FORTUNE AND KNOWLEDGE
prentice in the workshop. "No," said the watch-maker, "your hands are too big and rough for this kind of work, and you look as if you were able to play a good knife and fork." The young man pleaded as best he could, however, and at length he offered the watch-maker a hundred dollars if he would give him the place he desired. There was now no objection on the part of the master; the young man had his will, but asked to be allowed to work in a room by himself. This was not granted, however, and at length he was given a place among the other apprentices.
The first piece of work which he was asked to do was the polishing of the face of a tower-clock; such toil seemed the most suitable for his big hands. Both this and all other work which he undertook was done, however, to the satisfaction of his master.
One day the king sent a message to the watch-maker, bidding him to make a clock which could walk about on the table, all by itself. When the king said, "Here sits the king!" it was to stop in front of his seat, and beat. This clock was to be finished at a certain time in the near future.
The watch-maker became much puzzled, and said that it was impossible to fulfil his majesty's wish; but the king told him that unless he obeyed his privilege would be taken away from him and given to some one else.
The poor man was much perplexed by this order, but his new apprentice asked to be allowed to make
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