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types of human experience are presented in the
fairy tale； in the poetry of their images； and
although the child is aware only of the image
at the time； the truth enters with it and becomes
a part of his individual experience； to be recognised
in its relations at a later stage。 Every
truth and type so given broadens and deepens
the capacity of the child's inner life； and adds
an element to the store from which he draws
his moral inferences。
The most familiar instance of a moral truth
conveyed under a fairy…story image is probably
the story of the pure…hearted and loving girl
whose lips were touched with the wonderful
power of dropping jewels with every spoken
word； while her stepsister； whose heart was
infested with malice and evil desires； let ugly
toads fall from her mouth whenever she spoke。
I mention the old tale because there is probably
no one of my readers who has not heard it in
childhood； and because there are undoubtedly
many to whose mind it has often recurred in
later life as a sadly perfect presentment of the
fact that 〃out of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh。〃 That story has entered into
the forming consciousness of many of us； with
its implications of the inevitable result of visible
evil from evil in the heart； and its revelation of
the loathsomeness of evil itself。
And no less truly than this story has served
to many as an embodiment of moral law has
another household tale stood for a type of
common experience。 How much the poorer
should we be； mentally； without our early
prophecy of the 〃ugly ducklings〃 we are to meet
later in life！those awkward offspring of our
little human duckyard who are mostly well
kicked and buffeted about； for that very length
of limb and breadth of back which needs must
be； to support swan's wings。 The story of the
ugly duckling is much truer than many a bald
statement of fact。 The English…speaking world
bears witness to its verity in constant use of the
title as an identifying phrase： 〃It is the old
story of the ugly duckling；〃 we say； or 〃He has
turned out a real ugly duckling。〃 And we know
that our hearers understand the whole situation。
The consideration of such familiar types and
expressions as that of the ugly duckling suggests
immediately another good reason for giving the
child his due of fairy lore。 The reason is that
to omit it is to deprive him of one important
element in the full appreciation of mature literature。
If one thinks of it； one sees that nearly
all adult literature is made by people who； in
their beginnings； were bred on the wonder
tale。 Whether he will or no； the grown…up
author must incorporate into his work the
tendencies； memories； kinds of feeling which were
his in childhood。 The literature of maturity
is； naturally； permeated by the influence of the
literature of childhood。 Sometimes it is apparent
merely in the use of a name； as suggestive of
certain kinds of experience； such are the
recurrences of reference to the Cinderella story。
Sometimes it is an allusion which has its strength
in long association of certain qualities with
certain characters in fairydomlike the slyness of
Brother Fox； and the cruelty of Brother Wolf。
Sometimes the association of ideas lies below
the surface； drawing from the hidden wells of
poetic illusion which are sunk in childhood。
The man or woman whose infancy was nourished
exclusively on tales adapted from science…made…
easy； or from biographies of good men and great；
must remain blind to these beauties of literature。
He may look up the allusion； or identify the
reference； but when that is done he is but richer
by a fact or two； there is no remembered thrill
in it for him； no savour in his memory； no
suggestion to his imagination； and these are
precisely the things which really count。 Leaving
out the fairy element is a loss to literary culture
much as would be the omission of the Bible or
of Shakespeare。 Just as all adult literature is
permeated by the influence of these； familiar in
youth； so in less degree is it transfused with the
subtle reminiscences of childhood's commerce
with the wonder world。
To turn now from the inner to the outer aspects
of the old…time tale is to meet another cause of
its value to children。 This is the value of its
style。 Simplicity； directness； and virility
characterise the classic fairy tales and the most
memorable relics of folklore。 And these are
three of the very qualities which are most seriously
lacking in much of the new writing for
children； and which are always necessary elements
in the culture of taste。 Fairy stories
are not all well told； but the best fairy stories
are supremely well told。 And most folk…tales
have a movement； a sweep； and an unaffectedness
which make them splendid foundations for
taste in style。
For this； and for poetic presentation of truths
in easily assimilated form； and because it gives
joyous stimulus to the imagination； and is necessary
to full appreciation of adult literature； we
may freely use the wonder tale。
Closely related to； sometimes identical with；
the fairy tale is the old； old source of children's
love and laughter；
THE NONSENSE TALE
Under this head I wish to include all the
merely funny tales of childhood； embracing the
cumulative stories like that of the old woman
and the pig which would not go over the stile。
They all have a specific use and benefit； and are
worth the repetition children demand for them。
Their value lies； of course； in the tonic and
relaxing properties of humour。 Nowhere is that
property more welcome or needed than in the
schoolroom。 It does us all good to laugh； if
there is no sneer nor smirch in the laugh； fun
sets the blood flowing more freely in the veins；
and loosens the strained cords of feeling and
thought； the delicious shock of surprise at every
〃funny spot〃 is a kind of electric treatment for
the nerves。 But it especially does us good to
laugh when we are children。 Every little body
is released from the conscious control school
imposes on it； and huddles into restful comfort
or responds gaily to the joke。
More than this； humour teaches children； as
it does their grown…up brethren； some of the
facts and proportions of life。 What keener
teacher is there than the kindly satire？ What
more penetrating and suggestive than the humour
of exaggerated statement of familiar tendency？
Is there one of us who has not laughed himself
out of some absurd complexity of over…anxiety
with a sudden recollection of 〃clever Alice〃
and her fate？ In our household clever Alice is
an old habituee； and her timely arrival has saved
many a situation which was twining itself about
more 〃ifs〃 than it could comfortably support。
The wisdom which lies behind true humour is
found in the nonsense tale of infancy as truly as
in mature humour； but in its own kind and
degree。 〃Just for fun〃 is the first reason for the
humorous story； the wisdom in the fun is the
second。
And now we come to
THE NATURE STORY
No other type of fiction is more familiar to
the teacher； and probably no other kind is the
source of so much uncertainty of feeling。 The
nature story is much used； as I have noticed
above； to illustrate or to teach the habits of
animals and the laws of plant…growth； to stimulate
scientific interest as well as to increase
culture in scientific fact。 This is an entirely
legitimate object。 In view of its present
preponderance； it is certainly a pity； however； that
so few stories are available； the accuracy of
which； from this point of view； can be vouched
for。 The carefully prepared book of to…day is
refuted and scoffed at to…morrow。 The teacher
who wishes to use story…telling chiefly as an
element in nature study must at least limit herself
to a small amount of absolutely