Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/81

 want to  know  is  who  is  the  next  happiest  after  God.” The poet  replied:  “Undoubtedly  the  happiest  being after God  is  he  who  most  closely  resembles  God,  that is to  say,  whoever  is  most  perfect  in  virtue.”

''Q. What  befell  Adam  and  Eve  on  account  of  their sin? ''

A. Adam  and  Eve,  on  account  of  their  sin,  lost  innocence and  holiness,  and  were  doomed  to  sickness  and death.

We should  have  fallen  into  the  sin  of  our  first parents much  more  readily  than  they  did,  had  we been  in  their  place. In the  employ  of  a prince there was  a certain  woodcutter  who,  while  he  was at work,  was  wont  to  inveigh  against  Adam  and  Eve for eating  the  forbidden  fruit,  abusing  them  roundly for having  transgressed  so  easy  a commandment  and thereby brought  such  unbounded  misery  on  their posterity. “I and  my  wife  would  not  have  been such fools,”  he  said. His employer  overheard  this speech, and  said:  “Well,  well,  we  shall  see. From this day  forth  you  and  your  wife  shall  live  at  my expense  and  have  it  almost  as  well  as  Adam  and  Eve in Paradise;  but  the  day  of  probation  will  come.” The wedded  couple  were  given  good  rooms  and grand clothes,  they  were  not  obliged  to  work,  their daily food  was  brought  from  their  master’s  table, labor and  anxiety  were  at  an  end  for  them. Then came the  day  of  probation. One gala  day  the  prince had them  to  dine  at  his  table,  and  sumptuous  viands