Alfred went to school today to learn his words. His teacher told him that there were only ten words he needed to know. My, how delighted was little Alfred at the thought of having to know only ten words. He thought, “why sure I can learn ten words soon and then go out to play.” Alfred was already at play in his mind.

His teacher then went on to confuse poor Alfred. The trick said the teacher is to learn How to use the ten most important words. “How”, thought Alfred, “what is how?” The teacher went on to explain that how was what gave the words their magic. Alfred wanted to make the magic words. He listened to the teacher.

For a moment, the teacher did not speak. He went to the board and drew symbols. Teacher drew these symbols:
that God = O
that Alfred = o,
that Oo = good.

Then he drew in big symbols:

O = O = O + o = o + O + 8 = O = O + o = Oo = O

The teacher explained that hidden in the symbols was how to make the magic words. Alfred was delighted to see the symbols. He had one more question for the teacher. One more question and then he could know. Then he could go play. Alfred tried to speak when the teacher turned and disappeared. Alfred understood he still did not know how to make the magic words. He must learn the symbols.

Alfred felt sad for a moment because he could not go play. Just then came a strong wind and blew the mighty tree outside the school house. From one of its many branches dropped a baby bird, crying and alone. The baby had fallen from its home high in the mighty oak; from its nest to the ground. Alfred saw this and went to the outside to help.

Alfred climbed limb by limb, from the ground itself, high, way up high, into the mighty oak. Alfred had placed the baby bird in his vest pocket, near his heart, protected by his handkerchief. Alfred saw the nest and gently returned the baby bird back to his home. When he arrived back in the school, the teacher was once again there. He presented Alfred with another symbol. He gave Alfred a big A. “What’s that for?”, thought Alfred. Then the teacher spoke, “this is for learning how.” Happy Alfred went outside to play.

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