Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 56, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 March 1918 — IDEAS CURIOUS AND POETIC [ARTICLE]

IDEAS CURIOUS AND POETIC

Remarkable Beliefs That Have Been Firmly Ingrained Into the Children of Siam. Mr. Ernest Young, who went to Slam to organize the educational system, related at London recently some curious beliefs held by the children there. He explained that he had experienced considerable difficulty in teaching them the rudiments of science, They believed that the earth was flat because the priest-had told them so. It was also the impression of these children that a big crab went down into the sea and made the tide flow, and when the crab came -up for fresh air the tide ebbed. When the gods became angry rolling thunder was heard, and when the angels got sporty and struck Are out of bricks, summer lightning flashes were seen. When many angels got into the bath at the same time water ran over the side and it rained. Directly Mr. Young entered a school the children prostrated themselves before him, and the only way they could be induced to abandon this practice was to tell them that English children did ndt do that. They would do anything English children were said to do. They were awful liars, but when told that the English boy was truthful they gave up the habit.