One of them that the aunties remembered struck me as rather precocious.
I had been brought up upon wise saws and one that my father had taught me was soon given direct application.

As a boy, returning from the seashore three miles distant, he had to carry me part of the way upon his back.

Going up a steep hill in the gloaming he remarked upon the heavy load, hoping probably I would propose to walk a bit.

The response, however, which he received was: "Ah, faither, never mind, patience and perseverance make the man, ye ken." He toiled on with his burden, but shaking with laughter.

He was hoist with his own petard, but his burden grew lighter all the same.