IX

Life Dull Without Song

In the upper part of a house lived a rich barin , and on the floor below lived a poor tailor. The tailor was always singing songs at his work, and prevented the barin from sleeping.

The barin gave the tailor a purse full of money not to sing. The tailor became rich, and took good care of his money, and refrained from singing.

But it grew tiresome to him; he took the money and returned it to the barin , saying:⁠—

“Take back your money and let me sing my songs again, or I shall die of melancholy.”

1693