Séadna Chap. 2 : the Three wishes

Séadna: chapter 2 the Three Wishes

Séadna sat forlorn by the side of the road:

'What will I do? Without money, without leather, without wax I'll not be able to make shoes?

I'll go to Diarmaid, the leather shop man and he'll give me leather on credit until I have made the shoes, and he has sold them.'

He put his old cáibín on his head, he tied his old ragged coat about him with string, and he hit the road to Macroom.

He had walked only a little way when he noticed a bright Angel over the road:

'Séadna, I am an Angel. God is grateful to you. You have three wishes from the God of Glory. Ask anything you like, but keep in mind your soul- that you may have a bed among the Saints when you die.

'Any three things at all that I like?'

The Angel didn't answer.

After thinking a little Séadna continued:

'I have a nice little súgán chair, and I like to sit in it at rest at the end of the day's work, but every blackguard who comes in sits in it to rest, and there's no place for me.

The next person who sits in it, except myself, let hime be stuck in it.'

'Watch it , Séadna, that's a wish without benefit. Remember your soul.'

'I have a little bag of oatmeal at home, but every blackguard who comes in has to stick his fist into it. The next person, except myself, who puts his hand in let him be stuck in it!

It's great sport I will have with them!'

'Oh, Séadna', said the Angel, 'that's another wish without benefit. You have but one left. Don't forget your soul!'

Séadna was in stitches. He wasn't listening to the Angel

'I nearly forgot: I have a little apple tree, and every blackguard who comes to me has to put his hand up and take an apple. The next person, except myself, who puts his hand in the tree let him be stuck in it!'

The Angel disappearered.

Séadna realised what he had done.

'Amn't I the biggest eejit in Ireland. Why didn't I ask for money, or a horse, or a cow. I have no leather, no hemp and no wax.

I must go to Diarmaid and get leather on credit.'

He hit the road to Macroom again.