_Even the dumb animals deserve justice from those whom they have
served._
There once lived a king in Atri, Italy, who wanted all his people
to be happy. In order to be happy he knew that every one should be
kind to those dependent upon him and above all things, be just.
In order that justice be done to every one, he had a large bell
hung in the market place. It was to be known as the bell of
Justice. Many people came to see it hung. When the men finished
their work, the king came before the people and said:
“I have placed this bell in the center of my city so that every
one will be near it. I have put a long rope on it. Even a child
can reach it. If any one of you feels that you have been unjustly
treated, I want you to ring the bell. Whether you be old or young,
rich or poor, your story shall be heard, and justice shall be done
you.”
The bell hung many years and was rung many times. Every time the
bell rang the king came and heard what the person had to say and
then did justice to his cause. At last the rope wore off and became
short.
“If a child should need to ring, it could not reach the bell. We
must get another rope,” said the king. He had to send across the
mountains to get one for there was none in Atri.
“Some one may need to ring the bell before the rope comes,” said a
man. So he went into his garden and got a grapevine and hung it on
the bell. It trailed the ground, but it was a very good substitute
for a rope.
An old soldier lived near Atri. He had a horse which had carried
him in many battles, but now that he was old and lame and was of no
service to his master, he was turned out to shift for himself. He
ate the grass along the roadside and nibbled at the hay through the
fences. He was very thin and hungry for he could not find enough to
eat.
At last he wandered into the market-place and saw that the leaves
and tendrils on the vine were still fresh. He reached to get a
leaf, and as he pulled at the vine the bell began to ring, “Clang!
Clang!” He kept on pulling at the vine and the bell kept on ringing
“Clang! Clang!”
The people rushed to see who was ringing the bell and saw the
horse. Then the king came and the people told him whose horse it
was. The king was in a great rage at the injustice done the old
horse. His master was sent for and ordered to build a barn for
him and to give him the best hay and grain as long as he lived,
or else he would be turned out himself and so the old horse had
justice at last.