Page:Folk-lore - A Quarterly Review. Volume 21, 1910.djvu/256

 2 20 Collectanea.

inquires, " What have you for us to-night, Dede Agha ? ", and soon the story is in full swing. The elder men nod gravely, and interject an occasional " Amen," or a " Praise to Thee, O Lord ! " The young men roll up the flat cakes, and, holding them like giant cigars, munch away on them, varying their fare with a bite taken now and then from the loaf which they hold in the other hand. Thus, with hands and mouths agreeably employed, they drink in the tale with both ears, and have their eyes fixed upon the story- teller, who holds them spell-bound with his graphic narrative.

I. The Foolish Man.

Once upon a time there was a man who was very wealthy, but he was a spendthrift and he ate up all that he had. Neither bread nor broth remained. So he thrusts one hand into his bosom, and, resting his head upon the other, he sits and medi- tates upon his condition, and wears himself out moaning and lamenting. His acquaintances come and gather around him, and an old gray-bearded man amongst them rises and says, — "You have done something (some sin). Your Luck has deserted you. Arise, go after your Luck. You may possibly find it, and, regain- ing it, be as fortunate as before."

The man set out. He travelled over rocks and hills. Night and day he sought for his Luck. One night, in a dream, he sees his Luck lying face downwards on the top of a mountain, moaning and bewailing, like himself.

When he awakes the next morning he directs his steps towards that mountain.

He goes, and goes. He sees a lion seated in his path. The lion calls the man, and asks, — " Where are you going ? " The man says, — " I am going to find my Luck." The lion says, — " I am sure that your Luck is very wise. Ask him how I can get strong. (It is seven years that I have been crippled.) When you return, come and tell me, and I will do you what kindness I can in return." The man promises, and goes on his way.

He goes, and goes, and he sees a vineyard which is full of a thousand kinds of fruit. When he gathers some and eats it, he finds that it is bitter. The owner of the vineyard happens along,