“Well, look you to it,” the fair maiden said; “the devils are going to give you gold and silver—do not take any of it. Only ask them to give you the sorry horse on which the unholy spirits load their fuel and water. This horse is your father. When he got drunk and fell into the water, the devils instantly got hold of him, turned him into a horse, and now he serves as the beast of burden to carry their wood and water for them.” Then that same youth came forward who had invited Petrúsha to pay him a visit, and he began to entertain him with all sorts of sweetmeats and drinks. Then the time came for Petrúsha’s departure home. “As a parting gift,” the Devil said to him, “I will give you money, and a splendid horse, and you shall ride home royally.” “This is of no use to me,” Petrúsha answered. “But if you will give me anything, give me that sorry jade—that battered jade which carries your wood and water.” “Whatever use is that sorry nag to you? Why, you will hardly get home on it! Why, it tumbles down if you look at it!” “I don’t mind about that; give it to me; it is the only thing I will take.” So the devils gave him the sorry jade. Petrúsha took it and led it out to the entrance. As soon as he was at the outside, he met the fair maiden, who asked: “Have you got the horse?” “Yes, I have.” “Then, fair youth, when you arrive at your village, take the cross off from your neck and pass it round the horse three times, and then hang the cross on its head.” Petrúsha bowed down to her, and set on his way; and he arrived at his village, and did all the maiden had commanded: took his copper cross from his neck, passed it three times round the horse, and hung the cross on its head. And all at once it was the horse no longer; but, instead, became his own father. The son looked at the father, shed hot tears, and took him into his own _izbá_.[11] The old man lived for three days without speaking, and could not unseal his tongue. After that, they lived on in all good luck and happiness. The old man altogether forsook being drunk; and to his last day not a drop of wine passed his lips. THE WOLF AND THE TAILOR This story is a story of the past—of the days when Christ and the Twelve Apostles still walked on earth.[12] * * * * * One day they were still on their road, going on a long, long road, and a wolf met them and said: “Lord, I am feeling hungry.” “Go,” Christ said to him, “and eat a mare.” So the wolf went to look for a mare. And he saw her going up and down, and said: “Mare, the Lord has bidden me eat you!” So she answered: “Well, please do not eat me—it is not the proper thing. But I have a passport on me; only it is driven in very hard.” “Well, show it me.” “Just come near my hind feet!” So the wolf went up, and she kicked him with her hoofs, and knocked out his front teeth, so that the wolf was thrown, at a blow, three _sazhéns_[13] away, and the mare ran off.