"Well, little one," said a Tree to a Reed that was
growing at its foot, "why do you not plant your feet deeply in the ground,
and raise your head boldly in the air as I do?"
I am contented with my lot," said the Reed. "I may
not be so grand, but I think I am safer."
"Safe!" sneered the Tree. "Who shall pluck me
up by the roots or bow my head to the ground?" But it soon had to repent
of its boasting, for a hurricane arose which tore it up from its roots, and
cast it a useless log on the ground. while the little Reed, bending to the
force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.
Moral: Obscurity often brings safety
