Fritz, what do you think of it ?" "I am considering the goodness of the Great King, and the ingratitude of his people," answered he.
"And how very foolish they were," said Ernest, "with a little prudence, they might have kept their land in good condition, and secured a pleasant life afterwards." "Away with them to the mines!" cried Jack, "they richly deserved such a doom." "How much I should like," said Francis, "to see those soldiers in their shining armour!" "I hope you will see them some day, my dear boy, if you continue to be good and obedient." I then explained my parable fully, and applied the moral to each of my sons directly.
"You, Fritz, should take warning from the people who planted wild fruit, and wished to make them pass for good fruit.

Such are those who are proud of natural virtues, easy to exercise,--such as bodily strength, or physical courage; and place these above the qualities which are only attained by labour and patience.
"You, Ernest, must remember the subjects who laid out their land in flowery gardens; like those who seek the pleasures of life, rather than the duties.

And you, my thoughtless Jack, and little Francis, think of the fate of those who left their land untilled, or heedlessly sowed tares for wheat.

These are God's people who neither study nor reflect; who cast to the winds all instruction, and leave room in their minds for evil.

Then let us all be, like the good labourers of the parable, constantly cultivating our ground, that, when Death comes for us, we may willingly follow him to the feet of the Great King, to hear these blessed words: 'Good and faithful servants! enter into the joy of your Lord!'" This made a great impression on my children.