So the old man said to the Tsar: “I am a free man. Will you let me cure the Tsarévna, and if I do not succeed, have a second noose got ready for my neck: one for me and one for the pope.” Then the old man took the morsels of the Tsarévna’s body, bit by bit, breathed on them, and she arose alive and well. Then the Tsar rewarded them both with gold and silver. “Now let us go and divide the money,” said the old man. So they started. They put all the money into three little piles, and the pope looked on, and said: “What do you mean? There are only two of us. Who is to have the third?” Said the old man: “That is for the thief who ate up my wafers.” “Oh, it was I who ate them up!” the pope cried out. “I really did! I swear it!” “Then you may have all the money, and my own share as well. Henceforth serve your parish faithfully. Do not be a miser, and do not beat St. Nicholas on the shoulders with the keys!” the old man said, and vanished. THE SOLDIER AND DEATH Once upon a time there was a soldier who had served God and the Great Sovereign for twenty-five whole years, and had only in the end earned three biscuits, and was journeying back home. And, as he went along, he thought: “Lord! here am I; I have served my Tsar for twenty-five years, have received my food and dress, and what have I lived for after all? I am cold and hungry, and have only three biscuits to eat.” So he pondered and thought, and decided to desert and run away whither his eyes might lead him. As he went along he met a poor beggar who asked alms of him. The soldier gave him one biscuit, and kept two. And, as he trudged on, he soon came across another poor beggar, who bowed down low and asked for alms. So the soldier gave him another biscuit, and had only one left. Again on he went, and met a third beggar. The old fellow bowed low and asked for alms. The soldier got his last biscuit out, and thought: “If I give him the whole, I shall have none left; if I give half, why, this old man will come across brother-beggars, will see they have a whole biscuit, and be offended. Better let him have it all, and I shall get on somehow.” So he gave his last biscuit, and had nothing left. Then the old man asked him: “Tell me, good man, what do you wish? Of what have you need? I will help you.” “God bless you!” the soldier answered. “How should I take anything of you?—you are old and poor.” “Don’t think of my poverty,” he replied. “Just say what you would like, and I will requite you according to your own goodness.” “I want nothing; but, if you have any cards, give me some as a keepsake.”