly with known consonants. The Teachers’ Manual supplies further instruction in methods for teaching and drill in Phonics. =m f p h c b s t g d n a= mad man map mat fan fat pad pan pat had ham hat can cap cat tag tan tap bad bag bat sad Sam sap sat =l r j= lad lag lap dad dam Dan nag Nan nap rag ram ran rap rat gad gag gap jag jam Jap Teach the short sound of “=i=” and blend with known consonants as =mi=, =fi=, =pi=, =hi=, etc. Then build groups based on these. Teach children to pronounce =fi-g=, =fi-ll=, =fi-n=, etc. fig fill fin fit pig pin pit mill miss hid hill him hip hit Tim tin tip lid lip bid big bill bin bit gig =k w= sin sip sit did din dig dip nib rid rig rim rip kiss kit wig will win jib jig Jip Teach the short sound of “o” and use with known consonants. Drill on sounds =b=, =p=, =d=, as these are sometimes confused. mob mop fob fog hob hod hog hop hot pop pot cob cod cog cot Tom top toss tot Bob log sob sod rob rod not dog got job jog Teach the short sound of “u” and use with known consonants and vowels. mud muff mug muss fun fuss tub tug hug hull hum hut puff pug pup pun purr sum sun sup bud bug bun but buff burr rub rug run rub dub dug dun dull nun nut gum gun gull jug As the short sound of “e” occurs more rarely than the short sounds of the other vowels it is placed last. men met fed fell fen pen peg pet hen bed beg bell Ben sell set red Ned net Nell get well wet led leg let =a e i o u= with =x= and =v= fan fed fix fox fun bad bet bill box bun gad get gig got gun sap set six sod sup vat vex Vix vox lux See that the children recognize the blend, then the first three letters, and finally the whole word as =mi-s-t= mast mist milk mint must felt fist film tend tent hand hint hump hunt sand self send sift silk band bond bent best belt kept land lamp lend lent lest lift limp lint list lost gift gilt dump dust pulp pump punt pond nest next jump just went west wind The consonant digraphs =sh= =ch= =ng= =nk= =ck= and =tch= must be carefully taught and drilled upon. Teach the children to pronounce thus, =mu-sh= =mu-ch= mush much cash catch dish duck deck pack peck pang patch sang sing song such rang ring rich rock bang bank back rung rink pink king fish latch wing Jack In the following words a blend of two consonants precedes the vowel. Children should sound the words thus, =sna-p= =sla-m= =sla-p= snap slam slap slip slept span spill spin spun skin skip swam swim flag flat fluff from frisk plan plot drink brick bring clap clam crab crop trap trip trop twig twin dress drip drop Use =th= =wh= =ch= =sh= as initial sounds. Distinguish between =th= in =thin= and in =that=. thin thick thing thank think that this them then thus when whip whim which whiff shall shell shin ship shop chap chin chip chick chill Teach the “z” sound of “s” as an ending, “y” at the beginning of words, and “qu.” dogs runs hens pigs ribs eggs fans buds hills pails gulls dolls as has is his yet yell yes your quick queer quite quill Long vowel sounds occur early in the book. Some of the simplest of these may be taught as grouped below. me he be we she see bee wee tree free meet feed seen been green oh ho no so go my by cry try fly too moo soon moon spoon Teach the long sounds of “a,” “e,” “i,” “o,” “u.” Emphasize the effect that final “e” has in making the vowel sound long. man mane lane pane cane tap tape cape nape shape mat mate late gate plate tam tame came lame game rid ride side bide hide pin pine dine fine wine hop hope mope rope slope dim dime time lime clime mad made fade Sam same sham shame blame rod rode Note that “s” usually has “z” sound when followed by “e”. nose rose close these those wise rise drove five while shine shade wade spade hole Where two vowels come together the first one usually governs. ee (seem) ea (seat) ai (pail) ay (play) oa (boat) oe (toe) ie (tried) y (my) ue (blue) ew (dew) keep sleep sheep peep queen sweet sea tea dear fear rain maid hay day may stay gray play oak oar coast coat boat toe hoe snow grow blow bowl pie lie fie sky spry due new In the following words “oo” has the sound heard in =too=. too coo moo hoof roof toot root hoot boot shoot coon moon soon noon spoon cool pool spool tool stool poor room roost proof broom Other book words using the same sound with different spelling. to do two shoe who whose grew blew flew threw In the following words “oo” is pronounced as in =took=. took cook look book crook nook shook stood wood good “a” and “o” modified by “r”. car jar arm art tar bar far cart farm hard harm barn darn bard dark mark for corn born horn morn cork fork carp sharp harp star spar scarf storm north short scorn scorch porch Words containing the sounds of “er,” “ir,” “ur.” her fern pert jerk term fir sir stir dirt bird girl third first cur fur hurt turn burn purr burr curl curds chirp skirt shirt In the following words “ou” and “ow” are pronounced alike. cow bow wow now how fowl down town crown brown drown frown gown out pout shout our sour loud count found ground mouse house south mouth sound proud bound stout TRANSCRIBER NOTES Mis-spelled words and printer errors have been corrected. Where multiple spellings occur, majority use has been employed. [The end of _The Canadian Readers, Book I, A Primer and First Reader_ by John Miller Dow Meiklejohn]