BAD COMPANY

                A very good boy once fell into bad company. His father advised him many times to get rid of his evil friends. But it was all in vain. At last he thought of a clever plan to set him right. He brought home a basket full of fine apples one day. He showed these to his son. He also showed him a rotten apple, as he placed it in the basket. Then he said to his son, “All these apples are for you. Only let them remain, as they are, in a cupboard for a couple of days.

                On the third day, it was brought out by him. But he was utterly surprised to see that the apples were all rotten. This was right time for his father to bring home to him the evils of bad company. “Now, my son,” said he, “you can see for yourself how one rotten apple has spoiled the whole basket. At bad companion is just like a rotten apple. And you must be on your guard against such friends.” These words had the desired effect on him, and he gave up his bad company for good.

                Moral: Better alone than in bad company.