There was once a man who was skilful

At making a salve which kept the hands

From getting chapped in cold waters,

And his family for generations had made

The bleaching of cocoon-silk their trade.

A stranger heard of it and proposed to buy

The family art of the salve preparation

For a round hundred ounces of silver.

At night the kindred all came together

And considered the proposal. "We have,"

Said they, "been bleaching cocoon-silk

For generations and have only gained

A little money. Now in one morning

We can sell to this stranger our patent

For a round hundred ounces, so let's do it!"

No sooner said than done--the stranger

Accordingly got it and went away with it

To give counsel to the king of the state

Who was then engaged in hostilities

With his neighbours. The king gave him

The command of his fleet and in the winter

He led his well-protected men

From getting chapped in ice-cold waters

Of the rough seas and stormy salted winds.

He had an engagement with the enemy,

On which he inflicted a great defeat

And was invested with a large portion

Of territory taken from the defeated.

The keeping the hands safely intact

From getting chapped was the same

In both cases, but in the one it led

To the investiture of the possessor

Of the salve, and in the other it had

Only enabled its owners to continue

Their trade of bleaching cocoon-silk.

The difference of result was owing

To the different use made of the art.