The laborers wondered why he was not torn and weary like the other.
"Thee must have had a better path than the one who came before
thee," said one of the group to the stranger.
"I made a path," was his only answer; and then he glanced around the
room, as though he would find him with whom he started: for the interest
felt for any companionship, however brief, is not easily laid aside.
The laborers told him of his companion's inability to work, and of his
days of pain.
"Let me see him," he said; and they went with him.
The next day the traveler who had slowly journeyed, and made a path
for those who would come after, was able to go to his labors; while his
companion was disabled for many days longer.
Soon after, many others came through the forest to the valley, and
their first remark was, "Show us the traveler who made for us such a
comfortable path;" and, seeing him, they all blessed him in word and
deed for his nobleness in making their way so easy for them.
"But for that path," said many to him, "I should never have come to
this lovely valley."
There are two ways of journeying through life: one, like the first
pilgrim, who thought only of self and of speedily reaching the vale and
the journey's end; the other better and wiser one, productive of greater
good to all, of making a path, that all who come after us may be blessed
by our labors.
XII.
THE URNS.
In a peaceful valley there lived a number of people whose leader
dwelt on the hill and guided the tillers of the soil, weaving into
their lives many lessons of truth.
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