Mcguffey's Eclectic Reader

I came across an old McGuffey's Reader the other day. Let me endeavor to tell you about it if I may. Seems in days of yore, educational aims were more sublime. Political correctness had yet to reach its querulous prime! Rife with exercises for forming a solid education, It was used by teachers and scholars for many a generation. Between its covers were many down-to-earth stories, Telling of the value of adhering to time-honored mores! Can you imagine, it even mentions God a time or two! Everything was written with a moral point of view. The book taught that upright living was the thing to do, If a happy and successful life was to ensue! Copious exercises taught pupils proper articulation, And great stress was placed on correct punctuation. Among other things in which they were drilled to excel, Was the parsing of words and how to properly spell! I'm not too well versed on what today is taught in school. Seems, tho', it wouldn't hurt to espouse the Golden Rule! I would be willing to bet my very last dime, That it might even help to reduce the teenage rate of crime! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)