“But then, wasn’t it good that it was only the old chair that we had to-day?” asked Little But Then, as she told the story to Aunt Barbara at home. “Oh Auntie, I had the nicest kind of a time!”
“I believe you had,” answered Aunt Barbara, smiling; “for a brave, sunny spirit, that never frets over what it has not, but always makes the best of what it has where it is, is sure to have a good time. It does not need to wait for it to come—it has a factory for making it.”
—The following is an Arabic proverb taken from the mouth of an Oriental: “Men are four. 1. He who knows not, and knows not he knows not. He is a fool; shun him. 2. He who knows not, and knows he knows not. He is simple; teach him. 3. He who knows, and knows not he knows. He is asleep; wake him. 4. He who knows, and knows he knows. He is wise; follow him.”
WHAT THE SNAIL SAID.
“You little chicks, tho’ you peck at my dress,
I will not get angry at that;
I know you would gobble me up if you could,
As quick as a worm or a gnat.”
“Say, little snail, you had better go on,
They may try the same trick upon you.”
“No, no,” said the snail, with his hard coat of mail,
“I don’t care a rush if they do.
“Little girl, there’s no harm to cause me alarm,
I’ll sit here and watch them a spell,
But as soon as they pounce, I’ll cheat them at once,
By getting right into my shell.”