` It is only by a miracle that I am here myself . ' ` Tell me at once what has happened , ' said the herdsman sternly . The youth began to sob , and stammered out : ` I -- I hardly know how to tell you ! They -- they -- they were so -- so troublesome -- that I could not manage them at all . They -- ran about in -- in all directions , and I -- I -- ran after them and nearly died of fatigue . Then I heard a -- a noise , which I -- I thought was the wind . But -- but -- it was the sheep , which , be -- before my very eyes , were carried straight up -- up into the air . I stood watching them as if I was turned to stone , but there kept ringing in my ears the sound of the bells on the ram which led them . ' ` That is nothing but a lie from beginning to end , ' said the herdsman . ` No , it is as true as that there is a sun in heaven , ' answered the young man . ` Then give me a proof of it , ' cried his master . ` Well , come with me , ' said the youth . By this time it was evening and the dusk was falling . The young man brought the herdsman to the foot of the great rock , but it was so dark you could hardly see . Still the sound of sheep bells rang softly from above , and the herdsman knew them to be those he had hung on the horns of his ram . ` Do you hear ? ' asked the youth . ` Yes , I hear ; you have spoken the truth , and I can not blame you for what has happened . I must bear the loss as best as I can . ' He turned and went home , followed by the young man , who felt highly pleased with his own cleverness . '
I should not be surprised if the tasks I set you were too difficult , and that you were tired of them , ' said the XXXXX next morning ; ` but to-day I have something quite easy for you to do .
bells cleverness directions evening herdsman home lie master ram ringing