THE MASTER FOOL
When the woman saw her son return with so much money, she was greatly astonished, and proceeded to ask him where and how he had procured it. "I obtained it from the town, mother," answered he. "At first it refused both to pay and even to answer, so I grew angry, turned it over, and took all its money. I was sure, all the time, that it had enough to pay with; but it was stubborn, and did not wish to pay." "I don't comprehend your foolish talk," answered his mother. "How could you overthrow the town? Never mind, however; you realized a great deal of money."
Some time passed, and the woman slaughtered her cow. The boy wished to take the meat to town and sell it; so a large piece was put into a basket, with which he started off. This time he really came to town. When he had walked about the streets for a while, he met several dogs which barked at him. "How do you do!" said the boy. "Do you wish to buy some meat?" The dogs barked again. "Very well," answered our friend; "you may taste it." The dogs at once began to eat it. "Take all of it, then," said he, throwing the remainder before them; "to-morrow I will come for the money."
Next morning he returned and found the dogs in the street. Having saluted them, he told them that he had come for the money. The dogs barked and barked, but produced no money. "What!" cried he; "do you refuse to pay me? Indeed, I
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