himself, for he
thought that this was the work of the Evil One.

"Be not amazed," quoth Brother Timothy, "that where you left an ass you
should find a poor, half-starved Franciscan friar. Set me free and you
shall hear my piteous story."

With shaking fingers the farmer unloosed the rope, and the monk
continued: "Although I wear the garb of a holy friar, I am a sinful man.
You imagine you have owned an ass, but it was myself, transformed into
this shape for the deadly sin of gluttony, and condemned to do penance
by feeding on grass and being beaten and starved by your household.
Think of the miserable life I have endured, the windy shed which was my
home, and the damp and musty straw which formed my bed; my scanty food
was given me grudgingly and I have patiently endured toil and blows. But
to-day my penance is at an end and I begin life as a monk again."

[Illustration]

Simple Farmer Gilbert was conscience-stricken at hearing such words as
these, and, falling on his knees before the friar, implored his pardon.
The deceitful monk, rejoiced to think that his tale had been so readily
believed, generously forgave the farmer for his past conduct, and even
consented to be his guest for the night as it was getting late and he
stood in need of rest.

The farmer led his guest to his humble white-washed cottage, which stood
on a hillside covered with fruitful olive trees. Drawing near, they
found the farmer's wife, comely Dame Cicely, his children, and his old
father waiting the return of the master of the house, and, when the
monk's wonderful tale was told anew, they were no less penitent and
amazed than the farmer himself had been. Deeply they grieved over the
harsh treatment the holy man had endured at their hands, and, poor as
they were, set about forthwith to prepare a grand supper to satisfy
Brother Timothy's hunger after such a long and rigid fast. The good wife
killed her last two fowls, and made them into a salad; then she brought
out her best wine and begged her honored guest to fall to.

Brother Timothy played his part well. He ate and drank as though he had
been starving for a twelve-month, and, all the while, he talked and
laughed without stopping and wagged his red beard, till at length the
farmer grew angry with his guest and ventured to reprove him in good
round terms.

"Good father," said he, "it is easy to see that for some persons
punishment is right and needful. The manner in which you have behaved