He built a house of some sticks and vines. He sowed grain and baked bread. He made a boat for himself. He did a great many things. He was busy every day.
At last a ship happened to pass that way and Robinson was taken on board. He was glad to go back to England to see his home and his friends once more.
This is the story which Mr. Defoe wrote. Perhaps he would not have thought of it, had he not first heard the true story of Alexander Selkirk.
THE KING AND THE PAGE
Many years ago there was a king of Prussia, whose name was Frederick; and because he was very wise and very brave, people called him Frederick the Great. Like other kings, he lived in a beautiful palace and had many officers and servants to wait upon him.
Among the servants there was a little page whose name was Carl. It was Carl's duty to sit outside of the king's bedroom and be ready to serve him at any time.
One night the king sat up very late, writing letters and sending messages; and the little page was kept busy running on errands until past midnight.
The next morning the king wished to send him on another errand. He rang the little bell which was used to call the page, but no page answered.
"I wonder what can have happened to the boy," he said; and he opened the door and looked out. There, sitting in his chair, was Carl, fast asleep. The poor child was so tired after his night's work that he could not keep awake.
The king was about to waken him roughly, when he saw a piece of paper on the floor beside him. He picked it up and read it.