The Ontario Readers: Third Book

In Short

Authorized by the Minister of Education in 1909, this reader gathers classic poetry, dramatic fiction, and historical prose to instruct and inspire young students. Through encounters with talking animals, brave frontier women, chivalric kings, and enduring nature, the collection guides readers across diverse literary landscapes. It builds character while fostering an appreciation for language, moral courage, and natural wonder. Its lasting appeal rests in its rich combination of timeless masterworks, lively folklore, and Canadian frontier history, offering a vivid glimpse into early modern education.

The Story

The volume opens with imaginative fables and humorous lessons designed to provoke thought and self-reflection. In early selections, a boy named Bobby finds himself frozen in place as a scholarly frog lectures a forest audience on the absurdity and uselessness of the human species, turning the child's typical habits into a humorous moral critique. As the anthology unfolds, personal bravery and loyalty take center stage. High-stakes wilderness drama appears in frontier stories, where young Ranald flees a pack of hungry wolves on horseback, risking his life to protect a beloved neighbor, Mrs. Murray, who vows lifelong gratitude for his selfless courage.

The thematic scope broadens through narrative verse and prose that champion nature, devotion, and cunning enterprise. A clever bluejay confuses himself trying to fill a cabin roof's knothole with acorns, while a destitute child named Mary Elizabeth inspires a self-indulgent gentleman through her quiet dignity. Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer tricks his playmates into whitewashing a fence for him, transforming forced labor into a highly coveted privilege and discovering a fundamental law of human behavior. Romantic and heroic tales follow, including the heart-breaking plight of an Arab warrior forced to part with his cherished steed, and the dramatic antics of young Maggie Tulliver, who impulsively cuts her own hair in defiance of her family's strict social expectations.

Moving into high adventure and historical drama, the collection explores fantasy, chivalry, and national legend. Alice wanders through the nonsensical, frustrating banter of the Hatter and the March Hare at a surreal tea party. Historical narrative shines in the heroic defense of a Canadian fort by young Madeline, who outsmarts an attacking band of Indians through clever deceptions and sheer determination. Royal encounters reveal hidden identities, as King Richard the Lionheart discovers that his wise physician Hakim is actually his formidable rival, Saladin, in disguise.

The collection concludes on reflective, grand themes of human mortality, historical heritage, and spiritual peace. Descriptions of ancient Anglo-Saxon life and the wild, northern tundras of Greater Canada anchor the reader in historical and geographical realism. The final selections turn toward quiet contemplation, balancing Wordsworth's vibrant spring mornings with Tennyson's serene meditation on death and the afterlife in "Crossing the Bar," bringing the reader's literary journey to a peaceful, elevated close.

How It Unfolds

Lessons from the wild A boy named Bobby finds himself immobilized as a professor toad lectures an audience of animals on the mischievous, useless nature of the human species.

Devotion on the frontier Ranald narrowly escapes a pack of wolves while riding home, earning the everlasting gratitude and friendship of Mrs. Murray for his bravery.

Wit and human nature Tom Sawyer cleverly tricks the neighborhood boys into paying him for the privilege of whitewashing Aunt Polly's fence.

Rebellion and restraint Maggie Tulliver impetuously cuts off her dark hair to escape her family's nagging, only to be mocked by her brother Tom.

Curiosity in Wonderland Alice attends a maddening tea party where the March Hare and the Hatter riddle her with nonsense before rudely driving her away.

Defending the fort Young Madeline commands a tiny garrison during a siege, using clever trickery and continuous calls to convince the attacking forces that the fort is fully defended.

Kings and disguises King Richard the Lionheart discovers that the learned physician who cured his illness is none other than the Saracen leader Saladin.

A quiet departure The reader transitions into deep reflection on life, nature, and mortality, culminating in Tennyson's poem on crossing the final bar into the unknown.

The People

Bobby A young boy who gets caught in a surreal forest trial. He wants to defend himself against the forest creatures, but finds himself paralyzed as the professor toad uses him as a specimen to explain human flaws. He learns humility as his mischievous nature is laid bare before the woodland crowd.

Ranald A brave frontier youth who wants to protect his community from danger. Faced with a terrifying pack of wolves, he risks his own life to ensure Mrs. Murray reaches safety. Through his fierce courage, he gains a devoted, lifelong ally.

Tom Sawyer A resourceful, mischievous boy who wishes to avoid his morning chores. Faced with the daunting task of whitewashing a long fence, he turns the chore into an exclusive privilege, trading the task to other boys for their prized treasures and coming away both rich and rested.

Maggie Tulliver An impulsive young girl who yearns for freedom from rigid household expectations and constant criticism. Frustrated by her family's nagging about her appearance, she takes matters into her own hands by cutting her thick hair, only to face immediate ridicule from her brother.

Madeline A courageous young woman who wants to protect her family and fort from an Indian raid. Faced with an understaffed garrison, she takes command, outsmarts the enemy with strategic bluffs, and transforms from a young girl into a resolute leader.

King Richard A proud monarch who seeks to recover his health and honor his allies. Faced with the mysterious identity of his healer, he marvels at the wisdom of Saladin, gaining a newfound respect for his enemy's nobility.

In Its Own Voice

"He can be trusted to do few kinds of work. It is difficult to keep him clean. He doesn't know how to get his own dinner. He has a genius for making weaker things miserable."

A scholarly frog addresses a gathering of woodland creatures, using a paralyzed boy to critique the troublesome nature of young humans.

"If he had been a great and wise philosopher, he would have comprehended that Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do, and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do."

Tom Sawyer sits back and relaxes while watching his neighborhood friends eagerly pay him for the privilege of whitewashing his fence.

"The black locks were so thick,--nothing could be more tempting to a lad who had already tasted the forbidden pleasure of cutting the pony's mane."

Young Tom Tulliver takes the scissors from his sister Maggie to help her finish impulsively cropping her hair upstairs.

What It's Really About

Beneath its educational structure, the reader explores the development of moral character and personal duty. The selections continually question what makes an individual honorable, contrasting selfish impulsiveness with quiet sacrifice. Courage is a central theme, whether demonstrated by a young boy facing down wolves, a maiden defending a fort, or a knight showing respect to a rival. The text also investigates human nature, highlighting how easily people are tricked by appearances, status, or clever manipulation. Ultimately, the collection asks how children can grow into thoughtful, resilient adults while maintaining a sense of wonder toward the natural world and reverence for the divine.

Why Read It Today

This collection offers an inspiring window into early twentieth-century pedagogy and Victorian literary taste. Readers who enjoy classic literature, historic poetry, and vintage schoolbooks will find immense pleasure in its wide variety and carefully chosen prose. Reading this reader feels like stepping into a traditional classroom where moral lessons, frontier survival, and high romantic verse held equal weight.

The collection does present certain difficulties for modern readers. The inclusion of archaic dialects, period attitudes regarding colonial frontiers, and moralizing language reflects the era in which it was compiled. Furthermore, the abrupt shifts between lighthearted children's fables, military history, and solemn religious poetry require a reader comfortable with varied styles. Yet, what stays with you is the sheer quality of the writing. From Mark Twain's sharp humor to Tennyson's graceful verse, the anthology preserves some of the finest English prose and poetry ever assembled for young minds, proving that great literature retains its power across generations.