1. Preparatory Conversation

Certain stones are called precious stones. How many of these stones do you know the color of: ruby, sapphire, emerald, onyx, diamond, amethyst?

Have you ever noticed the colors of any of these stones in pebbles? Examine a handful, if you can, and see what colors you find in them.

What are precious stones used for? Do you know any other names that are given to them?

What is done to stones before they are put into jewelry? Why is this work done? A workman who cuts and polishes precious stones is called a lapidary.

Where can pebbles be found in large numbers? How large are they? What shapes are they? Are they smooth or rough?

What has cut them down and polished them? How long do you suppose it has taken? This experiment will show how the work is done: Put a few broken sharp-cornered pieces of stone into a bottle and cover with water. Then take turns shaking the bottle vigorously. The water will become muddy. Do you see why? How will the stones change if the shaking is kept up?1

Have you ever noticed which pebbles are more nearly like marbles in shape, those that come from streams or from lakes? Can you see why there should be a difference?

2. Reading Lesson

Pebbles 2

Out of a pellucid brook Pebbles round and smooth I took; Like a jewel, every one Caught a color from the sun, - Ruby red and sapphire blue, Emerald and onyx, too,

1 For further information about pebbles see Number Five of the Illinois Series of Nature Study and Agricultural Leaflets, written by Alice Jean Patterson and Lora M. Dexheimer, and published by John G. Coulter, Bloomington, Illinois.

2 Published by special arrangement with the Houghton Mifflin Company.

Diamond and amethyst,

Not a precious stone I missed;

Gems I held from every land

In the hollow of my hand,

Workman Water these had made;

Patiently through sun and shade

With the ripples of the rill,

He had polished them, until,

Smooth, symmetrical, and bright,

Each one, sparkling in the light,

Showed within its burning heart

All the lapidary's art;

And the brook seemed thus to sing:

Patience conquers everything.

- W. D. Sherman.

3. Questions On The Poem

The first syllable of the word pellucid means through, and the second part means light. A pellucid brook, you see, is one that lets the light through. Can vou think of another word to describe such a brook?

What two other names are used for precious stones in the poem?

Did the poet really mean that he held gems from every land in the hollow of his hand? Where had the pebbles come from? What were they when they started on their journey? Why is the stream called Workman Water?

How many reasons are there for beginning workman with a capital letter? Why does water begin with a capital?

What are the "ripples of the rill"?

Tell this in your own words:

"Each one, sparkling in the light, Showed within its burning heart All the lapidary's art."

What had the patience of the brook conquered?

4. Memory Work

Copy the poem. Notice which lines rhyme. Do you find a poor rhyme? Learn the poem.