It was a long way off, and the road led over mountains and
through valleys; but at last he reached the cave where the Holy
Man dwelt, and knocked at the door.

'Who is there?' asked a voice from within.

'It is I, Holy Man, Father Grumbler, you know, who has as many
children as sparrows in the garden.'

'Well, and what is it that you want?'

'I want to know why other people have all the luck, and only
misfortunes happen to me!'

The Holy Man did not answer, but went into an inner cave, from
which he came out bearing something in his hand. 'Do you see
this basket?' said he. 'It is a magical basket, and if you are
hungry you have only got to say: "Little basket, little basket,
do your duty," and you will eat the best dinner you ever had in
your life. But when you have had enough, be sure you don't
forget to cry out: "That will do for to-day." Oh!--and one thing
more--you need not show it to everybody and declare that I have
give it to you. Do you understand?'

Father Grumbler was always accustomed to think of himself as so
unlucky that he did not know whether the Holy Man was not playing
a trick upon him; but he took the basket without being polite
enough to say either 'Thank you,' or 'Good-morning,' and went
away. However, he only waited till he was out of sight of the
cave before he stooped down and whispered: 'Little basket, little