Chapter 5 faithful friend

faithful friend One morning the old Rat poked his head out of his hole.He had small bright eyes, a stiff gray beard, and The bar looks like a long strip of black rubber.The ducklings were swimming in the pond, looking like a flock of canary birds.he Their mother, who is pure white like snow and has red legs, is trying her best to teach them how to stand on their heads in the water. "You'll never get into society until you learn to stand on your hands," she used to tell them, not Keep doing it for them to see.But the ducklings didn't pay attention to her words.They are too young to know

What are the benefits of a high society. "What naughty boys!" cried the old Rat. "They deserve to be drowned." "That's not the case," replied the mother duck, "everything is difficult at the beginning. Parents must be more patient." "Ah: I don't understand parenthood at all," said the Rat. "I'm not a breadwinner. In fact, I Never married, never plan to.Love is good in itself, but friendship is worth more than it is.Speak the truth, I know of nothing higher and more precious in this world than a faithful friendship. "

"Well, I ask you, what do you think the duties of a faithful friend are?" asked a green cardinal. At this time, he was sitting on a willow tree next to him and overheard their conversation. "Yes, that's exactly what I want to know," said Mother Duck.Then she swam to the other side of the pond and stood on her head Get up, to be a good example to your children. "What a stupid question!" roared the Rat. "Of course I am sure my faithful friend will be true to me." "Then what will you give in return?" said the bird, jumping up on a silver branch, and flapping his little wings.

"I don't understand you," replied the Rat. "Then let me tell you a story about that," said the cardinal. "Is it about me?" asked the Rat. "If so, I'd like to hear it, because I like Listen to the story. " "It suits you too," replied the cardinal.He flew down, stood on the bank of the river, and talked about the "faithful friend" Friends" story. "Once upon a time," said the Linnet, "there lived an honest lad named Hans." "Is he very good?" asked the Rat. "No," replied the Linnet, "I don't think he's brilliant at all, but he has a good heart and a funny, friendly face.

Good round face.He lived alone in a small cottage and worked every day in his garden.There are no flowers in the whole countryside as lovely as his garden.In it grew American carnations, and violets, and chestnuts, and French cedar.There is powder Red roses, golden roses, and crocuses, and violets in gold, purple, and white.with the season Alternatives, columbine and orchids, hyssop and orchids, lotus and orris, daffodils and cloves all bloom.A sort of As soon as one flower withers, another blooms in full bloom. There are always beautiful flowers in the garden for people to watch, and there is always a pleasant fragrance.

can be heard. "Little Hans had many friends, but his most loyal friend was Big Hugh the Miller. Indeed, the rich Miller was very kind to little Hans. Hans was very faithful, and every time he passed Little Hans's garden, he would always lean over the fence and pick a large bouquet of flowers, or Pick a handful of herbs.When it was a fruitful season, he would fill his pockets with plums and cherries. "The miller often said to little Hans, 'A true friend should share everything.' Little Hans nodded with a smile. I am very proud to have a friend with such noble thoughts.

"It is true that sometimes the neighbors wonder that the rich miller never gave little Hans anything in return. newspaper, though he kept a hundred sacks of flour at his mill, along with six cows and a large herd of sheep.But little Hans Never bothered to think about such things, and often heard the Miller tell him wonderful stories of unselfish true friendships For little Hans, nothing could make him happier than hearing about it. "So little Hans was working in the garden all the time. He was happy in spring, summer and autumn, but when winter came, He had no fruits and flowers to sell in the market, so he had to live a life of hunger and cold, and he often couldn't eat dinner, only some dry food

Pears and walnuts went to bed.He felt especially lonely during the winter days, when the miller never went visit him. "The miller used to say to his wife, 'As long as the snow doesn't stop, there's no need to go and see little Hans, because one is sleepy When they are in trouble, they should be alone and not let outsiders disturb them.That's at least my idea of ​​friendship, I believe I was right, so I'll wait until spring, when I'll visit him, and he'll send me a big basket of primroses, which will make He is very pleasant. ' "'You are indeed thoughtful of others,' replied his wife, who was now seated in a comfortable armchair with

A large furnace of firewood was burning by the side, "It's really thoughtful."You've got a way of talking about friendship, I bet even the pastor himself can't Such beautiful words, even though he can live in a three-story house and still wear a gold finger on his little finger. ' "'But can't we invite little Hans here?' said the miller's young son, 'if poor Hans If it is difficult, I will give him half of my porridge and show him my little white rabbits. ' "'What a silly boy you are!' cried the Miller, 'I don't know what use it is to send you to school. You seem

Learned nothing.Oh, if little Hans comes here, see our warm fires, and our rich evenings meals, and vats of wine, he might be jealous, and jealousy is a terrible thing, it can ruin a man's life. character.Of course I don't want to ruin little Hans' character, I am his best friend, I will always take care of him and keep him safe. Believe that he is not deceived by any temptation.Besides, if little Hans came to my house, he might ask me to give him some flour on credit, which I It can't be done.Flour is one thing, friendship is another, and the two should not be confused.Yes, these two words are spelled together

It is very different, and the meaning is also very different.Everyone knows this. ' "'You speak well'! said the Miller's wife, pouring herself a mug of warm ale, 'I really feel Very sleepy, like sitting in church listening to a sermon. ' "'Many do well,' replied the Miller, 'but very few do well, as can be seen in two things. Speaking in Chinese is more difficult and more charming. ’ He looked at his youngest son across the table with stern eyes, and the youngest son felt Feeling very embarrassed, he lowered his head, his face flushed, and tears fell into the teacup uncontrollably.However, at his age Little, you still have to forgive him. " "Is that the end of the story?" asked the Rat. "Of course not," replied the cardinal. "That's just the beginning." "Then you're too far behind," said the Rat, "and the master storytellers of today start at the end and go on to the beginning." head, and finally to the middle.This is the new method.I heard these words the other day from a reviewer who was working with A young man is walking by the pond.He has spoken at length on this subject, and I believe he is right, for he wears He had blue spectacles and was completely bald, and whenever a young man spoke he always replied, 'Bah! 'No However, please continue to tell the story.I especially like the miller.I have all sorts of beautiful emotions myself, so I feel sorry for him. " "Oh," said the Linnet, hopping now on one foot and now on the other. "As soon as winter is over, primrose When they began to open their yellowish stars, the Miller told his wife that he was going down to see little Hans. "'Oh, you have a good heart!' cried his wife, 'you are always thinking of others. Don't forget to bring your flowers big basket. ' "Then the miller fastened the wings of the windmill together with a strong iron chain, and then he lowered the basket on his arm. The mountain has gone. "'Good morning, little Hans,' said the Miller. "'Good morning,' answered Hans, leaning on the shovel, with a broad smile on his face. "'How have you been all winter?' asked the Miller again. "'Ah, yes,' exclaimed Hans, 'it was very kind of you to ask me, very kind of you. It was difficult, but now that spring is here, I am so happy, and my flowers are growing very well. ' "'We have spoken of you often this winter,' said the Miller, 'and wondered how you are doing.' "'Thank you very much,' said Hans, 'and I am a little afraid you will forget me.' "'Hans, what you say astonishes me,' said the Miller; 'friendship is never forgotten, and that is the great Wherever you are, I'm afraid you still don't understand the poetry of life.Ah, yes, how lovely your primroses are! ' "'They do look lovely,' said Hans, 'and I am very lucky to have so many primroses. We took them to the market and sold them to the mayor's daughter. When I had money, I went to redeem my cart. ' "'Redeeming your cart? You mean you sold it? What a fool you did!' "'Oh, actually,' said Hans, 'I had to do that. You know winter is hard for me, I It is true that there is no money to buy bread.So I sold first the silver buttons on my Sunday uniform, then the silver chain, then the sold my big pipe, and finally sold my cart.However, I'm going to buy them all back now. ' "'Hans,' said the Miller, 'I would like to give you my cart. It is not quite repaired, and indeed it One side is missing and there is something wrong with the rim, but I'm going to give it to you anyway.i know i am not Very generous, and a lot of people would think I was stupid for giving away the car, but I'm different.i think generous Generosity is at the heart of friendship.Besides, I got myself a new stroller.Well, you can relax, I will take my The cart is for you. ' "'Ah, you are too generous,' said little Hans, with a beam of joy on his funny, round face. Difficult to fix it because I have a board in my house. ' "'A plank!' said the Miller, 'by the way, I just want a plank to patch up my barn-roof. It has A big hole, if I don't plug it, the wheat will get wet.Thanks for mentioning this: one good thing always begets another Good thing, it's incredible.I have given you my cart, now you will give me the plank.Actually, the car Much more valuable than planks, but true friendship never pays attention to such things.Please get the planks quickly, I'm moving today to repair my barn. ' "'Certainly,' cried little Hans, and ran into his hut, and dragged the plank out of the yard. "'It's not too big a board,' said the Miller, looking at it, 'and I'm afraid there won't be any left for you when I finish the roof. The trolley was repaired, but of course it wasn't my fault.And now that I've given you my cart, I trust you I'd be happy to give me some flowers in return.Here's your basket, watch out please fill up my basket. ' "'Will it be filled?' asked little Hans, with a troubled look on his face, for it was a big basket, and he knew it well. Bai, if he fills up this basket, he won't have flowers left to sell in the market, besides, he really wants to Redeem the silver button. "'Oh, yes,' replied the Miller, 'and since I have given you my cart, I feel that I should ask you Some flowers are nothing.Maybe I'm wrong, but I think friendship, true friendship, is nothing selfish of. ' "'My dear friend, my best friend,' cried little Hans, 'all the flowers in my garden are for you enjoy.I would rather hear your good words sooner, and as for the silver buttons, I can redeem them any day. ’ And he ran to put the garden all the beautiful primroses were picked, and the miller's basket was filled. "'Good-by, little Hans,' said the Miller, and he went up the hill with the plank on his shoulder, and the big basket in his hand. "'Good-bye,' said little Hans, and he began digging merrily again, excited by the little cart. "The next day, as little Hans was nailing up the honeysuckle on the porch, he heard the voice of the miller calling to him from the road. Jumping down the ladder, he ran into the garden and looked over the wall. "I saw the miller standing outside with a big sack of flour. "'Dear little Hans,' said the Miller, 'will you help me carry this sack of flour to the market?' Yimu, I'm really sorry,' Hans said, 'I'm really too busy today.I'm going to nail up all the vines and have to Water all the flowers and cut all the grass. ' "'Ah, yes,' said the Miller, 'I think so.But you have to consider that I will give you my cart, you want To reject me is not enough of a friend. ' "'Oh, don't say that,' cried little Hans, 'I will never do anything to my friend.' He ran He went into the hut to get his hat, and then he carried the big sack of flour and trudged towards the market. "It was a hot day, and the road was dusty, and before Hans had gone six miles, he was so tired that he had to sit down Come and rest your feet.However, he continued his journey bravely, and at last reached the market place.he didn't wait long there In that time, he sold the bag of flour for a good price.He set off immediately for home because he was afraid of staying too long at the fair. If it is late, you may encounter robbers on the way back. "'It's been a hard day indeed,' said little Hans to himself as he went to bed, 'but I'm glad I didn't say no. The Miller, for he is my best friend, and besides, he will give me his cart. ' "Early next morning, the miller came down to get money for his sack of flour, but little Hans was so tired that he was still lying on the bed. Sleeping in bed. "'I must say,' said the Miller, 'that you are very lazy, and I will give you my little cart when you think of it, and you You should work harder.Laziness is a great sin, and I certainly don't like my friend being an idler.of course you won't blame I tell you this bluntly, and if I hadn't been your friend, I certainly wouldn't have done it.but if people can't What's the meaning of friendship if you speak your mind frankly.Anyone can speak nice words and please People can also please others, but a true friend always speaks harsh words, and is not afraid to find trouble for others.indeed, only If a true and faithful friend is willing to do so, it is because he knows he is doing good. ' "'I'm sorry,' said little Hans, rubbing his eyes, and taking off his nightcap, 'but I really I'm so tired, all I want is to sleep a little longer and listen to the birds singing.You know, whenever I hear the birds sing I will work harder? ' "'Well, that pleases me,' said the Miller, patting little Hans on the shoulder, 'I just want you to come at once when you are dressed. Come my mill, and patch up the barn roof for me. ' "Poor little Hans was longing to work in his garden, for his plants had not been watered for two days, But he didn't want to reject the miller. The miller was his good friend. "'If I say I'm busy, do you think I'm not friend enough?' he asked shyly and worriedly. "'Well, indeed,' replied the Miller, 'I don't think I ask too much of you, if you think I will Here's my cart, but of course if you don't want to do it, I'll go back and do it myself. ' "'Ah! how can that be done,' cried little Hans. He jumped out of bed, dressed, and went to the barn. "He worked there all day till sunset, when the miller came to see how he was doing. "'Have you mended the hole in the roof, little Hans?' cried the Miller, delightedly. "'It's all made up,' said little Hans, coming down from the ladder. "'Ah!' said the Miller, 'there is no greater joy than working for others.' "'It is a great pleasure to hear you,' answered little Hans, sitting down and wiping the perspiration from his brow. Say, 'It's a great honor, but I'm afraid I'll never have such beautiful thoughts as you. ' "'Ah! you too,' said the Miller, 'but you'll have to work harder. Now you've only done The practice of friendship, and one day you will have the theory too. ' "'Do you really think I will?' asked little Hans. "'I have no doubt of it,' replied the Miller, 'but since you have repaired the roof, you had better Go back and rest, because I want you to help me drive the goats to the mountains tomorrow. ' "'Poor little Hans dared not say anything about it, and early next morning the miller came with his flock Beside the hut, Hans drove them up the mountain.It took him a whole day to walk back and forth.When he got home he was already Exhausted, he sat on a chair and fell asleep, and when he woke up, it was already broad daylight. "'How happy I am to be in my own garden today,' said he, and he set off at once to his work. "But he could never devote himself to tending his flowers, because his friend the miller was always running Come and send him some errands, or send him to help at the mill.Sometimes little Hans was also very distressed, and he was afraid that his flowers would think he was gone. He had forgotten them, but he consoled himself with the idea that the miller was his best friend. 'Besides,' he Always say to yourself, 'He's also giving me his stroller, that's a really generous act. ' "So little Hans kept doing things for the Miller, and the Miller said all kinds of beautiful words about friendship, Hans wrote all these words in his notebook, and often read them in the evening, because he was still a book lover. "One evening, while little Hans was sitting by the fire, there was a loud knock at the door. It was a bad weather. At night, the wind blew wildly around the cabin.At first he thought it was just the sound of the storm, but then again There was a second knock on the door, and a third, louder than the first two. "'This is a poor traveler,' said little Hans to himself, and ran to the door. "It was the Miller standing at the door, with a lantern in one hand, and a large stick in the other. "'Dear little Hans,' cried the Miller, 'I am in great trouble. My little son has fallen from the ladder Here I am, injured, and I'm going to call for a doctor.But the place where the doctor lives is too far away, and the weather is so bad tonight, I just now I suddenly felt that it would be much better if you went to the doctor for me.You know I'm going to give you my stroller, so you should It's only fair to do something for me in return. ' "'Of course,' cried little Hans, 'I think it would be a great honor for you to come to me, and I'll be off. But You have to lend me the lantern, it's too dark tonight, I'm afraid I'll fall into the ditch. ' "'I am sorry,' replied the Miller, 'this is my new lantern, and if there is anything wrong with it, I The loss can be great. ' "'Oh, never mind, I can do without it,' cried little Hans, taking off his fur coat and warm red gift cap, and a scarf around his neck, and set off. "It was a dreadful night of storms, and it was so dark that little Hans could see nothing. The wind blew very hard. He couldn't even stand still.But little Hans was very brave, and he walked about three hours to the doctor's house, There was a knock on the door. "'Who is it?' cried the Doctor, poking his head out of the bedroom. "'Doctor, I am little Hans.' "'What is it, little Hans.' "'The miller's son has fallen from the ladder and hurt himself. The miller begs you to go at once." "'Yes!' said the doctor, and sent for the horses to be ready. He fetched his big boots, and taking up his lantern, came down the stairs, He rode on his horse and ran towards the miller's house, while little Hans followed behind him with a slow pace. "But the storm got bigger and bigger, and the rain fell like the running water of a small river. Little Hans couldn't see the road in front of him clearly, and he couldn't keep up with it. The horse is gone.At last he got lost and wandered in a swamp.This is a very dangerous place with deep water everywhere the pit, where poor little Hans was drowned.The next day several shepherds found his body, floating in a large pool on the water surface of the pond.The shepherds carried the body back to his hut.Master of mourning ceremonies. "'As I am his best friend,' said the Miller, 'then let me be in the best position.' So he Wearing a black robe, he walked at the forefront of the funeral procession, and from time to time wiped away his tears with a large handkerchief. "'Little Hans' death was a great loss to everyone, indeed,' began the blacksmith. By this time the funeral was over, and Mr. Everyone sat comfortably in the tavern, drinking mulled wine and eating desserts. "'It is a great loss to me anyway,' replied the Miller; 'by the way, I am about to give him my cart Well, now I really don't know what to do with it.It's a big nuisance for me to have in my house, it's worn down, it's just for sale What else can I get from it.I will be more careful not to give away anything in the future.Generosity always makes people suffer. '" "And then?" said the Rat after a while. "What, I'm done," said Linnet. "But what happened to the Miller?" asked the Rat. "Oh! I really don't know," replied the cardinal, "I don't think I care about that." "It is evident that there is no sympathy in your nature," said the Rat. "I'm afraid you haven't figured out the teaching of the story," retorted the cardinal. "What?" said the Rat warmly. "doctrine." "You mean there is a teaching in the story?" "Of course," said the cardinal. "Oh, seriously," said the Rat angrily, "I think you ought to have told me that before you told the story. If you If you do that, I'm sure I won't listen to you.Actually, I should have said 'Bah! 'However, I can now That's it. ’ and he cried out, ‘Pooh! ", and waving his tail, he returned to the cave go. "What do you think of the Rat?" asked the Duck, and it took her several minutes to paddle up to the bank. "He also There are many advantages, but as far as I am concerned, I have a mother's feelings, as long as I see those bachelors who are determined not to marry Can't help but want to shed tears. " "I'm really afraid I've offended him," replied the cardinal, "but the truth is I told him a moral story." "Oh, it's always dangerous," said the Duck. I totally agree with her. THE DEVOTED FRIEND One morning the old Water-rat put his head out of his hole. He had bright beady eyes and stiff gray whiskers and his tail was like a long bit of black india-rubber. The little ducks were swimming about in the pond, looking just like a lot of yellow canaries, and their mother, who was pure white with real red legs, was trying to teach them how to stand on their heads in the water. "You will never be in the best society unless you can stand on your heads," she kept saying to them; and every now and then she showed them how it was done. But the little ducks paid no attention to her. They were so young that they did not know what an advantage it is to be in society at all. "What disobedient children!" cried the old Water-rat; "they really deserve to be drowned." "Nothing of the kind," answered the Duck, "every one must make a beginning, and parents cannot be too patient." "Ah! I know nothing about the feelings of parents," said the Water- rat; "I am not a family man. In fact, I have never been married, and I never intend to be. Love is all very well in its way, but friendship is much higher. Indeed, I know of nothing in the world that is either nobler or rarer than a devoted friendship." "And what, pray, is your idea of ​​the duties of a devoted friend?" asked a Green Linnet, who was sitting in a willow-tree hard by, and had overheard the conversation. "Yes, that is just what I want to know," said the Duck; swam away to the end of the pond, and stood upon her head, in order to give her children a good example. "What a silly question!" cried the Water-rat. "I should expect my devoted friend to be devoted to me, of course." "And what would you do in return?" said the little bird, swinging upon a silver spray, and flapping his tiny wings. "I don't understand you," answered the Water-rat. "Let me tell you a story on the subject," said the Linnet. "Is the story about me?" asked the Water-rat. "If so, I will listen to it, for I am extremely fond of fiction." "It is applicable to you," answered the Linnet; and he flew down, and realizing upon the bank, he told the story of The Devoted Friend. "Once upon a time," said the Linnet, "there was an honest little fellow named Hans." "Was he very distinguished?" asked the Water-rat. "No," answered the Linnet, "I dont think he was distinguished at all, except for his kind heart, and his funny round good-humoured face. He lived in a tiny cottage all by himself, and every day he worked in his garden. In all the country-side there was no garden so lovely as his. Sweet-william grew there, and Gilly-flowers, and Shepherds-purses, and Fair-maids of France. There were damask Roses, and yellow Roses, lilac Crocuses, and gold, purple Violets and white. Columbine and Ladysmock, Marjoram and Wild Basil, the Cowslip and the Flower-de-luce, the Daffodil and the Clove-Pink bloomed or bloomed in their proper order as the months went by, one flower taking another flowers place, so that there were always beautiful things to look at, and pleasant odors to smell. "Little Hans had a great many friends, but the most devoted friend of all was big Hugh the Miller. Indeed, so devoted was the rich Miller to little Hans, that be would never go by his garden without leaning over the wall and plucking a large nosegay, or a handful of sweet herbs, or filling his pockets with plums and cherries if it was the fruit season. "Real friends should have everything in common, the Miller used to say, and little Hans nodded and smiled, and felt very proud of having a friend with such noble ideas. "Sometimes, indeed, the neighbors thought it strange that the rich Miller never gave little Hans anything in return, though he had a Hundred sacks of flour stored away in his mill, and six milch cows, and a large flock of woolly sheep; but Hans never troubled his head about these things, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to listen to all the wonderful things the Miller used to say about the unselfishness of true friendship. "So little Hans worked away in his garden. During the spring, the summer, and the autumn he was very happy, but when the winter came, and he had no fruit or flowers to bring to the market, he suffered a good deal from cold and hunger, and often had to go to bed Without any supper but a few dried pears or some hard nuts. In the winter, also, he was extremely lonely, as the Miller never came to see him then. "There is no good in my going to see little Hans as long as the snow lasts, the Miller used to say to his wife, for when people are in trouble they should be left alone, and not be bothered by visitors. That at least is my idea about friendship, and I am sure I am right. So I shall wait till the spring comes, and then I shall pay him a visit, and he will be able to give me a large basket of primroses and that will make him so happy. "You are certainly very thoughtful about others, answered the Wife, as she sat in her comfortable armchair by the big pinewood fire; very thoughtful indeed. It is quite a treat to hear you talk about friendship. I am sure the clergyman himself could not say such beautiful things as you do, though he does live in a three-storied house, and wear a gold ring on his little finger. "But could we not ask little Hans up here? said the Millers youngest son. If poor Hans is in trouble I will give him half my porridge, and show him my white rabbits. "What a silly boy you are! cried the Miller; I really dont know what is the use of sending you to school. You seem not to learn anything. Why, if little Hans came up here, and saw our warm fire, and our good supper, and our great cask of red wine, he might get envious, and envy is a most terrible thing, and would spoil anybody's nature. I certainly will not allow Hans nature to be spoiled. I am his best friend, and I will always watch over him, and see that he is not led into any temptations. Besides, if Hans came here, he might ask me to let him have some flour on credit, and that I could not do. Flour is one thing, and friendship is another, and they should not be confused. Why, the words are spelled differently, and mean quite different things. Everybody can see that. "How well you talk! said the Millers Wife, pouring herself out a large glass of warm ale; really I feel quite drowsy. It is just like being in church. "Lots of people act well, answered the Miller; but very few people talk well, which shows that talking is much the more difficult thing of the two, and much the finer thing also; looked sternly across the table at his little son, who felt so ashamed of himself that he hung his head down, and grew quite scarlet, and began to cry into his tea. However, he was so young that you must excuse him." "Is that the end of the story?" asked the Water-rat. "Certainly not," answered the Linnet, "that is the beginning." "Then you are quite behind the age," said the Water-rat. "Every good story-teller nowadays starts with the end, and then goes on to the beginning, and concludes with the middle. That is the new method. I heard all about it the other day from a critic who was walking round the pond with a young man. He spoke of the matter at great length, and I am sure he must have been right, for he had blue spectacles and a bald head, and whenever the young man made any remark, he always answered Pooh! But pray go on with your story. I like the Miller immensely. I have all kinds of beautiful sentiments myself, so there is a great sympathy between us." "Well," said the Linnet, shopping now on one leg and now on the other, "as soon as the winter was over, and the primroses began to open their pale yellow stars, the Miller said to his wife that he would go down and see little Hans. "Why, what a good heart you have! cried his Wife; you are always thinking of others. And mind you take the big basket with you for the flowers. "So the Miller tied the sails of the windmill together with a strong iron chain, and went down the hill with the basket on his arm. "Good morning, little Hans, said the Miller. "Good morning, said Hans, leaning on his spade, and smiling from ear to ear. "And how have you been all the winter? said the Miller. "Well, really, cried Hans, it is very good of you to ask, very good indeed. I am afraid I had rather a hard time of it, but now the spring has come, and I am quite happy, and all my flowers are doing well. "We often talked of you during the winter, Hans, said the Miller, and wondered how you were getting on. "That was kind of you, said Hans; I was half afraid you had forget me. "Hans, I am surprised at you, said the Miller; friendship never forgets. That is the wonderful thing about it, but I am afraid you dont understand the poetry of life. How lovely your primroses are looking, by-the-bye"! "They are certainly very lovely, said Hans, and it is a most lucky thing for me that I have so many. I am going to bring them into the market and sell them to the Burgomasters daughter, and buy back my wheelbarrow with the money. "Buy back your wheelbarrow? You don't mean to say you have sold it? What a very stupid thing to do! "Well, the fact is, said Hans, that I was obliged to. You see the winter was a very bad time for me, and I really had no money at all to buy bread with. So I first sold the silver buttons off my Sunday coat, and then I sold my silver chain, and then I sold my big pipe, and at last I sold my wheelbarrow. But I am going to buy them all back again now. "Hans, said the Miller, I will give you my wheelbarrow. It is not in very good repair; indeed, one side is gone, and there is something wrong with the wheel-spokes; but in spite of that I will give it to you. I know it is very generous of me, and a great many people would think me extremely foolish for parting with it, but I am not like the rest of the world. I think that generosity is the essence of friendship, and, besides, I have got a new wheelbarrow for myself. Yes, you may set your mind at ease, I will give you my wheelbarrow. "Well, really, that is generous of you, said little Hans, and his funny round face glowed all over with pleasure. I can easily put it in repair, as I have a plank of wood in the house. "A plank of wood! said the Miller; why, that is just what I want for the roof of my barn. There is a very large hole in it, and the corn will all get damp if I dont stop it up. How lucky you mentioned it! It is quite remarkable how one good action always breeds another. I have given you my wheelbarrow, and now you are going to give me your plank. Of course, the wheelbarrow is worth far more than the plank, but true, friendship never notices things like that. Pray get it at once, and I will set to work at my barn this very day. "Certainly, cried little Hans, and he ran into the shed and dragged the plank out. "It is not a very big plank, said the Miller, looking at it, and I am afraid that after I have mended my barn-roof there wont be any left for you to mend the wheelbarrow with; but, of course, that is not my fault. And now, as I have given you my wheelbarrow, I am sure you would like to give me some flowers in return. Here is the basket, and mind you fill it quite full. "Quite full? said little Hans, rather sorrowfully, for it was really a very big basket, and he knew that if he filled it he would have no flowers left for the market and he was very anxious to get his silver buttons back. "Well, really, answered the Miller, as I have given you my wheelbarrow, I dont think that it is much to ask you for a few flowers. I may be wrong, but I should have thought that friendship, true friendship, was quite free from selfishness of any kind. "My dear friend, my best friend, cried little Hans, you are welcome to all the flowers in my garden. I would much sooner have your good opinion than my silver buttons, any day; and he ran and plucked all his pretty primroses, and filled the Millers basket. "Good-bye, little Hans, said the Miller, as he went up the hill with the plank on his shoulder, and the big basket in his hand. "Good-bye, said little Hans, and he began to dig away quite merrily, he was so pleased about the wheelbarrow. "The next day he was nailing up some honeysuckle against the porch, when he heard the Millers voice calling to him from the road. So he jumped off the ladder, and ran down the garden, and looked over the wall. "There was the Miller with a large sack of flour on his back. "Dear little Hans, said the Miller, would you mind carrying this sack of flour for me to market? "Oh, I am so sorry, said Hans, but I am really very busy to-day. I have got all my creepers to nail up, and all my flowers to water, and all my grass to roll. "Well, really, said the Miller, I think that, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, it is rather unfriendly of you to refuse. "Oh, dont say that, cried little Hans, I wouldnt be unfriendly for the whole world; and he ran in for his cap, and trudged off with the big sack on his shoulders. "It was a very hot day, and the road was terribly dusty, and before Hans had reached the sixth milestone he was so tired that he had to sit down and rest. However, he went on bravely, and as last he reached the market. After he had waited there some time, he sold the sack of flour for a very good price, and then he returned home at once, for he was afraid that if he stopped too late he might meet some robbers on the way. "It has certainly been a hard day, said little Hans to himself as he was going to bed, but I am glad I did not refuse the Miller, for he is my best friend, and, besides, he is going to give me his wheelbarrow. "Early the next morning the Miller came down to get the money for his sack of flour, but little Hans was so tired that he was still in bed. "Upon my word, said the Miller, you are very lazy. Really, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, I think you might work harder. Idleness is a great sin, and I certainly dont like any of my friends to be idle or sluggish. You must not mind my speaking quite plainly to you. Of course I should not dream of doing so if I were not your friend. But what is the good of friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means? Anybody can say charming things and try to please and to flatter, but a true friend always says unpleasant things, and does not mind giving pain. Indeed, if he is a really true friend he prefers it, for he knows that then he is doing good. "I am very sorry, said little Hans, rubbing his eyes and pulling off his night-cap, but I was so tired that I thought I would lie in bed for a little time, and listen to the birds singing. Do you know that I always work better after hearing the birds sing? "Well, I am glad of that, said the Miller, clapping little Hans on the back, for I want you to come up to the mill as soon as you are dressed, and mend my barn-roof for me. "Poor little Hans was very anxious to go and work in his garden, for his flowers had not been watered for two days, but he did not like to refuse the Miller, as he was such a good friend to him. "Do you think it would be unfriendly of me if I said I was busy? he inquired in a shy and timid voice. "Well, really, answered the Miller, I do not think it is much to ask of you, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow; but of course if you refuse I will go and do it myself. "Oh! on no account, cried little Hans and he jumped out of bed, and dressed himself, and went up to the barn. "He worked there all day long, till sunset, and at sunset the Miller came to see how he was getting on. "Have you mended the hole in the roof yet, little Hans? cried the Miller in a cheery voice. "It is quite mended, answered little Hans, coming down the ladder. "Ah! said the Miller, there is no work so delightful as the work one does for others. "It is certainly a great privilege to hear you talk, answered little Hans, sitting down, and wiping his forehead, a very great privilege. But I am afraid I shall never have such beautiful ideas as you have. "Oh! they will come to you, said the Miller, but you must take more pains. At present you have only the practice of friendship; some day you will have the theory also. "Do you really think I shall? asked little Hans. "I have no doubt of it, answered the Miller, but now that you have mended the roof, you had better go home and rest, for I want you to drive my sheep to the mountain to-morrow. "Poor little Hans was afraid to say anything to this, and early the next morning the Miller brought his sheep round to the cottage, and Hans started off with them to the mountain. It took him the whole day to get there and back; and when he returned he was so tired that he went off to sleep in his chair, and did not wake up till it was broad daylight. "What a delightful time I shall have in my garden, he said, and he went to work at once. "But somehow he was never able to look after his flowers at all, for his friend the Miller was always coming round and sending him off on long errands, or getting him to help at the mill. Little Hans was very much distressed at times, as he was afraid his flowers would think he had forgotten them, but he consoled himself by the reflection that the Miller was his best friend. Besides, he used to say, he is going to give me his wheelbarrow, and that is an act of pure generosity. "So little Hans worked away for the Miller, and the Miller said all kinds of beautiful things about friendship, which Hans took down in a note-book, and used to read over at night, for he was a very good scholar. "Now it happened that one evening little Hans was sitting by his fireside when a loud rap came at the door. It was a very wild night, and the wind was blowing and roaring round the house so terribly that at first he thought it was merely the storm. But a second rap came, and then a third, louder than any of the others. "It is some poor traveller, said little Hans to himself, and he ran to the door. "There stood the Miller with a lantern in one hand and a big stick in the other. "Dear little Hans, cried the Miller, I am in great trouble. My little boy has fallen off a ladder and hurt himself, and I am going for the Doctor. But he lives so far away, and it is such a bad night, that it has just occurred to me that it would be much better if you went instead of me. You know I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, and so, it is only fair that you should do something for me in return. "Certainly, cried little Hans, I take it quite as a compliment your coming to me, and I will start off at once. But you must lend me your lantern, as the night is so dark that I am afraid I might fall into the ditch. "I am very sorry, answered the Miller, but it is my new lantern, and it would be a great loss to me if anything happened to it. "Well, never mind, I will do without it, cried little Hans, and he took down his great fur coat, and his warm scarlet cap, and tied a muffler round his throat, and started off. "What a dreadful storm it was! The night was so black that little Hans could hardly see, and the wind was so strong that he could scarcely stand. However, he was very courageous, and after he had been walking about three hours, he arrived at the Doctors house, and knocked at the door. "Who is there? cried the Doctor, putting his head out of his bedroom window. "Little Hans, Doctor. "What do you want, little Hans? "The Millers son has fallen from a ladder, and has hurt himself, and the Miller wants you to come at once. "All right! said the Doctor; and he ordered his horse, and his big boots, and his lantern, and came downstairs, and rode off in the direction of the Millers house, little Hans trudging behind him. "But the storm grew worse and worse, and the rain fell in torrents, and little Hans could not see where he was going, or keep up with the horse. At last he lost his way, and wandered off on the moor, which was a very dangerous place, as it was full of deep holes, and there poor little Hans was drowned. His body was found the next day by some goatherds, floating in a great pool of water, and was brought back by them to the cottage. "Everybody went to little Hans funeral, as he was so popular, and the Miller was the chief mourner. "As I was his best friend, said the Miller, it is only fair that I should have the best place; so he walked at the head of the procession in a long black cloak, and every now and then he wiped his eyes with a big pocket-handkerchief. "Little Hans is certainly a great loss to every one, said the Blacksmith, when the funeral was over, and they were all seated comfortably in the inn, drinking spiced wine and eating sweet cakes. "A great loss to me at any rate, answered the Miller; why, I had as good as given him my wheelbarrow, and now I really dont know what to do with it. It is very much in my way at home, and it is in such bad repair that I could not get anything for it if I sold it. I will certainly take care not to give away anything again. One always suffers for being generous." "Well?" said the Water-rat, after a long pause. "Well, that is the end," said the Linnet. "But what became of the Miller?" asked the Water-rat. "Oh! I really dont know," replied the Linnet; "and I am sure that I dont care." "It is quite evident then that you have no sympathy in your nature," said the Water-rat. "I am afraid you dont quite see the moral of the story," remarked the Linnet. "The what?" screamed the Water-rat. "The moral." "Do you mean to say that the story has a moral?" "Certainly," said the Linnet. "Well, really," said the Water-rat, in a very angry manner, "I think you should have told me that before you began. If you had done so, I certainly would not have listened to you; in fact, I should have said Pooh, like the critic. However, I can say it now"; so he shouted out "Pooh" at the top of his voice, gave a whisk with his tail, and went back into his hole. "And how do you like the Water-rat?" asked the Duck, who came paddling up some minutes afterwards. "He has a great many good points, but for my own part I have a mothers feelings, and I can never look at a confirmed bachelor without the tears coming into my eyes." "I am rather afraid that I have annoyed him," answered the Linnet. "The fact is, that I told him a story with a moral." "Ah! that is always a very dangerous thing to do," said the Duck. And I quite agree with her.