Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/160

144

once lived two brothers, who dwelt in two different parts of the kingdom.

One was very rich, while the other was miserably poor.

One day the rich brother was preparing a great feast in his house, and the poor brother, hearing this, went to him, and said,—

"You are having a feast to-day, brother, I hear. I wish you would give me a drop of wine to drink your health with."

"Wine!" returned the other scornfully. "There, in that tub yonder, you will find plenty; you may drink to your heart's content."

The poor brother went, but when he came to the tub he found that it was full of water. However, as he was a very goodnatured fellow, he drank a little water and returned home singing. Suddenly he heard some one accompanying him in his song.

"Who is it that is singing?" he asked.

"It is I!" said a voice.

"But who in the name of wonder are you?"

"It is I. Want is my name."

"Where are you, and where are you off to?"

"I am with you, and am going wherever you go."

"With me! how do you mean?"