the trees, and asked them if they had seen the pot of gold. They shook their heads sleepily, and murmured something which Hermes could not understand. Then Zeus himself spoke to them. "Hold your arms high above your heads," he said, "that I may see that all are awake." Up went the arms, but alas, down to the ground came the pot of gold. The poplar tree was more surprised than anyone else. He was a very honest tree and for a moment hung his head in grief and shame. Then again he stretched his arms high above his head, and said, "Forgive me, great father; hereafter I shall stand in this way that you may know that I hide nothing from the sun, my king." At first the poplar tree was much laughed at. He was often told that he looked like a great umbrella which a storm had turned inside out. But as years went by every small poplar was taught to grow as fearless, straight and open-hearted as himself, and the whole poplar family became respected and loved for its uprightness and strength.

THE DONKEY AND THE SALT.
One time a merchant went to the seashore for a load of salt. There were many hills and streams to cross on the journey. As the path was narrow and rocky, the man made his donkey carry the salt in large bags upon his back. It was a warm day, and the donkey did not like his heavy load. He hung down his head and went as slowly as he could. After a while they came to a stream which had only a foot bridge over it. The donkey went through the water, splash! splash! splash! In the middle of the stream was a large stone which he did not see. He stumbled and fell, and the water ran over the bags of salt. Soon the donkey was glad that he had fallen, for he found his load much lighter. They came to another stream, but the donkey did not stumble this time. He lay down in the middle of the brook. He was a wise donkey. This time he lost so much salt that his master was angry, for he was obliged to go back to the seashore for another load. As they were walking along, the merchant laughed to himself. He thought he knew a way to cure the donkey of this trick. When they came to the seashore, he filled the bags with sponges, and started for home. The donkey thought, "What a light load I have," and trotted gaily along over the rough road. Again they came to the brook. "Ah!" thought the donkey, "I will make my load still lighter." He lay down in the middle of the brook. This time he found his load so heavy that he could scarcely rise. His master kindly helped him, but the donkey was not happy. The water ran down his sides and made him more miserable. "Oh," thought he, "I will never lie down in the water again." Once more his master led him back to the seashore. He filled the bags with salt. The donkey was wiser now and 

 Prev. P 17/58 next