plain; and, for all I know, he may be flying
across it still.

The Three Treasures of the Giants

[Contes Berberes, par Rene Basset.]

Long, long ago, there lived an old man and his wife who had three sons;
the eldest was called Martin, the second Michael, while the third was
named Jack.

One evening they were all seated round the table, eating their supper of
bread and milk.

'Martin,' said the old man suddenly, 'I feel that I cannot live much
longer. You, as the eldest, will inherit this hut; but, if you value my
blessing, be good to your mother and brothers.'

'Certainly, father; how can you suppose I should do them wrong?' replied
Martin indignantly, helping himself to all the best bits in the dish as
he spoke. The old man saw nothing, but Michael looked on in surprise,
and Jack was so astonished that he quite forgot to eat his own supper.

A little while after, the father fell ill, and sent for his sons, who
were out hunting, to bid him farewell. After giving good advice to the
two eldest, he turned to Jack.

'My boy,' he said, 'you have not got quite as much sense as other
people, but if Heaven has deprived you of some of your wits, it was
given you a kind heart. Always listen to what it says, and take heed
to the words of your mother and brothers, as well as you are able!' So
saying the old man sank back on his pillows and died.

The cries of grief uttered by Martin and Michael sounded through the
house, but Jack remained by the bedside of his father, still and silent,
as if he were dead also. At length he got up, and going into the garden,
hid himself in some trees, and wept like a child, while his two brothers
made ready for the funeral.

No sooner was the old man buried than Martin and Michael agreed that
they would go into the world together to seek their fortunes, while Jack
stayed at home with their mother. Jack would have liked nothing better
than to sit and dream by the fire, but the mother, who was very old
herself, declared that there was no work for him to do, and that he must
seek it with his brothers.

So, one fine morning, all three set out; Martin and Michael carried
two great bags full of food, but Jack carried nothing. This made his
brothers very angry, for the day was hot and the bags were heavy, and
about noon they sat down under a tree and began to eat. Jack was as
hungry as they were, but he knew that it was no use asking for anything;
and he threw himself under another