“At noon they stopped and ate again, and the load was then much smaller and still lighter. That night, the entire party ate supper, and the burden grew still lighter and much smaller.
“The three meals the following day more than lessened half the burden Æsop carried, and before the travellers reached the city, hot, weary, and exhausted from carrying such loads so far, Æsop had nothing to carry as the food was eaten and the load was gone.
“The master was so impressed at this wisdom shown by the slave that he told the story to the men in the city. They said that Æsop was a wise man and must bring a goodly sum to his owner.
“A very rich man heard the story when he came to the slave-market to select a servant, and he determined to secure Æsop, so he bid high and purchased him.
“Xanthus, the new master, took Æsop to Samos, his home, and there the slave became known everywhere for his wisdom and judgment. He always had a fable to apply to any need or cause, so that he was sought by rich and poor alike for advice and help.
“Finally, Xanthus gave Æsop his freedom and the man who once had been a slave with no rights to own anything—not even himself—became famous and was sought by kings and statesmen for his wisdom.”
As this story was ended, one of the boys shouted, “That’s what I’m goin’ to be—a wise judge!”
“To be a wise judge, you must first learn to think and do only right and just things yourself; then you can find the wisdom to judge others,” replied Miss Martin.
“That’s what I’m goin’ to do, Miss Marting,” promised the eager lad.
“Now another short story that I will tell you, is about always speaking the truth. Truth is a great power in the world, and we may sometimes think we have been wrong to adhere strictly to the truth, but in the end we find we have gained in everything.