The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

1585

From Wikimedia Commons.

The Persistence of Thomas Clarkson Thomas Clarkson

Thomas Clarkson believed that Africans were being forced into slavery in the West Indies, but could he prove it to the British public?

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1586

© Soerfm, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Lion and the Mouse Clay Lane

A casual act of mercy brought an unexpected reward.

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1587

© Graham, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Fox and the Grapes Clay Lane

Some people disparage what they can’t have.

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1588

© Peter Trimming, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Fox and the Bramble Clay Lane

A fox tries to save herself from a fall, but finds she would have been better off taking the tumble.

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1589

© Mike Pennington, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

The Eagle, the Jackdaw, and the Shepherd Clay Lane

An over-excited jackdaw goes out of his league, and pays the price.

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1590

© Geir Hval, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.

St Hild at Whitby St Bede of Jarrow

Hild founded an abbey that poured out a stream of priests and bishops for the revitalised English Church.

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