The Labouring Man and His Children

"The Labouring Man and His Children" is a book by Jean de La Fontaine that tells the story of a hardworking man who, on his deathbed, tells his children that there is a treasure buried in the field. After his death, the children work tirelessly to dig up the field, but find no treasure. Eventually, they realize the value of hard work and understand that their father’s true legacy was not material wealth, but the ethic of hard work. It is a classic fable and morality tale that teaches lessons about labor, diligence, and the real meaning of wealth.

• Fable

								
Work, work, with all your might and main,
For labour brings the truest gain.

A wealthy Labourer lay near to death;
And, summoning his children round the bed,
He thus addressed them, with his latest breath:
"Part not with my estate when I am dead.
My parents left me what I leave to you.
About the place a treasure lies concealed,
No matter where,--search every corner through,
Nor leave a spot unturned in any field.
Go, seek it from the morning till the night."
Their father dead, the loving sons fulfilled
The dying wish, that made their labour light:
From end to end the fields were duly tilled.
The harvest was enormous, though they found
No golden treasures, howsoever small.
And yet the father's last advice was sound,
For Labour is a treasure, after all.
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