The robbers were all startled by the dreadful noise , and thinking that some evil spirits at the least were entering the house , they rushed out into the wood , their hair standing on end with terror . The four companions , delighted with the success of their trick , sat down at the table , and ate and drank all the food and wine that the robbers had left behind them . When they had finished their meal they put out the lights , and each animal chose a suitable sleeping-place . The donkey lay down in the courtyard outside the house , the dog behind the door , the cat in front of the fire , and the cock flew up on to a high shelf , and , as they were all tired after their long day , they soon went to sleep . Shortly after midnight , when the robbers saw that no light was burning in the house and that all seemed quiet , the captain of the band said : ` We were fools to let ourselves be so easily frightened away ; ' and , turning to one of his men , he ordered him to go and see if all was safe . The man found everything in silence and darkness , and going into the kitchen he thought he had better strike a light . He took a match , and mistaking the fiery eyes of the cat for two glowing coals , he tried to light his match with them . But the cat did n't see the joke , and sprang at his face , spitting and scratching him in the most vigorous manner . The man was terrified out of his life , and tried to run out by the back door ; but he stumbled over the greyhound , which bit him in the leg . Yelling with pain he ran across the courtyard only to receive a kick from the donkey 's hind leg as he passed him . In the meantime the cock had been roused from his slumbers , and feeling very cheerful he called out , from the shelf where he was perched , ` Kikeriki ! ' Then the robber hastened back to his captain and said : ` Sir , there is a dreadful witch in the house , who spat at me and scratched my face with her long fingers ; and before the door there stands a man with a long knife , who cut my leg severely . In the courtyard outside lies a black monster , who fell upon me with a huge wooden club ; and that is not all , for , sitting on the roof , is a judge , who called out : `` Bring the rascal to me . '' So I fled for dear life . ' After this the robbers dared not venture into the house again , and they abandoned it for ever . But the four street musicians were so delighted with their lodgings that they determined to take up their abode in the robbers ' house , and , for all I know to the contrary , they may be living there to this day . -LSB- From the German , Kletke . -RSB- THE TWIN BROTHERS Once there was a fisherman who had plenty of money but no children . One day an old woman came to his wife and said : ` What use is all your prosperity to you when you have no children ? ' ` It is God 's will , ' answered the fisherman 's wife .
` Nay , my child , it is not God 's will , but the fault of your husband ; for if he would but catch the little gold-fish you would surely have XXXXX .
children feeling food fools match monster noise table venture wine