she harmed them not, but rather pitied them for the sore plight they were in. And she cared for them, and with them abode the coming of the old man. Now it came to pass on the sixth day, that the witch saw he was drawing nigh, and she bade the Sun burn him with its rays. And the Sun shone forth, and the old man was burned and thirsty. Then said the witch to the Rain, "Rain upon this man." And the Rain rained until the man was like to be drowned. Then the witch bade that the Sun should scorch him once more, and again the Rain that it should ram upon him, and then once more the Sun, that it should burn the man. Now he was close to the land, and he was very thirsty. Therefore he hasted to a little stream hard by, and stooped to drink. But the witch with her pearl shell had stopped the water from flowing, and only a few drops trickled. Therefore the man stooped low to drink what little was there, and at that moment the witch took away her pearl shell, and the water rushed mightily forward and down the man's throat, and choked him. So were the children delivered from their enemy who had wrought them much ill. But because of the manner of his death, it is a saying amongst us, "Eat first and afterwards drink, else will thy liver be pierced by the water which shall be swallowed."
