1. Reading Lesson

Many hundreds of years ago there lived in Greece a philosopher, named Diogenes. Now a philosopher is a seeker after wisdom, especially that sort of wisdom that shows men how to live a life that is really worth while or that seems to them to be worth while.

If you are imagining that Diogenes' study taught him how to secure wealth and to live in luxury, you are far from the truth. On the contrary, he belonged to a class of philosophers called Cynics. They believed that the man who is satisfied with the bare necessities of life, and chooses to spend his time in securing these necessities and in teaching and influencing other men, is the happiest as well as the wisest man. Diogenes himself wore coarse clothing and ate the plainest of food. He slept in the open air on the bare ground. Finally, we are told, he made himself a home in a great tub, or cask, that-belonged to a temple. In spite of his strange life, crowds came to be taught by him, and his fame spread afar.

During his lifetime there lived also a powerful king named Alexander. This king conquered most of the civilized world, and we are told that he then sighed for other worlds to conquer. As you might imagine, men came to call him Alexander the Great.

In one of his victorious journeys, he stayed for a time near the home of Diogenes; and, having heard much of the philosopher, he went with his followers in search of him. When the great king found the wise man at the entrance of his tub, he introduced himself, saying, "I am Alexander the Great." " And I am Diogenes the Cynic," was the reply. Alexander was surprised that the poor philosopher was not awed at his condescension in seeking him out. He wished to act the part of the great and powerful king, so he said patronizingly, "And what can I do for you?" "Nothing but get out of my sunshine," replied Diogenes. The king's followers laughed; but the king himself was so much impressed by the independence of the philosopher that he said, "If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes."

2. Word Study

Make a list of words in the lesson that you have never used. Put a cross after each one of these that you have never seen in print or heard used. Think what each might mean from its use here. Look in the dictionary and see if you are right.

3. Oral Composition

Tell the story in the lesson. Use some of the new words.

4. Discussion

Do you know of any sort of men living to-day that resemble Alexander? Do you know of any that are like Diogenes? Which should you rather be like, Alexander or Diogenes? Why?

In this discussion, be sure to say / should rather instead of I would rather. It is correct to say that some one else would rather, but not I would rather.

5. Rule

In speaking of yourself, say I should rather and I should like. In speaking of some one else, say He would rather and He would like.