this unit is not ordered rigidly, but we do find a persistent sequence and careful symmetry. A similar repetitive and symmetrical arrangement of material occurs in other genres or types of literature with which we are familiar. Children’s literature frequently employs a repetitive style (McEvenue, 1971: 10ff.). Adults sometimes find the repetition in the story of “the little red hen” monotonous, but just this symmetry enables the youngster to absorb the material step by step. We encounter the same