Short Fiction by O. Henry

I

Words you’ll meet in this part (12)
boilerplate
Standardized text or sections used in documents or contracts for efficiency.
aristotle
Ancient Greek philosopher, student of Plato, teacher of Alexander the Great.
tottering
Walking or moving unsteadily; shaky.
reeling
Moving unsteadily or swaying from dizziness or shock.
solemn
Serious and dignified in manner or behavior.
ant
A small insect, often living in colonies, known for strength and teamwork.
doddering
Shaky or unsteady, especially due to old age.
owl
A nocturnal bird of prey with large eyes and a flat face.
hooted
Made a loud cry or sound, like an owl.
chautauqua
A historical adult education movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring lectures and performances.
conventions
Formal agreements or protocols followed by groups or societies.
diabolo
A juggling prop consisting of two cups connected by an axle, spun and tossed using a string.

Short Fiction by O. Henry 12 new words

I

Where to go for wisdom has become a question of serious import. The ancients are discredited; Plato is ; is ; Marcus Aurelius is ; Aesop has been copyrighted by Indiana; Solomon is too ; you couldn’t get anything out of Epictetus with a pick.

The , which for many years served as a model of intelligence and industry in the school-readers, has been proven to be a idiot and a waster of time and effort. The today is at. have abandoned culture and adopted . Graybeards give glowing testimonials to the venders of patent hair-restorers. There are typographical errors in the almanacs published by the daily newspapers. College professors have become—

But there shall be no personalities.

To sit in classes, to delve into the encyclopedia or the past-performances page, will not make us wise. As the poet says, “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.” Wisdom is dew, which, while we know it not, soaks into us, refreshes us, and makes us grow. Knowledge is a strong stream of water turned on us through a hose. It disturbs our roots.

Then, let us rather gather wisdom. But how to do so requires knowledge. If we know a thing, we know it; but very often we are not wise to it that we are wise, and—

But let’s go on with the story.

Here, Known, Learning and Ignore only change this page. In your own library they are kept: a Known word is never underlined again, and a Learning one waits for you in My Words.

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