Lesson:

1. Once when there was a famine, a rich baker sent for twenty of the poorest children in the town, and said to them, 'In this basket there is a loaf for each of you. Take it, and come back to me every day at this hour till God sends us better times.'


2. The hungry children gathered eagerly about the basket, and quarreled for the bread, because each wished to have the largest loaf. At last they went away without even thanking the good gentleman.


3. But Gretchen, a poorly-dressed little girl, did not quarrel or struggle with the rest, but remained standing modestly in the distance. When the ill-behaved girls had left, she took the smallest loaf, which alone was left in the basket, kissed the gentleman's hand, and went home.


4. The next day the children were as ill-behaved as before, and poor, timid Gretchen received a loaf scarcely half the size of the one she got the first day. When she came home, and her mother cut the loaf open, many new, shining pieces of silver fell out of it.


5. Her mother was very much alarmed, and said, 'Take the money back to the good gentleman at once, for it must have got into the dough by accident. Be quick, Gretchen! be quick!'


6. But when the little girl gave the rich man her mother's message, he said, 'No, no, my child, it was no mistake. I had the silver pieces put into the smallest loaf to reward you. Always be as contented, peaceable, and grateful as you now are. Go home now, and tell your mother that the money is your own.'





DEFINITIONS


1. Famine: A general scarcity of food.


1. Loaf: A molded mass of regular shape (as of bread or cake).


3. Gretchen: A girl's name - the shortened for or pet name for Marguerite.


3. Remained: Stayed.


3. Distance: Place which is far off.


3. Ill-behaved: Rude, having bad manners.


5. Accident: Mistake.


6. Message: Word sent, communication.


6. Peaceable: Quiet, gentle.