A Gourd was once planted
close beside a
large and noble Pine Tree.
The season was
kindly, and the Gourd shot
itself up in a
short time climbing by the boughs, and twin-
ing about them, till it covered and
over-top-
ped the Tree itself.
The leaves were so large, and
the flowers
and fruit so fair, that the Gourd, comparing
them with the slender needles
of the Pine,
had the assurance to think
itself of greater
value in the comparison.
"Why," said the Gourd,
"you have been
more years in growing to this stature than
I
have been days."
"That is true," said the
Pine; "but after
the many winters and summers that I
have
endured, the many blasting colds and
parch-
ing heats, you see me the very same that I was
long years ago. Nothing has overcome
me.
But when your race are put to the proof, the
first blight or frost invariably
brings down
that pride of yours. In
an hour you are
stripped of all your glory."
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