Pagina 232 di 626

The little man crawled about in the hay-loft, and at last found a

snug place to finish his night's rest in; so he laid himself

down, meaning to sleep till daylight, and then find his way home

to his father and mother. But alas! how woefully he was undone!

what crosses and sorrows happen to us all in this world! The cook

got up early, before daybreak, to feed the cows; and going

straight to the hay-loft, carried away a large bundle of hay,

with the little man in the middle of it, fast asleep. He still,

however, slept on, and did not awake till he found himself in the

mouth of the cow; for the cook had put the hay into the cow's

rick, and the cow had taken Tom up in a mouthful of it. 'Good

lack-a-day!' said he, 'how came I to tumble into the mill?' But

he soon found out where he really was; and was forced to have all

his wits about him, that he might not get between the cow's

teeth, and so be crushed to death. At last down he went into her

stomach.