The children in the West African interior do not have the advantages that the little boys and girls in America have, but they appreciate the love of their parents and friends just as much as any one does.
At first they are very shy, and will run every time we approach them. It takes time and patience to win them. They have good reason for being afraid of the white man, for their parents tell them that if they are not good they will give them to the white man, just as you have heard other parents tell their children if they are not good the “black man” will get them.
FILIPINO BOY AND ROYAL HAY,
LUZON, PHILIPPINES.
Not many of the children have a chance to go to school, but must work when very young. We often see a very small girl carrying a big pail of water on her head, or beating rice in a mortar, for these are the duties of women and girls. The boys help in the field, and build houses of mud.
After a hard day’s work or play, we like to get into our soft beds and go right to sleep; but this is not the privilege of the little black boys and girls. They have only a mat to spread out on the dirt floor, with no soft pillow nor warm covers. If they get cold, they must get up and build a fire to keep warm.
I have never seen the children here play any games, but they seem to enjoy running about, chasing one another here and there. I know they are having a good time, for they laugh a great deal. They do not know what dolls and toys are.
LITTLE FOLKS STUDYING ABC IN MEXICO.
COPYRIGHT BY UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD
