EL LAZARILLO DE TORMES

Then, we got into the bedroom and the esquire said:

- Boy, stand here and learn how to make a bed. We made the bed but it was very easy. It was a bench. There was a very dirty and hard mattress on it. The blanket was also very dirty. Then he said:

​

- Lázaro, it’s very late. The square is far from here. At nighttime there are many thieves in the city. Let’s go to sleep. Tomorrow will be another day. I have no food because I usually eat out of the house. Tomorrow, we will do it in a different way.

- Don’t worry-I said- I can get by without food one or more nights.

- Good for you. You will live long. If you want to have a long life, you shouldn’t eat much.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    In the morning, I helped him to get dressed. I poured some water in his hands and he combed his hair. He got his sword, he stood up straight and he put his cloak on his shoulders. Then, he said:

 

- Lázaro, take care of the house. I’m going to Mass. Make my bed and get some water from the river. Lock the door with the key. Beware of thieves.

Then I thought: 

If you see my master, you will think. He had a good supper and he slept on a good bed. But he only ate a dirty piece of bread.

I went all around the house. There was absolutely nothing inside. I made the bed, got the jug and went to the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

    I ate some herbs from an orchard and I went home.  I waited for my master to bring some food. But he didn`t come. At two, I was very hungry. I locked the door with the key and went out. 

I begged for food in the street. I did a very good job. Some people gave me bread and a woman game me some cooked sausages. 

When I arrived home, my master was already there. I said: 

 

- Sir, I waited for you but you didn’t come. So I went out and begged in the street. They gave me this. 

I showed him the bread and the sausages.

His expression on the face changed. 

- I waited for you to eat together, but you didn’t come, so I ate without you. You did a good job. It’s good to beg for food and not  steal it. But please, don’t tell anyone you are my servant. 

Then, he said:

- I’m very unlucky in this house. I promise we will go to another house.

I started to eat the bread and the sausages. While I was eating, he looked at the food.

Poor man, he was hungry. Then, I gave him some food and he ate it desperately.  He said it was the best food in the world. After that, we went to sleep.

The following eight days were the same. The esquire went out to mass and I went out to beg for food. 

My life was a mess. I escaped from two masters who didn’t give me food. And now I had a new master and I had to give food to him. But I loved him and I had pity on him.

​

​

​

 

​

​

​