But the birch tree answered nothing at all, and only groaned, and the fool was astonished that the birch tree wished to receive the ox on credit.
“If that is so, I will wait till to-morrow,” said the fool.
He tied the ox to the birch tree, said good-bye to it, and went home.
The clever brothers came to him and began to question him.
“Well, fool,” they said, “have you sold your ox?”
“I have sold it.”
“Did you sell it dear?”
“I sold it for twenty roubles.”
“And where is the money?”
“I have not yet got the money. I have been told I shall receive it to-morrow.”