The Little Hero of Haarlem

At an early period in the history of Holland, a boy was born in Haarlem, a town that was known for its innovative designs and inventions. This boy's name was Peter. His father was a sluicer, that is, one whose job it was to open and shut the sluices. The sluices were large oak gates placed at regular distances. They closed the entrances of the canals and secured Holland from the danger of finding itself underwater, rather than above it.

The sluicer raises the sluices to let water in and then carefully closes them again carefully at night. Otherwise, water would flow into the canals, overflow them, and inundate the whole country. Even children in Holland are fully aware of the importance of the sluicer's duties.