CHERRIES

     As Jesus walked with his disciples from one town to the next
through the desert, it was very hot and dry.  He spotted a
horseshoe on the path and asked St. Peter to pick it up.  St. Peter
was tired and pretended not to hear it.  Jesus picked it up behind
him and hid it in his gown.  In the next town, after he preached in
the market, he sold the horseshoe to a blacksmith, and with the
money he received he bought a bag full of cherries.  As he was
walking with his disciples to the next town through the desert, he
dropped a cherry from time to time.  St. Peter, being very thirsty,
kept bending down to pick up the cherries and eat them.

     A small investment early on can yield handsome rewards later,
according to the proverb, "A stitch in time saves nine."