_I_
will bring you home plenty of fuel."
"Nonsense," answered the father. "Both your brothers have got into
trouble, and it is not likely that I am going to trust you."
But Johnny would not give up the idea, and worried his father, till at
last he said:
"Very well, my son, have your own way. You shall learn by experience
that I know better than you."
There was no rich cake for the simpleton of the family. His mother
just gave him a little loaf of dough and a bottle of sour beer.
No sooner did he reach the wood than the little gray man appeared.
"Give me a piece of your cake and a drink of your wine?" said he.
But the young man told him he had only a dough loaf and a bottle of
sour beer.
"Still," said he, "you are welcome to a share of the food, such as it
is."
So the two sat down together; but when Johnny took his humble fare
from his pocket, what was his surprise to find it changed into the
most delicious cake and wine. Then the young man and his guest made a
hearty meal, and when it was ended the little gray man said:
"Because you have such a kind heart, and have willingly shared your
food with me, I am going to reward you. Yonder stands an old tree: hew
it down, and deep in the heart of the roots you will find something.
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