i2 4 LUTHER BURBANK 



spirit of the school, and learned to know that appearances 

 do not count for everything, and that nothing is entirely 

 useless. 



So, instead of passing this odd little urchin coldly by, 

 they greeted him kindly and showed a willingness to have 

 him one of them in all things. Plants, you must know, 

 are sociable in their dispositions, and are often more or 

 less dependent one upon another. They are seldom 

 quarrelsome, and most of them live peacefully together, 

 for it is their nature to be cheerful and happy. That is 

 why they add so much to our happiness. 



Of course the school plants were anxious to know where 

 Opuntia came from and something of his family history, 

 for plant children are much like other children in this re- 

 spect. To know them you must know something of their 

 ancestors. Then, too, the school plants were anxious to 

 know about the training he was going to take to fit him 

 for his life-work. They were all there for improvement, 

 to be helped, and to help others. No place in the plant 

 school for the lazy! 



Opuntia was very clumsy and awkward among so many 

 graceful children, and feared lest he should injure some 

 one with the sharp thorns he was compelled to wear in his 

 old home as an armor of defense. So he drew back a little, 

 and this made him appear timid. He felt the gaze of all 

 eyes upon him, and that made him nervous, as it would 

 any one. 



