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A COUNTRYMAN
brought from town five of the finest peaches that were to be had.
His children had never seen this fruit, therefore they were highly
delighted to see the beautiful peaches with their red cheeks and
delicate bloom.
The father gave one to each of his four boys, and one to their dear
mother. In the evening, just before the children went to bed, he
asked them, "Well, how did you like the nice peaches?" "Very much,
indeed," said the oldest boy. "It is a delicious fruit, of so
delicate and luscious a flavor. I have taken care of the stone, and
mean to grow a tree." "Well done," answered the father. "It is the
duty of a countryman to be economical and to think of the future."
"I ate mine up directly," exclaimed the youngest, "and I threw the
stone away, and mother gave me half of hers. Oh! how sweet it
was—how it melts in one's mouth!" "Well," said the father, "you have
not done very wisely, but at all events like a child. You have still
time, though, in life to become prudent." Then the second son began:
"I picked up the stone which my little brother threw away, and
opened it. There was a kernel inside as sweet as an almond; but I
sold my own peach and received so much money for it that I may buy a
dozen when I go to town."
The father shook his head and said: "That is cleverly done, but not
like a child. Heaven preserve thee from becoming a trader! And you,
Edmund," asked the father. Edmund answered frankly: "I took my peach
to the son of our neighbor, sick George, who has the fever. He would
not take it, so I put it down on his bed and went away." "Well,"
said the father, "who has made the best use of his peach?" then all
the boys exclaimed: "Brother Edmund!" Edmund was silent, and his
mother embraced him with tears in her eyes.
The Peaches
A Fictional Short Story by
Agnes Taylor Ketchum & Ida M. Jorgensen
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