Page 15 - Tree of Happiness

The next day they began construction of the “Queen’s Road,” as her advisors called it. The Queen had hired many local tradesmen and workers. She had sent off for engineers and draftsmen to help with the planning.
Workmen had to cut down forests and drain swamps. They had to cut stones and build bridges. It did take a long time and it did cost a lot of money. It was very difficult but the Queen persisted. Many of her advisors thought she was a fool for continuing the project. She often tired of the task but she did not stop. She continued to remind herself of the Tree of Happiness.
At first, things were extremely difficult and slow. But gradually, as people became more skilled, the job of building the road began to speed up. To the Queen, however, it was still painfully slow. All of her advisors were against the project. She had no friends and often felt very alone. Still, with courage she did not know she had, she carried on.
I said to Edgar, “She was a lot braver than I would have thought she could manage. Going against all her advisors had to be difficult.” “Oh that was difficult,” replied Edgar. “But she kept thinking of the goal she had... entering the Tree of Happiness.”
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