Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Literature Part 27

The pupils should finally read the lesson aloud, to show how they have appreciated the story.

CHAPTER VIII

SUPPLEMENTARY READING

Before studying these lessons in supplementary reading, it is suggested that the teacher read again what has been said on "Extensive Reading", p. 39 of this Manual.

SOUTH-WEST WIND, ESQ.

(Third Reader, page 86)

You have read the story of South-West Wind, Esq., in the Third Reader.

Who were the persons mentioned in this story?

Three brothers, Schwartz, Hans, and Gluck.

What were their characters? Schwartz and Hans were rich but very miserly; they were quarrelsome, drunken, and cruel. Gluck was kind, polite, and unselfish.

How did Gluck show these qualities? He admitted the stranger into the house for shelter from the rain, when he knew his brothers would punish him for so doing; he asked politely to take the stranger's cloak, when the water dripping from it was putting the fire out; and he offered him his share of the mutton, although he knew it meant that he must go without his own supper.

When the older brothers returned what did they do? They tried to punish Gluck and to force the stranger out of the house.

What happened? They were hurled to the ground by the stranger, who was much stronger than they supposed.

What other punishment did they receive? The roof was blown off the house while they slept, and their beautiful valley, together with their crops and cattle, was utterly destroyed by the heavy rains.

Who was the stranger? He left his card with "South-West Wind, Esq." written on it.

Now the story in the Reader is only the first chapter of a longer story, which relates what fortune came to the three brothers. What should you expect would happen to them? I should expect that Schwartz and Hans would have more troubles, and that Gluck would be rewarded for his kind-heartedness.

CHAPTER II

Read the second chapter of this longer story called _The King of the Golden River_.

Give me the main points in this chapter?

1. The valley was turned into a desert.

2. The brothers became goldsmiths.

3. The mug 4. Gluck's wish that the river would turn into gold 5. The voice from the furnace 6. The dwarf 7. The King told Gluck how the river could be turned into gold.

What are the characters of the two brothers in this chapter? They were very dishonest and even tried to mix copper with the gold. They were drunken and wasted their money, and they were lazy and cruel.

Describe the mug that was being melted. It had been given to them by their uncle, and Gluck was very fond of it. It was made of gold almost in the form of a human face. The face was fierce and red, the eyes were bright, the beard and whiskers were of fine gold, and the hair was of fine spun gold, forming the handle of the mug.

While the mug was being melted in the furnace, what did Gluck see as he looked out of the window? The range of mountains overhanging Treasure Valley, with the mountain tops s.h.i.+ning in the sunset.

This is a lovely description of a sunset in the mountains. Pick out the details of the picture.

"Rocks ... all crimson and purple with the sunset", "bright tongues of fiery cloud", "the river ... a waving column of pure gold", "the double arch of a broad purple rainbow", "flus.h.i.+ng and fading alternately in the wreaths of spray".

What words suggest colours? "Crimson", "purple", "fiery", "pure gold", "purple rainbow", "flus.h.i.+ng", "fading".

What did this picture suggest to Gluck? It made him wish that the river were really gold.

Describe the dwarf who came out of the furnace.

He was a foot and a half high; his hair and beard were long, curled, and delicate, and his face was copper-coloured.

Account for the dwarf being in such a place. It was owing to the malicious enchantment of a king stronger than himself that he had been turned into the golden mug, and, when the mug was melted, Gluck poured out the metal, and, thus freed the King of the Golden River from the power of his enemy.

How did the King show his grat.i.tude? He told Gluck how the river could be turned into gold.

What must Gluck do in order to gain this end?

He must climb to the top of the mountain and cast three drops of holy water into the stream at its source.

CHAPTER III

What are the main facts in this chapter?

1. The brothers returned and beat Gluck because the mug was a total loss.

2. Schwartz and Hans fought.

3. Schwartz was arrested.

4. Hans stole a cupful of holy water.

5. Hans taunted Schwartz.

6. Hans attempted to change the river to gold.

(1) The dog; (2) the fair child; (3) the old man.

7. Hans was changed into the Black Stone.

What characteristics of the older brothers are shown in this chapter? They were drunken, brutal, quarrelsome, dishonest, malicious, and selfish.

Why are the dog, the child, and the old man introduced into the story? To show how indifferent Hans was to the suffering of animals, children, and aged people. The sight of these helpless creatures should have aroused his pity.

Were there any indications in the story that Hans would be unsuccessful? Yes, there was "a strange shadow"; the air "seemed to throw his blood into a fever"; "a dark gray cloud came over the sun"; "long, snake-like shadows"; "leaden weight of the dead air"; "flash of blue lightning"; "tongues of fire"; "flashes of b.l.o.o.d.y light".

Why was Hans unsuccessful? He had led a bad life, had been dishonest, and had been selfish to the dog, the child, and the aged man.

Show that it was an appropriate punishment that Hans should be turned into a Black Stone. His heart was as hard as stone, and his deeds were black.

CHAPTER IV

What is the main theme of this chapter?

Schwartz's attempt to turn the river into gold.

What are the chief incidents recorded?