Perhaps some would feel inclined to ridicule rather than applaud
the patience of a poor Chinese woman who tried to make a needle
from a rod of iron by rubbing it against a stone.

It is doubtful whether she succeeded or not, but, so the story
runs, the sight of the worker plying her seemingly hopeless task,
put new courage and determination into the heart of a young
Chinese student, who, in deep despondency, stood watching her.

Because of repeated failures in his studies, ambition and hope had
left him. Bitterly disappointed with himself, and despairing of
ever accomplishing anything, the young man had thrown his books
aside in disgust. Put to shame, however, by the lesson taught by
the old woman, he gathered his scattered forces together, went to
work with renewed ardor, and, wedding Patience and Energy, became,
in time, one of the greatest scholars in China.

When you know you are on the right track, do not let any failures
dim your vision or discourage you, for you cannot tell how close
you may be to victory. Have patience and stick, stick, stick. It
is eternally true that he

"Who steers right on
Will gain, at length, however far, the port."





THE INSPIRATION OF GAMBETTA