LESSON XXIII

ALI BABA

Ali Baba was a poor Persian wood carrier, who accidentally learned the
magic words "_Open Sesame_," "_Shut Sesame_," by which he gained
entrance into a vast cavern, in which forty thieves had stored their
stolen treasures. He made himself rich by plundering these stores of
wealth, and through the cunning of Morgiana, his female slave, Ali Baba
succeeded in destroying the whole band of thieves. He then gave
Morgiana her freedom and married her to his own son.




LESSON XXIV

BIRDS

In the United States there are a great many birds. Many of them live
in the woods; others are found in the fields. Some are seen in the
gardens, and a few are kept in our houses. The eagle builds her nest
upon the highest rock, while the wren forms her snug and tiny nest in
the way-side hedge. The swallow plasters her nest upon the gable of
the house or under the eaves of the barn. Out in the wheat-field we
hear the whistle of the quail. The noise of the ducks and geese comes
to us from the pond. The birds of prey dart downward through the air.