“Are you ill?” she asked wonderingly, surprised at not finding him dressed. “The cock has crowed ever so often. It is high time for you to get up.” “Why should I get up?” asked the man, without moving. “Why? to go to the forest, of course.” “Yes; and when I have toiled all day I hardly earn enough to give us one meal.” “But what can we do, my poor husband?” said she. “It is just a trick of Fortune’s, who would never smile upon us.” “Well, I have had my fill of Fortune’s tricks,” cried he. “If she wants me she can find me here. But I have done with the wood for ever.” “My dear husband, grief has driven you mad! Do you think Fortune will come to anybody who does not go after her? Dress yourself, and saddle the mules, and begin your work. Do you know that there is not a morsel of bread in the house?” “I don’t care if there isn’t, and I am not going to the forest. It is no use your talking; nothing will make me change my mind.” The distracted wife begged and implored in vain; her husband persisted in staying in bed, and at last, in despair, she left him and went back to her work. An hour or two later a man from the nearest village knocked at her door, and when she opened it, he said to her: “Good-morning, mother. I have got a job to do, and I want to know if your husband will lend me your mules, as I see he is not using them, and can lend me a hand himself?” “He is upstairs; you had better ask him,” answered the woman. And the man went up, and repeated his request. “I am sorry, neighbour, but I have sworn not to leave my bed, and nothing will make me break my vow.” “Well, then, will you lend me your two mules? I will pay you something for them.” “Certainly, neighbour. Take them and welcome.” So the man left the house, and leading the mules from the stable, placed two sacks on their back, and drove them to a field where he had found a hidden treasure. He filled the sacks with the money, though he knew perfectly well that it belonged to the sultan, and was driving them quietly home again, when he saw two soldiers coming along the road. Now the man was aware that if he was caught he would be condemned to death, so he fled back into the forest. The mules, left to themselves, took the path that led to their master’s stable. The wood-cutter’s wife was looking out of the window when the mules drew up before the door, so heavily laden that they almost sank under their burdens. She lost no time in calling her husband, who was still lying in bed. “Quick! quick! get up as fast as you can. Our two mules have returned with sacks on their backs, so heavily laden with something or other that the poor beasts can hardly stand up.” “Wife, I have told you a dozen times already that I am not going to get up. Why can’t you leave me in peace?”