Stranica 83 [83]
EB" CAS BIE TOK LIFE
to drink of the Fountain of Immortality. They traveled
in company, like people following the same road. Pensive
introduced Graceful to a young butterfly that chatted
agreeably. Friendship springs up quickly in youth; in an
hour the two comrades were inseparable.
To go straight forward does not suit the taste of butter¬
flies, and Graceful’s friend was constantly losing himself
among the grass. Graceful, who had never been free in
his life, nor had seen so many flowers and so much sunshine,
followed all the windings of his companion, and troubled
himself no more about the day than if it were never to end;
but, after a few leagues’ journey his new friend began to be
weary.
“Don’t go any farther,” said he to Graceful. “See how
beautiful is this landscape, how fragrant these flowers, and
how balmy these fields. Let us stay here; this 1s life.”
“Let us go on,” said Fido; "the day is long, and we are
only at the beginning."
“Let us go on,” said Pensive; "the sky is clear and the
horizon unbounded. Let us go on.”
Graceful, restored to his senses, reasoned sagely with the
butterfly, who fluttered constantly to the right and the left,
but all in vain. "What matters it to me?" said the insect.
“Yesterday I was a caterpillar, to-night I shall be nothing.
I will enjoy to-day." And he settled on a full-blown
Pestum rose. The perfume was so strong that the poor
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