Next morning, the joiner paid for his bed, took up his table, never thinking that he had got a false one, and went his way.
At midday, he reached his father, who received him with great joy. “Well, my dear son, what have you learnt?” said he to him.
“Father, I have become a joiner.”
“A good trade,” replied the old man; “but what have you brought back with you from your apprenticeship?”
“Father, the best thing which I have brought back with me is this Little Table.”
The tailor examined it on all sides and said, “You did not make a masterpiece, when you made that. It is a bad old table.”
“But it is a table which furnishes itself,” replied the son. “When I put it down, and tell it to set itself, the most beautiful dishes stand on it, and a wine also which gladdens the heart. Just invite all our relations and friends. They shall refresh and enjoy themselves for once, for the table will give them all they require.”
When the company was assembled, he put his table in the middle of the room and said:
“Little Table!
Set thyself!”
but the little table did not bestir itself, and remained just as bare as any other table which did not understand language. Then the poor apprentice became aware that his table had been changed, and was ashamed at having to stand there like a liar.