(ক) The day is full of the singing of birds, the night is full of stars—Nature has become all kindness, and it is a kindness clothed upon with splendour.

For nearly two hours have I been lost in the contemplation of this magnificent spectacle. I felt myself in the temple of the Infinite, God's guest in this vast nature. The stars, wandering in the pale ether, drew me far away from earth. What peace beyond the power of words they shed on the adoring soul! I felt the earth floating like a boat in this blue ocean. Such deep and tranquil delight nourishes the whole man—it purifies and ennobles. I surrendered myself—I was all gratitude and docility.

(খ) There was once a king who had three sons. He was equally fond of all of them, and he could not decide to which to leave the kingdom after his death. When the time came for him to die, he called them to his bedside, and said, “My dear children, I have had something on my mind for a long time, which I will now disclose to you; whichever of you is the laziest shall inherit my kingdom.”

The eldest said, '' Then father, the kingdom will be mine, for I am so lazy that when I lie down to sleep, if something drops into my eye I don't even take the trouble to shut it.”

The second said, “Father, the kingdom belongs to me. I am so lazy that when I sit by the fire warming myself, I would sooner let my toes burn than draw my legs back.”

The third said, “Father, the kingdom is mine. I am so lazy that if I were going to be hanged and had the rope round my neck, and some one were to give me a sharp knife to cut it with, I would sooner be hanged than raise my hand to the rope.”

When his father heard that, he said, “You certainly carry your laziness furthest, and you shall be king.”