第8章

Sotheoldwomanreturned，andfoundthemasterandthemistressdrinkingcoffee。Andwhenheheardwhatthegazellehadsaid，hecried:’Holdyourpeace，oldwoman，andstayyourfeetandcloseyoureyes，andstopyourearswithwax;andifthegazellebidsyoucometome，sayyourlegsarebent，andyoucannotwalk;andifitbegsyoutolisten，sayyourearsarestoppedwithwax;andifitwishestotalk，replythatyourtonguehasgotahookinit。’

Theheartoftheoldwomanweptassheheardsuchwords，becauseshesawthatwhenthegazellefirstcametothattownitwasreadytosellitslifetobuywealthforitsmaster。Thenithappenedtogetbothlifeandwealth，butnowithadnohonourwithitsmaster。

Andtearssprunglikewisetotheeyesofthesultan’swife，andshesaid，’Iamsorryforyou，myhusband，thatyoushoulddealsowickedlywiththatgazelle’;butheonlyanswered，’Oldwoman，paynoheedtothetalkofthemistress:tellittoperishoutoftheway。Icannotsleep，Icannoteat，Icannotdrink，fortheworryofthatgazelle。ShallacreaturethatIboughtforaneighthtroublemefrommorningtillnight？Notso，oldwoman！’

Theoldwomanwentdownstairs，andtherelaythegazelle，bloodflowingfromitsnostrils。Andshetookitinherarmsandsaid，’Myson，thegoodyoudidislost;thereremainsonlypatience。’

Anditsaid，’Mother，Ishalldie，formysoulisfullofangerandbitterness。Myfaceisashamed，thatIshouldhavedonegoodtomymaster，andthatheshouldrepaymewithevil。’Itpausedforamoment，andthenwenton，’Mother，ofthegoodsthatareinthishouse，whatdoIeat？Imighthaveeverydayhalfabasinful，andwouldmymasterbeanythepoorer？Butdidnottheelderssay，"Hethatdoesgoodlikeamother！"’

Anditsaid，’Goandtellmymasterthatthegazelleisnearerdeaththanlife。’

Soshewent，andspokeasthegazellehadbiddenher;butheanswered，’Ihavetoldyoutotroublemenomore。’

Buthiswife’sheartwassore，andshesaidtohim:’Ah，master，whathasthegazelledonetoyou？Howhashefailedyou？Thethingsyoudotohimarenotgood，andyouwilldrawonyourselfthehatredofthepeople。Forthisgazelleislovedbyall，bysmallandgreat，bywomenandmen。Ah，myhusband！Ithoughtyouhadgreatwisdom，andyouhavenotevenalittle！’

Butheanswered，’Youaremad，mywife。’

Theoldwomanstayednolonger，andwentbacktothegazelle，followedsecretlybythemistress，whocalledamaidservantandbadehertakesomemilkandriceandcookitforthegazelle。

’Takealsothiscloth，’shesaid，’tocoveritwith，andthispillowforitshead。Andifthegazellewantsmore，letitaskme，andnotitsmaster。Andifitwill，Iwillsenditinalittertomyfather，andhewillnurseittillitiswell。’

Andthemaidservantdidashermistressbadeher，andsaidwhathermistresshadtoldhertosay，butthegazellemadenoanswer，butturnedoveronitssideanddiedquietly。

Whenthenewsspreadabroad，therewasmuchweepingamongthepeople，andSultanDaraiaroseinwrath，andcried，’Youweepforthatgazelleasifyouweptforme！And，afterall，whatisitbutagazelle，thatIboughtforaneighth？’

Buthiswifeanswered，’Master，welookeduponthatgazelleaswelookeduponyou。Itwasthegazellewhocametoaskmeofmyfather，itwasthegazellewhobroughtmefrommyfather，andI

wasgiveninchargetothegazellebymyfather。’

Andwhenthepeopleheardhertheylifteduptheirvoicesandspoke:

’Weneversawyou，wesawthegazelle。Itwasthegazellewhometwithtroublehere，itwasthegazellewhometwithresthere。

So，then，whensuchanonedepartsfromthisworldweweepforourselves，wedonotweepforthegazelle。’

Andtheysaidfurthermore:

’Thegazelledidyoumuchgood，andifanyonesayshecouldhavedonemoreforyouheisaliar！Therefore，touswhohavedoneyounogood，whattreatmentwillyougive？Thegazellehasdiedfrombitternessofsoul，andyouorderedyourslavestothrowitintothewell。Ah！leaveusalonethatwemayweep。’

ButSultanDaraiwouldnotheedtheirwords，andthedeadgazellewasthrownintothewell。

Whenthemistressheardofit，shesentthreeslaves，mountedondonkeys，withalettertoherfatherthesultan，andwhenthesultanhadreadtheletterhebowedhisheadandwept，likeamanwhohadlosthismother。Andhecommandedhorsestobesaddled，andcalledthegovernorandthejudgesandalltherichmen，andsaid:

’Comenowwithme;letusgoandburyit。’

Nightanddaytheytravelled，tillthesultancametothewellwherethegazellehadbeenthrown。Anditwasalargewell，builtroundarock，withroomformanypeople;andthesultanentered，andthejudgesandtherichmenfollowedhim。Andwhenhesawthegazellelyingthereheweptafresh，andtookitinhisarmsandcarrieditaway。

Whenthethreeslaveswentandtoldtheirmistresswhatthesultanhaddone，andhowallthepeoplewereweeping，sheanswered:

’Itoohaveeatennofood，neitherhaveIdrunkwater，sincethedaythegazelledied。Ihavenotspoken，andIhavenotlaughed。’

Thesultantookthegazelleandburiedit，andorderedthepeopletowearmourningforit，sotherewasgreatmourningthroughoutthecity。

Nowafterthedaysofmourningwereatanend，thewifewassleepingatherhusband’sside，andinhersleepshedreamedthatshewasoncemoreinherfather’shouse，andwhenshewokeupitwasnodream。

Andthemandreamedthathewasonthedust—heap，scratching。

Andwhenhewoke，behold！thatalsowasnodream，butthetruth。

[SwahiliTales。]

HOWAFISHSWAMINTHEAIRANDAHAREINTHEWATER。

Onceuponatimeanoldmanandhiswifelivedtogetherinalittlevillage。Theymighthavebeenhappyifonlytheoldwomanhadhadthesensetoholdhertongueatpropertimes。Butanythingwhichmighthappenindoors，oranybitofnewswhichherhusbandmightbringinwhenhehadbeenanywhere，hadtobetoldatoncetothewholevillage，andthesetaleswererepeatedandalteredtillitoftenhappenedthatmuchmischiefwasmade，andtheoldman’sbackpaidforit。

Oneday，hedrovetotheforest。Whenhereachedtheedgeofithegotoutofhiscartandwalkedbesideit。Suddenlyhesteppedonsuchasoftspotthathisfootsankintheearth。

’Whatcanthisbe？’thoughthe。’I’lldigabitandsee。’

Soheduganddug，andatlasthecameonalittlepotfullofgoldandsilver。

’Oh，whatluck！Now，ifonlyIknewhowIcouldtakethistreasurehomewithme————butIcanneverhopetohideitfrommywife，andoncesheknowsofitshe’lltellalltheworld，andthenIshallgetintotrouble。’

Hesatdownandthoughtoverthematteralongtime，andatlasthemadeaplan。Hecoveredupthepotagainwithearthandtwigs，anddroveonintothetown，whereheboughtalivepikeandalivehareinthemarket。

Thenhedrovebacktotheforestandhungthepikeupattheverytopofatree，andtiedupthehareinafishingnetandfasteneditontheedgeofalittlestream，nottroublinghimselftothinkhowunpleasantsuchawetspotwaslikelytobetothehare。

Thenhegotintohiscartandtrottedmerrilyhome。

’Wife！’criedhe，themomenthegotindoors。’Youcan’tthinkwhatapieceofgoodluckhascomeourway。’

’What，what，dearhusband？Dotellmeallaboutitatonce。’

’No，no，you’lljustgooffandtelleveryone。’

’No，indeed！Howcanyouthinksuchthings！Forshame！IfyoulikeIwillswearneverto————’

’Oh，well！ifyouarereallyinearnestthen，listen。’

Andhewhisperedinherear:’I’vefoundapotfullofgoldandsilverintheforest！Hush！————’

’Andwhydidn’tyoubringitback？’

’Becausewe’lldrivetheretogetherandbringitcarefullybackbetweenus。’

Sothemanandhiswifedrovetotheforest。

Astheyweredrivingalongthemansaid:

’Whatstrangethingsonehears，wife！Iwastoldonlytheotherdaythatfishwillnowliveandthriveinthetreetopsandthatsomewildanimalsspendtheirtimeinthewater。Well！well！

timesarecertainlychanged。’

’Why，youmustbecrazy，husband！Dear，dear，whatnonsensepeopledotalksometimes。’

’Nonsense，indeed！Why，justlook。Blessmysoul，ifthereisn’tafish，arealpikeIdobelieve，upinthattree。’

’Gracious！’criedhiswife。’Howdidapikegetthere？ItISapike——youneedn’tattempttosayit’snot。Canpeoplehavesaidtrue————’

Butthemanonlyshookhisheadandshruggedhisshouldersandopenedhismouthandgapedasifhereallycouldnotbelievehisowneyes。

’Whatareyoustandingstaringatthere，stupid？’saidhiswife。

’Climbupthetreequickandcatchthepike，andwe’llcookitfordinner。’

Themanclimbedupthetreeandbroughtdownthepike，andtheydroveon。

Whentheygotnearthestreamhedrewup。

’Whatareyoustaringatagain？’askedhiswifeimpatiently。

’Driveon，can’tyou？’

’Why，IseemtoseesomethingmovinginthatnetIset。Imustjustgoandseewhatitis。’

Herantoit，andwhenhehadlookedinithecalledtohiswife:

’Justlook！Hereisactuallyafour—footedcreaturecaughtinthenet。Idobelieveit’sahare。’

’Goodheavens！’criedhiswife。’Howdidtheharegetintoyournet？ItISahare，soyouneedn’tsayitisn’t。Afterall，peoplemusthavesaidthetruth————’

Butherhusbandonlyshookhisheadandshruggedhisshouldersasifhecouldnotbelievehisowneyes。

’Nowwhatareyoustandingtherefor，stupid？’criedhiswife。

’Takeupthehare。Anicefathareisadinnerforafeastday。’

Theoldmancaughtupthehare，andtheydroveontotheplacewherethetreasurewasburied。Theysweptthetwigsaway，duguptheearth，tookoutthepot，anddrovehomeagainwithit。

Andnowtheoldcouplehadplentyofmoneyandwerecheeryandcomfortable。Butthewifewasveryfoolish。Everydaysheaskedalotofpeopletodinnerandfeastedthem，tillherhusbandgrewquiteimpatient。Hetriedtoreasonwithher，butshewouldnotlisten。

’You’vegotnorighttolectureme！’saidshe。’Wefoundthetreasuretogether，andtogetherwewillspendit。’

Herhusbandtookpatience，butatlengthhesaidtoher:’Youmaydoasyouplease，butIsha’n’tgiveyouanotherpenny。’

Theoldwomanwasveryangry。’Oh，whatagood—for—nothingfellowtowanttospendallthemoneyhimself！ButjustwaitabitandseewhatIshalldo。’

Offshewenttothegovernortocomplainofherhusband。

’Oh，mylord，protectmefrommyhusband！Eversincehefoundthetreasurethereisnobearinghim。Heonlyeatsanddrinks，andwon’twork，andhekeepsallthemoneytohimself。’

Thegovernortookpityonthewoman，andorderedhischiefsecretarytolookintothematter。

Thesecretarycalledtheeldersofthevillagetogether，andwentwiththemtotheman’shouse。

’Thegovernor，’saidhe，’desiresyoutogiveallthattreasureyoufoundintomycare。’

Themanshruggedhisshouldersandsaid:’Whattreasure？Iknownothingaboutatreasure。’

’How？Youknownothing？Whyyourwifehascomplainedofyou。

Don’tattempttotelllies。Ifyoudon’thandoverallthemoneyatonceyouwillbetriedfordaringtoraisetreasurewithoutgivingduenoticetothegovernoraboutit。’

’Pardonme，yourexcellency，butwhatsortoftreasurewasitsupposedtohavebeen？Mywifemusthavedreamtofit，andyougentlemenhavelistenedtohernonsense。’

’Nonsense，indeed，’brokeinhiswife。’Akettlefullofgoldandsilver，doyoucallthatnonsense？’

’Youarenotinyourrightmind，dearwife。Sir，Ibegyourpardon。Askherhowitallhappened，andifsheconvincesyouI’llpayforitwithmylife。’

’Thisishowitallhappened，Mr。Secretary，’criedthewife。

’Weweredrivingthroughtheforest，andwesawapikeupinthetopofatree————’

’What，aPIKE？’shoutedthesecretary。’Doyouthinkyoumayjokewithme，pray？’

’Indeed，I’mnotjoking，Mr。Secretary！I’mspeakingthebaretruth。’

’Nowyousee，gentlemen，’saidherhusband，’howfaryoucantrusther，whenshechatterslikethis。’

’Chatter，indeed？I！！Perhapsyouhaveforgotten，too，howwefoundalivehareintheriver？’

Everyoneroaredwithlaughter;eventhesecretarysmiledandstrokedhisbeard，andthemansaid:

’Come，come，wife，everyoneislaughingatyou。Youseeforyourself，gentlemen，howfaryoucanbelieveher。’

’Yes，indeed，’saidthevillageelders，’itiscertainlythefirsttimewehaveheardthatharesthriveinthewaterorfishamongthetreetops。’

Thesecretarycouldmakenothingofitall，anddrovebacktothetown。Theoldwomanwassolaughedatthatshehadtoholdhertongueandobeyherhusbandeverafter，andthemanboughtwareswithpartofthetreasureandmovedintothetown，whereheopenedashop，andprospered，andspenttherestofhisdaysinpeace。

TWOINASACK

Whatalifethatpoormanledwithhiswife，tobesure！Notadaypassedwithoutherscoldinghimandcallinghimnames，andindeedsometimesshewouldtakethebroomfrombehindthestoveandbeathimwithit。Hehadnopeaceorcomfortatall，andreallyhardlyknewhowtobearit。

Oneday，whenhiswifehadbeenparticularlyunkindandhadbeatenhimblackandblue，hestrolledslowlyintothefields，andashecouldnotenduretobeidlehespreadouthisnets。

Whatkindofbirddoyouthinkhecaughtinhisnet？Hecaughtacrane，andthecranesaid，’Letmegofree，andI’llshowmyselfgrateful。’

Themananswered，’No，mydearfellow。Ishalltakeyouhome，andthenperhapsmywifewon’tscoldmesomuch。’

Saidthecrane:’Youhadbettercomewithmetomyhouse，’andsotheywenttothecrane’shouse。

Whentheygotthere，whatdoyouthinkthecranetookfromthewall？Hetookdownasack，andhesaid:

’Twooutofasack！’

Instantlytwoprettyladssprangoutofthesack。Theybroughtinoaktables，whichtheyspreadwithsilkencovers，andplacedallsortsofdeliciousdishesandrefreshingdrinksonthem。Themanhadneverseenanythingsobeautifulinhislife，andhewasdelighted。

Thenthecranesaidtohim，’Nowtakethissacktoyourwife。’

Themanthankedhimwarmly，tookthesack，andsetout。

Hishomewasagoodlongwayoff，andasitwasgrowingdark，andhewasfeelingtired，hestoppedtorestathiscousin’shousebytheway。

Thecousinhadthreedaughters，wholaidoutatemptingsupper，butthemanwouldeatnothing，andsaidtohiscousin，’Yoursupperisbad。’

’Oh，makethebestofit，’saidshe，butthemanonlysaid:

’Clearaway！’andtakingouthissackhecried，asthecranehadtaughthim:

’Twooutofthesack！’

Andoutcamethetwoprettyboys，whoquicklybroughtintheoaktables，spreadthesilkencovers，andlaidoutallsortsofdeliciousdishesandrefreshingdrinks。

Neverintheirliveshadthecousinandherdaughtersseensuchasupper，andtheyweredelightedandastonishedatit。Butthecousinquietlymadeuphermindtostealthesack，soshecalledtoherdaughters:’Goquicklyandheatthebathroom:Iamsureourdearguestwouldliketohaveabathbeforehegoestobed。’

Whenthemanwassafeinthebathroomshetoldherdaughterstomakeasackexactlylikehis，asquicklyaspossible。Thenshechangedthetwosacks，andhidtheman’ssackaway。

Themanenjoyedhisbath，sleptsoundly，andsetoffearlynextmorning，takingwhathebelievedtobethesackthecranehadgivenhim。

Allthewayhomehefeltinsuchgoodspiritsthathesangandwhistledashewalkedthroughthewood，andnevernoticedhowthebirdsweretwitteringandlaughingathim。

Assoonashesawhishousehebegantoshoutfromadistance，’Hallo！oldwoman！Comeoutandmeetme！’

Hiswifescreamedback:’Youcomehere，andI’llgiveyouagoodthrashingwiththepoker！’

Themanwalkedintothehouse，hunghissackonanail，andsaid，asthecranehadtaughthim:

’Twooutofthesack！’

Butnotasoulcameoutofthesack。

Thenhesaidagain，exactlyasthecranehadtaughthim:

’Twooutofthesack！’

Hiswife，hearinghimchatteringgoodnessknowswhat，tookupherwetbroomandsweptthegroundallabouthim。

Themantookflightandrushedoftintothefield，andtherehefoundthecranemarchingproudlyabout，andtohimhetoldhistale。

’Comebacktomyhouse，’saidthecrane，andsotheywenttothecrane’shouse，andassoonastheygotthere，whatdidthecranetakedownfromthewall？Why，hetookdownasack，andhesaid:

’Twooutofthesack！’

Andinstantlytwoprettyladssprangoutofthesack，broughtinoaktables，onwhichtheylaidsilkencovers，andspreadallsortsofdeliciousdishesandrefreshingdrinksonthem。

’Takethissack，’saidthecrane。

Themanthankedhimheartily，tookthesack，andwent。Hehadalongwaytowalk，andashepresentlygothungry，hesaidtothesack，asthecranehadtaughthim:

’Twooutofthesack！’

Andinstantlytworoughmenwiththickstickscreptoutofthebagandbegantobeathimwell，cryingastheydidso:

’Don’tboasttoyourcousinsofwhatyouhavegot，One——two——

Oryou’llfindyouwillcatchituncommonlyhot，One——two——’

Andtheybeatontillthemanpantedout:

’Twointothesack。’

Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouth，whenthetwocreptbackintothesack。

Thenthemanshoulderedthesack，andwentoffstraighttohiscousin’shouse。Hehungthesackuponanail，andsaid:

’Pleasehavethebathroomheated，cousin。’

Thecousinheatedthebathroom，andthemanwentintoit，butheneitherwashednorrubbedhimself，hejustsatthereandwaited。

Meantimehiscousinfelthungry，soshecalledherdaughters，andallfoursatdowntotable。Thenthemothersaid:

’Twooutofthesack。’

Instantlytworoughmencreptoutofthesack，andbegantobeatthecousinastheycried:

’Greedypack！Thievishpack！

One——two——

Givethepeasantbackhissack！

One——two——’

Andtheywentonbeatingtillthewomancalledtohereldestdaughter:’Goandfetchyourcousinfromthebathroom。Tellhimthesetworuffiansarebeatingmeblackandblue。’

’I’venotfinishedrubbingmyselfyet，’saidthepeasant。

Andthetworuffianskeptonbeatingastheysang:

’Greedypack！Thievishpack！

One——two——

Givethepeasantbackhissack！

One——two——’

Thenthewomansentherseconddaughterandsaid:’Quick，quick，gethimtocometome。’

’I’mjustwashingmyhead，’saidtheman。

Thenshesenttheyoungestgirl，andhesaid:’I’venotdonedryingmyself。’

Atlastthewomancouldholdoutnolonger，andsenthimthesackshehadstolen。

NOWhehadquitefinishedhisbath，andasheleftthebathroomhecried:

’Twointothesack。’

Andthetwocreptbackatonceintothesack。

Thenthemantookbothsacks，thegoodandthebadone，andwentawayhome。

Whenhewasnearthehouseheshouted:’Hallo，oldwoman，comeandmeetme！’

Hiswifeonlyscreamedout:

’Youbroomstick，comehere！Yourbackshallpayforthis。’

Themanwentintothecottage，hunghissackonanail，andsaid，asthecranehadtaughthim:

’Twooutofthesack。’

Instantlytwoprettyladssprangoutofthesack，broughtinoaktables，laidsilkencoversonthem，andspreadthemwithallsortsofdeliciousdishesandrefreshingdrinks。

Thewomanateanddrank，andpraisedherhusband。

’Well，now，oldman，Iwon’tbeatyouanymore，’saidshe。

Whentheyhaddoneeating，themancarriedoffthegoodsack，andputitawayinhisstore—room，buthungthebadsackuponthenail。Thenheloungedupanddownintheyard。

Meantimehiswifebecamethirsty。Shelookedwithlongingeyesatthesack，andatlastshesaid，asherhusbandhaddone:

’Twooutofthesack。’

Andatoncethetworogueswiththeirbigstickscreptoutofthesack，andbegantobelabourherastheysang:

’Wouldyoubeatyourhusbandtrue？

Don’tcryso！

Nowwe’llbeatyoublackandblue！

Oh！Oh！’

Thewomanscreamedout:’Oldman，oldman！Comehere，quick！

Herearetworuffianspommellingmefittobreakmybones。’

Herhusbandonlystrolledupanddownandlaughed，ashesaid:

’Yes，they’llbeatyouwell，oldlady。’

Andthetwothumpedawayandsangagain:

’Blowswillhurt，remember，crone，Wemeanyouwell，wemeanyouwell;

Infutureleavethestickalone，Forhowithurts，younowcantell，One——two——’

Atlastherhusbandtookpityonher，andcried:

’Twointothesack。’

Hehadhardlysaidthewordsbeforetheywerebackinthesackagain。

Fromthistimethemanandhiswifelivedsohappilytogetherthatitwasapleasuretoseethem，andsothestoryhasanend。

[FromRussicheMarchen。]

THEENVIOUSNEIGHBOUR

Long，longagoanoldcouplelivedinavillage，and，astheyhadnochildrentoloveandcarefor，theygavealltheiraffectiontoalittledog。Hewasaprettylittlecreature，andinsteadofgrowingspoiltanddisagreeableatnotgettingeverythinghewanted，asevenchildrenwilldosometimes，thedogwasgratefultothemfortheirkindness，andneverlefttheirside，whethertheywereinthehouseoroutofit。

Onedaytheoldmanwasworkinginhisgarden，withhisdog，asusual，closeby。Themorningwashot，andatlastheputdownhisspadeandwipedhiswetforehead，noticing，ashedidso，thattheanimalwassnufflingandscratchingataspotalittlewayoff。Therewasnothingverystrangeinthis，asalldogsarefondofscratching，andhewentonquietlywithhisdigging，whenthedogranuptohismaster，barkingloudly，andbackagaintotheplacewherehehadbeenscratching。Thishedidseveraltimes，tilltheoldmanwonderedwhatcouldbethematter，and，pickingupthespade，followedwherethedogledhim。Thedogwassodelightedathissuccessthathejumpedround，barkingloudly，tillthenoisebroughttheoldwomanoutofthehouse。

Curioustoknowifthedoghadreallyfoundanything，thehusbandbegantodig，andverysoonthespadestruckagainstsomething。

Hestoopeddownandpulledoutalargebox，filledquitefullwithshininggoldpieces。Theboxwassoheavythattheoldwomanhadtohelptocarryithome，andyoumayguesswhatasupperthedoghadthatnight！Nowthathehadmadethemrich，theygavehimeverydayallthatadoglikesbesttoeat，andthecushionsonwhichhelaywerefitforaprince。

Thestoryofthedogandhistreasuresoonbecameknown，andaneighbourwhosegardenwasnexttheoldpeople’sgrewsoenviousoftheirgoodluckthathecouldneithereatnorsleep。Asthedoghaddiscoveredatreasureonce，thisfoolishmanthoughthemustbeabletodiscoveronealways，andbeggedtheoldcoupletolendhimtheirpetforalittlewhile，sothathemightbemaderichalso。

’Howcanyouasksuchathing？’answeredtheoldmanindignantly。

’Youknowhowmuchwelovehim，andthatheisneveroutofoursightforfiveminutes。’

Buttheenviousneighbourwouldnotheedhiswords，andcamedailywiththesamerequest，tillatlasttheoldpeople，whocouldnotbeartosaynotoanyone，promisedtolendthedog，justforanightortwo。Nosoonerdidthemangetholdofthedogthanheturnedhimintothegarden，butthedogdidnothingbutraceabout，andthemanwasforcedtowaitwithwhatpatiencehecould。

Thenextmorningthemanopenedthehousedoor，andthedogboundedjoyfullyintothegarden，and，runninguptothefootofatree，begantoscratchwildly。Themancalledloudlytohiswifetobringaspade，andfollowedthedog，ashelongedtocatchthefirstglimpseoftheexpectedtreasure。Butwhenhehadduguptheground，whatdidhefind？Why，nothingbutaparcelofoldbones，whichsmeltsobadlythathecouldnotstaythereamomentlonger。Andhisheartwasfilledwithrageagainstthedogwhohadplayedhimthistrick，andheseizedapickaxeandkilleditonthespot，beforeheknewwhathewasdoing。Whenherememberedthathewouldhavetogowithhisstorytotheoldmanandhiswifehewasratherfrightened，buttherewasnothingtobegainedbyputtingitoff，sohepulledaverylongfaceandwenttohisneighbour’sgarden。

’Yourdog，’saidhe，pretendingtoweep，’hassuddenlyfallendowndead，thoughItookeverycareofhim，andgavehimeverythinghecouldwishfor。AndIthoughtIhadbettercomestraightandtellyou。’

Weepingbitterly，theoldmanwenttofetchthebodyofhisfavourite，andbroughtithomeandburieditunderthefig—treewherehehadfoundthetreasure。Frommorningtillnightheandhiswifemournedovertheirloss，andnothingcouldcomfortthem。

Atlength，onenightwhenhewasasleep，hedreamtthatthedogappearedtohimandtoldhimtocutdownthefig—treeoverhisgrave，andoutofitswoodtomakeamortar。Butwhentheoldmanwokeandthoughtofhisdreamhedidnotfeelatallinclinedtocutdownthetree，whichborewelleveryyear，andconsultedhiswifeaboutit。Thewomandidnothesitateamoment，andsaidthatafterwhathadhappenedbefore，thedog’sadvicemustcertainlybeobeyed，sothetreewasfelled，andabeautifulmortarmadefromit。Andwhentheseasoncameforthericecroptobegatheredthemortarwastakendownfromitsshelf，andthegrainsplacedinitforpounding，when，loandbehold！inatwinklingofaneye，theyallturnedintogoldpieces。Atthesightofallthisgoldtheheartsoftheoldpeoplewereglad，andoncemoretheyblessedtheirfaithfuldog。