I lay imbedded in a cavern, struggling faithfully for days, weeks, and
even months, to see the light. I was rewarded for my perseverance one
day by coming in contact with a hard object, which shone brightly, and
made a ringing sound. Instantly I heard loud laughter, as though my
appearance was very welcome. Presently I felt a soft, damp substance
touch me, which at first surprised me very much; but as I found it was a
near neighbor, I soon became acquainted with it.
As soon as I had grown large enough to be useful, I was washed every
morning, and properly taken care of, for which I repaid my owner by
making myself as useful as possible. I had the bitter as well as the
sweets of life, but it was not until my later years that I knew what it
was to really suffer.
I was one day attending to my duty, when I experienced a shocking and
most acute pain, which so affected my mistress that she immediately took
me to a very kind man, who relieved me of the cause of my trouble. It
was found that I had become somewhat discolored from frequent use, so
the physician had to attend to me several times. At last he succeeded in
restoring my health, which resulted in lengthening my days; and though
rather aged, my owner still considers me of great use.