The Ear of Corn
In former times, when God himself still walked
the earth, the fruitfulness of the soil was much greater than it is now. Then the ears of
corn did not bear fifty or sixty, but four or five hundred-fold. Then the corn grew from
the bottom to the very top of the stalk, and according to the length of the stalk was the
length of the ear. Men however are so made, that when they are too well off they no longer
value the blessings which come from God, but grow indifferent and careless. One day a
woman was passing by a corn-field when her little child, who was running beside her, fell
into a puddle, and dirtied her frock. On this the mother tore up a handful of the
beautiful ears of corn, and cleaned the frock with them. When the Lord, who just then came
by, saw that, he was angry, and said, henceforth shall the stalks of corn bear no more
ears, men are no longer worthy of heavenly gifts. The by-standers who heard this, were
terrified, and fell on their knees and prayed that he would still leave something on the
stalks, even if the people were undeserving of it, for the sake of the innocent chickens
which would otherwise have to starve. The Lord, who foresaw their suffering, had pity on
them, and granted the request. So the ears were left as they now grow.
--The End-- |
