A woodpecker, who had bored a multitude of holes in the body of a dead
tree, was asked by a robin to explain their purpose.
"As yet, in the infancy of science," replied the woodpecker, "I am
quite unable to do so. Some naturalists affirm that I hide acorns in
these pits; others maintain that I get worms out of them. I
endeavoured for some time to reconcile the two theories; but the worms
ate my acorns, and then would not come out. Since then, I have left
science to work out its own problems, while I work out the holes. I
hope the final decision may be in some way advantageous to me; for at
my nest I have a number of prepared holes which I can hammer into some
suitable tree at a moment's notice. Perhaps I could insert a few into
the scientific head."
"No-o-o," said the robin, reflectively, "I should think not. A
prepared hole is an idea; I don't think it could get in."
MORAL.--It might be driven in with a steam-hammer.