8. Nature Stories

Stories of animals, birds, pets, trees, plants, flowers, mountains, seas, and other expressions of nature are very popular with children from their earliest years. But these stories need adaptation and strengthening with the growing years. They may be used to teach the habits of animals or the laws of plant life, thus stimulating scientific interest in the animal and plant world. Their best use is simply to please and delight the child’s fancy. How children revel in a story that begins, “Once there was a bear,” or “There was once a little, furry rabbit.” Such stories are the first steps, in curiosity and imagination, into the feelings and fortunes of creatures different from themselves, preparing for a sympathetic interest in the lives of others, not only of animals, but of human beings. In the early years, fanciful animal stories may be given. But later, only true stories of animals have value. Some good nature stories are: “Nature Myths and Stories,” Cooke; “True Tales of Birds and Beasts,” Jordan; “Door-yard Stories,” Pierson; “True Bird Stories,” Miller.