138 
THE MOST WONDERFUL THING IN THE 
WORLD 
T would be quite a simple matter to interest you chil- 
dren in plants and their lives, if always it were 
possible to talk only about the things which you can 
see with your own. unaided eyes. 
I think a bright child sees better than many a grown 
person, and I think that it is easier to interest him in 
what he sees. 
And then plants in themselves are so interesting 
and surprising, that one must be stupid indeed if he 
or she finds it impossible to take pleasure in watching 
their ways. : ; 
But about these plants there are many things which 
you cannot see without the help of a microscope, and 
these things it is difficult to describe in simple words. 
Yet it is necessary to learn about them if you wish 
really to feel at home in this beautiful world of plants. 
After all, whatever is worth having is worth taking 
some trouble for; and nothing worth having can be had 
without trouble. So I hope when you children come 
to parts of this book that seem at first a little dull, you 
will say to yourselves, “ Well, if we wish really to know 
plants, to be able to tell their names, to understand 
their habits, we must try to be a little patient when we 
come to the things that are difficult.” 
For even in your games you boys have to use some 
patience; and you are quite willing to run the risk of 
being hurt for the sake of a little fun. 
