THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK

Once upon a time in a certain country there lived a

king whose palace was surrounded by a spacious garden.

But, though the gardeners were many and the soil was

good, this garden yielded neither flowers nor fruits, not

even grass or shady trees.

The King was in despair about it, when a wise old man

said to him:

"Your gardeners do not understand their business: but

what can you expect of men whose fathers were cobblers

and carpenters? How should they have learned to cultivate

your garden?"

"You are quite right," cried the King.

"Therefore," continued the old man, "you should send

for a gardener whose father and grandfather have been

gardeners before him, and very soon your garden will be

full of green grass and gay flowers, and you will enjoy its

delicious fruit."

So the King sent messengers to every town, village, and

hamlet in his dominions, to look for a gardener whose

forefathers had been gardeners also, and after forty days

one was found.

"Come with us and be gardener to the King," they said

to him.

"How can I go to the King," said the gardener, "a poor

wretch like me?"

"That is of no consequence," they answered. "Here are

new clothes for you and your family."

"But I owe money to several people."

"We will pay your debts," they said.