THE ROLLING STONE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23595, 2 March 1940, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE ROLLING STONE

On a mountain near the city of Home many years ago, there lay a huge boulder. So big was this rock that people came many miles to see it. One day a wise man named Atona came, bringing with him a friend. Soon they began to argue and, although the rock listened carefully, all lie could hear was this phrase: "A rolling stone gathers no moss!" "Ha!"' said the rock. "Atona is not so wise as I thought he was, for yesterday a pebble rolled down the mountain. and when it passed me it was covered with moss. If I roll down the mountain now, 1 shall become covered with moss and will thus prove that Atona is wrong." The rock heaved and shook, and at last, alter a mighty effort, went crashing down the mountainside to reach the bottom, a pile of cracked stone. Meanwhile, Atona and his friend were gazing at each other in astonishment. for in the place where the rock had been were shining seams of gold. "Gold! Gold! We are rich. We have power!" cried Atona's friend. "Be careful, friend." said Atona. "Pride goeth before a fall." And he gazed down toward the broken rock, for he knew many things. —Original, by Eleanor McKinnon (14). D.M.B.G.