Nets to Catch the Wind

<h3> <SPAN name="stick"></SPAN> THE CROOKED STICK<br/> </h3> <p class="poem"> First Traveler: What's that lying in the dust?<br/> Second Traveler: A crooked stick.<br/> First Traveler: What's it worth, if you can trust<br/> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To arithmetic?<br/> Second Traveler: Isn't this a riddle?<br/> First Traveler: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; No, a trick.<br/> Second Traveler: It's worthless. Leave it where it lies.<br/> First Traveler: Wait; count ten;<br/> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rub a little dust upon your eyes;<br/> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now, look again.<br/> Second Traveler: Well, and what the devil is it, then?<br/> First Traveler: It's the sort of crooked stick that shepherds know.<br/> Second Traveler: Some one's loss!<br/> First Traveler: Bend it, and you make of it a bow.<br/> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Break it, a cross.<br/> Second Traveler: But it's all grown over with moss!<br/></p> <p><br/><br/><br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />