THE LAZIEST MAN

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 5, 7 January 1928, Page 17

THE LAZIEST MAN

§§ In an idle land of the South there § If was once a competition as to who g B was the laziest man. The prize m H was a rich one, and practically all §j M the population entered, for they -g H were experts at doing nothing. So, m H from the first, it was hard to judge g I between one competitor and an- i II other. But by many ingenious tests = m the field was finally narrowed down g H to Henri and Jean, than whom two jj §j lazier men had never been known m m before. But how to choose between s m them? 1 p Long and anxiously did the judges m m consult together, and at last hit 1 m upon a plan. After starving the f§ §§ candidates for some days, they led § §§ them beneath the branches of a § j§ grove of fig trees, pendant with § a luscious fruit. The rivals, though a m ravenously hungry, yawned lan- 1 = guidly and stretched themselves on 1 U the ground to rest. But when a few I §§ hours had elapsed, Henri could I m withstand the temptation no longer, I m and, reaching out his hand, gather- 1 fi ed and ate one of the fruits fallen ■ §§ near him. 1 §§ "This settles it," whispered one I b judge. "Let us give tho prize to the m s other." 1 1 "Let us rather wait awhile," re- i m plied his colleague. "Tho other | m competitor may have the energy to 1 g eat two flgs." t| T Just then a ripe fruit fell plumb I |l on Jean's cheek and remained there. 1 m For half an hour he took no notice 1 Ij of it. Then, lazily turning his eyes I Ip towards the judges, ho said: "This 1 M flg makes me tired. Have the good- i =j ness to put it in my mouth." | S He won the prize. c Qj^lflHHfflMMHHMDHMMuHiHKttttiil [mnMHwHimiwMtnuiliirva