There were once upon a time two sisters, one of whom had no children and was rich, and the
other had five and was a widow, and so poor that she no longer had food enough to satisfy herself
and her children. In her need, therefore, she went to her sister, and said, “My children and I are
suffering the greatest hunger; thou art rich, give me a mouthful of bread.” The very rich sister
was as hard as a stone, and said, “I myself have nothing in the house,” and drove away the poor
creature with harsh words. After some time the husband of the rich sister came home, and was
just going to cut himself a piece of bread, but when he made the first cut into the loaf, out flowed
red blood. When the woman
saw that she was terrified and told him what had occurred. He hurried away to help the widow
and her children, but when he entered her room, he found her praying. She had her two youngest
children in her arms, and the three eldest were lying dead. He offered her food, but she
answered, “For earthly food have we no longer any desire. God has already satisfied the hunger
of three of us, and he will hearken to our supplications likewise.” Scarcely had she uttered these
words than the two little ones
drew their last breath, whereupon her heart broke, and she sank down dead.
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