Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/87

Rh Now look well: This, it is said, was what they were considering about when they asked those various things from God:—

A long tail, that is, a long loin-cloth.

Four feet, joy on obtaining wealth.

Long ears, large ear-rings.

Long tusks, laughing and smiling when obtaining great wealth.

A large mouth to lord it over other people when wealthy.

Long hair a fine hat.

Much hair, thick clothing.

These are the things upon which their desires were fixed, and which they hoped would be fulfilled, and that they would obtain from God. But, friends, God is not intrusive, and he likes not the unspoken thought and the unpreferred desire, but that men should ask openly. And so those two brothers were punished as described because their desires and their petitions were evil, and so evil overtook them.

And this is my advice to you, friends: Do not hide things, or attempt to conceal when you make request to God, for he does not care for offerings, but what you really need is what he gives. And you, children, take heed, for you often speak with unguarded lips to God.

NCE upon a time, they say, the frog and the wild-hog met together and told stories to each other, and vied with each other in drinking, and also spoke of recent things and fabulous things; but still they were far from seeing clearly their origin.