Ways of Wood Folk
By William J. Long (1899)
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long (1899). Unabridged Charlotte Mason living book edition for Form II Natural History & Science.
Reading Ways of Wood Folk this term?
Schedule chapters into your Charlotte Mason week with one tap and read the full unabridged text in a calm, distraction-free reader with zero ads or Gutenberg formatting quirks.
Instant setup • No credit card required • Keep your pace forever
Chapter 1 Sample & Typography Preview
Distraction-Free ReaderBelow is an unabridged preview of Chapter 1 formatted in our peaceful Living Term reader typography. No ads, no sidebars, and no eye strain.
Chapter 1: Fox-Ways
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 1
Did you ever meet a fox face to face, surprising him quite as much as yourself? If so, you were deeply impressed, no doubt, by his perfect dignity and self-possession. Here is how the meeting generally comes about.
It is a late winter afternoon. You are swinging rapidly over the upland pastures, or loitering along the winding old road through the woods. The color deepens in the west; the pines grow black against it; the rich brown of the oak leaves seems to glow everywhere in the last soft light; and the mystery that never sleeps long in the woods begins to rustle again in the thickets. You are busy with your own thoughts, seeing nothing, till a flash of yellow passes before your eyes, and a fox stands in the path before you, one foot uplifted, the fluffy brush swept aside in graceful curve, the bright eyes looking straight into[Pg 2] yours—nay, looking through them to read the intent which gives the eyes their expression. That is always the way with a fox; he seems to be looking at your thoughts.
Surprise, eagerness, a lively curiosity are all in your face on the instant; but the beautiful creature before you only draws himself together with quiet self-possession. He lifts his head slightly; a superior look creeps into his eyes; he seems to be speaking. Listen—
"You are surprised?"—this with an almost imperceptible lift of his eyebrows, which reminds you somehow that it is really none of your affair. "O, I frequently use this road in attending to some matters over in the West Parish. To be sure, we are socially incompatible; we may even regard each other as enemies, unfortunately. I did take your chickens last week; but yesterday your unmannerly dogs hunted me. At least we may meet and pass as gentlemen. You are the older; allow me to give you the path."
Dropping his head again, he turns to the left, English fashion, and trots slowly past you. There is no hurry; not the shadow of suspicion or uneasiness. His eyes are cast down; his brow wrinkled, as if in deep thought; already he seems to have forgotten your existence. You watch him curiously as he [Pg 3]reenters the path behind you and disappears over the hill. Somehow a queer feeling, half wonder, half rebuke, steals over you, as if you had been outdone in courtesy, or had passed a gentleman without sufficiently recognizing him.
Ah, but you didn't watch sharply enough! You didn't see, as he circled past, that cunning side gleam of his yellow eyes, which understood your attitude perfectly. Had you stirred, he would have vanished like a flash. You didn't run to the top of the hill where he disappeared, to see that burst of speed the instant he was out of your sight. You didn't see the capers, the tail-chasing, the high jumps, the quick turns and plays; and then the straight, nervous gallop, which told more plainly than words his exultation that he had outwitted you and shown his superiority.
Keep reading Ways of Wood Folk in Living Term
Get instant access to all 15 unabridged chapters, plus 350+ other Charlotte Mason living books, poetry, hymns, and a peaceful weekly schedule builder.
Table of Contents
15 ChaptersEvery chapter below is pre-indexed for oral narration and easy 1-click scheduling into your weekly Charlotte Mason lesson plan.
Chapter 1: Fox-Ways
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 1
Chapter 2: erganser
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Queer Ways Of Br'Er Rabbit
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 3
Chapter 4: A Wild Duck
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 4
Chapter 5: An Oriole's Nest
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 5
Chapter 6: The Builders
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 6
Chapter 7: row-Ways
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 7
Chapter 8: One Touch Of Nature
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 8
Chapter 9: oose Calling
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 9
Chapter 10: h'Geegee-Lokh-Sis
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 10
Chapter 11: A Fellow Of Expedients
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 11
Chapter 12: A Temperance Lesson For The Hornets
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 12
Chapter 13: Snowy Visitors
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 14
Chapter 15: ooween The Bear
Ways of Wood Folk by William J. Long — Chapter 15
When you assign Ways of Wood Folk to your weekly schedule, Living Term advances your bookmark to the next chapter every time a lesson is completed.
Add to Weekly Schedule (Free Trial)Why Charlotte Mason Parents Read With Living Term
Living Term replaces messy PDF downloads, ad-cluttered public domain archives, and lost paper bookmarks with one peaceful morning time habit.
Click Monday on your schedule, tap the reading row, and the next chapter opens immediately in your browser or tablet.
Complete spines from H.E. Marshall, Charlotte Yonge, Arabella Buckley, Thornton Burgess, plus 109 traditional hymns and poetry.
Every chapter includes noble narration prompts and copywork excerpts ready to go, saving Mom hours of Sunday evening prep.