A tree stood alone surrounded by high and low hills. It could be observed from all sides, and it appeared different from each elevation.

    The tree was the same, only the point of view differed.

    Everything depends upon the point of view.

    "And as to the meaning, it's what you please."

   "

    C. S. C.

   "

   nd the Damsel said to the Sage:

   "Now, what is life? And why does the fruit taste bitter in the mouth?"

   And the Sage answered, as he stepped from his cave:

   "My child, there was once a man who had two ears like other people. They were naturally necessary for his enjoyment of the day. But one of these ears offended his head. It behaved with stupidity, thinking thereby to

   enhance its value to him—it heard too much. Oh, it conducted itself with a gross stupidity. 'Out upon you,' cried the man; 'since you have overstepped the limit of the functions of an ear, I shall cut you from my head!' And so, without hesitation, he took a sword and accomplished the deed. The poor ear then lay upon the ground bleeding, and the man went about with a mutilated head."

   "And what was the good of all that?" said the Damsel.

   "There was no good in it," replied the Sage. "But he was a man, and he had punished the too-fond-and-foolish ear—also he hoped a new and more suitable one would grow in its place. 'Change,' he said, 'was a thing to be welcomed.'"

   "And tell me, Sage, what became of the ear?" asked the Damsel.

   "The ear fared better. Another man of greater shrewdness came along, and, although he had two ears of his own, he said, 'A third will not come amiss,' and he picked up the ear and heard with three 

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