THE BOY WHO WANTED TO PLAY ALWAYS
Everything in nature must work to live. Along with the pleasures of childhood should come the lessons of toil.
George did not like to work. He did not like to bring in wood, nor clean the yard, nor go on errands, nor take care of the baby, nor even to put away his own clothes. He loved to play all the time. His mother said to him one day:
“George, you must go over to your uncle’s house and bring me a basket of wool. Now hurry along.”
George thought this was hard, for he wanted to play and not to work. He wished he was a dog, a squirrel, a bee, a cow—just anything that seemed to be having a good time.
He took the basket and started across the field. On the way he met a dog.
“I wish I had nothing to do like you,” said George.
“Nothing to do!” exclaimed the dog. “I am a very hard worked animal. I dare not sleep at night, for I am the watch dog against burglars. Besides that, I have to protect the chickens against the old fox. Then I have to catch rabbits for my master; chase the cat away from the birds, keep the place clear of stray dogs, and even look after the sheep in the field. Then every morning I take the cow to pasture and bring her back in the afternoon. That is where I am going now. No, sir! I am as busy as a bee—I am.” And the dog hurried on after the cow.
Pretty soon George saw a bee on a flower.