THE DISOBEDIENT PANSY.
A pansy had many little ones. She talked much with them—daily instructing them, and set them a good example of sweet temper and humility.
She said often to them, "As soon as the great sun sinks away from you, and you feel the cool, fresh dews, compose yourself to rest. Look up smilingly, and breathe one sweet breath to Him who giveth the sun-beam, and the drops of dew.
When you have offered this, (the prayer of all good flowers,) fold your leaves, and bend your heads in sleep, for He will take care of you. The buds that thus early and piously go to rest, will flourish and be pleasing in His sight."
So her children obeyed her, all except one. This young pansy grew on rather a longer stalk than the others; and it said, "I wonder why my mother is thus always lecturing us?"
"I think I know as much as she. I do not like to go so early to bed. I have heard that those who have genius are always brightest when it is late. I wish to see how the world looks at midnight."
So she omitted her prayers, and strained her
