Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/144

122 home. I like to know the names of all who come here. Now tell me, please, who art thou and how didst thou get here?"

"Gracious lady! I am a Jew, a student of the Holy Law of Israel. My home is in Acco, in the land ruled by the wisest of kings, Solomon. My father and mother are no longer on this earth. I am very poor and I left home yesterday to seek my bread whithersoever God might lead me. After sunset I went to sleep in a field, wrapping myself in the hide of an ox. I was so happy in my sleep, dreaming sweet dreams. All of a sudden I awoke by falling heavily on this roof. When I opened the hide and came out I saw a huge eagle flying over the sea. I am sure that this bird brought me here. Now I pray thee, good lady, forgive me for being here uninvited. Pray let me descend and depart."

"That is impossible."

"Why?"

"There is no door to this tower."

"Am I bewitched?"

"I do not think so."

"Art thou a fairy?"

"Of course not."

"Why is there no door to the tower?"

"So that no one shall enter or depart. And even if there were a door, escape is impossible. We are on a rock in the middle of the sea. Boatmen are not