AMBITION

  Three men met at a tavern table.  One
was a weaver, another a carpenter and the
third a ploughman.

  Said the weaver, "I sold a fine linen
shroud today for two pieces of gold.  Let
us have all the wine we want."

  "And I," said the carpenter, "I sold my
best coffin.  We will have a great roast
with the wine."

  "I only dug a grave," said the plough-
man, "but my patron paid me double.
Let us have honey cakes too."

  And all that evening the tavern was
busy, for they called often for wine and
meat and cakes.  And they were merry.

  And the host rubbed his hands and 
smiled at his wife; for his guests were
spending freely.

  When they left the moon was high, and
they walked along the road singing and
shouting together.

  The host and his wife stood in the tavern
door and looked after them.

  "Ah!" said the wife, "these gentlemen!
So freehanded and so gay!  If only they
could bring us such luck every day!
Then our son need not be a tavern-keeper
and work hard.  We could educate him,
and he could become a priest."