The Tale of Peter Rabbit A long time ago, there lived four little rabbits, with fancy names: Flopsy, Cotton-tail, Peter and Mopsy. They lived under a very big fir tree, in a sand-bank. One day, old Mrs. Rabbit called the four little rabbits for a little talk. "Listen to me," she said, "I know that you like to run and play all around the place, but I advise you not to go to Mr. McGregor's garden. Do you know why?" Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail and Peter shook their heads. "Your father was killed in Mr. McGregor's garden. Mrs. McGregor put him in a pie," mother rabbit said solemnly. ... read more

The Arab and His Camel An Arab had a camel. One cold night the Arab lay asleep inside the tent while the camel stood outside. At midnight the camel awoke his master and requested him to allow him to put his head inside the tent as it was bitter cold outside. The Arab allowed him to do so. After a while, the camel asked the Arab if he might put his neck inside the tent. The Arab did not object to do it. Soon after the camel requested him again to allow him to bring his legs inside. The Arab agreed. Now the camel stood completely inside the twit. But as there was not space enough fo ... read more

The Lost Camel Once two merchants lost a camel. They met a traveller and asked him if he had seen it. The man replied he had not." But was your camel blind in the right eye?" Said he to them. "Yes, he was", replied the merchants. "Was it lame in one left foot?" The man asked again. "Cer­tainly it was", said the merchants. "Was its front tooth missing"? said he to them." Indeed I" said they. "Was it loaded with honey on one side and with wheat on the other?" "That is just how it was loaded," they answered. "Please take us to it." "But I have not seen your camel," said the man "and I ... read more

Delicacy of Feeling THE value of a charitable deed depends entirely upon the way it is done. Remember, the poor are always sensitive. Said a poor woman: "If anyone gives me anything and then tells of it, I've paid for it" Yes, paid for it in shame and distress more than the gift was worth. Said a lady at her gate one day: "That's Mrs. Dean; I know it's her by her dress. I gave it to her." Once one man said to another, " I gave you this work because you were poor and I thought you'd be glad to get it." Why did he remind the man of his distress, already hard to bear? It would have sounded ... read more

AN OLD MAN AND AN ASS Once an old man and his son were going to the market to sell an ass. They walked along beside the ass. A passer-by commented, "How foolish you are! Why don't you ride the ass instead of walking along?" At this, the old man lifted his son onto the ass. A little further, another traveler said to the boy, "You rascal! How can you ride the ass, when your old father trudges along?" The son felt ashamed and made his father sit on the ass. Then they came across a third person, who was shocked that the old man was riding the ass while his little son walked. The father ... read more