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“ The farmers round about were always glad of his help to tend their sheep, for Ben was never above being industrious, and though he often worked hard, Busy Ben was happier, and more cheerful, than Idle Isaac. ”

“ And thus Busy Ben passed many years; the more he got on, the harder he worked; and the7 cleverer he became, the more pains he took to improve. At last, by industry and frugality, he was able to set up in business for himself, and still keeping on as he began, he became a rich man.
Idle Isaac had grown up, too, but was as lazy a man as he had been idle when a boy. As usual, he was never seen at work,—but was often seen idling away his time,—or in the company of boys, equally idle as himself. ”

“ Such was the way these two boys talked to each other; but Isaac did not improve, he still idled his time away; true, he would now and then take a spade in hand, but he never did any work with it, but stood still or, sauntered about, staring first at one thing and then at another.
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Ben, on the contrary, by being always busy, grew up strong healthy, and clever ”