Under the greenwood tree Who loves to lie with me And tune his merry note Unto the sweet bird's throat— Come hither, come hither, come hither! Here shall he see No enemy But winter and rough weather. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. THE PLUCKY PRINCE Once upon a time there lived a king who was exceedingly rich. His palace was built of rare marble; in his majesty's dining room food was served on plates and in vessels of pure gold; the royal family wore robes fashioned from richest silk and costliest ermine. But, although the king's household lived in this royal way, his majesty gave strict orders to all in the palace that nothing should be wasted. The command was intended particularly for the crown prince who spent money lavishly. It seemed as if he had never learned the proper value of things, and his extravagance was the talk of all the people in the kingdom. The king had had many stormy interviews with his reckless son. Again and again did this wasteful prince promise to mend his ways, but before long he forgot his pledge, and did something which was marked by astonishing extravagance. At last the king's patience came to an end. He decided to disinherit the prince and banish him from the royal household. Filled with wrath his majesty sent for the youth and in sternest words gave the following decree: "Henceforth you are banished from this palace! Flee from my presence!" The carefree manner of the prince at these words exasperated his majesty who grew white with rage and said, "Prodigal, listen further to my stern decree. I forbid you to wear any clothing made from skins of beasts or the threads of the silk-worm; your exile cave shall not be lighted by oil or taper, nor by candles of tallow or wax. You shall taste no vegetables that grow under the earth or on vines in the sunlight. Your hunger shall not be fed by fish, flesh, or fowl. Begone, thou Prodigal! Go, starve upon the plain! Nevermore shalt thou waste my wealth. Thou art banished! This is my stern decree!" The young prince was too much astonished at this outburst of rage to realize the measure of the punishment the king had put upon him. He turned and left his majesty's presence without a word. But although somewhat dazed by his royal father's decree, the youth snapped his finger gayly as he slammed the palace door and said in his usual carefree way, "The king has left me the mighty help of trees. So long as I may use the blessed trees of the earth I shall not perish nor lack enjoyment." And whistling a merry tune he passed out of the gate of the royal park. "I shall not take shelter in a dark cave," mused the prince.