They always want to
know why this or that was ordered. Do what I tell you, and in the end it
will come out all right." David then hurried and brought back the
baskets.
They both seated themselves in the boat, and pushed from the shore.
Mother and daughter called after them: "A pleasant trip and a happy
return." David vied with his father in rowing, and it made him so warm
that he took off his coat.
Soon they reached the island and made a landing, while David tied the
boat to a tree stump. They hurried toward the willow trees, cut the
branches, tied them together in bundles and carried them to the little
boat. The father was delighted with David's helpfulness, and said: "That
is right; children should help their parents as much as their strength
will permit."
When they had gathered as many branches as were needed, the father said:
"Now, let us rest a while and eat some lunch. After labor, rest is
sweet, and one's food tastes so much better." When the meal was ended,
the father said: "Now I want to give you another pleasure. Get the
baskets and follow me." Soon they came to a beautiful walnut tree, whose
branches, spreading far out on all sides, were laden with nuts. David
was overjoyed at this sight, as he had never seen the tree before. He at
once filled his pockets with nuts and tried to crack one with his teeth
and get at the kernel. "Father," said he, "why did God put the sweet nut
between two shells, a bitter and a hard one?"
"My dear boy," said his father, "God had the wisest purpose for doing
this.
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