[Stovegeothnon]

align=center ff8080 size=4The Trouble Pile align=center align=center ff8080 size=4"Where do you go today, old man.BR With that great load there on your back?"BR The old man just grumbled as he hobbled a longBR Holding Tight to the bulging sack.BRBR "I say, old man, "cried the boy againBR "Do you carry a sack of gold?"BR "Nay, lad," the old man whispered.BR "Tis just troubles--that's all I hold."BR "This sack I've carried, all my lifeBR Each trouble I've had is here.BR They've grown till now, my back grows bentBR With every passing year.BRBR "There's grief and pain, there's hurt and woe,BR There are trials and sins galoreBR But I'm going now to the trouble pileBR and I won't pack these no more."BRBR The boy looked up with a troubled glance.BR "Tell me, what's the trouble pile?BR I'd like to know, and while we talk You can sit and rest aBR while."BRBR "I lack the time," the old man said,BR I've got to rush along.BR I want to get to the trouble pileBR "Fore the little troubles are gone.BRBR "You see, it's a place where all can goBR To trade troubles great and smallBR You can leave yours there and pick new ones up.BR Why, I'll trade 'till I've none at all."BRBR The boy glanced down at his twisted leg,BR And he blinked to hold back a tear.BR "Could I trade this leg for a good one," he asked,BR "If the trouble pile was here?"BRBR "Of course, you could," the old man was gruff.BR "But there's still a long way to go.BR I've got to hurry or I'll be late,BR And crippled you'd be too slow."BRBR So the boy sat down and watched the man,BR Disappear in the morning light,BR The hours wore on and still he watchedBR As the day moved on to night.BRBR At last, there in the distance,BR The old man walked tall and strong,BR A bulging sack still on his back,BR But on his lips, a song.BRBR "I see you traded, mister,BR And lost your heavy load,BR His little voice grew wistfulBR As he looked back down the road.BRBR The old man grinned and tossed his bagBR With a thud, in the dusty track.BR And he smiled a smile at the little boyBR As he sat and leaned lazily back.BRBR "Now, I'll tell you, lad, though you'll not believe--BR But that sack is the same as I had.BR When I saw the troubles of other folks.BR I found mine not half so bad.BRBR "Sure, I've hardly got a trouble now,BR And I'll tell you something too--BR If you could see that trouble pile,BR You'd keep that bad leg too.BRBR "Cause I've done a bit of thinkingBR As I walked along the way.BR And if we worked hard on that leg of yoursBR It would grow straight and strong to stay,BRBR "Now I've really nothing much to doBR And a crutch I could make for a start."BR Then he hugged the boy to hide a tear,BR And the joy in an old man's heart.BRBR So the boy and the man worked together,BR From morning to the last light of day,BR And the twisted leg finally was straightened,BR And the boy could soon run and play.BRBR It was then the old man knew he must leave,BR And again he shouldered his sack,BR But no longer did it bulge with his troubles--BR It just hung there loose on his back!BRBR For while he was helping another.BR His own troubles faded away,BR He had truly found the trouble pile, It's there if you look forBR the way.BRSMALLBR ff8080 size=4 UnknownSMALL