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For he hears the lamb's innocent call,

And he hears the ewe's tender reply;
He is watchful; while they are in peace,

For they know when their shepherd is nigh.

Shepherd, one who takes care of sheep; lot, occupation; strāys, goes about; tongue (tăng), words; in'no cent (in'o sent), simple, trusting;' ewes (uz), female sheep.

STUDY HELPS

What word describes the shepherd's lot?

Read the lines that tell what is attractive about his work.
Why is his flock in peace?

FRANK DIVIDES THE CAKE

MARIA EDGEWORTH

One evening at tea time there was a small plum cake upon a plate, on the tea table; and there was a knife beside the plate. Frank's father and mother, and two of his brothers, were sitting around the table. The mother was beginning to pour out the tea, and she called to Frank and said to him, "My dear, cut this plum cake into five pieces for us; and take care that you make all the pieces of the same size, for your father and your two brothers and yourself and me; and give us each our just share."

Frank began to cut the cake, but, by mistake, he divided it into six parts, instead of into five.

"Mother," said he, "what shall I do with this bit? I have five without it; one for you, and one for my father and one for my brother Edward and one for my brother Henry and one for myself. What shall I do with this bit that is left?"

"What is it most just to do with it?"

"I think I had better keep it myself, Mother, because it belongs to nobody, and I should have it for the trouble of cutting the cake for everybody."

"No," said his brother Henry, "I do not think that would be just, because then you would be rewarded for

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"Take care that you make all the pieces of the same size"

making a mistake. If you had cut the cake right there would not be this bit to spare.'

"Well," said Frank, "I do not think it would be just that I should have it, but to whom, then, shall I give it? I will give it to you, Mother, because I like to give it to you the best. No, I will give it to father, because he likes

plum cake better than you do. Stay, I will give it to you, good Henry, because you mended my kite for me. No, indeed, I must give it to poor Edward, because he had no cherry pie to-day at dinner."

"But," said his mother, "what right have you, Frank, to give this bit of cake to poor Edward, because he had no cherry pie to-day at dinner; or to good Henry, because he mended your kite; or to your father, because he loves plum cake better than I do; or to me, because you like to give it to me? What right have you to give it away to any of us?"

"Mother, you said I was to give each of you your just share; and I thought I was to judge.'

"Remember that I desired you to divide the cake into five pieces, all the same size. You were to judge about the size of the pieces, and you were to take care that we have each our just share; but you are going to give one of us twice as much as any of the others."

"I cannot make the pieces the right size, now, Mother." "But you can give us each equal quantities of cake, can you not?"

"How, mamma?"

"Think. When you are trusted to divide anything, you must take the trouble, Mr. Judge, to consider how it may be done fairly."

Frank took the trouble to think; and he then cut the cake into five equal parts; and he put these parts by the side of the five large pieces of cake; and he gave one of the large pieces and one of the little pieces to each person; and he then said, "I believe I have divided the cake equally

now." Everybody present said, "Yes," and everybody looked carefully at each of the shares, and there appeared exactly the same quantity in each share. So each person took their portion, and all were satisfied.

Justice satisfies everybody.

To judge, to decide; quan'ti ty (kwon'tĭ ti), a certain amount; por'tion, a part; jus'tice (jus'tis), fairness.

STUDY HELPS

What was Frank told to do?

What mistake did he make?

What ways did he think of for disposing of the extra piece?
Why were none of these ways satisfactory?

What was Frank finally led to see?

How did he satisfy everybody?

Why does justice satisfy everybody?

THE PARTIAL JUDGE

ROBERT DODSLEY

A farmer went to a neighboring lawyer, and expressed great concern for an accident which he said had just happened. "One of your oxen," he went on, "has been gored by a bull of mine, and I should be glad to know how I am to make you reparation."

"Thou art a very honest fellow," replied the lawyer, "and will not think it unreasonable if I expect one of thy oxen in return."

"It is no more than justice," quoth the farmer, “to be sure; but what did I say? I mistake, it is your bull that killed one of my oxen.'

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"Indeed!" said the lawyer, "that alters the case: I must inquire into the affair, and if-"

"And if," said the farmer; "the business I find would have been concluded without an if, had you been as ready to do justice to others as to exact it from them.'

Con cern' (kon sûrn'), distress, regret; gōred, wounded with horns; rep a rā'tion, amends, compensation; al'ters (ôl'tērz), changes; ex act' (eg zǎkt'), require.

STUDY HELPS

Tell this story in your own words.

Why did the lawyer say, "That alters the case"?

Does this fable teach the same lesson as "Frank Divides the Cake"?

did?

Do you think the lawyer will finally do the just thing, as Frank

THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON

Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise;
But the companion of fools shall smart for it.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches,
And loving favor rather than silver and gold.

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast:
But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

A soft answer turneth away wrath:
But grievous words stir up anger.

Pride goeth before destruction;
And a haughty spirit before a fall.

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

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