The Bronze RingOnce upon a time in a certain country there lived a king whose
palace was surrounded by a spacious garden. But, though the
gardeners were many and the soil was good, this garden yielded
neither flowers nor fruits, not even grass or shady trees.
The King was in despair about it, when a wise old man said to
him:
“Your gardeners do not understand their business: but what
can you expect of men whose fathers were cobblers and
carpenters? How should they have learned to cultivate your
garden?”
“You are quite right,” cried the King.
“Therefore,” continued the old man, “you should send for a
gardener whose father and grandfather have been gardeners before
him, and very soon your garden will be full of green grass and gay
flowers, and you will enjoy its delicious fru
