“I will never find time to learn this difficult lesson,” said Robert to Frank as they left school. “I can’t do it by tomorrow.”

“You have ten minutes now before lunch. Why not begin immediately?” asked his brother.

“Ten minutes! That’s nothing. Besides, I must have a run with my dog Rover now,” replied Robert.

After lunch, the two boys walked to school again. Frank took out his book and began to learn part of it as he walked along. While Robert looked for birds in the trees all the way to school.

“Come with us to play football!” shouted a group of school friends as they finished school for the day. Robert ran away with the boys. Frank promised to follow in 15 minutes, and took out his book once more. This done, he played with the boys, and enjoyed the game.

The two brothers were tired that evening, and went to bed early. But when they returned to school the next day, Frank knew his lesson perfectly. However, Robert told the teacher that he did not have time to learn it.

“How did you find time, Frank?” asked his teacher.

“I had 10 minutes before lunch yesterday; 15 minutes as I walked back to school; and another 15 minutes before playing football. Then I looked over my lesson for 10 minutes before going to bed; and took 10 minutes before breakfast this morning to make it perfect.”

“That makes an hour’s preparation,” replied his teacher. “Frank, you may run and play at break time. Robert, you will spend break time learning that lesson. And you will continue to do that until you have learnt this important lesson: those who take care of the minutes will have the hours to take care of themselves.”