THE BIRTH OF PICCIOLA. 53 



fleshy valve, which, embracing its first leaves, pre- 

 served them from the attacks of enemies, and gave 

 them the means of breaking through the hard 

 crust of earth to seek the air and the sun. 



"Ah," he said, "there is the whole secret. Na- 

 ture has given it this strength, like the little 

 chickens, which, before they are hatched are al- 

 ready armed with a beak strong enough to break 

 the shell in which they are enclosed. Poor pris- 

 oner ! at least you possess in your captivity instru- 

 ments which will aid you to become free." 



He looked at the plant and no longer thought 

 of destroying it. 



The next day, in his usual promenade, walking 

 with* long strides and absorbed in his own thoughts, 

 he almost stepped upon it and stopped short. 

 Surprised by the interest which his new acquaint- 

 ance inspired in him, he noted its progress. 



The plant had grown, and under the rays of the 

 sun had nearly lost the sickly pallor of the previous 

 day. He reflected on the power of this weak, 

 blanched stem to absorb the light, to nourish itself, 

 to strengthen itself, and to borrow from the prism 

 the colors which it needed, colors foreordained for 

 every one of its parts. 



Its leaves, he thought, will doubtless be tinted 



