When those who love advise, 'tis sweet to learn. -SOPHOCLES.

We can do more good by being good than in any other way. ROWLAND SILL.

To have what we want is riches; but to be able to do without is power.

- GEORGE MACDONALD.

I would rather be right than be president. — HENRY CLAY.

The noblest motive is the public good.

- VIRGIL.

He who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own.

CONFUCIUS.

When a friend asketh, there is no tomorrow. - SPANISH PROVERB.

THE

THE FLAX

Hans Christian Andersen

I

HE flax was in full bloom; it had pretty little blue flowers as delicate as the wings of a moth, or even more so.

The sun

shone, and the showers watered it; and this was just as good for the flax as it is for little children to be washed, and then kissed by their mother. They look much prettier for it, and so did the flax.

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People say that I look exceedingly well," said the flax, "and that I am so fine and long that I shall make a beautiful piece of linen. How fortunate I am! It makes me so happy; it is such a pleasant thing to know that something can be made of me. How the sunshine cheers me, and how sweet and refreshing is the rain! My happiness overpowers me; no one in the world can feel happier than I am.

"Ah, yes, no doubt," said the fern.

"But

you do not know the world yet as well as I do, for my sticks are knotty;" and then it sang quite mournfully

"Snip, snap, snurre,

Basse lurre:

The song is ended."

"No, it is not ended," said the flax. "To-morrow the sun will shine, or the rain descend. I feel that I am growing. I feel that I am in full blossom. I am the happiest of all creatures."

Well, one day some people came, who took hold of the flax and pulled it up by the roots; this was painful; then it was laid in water as if they intended to drown it; and, after that, placed near a fire as if it were to be roasted; all this was very shocking.

"We cannot expect to be happy always," said the flax; "by experiencing evil as well as good, we become wise." And certainly there was plenty of evil in store for the flax. It was steeped, and roasted, and broken,