THE GOLD THREAD and WEE DAVIE - two children's stories each with a moral

Book excerpt: Herein are two illustrated children’s stories, each with a moral, by Norman Macleod (1812 – 1872.) In THE GOLD THREAD "Prince Eric loses his way in the Hemlock Forest where a wicked robber king and his band of cutthroats and thieves live. The prince must learn the lessons of the Gold Thread if he is ever to return home to see his father, the good King Magnus, again. Through his failures and victories, he follows his gold thread through the forest. On his journey, he must turn aside temptation and enticements, of all kinds, and follow the Gold Thread whatever the danger. But what is the Gold Thread? Well you will have to download and read the story to find out! WEE DAVIE is a lovely story about how a child brought about an amazing change in the village into which he was born. He was the only child of William Thorburn, blacksmith, and of Jeanie, his wife. First, the “bonnie bairn” brought a change to his father and later to his mother as well. In time, his goodness and influence spread to his neighbours and then into the village itself. Yet, Wee Davie, the name by which he had been known since birth remained with him as he grew older. He had a knack for reconciling the village Tories and the more “radical elements” in the village whom it seemed had been at loggerheads ever since politics had been invented. Unexpectedly, one day “wee Davie” became ill and he began to refuse his food. His parents sat with him and nursed him day and night. “What ails Willie?” was the question villagers asked, to which no reply could be given. Not even the Doctor could save him and one beautiful morning in spring, with a bright blue sky, living air, springing grass, and singing birds, Wee Davie left our world. His passing left a large void in the fabric of village society and for years to come he was spoken about with love and affection. 10% of the profit from the sale of this book will be donated to charities. ================== KEYWORDS/TAGS: Wee Davie, Gold Thread, Prince Eric, Hemlock Forest, wicked, robber king, cutthroats, thieves, return home, father, king, temptation, enticement, follow, William, Thorburn, Jeanie, curly blond, bonnie bairn, Scottish, Scotland, village, happiness, love, love, tolerance, forgiveness, understanding, influence, goodness, passing,