The guard hastened to do the emperor's
bidding. They approached the statue and said:--
``Our emperor commands you to tell who it is
that threatened you.''
The statue answered: ``Seize Focus the
carpenter. Yesterday he defied the emperor's edict;
this morning he threatened to break my head.''
The soldiers immediately arrested Focus, and
dragged him to the judgment hall.
``Friend,'' said the emperor, ``what do I hear
of you? Why do you work on my son's birthday?''
``Your Majesty,'' answered Focus, ``it is
impossible for me to keep your law. I am obliged
to earn eight pennies every day, therefore was I
forced to work yesterday.''
``And why eight pennies?'' asked the emperor.
``Every day through the year,'' answered
Focus, ``I am bound to repay two pennies I borrowed
in my youth; two I lend; two I lose; and
two I spend.''
``How is this?'' said the emperor; ``explain
yourself further.''
``Your Majesty,'' replied Focus, ``listen to me.
I am bound each day to repay two pennies to my
old father, for when I was a boy he expended upon
me daily the like sum. Now he is poor and needs
my assistance, and I return what I formerly
borrowed. Two other pennies I lend my son, who is
pursuing his studies, in order that, if by chance
I should fall into poverty, he may restore the
loan to me, just as I am now doing to his grandfather.
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