Three men met at a tavern table.  One was a weaver, another a
carpenter and the third a ploughman.
 
Said the weaver, “I sold a fine linen shroud today for two 
pieces of gold.  Let us have all the wine we want.”
 
“And I,” said the carpenter, “I sold my best coffin.  We will 
have a great roast with the wine.”
 
“I only dug a grave,” said the ploughman, “but my patron 
paid me double.  Let us have honey cakes too.”

And all that evening the tavern was busy, for they called often
for wine and meat and cakes.  And they were merry.

And the host rubbed his hands and smiled at his wife; for his 
guests were spending freely.
 
When they left the moon was high, and they walked along 
the road singing and shouting together.
 
The host and his wife stood in the tavern door and looked after
them.

“Ah!” said the wife, “these gentlemen!  So freehanded and so 
gay! If only they could bring us such luck every day!  Then our 
son need not be a tavern-keeper and work so hard.  We could 
educate him, and he could become a priest.”