The story itself is the mainspring to action, not the application.

The forceful, vivid and realistic presentation of the story, made
possible as the teacher lives in it, impels the child to imitation; the
application, or "ought," appeals to his reason and compels him, and
action is always more hearty when impelled than when compelled. The only
after touch upon the story which is helpful to little children lies in
plans for imitating the activity which has been pictured. Even this is
not always to be done. Jesus left the most wonderful story He ever told
with no words of application, for they were unnecessary. He knew that
every prodigal would feel a tug at the heartstrings and an impulse to go
home. At the conclusion of the story of the Good Samaritan He merely
said, "Go thou and do likewise." Allowing the children to suggest what
they would like to do if they so desire, or making the suggestion
indirectly by song, or prayer, or the teacher's announcement of her own
purpose will carry far more weight than any injunction to act, for, "The
deepest spring of action in us is the sight of action in another."

CHAPTER VI

THE JUNIOR AGE--NINE TO TWELVE

The years we are now to consider are among the most interesting in all
the period of development, and among the most exacting, as well, in the
problems they present. These problems are related, in the main, to the
"new invoice of energy" which has come into the life, the social
feelings, habit formation and hero worship, and knowledge and patience
are almost exhausted in their solution.

A general survey of the period reveals much that we are already familiar
with, together with certain new conditions. We find that some of the
winsomeness and much of the demonstrativeness and dependency of earlier
childhood are gone. The sense of approaching manhood or womanhood is
beginning to stir in the soul and, coincident with it, a growing
independence is manifest. While the child must still be under authority,
the wisest nurture will consult his feelings and wishes as far as
possible, for just beyond this period lies life's crisis, and every bond
of sympathy and confidence must unite the helper to the one to be helped
as the stormy passage is entered upon.

With all this growing independence, however, life is very far from
possessing the marks of maturity. It is careless and care free,
irresponsible in general, yet proud to carry definite responsibilities.
There is deligh