Little Ida’s Flowers

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  “MY poor flowers are quite dead!” said little Ida. “They were so pretty yesterday, and now all the leaves hang withered. Why do they do that? . . . Why do the flowers look so faded to-day?” she asked again, and showed him a nosegay, which was quite withered.  “Do you know what’s the matter with them?” said the Student. “The flowers have been at a ball last night, and that’s why they hang their heads.”  “But flowers cannot dance!” cried little Ida. “O yes,” said the Student, “when it grows dark, and we are asleep, they jump about merrily. Almost every night they have a ball.” —Hans Christian Andersen. (1805–1875)

The Killing of the Wooers.

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 Spend 15 minutes in the Classics 

After twenty years' absence, Odysseus returned home to find his house filled with strangers rioting and wasting his treasure. With the aid of his son and the gods, Odysseus dealt with the unwelcome guests. 



Homer (fl. 850 B.C.).  The Odyssey. Vol. 22, pp. 296-309 of The Harvard Classics

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