he crept away softly to fetch it, and put it against the wall in place of the other.
When the morning came, the joiner paid for his night's lodging, took up his table, and left, never suspecting that the one he was carrying was not his own.
He reached home at mid-day, and was greeted with joy by his father. "And now, dear son," said the old man "what trade have you learnt?"
"I am a joiner, father."
"A capital business," responded the father, "and what have you brought home with you from your travels?"
"The best thing I have brought with me, father, is that table."
The tailor carefully examined the table on all sides. "Well," he said at last, "you have certainly not brought a master-piece back with you; it is a wretched, badly-made old table."
"But it is a wishing-table," interrupted his son, "if I put it down and order a meal, it is at once covered with the best of food and wine. If you will only invite your relations and friends, they shall, for once in their lives, have a good meal, for no one ever leaves this table unsatisfied."
When the guests were all assembled, he put his table down as usual, and said, "Table, serve up a meal," but the table did not stir, and remained as empty as any ordinary table at such a command. Then the poor young man saw that his table had been changed, and he was covered with shame at having to stand there before them all like a liar. The guests made fun of him, and had to return home without bite or sup. The tailor took out his cloth and sat down once more to his tailoring, and the son started work again under a master-joiner.
