Pagina 285 di 626

It befell, however, that a shepherd kept his sheep in the field

and saw the flower, and as it was so pretty, plucked it, took it

with him, and laid it away in his chest. From that time forth,

strange things happened in the shepherd's house. When he arose in

the morning, all the work was already done, the room was swept,

the table and benches cleaned, the fire in the hearth was

lighted, and the water was fetched, and at noon, when he came

home, the table was laid, and a good dinner served. He could not

conceive how this came to pass, for he never saw a human being in

his house, and no one could have concealed himself in it. He was

certainly pleased with this good attendance, but still at last he

was so afraid that he went to a wise woman and asked for her

advice.