the
sluggard, and began at once to say:

"At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Bring onions, cider, soup, just as I like."

That very moment his favourite dishes were before him. Having eaten a
large quantity, he said, "Very good, very good indeed; but will it
always be the same?"

"Always," replied the pike.

The sluggard put the pike back into the river, and turning towards his
buckets, said:

"At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Walk home yourselves, my pails--that I should like."

The pails, and the strong rod to which they were fastened, immediately
set off and walked solemnly along, the sluggard following them with
his hands in his pockets. When they reached the house he put them in
their places, and again stretched himself out to enjoy the warmth of
the stove. Presently the sisters-in-law said, "Come and chop some wood
for us."

"Bother! do it yourselves."

"It is not fit work for women. Besides, if you don't do it the stove
will be cold, and then you will be the chief sufferer. Moreover, pay
attention to what we say, for if you do not obey us, there will be no
red boots, nor any other pretty things."

The sluggard then just sat up and said:

"At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Let what my sisters want be done--that's what I like."

Instantly the hatchet came out from behind a stool and chopped up a
large heap of wood, put a part of it on the stove, and retired to its
corner. All this time the sluggard was eating and drinking at his
ease.

Another day some wood had to be brought from the forest. Our sluggard
now thought he would like to show off before the villagers, so he
pulled a sledge out of the shed, loaded it with onions and soup, after
which he pronounced the magic words.

The sledge started off, and passing through the village at a rattling
pace, ran over several people, and frightened the women and children.

When the forest was reached, our friend looked on while the blocks of
wood and faggots cut, tied, and laid themselves on the sledge, after
which they set off home again. But when they got to the middle of the
village the men, who had been hurt and frightened in the morning,
seized hold of the sluggard and pulled him off the sledge, dragging
him along by the hair to give him a sound thrashing.

At first he thought it was only a joke, but when the blows hurt his
shoulders, he said:

"At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Come,