10/06/16 21:36:37
Many years ago there lived in England a wise and good king whose name was Alfred.
No other man ever did so much for his country as he; and people now, all over the world, speak of him as Alfred the Great.
A fierce, rude people, called the Danes, had come from over the sea, and were fighting the English.
There were so many of them, and they were so bold and strong, that for a long time they gained every battle.
If they kept on, they would soon be the masters of the whole country.
At last, after a great battle the English army was broken up and scattered.
Every man had to save himself in the best way he could. King Alfred fled alone, in great haste, through the wood sand swamps.
Late in the day the king came to the hut of a woodcutter.
He was very tired and hungry,and he begged the woodcutter's wife to give him something to eat and a place to sleep in her hut.
The woman was baking some cakes upon the hearth, and she looked with pity upon the poor, ragged fellow who seemed so hungry.
She had no thought he was the king.
"Yes,"she said, "I will give you some supper if you will watch these cakes.
I want to go out and milk the cow; and you must see that they do not burn while I am gone."