t as I rode by, it fell into the water, and was in danger of being
drowned.

"I at once dismounted from my horse, and plunging into the water,
brought it safe to land. All the people of the village where this
happened will tell you that what I say is true. Was it not a noble
action?"

"My son," replied the old man, "you did only what was your duty. You
could hardly have left the child to die without exerting yourself to
save it. You, too, have acted well, but not nobly."

Then the third son came forward to tell his tale. He said: "Father, I
had an enemy, who for years had done me much harm and tried to take my
life.

"One evening during my journey, I was passing along a dangerous road
which ran beside the summit of a cliff. As I rode along, my horse
started at sight of something in the road.

"I dismounted to see what it was, and found my enemy lying fast asleep
on the very edge of the cliff. The least movement in his sleep and he
must have rolled over and been dashed to pieces on the rocks below.

"His life was in my hands. I drew him away from the edge and then woke
him, and told him to go on his way in peace."

Then the old Persian cried out with great joy, "Dear son, the diamond is
yours, for it is a noble and godlike thing to help an enemy and return
good for evil."

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--Read this lesson in a conversational tone of
voice, and somewhat more slowly than Lesson III.

Read what is said by each one of the four different persons, as you
think each one of them would speak.

How would you read the third and fourth paragraphs?--the last paragraph?

Point out the _emphatic words_ in the last paragraph.

* * * * *

Language Lesson.--Syllabify, accent, and mark sounds of letters in the
following words: _Persian, therefore, valuable, account, jewels, aware,
contained, dishonest, duty, enemy_.

Let pupils use other words, to express the following:

To go on his way in peace. Return good for evil.

Tell the story in your own words, using the points in the following

Analysis.--1. The father divides his goods. 2. What he said to his
sons. 3. What the eldest son did. 4. What the second son did. 5. What
the third son did. 6. What the father said.

* * * * *

LESSON XII.

a new', _over again_.

al'ma nac, _a book giving days, weeks, and months of the ye