Page:Stories and story-telling (1915).djvu/249

 placed in his cabinet of treasures, and to the boy, as a reward, he promised whatever he should ask.

"All I wish is to find my two brothers, who hold some high office in your Majesty's court," said the boy.

"If those who came with pears before are your brothers, as I suspect, they hold office in prison," said the Kaiser, and commanded that they be brought. As soon as the two were led in, the third ran to them and embraced them. Then the Kaiser bade each tell his story.

"Strong indeed does truth make the tongue to keep its own," said the Kaiser, using almost the same words the boys had often heard their father speak. And they were truly sorry they had not kept his counsel.

The Kaiser sent for the father and gave him and his sons charge of the king's gardens. The father brought with him the pear-tree that, by the power of the truth told of it, had made golden fortune for them. And he and his sons had plenty ever after and were well content.

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