
THE BEACON SECOND READER - BY - JAMES H. FASSETT
PREFACE
THE SHOEMAKER AND THE ELVES—I
THE SHIP
THE WOLF AND THE SEVEN YOUNG KIDS—I
THEY DIDN'T THINK
TOM THUMB—I
SUPPOSE
CINDERELLA—I
RAINDROPS
A charming anthology of classic folk tales, chosen especially for children in their early school years, invites listeners into a world where dragons, fairies, and hidden helpers still linger. Each story is presented in simple, lyrical language that sparks imagination while gently guiding young minds through timeless moral lessons. The collection balances wonder with gentle instruction, making it a perfect companion for curious second‑graders.
In the opening tale, a humble shoemaker and his wife struggle with poverty, their workshop reduced to a single piece of leather. One night, tiny elves appear, dancing into the shop and crafting exquisite shoes while the couple watches in secret. The shoes sell quickly, bringing enough money to expand the business, and the grateful pair set out to repay their mysterious benefactors.
The story celebrates generosity, hard work, and the magic that can arise from simple kindness. Its rhythmic verses and vivid imagery make it a delightful listening experience for children discovering the joy of folklore.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (114K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Mark C. Orton, Melissa Er-Raqabi and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
Release date
2005-04-19
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1869–1930
A longtime educator and school superintendent, he is best remembered for creating early reading books that brought stories, folklore, and history within easy reach of children. His Beacon readers became a familiar part of classroom reading in the early 1900s.
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