5. Should school children be allowed to go to night entertainments?

6. Should pedestrians be compelled to obey the traffic signals?

7. Should pupils earn their spending money?

XII. STORIES FROM NEWSPAPER
HEADINGS

Here are some newspaper headings taken from real papers. Write a short story that might appear under some one of them; or, better, think of some exciting or interesting occurrence that you have seen or about which you know, give it a newspaper heading, and write the story.

1. Fireman Saves a Teddy Bear

(The Teddy Bear was in a child's crib. Why did the fireman risk his life to save it? Tell of the discovery and the rescue.)

2. Cat Saves Three Kittens from Flames

3. Terrier Calls up Central

4. Dog Saves Six Lives

5. Almost a Fatal Automobile Accident

6. Daring Rescue at Briny Beach

7. Engineer Saves Train, but Dies at his Post

8. Three Men Rescued at Sea

9. Adrift for Four Days in an Open Boat

10. Thrown from his Horse

CHAPTER TEST: ONE-MINUTE STORIES 337

XIII. CHAPTER TEST: ONE-MINUTE
STORIES

Be prepared to tell at the next lesson an interesting story on one of the following subjects, or you may tell any other amusing story that you know. Your story may be true or you may make an original tale. Tell your story first at home, so as to get it within the time limit one minute.

1. A Good April Fool Joke
2. A Hallowe'en Trick

3. A Sleight-of-hand Trick

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

A CHAPTER FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS

I. A STORY TO READ AND STUDY

What is Most Precious

Many, many years ago, when people lived in walled cities, word was brought to the governor of Awaba that three other cities were raising a large army to march against his city and destroy it. Then were heard the sounds of woe and lamentation. How could they, the few citizens of Awaba, stand against the united strength of three large cities?

Following a common custom of the times, the governor went to consult the oracle who was supposed to dwell in a near-by temple. Standing before the door, the governor told of the danger that threatened the city and asked how it might be averted. There was silence for a moment, then a deep voice answered: "When every citizen of Awaba gives freely that which is most precious, Awaba will triumph.”

The governor returned to the city and gave the message to the people. At once they began to ask, "What is this most precious thing?" Some said, "gold"; others said, "food"; others said, our liberty"; still others said, "our lives."

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A STORY TO READ AND STUDY

of the governor :

339

Then out spoke Theodoric, the gallant young son No, no, my fellow citizens, you are all wrong. The most precious gift everyone can offer freely to his city is service!"

"You are right, my son," answered the governor. "Service is the only gift that all rich and poor, strong and weak, young and old can give. Let each prepare to give freely and fully of his service to Awaba, in her time of need."

"Yes! Yes! Theodoric is right!" cried all the citizens, and everyone began to serve as best he could. The warriors prepared their arms; the masons repaired the walls of the city and made them strong; lame men with keen eyes were placed on the wall to watch for the advance of the enemy and give alarm; those that had food brought it and stored it safely; the women cooked and baked an abundance of meats; the strong brought a plentiful supply of water within the walls; fleet-footed children became messengers between the different groups of workers. It would be impossible to tell the service given by all; enough to say that every citizen of Awaba was enrolled in the service of the city.

At last the enemy advanced. They could not take the city by assault because it had been so well fortified, so they sat down to besiege it. Days, weeks, yes, months passed and the city did not surrender, for

behind its walls the citizens of Awaba were still giving

"that which was most precious their service to

their city. So the enemy made peace and departed.

Thus the strong men of three large cities could not prevail against one small city whose people knew the value of service. - K. T.

1. Can you think of anything besides service that everybody in a city could give? Could everybody give money? food? clothing? Could everybody fight?

Are rich people heroes because they are rich? Are strong people heroes because they are strong? Are generous people heroes because they give? What is a hero?

2. Is the following true?

Read the words inscribed on the monuments reared by loving hands to the heroes of the past. They do not speak of wealth inherited or of homes bought or of hours in leisure spent, but of service done.

3. Think of the heroes of whom you have read. What service did each give to others, or to his country?

II. WHO ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS?

What makes one a real American citizen? Not age nor place of birth, but love and willingness to serve. Do you love America? Are you willing to serve this country to the best of your ability?