Write five other sentences, using too with words not

given in the list.

109

TALKING ABOUT A POEM

THE BLIND MEN AND THE ELEPHANT

It was six men of Indostan

To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),

That each by observation

Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant,
And happening to fall

Against his broad and sturdy side,

At once began to bawl:

"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, "Ho! what have we here

So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take

The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:

"I see," quoth he, “the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out his eager hand, And felt about the knee.

"What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," quoth he; "Tis clear enough the Elephant

Is very like a tree."

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said, "Even the blindest man

Can tell what this resembles most;

Deny the fact who can,

This marvel of an Elephant

Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun

About the beast to grope

Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,

"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan

Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

-John Saxe.

To what did each of the blind men compare the

You will notice that these words never change in form. Sometimes they stand alone, sometimes they are helped by have, has, or had.

1. Soap bubbles burst very quickly.

2. .That big one you made burst sooner than the little

ones.

3. All of mine have burst.

4. My finger hurts very badly.

5. I hurt it while I was chopping wood.

6. That makes three fingers that I have hurt with the

Write sentences, using these words.

sentences to the class.

Read your

Remember that the form of burst and hurt never

changes.

111

A STORY

THE MEANING OF THE FLAG

Hats off! The flag is passing by.

Boys and girls of America, how are you showing your love and respect for Old Glory?

As you see it floating over a public building or carried in a parade, do you think of the millions of men who have given their lives to protect it?

All our history centers around the Stars and Stripes. It was born in a little shop in Philadelphia when, with a snip of the scissors, Betsy Ross showed General Washington how to cut a five pointed star for the new flag. John Paul Jones first raised it at sea under the very cliffs of Old England, when he lashed his ship to that of the enemy, and fought hand to hand until the British surrendered. Ever since, it has been known as the flag which has never met defeat.

It stands for liberty and justice for all who live under its protecting folds. It has stood for even more than that since it crossed the ocean and led our brave boys to victory in the World War. Here is part of a letter written by an American who was in Paris on the 14th of July, 1918. On that day our troops took part in the French celebration of the Independence Day of France.

"I was in Paris on the 14th of July. It was a wonderful day in every way. English, Belgian, Italian,

But away off

all of them took the city by storm. down the line I heard a hum that steadily grew louder and sounded above all the rest of the noise, a hum that somehow got inside of me and made me stand a little straighter. Then about a block away, I saw a flash of color. Oh! how wonderful it looked to me! For the color resolved itself into the 'Colors.' Then I thought the heavens had broken loose. I have never in my life heard such an outburst of noise. It was not the high shouting that one usually hears, but a roar that started away down and gradually increased until, when it broke, the very windows rattled. It sounded like the yell of a million rooters. Then, just as quickly as it had started, it died down, and amid an absolute silence and with every civilian hat off, every man in uniform at a stiff salute, the colors of the United States went by."

112

TALKING ABOUT THE FLAG

Describe Old Glory.

Who made the first flag?

Tell when and where it was first raised at sea.

How did the American feel when he saw the flag in Paris?

How did the crowd show respect to the Stars and Stripes?

How do you show respect to the flag when you see it passing in a parade?

How do you show respect to it in school?

How is the flag used to honor the dead?

Give the salute to the flag.