p. 11 | THE HARDEST KNOT by Roy Farrell Greene

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jun 6, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 22.

THE HARDEST KNOT.

By Roy Farrell Greene

[Roy Farrell Greene, in Success.]

"My boy," said Uncle Hiram, "don't for pity sake, look glum, An' don't set tight your lips as if they speechless were an' dumb, When some hard task's before you, for, tho laboring like a Turk, The happiest fellow's he who sings or whistles at his work. A lesson from the buzz-saw learn, that rings with honest glee While into lumber it converts the trunk of stoutest tree, That hums a low-toned melody when easiest 's its lot, An' always sings the loudest when it strikes the hardest knot.

"To make of every task a joy you'll find's an art worth while; The hardest problems of the world are solved by those who smile! Abe Lincoln when affairs of state perplexed him deigned to chaff, Well knowing fogs would lift before the sunshine of a laugh! He joked when those about him stood in wo and gloom profound, Yet 'twas his laughter-wrinkled brow that fame undying crowned! He smiled, or likely chuckled, through each problem's softest spot, But shook with hearty laughter when he struck the hardest knot.

"An' so," said Uncle Hiram, "be it lowly task or great You're called t' do, remember you're an architect of Fate, An' the future generations are dependin' on your skill, Your 'I know how to do it in the right way, an I will!' But start t' sing or whistle, lad, ere you the task commence,— The work will seem lots harder if your lips are set and tense! The ringin' buzz-saw keep in mind, that varies not a jot, But always sings the loudest when it strikes the hardest knot."