Atondido Stories
The farmer and his wife grew sicker and sicker with envy but
they kept on smiling and rubbing their hands and asking ques-
tions.
"Tell us, dear Godfather," they said, "what road do you take
to go to hell? Of course we're not expecting to go ourselves but
we'd just like to know."
The shoemaker told them the way and they hurried home.
They slaughtered their finest cattle and then, packing on their
backs all the choicest cuts of the meat, they staggered down to
hell.
When the little devil of a guard saw them coming, he grinned
and chuckled.
"Welcome!" he cried. "We've been waiting for you a long
time! Come right in!"
He led them to Prince Lucifer and the Prince recognized
them instantly.
"It's very good of you coming before you had to," he said.
"This saves me a trip to earth. I was thinking just the other day it
was time to go after you. And see all that fine meat you've
brought with you! I certainly am glad to see you! It isn't often I
have the pleasure of meeting people as avaricious, as greedy, as
mean, as you two have been. In fact, both of you are such orna-
ments to hell that I think I'll just have to keep you here forever!"
So the rich farmer and his wife were never again seen on earth.
As for the shoemaker—he and his family lived long and mer-
rily. They shared their good fortune with others, never forgetting
the time when they, too, suffered from poverty. And because
they were good and kind, the Devil's gifts brought them only
happiness.
394