The brothers were pleased with this idea , and gave him the stuff ; but the moment he had thrown it over his shoulder he disappeared as completely as if he had never been there at all . Meanwhile the young man walked briskly along , till he came up with two other men , who were disputing over a table-cloth . ` What is the matter ? ' asked he , stopping in front of them . ` If this cloth is spread on a table , ' answered they , ` the table is instantly covered with the most delicious food ; and we each want to have it . ' ` Let me try the table-cloth , ' said the youth , ` and I will tell you whose it ought to be . ' The two men were quite pleased with this idea , and handed him the cloth . He then hastily threw the first piece of stuff round his shoulders and vanished from sight , leaving the two men grieving over their own folly . The young man had not walked far before he saw two more men standing by the road-side , both grasping the same stout staff , and sometimes one seemed on the point of getting it , and sometimes the other . ` What are you quarrelling about ? You could cut a dozen sticks from the wood each just as good as that ! ' said the young man . And as he spoke the fighters both stopped and looked at him . ` Ah ! you may think so , ' said one , ` but a blow from one end of this stick will kill a man , while a touch from the other end will bring him back to life . You wo n't easily find another stick like that ! ' ` No ; that is true , ' answered the young man . ` Let me just look at it , and I will tell you whose it ought to be . ' The men were pleased with the idea , and handed him the staff . ` It is very curious , certainly , ' said he ; ` but which end is it that restores people to life ?
After all , anyone can be killed by a blow XXXXX a stick if it is only hard enough ! '
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