ORIGINAL FABLES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2003, 14 July 1892, Page 38

ORIGINAL FABLES.

By D. G. No. 11. THE DISCARDED CUP AND SAUCER. In a large Staffordshire pottery there was a deal of interest being taken in the production of a most elegant porcelain tea set which was intended for presentation to one or tbe high dignitaries of the county. No cost had been spared to ensure the set being worthy of the fame of the firm who had the order in hand, and the importance of the eventful presentation. A new and beautiful design had been prepared, and the utmost pains taken in the selection of the material, whilst its manipulation had been entrusted to the most skilful of the artisans, under the personal supervision of the head of the firm. The time had now arrived for the final inspection, and everyone in the firm was greatly interested, and the excitement had actually permeated the various pieces comprising the set. The examination was most minute and searching, and after passing one test and another, the final one was being applied when it was discovered that by an unhappy accident one cup and saucer had been a trifle too much fired, and in consequence waa slightly different in shade to its companions. It was the merest trifle, and only appeared to the most expert eyes, but it was sufficient to prevent tbe set being passed as absolutely faultless, and a new cup and sancer had to be substituted. The disappointment and annoyance of the foreman, though very great, was as nothing compared to the feelings of the discarded vessels, for they, with their companions had been indulging in the most brilliant hopes as to their future. They had imagined themselves the centre of tho greatest admiration, and surrounded by the most fashionable associates, and now all their "castles in the air" were ruthlessly destroyed by tho expert's decision. To tell the truth they would have found it easier to bear up if the whole set had been rejected ; but to think that all their companions »vere passed, and they alone discarded, made their disappointment all the more keen. For a while after they had been placed on one side their anguish wa3 too deep for words, but after the silence of the night had somewhat consoled their feeling?, the cup gave vent to his sorrow by saying : "Oh dear, oh dear ; is'nt it awful to think that after all our great expeciations we should be thus degraded to the lerel of the mere common stoneware stuff." " It is, indeed," replied the sauoer, " and for my pait I think it all tbe worse that we were so near passing. - If we had been altogether out of shape, or the pattern had been blurred it would not have been anything like so hard," " And I would almost sooner that they should smash us up,** said tbe enp, " and put an end to our distress of mind, for lam sure I shall never get over my disappointment." " Yes," replied the sauoer, "so would I, but I'm afraid the worst is yet to come, for it is terrible to think of being degraded to mere common use after being intended for so^high a sphere." " I wonder what they will do with us," said the cup. " I suppose they won't let us remain here always, and as you say tho thought of our miserable state and the brilliant future of our companions fills me with, unspeakable dread." And after this little ebulition of feeling the cup and saucer relapsed into silence, An old-fashioned soup-tureen standing on the same shelf had heard all their converse and had been much interested in it, so after let' ing the disappointed ones remain quiet for a little while he aaid :—: — 11 My dear friends, believe me, I sympathise very deeply with you in your sorrow, but I am pained to hear you give way to such dismal forebodings. There is no doubt you are a very beautiful pair, and it may be that this disappointment may turn to your great advantage yet." Strange as it may seem, the remarks of the old soup-tureeu turned out to be correct. The set when completed was presented to the lady for whom it was intended, and she after briefly examining and admiring it had it put away, and when out of Bight it was soon out of mind. The discarded cup and saucer was sent out to the colonies, where ifc was seen and admired by a gentlemen who wanted to make a present, to a little crippled girl. The little invalid was simply delighted with the pretty gift, and never tired of talking about tho cup and saucer and showing them to her friends, whilst the greatest care was continually bestowed upon them, pro-, viding their owner with unbounded happiness. Moral : Though we may fail to reach the sphere we desire there are abundant other ways of being useful.