THE MAN WITHOUT A HEART
valuable to be spent in the careless world, which seems to live only for idle pleasures and trifling pursuits. I live for a grand purpose."
"Poor man!" said the prince; "you have never been happy. Does it not please you to hear the birds twitter and to feel the warm sunshine? Do you never enjoy the pleasant and solemn sound of church-bells every morning at sunrise, and again at sunset, when the shadows are lengthening over the fields? Do you never feel the blessings of living for others?" "I have thought and studied for many years," replied the philosopher, "but perfectly happy I never was until I lost my heart. I have lost that, and do not wish to have it back." "Poor man!" said the prince again; "what a life to lead! The greatest happiness on earth which I can think of is to have a kind and beautiful wife, and at present I am seeking one. Shall I not try to find one for you also?" "Yes," suddenly exclaimed the wise man, "you may do so." He thought that it might be an advantage to have a young woman in the house to wait on him, as thus a great deal of time might be saved to him. "I shall do my best," returned the prince.
The next morning he pursued his way, and in due time arrived at a kingdom where there were two fair princesses, whom every one, even their enemies, praised. The young man told the king who he was, and that he would like to marry the youngest, and that her sister would be a fit wife for his brother.
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