Atondido Stories
instead.
The Prince was most affable.
"Certainly," he said.
"Well then, Your Highness, I'd like that pair of clubs I see un-
der the oven."
Lucifer gave him the clubs and wished him a pleasant jour-
ney home.
When the shoemaker got back to the gate, the little devil of a
guard wagged his head and blinked his eyes.
"Shoemaker," he said, "those are fine clubs! You don't know
how fine they are! Why, they'll do anything you tell them! If you
point to a man and say to them: 'Tickle that fellow!' they'll jump
about and tickle him under the ribs. If you say: 'Strike that fel-
low!' they'll hit him. And if you say: 'Beat him!' they'll give him a
terrible drubbing. Now I want you to try these clubs on that
landlord and his wife for they have been playing tricks on you.
They stole your tablecloth and your rooster. When you reach the
tavern tonight, they'll be entertaining a wedding party and
they'll say they haven't any room for you. Don't argue but quiet-
ly take out your clubs and order them to knock about among the
wedding guests. Then order them to beat the landlord and his
wife and those two will soon cry for mercy and be more than
willing to return you your property."
The shoemaker thanked the little devil of a guard for his
good advice and, putting the clubs in his bag, climbed back to
earth. When he reached the tavern, sure enough he found a wed-
ding party feasting and dancing.
"Get out of here!" the landlord cried. "There's no room for
you!"
Without a word the shoemaker took out his clubs and said:
"Clubs, knock around among the wedding guests!"
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