Now, it's said troubles never come singly,
and our traveller met three in a row,
for next Joe bumped into a down-hearted lad
whose spade had broken in two.

The lad's job was digging potatoes
but how could he dig with no spade?
`Take this sword,' said Joe. `It will break up the ground.
Just don't cut yourself on the blade.'

Time passed and Joe journeyed onward,
without sword or gold coins or cloak.
There he was, trotting along the lane
when Marvel, his talking horse, spoke.

`Master,' she said. `I have watched you
give up your cloak, coins and sword,
and because you have given so generously
you are sure to receive a reward.'

And that night Joe didn't go hungry.
His gold might all have been spent,
but word of his kindness had spread through the land
and folk helped him wherever he went.