XX
THE FIRST VINEYARD
ON the same day when old Father Noah came out of the Ark, he found close to the spot where it rested a large vine. It had been carried away from the Garden of Eden by the rain which came with the Flood. The vine still had its clusters of grapes and its roots. Noah tasted the grapes and rejoiced in his heart whilst eating the wonderful fruit. "This is so lovely," cried he in delight, "I will plant a vineyard and have plenty of grapes and golden wine." He found a fine hill for his vineyard and began to plant the roots. After an hour's work he rested a while. He saw a strange-looking fellow coming along the road and when he came to the hill he called aloud:
"Good-morning, Father Noah, what art thou doing?"
"First tell me, whence comest thou?"
"From walking up and down the earth."
"How didst thou escape the Flood?"
"I was in the Holy Land, where the waters of the Flood did not come."
"Thou dost ask what am I doing. I am planting a vineyard."
