The Lazy Gardener

Sir Charles Bouvier, the Master of a great southern antebellum estate has a very lazy gardener named Lewis.

One day, looking at the garden hedge, Sir Charles notices that it needs to be trimmed. He therefore calls Lewis to do the job. “Lewis! Lewis!” he shouts. But no one answers.

Sir Charles sets out to find the gardener. He looks in the gardens, he looks in the sheds, he looks in the barns, he looks in the greenhouses, and he looks in the wine cellar. Nowhere can he find Lewis.

As a last resort, Sir Charles ventures to the edge of the forest. There, under the branches of a great oak tree, he finds Lewis fast asleep.

The Master is very angry. He reprimands the gardener by telling him, “ You are not worthy that the SUN should shine upon you.”

And Lewis replies, “That is why Master that I am in the shade.”