Page:Moni the goat boy (IA monigoatboy00spyr 1).pdf/19

 fore, another goat-boy had to be appointed, Moni was chosen with one accord, since every one was glad for the hard-working Elizabeth that now Moni would be able to earn something. The pious grandmother had never let Moni start away a single morning, without reminding him:

“Moni, never forget how near you are up there to the dear Lord, and that He sees and hears everything, and you can hide nothing from His eyes. But never forget, either, that He is near to help you. So you have nothing to fear, and if you can call upon no human being up there, you have only to call to the dear Lord in your need, and He will hear you immediately and come to your aid.”

So from the very first Moni went full of trust up to the lonely mountains and the highest crags, and never had the slightest fear or dread, for he always thought:

“The higher up, the nearer I am to the dear Lord, and so all the safer whatever may happen.”

So Moni had neither care nor trouble and could enjoy everything he did from morning till night. It was no wonder that he whistled and sang and yodeled continually, for he had to give vent to his great happiness.