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The picnic party

By Oliver Optic
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About This Book

During a summer visit, city cousins join country children for fishing, picnics, and woods excursions that reveal one girl's habit of imposing on others. Her repeated requests for favors—fetching items, delaying outings, and demanding attention—weigh on patient companions, particularly a friend who supplies them. The narrative follows these domestic episodes to show how thoughtless self-centeredness strains friendships, and how gentle consequences and attentive peers encourage reflection and improved manners. Scenes blend outdoor adventure with moral lessons about courtesy, gratitude, and mutual consideration.

About the Author

Optic, Oliver portrait

Oliver Optic

Oliver Optic was the pen name of William Taylor Adams, an American author known for his prolific contributions to children's literature in the 19th century. He wrote over 80 books, many of which are adventure tales aimed at young readers, emphasizing themes of courage, friendship, and moral integrity. His notable works include "A Lieutenant at Eighteen" and "Across India; Or, Live Boys in the Far East," which reflect his ability to engage and inspire youth through storytelling. Optic's narratives often feature boys embarking on exciting journeys, making him a significant figure in the genre of boys' adventure fiction.

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