Prose

Prose is spoken or written language that follows regular speech patterns. It is made up of sentences and paragraphs, as opposed to poetry which is made up of lines and stanzas. The term “prose” is often used to describe writings such as novels, short stories, and narratives.

The Wolf and the House Dog

There was once a Wolf who got very little to eat because the Dogs of the village were so wide awake and watchful. He was really nothing but skin and bones, and it made him very downhearted to think of it. One night this Wolf happened to fall in with…

How We Kept Thanksgiving at Oldtown

Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote “Oldtown Folks” in 1869. She tells about life in a New England village called Oldtown. The passage below tells about Thanksgiving preparations in a Massachusetts town.   ———————————————  The making of pies at this period assumed vast proportions that verged upon the sublime. Pies were made…

Paul’s Birthday Surprise

Paul woke up feeling very happy. Today was his birthday. Paul was now five years old. At breakfast, Dad poured Paul some cereal into a bowl. Then he added a little milk. “See you later, Paul,” Dad said. Dad grabbed his lunch and ran out the door. Paul ate a…

The Story of Prometheus: How Fire Was Given to Men

Prometheus is the son of a Titan, one of the early gods of Greek mythology. The Titans fought Zeus, called here by his Roman name, Jupiter. The king of the Titans was Cronus, called here by his Roman name, Saturn. ———————————- In those old, old times, there lived two brothers…

The Lilies and the Thistles

In a patch of garden, in a sunny corner of the backyard, stood a proud group of yellow lilies. They were tall flowers: elegant, graceful, and beautiful. They were surrounded by a ring of scruffy, prickly, purple thistles that had sprung up recently with all the April showers and May…

The Emancipation Proclamation

By the President of the United States of America: A Proclamation. WHEREAS, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit: “That…

Jack After the Beanstalk

Jack got a cart from the shed and loaded gold pieces into it. Then he pushed the cart into the house. “Mom! You’ll never have to worry about food again!” “Jack! What is this? Where did you get these gold pieces? What have you done now?” Jack’s eyes lit up.…

Jonas’ First Job

Jonas loved to play video games. He liked all kinds of games, but he especially enjoyed games that let him pretend he was a race car driver. He loved to watch all the scenery fly by while he turned the wheel to get by the other players. More than anything,…

Paula’s Pizza Party

Paula and her father strolled down the aisles of the grocery store. Her mother was away for the day, and the two of them were trying to pick out something to make for dinner together. Paula didn’t know how to cook, but her father was pretty good at simple meals…

Carly and the Candy Shoppe

“Bye, Mom; bye, Dad; don’t worry. We’ll take care of everything!” Carly waved from the front door of the shop as her parents drove off. They were headed for a well-deserved vacation from their candy store, and Carly had promised them she’d be able to run it by herself. Her…