he became as fat as a
quail, as round as a barrel, as red as a lobster, and as impudent as a
bantam-cock.

But, after two years, the lad got weary of this idle life, and longed
desperately to visit his home again. The ogre, who could see into his
heart and knew how unhappy he was, said to him one day: 'My dear
Antonio, I know how much you long to see your mother and sisters again,
and because I love you as the apple of my eye, I am willing to allow you
to go home for a visit. Therefore, take this donkey, so that you may not
have to go on foot; but see that you never say "Bricklebrit" to him, for
if you do you'll be sure to regret it.'

Antonio took the beast without as much as saying thank you, and jumping
on its back he rode away in great haste; but he hadn't gone two hundred
yards when he dismounted and called out 'Bricklebrit.'

No sooner had he pronounced the word than the donkey opened its mouth
and poured forth rubies, emeralds, diamonds and pearls, as big as
walnuts.

Antonio gazed in amazement at the sight of such wealth, and joyfully
filling a huge sack with the precious stones, he mounted the donkey
again and rode on till he came to an inn. Here he got down, and going
straight to the landlord, he said to him: 'My good man, I must ask you
to stable this donkey for me. Be sure you give the poor beast plenty of
oats and hay, but beware of saying the word "Bricklebrit" to him, for if
you do I can promise you will regret it. Take this heavy sack, too, and
put it carefully away for me.'

The landlord, who was no fool, on receiving this strange warning, and
seeing the precious stones sparkling through the canvas of the sack, was
most anxious to see what would happen if he used the forbidden word. So
he gave Antonio an excellent dinner, with a bottle of fine old wine, and
prepared a comfortable bed for him. As soon as he saw the poor simpleton
close his eyes and had heard his lusty snores, he hurried to the stables
and said to the donkey 'Bricklebrit,' and the animal as usual poured
out any number of precious stones.

When the landlord saw all these treasures he longed to get possession of
so valuable an animal, and determined to steal the donkey from his
foolish guest. As soon as it was light next morning Antonio awoke, and
having rubbed his eyes and stretched himself about a hundred times he
called the landlord and said to him: 'Come here, my friend, and produce
your bill, for short reckonings make long frie