As soon as the day came, he went upon his wrings to see if he could hit upon the farmer's house near the grove where the lion was.
At the darkening of lateness he got there and took his own shape, and he beat upon the door, and the farmer came out and said:
"Who are you, and whence?"
"I am a poor sailor," said he, "my ship was lost, and all on board were drowned but me; and since I cannot get back, I am seeking service."
"Come in, lad," said the farmer, "your sort used to be hungry and thirsty at times."
In he went, and from less to more he offered to be a herd. "We need one of your sort," said the farmer. A lion is in a thicket of wood near us, and each time the cattle go to that grove, the lion takes one of the cows, and sometimes he takes the best, and sometimes he takes the herd."
