the
cackling of hens; or else be assured that to-morrow morning I'll go off
to my parents' house, for you do not deserve me. I have not brought you
so many fine things, only to be made the slave of children who are not
my own."

Poor Jannuccio, who saw that matters were growing rather too warm,
immediately took the little ones and returned to the wood; where giving
the children another basketful of food, he said to them, "You see, my
dears, how this wife of mine--who is come to my house to be your ruin
and a nail in my heart--hates you; therefore remain in this wood, where
the trees, more compassionate, will give you shelter from the sun;
where the river, more charitable, will give you drink without poison;
and the earth, more kind, will give you a pillow of grass without
danger. And when you want food, follow this little path of bran which I
have made for you in a straight line, and you can come and seek what
you require." So saying, he turned away his face, not to let himself be
seen to weep and dishearten the poor little creatures.

When Nennillo and Nennella had eaten all that was in the basket, they
wanted to return home; but alas! a jackass--the son of ill-luck--had
eaten up all the bran that was strewn upon the ground; so they lost
their way, and wandered about forlorn in the wood for several days,
feeding on acorns and chestnuts which they found fallen on the ground.
But as Heaven always extends its arm over the innocent, there came by
chance a Prince to hunt in that wood. Then Nennillo, hearing the baying
of the hounds, was so frightened that he crept into a hollow tree; and
Nennella set off running at full speed, and ran until she came out of
the wood, and found herself on the seashore. Now it happened that some
pirates, who had landed there to get fuel, saw Nennella and carried her
off; and their captain took her home with him where he and his wife,
having just lost a little girl, took her as their daughter.

Meantime Nennillo, who had hidden himself in the tree, was surrounded
by the dogs, which made such a furious barking that the Prince sent to
find out the cause; and when he discovered the pretty little boy, who
was so young that he could not tell who were his father and mother, he
ordered one of the huntsmen to set him upon his saddle and take him to
the royal palace. Then he had him brought up with great care, and
instructed in various arts, and among others, he had him taught that of
a carver; so th