Taking Tales: Instructive and Entertaining Reading

"Taking Tales: Instructive and Entertaining Reading" by William Henry Giles Kingston features a diverse anthology of six stories designed for family enjoyment and moral instruction. Each story introduces a different setting and set of characters, from an ungrateful English miller struggling with his business to a boy dreaming of a life at sea, and a family embarking on a new beginning in Canada. Readers will navigate the experiences of a young soldier amidst significant battles, an Australian shepherd tending his flock, and a child toiling in a coal mine. The initial story centers on Mark Page, a miller whose dissatisfaction with his own life leads to envy of his successful neighbor, while his daughter admires the farmer's industriousness. His son, influenced by negative peers, contributes to the family's challenges. Through these narratives, the stories explore themes of personal growth, the impact of one's choices, and the importance of compassion and community.