The man returned home and said to his wife: “God has taken pity on us. See, here we have enough gold to make us rich,” and he opened his bag and showed her the golden money he had brought.
On the following day he purchased a house and moved his family into it. “But let us continue to live simply,” said he to his wife. “We will buy what we need and avoid extravagance.”
“Yes,” said she, “that is best. I do not forget how recently I have been glad to give the children milk soup to drink to save them from starving.”
For two months they lived happily, and had plenty to eat, and gave generously to the poor. Then the wife of the older brother came to visit them, for she had heard that they were well off now. Her own family, on the contrary, had begun to suffer misfortune. Their sheep had died, their crops had failed, and unseasonable frosts had ruined their fruit trees.
The wife of the younger brother did not feel any ill will toward her visitor because of the way she had been treated in the days of her misery, and she welcomed her heartily, and gave her the best seat, and set before her the choicest food in the house. This was very different from the treatment that had been accorded her, for the older brother’s wife used to receive her in the kitchen and never asked her to sit down.
After some time the visitor said: “Sister, pray tell me where your husband has found work, that my husband may if possible get work there also. We have been unfortunate of late and are in great want.”
“My husband has not got any employment,” responded the other. “You remember when I was last at your house and you made me wash my hands. That day he went to the mountains and found a castle where he got a lot of gold.”
“Would he take my husband to that castle?” asked the former rich woman. “Perhaps we too may thus gain relief.”
“He will do what he can for you, I am sure,” said the other. “If your husband will bring a bag tomorrow he will show him the way. He does not wish to get any more treasure for himself because he thinks we already have enough.”
The next morning the older brother came with a bag under his arm and said: “Good morrow, brother, how do you do? I hope you are well.”