“See this clover,” said she, pointing down to some clover that grew by the door step; “it has three leaves. Each leaf tells you something. The first says, ‘Be Careful’; the second says, ‘Be Honest’; and the third says, ‘Be Busy.’”
The fairy touched the clover with her wand and another leaf grew out. “Look,” she said, “there is a fourth leaf now. It is for luck.”
Then the fairy disappeared. He looked down at the clover, and there was a four-leaf clover among the others. He stooped and picked it and touching each leaf he said to himself: “Be careful; be honest; be busy; good luck.” This was his good luck and he intended to obey it. He went about his work, doing his very best, and from that he always had good luck.
THE TRAVELING MUSICIANS
One is never too old to take care of himself, provided he keeps his wits ready and active.
An old mule had been turned out of the farmer’s yard because he was too old to work. He said: “I think I shall go to the city and earn my living as a musician; people like to hear me bray.” And so off he set for town. On the way he met an old dog.
“Come, join me, my friend,” said the mule. “I am going to the city to be a musician. You can bark, and so we can earn a living.”
The dog joined him gladly and they went on until they saw an old cat on the fence.