But the elder persisted in his resolution so firmly that the younger was obliged to give up, and said:
"Since it is so I have no ill-will toward thee. Make the division as seemeth good to thee."
The division made, each one ordered his life as he thought good. The indolent brother took a herder for his cattle and horses, a shepherd for his sheep, a goatherd for his goats, a swineherd for his pigs, a keeper for his bees, and said to each of them:
"I confide my goods to thee, and may God watch over thee."
And he continued to live in his house without any more care he had ever done.
The elder on the contrary laboured for his half of the property as much as he had ever done for the common good. He kept his herds himself, having an eye on everything, but in spite of all his care he had ill success on every side.
From day to day everything turned out badly with him, so that at last he became so poor that he had not even a pair of sandals, and was obliged to go barefooted. Then he said to himself:
"I will go to my brother's, and see how the world wags with him."
His way led him across a meadow where a flock of sheep was grazing, and as he drew near he saw that the sheep had no shepherd. Near them, however, a beautiful young girl was seated, spinning a thread of gold.
After having saluted the maiden with a "God protect thee," he asked her whose were the sheep, and she answered: