Atondido Stories
second daughter. The first young man had paid a great sum of
money, but this one paid even more.
Though he was now very rich the father still went on making
bowls and platters to please his wife. The next day when he was
at work the handsomest young man he had ever seen appeared
riding upon a most beautiful steed. This young man demanded
the third daughter. The poor father had to yield just as before,
though it nearly broke his heart to part with his only remaining
child. The price which the young man paid was so very great
that the family was now as rich as it had once been poor.
Their home was not childless very long, for soon a baby son
came to them. They brought up the boy in great luxury. One day
when the child was at school he quarrelled with one of his play-
mates. This taunt was thrown in his face: “Ah, ha! You think
your father was always rich, do you? He is a rich man now, it is
true, but it is because he sold your three sisters.” The words
made the boy sad, but he said nothing about the matter at home.
He hid it away in his mind until he had become a man. Then he
went to his father and mother and demanded that they should
tell him all about it.
His parents told the young man the whole story of the
strange experiences through which they had obtained their
wealth. “I am now a man,” said the son. “I feel that it is right
that I should go out into the world in search of my sisters. Per-
haps I might be able to find them and aid them in some way.
Give me your blessing and allow me to go.”
His father and mother gave him their blessing, and the
young man started out to make a search through all the world.
Soon he came to a house where there were three brothers quar-
relling over a boot, a cap, and a key. “What is the matter?” asked
the young man. “Why are these things so valuable that you
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