The Workman and the Trees
A woodman
entered a wood with his axe
on his shoulder. The trees were alarmed,
and addressed him thus: "Ah, sir, will you
not let us live happily some little time
longer?"
![[Illustration]](http://www.gatewaytotheclassics.com/bronze/books/raju/fables/raju_fables_zpage047.gif)
The Workman and the Trees
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"Yes," said the woodman, "I am quite
willing to do so; but as often as I see this
axe, I am tempted to come to the wood,
and do my work in it. So I am not so
much to blame as this axe."
"We know," said the trees, "that the
handle of the axe, which is a piece of the
branch of a tree in this very wood, is more
to blame than the iron; for it is that which
helps you to destroy its kindred."
"You are quite right," said the woodman;
"there is no foe so bitter as a renegade."
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