Three brothers once had a pear-tree. Each watched it in turn while the others were away. One night a beggar came, and asked for a pear. The youth who watched the tree plucked some from his own part, saying, “Take these pears. They are mine. But I cannot give you those belonging to my brothers.” The beggar thanked the youth, took the fruit, and disappeared. The next day the second brother watched; again came the beggar with the same request. This brother also gave him pears, saying, “Take these, they are my own; but of those belonging to my brothers I cannot give you.” The third brother had a similar visit next day.
On the fourth day the beggar, disguised as a monk, came very early, that he might find all three brothers at home. “Come with me,” said he. Soon they reached a river and the monk asked the eldest one, “What is your wish?” “May this water be changed into wine, and belong to me.” And even so it was.
The monk continued his way with the others. They came to a field, where were a number of doves, and the monk asked the second, “What is your wish?” “May these doves be turned to sheep, and be mine.” And even so it was.
After crossing the next field the monk asked the third brother, “What is your wish?” “May a good and beautiful wife be mine!” and even so it was.
For a whole year the monk left the brothers with their gifts.
At the end of a year the beggar returned. He went first to the eldest brother, who by trading with the wine had become rich. The beggar asked for a glass of wine. But the brother refused. At this the beggar made a sign, and the river instantly began to flow with water as before. Then said he to the brother, “this was not for you. Go back to the pear-tree and guard it.”
From the second brother the beggar asked a piece of cheese, but the rich man refused.
And lo! all the sheep turned instantly into doves which flew away. Said the beggar, “Go back to the pear-tree and watch it.”
Then the beggar turned to the forest, where he found the youngest brother with his wife living in a poor hut. From them he asked a meal. They welcomed him, and though too poor to give him real bread, the wife made a loaf from the bark of certain trees. But behold! When she took it from the oven it was a fine loaf of real bread. So, too, the water became wine to the lips. As the beggar disappeared he made a sign. Instantly a beautiful palace rose in place of the poor hut, and in joy and plenty the brother and his good wife lived on.
