cattle, and horses without end, as well as beautiful clothes and
jewels.

One day, just before Christmas, he said to his wife: 'Prepare
everything for a great feast, to-morrow we will take things with us
to the farm that the shepherds there may make merry.' The wife
obeyed, and all was prepared as he desired. Next day they both
went to the farm, and in the evening the master said to the
shepherds: 'Now come, all of you, eat, drink, and make merry. I
will watch the flocks myself to-night in your stead.' Then he went
out to spend the night with the flocks.

When midnight struck the wolves howled and the dogs barked, and
the wolves spoke in their own tongue, saying:

'Shall we come in and work havoc, and you too shall eat flesh?' And
the dogs answered in their tongue: 'Come in, and for once we shall
have enough to eat.'

Now amongst the dogs there was one so old that he had only two
teeth left in his head, and he spoke to the wolves, saying: 'So long
as I have my two teeth still in my head, I will let no harm be done to
my master.'

All this the master heard and understood, and as soon as morning
dawned he ordered all the dogs to be killed excepting the old dog.
The farm servants wondered at this order, and exclaimed: 'But
surely, sir, that would be a pity?'

The master answered: 'Do as I bid you'; and made ready to return