The Silver Crown Another Book of Fables
them; and when he did that, the way darkened, and oftentimes he stumbled himself, and fell into pits and quagmires, and must cry for help, sometimes on those to whom he had refused it.

   By and by he forgot about the crown and the kingdom; or if he thought of them, it was but as a far-off dream of dim gold, such as one sees at morning when the sun breaks through the mist. But still he knew that the way was long and the time short, and still he rode and ran his best.

   At the last he was very weary, and his feet could carry him no further, when, looking up, he saw that the way came to an end before him, and there was a gate, and one in white sitting by it, who beckoned to him. Trembling, yet glad, the child drew near, and knew the Angel who had spoken to him at the beginning.

   "Welcome!" said the Angel, "you come in good time. And what of the Way?"

   "I came as fast as I could," said the child, "but many things hindered me, and now I am weary, and can go no further."

   "But what did you find on the way?" asked the Angel.

   "Oh! I found joy and sorrow," said the child, "good measure of both; but never a crown, such as you promised me, and never a kingdom."

   "Oh, dear, foolish child," said the Angel. "You are wearing your crown. It is of purest silver, and shines like white frost; and as for your kingdom, the name of it is Rest, and here the entrance to it."

   Once upon a time there was a Grumpy Saint, who thought that all the world were sinners, himself included. He lived in a little cabin by the roadside, and his life was a burden to him on account of the passers-by.

   They gave him no peace. Now it was a poor man asking for food.

   "Go along with you!" said the Grumpy Saint. "It is an abomination to feed sturdy beggars like you."

   And he gave the man his dinner, and went hungry.

   Again, it was an old woman, creeping along the road, bent double under a heavy burden.

   "Shame on you!" said the Grumpy Saint. "Why are you not at home, tending


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