A DISPENSER-ELECT of Patronage gave notice through the newspapers that he would not be granting positions to any applicants until he assumed the duties of his office.
"You are exposing yourself to a grave danger," said a lawyer.
"How so?" the Dispenser-Elect inquired.
"It will be nearly two months," the lawyer answered, "before the day that you mention. Few patriots can live so long without eating, and some of the applicants will be compelled to find work in the meantime. If that kills them, you will be liable to prosecution for murder."
"You underrate their powers of endurance," the official replied.
"What!" exclaimed the lawyer, "you think they can withstand work?"
"No," said the other, "hunger."
In times of desperation, people may prefer the hardship of work over the suffering of hunger, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Discussion questions
- What does the story say about the relationship between work and survival?
- How do the characters in the story represent different viewpoints on hardship and resilience?
- In what ways can this moral story be applied to situations we see in our own lives today?
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Read it in another language
- الوطنيون الأشداء. · العربية
- Die tapferen Patrioten. · Deutsch
- Los Patriotas Valientes. · Español
- پاتریوتهای سختکوش · فارسی
- Les Patriotes Endurcis · Français
- द हार्डी पैट्रियट्स। · हिन्दी
- I Patrioti Coraggiosi. · Italiano
- Os Patriotas Destemidos. · Português
- Харди Пэтриотс · Русский
- ది హార్డీ పాట్రియాట్స్. · తెలుగు
- Ang Matatag na Makabayan. · Tagalog
- Витривалі Патріоти. · Українська
- 坚强的爱国者们 · 中文
Good night.
Tomorrow night: The Fox and the Crane
