Once upon a time there was a man called Padre Ulivo. He was always cheerful, always singing, and very fond of good company. He had a barrel of wine in the cellar, and every evening his friends used to come and see him, sit round the fire, eat, drink, sing, and lead a merry life. But at last the barrel was empty, and all his provisions run out, so that he had nothing more to offer to those who came, and all his pleasant evenings were at an end. Now everyone avoided him, and his cottage grew dull and lonely. One night he had just enough flour left for one small cake. “Well,” said he, “I’ll make a little _schiacciata_ this evening, bake it in the ashes, and to-morrow I must take what God sends.” So he made the _schiacciata_, ate half of it, and got into bed. He had not been there long before he heard a knock at the door. “Who’s there?” he called out. “Padre Ulivo,” said a voice from outside, “we want to come in and warm ourselves at your fire; open the door to us.” So Padre Ulivo jumped out of bed, opened the door, and there were twelve men outside. “Wait a minute while I put on my trousers,” said he, for he was in his shirt. “Now, Padre Ulivo,” said one of the men, “we want something to eat.” “Something to eat! How can I give you that when I have nothing in the house! I made a little _schiacciata_ of my last flour this evening. Look, here’s the bit I’ve not eaten.” “No, no; you must give us something to eat—we’re hungry.” “But, indeed, I don’t do it to deceive you. I have nothing; absolutely nothing.” “Go and look again in the cupboard.” “But what’s the good? It’s empty. Do you believe that I want to deceive you?” “Go and look, at all events.” So Padre Ulivo opened the cupboard, and found it quite full of meat and bread, and everything nice. Quite full! and of such good things as he had never hoped to have. “Oh!” said he, “don’t think I was deceiving you; there really was nothing there last time I went to it.” So he laid the table and they began to eat. “But we want wine,” said the man; “go to the cellar and get some.” “I have none,” said Padre Ulivo; “I used up all mine some time ago.” “Go and see.” “But it’s no good; my barrel is quite empty. Indeed it is not because I am greedy. I have none left.” “Go and see. We’ll come too.” So they all went down to the cellar. “You see,” said Padre Ulivo, tapping the barrel. “Listen how hollow it sounds!” “Draw out the spigot.” He did so, and immediately there spurted out such a stream of wine as knocked him right against the opposite wall. “Oh, oh!” said he. “I swear it was empty last time I came here.” Then he filled a big jug, and they all went upstairs and made a good supper. “Now we want to sleep here,” said the men. “But I have only one bed,” answered Padre Ulivo; “and there are thirteen of us! I know what I’ll do, though; I’ll put the mattress on the floor, and we must manage the best way we can.”