The Farmer And His Sons

by Aesop

　　A rich old farmer, who felt that he had not many more days tolive, called his sons to his bedside.

　　"My sons," he said, "heed what I have to say to you. Do not onany account part with the estate that has belonged to our familyfor so many generations. Somewhere on it is hidden a richtreasure. I do not know the exact spot, but it is there, and youwill surely find it. Spare no energy and leave no spot unturnedin your search."

　　The father died, and no sooner was he in his grave than the sonsset to work digging with all their might, turning up every footof ground with their spades, and going over the whole farm two orthree times.

　　No hidden gold did they find; but at harvest time when they hadsettled their accounts and had pocketed a rich profit far greaterthan that of any of their neighbors, they understood that thetreasure their father had told them about was the wealth of abountiful crop, and that in their industry had they found thetreasure.

　　Industry is itself a treasure.