you see. The kite won't fly, and I don't want to be plagued with it any
longer." "Oh, fie, my little man! would you give up the sport, after all
the pains we have taken both to make and to fly the kite? A few
disappointments ought not to discourage us. Come, I have wound up your
string, and now try again."

8. And he did try, and succeeded, for the kite was carried upward on the
breeze as lightly as a feather; and when the string was all out, John
stood in great delight, holding fast the stick and gazing on the kite,
which now seemed like a little white speck in the blue sky. "Look, look,
aunt, how high it flies! and it pulls like a team of horses, so that I can
hardly hold it. I wish I had a mile of string: I am sure it would go to
the end of it."

9. After enjoying the sight as long as he pleased, little John proceeded
to roll up the string slowly; and when the kite fell, he took it up with
great glee, saying that it was not at all hurt, and that it had behaved
very well. "Shall we come out to-morrow, aunt, after lessons, and try
again?"

10. "I have no objection, my dear, if the weather is fine. And now, as we
walk home, tell me what you have learned from your morning's sport." "I
have learned to fly my kite properly." "You may thank aunt for it,
brother," said Lucy, "for you would have given it up long ago, if she had
not persuaded you to try again."

11. "Yes, dear children, I wish to teach you the value of perseverance,
even when nothing more depends upon it than the flying of a kite. Whenever
you fail in your attempts to do any good thing, let your motto be,--try
again."