The Shepherd took the treasure, built himself a house, and, having married, lived a happy life. Soon he became known as the richest man, not only in his own village, but so rich that there was not his equal in the whole neighborhood. He had his own shepherd, cow keeper, hostler, and swineherd; plenty of goods and chattels, and great riches.
One day, just before Christmas, he said to his wife, “Get some wine, and some brandy, and all things necessary; to-morrow we will go to the farmyard and take the good things to the shepherds that they may also enjoy themselves.”
The wife followed his directions and prepared all that he had told her. When they arrived on the following day at the farmhouse, the master said to the shepherds in the evening—
“Come here, all of you; eat, drink, and be merry. I will watch over the flocks for you to-night.” And he went, in very deed, and remained with the flocks.
About midnight the wolves began to howl and the dogs to bark, and the wolves said in their language—
“May we come in and do what mischief we like? Then you, too, shall have your share.”
And the dogs answered in their language, “Come in; and we will eat our fill with you.”
But among the dogs there was an old one, who had but two teeth in his head, and he said to the wolves—
“That will not do. So long as I have my two teeth in my head you shall do no harm to my master nor his.”
The master heard it all, and understood what was said. On the following morning he ordered all the dogs to be killed save only the old one. The hinds said, “Heaven forbid, sir; that would be a great pity!” But the master answered, “Do what I have told you.”