A mason was one day at work, building a stout wall to protect a garden; nigh him lay a piled-up heap of stones, which he took into his hands in succession, one by one, according as he wanted them. The stones on their part submitted with exemplary quietness to be handled and introduced into their appropriate places; for they were fully aware that the mason's object was to erect a wall, and they knew equally well that that object could not be attained, if they took it into their thick heads to rebel against the principle upon which he was proceeding. At last, however, somewhat to the mason's amusement, it did so happen, after he had accomplished a considerable portion of his task, that one contumacious fellow, upon being laid hold of, began to talk very big upon the rights of stones, and the tyranny of coercing stonekind in general, declaring, that for himself, whether in a wall or out of a wall, he was determined to enjoy that liberty which was the birthright of every stone upon the earth, and that he would sooner be trodden into powder than surrender it. "I tell you plumply and plainly, Master Mason," said he, "that I will not be subjected to restraint. I must have scope for my energies. I must have room to look about me, and be able to roll to the left side or to the right, as I think proper, like a free agent!" The mason, on hearing this, could not refrain from laughing. "Truly," said he, "I have lighted here on an eccentric specimen of the stony tribe. So, my good friend, you wish to have room to roll about in--eh?" "Precisely," returned the other. "Did you ever hear of the adage, 'a rolling stone gathers no moss?'" "Yes, and despise it," answered the Stone; "a moss is a token of antiquity; and antiquity and absurdity are synonymous terms in my vocabulary. May heaven defend me from ever gathering moss!" "Whew!" whistled the mason, in a manner to indicate mingled surprise and contempt. "Pray, what do you take yourself to be?" "What do I take myself to be! Just a stone--a wall stone--neither more nor less." "And are you content that I should allot you a position in the wall?" "Certainly I am." "And yet," said the mason, "you declare you will not be satisfied to remain under constraint? You must have room forsooth for your energies! Really your inconsistency is most ridiculous. Come; I have no time to lose; tell me at once what you would be at. Will you go into the wall, or shall I deposit you again on the ground?" "I have made up my mind to oblige you by going into the wall," replied the Stone, with a patronizing air; "but I will not be swindled out of my natural rights! Liberty is the first of these--and I must have liberty, even in a wall." "So you shall," said the man; "your liberty will be that of obtaining your just position in the wall, and of maintaining it undisturbedly."