The fake miracle
The next morning, my master went to church and the bells rang. The objective of the sermon was to announce that the bulero was going away and that indulgences finished that day.
All the people in the town went to church, but everybody said that the indulgences were fake. They thought that the sheriff discovered that and people didn’t want to buy the indulgences.
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My master, the bulero, went upon the pulpit and gave a sermon.
He was telling people to buy the indulgences when the sheriff got into the church. He said:
- Good people, listen to me for a moment. I had an agreement with this bulero. He told me to help me in his business and then, we would share the money. However, now, I can’t do it. I don’t want to rob you of your money. The indulgences are fake.
- He made silence. Some people wanted to take the sheriff out of the church but my master said no.
Then, the bulero knelt down on the pulpit, put his hands together to pray and looked up to heaven. He said:
- Dear God, You know the Truth. You know that this man is a liar. I forgive him. But please, make a miracle now. If what the sheriff says is true, make the pulpit and me disappear under the earth. If what the sheriff says is false, punish him.
Suddenly, the sheriff fell on the floor with a terrible noise. His face got distorted and he got foam on his mouth, and he rolled on the floor with agony.
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People shouted. Everybody was scared. Some people tried to help the sheriff but he kicked them and punched them.
Meanwhile, my master was on the pulpit, looking up at heaven and praying. Some men went to the pulpit and begged him to help the sheriff and to forgive him. The bulero said:
- God says we should forgive people. We can forgive this man, who offended God and who doesn’t want you to buy the indulgences. Let’s pray to God to forgive him.
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Everybody started to pray. After that, the bulero walked up to the sheriff, he put the indulgence on the sheriff’s head and the sheriff finally recovered consciousness. Finally, the sheriff stood up and said “Sorry” to the bulero. He said he had the devil inside him.
The bulero forgave him.
Then, everybody bought the indulgences. Many people from other towns came to this church to buy the indulgences.
At first, I believed my master was telling the truth. But later, the sheriff and my master laughed a lot and shared the money. Everything was a lie.
I was with this master for four months. Then, I left him.
CHAPTER 20
Lázaro sells water and is in trouble
I was a grown-up boy when I met a chaplain when I was going into a Cathedral. He gave me an ass, four pitchers and a whip and I started to sell water around the town.
Everyday, I gave my master 30 maravedís. If I earned more, they were for me. Also, everything I earned on Saturday was for me.
After 4 years, I could buy proper clothes, but they were old clothes. Then, I told my master I didn’t want that job and I gave him back his ass.
Then, I served a sheriff, but for a very short time because it was a very dangerous job.
One night, some robbers attacked the sheriff. They threw him stones and hurt him.I was lucky I could escape. So I quit that job.
CHAPTER 21
Lázaro, his wife and the arch-priest of Salvador
God and my friends helped me to get a good job: I became an announcer in Toledo. I announced the wines that people could buy in the city. I announced the punishment that the robbers had. I am good at my job and many people ask me to announce things.
The arch-priest of Salvador wanted me to announce his wine. He saw that I was a good person and he asked me to marry one of his servants.
I said yes and I am happy with her. She is a good person and the arch-priest always gives us things. He gives us wheat, socks, and bread. At Easter , he gives us lamb. He asked us to rent a house near his house and on Sundays we eat in his house.
However, people speak a lot and badly about us. They talk about my wife and the arch-priest, because she goes into his house and cooks for him.
One day, the arch-priest said this to me and my wife was listening:
- Lázaro de Tormes, don’t listen to bad people. Some people say bad things about your wife. Don’t pay attention to them.
- Sir, I know you are a good person. Some of my friends speak badly of you and my wife. Dear wife, I will not repeat these bad things because I respect you.
My wife started crying and shouting and saying that she didn’t want to marry me.
I was very sorry for her. I said she could go into the arch-priest’s house.
After that , she calmed down and we were all happy.
Up to now, I never talk about my wife. I never listen to people who talk about my wife. I always tell people:
-If you want to be my friend, don’t speak badly of my wife. I love her.
That was the year when the Emperor came to Toledo and there was a big fiesta here. I was very lucky at that time.
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CHAPTER 22
