age.

'I am Dame Fortune,' she said, 'and I have a gift for you. Shall it be
wisdom, strength, long life, riches, health, or beauty? Think well, and
tell me what you will have.'

But Fortunatus, who had proved the truth of the proverb that 'It's ill
thinking on an empty stomach,' answered quickly, 'Good lady, let me have
riches in such plenty that I may never again be as hungry as I am now.'

And the lady held out a purse and told him he had only to put his hand
into it, and he and his children would always find ten pieces of gold.
But when they were dead it would be a magic purse no longer.

At this news Fortunatus was beside himself with joy, and could hardly
find words to thank the lady. But she told him that the best thing he
could do was to find his way out of the wood, and before bidding him
farewell pointed out which path he should take. He walked along it as
fast as his weakness would let him, until a welcome light at a little
distance showed him that a house was near. It turned out to be an inn,
but before entering Fortunatus thought he had better make sure of the
truth of what the lady had told him, and took out the purse and looked
inside. Sure enough there were the ten pieces of gold, shining brightly.
Then Fortunatus walked boldly up to the inn, and ordered them to get
ready a good supper at once, as he was very hungry, and to bring him the
best wine in the house. And he seemed to care so little what he spent
that everybody thought he was a great lord, and vied with each other who
should run quickest when he called.

After a night passed in a soft bed, Fortunatus felt so much better that
he asked the landlord if he could find him some men-servants, and tell
him where any good horses were to be got. The next thing was to provide
himself with smart clothes, and then to take a big house where he
could give great feasts to the nobles and beautiful ladies who lived in
palaces round about.

In this manner a whole year soon slipped away, and Fortunatus was so
busy amusing himself that he never once remembered his parents whom he
had left behind in Cyprus. But though he was thoughtless, he was not
bad-hearted. As soon as their existence crossed his mind, he set about
making preparations to visit them, and as he was not fond of being alone
he looked round for some one older and wiser than himself to travel with
him. It was not long before he had the good luck to come across an
old man who had left his wife and