AN APOLOGUE

New Zealand Tablet, 11 October 1906, Page 37

AN APOLOGUE

Content ancT Discontent started off one morning both -having- .been bidden to take a flask of water 'to the palace of the king. Discontent glanced with scorn at the scorched land around her. ' You may do better on the hill,' said one whom she met on the road. " " " But on the hill all things looked dry and parched, to her disdainful eyes. ' There is a big river down there in .the valley,' said another goiide, and Discontent hastened on. In the valley a little water stagnated in a muddy bed. It is- not good enough,' grumbled Discontent, as she hurried past. . - " When Content started, she found a - -tiny brokenjug 'by the- roadside, and in the jug "a very ' little ■ water. . ' It is always a ..beginning,? said Content," as she emptied the water into her flask. "- ' - . Then she climbed the hill. It . was very bleak and •barren, and only a few drops of water -trickled slow- . •iy among the stones. 'Even this is -better than nothing, said Content, while she carefully cauetit" -the drops in her flask. ■ " When she reached the valley the mud of the stream had quite dried up, but a little dew lay in the chalices of the flowers; With infinite patience Content emptied -the flowers one by one into her flask The n ig h .t fell, and the palace of the king 'stood White and beautiful in the moonlight. At the entrance Discontent lay dead, with empty hands. Content passed in with timid steps. Her flask was not quite full, nor was, the water quite clear, .but she had done, all she could, and the 'guardians of the palace bowed down before her, and the king, rising from his .throne, stretched out -his hands in welcome.