Page:Brandes - Poland, a Study of the Land, People, and Literature.djvu/153

Rh tree, that somebody was within the trunk. He approached and found that it was Death, who had fallen asleep there. He quickly put a plug into the hole, and when Death awoke, he was a captive. From that moment there was exultation in the village. No more death; no funerals; no mourners. But the joy only lasted for a time. As nobody died, everything was overcrowded and the soil could not supply food enough for so many. It then became necessary to draw out the plug. Death got his liberty; he hurried to Christ and requested orders as to whom he was first to mow down. Christ pronounced a name. It was that of a mother of five children, and when Death came to her, she was terrified, not so much for her own sake, as for her little children's. She fell on her knees, and implored Death, saying: "You see, yourself, that it would be a cruelty to take me. What will become of my five babes when I am gone; who is to provide for them? They will perish miserably. I entreat you, go away!" Then Death hastened anew to Christ, in spite of the command he had received, explained the case, and asked for orders. Christ first gave Death two strong boxes on his ears for his disobedience [the rustic experience lies behind this trait] and then said. "Fly over the ocean; go diving where it is deepest, and bring me the little white stone you will find there." Death did as he was bidden; found the stone, and brought it. Christ said: "Crack it with your teeth." It was hard for the fleshless lips of Death, but it was cracked, and within was a little white living worm (!). Then Christ said, "There, you see. I knew that in this little stone was a worm, and think you that I, who know this, should not have thought of the fate of the five little children, who will become motherless at my command. Get on! and kill the mother immediately!"

Such faith in the common people is very necessary that they may not lose confidence in the decrees of Providence in a land and under a rule where it cannot be said that the finger of Providence is particularly perceptible.