El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-12-16
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: LEARN 4 LESSON % J
!: FROM THE VIOLET J: !
]; ]: ~ and THE LICHEN. !
uhtH lh6 ShOAASsss =


A little violet grew at the foot Of a
great, strong oak tree. 1t peeped from
the soft leafy mold in the springtime,
when the warm April raindrops and
the warmer May sunshine blessed old
Mother Earth and Weakened all her
dreaming children.
The bright green moss was waiting
to welcome the little violet, and its
color was so refreshing that the tiny
leaves of the violet soon reflected the
same tint. But as the days advanced,
darker, richer shades of green appear
ed. Soon little buds put up their faces
to be kissed by the sunshine into purple
violets.
Now, at the base of the old oak del
icate, gray green lichen made its home.
1t was with great interest that the
ichen discovered the first violet bud
that unfolded it's purple petals.
81 was thinking just this morning."
said the lichen, chow dull and gray 1
was and how much 1 needed a charm
ing bit of color to brighten my life,
when you blessed me with your lovely
morning song
GLOW happy I am to be a comfort to
your replied the violet. Il hardly see,
though, how that can be, for 1 am very
small, while you are strong and calm
and do not seem to mind the east winds
or the pouring rain. Do you know that
sometimes when the wind seems angry
am half afraid?"
"As to that" answered the ,lichen, 81
am strong and am never afraid, for
the old tree always protects me. 1
cling to it and feel a sense of safety in
1<c, TIo WV, I,
for me, but 1 am not beautiful as you
why such somber thing as I am was
created. L am so plain and gray that 1
often fear no one will ever love me,
and if L am not beloved L must always
remain grave and lonely, even though
am so strong"
II thank you for thinking me so
beautiful" the violet murmured as it
dropped its pretty head, "but your
sunbeams are dancing about this old
tree the soft gray tones of your coat
are indeed beautiful and restful during |
the heat of the day
The lichen smiled gratefully as he |
said: ooh, indeed! 1 never thought Of |
that. Perhaps 1 can be a blessing to |
GREETING so much that I could not be a |
bright thing like yourself"
You might be much happier if you |
would cease to regret and just want to |
be a gray lichen," modestly suggested |
the violet. ''Have you forgotten what |
the beautiful woman said only yester |
day when she stopped to admire us? | |
am afraid you were not listening"
The lichen admitted that it had felt |
gloomy all the previous day and had |
closed its eyes to the sunshine.
"Oh, then 1 must tell your exclaimed |
the violet. ''She said, 'Ah, it is true, in
all nature everything has it's place and
its mission-you in your small corner
and in mine She admired you quite
as much as she did me. 1 have been
trying to think it all out, and am sure
she thought that God created every
living thing to fill some place and do
some work. He must have wanted me
to be just tiny flower, and because he
gave you a greater strength 1 must not
81 thank you for your wise, sweet
lesson" meekly answered the ichen,
and even as it spoke the east wind be-
gan to wall and moan, and the old tree
whispered of an April gale. Soon the
rain fell so fast that the little violet
dropped her pretty head. The gray
lfchen was watching her and lovingly
eff you will lean toward
me, dear little violet, it will make me
happy indeed to have your bit of royal
color so near me. You have taught me
that 1 have a mission in life, and l
would love to protect you, for you are a
frail, gentle creature
When the morning dawned, the storm
was over, and the little violet was
peacefully sleeping with it's purple
head against the calm breast of the
gray Hchen.-New York Tribune.