COLUMBUS AND THE EGG

 This is a story about Columbus. He was an explorer. He is the explorer who

came to the Americas from Spain in 1492. This is a story about what might have
happened long ago when he was back in Spain.
When Columbus came back from his trip to the Americas, many people
praised him. He was made an admiral. That means he was a leader. People said
what a great thing he had done. But not everyone liked him. Some were jealous of
all the attention he got.
One day Columbus was at a party that a Spanish gentleman gave in his
honor. People were saying, “What a great discovery you have made.” Several
persons were present who were jealous of the great admiral's success. They were
proud, conceited fellows, and they very soon began to try to make Columbus
uncomfortable.

``You have discovered strange lands beyond the seas,'' they said, ``but what of
that? We do not see why there should be so much said about it. Anybody can sail
across the ocean; and anybody can coast along the islands on the other side, just as
you have done. It is the simplest thing in the world.''
Columbus made no answer; but after a while he took an egg from a dish and
said to the company: ``Who among you, gentlemen, can make this egg stand on
end?''
One by one those at the table tried the experiment. When the egg had gone
entirely around and none had succeeded, all said that it could not be done.
Then Columbus took the egg and struck its small end gently upon the table
so as to break the shell a little. After that there was no trouble in making it stand
upright.
``Gentlemen,'' said he, ``what is easier than to do this which you said was
impossible? It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do it--AFTER HE HAS
BEEN SHOWN HOW!''