340 SLAV TALES

When it had uttered these words the oak ceased to speak,
and the fool, thanking her, bowed, and turned towards home.
On his way he wondered to himself how he should tell-his
brothers, and what they would say, but above all he thought
how his good mother would rejoice to see the feast-giving
tablecloth. When he had walked about half the distance he:
met an old beggar who said to him, “‘See what a sick and
ragged old man I am: for the love of God give me a little
money or some bread.”

The fool spread his tablecloth on the grass, and inviting
the beggar to sit down, said:

“OQ Tablecloth, who for the poor,
The hungry, and thirsty, makes cheer,
May he who begs from door to door
Feed off you without stint or fear.”

Then a whistling was heard in the air, and overhead some-
thing shone brightly. At the same instant a table, spread as
for a royal banquet, appeared before them. Upon it were
many different kinds of food, flasks of mead, and glasses of
the choicest wine. The plate was of gold and silver.

The fool and the beggar man crossed themselves and
began to feast. When they had finished the whistling was
again heard, and everything vanished. The fool folded up
his tablecloth and went on his way. But the old man said,
“Tf you will give me your tablecloth you shall have this wand
in exchange. When you say certain words to it, it will set
upon the person or persons pointed out, and give them such
a thrashing, that to get rid of it they will give you anything
they possess.”