178 MEMOIRS NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. ivouxv. 



5. Interpretation of fables. 



Present fables in order given below. Say, " You know what a fable is? You have hexrd fables? Fables, you know, 

 are little stories which teach its a lesson. Now, I am going to read a fable to you. Listen carefully, and when I am through 

 I will ask you to tell me what lesson the fable teaches vs." After reading, say, " What lesson does that teach us?" Question 

 subject if response is not clear. Ask also if fable has been heard before. Proceed with (b), (c), (d), and (e) thus: " Here 

 is another. Listen again and tell me luhat lesson this fable teaches us." After each ask, " What lesson does that teach us?" 



(a) Hercules and the wagoner. 



A man was driving along a country road, when the wheels suddenly sank in a deep rut. The man did nothing but 

 look at the wagon and call loudly to Hercules to come and help him. Hercules came up, looked at the man, and said: 

 ' ' Put your shoulder to the wheel, my man, and whip up your oxen." Then he went away and left the driver. 



(6) The milkmaid and her plans. 



A milkmaid was carrying her pail of milk on her head, and was thinking to herself thus: "The money for this milk 

 will buy 4 hens; the hens will lay at least 100 eggs; the eggs will produce at least 75 chicks; and with the money which 

 the chicks will bring I can buy a new dress to wear instead of the ragged one I have on." At this moment she looked 

 down at herself, trying to think how she would look in her new dress; but as she did so the pail of milk slipped from 

 her head and dashed upon the ground. Thus all her imaginary schemes perished in a moment. 



(c) The fox and the crow. 



A crow, having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak. A fox, seeing her, wished to secure 

 the meat, and spoke to the crow thus: "How handsome you are! And I have heard that the beauty of your voice is 

 equal to that of your form and feathers. Will you not sing for me, so that I may judge whether this is true?" The 

 crow was so pleased that she opened her mouth to sing and dropped the meat, which the fox immediately ate. 



(d) The farmer and the stork. 



A farmer set some traps to catch cranes which had been eating his seed. With them he caught a stork. The 

 stork, which had not really been stealing, begged the farmer to spare his life, saying that he was a bird of excellent 

 character, that he was not at all like the cranes, and that the farmer should have pity on him. But the fanner said: 

 "I have caught you with these robbers, the cranes, and you have got to die with them." 



(e) The miller, his son, and the donkey. 



A miller and his son were driving their donkey to a neighboring town to sell him. They had not gone far when a 

 child saw them and cried out: "What fools those fellows are to be trudging along on foot when one of them might be 

 riding." The old man, hearing this, made his son get on the donkey, while he himself walked. Soon they came upon 

 some men. "Look," said one of them, "see that lazy boy riding while his old father has to walk." On hearing this the 

 miller made his son get off, and he climbed upon the donkey himself. Farther on they met a company of women, who 

 shouted out: "Why, you lazy old fellow, to ride along so comfortably while your poor boy there can hardly keep pace 

 by thesideof you!" And so the good-natured miller took his boy up behind him and both of them rode. Asthey came 

 to the town a citizen said to them, "Why, you cruel fellows! You two are better able to carry the poor little donkey 

 than he is to carry you." "Very well, " said the miller, "we will try." So both of them jumped to the ground, got 

 some ropes, tied the donkey's legs to a pole and tried to carry him. But as they crossed the bridge the donkey became 

 frightened, kicked loose, and fell into the stream. 



Credit in year XII if score is 4 points or more; in year XVI if score is 8 points or more. Allow 2 points for each 

 fable correct, and 1 for partially correct response. (Note carefully scoring directions in book.) 



6. Five digits backwards. 



"Listen carefully.' lam going to read some numbers, and I want you to say them backwards. For example, if I should 

 say 5 — 1 — i, you should say 4 — 1 — 5. Do you understand?" Then, "Ready now; listen carefully, and be sure to say the 

 numbers backwards." If subject gives digits forwards, repeat instructions. If necessary, give (b) and (c), repeating 

 each time, "Ready now, listen carefully and be sure to say the numbers backwards." 



Credit if one set is repeated backwards without error. 



7. Pictures — interpretation. 



Show in succession Dutch Home, River Scene, Post office, and Colonial House, saying each time, " Tell me what 

 this picture is about. Explain this picture." May prompt with, "Go ahead," or "Explain what you mean." 

 Credit if three of the four pictures are satisfactorily interpreted. (See book.) 



8. Finding likenesses; three things. 



Say; "lam going to name three things which are alike in some way, and I want you to tell me how they are alike. Snake, 

 cow, and sparrow; in what way are they alike?" May repeat or urge with, " I'm sure you can tell me how a snake, a cow, and 

 a sparroio are alike," but do not change form of question. If difference is given, say, " No, I want you to tell me how they 

 are alike. In what way are a snake, a cow, and a sparrow alike?" Same for (b) book, teacher, newspaper; (c) wool, cotton, 

 leather; (d) knife-blade, penny, piece of wire; (e) rose, potato, tree. 



Credit if any real similarity is given in three out of five trials. 



