Fifty Famous Fables
   So the workers took the case to Judge Wasp that he might decide the matter.

   The workers and the drones settled down before him. "You workers and drones," said he, "are so much alike in shape and color that it is hard to tell which has been seen in the tree. But I think the matter can be justly decided. Each party may go to a hive in which there is no honey, and build up a new comb. The one that makes comb and honey like that found in the tree is the owner of the tree comb."

   "All right," said the workers, "we will do it;" but the drones said, "We will have nothing to do with such a plan."

   So Judge Wasp said, "It is plain to see which of you made the comb. It belongs to the workers."

   The drones buzzed away very angry, but they were not able to harm the workers or the judge, and the workers went back to their tree.

   One day a poor woodman lost his ax. He hunted all day, but he could not find it. He was very sad, for how could he make a living for his family without an ax? Besides he had no money with which to buy a new one. As night came on, he sank down by the roadside and buried his face in his hands.

   He heard a noise in the bushes and raised his head. A stranger was standing by him. "What is the matter?" asked the stranger. The woodman told him of his trouble.

   "I am sorry your ax is lost," said the stranger. "Would you know it if you were to see it? I found an ax in the road. It may be yours. Is this it?" he asked, holding out a gold ax.

   "No," answered the woodman, "that is not my ax. All the money I ever earned would not buy such an ax as that."

   "I found another," said the man. "This must be the one," and he held out a silver ax.

   "No, that is not mine," replied the woodman. "I am too poor a man to own such an ax as that."

   "Well, here is another ax that I found. Is this yours?" The stranger held out an old ax of steel.

   "That is mine, oh, that is mine!" cried the woodman, springing up joyously and taking his ax from the stranger. "Now we shall not starve. Thank you, kind sir. Where did you find it?"

   The stranger said, "All three of the axes are yours. I am glad to make you a present of the gold ax and the silver ax. Let me have your hand. I am happy to meet an 
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