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 boldy in the air as I do?"
I am contented With my lot"
I May not be sogrand,
but I think I am safer."
Safe!"
sneered the Tree.
Who shall pluck me up by the roots"
or bow my head to the ground?"
But it soon had to repent 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.