God's Food

by The Brothers Grimm

　　

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There were once upon a time two sisters, one of whom had no children andwas rich, and the other had five and was a widow, and so poor that sheno longer had food enough to satisfy herself and her children. In herneed, therefore, she went to her sister, and said, "My children and Iare suffering the greatest hunger; thou art rich, give me a mouthfulof bread." The very rich sister was as hard as a stone, and said,"I myself have nothing in the house," and drove away the poor creaturewith harsh words. After some time the husband of the rich sister camehome, and was just going to cut himself a piece of bread, but when hemade the first cut into the loaf, out flowed red blood. When the womansaw that she was terrified and told him what had occurred. He hurriedaway to help the widow and her children, but when he entered her room,he found her praying. She had her two youngest children in her arms, andthe three eldest were lying dead. He offered her food, but she answered,"For earthly food have we no longer any desire. God has already satisfiedthe hunger of three of us, and he will hearken to our supplicationslikewise." Scarcely had she uttered these words than the two little onesdrew their last breath, whereupon her heart broke, and she sank down dead.

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