the conversion itself; as, for instance, the beautiful and poetical
work done by St. Christopher when he realized what work he could do
most effectively.

On the other hand, there are many stories of the saints dealing with
actions and motives which would appeal to the imagination and are not
only worthy of imitation, but are not wholly outside the life and
experience even of the child.[28]

Having protested against the elephantine joke and the too-frequent use
of exaggerated fun, I now endeavor to restore the balance by suggesting
the introduction into the school curriculum of a few purely grotesque
stories which serve as an antidote to sentimentality or utilitarianism.
But they must be presented as nonsense, so that the children may use
them for what they are intended as--pure relaxation. Such a story is
that of "The Wolf and the Kids," which I present in my own version at
the end of the book. I have had serious objections offered to this
story by several educational people, because of the revenge taken by the
goat on the wolf, but I am inclined to think that if the story is to be
taken as anything but sheer nonsense, it is surely sentimental to extend
our sympathy toward a caller who has devoured six of his hostess'
children. With regard to the wolf being cut open, there is not the
slightest need to accentuate the physical side. Children accept the
deed as they accept the cutting off of a giant's head, because they do
not associate it with pain, especially if the deed is presented half
humorously. The moment in the story where their sympathy is aroused is
the swallowing of the kids, because the children do realize the
possibility of being disposed of in the mother's absence. (Needless to
say, I never point out the moral of the kids' disobedience to the mother
in opening the door.) I have always noticed a moment of breathlessness