I seized a knife and cut off a large lock , which I plaited together , and when night came tied it into a knot , and prepared to use it for a pillow . But what was I to do for a fire ? A tinder box I had , but no wood . Then it occurred to me that I had stuck a needle in my clothes , so I took the needle and split it in pieces , and lit it , then laid myself down by the fire and went to sleep . But ill-luck still pursued me . While I was sleeping a spark from the fire lighted on the hair , which was burnt up in a moment . In despair I threw myself on the ground , and instantly sank in it as far as my waist . I struggled to get out , but only fell in further ; so I ran to the house , seized a spade , dug myself out , and took home the holy water . On the way I noticed that the ripe fields were full of reapers , and suddenly the air became so frightfully hot that the men dropped down in a faint . Then I called to them , `` Why do n't you bring out our mare , which is as tall as two days , and as broad as half a day , and make a shade for yourselves ? '' My father heard what I said and jumped quickly on the mare , and the reapers worked with a will in the shadow , while I snatched up a wooden pail to bring them some water to drink . When I got to the well everything was frozen hard , so in order to draw some water I had to take off my head and break the ice with it . As I drew near them , carrying the water , the reapers all cried out , `` Why , what has become of your head ? '' I put up my hand and discovered that I really had no head , and that I must have left it in the well . I ran back to look for it , but found that meanwhile a fox which was passing by had pulled my head out of the water , and was tearing at my brains . I stole cautiously up to him , and gave him such a kick that he uttered a loud scream , and let fall a parchment on which was written , `` The cake is mine , and the beardless one goes empty-handed . '' ' With these words the boy rose , took the cake , and went home , while the beardless one remained behind to swallow his disappointment . -LRB- Volksmarchen der Serben . -RRB- THE STORY OF THREE WONDERFUL BEGGARS There once lived a merchant whose name was Mark , and whom people called ` Mark the Rich . ' He was a very hard-hearted man , for he could not bear poor people , and if he caught sight of a beggar anywhere near his house , he would order the servants to drive him away , or would set the dogs at him .
One day three very poor old men came begging XXXXX the door , and just as he was going to let the fierce dogs loose on them , his little daughter , Anastasia , crept close up to him and said : ` Dear daddy , let the poor old men sleep here to-night , do -- to please me . '
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