Corduroy is a bear who once lived in the toy department of a big store. Day after day he waited with all the other animals and dolls for someone to come along and take him home.

There was once a good shoemaker who became very poor. At last he had only one piece of leather to make one pair of shoes. “Well,” said the shoemaker to his wife, “I will cut the leather tonight and make the shoes in the morning.”

The next morning he went to his table, and he couldn’t believe what he saw. The leather was polished. The sewing was done. And there was a fine pair of shoes! Not one stitch was out of place.

When the stranger had finished, he said to his host, “I cannot pay you with money, but I would like to thank you in my own way.” He picked up a paper napkin from the table and folded it into the shape of a crane.

One evening a stranger came into the restaurant. His clothes were old and worn, but he had an unusual, gentle manner. Though he said he had no money to pay for food, the owner invited him to sit down.

Of all the houses I know, I like my Grandpa’s best. My friend Peter has a new glass house with pebble-path gardens that go nowhere. And Maggie lives next door in an old wooden house with rooms behind rooms, all with carved doors.

For no matter how great or small the occasion, he wanted to wear just the right clothes to make his subjects see him as a wise and able ruler.

When I was just a little girl I saw a small black creature like a tiny worm, and saved it from a greedy jay who wanted it for lunch.

My grandpa knows the flowers butterflies like best. The ones where they can rest and drink the sweet, clear nectar.

A man once owned a restaurant on a busy road. He loved to cook good food and he loved to serve it. He worked from morning until night, and he was happy.

Once there was a tailor who had three fine sons. The tailor loved his sons and appreciated their helpfulness.

There once lived an emperor who was very fond of new clothes. While other kings might like to parade their soldiers or spend an evening at the theater, there was nothing this emperor loved more than trying on new clothes.