"Well, little one," said a Tree to a Reed that was growing at
its foot, "why do you not plant your feet deeply in the ground,
and raise your head boldly in the air as I do?"

  "I am contented¹ with my lot," said the Reed.  "I may not be so
grand, but I think I am safer."

  "Safe!" sneered² the Tree.  "Who shall pluck me up by the roots
or bow my head to the ground?"  But it soon had to repent³ of its
boasting, for a hurricane arose which tore it up from its roots,
and cast it a useless log on the ground, while the little Reed,
bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when
the storm had passed over.


Obscurity often brings safety.

上一篇：The Travelers and the Plane-Tree 下一篇：The Trees Under the Protection of the Gods