"Hey there!" he called to a man who was working in a field near
by. "Come and help us out of this mud-hole."
The man in the field had been watching the poor horses as they
pulled with all their strength. He was angry at the wagoner for
beating them so cruelly.
"Put your shoulder to the wheel," he called back. "When you have
done all you can to help yourself, I shall be willing to help
you."
The wagoner climbed down, muttering to himself, "I don't want to
get down into this mud."
He put his shoulder to the wheel, pushed long and steadily while
the horses pulled. Slowly the load began to move. Before long it
was on firm ground.
The wagoner climbed up to his seat and called back to the man who
was working in the field, "My load is out, but no thanks to you."
The man replied, "You took my advice and put your shoulder to the
wheel; that is what brought you out."
THE LARK AND THE FARMER
A meadow lark built her nest in a field of wheat. She had a happy
time raising her family, for no one came near her nest.
There were four little larks in her family, and they were now
nearly large enough to fly.
The wheat was ripe and the mother knew that men might come to the
field any day to reap; so she said to her little ones, "I am going
out to get your breakfast.
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