2. The German Patriot and the Barley-Fields

Once there was a terrible battle in Germany, and thousands of soldiers were scattered over the country. A captain who had many men and horses to feed was told by his colonel to get food from the farmers near-by. The captain walked for some time through the broad valley, and at last knocked at the door of a small cottage. A man, old and lame and leaning on a stick, opened the door. “Good morning,” said the captain. “Will you please show me a field where my soldiers can cut grain for our army? We cannot pay for it.” The old man led the soldiers through the valley for about a mile, when they saw a field of rich barley waving in the breeze.

“That is just what we want,” said the captain. “No, not yet,” said the old man; “follow me a little farther.” After some time they came to a second field of barley. The soldiers got off their horses, cut the grain, tied the sheaves, and rode away with them. Then the captain said to the old man, “Why did you make us come so far? The first field of barley was better than this one.” “That is true, sir,” answered the old man, “but it was not mine!”—Adapted from “Ethics for Children” by E. L. Cabot.