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friend, turned to the former and said, “Old man, what is the time by your watch:” The boatman answered humbly, “Sir, I don't know how to read, what would I do with a watch:” Some of the others joining in the fun laughed and exclaimed: “Good heavens! you don't know how to read, then half your life is wasted!” A few minutes later they heard the chimes of a clock in the tower on the opposite shore. Another young man said to the boatman: “Look fellow, you may not know how to read, but surely you can count! Let's see, how often did the clock strike?” The boatman quietly said, “Sir, I don't know how to count either.” The young men burst out laughing and said, “Three-fourths of your life is wasted.” At that moment the water started becoming rather rough and the boat was tossed about alarmingly. The boatman said, “There seems to be a flood in the river; our little boat may not be able to withstand it. I hope all of you know how to swim.” The young men looked at each other and were terrified. None of them knew how to swim. As the boat was about to capsize, the old man could not restrain himself. He said mockingly: “Gentlemen, you were perhaps right when you said that three-fourths of my life was wasted, but at least I shall be able to save the remaining one-fourth;
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