Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© Paul Dickson, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
For centuries, northern countries from Russia to England have laid the catkins of the willow tree before Jesus as he enters Jerusalem.
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Via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Alexander the Great dropped a hint to his sycophantic entourage.
© H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
One had natural talent but no discipline, the other had discipline but no natural talent.
© Maurice Pullin, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
Anne Elliot resents being expected to court the society of anyone simply because of social status.
By an anonymous Indian artist c. 1765-70, via the Victoria and Albert Museum and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.
Robert Clive turned seven hundred frightened recruits into crack troops by sheer force of personality.
© Drow male, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.
Despite setback after setback, Stanford was determined to hear his music played in public.