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PATIENCE AND IMPATIENCE, 91

was not safe yet, and advised them to wait
another day before they ventured upon it.

But the boys were in a great hurry to
enjoy the pleasure of sliding and skating:
so they walked out upon the ice; but pretty
soon it went crack—crack—crack ! and
down they were all plunged into the water.
It was not very deep, so they got out, though
they were very wet and uncomfortable; and
this happened because they would not wait.

Now these things, though they may seem
to be trifles, are full of instruction. They
teach us to beware of impatience, to wait till
the fruit is ripe, and not to skate till the ice
will bear; they teach us that the cup of plea-
sure, seized before the proper time, is turned
into poison: they show us the importance
of patience.