There was once a woman who had three
daughters, the eldest of whom was called One-Eye, because she had
only one eye in the middle of her forehead, and the second,
Two-Eyes, because she had two eyes like other folks, and the
youngest, Three-Eyes, because she had three eyes, and her third eye
was also in the center of her forehead. However, as Two-Eyes saw
just as other human beings did, her sisters and her mother could not
endure her. They said to her, "You, with your two eyes, are no
better than the common people, you do not belong to us." They pushed
her about, and threw old clothes to her, and gave her nothing to eat
but what they left, and did everything that they could to make her
unhappy.
It came to pass that Two-Eyes had to go out
into the fields and tend the goat, but she was still quite hungry,
because her sisters had given her so little to eat. So she sat down
on a ridge and began to weep, and so bitterly that two streams ran
down from her eyes. And once when she looked up in her grief, a
woman was standing beside her, who said, "Why are you weeping,
little Two-Eyes?" Two-Eyes answered, "Have I not reason to weep,
when I have two eyes like other people, and my sisters and mother
hate me for it, and push me from one corner to another, throw old
clothes to me, and give me nothing to eat but the scraps they leave.
Today they have given me so little that I am still quite hungry."
Then the wise woman said, "Wipe away your
tears, Two-Eyes, and I will tell you something to stop your ever
suffering from hunger again. Just say to your goat - `Bleat, my
little goat, bleat, Cover the table with something to eat,' and then
a clean well-spread little table will stand before you with the most
delicious food upon it of which you may eat as much as you are
inclined for, and when you have had enough, and have no more need of
the little table, just say, `Bleat, bleat, my little goat, I pray,
and take the table quite away,' and then it will vanish again from
your sight." Hereupon the wise woman departed. But Two-Eyes thought,
"I must instantly make a trial, and see if what she said is true,
for I am far too hungry," and she said - "Bleat, my little goat,
bleat, Cover the table with something to eat," and scarcely had she
spoken the words than a little table, covered with a white cloth,
was standing there, and on it was a plate with a knife and fork, and
a silver spoon, and the most delicious food was there also, warm and
smoking as if it had just come out of the kitchen.
Then Two-Eyes said the shortest prayer she
knew, "Lord God, be our guest forever, amen," and helped herself to
some food, and enjoyed it. And when she was satisfied, she said, as
the wise woman had taught her - "Bleat, bleat, my little goat, I
pray, And take the table quite away," and immediately the little
table and everything on it was gone again. That is a delightful way
of keeping house, thought Two-Eyes, and was quite glad and happy.
|