ADVICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 243, 4 January 1928, Page 7

ADVICE

Away in the North Country it is cold all the year round, and Simple Fritz, who had just reached his 15th ye%r, was wanting a new fur overcoat, for he had grown out of his old one. So he went away to the fur-dealers and bought a sealskin just large enough to make him a coat. Fritz carried the skin home and got out his needle and thread, for he was determined to make the coat himself. He was skilful with the needle, but the trouble was to cut out the coat, for he had no pattern. “I will go round to the neighbours and get their advice,” he thought. So he went to old Hans, who was very short, and asked how he should set about making the coat. “Well,” said Hans, “my advice is that you be very careful not to make the coat too long; keep it quite short and it will be a very good coat.” Fritz was very tall, but he did not think of that, so, thanking Hans, he went to another neighbour. This was Johann, who was very fat round the waist, and his advice was that the coat should be made very large and roomy, especially at the waist. Fritz was exceedingly thin, but he thanked Johann for his advice and said he would be sure to follow it. The next neighbour Fritz called upon was Oscar, whose hands reached below his knees when he stood up. and he said the chief thing was that the sleeves should be long. Another neighbour, with hands reaching only to his hips, said. “Whatever you do, make the sleeves short.” Then Fritz was advised by a stout man, who felt warm at the slightest exertion, to make ventilation holes in the back and front of the coat. Some told him to put the fur side inside, others said it should be outside. Thus loaded with advice, Fritz went home and made the coat. When finished it was the most wonderful garment ever seen. It was very short, but big round at the waist: one sleeve was long and one short: and the fur was turned inside in front and outside at the back: and the coat was well ventilated with little holes back and front. Altogether it was an amazing garment. but Fritz was proud of it. He put it on, and went out in the street to show it off. Some pigs were in th*roadway, but directly they saw Fritz they gave a squeak and rushed off down the street. The noise brought the people to their doors, and when they saw the coat they shrieked with laughter, while the children ran after Fritz and made fun of him. Fritz could not understand it at all. The farther he went the bigger the crowd of laughing, jeering people grew. So he went home quickly and shut the door. His father, who had been away, had just arrived home, and as Fritz came j in he said: “Whatever is that you have on?” “It is my new fur coat,” said Fritz. “But why did you make it such a sight? If you did not know how to rut a coat, why did you not ask advice?” I did. Father,” answered Simple Fritz. “I took the advice of old Hans the cobbler, and of Johann the butcher, and of Oscar the carpenter, and of thcattorney. and the dairyman, and the grocer, and the chemist, and the har-ness-maker, and of all who would advise.” “And did you not get the advice of fh® tailor?” asked his father. “Oh, no!” replied Fritz. “I quite forgot the tailor.” “Then no wonder you are the laugh-ing-stock of the town! In future, always remember that it is useless trying to follow everybody’s advice. When vou want advice on any subject, go to the person who is best able to give it, | and do what he tells you.” And Fritz, though he was a simple i lad. never forgot the lesson, for he had Ifu do without a new fur coat that • winter.