THE PLENTIFUL TABLECLOTH 337

moment an oak which stood near began to walk towards him
as if it were alive. The poor fellow was frightened, and about
to run away, but the oak spake like a human being and said,
“Do not fly ; stop a moment and listen to me. This withered
tree is my son, and up to this time no one has grieved for his
dead youth but me. You have now watered him with your
tears, and in return for your sympathy you shall henceforward
have anything you ask of me, on pronouncing these words :

“*O Oak Tree so green, and with acorns of gold,
Your friendship to prove I will try ;

In Heaven’s good name now to beg I'll make bold,
2”

My needs, then, oh kindly supply.

At the same moment a shower of golden acorns fell.. The
fool filled his pockets, thanked the oak, and bowing to her
returned home.

“Well, stupid, where are the mushrooms?” cried one of
his brothers.

~T have some mushrooms off the oak in my pockets.”

“Hat them yourself then, for you will get nothing else,
you good-for-nothing. What have you done with your cap?”

“IT put it on a poor stump of a tree that stood by the way-
side, for its head was uncovered, and I was afraid it might
freeze.”

He then scrambled on to the top of the stove, and as he
lay down some of the golden acorns fell out of his pocket.
So bright were they, they shone like sunbeams in the room.
In spite of the fool’s entreaties the brothers picked them up
and gave them to their father, who hastened to present them

to the king, telling him that his idiot son had gathered them
Y