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<h2>THE PEASANT AND THE APPLE-TREE</h2>
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<p>A Peasant had an Apple-tree growing in his garden, which bore no
fruit, but merely served to provide a shelter from the heat for the
sparrows and grasshoppers which sat and chirped in its branches.
Disappointed at its barrenness he determined to cut it down, and
went and fetched his axe for the purpose. But when the sparrows and
the grasshoppers saw what he was about to do, they begged him to
spare it, and said to him, "If you destroy the tree we shall have
to seek shelter elsewhere, and you will no longer have our merry
chirping to enliven your work in the garden." He, however, refused
to listen to them, and set to work with a will to cut through the
trunk. A few strokes showed that it was hollow inside and contained
a swarm of bees and a large store of honey. Delighted with his find
he threw down his axe, saying, "The old tree is worth keeping after
all."</p>
<p class="adage">Utility is most men's test of worth.</p>
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