The Tailor and the Pea

O NE day a cook put some peas in a pot and set them on the stove to boil. Two of the little peas were talking, and said to each other: "Let us jump out; it is getting too hot in this pot." And out they hopped, one falling into the fire, where it burnt up, and the other rolling away on the kitchen floor. Now it happened that a little piece of coal also became dissatisfied and jumped out of the fire, where it had been too hot. The coal said to the pea on the floor, "Let us go together to the stream and take a bath." "I am willing," said the pea, and they started on their journey. When they reached the stream, the coal saw a shaving floating on the water, so he rolled on it to cool off, when lo! the shaving caught fire from the hot coal and soon burnt up. The little pea had remained on the shore, and when he saw what happened he began to laugh; he laughed and laughed, until he burst his sides. There lay the little pea, split into two parts! A tailor, who was taking a walk on the banks of the stream, saw the little pea, and noticing that it was split in halves, asked him what was the matter. "I have burst my sides laughing," said the pea; "and I hope you will be kind enough to sew me up." "That was very naughty," said the tailor, "but if you will promise never to laugh at any one again, I'll sew you up." Hereupon he took his needle (but found he had only a thread of black silk), threaded it, and tied a knot in the end, and sewed up the little pea. The little pea was very happy, thanked the tailor for sewing him up, and promised never to laugh at any one. Now, children, if you will examine the little peas, perhaps you can see the black knot the tailor made.