LESSON 37 THE CONTENTED BOY

THE CONTENTED BOY

1. Once Louis the Twelfth, King of France, chanced to stroll into the kitchen of his palace, where he found a small boy busy at work, and singing as gaily as a lark.

2. The boy had keen, bright eyes, and a happy, sunny face, and his looks and manners pleased the king. Laying his hand upon the boy's head, Louis asked him his name. The lad looked and saw a plainly dressed man, whom he took to be one of the king's servants.

3. He replied that his name was Simon. In answer to further questions, the king learned the lad was an orphan, and that both his father and mother were dead.

4. "And are you content with this kind of work?" the king asked, pointing at the same time to the pots and pans, among which the lad was working. "Are you willing to spend your time in the kitchen when so many of your fellow-servants are mostly employed upstairs?"

5. "Why not?" answered the boy, with a twinkle in his eye. "I am doing as well as the best of them. The king himself can do no better."

6. "Indeed!" said the king, no little surprised at the lad's bold words. "How do you make that out?"

Well, sir, the king lives, and so do I. He can do no more than live. And then I am contented. Can the king say as much?

LOUIS ASKED HIM HIS NAME

7. Louis walked away, his mind full of strange, sad thoughts. No one knew better than he did, that contentment was not often the lot of kings. Indeed, there are few persons who have a more anxious life than those who wear crowns.

8. The next day, much to Simon's surprise, he was called into the presence of the king. He was still more surprised when he found that his visitor of the day before was Louis himself. The king talked with him about many things, and found him to be a very quick and keen-witted lad.

9. The end of it all was that Simon was made a page [1] in the king's household. Step by step, he rose from one post of honour [2] to another, until he became one of the best soldiers of that time. He is known in history as General La Roche, and his name stands high among those of the noblest men of France.

10. If Simon had not, early in life, learned to be contented with his lot, he might never have been worthy of a higher post. The king did not want discontented persons about him, who were always grumbling because they had not as good a place as some one else.

11. You cannot too soon learn that only those who are contented are happy.

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[1] page: A young boy who waits upon persons of high rank.

[2] post of honour: High position.