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And the Queen said to him, "This is thy father whom thou hast
succoured."
And the King said, "This is thy mother whose feet thou hast
washed with thy tears."
And they fell on his neck and kissed him, and brought him into
the palace and clothed him in fair raiment, and set the crown upon his
head, and the sceptre in his hand, and over the city that stood by the
river he ruled, and was its lord. Much justice and mercy did he show
to all, and the evil Magician he banished, and to the Woodcutter and
his wife he sent many rich gifts, and to their children he gave high
honour. Nor would he suffer any to be cruel to bird or beast, but
taught love and loving-kindness and charity, and to the poor he gave
bread, and to the naked he gave raiment, and there was peace and
plenty in the land.
Yet ruled he not long, so great had been his suffering, and so
bitter the fire of his testing, for after the space of three years he died.
And he who came after him ruled evilly.
***

Assignments

1. Skimming: Skim the reading to gain a general idea of its form, length,
and content. Give the gist of the story.

2. Scanning:
2.1. Put the following events in the chronological order.
1. The Woodcutter took the cloak and placed it in a chest.
2. The Star-Child grew proud and cruel.
3. The Star-Child found his parents.
4. The Star-Child cast stones at a beggar-woman.
5. The priest taught the Star-Child the love of living.
6. The Star-Child was given a crown and a sceptre.
7. The Star-Child went to the well and saw that his face was as the face
of a toad.
8. There fell from heaven a bright star.
9. The Star-Child became a slave of a magician.
10. The Star-Child came to the gate of a strong-walled city.