Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-02-12
A Story for Children,

Children are usually fond of stories. And stories
are useful when they teach an important lesson. We
select the following story for young readers be-
it teaches lesson of contentment, and shows
them how much better is to trust in God to take care
of them, than to trust in their own guidance pious
father who has gone to heaven told this story to
his little daughter.
tThere were once three little silver trouts, who liv
ed in stream of clear water, which between two
high green banks. The banks protected it from the
wind and storms, that the water always smooth;
and the sun shone there, it was very delightful
pace. Besides, these little fishes had plenty to eat
and drink, and nothing to trouble Them so that you
would have expected them to be perfectly happy. But
alas it not so these little trouts foolish
as to be discontinued and unhappy and God heard
them complaining. So he told the little fishes that
each of them might wish for whatever he pleased and
it should be granted So the first little trout said,
am tired ofmopng here in place should like to
have wings, to fly in the air the birds do, and go
where pleased
"'Fhe next said, Il poor Ignorant little fish, and
| do not know how to protect myself from danger l
should like to have great deal of knowledge, and I'M
derstand all about hooks and nets that might al
ways keep out Of danger
"Thc other little trout said, too am poor gno-
rant little fish, and for that reason, do not know what
is best for me; my wish is that God would take care
of me, and give me Just what he sees best for me;
40 not WANT dnytnhg tat lo uoes hoC COoeo W give
me-
$50 God gave wings to the first, and he was very
happy and scared away into the air. and felt very proud
and despised his companions whom he had left in the
river, He liked SO much to fly, that he flew away off,
till he to great desert, where there is no water
nothing but sand far as he could see By this time
he was tired of flying, and faint and thirsty but
he could see no water He tried to fly farther, but
could not his wings failed, and he fell down painting
on the hot sand, where he died miserably.
" And God gave the second little fish knowledge, as
he had desired and he understood all kinds of danger
but instead of being happier, he was all the time in
terror He afraid to 60 into the deep water, lest
the great fishes there should swallow him up; and he
was afraid to 90 into the shallow water, lest it should
dry up and leave him. If he saw a fly, or anything
that he would like to eat he did not venture to touch
it. lest there should be hook concealed under it. Sc
he pinned away and died.
But God loved the other little trout, and took care
of him. and kept him from all dangers so that he was
the happiest little trout that ever lived.
Sand now which of the three fishes was the wis
est~
go, the last, papa. But am sorry for the two poo
little fishes that died. They were not much to blame
papa, after all; they didn't know what would harper
to them"
mo, certainly they did not; they were to blame TO
not being satisfied with what God had given them ant
believing that he knew best"