Show f Myth FROM the earliest ages man has been t accustomed to learn most precious lessons lessons lessons les les- sons by means of the myth or fable All truth by an image consistent with its particular character has been variously reflected in this mimic mirror of the universe Religion law and were first taught in the form of the fable Myth with her robe of wondrous tissue her allegorical personages personages personages per per- engaged in action representing causes and narrating effects that strike the fancy and win the heart conveys instruction most agreeably to the mind Myth constitutes an indispensable factor factor factor fac fac- tor in education Children are passionately passionately passionately pas pas- fond of and in awe tales we see them transported with joy or shedding tears at the recital of the extraordinary adventures s or mishaps mishaps mishaps mis mis- haps of the imaginary hero What a mistake for an instructor of youth did he fail to profit by this inclination I When a child is disposed to listen to a pretty fable a moral or conveying conveying conveying convey convey- ing an important truth his vivacious mind will readily grasp and retain the precious truth thus gently inculcated In the study of life child-life we find that myth is an ab absolute necessity If we refuse to relate the old yet ev new ever new r-new stories of land fairy-land children will often evince a wonderful imagination in inventing myths of their own Fairy Fairy- 1 land is the childs child's world and and we we 4 should let him revel in it as long as he will when he manifests a desire to go J deeper into the meaning of fables fables- then thenis 1 s is the time to take down piece by piece the fabulous structure and substitute substitute sub sub- the reality In modern education to follow the d course coarse of na nature ture is con considered a very I important principle Myth is the daughter of Nature and nothing exhibits more clearly her power influence and J resources Many are of the opinion 1 that children should not be taught myths Is not the significance of the J story the same to the child whether the l. l incidents related are true or purely imaginary In either case it is human interest that selected and fixed upon r i ithe the incidents and embodied them in u story The wonderful story of The jj Horse Horse- that Wished to Fly captivates a athe the interest of the child and reveals 7 physical truth quite as effect effectively ively as if the ambitious animal existed a really Myth is simply the cloak of truth when f the mind is ready to receive it the cloak may be laid aside A famous writer says The child child 1 lives in a world of unconscious art All things are loved lightly and felt keenly and touch him with a poetic pleasure And why destroy that hat f charming innocence that perfect trust 4 w that belief that nothing is impossible 1 that fresh and honest freedom that divine joy which you can never bestow by the thoughtless words It It is not true In after years we look back to the days when children we we dreamt so happily of God and lived in a J quaint and quiet heaven of our own J fanciful creation and took our dreams j for realities and were happy in our belief e Ie Poets in all ages have sung of mythical mythi mythi- Ii cal heroes grand lessons of morality patriotism and fidelity are taught by these means 1 The story of the Argonauts and that of the siege and destruction of Troy have hav appeared to the noblest sentiments of thousands in every age and will continue to inspire similar feelings to the end of time It is immaterial h whether Troy was ever built or whether the Argo ever sailed eastward across the I i to and the Caucasus to r recover the golden fleece if a lesson of heroism has been impressed on only one heart the object of the fable is attained an actual good has been wrought by means of the myth Circe dwelling on the promontory induces weary travelers toi to i drink from her enchanted cup which i has the effect of changing them into swine In these latter days we do not hear of Circe but who will deny that the cup still remains and is partaken r of by thousands who unlike the unsuspecting unsuspecting unsuspecting travelers in the fable deliberately deliberately deli deli- It drink the poison that destroys I l' l their intellects and transforms them themA 1 A 0 into swine mentally if not physically physic physic- 4 ally The Sirens by the magic sweetness of their singing allured to their coasts those sailing by the Island they lulled them into a delightful slumber slumber slumber slum slum- ber aud and then plunged them into the sea The style and matter of their songs were suited to the inclinations of their hearers they had bold and stirring stirring stirring stir stir- ring strains to entice the ambitious soothing and sensuous melodies forthe forthe for forthe the lovers of pleasure and other fascinating fascinating fascinating ing tones to lure the covetous on to destruction Are there no Sirens in this nineteenth century Do not the pleasure they typified still lure on to destruction those who lend an ear to their seductive voices Would that a negative answer could be given but the sad tales of wasted lives and fireless hearts meet us on every side testifying to a desolation that is no myth Eugenie R. R Bruneau |