ONCE upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman, who had been
married many years and had no children, and when they were yet old they
prayed to God to give them a child who might help them in their work as
they advanced in years. Their prayer was heard. When seven years had
passed the old woman gave birth to seven sons, and they were all called
Simeon. When the children were ten years old the old man and his wife
died, and the sons began to till his ground.
It chanced that one day the Czar Ados came past, and, seeing them
working in the fields, he was astonished to see such little fellows
doing such work. He sent one of his nobles to ask whose children they
were. So the noble came to them and asked who they were who worked so
hard. The eldest Simeon told him that they were orphans and had no one
to work for them. As for their names they were all called Simeon.
When the Czar got back to the palace he called together all his nobles
and asked them their opinion, saying—
“My lords, there are seven orphans who have no kinsfolk. I will make
them such men that they shall be grateful to me. Now, I want your advice
as to what trade or art I shall have them taught.”