Atondido Stories
The Story of a Youth Who Couldn't Find Work
Once upon a time there was a youth named Peter. He was the
son of a rich farmer but on his father's death his stepmother
robbed him of his inheritance and drove him out into the world,
penniless and destitute.
"Begone with you now!" she shouted. "Never let me see your
face again!"
"Where shall I go?" Peter asked.
"Go to the Devil, for all I care!" the stepmother cried and
slammed the door in his face.
Peter felt very sad at being driven away from the farm that
had always been his home, but he was an able-bodied lad, indus-
trious and energetic, and he thought he would have no trouble
making his way in the world.
He tramped to the next village and stopped at a big farm-
house. The farmer was standing at the door, eating a great hunk
of buttered bread.
Peter touched his hat respectfully and said:
"Let every one praise Lord Jesus!"
With his mouth stuffed full, the farmer responded:
"Until the Day of Judgment!" Then in a different tone he de-
manded: "What do you want?"
"I'm looking for work," Peter said. "Do you need a laborer?"
Peter was well dressed for he had on the last clothes his kind fa-
ther had given him. The farmer looked him over and sneered.
"A fine laborer you would make! You would do good work
at meals—I see that, and spend the rest of your time at cards and
teasing the maids! I know your kind!"
Peter tried to tell the farmer that he was industrious and
steady but with an oath the farmer told him to go to the Devil.
Then stepping inside the house he slammed the door in Peter's
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