"Can you tell me, sir, why a cow drinks water from a brook?"

"Well really," replied the abashed schoolmaster, "I have never given
the subject serious thought. But I will sleep upon the question, and
try to give you an answer to-morrow."

"But the schoolmaster could not sleep; he remained awake all the night
trying to think why a cow drinks water from a brook, and in the
morning he was no nearer the answer than before. So he was obliged to
appear before the wise child and acknowledge that he could not solve
the problem.

"I have looked at the subject from every side," said he, "and given it
careful thought, and yet I cannot tell why a cow drinks water from a
brook."

"Sir," replied the wise child, "it is because the cow is thirsty."

The shock of this answer was so great that the schoolmaster fainted
away, and when they had brought him to he made a prophecy that Solomon
would grow up to be a wond'rous wise man.

It was the same way with the village doctor. Solomon came to him one
day and asked,

"Tell me, sir, why has a man two eyes?"

"Bless me!" exclaimed the doctor, "I must think I a bit before I
answer, for I have never yet had my attention called to this subject."