Three brothers once had a pear-tree.Each watched it in turn while the others were away. One night a geggar came, and asked for a pear. The youth who watched the tree plucked some from his own part, saying, "Take these pears. They are mine.But I cannot give you those belonging to my brothers." The beggar thanked the youth, took the fruit, and disappeared. The next day the second brother watched; again came the beggar with the same request. This brother also gave him pears, saying,"Take these, they are my own; but of those belonging to my brothers I cannot give you." The third brother had a similar visit next day.
8 S ~, y$ z* W O4 ?0 j) b on the fourth day the beggar, disguised as a monk, came very early, that he might find all three brothers at home. "Come with me," said he. - P1 a4 [! J1 i( H' Y
soon they reached a river and the monk asked the eldest one, "What is your wish?""May this water be changed into wine, and belong to me." And even so it was.
9 X, n4 F- g7 f$ S The monk continued his way with the others. They came to a field, where were a number of doves, and the monk asked the second, "@hat is your wish?""May these doves be turned to sheep, and be mine." And even so it was.
; {3 s6 M' J6 ?* M After crossing the next field the monk asked the third brother, "@hat is your wish?""May a good and beautiful wife be mine!" and even so it was.0 [: a- ?' b$ \0 Q
For a whole year the monk left the brothers with their gifts. " y8 u# Q6 s2 U8 t0 X
At the end of a year the beggar returned. He went first to the eldest brother, who by trading with the wine had become rich.The beggar asked for a glass of wine. But the brother refused. At this the geggar made a sign, and the river instantly began to flow with water as before. Then said he to the brother, "this was not for you.Go back to the pear-tree and guard it."/ ` C/ { S4 T+ J0 Z' c
from the second brother the beggar asked a piece of cheese, but the rich man refused.+ j3 }" w. K, A; ^
And lo! all the sheep turned instantly into doves which flew away. Sain the beggar, "Go back to the pear-tree and watch it."
' t# K% |% c( ]* ^( ?$ F! l Then the beggar turned to the forest, where he found the youngest brother with his wife living in a poor hut. From then he asked a meal. They welcomed him, and though too poor to give him real bread, the wife made a loaf from the bark of certain trees. But behold! When she took it from the oven it was a fine loaf of real bread. So,too,the water became wine to the lips. As the beggar disappeared he makd a sign. Instantly a beautiful palace rose in place of the poor hut, and in joy and plenty the brother and his good wife lived on.
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