Through the earth a tiny streamlet
Pushed its way so clear and cool,
Shot right up where all could see it
And at length it formed a pool.
People, passing stopped to taste it
And it quenched their thirst so soon
That they said, “Let’s build a fountain,”
And to all it proved a boon.
Rich and poor came there to seek it,
Came with pails and pitchers too.
But the streamlet still flowed strongly
Whether many came or few.
Years passed on and still the fountain
Gave to all its nectar sweet;
Gave it freely to all comers,
And it always proved a treat.
So it gleamed with those in gladness
As it moaned for those too sad.
Did its very best to help them,
Soothed them with the strength it had.
Come, then, tarry by this fountain,
Learn its lesson ere you go.
Can we do as much for others?
Can we help them, friend or foe?
=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= What color is this
young girl’s dress? her eyes? her hair? her cheeks? How do you think she
would look if she smiled? Why does she look so serious? How do you
suppose she happened to come to the fountain? Why did she hurry? What
makes you think she wanted to keep this pitcher? Why do you think they
will not scold her? What kind of a fountain is it? From what does the
water flow? How many have watched the people who come to a fountain for
water? Why do you think the fountain could tell us some interesting
stories if it could talk?
=To the Teacher=: Have the pupils illustrate the story of the little
girl going for water. Use charcoal and manila paper.
=The story of the artist.= Jean Baptiste Greuze was born at Tournus,
France, in 1725. When, as a small boy, he began to show decided talent
for drawing, his father was very much disappointed. He wanted his boy to
pursue some more profitable profession, for, as he said, it was only the
few who won fame and wealth as artists; the rest starved.
However, the boy persevered and finally was permitted to study with an
artist friend of the family. This artist became much interested in him,
and when, some months later, he moved to Paris, he persuaded the father
to allow Greuze to go with him. Here the study was continued, Greuze
receiving special instruction in the painting of heads. His greatest
delight was in painting heads of children and of old men, and “Greuze
heads” soon became famous.
Then, too, he painted many pictures from the Bible, and at one time he
was ambitious to become a historical painter. It was then he went to
Rome to study the paintings of the famous masters there. His first
painting to bring him fame was “A Father Explaining the Scriptures to
His Family.” Our picture, “The Broken Pitcher” is one of the best known
and most popular of his paintings.
=Questions about the artist.= Who painted this picture? Of what
nationality was he? Why did his father not want him to become an artist?
What did the boy persist in doing? Who helped him? Where did he go to
continue his study? What did he paint most? what other subjects?
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[Illustration:
MADAME LEBRUN AND HER DAUGHTER
]
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