So the shepherd set out for home , and on his way through the wood he heard and understood all that was said by the birds , and by every living creature . When he got back to his sheep he found the flock grazing peacefully , and as he was very tired he laid himself down by them to rest a little . Hardly had he done so when two ravens flew down and perched on a tree near by , and began to talk to each other in their own language : ` If that shepherd only knew that there is a vault full of gold and silver beneath where that lamb is lying , what would he not do ? ' When the shepherd heard these words he went straight to his master and told him , and the master at once took a waggon , and broke open the door of the vault , and they carried off the treasure . But instead of keeping it for himself , the master , who was an honourable man , gave it all up to the shepherd , saying : ` Take it , it is yours . The gods have given it to you . ' So the shepherd took the treasure and built himself a house . He married a wife , and they lived in great peace and happiness , and he was acknowledged to be the richest man , not only of his native village , but of all the country-side . He had flocks of sheep , and cattle , and horses without end , as well as beautiful clothes and jewels . One day , just before Christmas , he said to his wife : ` Prepare everything for a great feast , to-morrow we will take things with us to the farm that the shepherds there may make merry . ' The wife obeyed , and all was prepared as he desired . Next day they both went to the farm , and in the evening the master said to the shepherds : ` Now come , all of you , eat , drink , and make merry . I will watch the flocks myself to-night in your stead . ' Then he went out to spend the night with the flocks . When midnight struck the wolves howled and the dogs barked , and the wolves spoke in their own tongue , saying : ` Shall we come in and work havoc , and you too shall eat flesh ? ' And the dogs answered in their tongue : ` Come in , and for once we shall have enough to eat . ' Now amongst the dogs there was one so old that he had only two teeth left in his head , and he spoke to the wolves , saying : ` So long as I have my two teeth still in my head , I will let no harm be done to my master . ' All this the master heard and understood , and as soon as morning dawned he ordered all the dogs to be killed excepting the old dog . The farm servants wondered at this order , and exclaimed : ` But surely , sir , that would be a pity ? ' The master answered : ` Do as I bid you ' ; and made ready to return home with his wife , and they mounted their horses , her steed being a mare .
As they went on their way , it happened that the husband rode on ahead , while the XXXXX was a little way behind .
dog dogs flocks gods happiness head mare village way wife