LOST OPPORTUNITIES

New Zealand Tablet, 15 July 1909, Page 1117

LOST OPPORTUNITIES

•How many, in all climes and in all ages, call sadly and regretfully to mind the thousand golden opportunities forever lost. The lesson is beautifully taught in the following Indian legend : There was once a beautiful damsel upon whom one of the good genii wished to bestow a blessing. He led her to the edge of a large field of corn, where he said to her : ' Daughter in the field before us the ears of corn, in the hands of those who pluck them in faith, shall have tahsmanic virtues, and the virtue shall be in proportion to the size and beauty of the ear gathered. Thou shalt pass through the field once and pluck one ear. It must be taken as thou goest forward, and thou shalt not stop in thy path, nor shalt thou retrace a single step in quest -f thine object. Select an ear full and fair and according to its size and beauty shall be its value to thee as a talisman.' vThe maiden thanked the good genius, and then set forward upon her quest. As she advanced she saw many ears of corn, large, ripe, and beautiful, such as calm judgment might have told her would possess virtues enough, but in her eagerness to grasp the very best she left these fair ears behind, hoping that she might find one still fairer. At length, as the day was closing, she reached a part of the field where the stalks were shorter and thinner, and the ears were very small and shrivelled. She now regretted the grand ears she had left behind, and disdained to pick from the poor show around her, for here she found not an ear which bpre perfect grain. She went on, but, alas, only to find the stalks -more and more feeble and blighted, until in the end, as the' day was closing, and the night coming on, she found herself at the end of the field without having plucked an ear of any kind. No need that the genius should rebuke he.r for her folly. She saw, it clearly when too late.