Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.
© João-Martinho, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.
A firework display in Paris turned to tragedy in the narrow streets of the capital.
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© Serena, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
The sly cat hatches a plan to get all the benefits of domestic life without any of the responsibilities.
© Alan Fleming, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.
In 1859, peaceful co-existence on the Canadian border was severely tested by a marauding pig.
© Alan Fleming, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
Railways not only brought fresh, healthy food to the urban poor, they improved the conditions of working animals.
© Stanley Howe, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.
A team of amateurs gave Europe’s finest a drubbing.
© GalliasM, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.
A monk of the Egyptian desert helped a desperate mother, and was richly rewarded.