hey were finished, for she herself could see
no difference in the two bunches.

She carried them to the king and said, "Choose, Oh wise king, which are
the real flowers?"

At first King Solomon was puzzled, but soon he saw a bee buzzing at the
window.

"Ah," said he, "here is one come to help me in my choice. Throw open the
window for my friend."

Then the Queen of Sheba bowed her head and said:

"You are indeed a wise king, but I begin to understand your wisdom. I
thank you for this lesson."

[Illustration]

KING SOLOMON AND THE ANTS.

One morning the Queen of Sheba started back to her home in the south.
King Solomon and all his court went with her to the gates of the city.

It was a glorious sight.

The king and queen rode upon white horses.

The purple and scarlet coverings of their followers glittered with
silver and gold.

The king looked down and saw an ant hill in the path before them.

"See yonder little people," he said, "do you hear what they are saying
as they run about so wildly?

"They say, 'Here comes the king, men call wise, and good and great.

'He will trample us under his cruel feet.'"

"They should be proud to die under the feet of such a king," said the
queen. "How dare they complain?"

"Not so, Great Queen," replied the king.

He turned his horse aside and all his followers did the same.

When the great company had passed there was the ant hill unharmed in the
path.

The Queen said, "Happy indeed, must be your people, wise king. I shall
remember the lesson.

"He only is noble and great who cares for the helpless and weak."

ARACHNE.

Arachne was a beautiful maiden and the most wonderful weaver that ever
lived. Her father was famed throughout the land for his great skill in
coloring.

He dyed Arachne's wools in all the colors of the rainbow. People came
from miles around to see and admire her work. They all agreed that Queen
Athena must have been her teacher. Arachne proudly said that she had
never been taught to weave. She said that she would be glad to weave
with Athena to see which had the greater skill. In vain her father told
her that perhaps Athena, unseen, guided her hand.

Arachne would not listen and would thank no one for her gift, believing
only in herself. One day as she was boasting of her skill an old woman
came to her. She kindly advised her to accept her rare gift humbly.

"Be thankful that you are so fortunate, Arachne," said she.