Section 80. WORK[1] IS A GREAT COMFORTER.
Reading edition
Section 80. WORK[1] IS A GREAT COMFORTER.
Two neighbouring gardeners had the misfortune of[2] having their crop of early peas killed by frost. The one called[3] upon the other to condole[4] with him. “Ah,” cried he, “how unfortunate[5] we have been, neighbour! Do you[6] know? I have done nothing but fret ever since[7]. But it seems you have there a fine healthy[8] crop[9] coming[10] up already; what[11] is it?” “This?” cried the other gardener, “why[12], it is a crop of peas (S. 16, N. 10) I sowed (S. 48, N. 2) immediately after my loss.” “What[13], coming up already?” replied the fretter[14]. “Yes, while you were fretting[15], I[16] was working.” “What! don’t you fret when you have a loss?” “Yes, but I always put it off[17] until after I have repaired[18] the mischief[19].” “Why, then you have no need to fret at all.” “True[20],” replied the industrious gardener, “I[21] find working better than fretting.”—Anonymous.