THE FLOWER GARDEN AND WEEDS. A GENTLEMAN had a fine garden, which was well situated', and which he cultivated with the greatest care. In the spring, he procured some seeds of all sorts, and sowed them in the beds. He watered them every morning, and watched for the time of their appearance above ground with the greatest anxiety. But what was his disappointment to find that the weeds grew up so thick and close that they choked the seeds', and left them no room to grow. 66 Ah," said he, "I fondly hoped that the garden of which I had taken so much care', would repay me for my trouble. I expected to see a variety of beautiful and fragrant flowers, which I might myself enjoy', and show to my friends. But, instead of this, I see nothing before me but rank weeds', which have neither use nor beauty. Alas! how great is my mortification and disappointment!" This story may serve to illustrate the sorrow of those parents, who', having taken pains to train up their children in the way in which they should go', still find them disobedient and wicked. Alas! how bitter is the misery of a father or a mother, to find that the good seeds which they have sown in the minds of their children produce no fruit', while the rank weeds of vice spring up and flower', and cover the soil with their luxuriance. I hope that my little readers will remember this talè, and not grieve the hearts of those who love them most dearly, by rejecting what is good', and cherishing what is only evil. LESSON VIII. CHARLES AND ANIMALS. THE COW has a horn', and the fish has a gill; THE LITTLE COWARD. And cat, and dog, and cow, and calf', For, only think', he runs away' Poor Brindle cow can hardly pass' And when old Tray comes running too', But all the while you're thinking', may be`, 19 WHO showed the little ant the way' The sparrow builds her clever nest', Who taught the busy bee to fly "T was God' who show'd them all the way', And teaches children, if they pray', |