HOW often, when children choose a story, they ask us to tell them one of the old folk tales recounting the adventures of some gentle youth who leaves home and kindred and sets out into the world to seek fame and fortune! How they identify themselves with the young hero, whoever he may be, thrill with sympathy when he behaves himself wisely or suffers bravely some distressful stroke of fortune, and rejoice when he plays a valiant part! Is it that deep in their hearts they know that the story is an allegory; that the dark forest, the lions in the path, the fierce battles, are figures representing experiences which may await them in their journey through this world? One thing is certain: there was never yet a child who preferred those unsatisfactory brothers that adorn most fairy tales, to the brother that wins through to the goal, or who dreamed of admiring and imitating dark Ganelon, rather than noble Roland.
No, we are certain, when we are children, who is the happy warrior.
"It is the generous Spirit, who, when brought
Among the tasks of real life, hath wrought
Upon the plan that pleased his boyish
thought:
Whose high endeavours are an inward light
That makes the path before him always
bright."
