Page:Little playfellows.djvu/11

Rh POOR GUSTAVE.

Little boys and girls often think their parents are severe because they reprimand them for their faults, but they always know what is best for them. There was once a little boy named Gustave, who had but one eye. Gustave was naturally sweet and affectionate, but he was fond of teasing, and this fault caused him to lose his eye. I will tell you how it happened. One day he went to call on his cousin Frank. He found him in his garden, trying to catch a beautiful butterfly for his collection of insects. Gustave slipped up behind him slily, which made the butterfly fly off. Frank turned suddenly and knocked Gustave over. He fell on a large rosebush, one of the thorns of which penetrated his left eye, destroying the sight forever. You see that little causes often produce great effects. If Gustave had not been fond of teasing, he would not have lost his eye.