THE THREE KOPEKS.[1]
A peasant called one day on a very rich merchant and wanted to be engaged as a workman. The merchant agreed, for he liked the man, and was in need of a steady-going workman.
After working a whole year the peasant demanded his wages. The merchant gave him the wages he usually gave, but the peasant returned the money, only keeping one kopek. With this he went to the river-side, and, throwing it into the water, said to himself,—
"If I have worked well and honestly the kopek will float, but if I have not worked properly it will sink!"
But the kopek sank, and he returned to the merchant, and asked to be re-engaged, to which the merchant was only too glad to consent.
When another year was over he again asked for his wages, and received what was due to him; but greatly to the merchant's surprise, he again only took one kopek, and, going to the river-side, threw it into the water, saying, as before,—
"If I have worked properly the kopek will float on the surface, but if I have not worked properly it will sink!"
- ↑ About three farthings.
