Laying Down the Rails for Children - Simply Charlotte Mason
Laying Down the Rails for Children - Simply Charlotte Mason
Laying Down the Rails for Children - Simply Charlotte Mason
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Decency and Propriety Habits<br />
rate, that <strong>the</strong> shoemaker was all wonder, and could not take his eyes off <strong>the</strong>m. And on<br />
<strong>the</strong>y went, till <strong>the</strong> job was quite done, and <strong>the</strong> shoes stood ready <strong>for</strong> use upon <strong>the</strong> table.<br />
This was long be<strong>for</strong>e daybreak; and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y bustled away as quick as lightning.<br />
The next day <strong>the</strong> wife said to <strong>the</strong> shoemaker. ‘These little wights have made us rich,<br />
and we ought to be thankful to <strong>the</strong>m, and do <strong>the</strong>m a good turn if we can. I am quite<br />
sorry to see <strong>the</strong>m run about as <strong>the</strong>y do; and indeed it is not very decent, <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>y have<br />
nothing upon <strong>the</strong>ir backs to keep off <strong>the</strong> cold. I’ll tell you what, I will make each of <strong>the</strong>m<br />
a shirt, and a coat and waistcoat, and a pair of pantaloons into <strong>the</strong> bargain; and do you<br />
make each of <strong>the</strong>m a little pair of shoes.’<br />
The thought pleased <strong>the</strong> good cobbler very much; and one evening, when all <strong>the</strong><br />
things were ready, <strong>the</strong>y laid <strong>the</strong>m on <strong>the</strong> table, instead of <strong>the</strong> work that <strong>the</strong>y used to cut<br />
out, and <strong>the</strong>n went and hid <strong>the</strong>mselves, to watch what <strong>the</strong> little elves would do.<br />
About midnight in <strong>the</strong>y came, dancing and skipping, hopped round <strong>the</strong> room, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>n went to sit down to <strong>the</strong>ir work as usual; but when <strong>the</strong>y saw <strong>the</strong> clo<strong>the</strong>s lying <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>m, <strong>the</strong>y laughed and chuckled, and seemed mightily delighted.<br />
Then <strong>the</strong>y dressed <strong>the</strong>mselves in <strong>the</strong> twinkling of an eye, and danced and capered<br />
and sprang about, as merry as could be; till at last <strong>the</strong>y danced out at <strong>the</strong> door, and away<br />
over <strong>the</strong> green.<br />
The good couple saw <strong>the</strong>m no more; but everything went well with <strong>the</strong>m from that<br />
time <strong>for</strong>ward, as long as <strong>the</strong>y lived.<br />
Notes<br />
Lesson 10<br />
Read Romans 5:6–8 and talk about how God shows kindness toward us even while we<br />
are yet sinners. Read and discuss <strong>the</strong> poem, “On Ano<strong>the</strong>r’s Sorrow.”<br />
On Ano<strong>the</strong>r’s Sorrow<br />
by William Blake<br />
Can I see ano<strong>the</strong>r’s woe,<br />
And not be in sorrow too?<br />
Can I see ano<strong>the</strong>r’s grief,<br />
And not seek <strong>for</strong> kind relief?<br />
Can I see a falling tear,<br />
And not feel my sorrow’s share?<br />
Can a fa<strong>the</strong>r see his child<br />
Weep, nor be with sorrow filled?<br />
Can a mo<strong>the</strong>r sit and hear<br />
An infant groan, an infant fear?<br />
No, no! never can it be!<br />
Never, never can it be!<br />
And can He who smiles on all<br />
Hear <strong>the</strong> wren with sorrows small,<br />
Hear <strong>the</strong> small bird’s grief and care,<br />
Hear <strong>the</strong> woes that infants bear—<br />
And not sit beside <strong>the</strong> nest,<br />
Pouring pity in <strong>the</strong>ir breast,<br />
<strong>Simply</strong><strong>Charlotte</strong><strong>Mason</strong>.com 39