The Ear of Corn

In former times, when God himself still walked the earth, the
fruitfulness of the soil was much greater than it is now; then the ears
of corn did not bear fifty or sixty, but four or five hundred-fold.
Then the corn grew from the bottom to the very top o f the stalk, and
according to the length of the stalk was the length of the ear. Men
however are so made, that when they are too well off they no longer
value the blessings which come from God, but grow indifferent and
careless. One day a woman was passing by a corn-field when her little
child, who was running beside her, fell into a puddle, and dirtied her
frock. On this the mother tore up a handful of the beautiful ears of
corn, and cleaned the frock with them.

When the Lord, who just then came by, saw that, he was angry, and said,
"Henceforth shall the stalks of corn bear no more ears; men are no
longer worthy of heavenly gifts." The by-standers who heard this, were
terrified, and fell on their knees and prayed that he would still leave
something on the stalks, even if the people were undeserving of it, for
the sake of the innocent birds which would otherwise have to starve.
The Lord, who foresaw their suffering, had pity on them, and granted
the request. So the ears were left as they now grow.
