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the rabbit； dearly as he longs to eat it。
But he is only an animal。 Who taught him to be generous； and dutiful；
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and faithful？
Who； indeed！ Not we； you know that； for he has grown up with us
since a puppy。 How he learnt it； and his parents before him； is a mystery；
of which we can only say； God has taught them； we know not how。 But
see what has happenedthat just because dogs have learnt not to be selfish
and to competethat is； have become civilised and tametherefore we let
them live with us； and love them。 Because they try to be good in their
simple way； therefore they too have all things added to them； and live far
happier； and more comfortable lives than the selfish wolf and fox。
But why have not all animals found out that？
I cannot tell： there may be wise animals and foolish animals； as there
are wise and foolish men。 Indeed there are。 I see a very wise animal
there； who never competes； for she has learned something of the golden
lessonthat it is more blessed to give than to receive； and she acts on what
she has learnt； all day long。
Which do you mean？ Why； that is a bee。
Yes； it is a bee： and I wish I were as worthy in my place as that bee is
in hers。 I wish I could act up as well as she does to the true wisdom；
which is self…sacrifice。 For whom is that bee working？ For herself？ If
that was all； she only needs to suck the honey as she goes。 But she is
storing up the wax under her stomach； and bee…bread in her thighsfor
whom？ Not for herself only； or even for her own children： but for the
children of another bee； her queen。 For them she labours all day long；
builds for them； feeds them； nurses them； spends her love and cunning on
them。 So does that ant on the path。 She is carrying home that stick to
build for other ants' children。 So do the white ants in the tropics。 They
have learnt not to compete； but to help each other； not to be selfish； but to
sacrifice themselves； and therefore they are strong。
But you told me once that ants would fight and plunder each other's
nests。 And once we saw two hives of bees fighting in the air； and falling
dead by dozens。
My child； do not men fight； and kill each other by thousands with
sharp shot and cold steel； because； though they have learnt the virtue of
patriotism； they have not yet learnt that of humanity？ We must not blame
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the bees and ants if they are no wiser than men。 At least they are wise
enough to stand up for their country； that is； their hive； and work for it； and
die for it； if need be； and that makes them strong。
But how does that make them strong？
How； is a deep question； and one I can hardly answer yet。 But that it
has made them so there is no doubt。 Look at the solitary beesthe
governors as we call them； who live in pairs； in little holes in the banks。
How few of them there are； and they never seem to increase in numbers。
Then look at the hive bees； how； just because they are civilised；that is；
because they help each other； and feed each other； instead of being solitary
and selfish；they breed so fast； and get so much food； that if they were not
killed for their honey； they would soon become a nuisance； and drive us
out of the parish。
But then we give them their hives ready made。
True。 But in old forest countries； where trees decay and grow hollow；
the bees breed in them。
Yes。 I remember the bee tree in the fir avenue。
Well then； in many forests in hot countries the bees swarm in hollow
trees； and they； and the ants； and the white ants； have it all their own way；
and are lords and masters； driving the very wild beasts before them； while
the ants and white ants eat up all gardens； and plantations； and clothes； and
furniture； till it is a serious question whether in some hot countries man
will ever be able to settle； so strong have the ants grown； by ages of
civilisation； and not competing against their brothers and sisters。
But may I not compete for prizes against the other boys？
Well； there is no harm in that； for you do not harm the others； even if
you win。 They will have learnt all the more； while trying for the prize；
and so will you； even if you don't get it。 But I tell you fairly； trying for
prizes is only fit for a child； and when you become a man； you must put
away childish things competition among the rest。
But surely I may try to be better and wiser and more learned than
everybody else？
My dearest child； why try for that？ Try to be as good； and wise； and
learned as you can； and if you find any man； or ten thousand men； superior
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to you； thank God for it。 Do you think that there can be too much
wisdom in the world？
Of course not： but I should like to be the wisest man in it。
Then you would only have the heaviest burden of all men on your
shoulders。
Why？
Because you would be responsible for more foolish people than any
one else。 Remember what wise old Moses said； when some one came
and told him that certain men in the camp were prophesying〃Would God
all the Lord's people did prophesy！〃 Yes； it would have saved Moses
many a heartache； and many a sleepless night； if all the Jews had been
wise as he was； and wiser still。 So do not you compete with good and
wise men； but simply copy them： and whatever you do； do not compete
with the wolves； and the apes； and the swine of this world； for that is a
game at which you are sure to be beaten。
Why？
Because Lady Why； if she loves you （as I trust she does）； will take care
that you are beaten； lest you should fancy it was really profitable to live
like a cunning sort of animal； and not like a true man。 And how she will
do that I can tell you。 She will take care that you always come across a
worse man than you are trying to be；a more apish man； who can tumble
and play monkey…tricks for people's amusement better than you can； or a
more swinish