She reasoned them in her
mind, but did not act on the lesson they taught. She, too, would like to
have made preparation for seasons of drought, but her pride stood in the
way. She feared to lose her lovely foliage; and the month sped on.
Another year came. The earth was parched: no rain fell on the dry plants
and leaves. The once lovely vine lost all her foliage, while her sister
was full of leaves and promise of fruit.
"I declare," said the gardener, "it does seem strange. I expected this
vine had lost all its life; yet it is now bright and vigorous, while the
one I looked to for much fruit is fast fading. What can be the reason?"
Later in the season, the vine which had worked so long out of sight
had the pleasure of seeing not only the table of its owner supplied with
delicious fruits from its branches, but also of hearing the gardener
remark to visitors that the sick and feeble of the neighborhood were
strengthened and refreshed by the cooling grapes which she had, through
so much exertion brought forth.
The other vine bore no fruit, and had to be pruned severely; but pride
stood no longer in the way of her progress. She began to send forth her
fibres into the earth, as her sister had done. It was hard at first for
her to be obliged to listen to the praises of one whom she considered
her inferior; but she at length attained that glorious height which
enables us to rejoice when the earth has been made richer, no matter
by whom or by what means.
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