Séadna: An t-Athair Peadar Ua Laoghaire

This Chapter is a translation of:

Séadna Caib. 1

Séadna Chap. 1

Séadna was a cobbler. He had a litle thatched house which he built himself. There were three things of which he was very proud: his súgán chair that he made himself; his bag of oatmeal hanging by the fire ; and his apple tree.

When the day's work was done he would sit at his ease in his chair. When he was hungry he would take a fistful of meal from his bag, and when he was thirsty from chewing the oatmeal he woud put his hand into the tree and pick a tasty apple.

There was no man ever as content as Séadna

One day at work he noticed that he had no more leather, no more hemp(thread) and no more wax. He would have to go to Macroom. He had only three shillings in his pocket.

On the road to Macroom he met a beautiful child.

'In the name of God, Séadna give me something to eat. I am dying of hunger.'

Oh, poor Child, I have nothing with me, but here is a shilling, and buy yourself something to eat.

Séadna you have done something great for God and you will get your reward.

The child disappeared.

He had only walked a little further when he noticed a beautiful, barefoot woman :

In God's name, Séadna, give me something to eat. I'm dying of hunger:

Oh, a Bhean uasail, I have nothing with me, but here is a shilling. Buy yourself something to eat.

Séadna it's a great thing you have done for God. You will get your reward.

The beautiful woman disappeared.

A little way further at the side of the road there was an old man:

In God's name, Séadna, give me something to eat.I am dying of hunger.

Take my last shilling and buy yoursaelf something to eat.

It's a great work you have done for God, Séadna. You will get your reward.

The old man disappeared.