Holland is near the sea, and
so dikes are built along the beach to keep the water out. The dikes
are strong walls made of earth and stones. They are very high, and so
thick that on the top there is a road to walk and ride on. In some
parts of Holland there are houses also on the top of the dikes. If it
were not for these dikes, the sea would flow in on the land. Then it
would cover the houses and towns, and drown the people.
Did you ever hear the story of the little boy and the hole in the dike?
The little boy's name was Hans. He lived near the great dikes along
the sea. One day his mother sent him on an errand.
When he was coming home, he saw water flowing from a small hole in the
dike. He knew that the water came from the sea. Then he said to
himself, "If that water is not stopped, the hole will get larger. Then
the sea will break in, and we shall all be drowned."
So Hans went up to the dike and put his hand against the hole, and
stopped the water. This was very hard to do. But the little fellow
held bravely on.
When night came and Hans did not come home, his father and some of the
people who lived close by went to search for him. After many hours
they found him at the dike, keeping the water back with his hand.
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