The Fisherman and his Wife (14)

The Fisherman and his Wife (14)

  But she sat as straight as a tree, and did not move or bend the least bit.

  The woman was not content ; that night her greed would not allow her to sleep, and she kept on thinking and thinking what she could still become.

  The Fisherman slept well and soundly, for he had done a great deal that day, but his wife could not sleep at all and turned from one side to another the hole night long, what more she could become.

  Then the sun began to rise, and she thought, " Ha ! could I not make the sun and moon rise ? "

  " Husband, " she said, poking him in the ribs with her elbows, " wake up. Go down to the Flounder ; I will be a god. "

  The Fisherman was still half asleep, yet he was so frightened that he fell out of bed.

  He thought he ahd not heard right, and opened his eyes wide and said ; " What did you say, Wife ? "

  " Go down at once ; I will be a god. "

  " Alas ! Wife, " pleaded the Fisherman, falling down on his knees before her, " the Flounder cannot do that. Emperor and pope he can make you. I implore you, be content and remain pope. "

  Then she flew into a rage, her hair hung wildly about her face, she pushed him with her foot and screamed : " I am not content and I shall not be contented ! Will you go ? "

  So he hurried on his clothes as fast as possible, and ran away as if he went mad.

(14/15)