Before he went to sleep he looked round the four points of the compass, and saw a little spark burning in the distance. The donkey and the greyhound lay down under a big tree, and the cat and the cock got up into the branches, the cock flying right up to the topmost twig, where he thought he would be safe from all danger. In the evening they came to a wood, and they made up their minds to go no further, but to spend the night there. You have got a good voice, and could join a street band we are getting up.' The cock was much pleased with the idea, and the party proceeded on their way.Д«ut the nearest big town was a long way off, and it took them more than a day to reach it.

вЂI'll tell you what, redcap,' said the donkey вЂyou had much better come with us to the nearest town. вЂI am only prophesying good weather,' said the cock вЂfor to-morrow is a feast day, and just because it is a holiday and a number of people are expected at the inn, the landlady has given orders for my neck to be wrung to-night, so that I may be made into soup for to-morrow's dinner.' вЂThe noise you are making is enough to break the drums of our ears.' вЂWhat in the world is the matter with you?' asked the donkey. In a short time they came to the courtyard of an inn, where they found a cock crowing lustily.

The cat was delighted with the donkey's proposal, and they all continued their journey together. I know what sweet music you make at night, so you are sure to be a success.' вЂCome to the nearest big town with us,' said the donkey, вЂand try your fortune as a street musician. I have no wish to die yet, so I ran away from her but good advice is expensive, and I don't know where I am to go to, or what I am to do.' вЂI am well up in years now, and have lost most of my teeth consequently I prefer sitting in front of the fire to catching mice, and so my old mistress wanted to drown me. вЂIt's impossible to look cheerful when one feels depressed,' answered the cat. вЂNow, what has happened to upset your happiness, friend puss?' inquired the donkey.

When they had gone a short distance they met a cat with a face as long as three rainy days. The greyhound was quite pleased at the idea, and the two set off together. Why don't you take up music as a profession and come along with me? I'll play the flute and you can play the kettle-drum.' вЂWell,' said the donkey, вЂI am on my way to the nearest big town, where I mean to become a street musician. But how I am to earn my own livelihood I haven't a notion.' вЂSo I am,' replied the dog, вЂbut because I am getting old and am growing weaker every day, and cannot go out hunting any longer, my master wanted to poison me and, as life is still sweet, I have taken leave of him. вЂWell, brother,' said the donkey, вЂwhat's the matter with you? You look rather tired.' When he had trotted along for some distance he came upon a greyhound lying on the road, and panting for dear life. As he was no longer of any use, his master made up his mind to shoot him but when the donkey learnt the fate that was in store for him, he determined not to die, but to run away to the nearest town and there to become a street musician. TodayвЂ™s story is THE STREET MUSICIANS from Andrew LangвЂ™s Grey Fairy Book.ДЄ man once possessed a donkey which had served him faithfully for many years, but at last the poor beast grew old and feeble, and every day his work became more of a burden. IвЂ™m Susan Poulter, a Librarian at the Main Library. Hello, and welcome to Family Folktales from the Nashville Public Library. This story can be found in Andrew LangвЂ™s Grey Fairy Book.

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