Atondido Stories
His appearance created a panic. On sight of him the children
ran screaming home, crying out:
"The Devil! The Devil is coming!"
Mothers and fathers ran out of the houses to see what was
the matter but on sight of Peter they ran in again, barred all the
doors and windows, and making the sign of the cross prayed
God Almighty to protect them.
Peter went on to the tavern. The landlord and his wife were
standing in the doorway. As Peter came toward them, they cried
out in fright:
"O Lord, forgive us our sins! The Devil is coming!"
They tried to run away but they tripped over each other and
fell down, and before they could scramble to their feet Peter
stood before them.
He looked at them for a moment and laughed. Then he went
inside the tavern, sat down, and said:
"Landlord, bring me a drink!"
Quaking with fright the landlord went to the cellar and drew
a pitcher of beer. Then he called the little herd who was working
in the stable.
"Yirik," he said to the boy, "take this beer into the house.
There's a man in there waiting for it. He's a little strange looking
but you needn't be afraid. He won't hurt you."
Yirik took the pitcher of beer and started in. He opened the
door and then, as he caught sight of Peter, he dropped the pitch-
er and fled.
The landlord scolded him angrily.
"What do you mean," he shouted, "not giving the gentleman
his beer? And breaking the pitcher, too! The price of it will be de-
ducted from your wages! Draw another pitcher of beer and place
it at once before the gentleman."
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