LESSON 40 HOW I TURNED THE GRINDSTONE?

HOW I TURNED THE GRINDSTONE?

shoul-der re-mem-ber pleas-ant blis-tered

tru-ant ached an-swer ras-cal

axe min-utes beware praise

1. One cold winter morning, when I was a little boy, I met, on my way to school, a smiling man with an axe on his shoulder.

My pretty boy, said he, "has your father a grind-stone?"

Yes, sir, said I.

You are a fine little fellow, said the man; "will you let me grind my axe on it?"

2. It pleased me very much to be called a fine little fellow; so I said, "O! yes, sir; it is down in the shop."

And will you, my little man, said he, patting me on the head, "get a little hot water?"

Now, how could I refuse? He was such a smiling, pleasant, man. I ran into the house as fast as I could, and brought him a whole kettleful.

3. "How old are you?" and "What's your name?" he asked. But, before I could answer, he went on, "You are one of the finest lads I ever saw. Will you just turn the stone a few minutes for me?" Tickled with his praise, I went to work. it was a new axe; and I toiled and tugged and turned till I was tired enough to drop.

4. The school-bell rang, but I could not get away. It rang again, and there I was still, turning away at the grindstone. My hands were blistered, and my shoulders ached.

At last, the axe was ground. What a sharp, keen edge it had! I remember how it shone in the winter's sun.

5. Then I looked up, expecting thanks; but the man turned toward me with a frown, and said, "You little rascal, you have played truant! Be off now; scud away to school, or you'll rue it!"

6. It was hard enough to turn a heavy grindstone so long, and on such a cold day; but to be called "a little rascal" for doing it was harder still for me to bear. These harsh words sank deep into my mind, and often since have I thought of them.

7. Boys and girls, whenever you meet a flatterer, beware of him. You may be pretty sure he has "an axe to grind," and wants you to turn the grindstone.

—BENJAMIN FRANKLIN