110 Years Later

How much is this book, I said? Oh, that ratty old thing,,you can just have it, if you want it, he said. I smiled and said thank you. I did not even look at the book untill later that day, when I had time to go through the sack of goodies I bought at the sale. I realized "this" was the best thing in the sack. To read the story, just click to enlarge.

The pages are soft and falling out. It has some wonderful illustrations and sweet stories, teaching about life as well as reading. Like this page, about a tadpole who wished he could sing like a bird. It is a fourth reader. It has soul.

It held 2 treasures, a lock of hair and a clipping from an old newspaper. The other treasure is it's worn corners and spine.

It has served a real purpose, but not done yet, as it has made it to the internet. I know, it rhymes.

A long time ago someone covered it with cotton and string. I wonder if it was a child. They used what they had on hand,,I like that. I will never remove the fabric, as the original cover could not be as interesting. I did try to peek of course. Do click on this photo below to see the threads.

I find the engravings remarkably preserved for its age. A couple have found a blue crayon however. I wonder who's eyes it has seen in the past, who read and learned from it, how long it was forgotten. Now it is alive again, and loved 110 years later.

Feel free to use this engraving in your art. I will share more of them later.

Would you like to see what happened to the little tadpole?