But I shall say nothing about it till everyone has had his turn ! ' One after another they all took the donkey , but no money was forthcoming for anybody . At length , when all the band had been tricked , they held a council , and resolved to march to the shoemaker 's house and punish him well for his cunning . Just as before , the shoemaker saw them a long way off , and began to think how he could outwit them again . When he had hit upon a plan he called his wife , and said to her , ` Take a bladder and fill it with blood , and bind it round your neck . When the robbers come and demand the money they gave me for the donkey I shall shout to you and tell you to get it quickly . You must argue with me , and decline to obey me , and then I shall plunge my knife into the bladder , and you must fall to the ground as if you were dead . There you must lie till I play on my guitar ; then get up and begin to dance . ' The wife made haste to do as she was bid , and there was no time to lose , for the robbers were drawing very near the house . They entered with a great noise , and overwhelmed the shoemaker with reproaches for having deceived them about the donkey . ` The poor beast must have lost its power owing to the change of masters , ' said he ; ` but we will not quarrel about it . You shall have back the fifty gold pieces that you gave for him . ` Aite , ' he cried to his wife , ` go quickly to the chest upstairs , and bring down the money for these gentlemen . ' ` Wait a little , ' answered she ; ' I must first bake this fish . It will be spoilt if I leave it now . ' ` Go this instant , as you are bid , ' shouted the shoemaker , stamping as if he was in a great passion ; but , as she did not stir , he drew his knife , and stabbed her in the neck . The blood spurted out freely , and she fell to the ground as if she was dead . ` What have you done ? ' asked the robbers , looking at him in dismay . ` The poor woman was doing nothing . '
` Perhaps I was hasty , but it is easily set right , ' replied the XXXXX , taking down his guitar and beginning to play .
Aite bladder donkey everyone fall first fish length shoemaker woman