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Jonek, despite being a diligent and compassionate man, had no such luck. He toiled in the
fields but his crops did not yield very much come harvest time. The wheat that did grow was
soon beaten down by angry storms and merciless winds, and his cattle were plagued by
disease and hunger.
His wife fell ill, and just as she began to recover, four of his children were struck down by
yellow fever.
When he finally ran out of money, Jonek was forced to pay a visit to his heartless brother.
“Antek, lend me some money,” pleaded Jonek. “My beloved children are ill, my horse is
dying, and my ox is lame. I cannot work, and we are so hungry.”
“Alright, but you must pay me back what you owe and more,” replied Antek with a smug
grin on his face.
Jonek was saddened by his brother’s lack of goodwill, but he had no choice but to borrow
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