Page:The Complete Works of Lyof N. Tolstoi - 08 (Crowell, 1899).djvu/262

248 And they said:—

"We have had two dreams in one night, and no one can interpret them for us."

Joseph asked:—

"What were they?"

The cupbearer began to tell his story:—

"Methought I plucked three berries, squeezed the juice, and gave to the Tsar."

Joseph said:—

"In three days you will be back in your place."

Then the baker said:—

"Methought I was carrying twelve loaves in a basket, and the birds came flying and pecked at the bread."

Joseph said:—

"In three days you will be hanged, and the birds will come flying and will peck at your body."

This came true.

Once the Tsar Pharaoh saw two dreams the same night, and he gathered all his wise men, and no one of them could interpret the dreams. The cupbearer remembered, and said: "I have a man who can explain it."

The Tsar sent a carriage for him. When they brought him in the Tsar began to tell his dream:—

"Methought I was standing on the bank of the river, and there came seven fat cows and seven lean ones; and the lean ones threw themselves on the fat ones and ate them up, and did not become fat. And the other dream I saw was this: Methought seven full ears of corn and seven empty ears grew on one stalk: the empty ones threw themselves on the full ones and devoured them, and yet did not become full."

Joseph said:—

"This is what it means: There will be seven years of plenty and then there will be seven years of famine."

The Tsar put a golden chain around his neck and a ring on his right hand and ordered him to build granaries.