One thorn(刺) of experience is worth many times of warning.
Ralph Wick was seven years old. In most things he was a fine boy, but he would cry from time to time. When he could not have what he wanted, he would1for it. If he was told that it would hurt him, and he could not2 it, he would also cry.
One day, he went with his mother into the3. The sun shone. The grass was cut. The flowers were starting to come out.
Ralph thought he was, for once, a good boy. A 4 was on his face. He wished to do as he was told. Ralph helped his mother with the farm work and he was very happy.
“Now you must be tired and5,” said his mother. “Have a good rest here and eat some cookies. I will get a beautiful red rose for you.” So his mother brought the red flower to him. When he saw his mother still had a white rose in her hand, Ralph6 it.
“No, my dear.” said his mother. “See how many thorns it has. You must not touch it, or you would be sure to hurt your7.” When Ralph found that he could not have the white rose, he began to cry, and8 took it away. But he was soon very sorry. The thorns hurt his hand. It was so 9 that he could not use it for some time.
Ralph would never10 this. From then on, when he wanted what he should not have, his mother would point to his hand which had been hurt before. He at last learned to do as he was told.
