“Once there was a man who was very, very poor. He had been a farmer and no one raised such fine crops as did he. By and by, in some way, he lost his farm and was left all alone.
“He had always wanted to do some grand thing, something that would make many people happy, but what could he do? He had no money. All he had was a small boat.
“As he trudged along one day he saw some old sacks lying under a tree. As he looked at them he had a splendid thought. A thought that seemed to have wings and came flying from far away. Oh, it was a beautiful thought, and seemed to be singing a little song in his heart as he picked up the sacks and placed them in his boat, jumped in himself and floated away.
“As he rowed down the stream the man watched the shore with keen eyes. When he saw an apple orchard he rowed to land, tied his boat, hastened to the homes near the orchards and asked for work.
“He cut wood, carried water, and did all sorts of odd chores. In payment for this work he asked for food, and what else do you suppose?
“The people were so surprised at what he asked for they could hardly believe him. He asked that he might have the seeds from the apples on the ground under the trees—only the seeds.
“Of course they gladly gave him such a simple thing, and as he cut the fruit the neighbour children swarmed about him.
“From one place to another he went, always adding to his store of seeds.
“Some generous farmers gave him also cuttings of peach, pear, and plum trees, and grape vines.