THE SCARECROW

  Once I said to a scarecrow, "You must be
tired of standing in this lonely field,"

  And he said, "The joy of scaring is a
deep and lasting one, and I never tire of 
it."

  Said I, after a minute of thought, "It is
true; for I too have known that joy."

  Said he, "Only those who are stuffed
with straw can know it."

  Then I left him, not knowing whether
he had complimented or belittled me.

  A year passed, during which the scare-
crow turned philosopher.

  And when I passed by him again I saw
two crows building a nest under his hat.