. Beasts and men . hisdonkey. (\ Dear, dear, dear ! he cried, one troubleafter another ! When Iwas dead I wished I wasalive ; now Im alive Iwish I was dead again,for Im sore all over, andIve lost my shall I do ? And, groaning and grum-bling, he set off along theroad in search of hisbeast. After a time he cameto the gates of the town, where a sentry was standing withhis pike on his shoulder. Good morning, good man, saidthe peasant. Have you seen my little ass ? Your ass ! answered the sentry, smiling. The onlyass that has passed through these gates to-day is alreadybecome burgom
. Beasts and men . hisdonkey. (\ Dear, dear, dear ! he cried, one troubleafter another ! When Iwas dead I wished I wasalive ; now Im alive Iwish I was dead again,for Im sore all over, andIve lost my shall I do ? And, groaning and grum-bling, he set off along theroad in search of hisbeast. After a time he cameto the gates of the town, where a sentry was standing withhis pike on his shoulder. Good morning, good man, saidthe peasant. Have you seen my little ass ? Your ass ! answered the sentry, smiling. The onlyass that has passed through these gates to-day is alreadybecome burgomaster ! What! Burgomaster ! cried the peasant. My assBurgomaster ! Tell me quickly, where does he live ? I mustgo to him at once ! Hardly able to control his amusement, the sentry pointedout the way to the Burgomasters house, and thither wentthe peasant in all haste. Arrived at the door, he soundedthe great bell—Darlindindin !—and a maidservant appeared. Is the Burgomaster at home ? asked the peasant. Yes, 107. I cant get up, because Im dead I FOLK TALES OF BEASTS AND MEN he was at home, and the maidservant led the peasant to theroom where he sat behind a big table loaded with documents. Good morning, Ass ! said the peasant, with a grin ofdelight that twisted his swollen and discoloured features. Eh ! what, what! stammered the Burgomaster, turningpurple with anger. I beg your pardon, said the peasant, I should havesaid, * Good morning, Mr. Ass, Esquire, for you have becomea great man now, while I am still a poor woodcutter. Idont envy you your good fortune, I am sure, although yourpromotion has left me without a donkey. Since you havebecome such a great lord, wont you give me back the tenflorins you cost me, so that I may buy another ? At this the Burgomasters rage exploded. Leaping overthe table with one bound, he seized the hapless peasant bythe collar of his coat, threw open the door, and, with onemighty kick, sent him sprawling from top to bottom of thestairs.
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