A rich old farmer, who felt that he had not many more days to
live, called his sons to his bedside.
"My sons," he said, "heed what I have to say to you. Do not on
any account part with the estate that has belonged to our family
for so many generations. Somewhere on it is hidden a rich
treasure. I do not know the exact spot, but it is there, and you
will surely find it. Spare no energy and leave no spot unturned
in your search."
The father died, and no sooner was he in his grave than the sons
set to work digging with all their might, turning up every foot
of ground with their spades, and going over the whole farm two or
three times.
[Illustration]
No hidden gold did they find; but at harvest time when they had
settled their accounts and had pocketed a rich profit far greater
than that of any of their neighbors, they understood that the
treasure their father had told them about was the wealth of a
bountiful crop, and that in their industry had they found the
treasure.
_Industry is itself a treasure._
[Illustration]