Written by Guy de Maupassant With the first day of spring, when the awakening earth puts on its garment of green, and the warm, fragrant air fans our faces and fills our lungs and appears even to penetrate to our hearts, we experience a vague, undefined longing for freedom, for happiness, a desire to run, to wander aimlessly, to breathe in the spring. The previous winter having been unusually severe, this spring feeling was like a form of intoxication in May, as if there were an overabundant supply of sap. One morning on waking I saw from my window the blue sky glowing in the sun above t ... read more

IN THE ZOO One day Danny went with his father to a zoo. He was very excited to see different types of birds and animals. After a while, they came in front of the cage of a lion. Danny's father told him how ferocious and strong lions are. Danny was listening very attentively. Finally, he spoke up, Dad, if somehow the lion comes out of the cage and eats you up, then how will I get back home? At least tell me the route to reach home. Danny's father laughed at the innocent question of the son.

In a small town in England, there lived a poor little girl. Her friend invited her to come to her birthday party. She was so excited. But her right shoe was spoilt. She needed to get it mended quickly. So, she went to see a cobbler in her little town. “Cobbler, cobbler," called the girl. “Please mend my shoe." “When do you want it done, little girl?" asked the cobbler. “Get it done by half-past two. Then I will give you half a crown," said the girl. The cobbler smiled and quickly mended her shoe. The cobbler finished repairing her shoe before half-past two. The little girl was ... read more

Once upon a time, in a village far away, there lived six blind men. One day the villagers were very excited, and when they asked what was happening they told them, "Hey, there is an elephant in the village today!" They had no idea what an elephant was, and so they decided, "Even though we will not be able to see it, we can feel it. Let's go." So, they all went to where the elephant was, and each of them touched it: "Hey, the elephant is a pillar," said the first man, touching its leg. "Oh, no! it is like a rope," said the second man, who was touching the tail. "Oh, no! it is ... read more

THE TALKING PARROT Once, a lady wanted to but a talking parrot for herself. So she went to a pet shop owner and told him about her requirement. The shop owner said, Yes madam, I have a talking parrot. Then he showed her a parrot. The owner further said, If you pull the string on the left leg, he'll say; Hi, how are you? And if you pull the string on the right leg, he'll say; I'm fine, thank you. At this the lady asked, What if I pull both the strings? Then I would fall from this perch, you stupid lady! answered the parrot.